Money belt or not

I like to use a neck wallet. Hopefully your hotel room will have a security safe or your hotel will take your valuables and put them in a secure place.

Money belt or neck wallet are different variations of the same thing, they're worn under your clothing. The pick pocket would have to be able to get your underwear off to get your ATM cards & other googies. Things you can't afford to lose, keep them in your money belt worn under clothing, and never again worry about losing them.

Mary,

A Money Belt is definitely "the way to go"! As Kent mentioned, these come in different "models". The most common is the type that goes around the waist underneath outer clothing.

There's also a type that fits around the lower leg, one that hangs on belt loops and is "flipped" inside pants and of course the type that fits around the neck.

If you want to have a look at the different configurations, go to www.magellans.com.

Cheers!

I appreciate your info. I will check out the website.

Your money belt is only good for things that you can't afford to lose, since there's never been a loss from a money belt worn under clothing (well, one person left it on her bed in her hotel room).

Carrying your valuables under your clothes is really the ONLY way to go.

Regarding cash, get used to an ATM machine and use it often so that you don't have to carry much cash.

Never leave home without one whether it is around your neck or waist.

Same for Travel Insurance.

The Rick Steves store sells different varieties of money belts. So does Eagle Creek (I'm a fan of the ones made by Eagle Creek.)

I've tried them all and he "hidden pocket" is my favorite.

My husband uses the moneybelt inside his waistband. I have used the neck wallet and neither of us has had a problem in several years of European travel.... until I became complacent on our last day in Athens and did not tuck my neck wallet inside my blouse and came out of the subway with it missing. The police said professional theives clip the neckcord and wait for it to fall. They targeted me because they could see it - I will always wear my new one inside now. Within 10 minutes I was cancelling credit cards and they were already trying to use them. I lost credit cards, passport & cash.

Jean, loved that posting. Some of the more experienced travelers on this site constantly hammer the "PROPER" use of money belts and you just illustrated what happens when you don't. Even your husband's behind his belt buckle is not smart. It is better than nothing but still a potential problem. There was a posting a few months ago where a male was stopped on a street by a couple of thugs. One held his arms and the other jammed his name down the front of this pants looking for the money belt which fortunately was not there. So tell your husband to get the money belt under his shirt and on his back side.

So what is the proper way for a woman to wear a money belt? The tops that I wear do not go inside my pants. They are to be worn outside. Also most of them will have elastic waist, not zippers. I would appreciate any tips. Thanks, Mary

If the money-belt doesn't go with your style of dress, I suggest you tweak your wardrobe so your clothes will cover your money-belt. Zipper vs elastic waist doesn't matter. Longer shirts, pants that come to your waist, that's what I'm talking about. For some of us the bulk of the money-belt is more comfortable when worn in the back. Sometimes I wear a travel vest with secure pockets; I stash my stuff in those pockets.

I wear my money pouch under my arm like a holster. I cut the cord off and attached elastic which I pin to my bra strap. It works great for me. I don't want anything else around my waist!

I have used the Rick Steves neck wallet. It's silk, thin, and easier to get at than a money belt. However, I have started just using cargo pants with pockets on the legs that have a concealed zipper. Another useful alternative is travel clothing at www.scottevest.com Lots of hidden pockets in this clothing.

Oh, and here's another one, www.pacsafe.com where their neck wallets and waist wallets have a steel cable running through the cord and waistband.

Thank you all for the info and different ways to protect cash and credit cards. I think I am leaning toward the neck wallet for now. I will look on the internet because we do not have any luggage stores in our area.

Mary....check your local Walmart, or even Target. Any place that sells luggage will usually have a section with travellers' accessories, and those usually include neck and waist hidden wallets, airplane sleeping pillows, converters and adapter plugs, etc.

If you have an AAA office nearby they do have some travel accessories for sale.

Mary,
Like Frank suggested( for your husband) wear the money belt under his clothes and in the small of his back as opposed to in front. I find it much more comfortable that way, my pants belt keeps it snugly tucked and it's out of site, out of mind, safe and secure....let the happy travels begin! Rick couldn't have said it any better when he said that you could lose everything except your money belt, and the trip could still go on.

I use a belle hop stash- http://www.ebags.com/belle_hop/personal_stash_set_of_2/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=83636 and my husband uses either a neck pouch or a moneybelt. I put the little pouch on the side instead of in the front and it is undetectable (I think), especially with a scarf. Passports won't fit in the Belle pouch though.
I also have a pair of pants, a skirt, a jacket and a pair of capris by exofficio that each have hidden zippered pockets.

Thanks for all your information. Actually, my daughter and I will be taking this trip to Greece. I did check Walmart and they do have the money belts. I have to go to AAA to get my IDP this week, so I will also check there. We aren't leaving until October, so hopefully by then I will have things taken care of.

Hi Mary - Lee from Global hit it right on the head - A neck wallet - The only way to go - As far as Money belts forget it - I've actually seen robbers in Naples slice the belts off with knives and keep on riding their motorbikes as they disappear!! NECK WALLET - YES

Let's just vote on it, and then everyone on the board has to go with the majority vote.

(wait, I'm adding up the last 1000 posts on money belts)

(still counting)

Okay, the results are in: 792 for money belts, 149 for neck wallets, and a few more leg stashes and various other contrivances.

This means we don't have to answer any more questions on money belts: oui ou non!

The answer to the next thousand posts on money belts is:Money Belts

Or neck wallets.......

Money belt by far. My first couple trips I didn't use anything...just a wallet. I was lucky and didn't have any problems, but my last trip was to Rome, Paris, and Barcelona...three cities with strong pickpocket populations. I had avoided moneybelts in the past because I thought they'd be annoying and uncomfrtable. I broke down and bought one of the Rick Steves ones and I will never go back. I don't even feel it after a couple of minutes and I simply don't have to worry about losing a passport or credit card. I use an ATM every morning and take out only what I'll need for that day. The ATM fees are worth the piece of mind IMO. I usually carry no more than $100 on me at any time in my pocket. If I am pickpocketed, my trip isn't ruined and I still have enough money for the rest of the trip!

Greg from Jupiter...please explain to me how a thief on a motor scooter can cut off a moneybelt worn underneath clothes without stopping?

Are you confusing a moneybelt with a fanny pack?

Frank, that is my exact same thought and question. From his other posts I know that Greg is an very experienced European tour guide but thought his comments about cutting off a money belt a little over the top. I did see a camera stripped off of someone's shoulder once in Naples but that was years ago.

This is actually for frank 11 regarding my thoughts on money belts and how thieves slice them off and keep riding. They pull up to you on the bike(two people are on the bike) One jumps off - slices your money belt off or grabs your watch, camera, purse, etc. - then jumps back on the bike and they are gone!!!
A couple of months ago I came into Naples with a group I was taking care of - told them to be careful - One of them - 6'3" tall and 240 was accosted on the main street right by the ships - put in a headlock, had his knee broken with a hard kick, and his Rolex ripped off his wrist - IN BROAD DAYLIGHT!!

Greg, I spent years as a tour director and never saw anyone have their moneybelt--worn UNDERNEATH their clothes--stolen. How would the thief know you're wearing one? However, a neck wallet is easier to get to.

Outside of Naples and Barcelona, I've never heard of any physical violence against tourists. Just pickpocketing and purse thefts.

And that's why I wonder if your definition of a moneybelt is the same as mine. It's something worn UNDERNEATH your clothes.

Fortunately it's a rare occurrence, but I have read sporadic reports of money belts being forcibly stolen: this forum, Thorn Tree, and letters in the NY Times Travel Section. A group of men will tackle their victim forcibly pull down his pants and remove the money belt. If my memory is holding up I believe almost all of these thefts occurred in Barcelona.

Greg -- back to the original question which you conveniently did not answer. If I am wearing a money belt properly -- out of sight under my shirt or perhaps even under a t-shirt and out shirt. How do they know it is there? How can they grab the belt and cut it? Now it someone is stupid enough to wear a Rolex watch, they can afford to buy another one.

Michael, I remember that report but I assumed he was wearing the money belt at the waist line behind the belt buckle and outside the shirt. I have also read reports of a hand be jammed down the front of the pants to grab a belt in that position. Unfortunately I see a lot men wear a money belt in that position. And because they are constantly accessing it in that position it is obvious to anyone watching. Which is why I constantly advocate wearing the belt under the shirt and the pouch in the small of the back and never, never, access it in public.

Greg, you summed it well. You probably don't know much. Your creditability went to zero. I, too, have some familiarity with three letter agencies. And I know for an absolute fact that a 35 year professional in the Agency especially in ops would never, ever reveal that fact. It just isn't done. It is against the code. Remember, if someone says they are in the CIA, they are not.

Your writing style would indicate that you are younger and I would question if you are even 35 years old.

And, of course, you didn't address the question, again !!

My name is Bond, James Bond.

Greg,

I think you're missing the purpose of a money belt. It is worn underneath your clothing, between your pants and underwear, (some people even wear it under their underwear). It is in no way exposed nor accessable. To cut it off, a theif would literally have to take your pants off.

I agree with Frank that you may be confusing a money belt with a fanny pack, which is a small "purse" on a belt that is worn outside of your clothing. THAT could be eaisily cut off.

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Mary,

I travel solo sometimes( middle aged woman),, or with one of my children( young teens at the time). As a woman alone it is important to me to not lose anything,, I have no back up partner( when one loses stuff and is with another adult I would assume they will at least still have their money etc), so I am careful.

I wear a money belt when actually travelling from city to city,, or when I go to the ATM and withdraw cash( I take out a large amount at one time so I am not going back and forth).

I then keep the bulk of my money, my passport, my ATM card, and usually my CC in the safe in my hotel room. I have always done this. I know some people feel that is not secure, but, as I said, it has worked for me for years. I do not carry more then a days worth of cash on me at any time,, unless it is in moneybelt. If my hotel was seedy feeling,, I would not stay in it.. so I feel it is a safe option( excuse the pun, LOL )

My moneybelt is INVISIBLE to public.It is under my clothes. I doubt there are theives that RANDOMLY attack people by pulling off their pants or skirts,, .

I DO NOT access the moneybelt in public. I take money out in a washroom stall if I need to ,, or find shelter somewhere. I do not use it as a purse.

Definitely, wear a money belt underneath your clothes, as it should be AND also the "hidden pocket," in which I put my passport and a credit card, which I prefer over the neck wallet/pouch, even though I have used that too.

With all the essentials inaccessible (to the thieves), I can walk through crowds in the Metro and train stations, etc., with one less thing to be concerned about.