Pick Pocket Proof Clothing

The Clothingarts men's pants look like a good choice. In early July, 3 friends and I used the Barcelona subway and one of my friends had cash taken from their front men's pant pocket. My friend lived in France and was well aware of the pickpocket problem. Despite his awareness of the problem, a pickpocket was successful. From what I heard in Barcelona, it is a high risk area for pickpocketing.

I don't know that both the pants and a money belt are needed, but at least one or the other is recommended.
Ed

edrosenberg1, you're likely going to get comments about how the pants are unnecessary, paranoid, ugly, tourist-looking, etc. You just have to decide whether they make you feel less apprehensive about getting robbed. If they make you more comfortable, then they're worth it. If appearance is a primary concern, then there are other less obvious options.

I like "tactical" clothes with lots of pockets and zippers. So, I got a pair of these pants to check them out. I like them, because I find I need and use the extra secure pockets. I still do not use the back pockets for wallets or other valuables. Mostly I wore them based on my judgment of where I was going to be that day. Lots of subway/buses, crowds, etc., and hands might be full - thats where a bit of extra security was welcome.

Are they a substitute for a money belt? I think not IF you use the money belt as intended - to carry stuff you are not planning to access during the day. That is, your passport, backup credit cards, emergency cash, etc. The pants are secure for your daily spending money, room key, tickets, passes, etc.

An interesting product.
Sometimes, I feel a little "pickpocket anxiety" when I travel in what I perceive to be a risky location. For all I know, those around me may be concerned that I'm the one intending to pick their pocket.
I'll be in Paris next month, and Barcelona and Madrid in February; all locations frequently mentioned as risky.
The precautions I take are the usual ones - money belt, avoid the obvious (as if I knew what that meant) but this Pick Pocket Proof Pants idea is worth a thought, although, as a budget minded traveler, I must add that one might consider a $109 for a pair of pants to be a form of pick pocketing.

As another defense against being picked I do this when possible: buy those pants (Dockers, etc) which have what the tailor would call a "watch pocket." already built in as the style of the pants, or if possible, have the tailor put one in, deep and wide enough to fit/cover a credit/debit card or two. The tailor will say if that is possible with your particular pair of pants. The pants I bring on a trip usually have this extra feature.

We usually travel in October so we dress in layers. I use these shirts that have a zippered pocket in the front. I always have a sweater over this shirt. The pocket holds our passports, backup money, backup credit card, ATM card, and contact list. I can get frazzled sometimes juggling my roller, backpack, and trying to figure out where I'm going. During these "frazzled moments" these are a few less items I have to worry about. And they are very comfortable. Just buy a larger size than normal because they shrink up quite a bit (and I didn't even put them in the dryer).

I even wear this shirt when walking around my neighborhood to hold my phone while I'm listening to music.

They are expensive, but I feel more comfortable knowing where are passports are at all times.

Here's the tank top version.

Travelsmith and Magellan and probably others have various travel pants options with hidden pockets and less obvious zippered pockets, as well, for less than these pants cost. The extra security the PPP have is the buttoned tabs that go over the pockets. They're pretty visible so as to hopefully discourage the pickpocketer and send him looking for softer targets.

I "survived" two pickpocket attempts in Italy this summer. First was in the Pitti Palace; a young man, blond and hip-looking, walked by very quickly (odd in an art gallery), bumping my shoulder slightly (odd because it was not crowded). I looked down and the zipper on the pocket on the leg of my cargo pants had been undone, though the map it contained was still there. I transferred the map to a safer location, after which I saw the same young man walking past me the other way, glaring at me as he passed. My guess is that he or a confederate would have made a second approach, to pick the pocket that had been unzipped, if I had not noticed it. Since he glared at me he must have known the pocket was empty (not that a map would be much of a prize), and if so, must have been texting with someone who told him not to bother. 

The second time I was taking a photo of the Grand Canal in the scrum at the top of the Rialto Bridge; felt a tug from my right pocket, and looked down to see my little chained-to-the-belt day-money wallet (https://theluggageprofessionals.com.au/pacsafe-walletsafe-50-compact-wallet.html) hanging out of its pocket (valuables were in a money belt). The zipper was still zipped; in this case I think the would-be thief could not have known that I was using a chain, since I had my shirt untucked on purpose, just for such cases, so the chain was a surprise. I told him "nice try"; wish I had had the presence of mind to issue a general warning to the crowd. This young guy was also dressed like a hipster--cool blazer, white shirt, very neat appearance. Found out later I had an excellent photo of him, taken when I was getting a photo of the crowd; everyone else was looking at the canal, but he was focused on a lady's open bag. 

If you don't mind looking a bit informal, I recommend walking around with an untucked shirt. This seems to add another layer of difficulty to the pickpocket's task. Also, in high risk areas, the little wallet and its short chain can be tucked under your waistband, so there is nothing in the pocket at all.

Finally, to respond to your actual question, the Clothing Arts clothes look great to me as a way to foil pickpockets, though I would always use a money belt too. The only reason I have not purchased any is their weight, which looks quite substantial, whereas I try to pack as light as possible.

I have used pants and shorts from clothing arts for the last 3 years while traveling to Europe and I won’t wear anything else!! They make both adventure pants (cargo pants) and dress slacks in multiple colors. The pants are made from nylon and are easy to sink wash and dry fast. They have a system of zippers and Velcro that makes it nearly impossible to get to your valuables, I’ve worn mine on metro systems, buses, major tourist sites, etc. and have never had anything taken. I’m not affiliated with clothing arts in any way, I just like products that work.

Thanks to everyone for their comments! To Maui my questions were sincere and I am not connected in any way with Clothing Arts thus I don't have any ulterior motives.
Thanks
Ed

My husband had some no-name pants with multiple pockets and zippers -- after getting stopped in too many security lines, he decided to travel without them. Money belt, always!

My husband had some no-name pants with multiple pockets and zippers -- after getting stopped in too many security lines, he decided to travel without them. Money belt, always!

Your husband travelled without his pants? Tsk

Tilley used to have an ad with the headline 'Pity the Poor Pickpocket'. Their pants have a secret pocket. I like shirts and vests with a 'Napoleon pocket.

@Norma -- funny catch! He travelled without the multi-pocket, multi-zipper pants, just his usual Dockers-style ones. (Unless you're talking about the visits to saunas ...)