Rick Steves Civita Money belt worth getting

I don't like that one either. The silk one works better and last longer for me.

If it's the one they used to include in the tour package, then I love it. It's more comfortable than the others I used before my first RS tour. I use it 2-3 times a year for the last 3-4 years (average 3 weeks per trip) and it's good as new. Caveat, I don't use it every day, often leaving it in the room when I have a safe.

I find it's more comfortable to wear the pouch at my back. I've never had my pockets picked, but I've had people dip into my day bag a couple times (nothing valuable there). I keep enough cash for the day in a pocket along with my driver's license - and either one of my ATM and/or credit cards IF I think I'll need it/them. For me the money belt is an extra level of security - the hassle of losing passports or credit cards in the middle of a trip is too big to pooh-pooh the "insurance" of securing those items.

We have about three or four that I can find, from when they were part of the tour package. Also a few other brands, that have been picked up along the way. I'd say that the RS one is better than most I've seen or had, but any will work.

As far as needing it or not, of course most travelers have never been pickpocketed. Getting pickpocketed is a low risk, but a high consequence event. But its like saying I don't need to wear a seatbelt since I've never had a car accident. You don't need it until you need it. That small risk can be easily eliminated.

Regardless of the one you choose, use it!! The second paragraph of Stan's post is absolutely spot on.

I never lost or been pick pocketed anywhere in my travels.

Ah, but have you ever traveled abroad before? Being lifted of your passports and credit cards in Europe is a different animal than of your wallet in the U.S. You'll expend valuable time getting them replaced, and it's altogether a headache no one needs after having spent what it costs to get there. Pickpocketing is also a more prevalent sort of crime in some European cities than in the many urban areas in the U.S. Personally, I'd prefer not to lose expensive sightseeing time filling out police reports, going to embassies/consulates, and sitting on the phone with the bank (ATM/debit cards) and C.C. companies.

I'm a big believer in taking precautions, although neither my husband nor myself can tolerate moneybelts. There are any number of ways to keep the valuables where light fingers can't easily get to them; it all depends on which of them work best for YOU.

Whatever method that is, I strongly advise using it as I know people who believed it would never happen to them...until it did.

If you are a constant belt wearer, consider this pouch that attaches to a belt and flips down inside your trousers:
http://shop.eaglecreek.com/undercover-hidden-pocket/d/1130C1026?CategoryId=312
there is an RFID version
It won't add additional bulk to your waist or the discomfort of wearing the money belt. I don't personally use it as I don't wear a belt, but it comes recommended by a global traveler who is often in high risk areas and he recommends it.
I prefer a silk money belt, and I take out any plastic pouch it comes with and put items in thin sandwich bags that are more pliable.
No point buying anything that is deemed too uncomfortable and ends up in a purse that gets stolen.

I've worn the ones they used to send in the tour package for 5-6 weeks at a time over many trips. They're perfectly comfortable to me (really don't notice them) and they've held up fine.

Most money belts I've seen at stores all look the same. Buy one an use it. I've been to Europe 6 times and if you had asked me after the 4th trip if I had been pickpocket I would have said no. The last 2 trips I was not that lucky. Fortunately for me they did not take my passport or credit cards. My wife had her wallet stolen with her license and cc. The peace of mind is worth the price. Have fun.

I agree with others that a money belt, or other such device, is valuable protection against being pickpocketed. The fact that it hasn't happened before doesn't mean it will never happen. It's never happened to me and I'd never travel overseas without my neck wallet. I found a money belt uncomfortable and awkward, the neck wallet works for me, with my passport in a plastic sandwich bag to keep it dry on those hot uphill days. You might consider this alternative.

The RFID hazard is greatly overestimated and, imho, those products are overpriced and unneeded, as well as heavier and bulkier. You just want something to hold the valuable stuff under your clothes next to your body, and you access it only in your hotel room or a restroom stall or somewhere else private. I try to keep only daily money in a pants pocket (though inevitably I end up with a credit card there too, my bad).

Americans seem to lack the fine motor skills to be successful pickpockets. Don't underestimate how much better at this some Europeans and Asians and Latinos are. ;-)

Getting pickpocketed is a low risk, but a high consequence event.

I think you mean that it is a low probability but high consequence event. That makes it a medium high risk.

And... a money belt is a common and effective way to lower the risk.

I find the Civita style scratchy against my skin. I use the Eagle Creek under cover hidden pocket. I pin it to the waist of my garment.

We've used the Civita belts for years, and never had one fall apart. I do prefer the silk belt, but the poly one works fine. I did notice this last year a tiny hole where the corner of my credit card rubs.

And like Chani, I wear my belt in the back. It's so comfortable I forget I have it on. Really.

$12 is cheap insurance.

Yes Cindy, I meant to say low probability. We're on the same matrix.

I have and use the Silk version. Not had the Civita ( polyester) version.

Has 8 weeks of wear and looks new.

Use it and eliminate the worry. After 10 minutes on the 1st day do not know I have it on.

My brother has traveled extensively throughout Latin America over the past 15 years, never worn a money belt never been nabbed. My last two trips to western Europe he has accompanied me and he was robbed twice, on two consecutive trips: Amsterdam and London. The London incident completely ruined the trip for him as he lost everything, cash/cards/passport. He says he's done with visiting Europe.
The pickpocket problem isn't something akin to a rare event like being struck by lightning.

By all means wear a money belt. Be prepared to lose anything you put in a pocket. Pick pocketing is not rare, it's rather common in France and Italy. We have several of the RS units and they are fine but after a few weeks of wear they, ahem, smell. A wash when we are home fixes that. But, we switched to Eagle Creek as the back does not seem to hold odors as much. And the RFID protection, perhaps not needed, costs about $1 more.

We have the Civita money belts, hidden pocket, and neck wallet, all from the Rick Steves store. I prefer the neck wallet because I can wear it under my shirt and tuck it into the top of my pants. I only wear it during transit between cities. It is easy to access when I need to pull my passport out at the airport or train station. Hubby likes the hidden pocket which hangs off his belt loop down the inside of his pants. I would use that except I hate belts. It could be pinned in your clothing with a sturdy pin like a kilt pin. I did wear the waist money belt during transit days when on our RS tour. Like some others, I loaded it up, put it on, then turned it around backwards so that it rode in the small of my back. Once on I never knew it was there. I also made sure to put my passport in a ziploc baggie so it would stay dry from sweat or rain.
I'm a nervous Nellie about being ripped off, so I don't carry my passport or my debit/credit cards while walking around during the day unless I need to use an atm that day. I leave it all in the apt. or hidden in my luggage in the hotel. Hubby and I each carry about 100 Euros in our Travelon purses which have locking zippers, and we never take them off for an instant. That has always been enough for little souvenirs, snacks, or a nice meal.

I've been using an Eagle Creek Hidden Pocket since 1991. (Not the same one.) I think they are better quality than the RS ones which I also own.

Don't worry so much about RFID. The fear is way overblown.

I missed the part about RFID protection. The lighter solution is to use RFID sleeves for your passport and credit cards. Many RFID holders have a heavy lining. The RFID sleeves are coated paper and light.

Yes a money belt is needed! Rick Steves was pickpocketed in June this year. He was not wearing his money belt--lesson learned.

I used the Rick Steves money belt for years and it was fine. Now I wear pants or shorts made by Clothing Arts that are pick pocket proof, I carry my money and credit cards in the little leather pouch that Rick Steves sells and feel totally secure even in a subway or crowd. I'm not affiliated with Clothing Arts in any way, I just like travel equipment that works!

(clothingarts.com)

Is the possibility that pickpockets might target you, real or a myth? Answer: real. I've seen far too many pickpockets operate, seemingly with impunity, while traveling in Europe. Further, my unscientific survey results are in... two friends were pickpocketed during their recent trips to Europe. They were not wearing money belts...we don't suffer the crime as we live in small cities and casual management of wallets and purses is normal and perfectly safe near home. However, I found wearing a money belt is uncomfortable, so take other measures.

I now wear the belt loop money belt. Since I do not like to wear a belt, and for that matter, none of my pants even have belt loops, I have sewn snaps onto both the money belt and to the waist band of my pants. I attached the snaps to the back waist band, I prefer to wear it on the small of my back. This has worked perfectly. It is secure, but easy to access. I have also pinned it onto waistband using diaper pin. I don't think I will ever go back to wearing the typical around the waist belt.

I'm a runner and use something called a flipbelt. It is a stretchy fabric circle that I step into and pull up around my waist; it has several slits in which I can store my iPhone, credit cards, car key. There is one zipper pocket and a key clip. I've started using it to travel in place of a money belt. It's totally comfortable and impenetrable by anyone except me. Amazon and many sporting goods stores carry it.

I just looked up the FlipBelt, and it looks like something I'll use. Available at Bed Bath and Beyond and REI

Budget Alternative: Equinox marsupial pouch with a carabiner clip or granite gear air hyker wallet. Pick your size and color. Clip it to a belt loop and tuck it in. I have never tried this. May need to test this out. I just recently purchased the marsupial pouch. I normally use neck pouches - not my favorite, but I appreciate the security. Thanks for giving me the idea.

We just got back from our 3 week vacation including stays in Paris, Naples, Rome and Florence.
We had zero issues with pick pockets., we walked miles everyday. No even tried attempts.
Did not buy a money belt and kept a small wallet in my front pocket and wife had small handbag.

We used common sense and were aware of our surrounding. A couple we meet in Naples said they were pick pocketed 3 time in one day. They had the look of tourist stamped on their forehead- easy prey

Glad you had a good experience. On a recent trip to Amalfi Coast and Rome, I wore my money belt every day (non-RS model). I wore it in the small of my back so I could bend and sit comfortably. The only time I noticed it was when I used the restroom. After a few days my travel buds said that they did not even notice that I was wearing it. On previous trips I have not worn it consistently, but I will do so in the future.

We used common sense and were aware of our surrounding.

jmjbrtw, It's great that you had no problems, but please don't get complacent. Yes, many people who get pickpocketed are careless, but not all. The pickpockets - most of them - are pros, and are very very good at what they do. Remember even Rick had his pocket picked this year.

And yes, it's happened to us. The first two times taught us two different lessons; the third (unsuccessful) time was unusual in that we were not in a crowded area; in fact, for blocks the only people around were the two of us, and the fellow lounging in a doorway who slipped in behind us as we were walking through a quiet residential neighborhood. The last place we'd think to worry about pickpockets.

Lessons learned:: always be on guard, but don't let it ruin your trip. And yes, we wear money belts.

Living in a city, I always keep my financial items secure in my purse. Items are often separate as well, but in the same purse. I only use a money belt during transit, because then I have everything on my body. If I had secure interior pockets, I would use them instead. I keep everything on me in flight or in train as I like to know that when I go to the rest room, my financial data is with me. Otherwise, if you are a person who doesn't keep his wallet in outside pocket or leave your purse around willy-nilly, and, of course, aware when someone is in your space, then, IMO, you don't need a money-belt all the time. Keep the balance in your room or in another section of your purse, day bag, etc. There is an exaggerated fear on this forum of pickpockets. There are many ways to keep your items safe. And Rick Steves was pickpocketed because he was not watching his stuff and had it in his pocket. That's a beginner's mistake.

Hold Harmless: On my RS Greece tour, I did wear my money belt (or leg belt is what I use) because they asked us to do so. I am usually cooperative.

Running band could be a good idea. Been thinking I might try the similar soft wrist wallet. Belts for active people at TJ Max appx $8. Hubby places wallet in deep front pocket. Passport in deep zipper pocket on leg. I carry a small but deep zipper cross bag with valuables in a passport wallet (can worn as a necklace). In general my hubby reaches for money and CC. We transfer money prior to leaving the hotel. I do not like wearing a belt or necklace. When transferring to and within airport I place my passport in zipper leg pocket. I think potential theft could occur when handling bags with public transport. My hubby had his small backpack on with the carry on on the floor and a young man was eyeing the bag on the floor. I tapped him and he placed the bag between his legs.

After using the Civita for many years we switched to Eagle Creek. Better construction, more comfortable, no smell. https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Creek-RFID-Blocker-Money/dp/B00BYFAIZM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1508944058&sr=8-2&keywords=eagle+creek+money+belts+for+travel

Last month we took our 10th trip to Europe and had our first pickpocketing experience. Someone behind my husband on an escalator tried to pick his pocket. Luckily he was using this: http://shop.eaglecreek.com/undercover-hidden-pocket/d/1130
He's used money belts in the past but this was way better because it's easily accessed when you need to pay for something.

A money belt is a personal choice. When I first started traveling I wore one all the time. Now I just don't unless I feel like I'm in a very high risk area (e.g. a market in Addis Ababa). I know pick pockets are common, but the comfort and hassle factor makes it not worth it to me. I always have multiple credit cards when I travel and don't keep both on my person. For better or worse the more I travel, the less I worry, or maybe I just have a better sense of when to worry. Either way, your informed being on this forum.