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Passport Pouch

I'm looking for something to carry my passport on travel days when I will need my passport. I want something small enough to just carry my passport around my neck.

Something like the passport pouch from Tom Bihn.

https://www.tombihn.com/products/passport-pouch?variant=41730683928765

Unfortunately, this is no longer in production. (I actually had one but I can't find it.).

There are plenty of "neck pouches" but they are much bigger than I need since they are designed to carry everything including the kitchen sink.

I used to just put my passport in my pocket but this damaged the computer chip inside so I can no longer use the egates outside the USA. I'm getting a new passport just after the first of the year and I I want to prevent the same damage.

Any ideas?

Posted by
14812 posts

CWSocial--the RS neck wallet is thicker than the TB pouch. I'm trying to prevent that thickness as well as pockets and zippers.

Joe32F--I use a Hidden Pocket as my "moneybelt" but the Eagle Creek version.

Posted by
9462 posts

Frank - is it that the Tom Bihn one is simply something where you slip the passport down into it, with no fasteners ?

If so (or if just needs a velcro closure or maybe a flap), I would think any seamstress could easily create what you need.

Posted by
3150 posts

I’m on the Best of Tuscany tour and the Hidden Pocket is great. But I carry only my passport card and stow the book in my hotel room.

Posted by
14812 posts

Kim--you described it exactly. Its just big enough to hold the passport and had a small square of velcro to keep it closed. Unfortunately, I don't know any seamstresses.

I don't need this to carry my passport every day. On most days it sits in my "hidden pocket" underneath a pant leg. I need this for days I have to show my passport. Like international flights. I have found most neck wallets so conspicuous and bulky they look ridiculous. The TB pouch laid flat and was hardly noticeable. (The model I had was smaller than the current one shown on the TB website.

Posted by
6231 posts

Frank, did you sign up to be notified when they go back into production? I know that can take a while though.

Another thought is to use the small organizer pouch - they are very close in size. The PP pouch is 7.1 x 5.5" and the small organizer pouch is 7.1 x 4.9.

Posted by
1259 posts

Unfortunately, I don't know any seamstresses.

Neither do I but I know how to sew; not a ladies-only skill.

You might give Tom Bihn a call. Sometimes the store has a few out of stock items still on display.

The amazon has a dizzying selection. The simplest and smallest appear to be clear ziplocks. You could use a shoelace, no sewing involved. I have an older fabric unit from Pacsafe that is quite simple -- just the one pocket and a zipper, perfectly sized for passports. This newer model has some extra bulk: https://pacsafe.com/collections/hidden-wallets/products/coversafe-s75-secret-travel-neck-pouch

REI has several Pacsafe products in stock.

Posted by
26 posts

1) There are 2 TB passport pouches on eBay today, at rather ridiculous prices, but sometimes TB items are reasonably priced if you have the time to keep an eye out.
2) Wear a shirt or jacket with a button/zip pocket on travel days?

Posted by
2267 posts

Prone to overthinking solutions, I try not to with this. I just tuck my passport in the breast pocket of my shirt when I'm say, in the airport, and know I'll need access to it at least a few times. Otherwise, it's tucked in the inner pocket of my backpack.

(I leave the passport in the shirt pocket until the seatbelt sign is off. I have a personal rule about wallet, phone, and passport on my person for takeoff and landing. And real shoes—properly tied!)

Posted by
14812 posts

Thanks for the suggestions.

I have written to TB to see if any are available. I will also check with the TB Facebook group where a lot of buying and selling is done.

I don't wear shirts with a pocket so I can't do that.

If I don't find a pouch, my next choice is a cover for the passport that I will keep in my pocket and prevent it from being folded or twisted.

Posted by
6231 posts

Frank, I was just on the Tom Bihn website, looking for a different travel bag and happened to see that the passport pouches are in stock again.

Posted by
14812 posts

Thanks, Mardee....I saw that. I wrote to TB and the said there were no plans for production on the pouches but they found one in solaris (yellow). I guess they found more in the other color.