Travel Vest for safety

I wonder why these are not recommended.

Probably aesthetics alone (too many pockets, zippers, and overall Indiana Jones or REI outdoors enthusiast look in largely urban settings that make one stand out). I don't change any of my wardrobe for (urban) travel and carry a normal purse with deep storage.

I've worn my Scottevest in many places - including Italy. It works great for me! I can carry phone, a small wallet, (in the inside pockets) and more if I need it! I like it better than a money belt and it looks fine, I think.

Mine is an older version and only has outside zip pockets on the sides rather than the front.

What Agnes said. Plus if it's the early fall it can still be quite warm, if not hot. I would hate wearing that much bulk on my torso, trapping in the heat.

For me, it is simply a matter of style. Personally do not like the look. I am not on safari nor do I want or need that many pockets. For us we try to dress a notch better than the average American tourist. In our opinion there is a difference between blending in and standing out. We try not to stand out with unusual dress. But if you are comfortable wearing the vest, then it is fine. But I personally would not recommend it.

I usually wear normal clothes but to carry stuff I use a fanny pack similar to this one, although there are thousands different styles.
I find that to be a very safe feature. The time when you are most vulnerable to pickpockets is in crowded environments (I.e. on a crowded city bus or subway). In those circumstances I always have a hand on my fanny pack (which I can also lock with a small zipper lock for luggage).
Occasionally I might wear cargo pants (or cargo shorts in summer) which add additional storage capacity at a finger tip, however they may not always be appropriate when a less formal attire is required.

I like to wear a shirt with pockets when I fly long distance, because while sitting on a plane movement is limited, therefore I find it convenient to have easily reachable pockets on my chest.

When I travel within the United States I wear this safety vest, but in Italy it is not necessary.

Shererer44, wear what you like. I have a multi pocket vest for birdwatching which I love for that hobby, but I would never consider it for city travel. I don't wear vests or even use pockets much, and I personally don't need the extra bulk. However, if you are comfortable with it, are confident that things are where they need to be and secure, then go for it. I know some designs are more streamlined, like the ScottVests. As they continue to make them and redesign them, people obviously buy and wear them somewhere. I hear they are also great for watching sport activities where bags and purses aren't allowed anymore.

Do you really need to carry your passport around?

You have to, you are not an EU citizen. It's the law and I'm afraid the days when cops accepted a copy from US tourists are definitely gone.

I have a scottevest. I consider it more of a versatile supplement to luggage. I use it primarily for convenience, not security. I can put all the stuff from my pockets - phone, wallet, keys, papers, candy bar, etc. - in the vest, and quickly take it off to go through security at the airport. Same thing while in transit when I might need things handy. But I don't normally wear it on the street while touring because I don't need to carry those things around, or use the daypack. I don't consider it a substitute for a money belt, but to each his own. I'm past the point of being worried about appearance.

A lot of forum participants are extremely sensitive about looking like a tourist. Wearing a tourist travel best would be like waking around with a big cartoon cloud over your head saying "Tourist" or worst yet "American Tourist". A multi-pocket tourist vest would be appropriate if you are on safari or fly fishing.

And would you want a multi-pocket vest filled with 6 or 8 kg of stuff walking around in 40C weather?

And in the US, the vest would look like a shop lifting accessory. Don't freak out if security is following you around the store.

Reading this, I think that a lot of people haven't looked at vests lately. They are not the fishing/hunting sportsman vests of yesteryear. On the RS tour, there were women who had light vests in black or gray that had some interior but not any obvious exterior pockets. I never once thought those women looked silly, as their blouses, slacks/skirts were a cut above most travelers, generally. Hold harmless, I tend to wear pretty vests at home instead of sweaters...too hot. Anyway, not all vests are made to hoard items on a person's body, but in many there are enough interior pockets to take the place of a money belt, which has a limited amount of items. Unless traveling in summer, it would work very well, IMO. Throw on a scarf and no one would have a clue. I've seen how people dress, a vest isn't going to make you look less neat or more like a tourist. So if you'd rather wear a vest than a money belt, do it. It is just as safe. IMO.

@Roberto: LOL.

not so cute

Do you really need to carry your passport around? We didn’t Just take a picture or use a passport and leave your physical passport someplace safe and secure.<<

I will never understand why someone would leave what I consider your most valuable possession while traveling anywhere but on your person- which is the safest most secure place.
A pic or photocopy is not legit ID and will not get you home if anything should happen and you cannot get back to your hotel to retrieve your LEGAL ID.
We both wear money belts- we carry our own passports along with a credit card- each have a diff card- if anything should happen and we get separated or whatever we know we can each get ourselves home or to safety. I am not a paranoid person but just shake my head when I see comments like this and I know a lot of people leave their passport in hotel- I just don't get it.

In 20+ years of traveling all over Europe from the days of borders to the Schengen zone. Only had to produce the passport three times unexpected. One that was the most scary was on a private tour with ourselves, two sons and two other couples in very small bus. We were in the countryside visit old ruins on small country road when we hit a road block. Our guide and driver seemed very surprise and a little concerned. They chatted briefly with the police and came back to ask us all to get off the bus and to stand along the side of bus leaving our bags behind. Two officer and slowly went through everything while another office walked down the line examining all of our passports. Everyone had one. They were relative polite, took about 20 minutes, motioned us back on the bus and we were off. The guide shook his head and said he had no idea what that was about other than they were obviously looking for someone. I am sure the officer would have accept a photo copy of my passport.

The two other times were not so dramatic but damn glad I have my passport.

Money belt, vest, bulletproof pack -- whatever makes you feel safe. I stick with a money belt for deep storage (including my passport) because as Rick says, I put it on in the morning and when I go to bed at night it's still there, just like my underpants.

I could imagine getting overheated wearing a vest and taking it off and leaving it ... somewhere. But only you know your own foibles.

Wear whatever you want. I would suggest, in bigger cities, to stay away from the hunting/fishing type vest as you will stand out from the crowd.

Just remember thieves don't just want cash. They will happily take your cellphone (with Apple Pay and Google Pay on it.)

In Venice, I have seen many Italian gentlemen of a certain age wearing vests. Not quite sure why, as a wallet, phone, smokes and lighter don’t need all that much pocket space.
Light grey and pastels are the go. Drab greens, as for fishing vests, not so much.

I leave my passport in the hotel safe, whether I’m in Europe or Mexico or Costa Rica.
I carry with me a photocopy of the main page (the one with the photo) and the one with the latest entry seal and/or visa. I’ll take the risk of being fined up to 2000€.
You guys are free to take it with you at all times, including under water while you go scuba diving. You never know. The Italian Coast Guard might think you are an illegal alien trying to pass as a refuge swimming from North Africa.

shearer,

I always use both a Money Belt and my venerable Tilley Vest when traveling in Europe. I prefer storing valuables in several locations when I'm out touring. Photography is an important part of my travels, so I use the Vest to store spare batteries, an extra lens, water, map and anything else I might need during the day. I could care less whether others think it's "fashionable". It works for me and that's all that's important.

I have both Scottevests and Exofficio vests and they do not look like hunting vests. [A quick visit to either website will provide this info.] I have the lightweight styles, and have worn them in the summer. In the fall/winter, I wear the vest under a jacket. I prefer this mode of international travel to carrying a purse, as I always know where my wallet, phone, and glasses are, [inside zipper pockets,] and can confirm this with a quick brush of my arm against my body. I feel its just too easy to loose track of a purse or wallet when exhausted, rushing off trains, or overwhelmed by an unexpected situation. Also, for my phone , I use a Bandolier case and strap, so my phone hangs around my neck, preventing accidentally dropping it into a canal or lake, or just leaving it behind on a table.
[I do keep my passport under my clothes right next to my body.]
Safe travels, as we all have our comfort zones for adventure.

shearer44, wear what works for you. There are many ways to skin the security cat and none of them are wrong compared to taking no precautions at all. Vest? Along with fleece versions for the colder months, I own this one in navy:

https://www.google.com/shopping/product/3731489363943124555?client=safari&q=Eddie+Bauer+Women%27s+vests&prds=opd:1786892864386639446&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjrl8znrevjAhUULs0KHdBfDZ0QhC0IDygA

I wouldn't worry about the whole "stand out" thing but overload the pockets - a bulky, lumpy appearance isn't attractive - and even tho it's lightweight it would be far too warm for Italy in the late spring/summer/early fall. The zippered inside pocket for cash/cards is great but I don't believe it would handle a passport; haven't tried it, anyway.

Neither of us can tolerate moneybelts so we use different methods of securing our cards/cash. One of them involves a theft-resistant bag my husband usually carries; works the best when it's just too warm for an outer layer with inside pockets. My Canon (too large for a pocket and no, I'm not about to give it up) goes in my lightweight shoulder bag with the maps (yes, we like paper maps) wetwipes and other random items we like to have along. Oh, and we don't carry ALL of our cash and cards on us unless changing locations, just what we need for the day.

A couple of comments, I will reinforce what Wray and another poster have mentioned, if your vision of a vest is for a safari, photography, or looking like Indiana Jones, you have not looked at the array of items available on ScotteVest probably in 30 years.

Yes, these are excellent substitutes for a money belt, and I found even a day bag. I have one of their jackets, looks like any of my other light jackets, but enough room for my tablet, two cell phones, passport, guidebook, wallet, I suppose a water bottle, and more, though I typically would not carry that all at once. https://www.scottevest.com/shop/mens-jackets/mens-winter-jacket/revolution-jacket-men.shtml

The only drawback is I only wear a jacket in cooler weather, so it is best for off-season travel, than through the Summer. I take it with me as a jacket, but usually only get to wear it if cooler or in the evening.

If you are doing warmer weather travel, rather than a vest, look at their pants and shirts, the shirts will hold a cell phone, passport, and billfold, the pants more, they even have shorts, if that is your thing.

People like to argue about moneybelts like they are the only option for security. But the point is that, yes, traveling in Europe (or anyplace far from home) requires an added level of security because the ramifications of losing your passport, credit cards, phone, or other items are serious. To protect those items requires a plan, a money belt is one part of a plan possibly, but there are lots of options, and any plan requires a number of strategies.

Paul - what you posted is not a vest, it's a jacket. Looks like the arms are removable so technically maybe a vest. 26 pockets? A tad overkill, isn't it? You're probably more likely to forget you have something in one of them before sticking it in the washing machine. What Ken posted was my vision of what an outdoorsman vest looks like, it's even called the "...Outback".

I travel to Europe only in the Fall or Spring specifically so I can wear my Scottievest. And this is not a vest, but essentially a light jacket with a bunch of pockets on the inside.

I am sure the officer would have accept a photo copy of my passport.

Frank, really? They herded you out of the vehicle, lined everyone up while your luggage was pawed through and just a copy of the passport would have worked? I think this specific situation would have been the exact opposite with nothing but the real thing working.

Maybe it's just where I grew up and my experience with police, but I would never expect any police officer to accept a photocopy or picture on my phone of my ID when they ask for it. People keep saying that the police in Europe specifically are more than happy to go with you to your hotel to retrieve your passport if you don't have it with you when they ask for it. But no one has ever reported an experience of that situation. I have been asked for my passport while out and about two times recently. I showed it and was on my way. The second time, there was a couple from the hotel I was staying in walking with me. They did not have their passports. They did not get to walk on. I did not see them again so no idea what their experience was.

I carry my passport with me in my money belt along with my credit cards and maybe a couple hundred in whatever the local currency is I do not expect to need during the day and nothing more. The money belt is still flat, not overstuffed, it is not uncomfortable, fits well under my clothes, and I know where everything of importance is.

I don't like the vest. Seems uncomfortable since I usually travel in the warmer months and find just a shirt to be uncomfortably hot most of the time. But if it works for you, go for it.

I've travelled solo in Europe, New Zealand, and parts of Asia over the last 25 years -- I would never consider wearing a money belt, and I would never consider carrying my passport on me unless there is no safe in my hotel room (in which case my person is more secure than my hotel room). Actually, for my upcoming trip to Europe where I will be staying in apartments rather than hotel rooms most of the time, I'm taking a small portable safe to secure in the apartment (with a steel cord and lock) so I don't have to carry my Passport and Nexus card around.

I've never understood the usefulness or appeal of money belts - perhaps they make sense in places where cash is the only useful way to pay (where is that?), but every time you'd need to access it you'd need to go somewhere out of sight - I think they're just too complicated and uncomfortable for me to choose them. Hiding a zippered pocket under my clothing just doesn't seem necessary; if I don't do it travelling in a big US city, I'm not going to do it travelling in a smaller European city.

I typically wear cargo pants or shorts, which have multiple pockets (though not hidden pockets), and carry a cross body camera bag with a minimal wallet (minimal ID, one credit card, a little cash). I actually carry my cash separate from my cards - usually cash in a zippered pocket and cards in a wallet; if I have tickets for something (like transit), they stay in a zippered pocket rather than in my wallet to minimize how often I need to take my wallet out of my bag.

I took a look at the Scottevest site and I can't say I find the products very attractive or uniquely useful (really: finding pockets in clothes is not something new) - but I don't like wearing layers and I'm hot even in temperate weather, so adding an additional piece of clothing just to layer on pockets seems unhelpful to me. FWIW, I have had RFID-blocking sleeves for all my cards for years, so I don't need additional RFID blocking clothing or bags.

I prefer to carry my Maxpedition cross body bag. I considered Scottevests but they just aren't for me

As for my passport, I carry it where I am legally bound to do so - you just never know. About 10 years ago we were in Croatia - staying in Makarska. Croatia is another country where you are supposed to have your passport on you at all times but we locked it in the hotel safe and just had our photocopies with us.

We started driving south on the A1 highway exploring and decided to head to Dubrovnik when lo and behold, there is the city of Neum and the Bosnian border and no where to turn around. Go up to the Border and figured we would turn around there but Customs waves us through as we try to tell them our dilemma and by then, we were in deep doo doo. Bosnian Customs just kept telling us to keep driving. Get to the Croatian border on the other side and after a half hour of showing our DL and photocopy of our DL and pleading, they let us pass with a stern warning that we are supposed to have our passports on us at all time. Great, but we now had no way to get back to Makarska.

Found out there is a car ferry in Trpanj on the Peljesic peninsula that bypasses Bosnia and drops you off in Ploce back in Croatia so we totally dodged a bullet there.

Yes, it was all our fault but the thing is that you never know - we didn't start out planning on heading to Dubrovnik that day.

So yeah, we carry our passports with us. That's just us.

Hi,

I am in the group that definitely carries my Passport. I have it secured and not in my "day purse."

I consider it my lifeline - it identifies me, it gets me to safety or out of the country if need be. The last couple of times, I traveled solo.

I also keep an index card or two with some basic but vital medical information - blood type, allergies, meds, OTC's, surgeries, family contact, doctor's name and hospital - items like that. The cards fit nicely in the back of the PP.

If I am rendered unable to speak for whatever reason, I would want the doctors to know my medical history in order to treat me efficiently and quickly, save me - no guessing.

Haha, I just noticed the title - how did we get on carrying Passports? I guess it veered to where would one put it in bags or vests?

Thanks for all your responses, folks! I had no idea my question about travel vests would spark so much interest. I travel in spring or fall, so the heat is not usually a problem. I tuck my passport, credit card, and cash in inside pockets and don't worry about them. Yes, I wore my good old Columbia "safari" style vest all over France and never had a rude comment (even in Paris!) and the same in Eastern Europe. As a result of these suggestions, I have checked out the Scottevest and this will probably be my next choice, although I don't really need 16 pockets!

And as a few have said, I am beyond caring about fitting in stylistically. Once I pull out my Rick Steves tour guide -- book or audio -- everyone will know I am not a local, but hopefully they will be kind.

I wear a lightweight vest from Duluth Trading. Also one of their shirts with a ‚napoleon pocket‘

A lot of forum participants are extremely sensitive about looking like a tourist. Wearing a tourist travel best would be like waking around with a big cartoon cloud over your head saying "Tourist"

I'm not sure why there's that worry -- we all look like tourists anyway, regardless of what piece of clothing we wear. Our body language, our style, our language, the patterns of where we go and don't go.......we're going to look like tourists. I say don't worry about that, as long as you are good tourists (i.e polite and respectful). And sometimes being a tourist is good, because if you are a good tourist there are doors that can be opened for you as a stranger, and sights to see that you otherwise may miss out of fear of being seen looking. I love photography too much to worry that my camera (and my photographing) will make me seem like a tourist.

Every hotel safe has a key to it or way to get in. Just saying.
I prefer to take personal responsibility for my vital belongings. I use a variety of methods and chose the one that fits for that day. All have been discussed here. I just don't believe in 'one size fits all'. Be flexible and tolerant.

I use a variety of methods and chose the one that fits for that day. All have been discussed here. I just don't believe in 'one size fits all'. Be flexible and tolerant.

Yes.

I travel in spring or fall, so the heat is not usually a problem.

You haven't said where in Italy you'll be traveling or in what month but we were PLENTY warm in Rome/Sorrento/Amalfi Coast in early October. That could change from year-to-year but we only used our light jackets in Sorrento, and even then only in the evenings when the breeze kicked up. My lightweight vest would have been too warm layered over a shirt.

We'll be in Rome in mid-October. If it gets too hot, I'll take it off and stuff it in my small backpack.

You should carry your passport with you in the following circumstances:
- while driving
- while visiting other cities on a day trip
- when ID is necessary to access a place (e.g. the stadium for a soccer match)
- obviously when you are on transit between location

If you are just walking around town where your hotel is located, maybe visiting local churches and museums, the chances of being asked for a passport by an official are virtually zero. In the very unlikely event you are asked to produce one, I don’t know of any circumstance where a police official would actually apply the full extent of the law to an American or Canadian tourist. It simply doesn’t happen. Showing the relevant photocopies of the passport and your drivers’ license, and politely apologizing and explaining that you left your passport in the hotel safe because you are afraid the bad foreign gypsies will steal it, will inspire compassion in the officer and let you get away with at worst a stern warning. Tourists from rich advanced countries are treated differently, and that is the reality. If you have a Somali passport it’s a total different matter.

Interestingly it is not true that you cannot check into a hotel without passport. My wife forgot her passport and photocopies at my mom’s house last month while we went for 3 days to the Romagna coast. All I had to do is vouch for her identity with the hotel.

For those interested in the actual law, the Italian law (Uniform Law on Immigration, Art. 6) states:

The foreign national who, at the request of a police official or agent, does not comply, without valid reason, with the order to exhibit a passport or other identification document, and the permit of stay, or other document attesting the regular presence in the territory of the State, is punished with the arrest of up to one year and a fine of up to €2,000.

In the case of a North American tourist in the country for less than 90 days (no visa required), the permit of stay does not apply, and the document attesting the regular presence in the State is the dated stamp in your passport attesting the entry into the Schengen Zone within less than 90 days.

Thank you, Roberto.

I did a 4 minute video of my experiences with money-belts, etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HrDeI1dKdQ

If I want something hidden / protected (beyond my PacSafe or cargo pants pocket) I go back to my favorite: https://store.ricksteves.com/shop/p/hidden-pocket

The flaw I see from the utube is that you want something that can be accessed in public. Some people do use a money belt as a slightly hidden billfold that is a bit more difficult to access than a standard pocket billfold. The idea that Steves pushes and other proponents of a money belt is that it deep storage that is not easily accessible by you or anyone else. I cannot get to my money unless I nearly half undress. If I cannot get to it easily, I doubt if anyone else can. Down the leg pouches work but still would not be pulling it out in an restaurant or anywhere else. There was report here about a year ago where someone was mugged in Barcelona when two guys pinned him to a wall and one jammed his hand down the front of his pants searching for a money belt. The got nothing and ran off because his money belt was in back under his shirt -- where it should be. Anything you do is an improvement.