Money belts and security questions

What you are asking is mostly personal preference and you will get a posting supporting each option. All options will work IF USED PROPERLY. Often many people try to use these as hidden billfolds and access them during the day. Some will wear the money belt behind the belt buckle so that they can get into easily. All of these options should be worn in such a way that is as difficult for you to get to as it would be for a pickpocket. We both wear the money belt under our clothes with the pouch in the small area of the back above the waist line. For us, very comfortable, not obvious and not affected by the type of clothing we are wearing. We cannot get to it without partially undressing. The neck wallet is just as good but keep it buried and don't keep pulling it out to pay for every little item. Follow a simple principle - if it is easy for you to get to it, then it will be easy for someone else to get to. All zippers should always be secured. We use the small combo locks. Cannot lose the key. But a safety pin or twisty ties is better than nothing.

I wish people wouldn't steal so I wouldn't have to deal with money belts of any sort, but seeing as that's not the case... I don't like the neck wallet because I don't like things around my neck. I don't even wear necklaces 99.9% of the time. That's personal though so it really doesn't speak for how good it works. I don't really like the waist belt either because I like to wear dresses a lot and it's just not convenient, and also either impossible to get the money out or I risk getting arrested for indecent exposure. However, it is what I take with me.
As a lady, my favorite secruity measure of choice is the "bra purse". Enough said. But the hidden belt is something I have never tried and it might be better than the other options. You will find a wealth of info on this topic throughout this site. Even if you are going just to Italy, check the other forums for similar questions. You will find a post from me somewhere preaching the superiority of the "bra purse" :-)

For a primer on moneybelts: http://www.1bag1world.com/blog/2011/7/13/money-belts.html And yes, I'll admit it. I wrote the article.

My husband and I both have used the money belts from the RS store. A word of caution - we both have had an instance where we needed to access something in the money belt while out and felt rushed to put the item (cc or cash) back in the belt since we were partially undressing to get the item out. We thought we had put the item in the belt and zippered it shut but felt the item traveling down our pant leg a few steps later. I have also found that the money belts don't work as well with lower waisted pants.

Low waist pants should not make a difference. I think the biggest problem with money belts is that they are called belts. Everyone thinks it should be worn at the belt line. Marcia wears her a little below her bra line and mine is a little lower in the small of the back when it is barely noticed by me. But Lisa illustrates the need to anticipate what you need during the day so that your are not forced to disrobe in public. For example I almost never carry my passport in the money belt because there has been a few occasions when I had to unexpectedly produce it so I carry it in a shirt pocket that has both a zipper and button flap. In Lisa situation I would have gotten out what I need and put everything back in a pocket and needed for the nearest restroom so I could put myself back together again. Learning how to properly use and wear the money belt is as important as having it.

I also recommend cargo type slacks with zippered front pockets or leg pockets. I like these for keeping extra cash for the day or my passport if it will fit. It would be pretty difficult for someone to get to them before I knew it.

I prefer the money belt because it's the most comfortable and convenient for me out of all the security options. Whichever security item you choose, don't access it in public if you can help it. It's supposed to be "deep storage." Go into a bathroom or other private place, get out what you need, use it, and go back to the bathroom to put it back. I have carried a backpack on daytrips and never felt the need to lock the zippers because I didn't put anything of value in there - just a jacket, water bottle, kleenex or napkins, souvenirs I bought, etc. Pickpockets were free to go through it; they wouldn't find anything of interest.

I use a money belt in most circumstances and it works well. However, I have never used the RS belts, so I can't comment on them. I've also just used a buttoning front shirt pocket or pants with a zippered pocket. I'd suggest securing the zippers on your backpack in big cities. You do not necessarily need to use a lock - any clip will do. The idea is that someone will have to fumble with it to open it. I most often use a small combination travel lock set on the open combination (the kind where you set a three or four number combination). Good luck.

Just got back from Italy and I purchase a money belt and and neck wallet. My dad enjoy the neck wallet and I had the money belt . I liked both. Had no problems with them. Plus also the hotels do have safety deposit boxes in their rooms. We only took what we needed to walk around. I saw people with backpack that put them in the front of them but my daughter had of the athletic bags- thin one that she put over her shoulder. No problem with that also. Also don't forget to write down the back of your credit card information so if something happens you have the info and you can call right away to cancel. Have fun and enjoy

with your backpack it doesn't help to lock the zipper - thieves don't open zipper, they cut your bag open. so don't put anything too valuable in it, and don't take fancy backpacks.

I've never cared much for "real" money belts, so I sewed my own little pouch out of a nice thin (but durable) fabric, made a little Velco flap on it and use a couple of safety pins to pin it to the inside of my skirt or pants.

Personal preference rules the day. I went thru a money belt, two neck purses, and now I use an "inside the pants" wallet; and really like it. I watched in Lisbon as a thief came up behind my wife and was getting ready to slash her backpak. He turned and saw me, and ran off. "Pacsafe" makes backpacks that have steel mesh in the bottom, and a steel cable in the shoulder strap.

I took 45 music students and parents to Europe last summer. I required them all to bring money belts. No problems, and we stayed in hostels in 3 countries. Only a few went with the neck variety. Personally, I always travel with the belt variety and have never had a problem. Nobody is going to get to my money unless they get into my pants, and that's not going to happen!

I am planning a RS Tour, and ONLY bringing a backpack. I do have to get from the airport to my hotel on public transportation. The slashing thing makes me nervous then. Of course knowing someone is behind me with a razor or other sharp tool is pretty scary in itself.

There was a recent discussion which ask for any first hand experience of a backpack actually being slash. It was only a friend of a friend of someone at work. The probability of it being slash is very, very remote. But you should never wear a backpack on back in crowded situation. Swing to the front and, if stand, drop it to your feet.

We were in Italy for 4 weeks (incl. Rome/Venice) and my husband wore the hidden wallet every day. I think it's much more comfortable than the other options. I personally wore a regular crossbody bag (Sac brand, crocheted) and while I only carried small amounts of cash; I never had the slightest problems. Never felt even the slightest tug or pull on it. We were very impressed, we didn't see many gypsies at all (much less than in 1998 on our last trip to Italy). We had locks for our carryon backpack style luggage; and we used them on travel days; just the TSA approved locks. It can't hurt to bring the locks, and use them as you feel necessasry.

All,
Thank you so much for your help! It confirmed some information for me makes me feel better regarding our security needs and preparation. I'm going to get the security pocket for my husband! Thanks!

Have a nice trip !