Fanny pack versus money belt

I have used both together. I use a neck wallet, positioned over one shoulder and hanging down my side. I safety pin the strap to my bra strap. This is for deep storage that I shouldn’t need to access throughout the day, such as passport, extra credit card, debit cards (I bring two, just in case), extra cash. I use a Fanny pack or a small crossbody purse for the things I need access to. I wear the Fanny pack cross body, though I have worn it around my waist and under my jacket in the rain. I use a wallet that has a ring attached and have it tethered to whichever bag I’m using. After getting my wallet picked on the metro in Paris many years ago I’m extra cautious.

“And it’s pretty hard and very inconvenient to get to your cash/card when you need it.”

That’s the big difference. The money belt is “deep storage “ and you’d never want to be getting into it when you are out and about.

Some have a ventilated backing that allows a little airflow and are less hot.

Whatever you decide you’d want the pouch part in front and not worn the way the fanny packs used to be worn with the zippers in the back where you can’t see them.

I’ll be interested to see replies from those that have used the new ones. I’ve looked at some but TBH I don’t need the bulk across my chest , 😬😆.

Susan, The money belt is recommended for deep storage not for regular access during your daily activities. That is, for keeping the things you are unlikely to need for making routine purchases or transactions, such as your passport, large currency, emergency credit card - anything that will be a difficult to replace while abroad. Like wearing a safe. I keep just the cash or a card I know I will use during the day, in a zippered pocket somewhere easily accessible.

A fanny pack (in the UK that is a vulgar reference) is in place of a wallet. I dont have a moral objection to a fanny pack, but even with a "pickpocket proof pocket" it only needs to be unsnapped and the whole thing is gone. Or taken off at a table or in the restroom. It's right there at hand-level for a thief, who can just assume your good stuff is there, making it a tempting target.

Everyone has their own comfort-level and experience.

Sorry for reporting what Pam said, but I'll let it stand.

The third option is a travel crossbody. I’m not very fond of those.

To cut down on the dampness of a money belt in hot weather, I take some paper towel sheets (the ones with the option of smaller sheets) with me. I fold up a paper towel sheet and put inside the money belt between the plastic insert in the money belt and the outside which sits next to your body. It works very well for me to absorb the 'sweat.'

Would a neck pouch work? We’ve used the Lewis N Clark models for a few years. I’ve never seen a money belt so no idea of their size or how much they may hold but the pouch is surely sufficient for passport, some cards, cash, tickets, etc. We find the lightweight materials and adjustable straps to be quite comfortable. Safe travels

My husband likes his neck pouch but Im not sure how comfortable that would be for me. Seems even more complicated for winter travel, though. Coat. Scarf. Sweater. Have to think about that one.

I, too, dislike money belts and have never worn the waist money belt due to several reasons, so I have researched alternatives. There are many. However, Pacsafe has secure fanny packs, which include secure locks on the belt. Travelon likely does as well. This would work like my bag described below but as a sling or waist bag.

On my recent trip, I used this, which I've used for years. It also easily fits into a larger bag. I wore this as a purse, not usually hidden under a jacket, but that works as well. I don't access it often except for Apple Pay. The bag held all my docs/financials in transport, but I hid one CC and debit card in my backpack (Camino) the rest of the trip. I kept day money elsewhere, but generally I used my Apple Pay. My cell phone was in the front pocket and attached with a Koala phone harness. I consider my phone the most important item I carry so I protect it against me; ie, dropping it or being absent minded.

Note: this bag is always attached to me when outside my hotel.

PS: Nora Dunn on YouTube does a nice review of this crossbody bag. Here: Crossbody

Wray--Thank you for the link to Koala. I had on my to do list to find a phone harness and that is one I was looking at. Just ordered it!

Mikliz97. I love it. Works great.

I guess I'm old school but I like fanny packs as you can put a few more things in there besides money and credit card. I can place a small bottle of water and a couple of snacks in mine.

I'd prefer not to carry a small backpack at times, but it sure comes in handy when you need your rain jackets and other creature comforts.

One thing I did while touring Boston was to just carry a credit card and phone in my front pockets. I really didn't need the phone and good luck to someone trying to steal them. Still, a backpack is nice for water.

Good point. Forgot raingear.

So many decisions. So much traveling to do. Great conversation!

Susan, yeah, it might be too warm during the day to wear rain gear, so what to do? In Scotland where it can get windy and rainy an umbrella would be useless.

Wray--Thank you. We are headed back to Iceland next month and this will be great for when we are horseback riding as well as hiking.

I use my "neck" money pouch around my waist. It is too big to wear under a blouse (I'm an average size female). I position it under my pants, by my pants pocket; when it is bulky it just looks like I have stuff in my pockets. We do carry paper copies of our passports, credit cards etc. just incase we need to reference them and our phones are not working.

I no longer like moneybelts and have never liked fanny packs. I prefer the anti-theft Travelon crossbody bag with locked compartments and made of a material that cannot be slashed.

I have never liked money belts, neck wallets or fanny packs. Too bulky, uncomfortable and hot. A couple of years ago I saw an Osprey Stealth Bandolier Wallet on the REI Outlet website. They had been discontinued. I bought one and tried it. Then I bought two more so I'd have a lifetime supply. They are worn cross body (or bandolier style) under your shirt and the wallet part conforms well to your side. I can't even tell that I'm wearing anything. If you can find one, consider trying it.

I don't like money belts either. I have an old Eagle Creek belt pack that sits on my left hip. It's my "personal item" on flights, with documents, tablet, Kindle, and such. Sometimes I take it sightseeing, replacing the contents with a guidebook, small water bottle, or anything else I might need. I keep "daily" money in a pants pocket, but I keep "serious" money, cards, passport and the like in a neck wallet which I can access easily by unbuttoning my shirt a little. I also have one of these for the deepest storage at the waist inside the pants -- US driver's license, health insurance card, spare credit card, etc. It may never get opened on a typical trip.

I'd advise against keeping anything of value in a belt pack, especially if you're going to wear it in back. Might as well pin a "Rob Me" sign to your back. If you're going to use that for money or passport or cards, at least wear it in front.

We swear by the small, drawstring, anti-theft backpacks. I keep everything in there without hesitation. The one was use is the Loctote Flak Sack.

Torn on this bc I see pros and cons of using one or both.

When travelling in Europe, I typically only wear a money belt with everything in it (cash, card, passport, etc), but it does make it really hard for me to pull out cash and cards when shopping. On the other hand, nobody can steal my money unless they put their hand down my pants....which would be hard not to notice. 🤣

My dog's fanny pack (Wilderdog) is great bc it has multiple pockets, so handy for me. But also very easy for anyone in a crowded situation to unzip one of the pockets and take what they want.

🤷‍♀️

Fanny pack.

Like paltax, I wear a neck pouch around my waist inside my pants. I don’t even notice it most of the time. I keep some cash and one credit card in a zip pocket or small purse.

I started out with a neck wallet around my waist as other have mentioned, with it positioned behind my pants pocket. But then I made my own pocket that is slimmer, with two buttonholes at the top. I sew buttons into the waistband of my pants or skirt and just button it on. No way anybody is getting to that. My bills and debit card are in there, and I can access them easily without being obvious. Then I wear a fanny pack in front with my maps and other essentials for the day. I also sometimes lengthen the strap and wear it crossbody. If anyone is interested, PM me and I can send you photos of the pocket I made.

I use the Hidden Pocket type of moneybelt and have been for over 30 years (Not the same one.) IIt hangs down inside my pants and I hardly know it's there.

For days I'm not wearing a jacket, with pockets, I have used small backpacks, messenger bags and waist packs (albeit in the early 1990's.) I'm now experimenting with small sling bags.

As someone else states, a moneybelt, any type, is not to be used for every transaction. It is your deep storage. Think of it as Fort Knox under your clothes. You only access it in private.

I've seen too many waist pack opened, especially in crowds, without the wearer knowing it.

I never found any kind of money belt that truly felt secure until I "discovered" a step-in one originally designed for runners. The one I have now is this StashBandz one in black. Do I need to say that you do not wear it outside your clothes like the picture shows? Everything that I'd need for an identification or financial emergency goes in it.

I also haven't experienced a hot or sweaty money belt, including this one. The way I wear it may or may not be the reason. From the skin out: skin->bra->shapewear tank->StashBandz->panties->pants->top. So the StashBandz never touches my skin. If long enough, a regular tank top could sub for the shapewear tank. BTW, many people who wear shapewear tanks wear them incorrectly. They are supposed to be worn under the panties, not over them.

I am not a fan of any kind of heavy, wire threaded, RFID cross-body bag. I think they're a solution looking for a problem. I also think that so-called lockable zippers that use lobster claw style "locks" can give people a false sense of security. If it's easy for you to press to open them, it's easy for a pickpocket to do it too. I'm always amused by the pictures that show lobster claw hardware or easy press carabiners being used to secure a bag to a chair. That adds about a second to how long it might take for a thief to grab the bag and run.

I do like a simple cross-body bag with no exterior pockets that I can use small screw type carabiners or split keyrings to secure the zipper with. I put those on every zipper I can on my roller bag, personal item or purse. My latest purse find is this "round" one from UNIQLO. I got it in black and have been using it for a few months now. If you go to the link, you'll see how some people wear it high on the chest. I wonder how long that positioning lasts?

Fortunately, the strap is long enough to wear it like a normal cross-body purse. Much to my surprise it holds a lot more than I expected it would. Whether at home or traveling I slide my cross-body bag down so that the strap is around my waist and make sure that the purse itself is in my lap, between my legs, under one thigh, or next to a wall -- never on the exterior side of a table.

All that works well for me. Something else might work well for you. But I agree that a waist or chest bag, especially if stuffed, is a prime target for pickpockets and that we should never put all our financial and id eggs in one bag of any kind.

So, you have the answer of the different uses. Deep storage. Pin a pouch to your pants, bra, whatever is comfortable to make it difficult for a thief to get to the bulk of your valuables.
As to a waist pack, I prefer the newer designs of what the young uns are calling a sling bag. It is a waist belt worn crossbody, and closer to the chest than a crossbody purse. It fits snug with no gap in the strap to get hold of to pull the wearer, or cut. The buckle is also on the front so no surprise unbuckling. I am mid 60's, so feel a bit self conscious about a sporty design, but have plans to make one in something more tailored. Otherwise, I would buy a Lululemon sling bag. Recently someone reported they were common in Europe. YouTube has tons of videos and options....for guys and gals.

But then I made my own pocket that is slimmer, with two buttonholes at
the top. I sew buttons into the waistband of my pants or skirt and
just button it on.

I saw a video online for making these. Sounds great. Make one pocket to your preferred dimensions and closure style then all you need to do is sew buttons in your various items of clothing.

I always wear a money belt. Yes, it gets sweaty. When it does, that’s my signal to come back to my hotel room, take off my money belt, cool off a little, put my feet up, have a large drink of water, and head back out again refreshed.

I use a crossbody Baggalini purse - one of their smaller ones, and that has my phone, the money I expect to use in the next four hours (although using Apple Pay for almost everything now), and my reading glasses.