Poll: What do you carry in your daypack?

Hi again Harrowgirl,

The choice of backpack or messenger-type bag I'll use depends primarily on the weather and how long I'll be away from the hotel.

Following are some of the things I am likely to carry:

Small collapsible umbrella

A clear plastic raincoat with hood that folds up into a discrete little bundle that takes up little space.

Light jacket or sweater

Bottled water

Tour book

Camera

Fruit

Map

www.ebags.com has all kinds of neat bags and backpacks to choose from. After having had my purse snatched from my lap by a thief at an outdoor restaurant in Barcelona, I bought a messenger-type bag that drapes across the body to provide more security. I saw lots of them on locals in Spain.

Add a cork remover, a knife, and some plastic baggies.

Of course, you'll want to carry your credit card, passport (or copy), hotel key, and most of your cash in a moneybelt, tucked under your clothes.

some variations depending on the plans for the day, but usually:
umbrella
cash, atm or credit card, copy of passport
various kinds of eye glasses
bandaids
analgesic of some type
map
guide book, or my own travel notes with items marked for the day--museums open, recommended cafes, etc
tissues
camera and film
pen and paper
lipstick and comb

I travel with a corkscrew, but usually leave it in the hotel room, along with paper plates and plastic utensils for a possible picnic in the room

I use a totebag, with long straps that go over my shoulder, and with interior zippered pockets. I don't use money belts or hidden wallets, have never felt the need,

We are off to France next week yee hah! I too am wondering about the back pack vs handbag situation. I normally have a light shoulder bag, leather of course being too heavy to lug around, no 1 and only son normally carries the backpack with the extras, but he is not coming this time. Husband to carry it this time? Normally I am not worried about having stuff pinched/stolen but with all these Fodor threads they have put the wind up me and I am running scared this time. Don't like the idea of having a neck pounch, especially if you are wearing summer style tops cos you would see the straps and thieves would know what is there anyway.

I aways take some wet wipes with me, everywhere is so filthy in Europe that it is good to wipe your hands before you have that ice cream or cake with your coffee. Don't forget the lip gloss, sun glasses, I think Elaine has just about covered what I would take. Don't forget any museum passes or entry tickets you have purchased previously.

Swiss Army Knife takes care of the scissors, corkscrew, tweezers, etc. Great for repairing everything to include luggage!

Camera on a lanyard around the neck and the camera itself in a pocket; never put my cellphone in the pack, either, much less money or CCs/ATM card.

Personally, I'd rather have a neck pouch with straps showing through than no money at all but that's obviously a personal decision.

I kinda disagree that Europe is all that "filthy" but to each their own.

We don't carry daypacks. Camera, guidebook/map, billfold, passport, and Swiss Army knife in pockets. We don't carry water unless we're out in the wilderness.

We use pockets only. A small comb and lipstick for me, a credit card, an ATM card and a little cash along with a copy of our passports, our transit tickets and a map is all we carry. Our camera (very small)is around someone's neck or attached to someone's belt. If we are trecking or hiking, we carry a very small nylon daypack with water and, sometimes, sunscreen.

I carry a normal pocketbook same as I do at home. I use one that can be worn with the strap across my body. In it is the normal stuff like sunglasses, tissues, small cosmetic bag, coin purse with local currency, passport, ATM/charge card, & a business card from my hotel so I can find my way back! Also a tiny spiral notebook for jotting down addresses or words I want to remember, a street map, a disposable camera.

I typically do not use a money belt or carry around water, food, umbrella, raincoat, guidebook, corkscrew, etc.

In a city, I'd only carry around a backpack if it was one of those days when a jacket will be coming off and on. In this case, I may use it for a map, camera maybe a guidebook and umbrella (if necessary).

I would never lug around a bottle of water or food when I can stop at a cafe for refreshment, or if on a budget, buy a bottle of water for one euro at a market. I also think it's a mistake to carry around passports.

Kind of depends on where I might be and what the weather dictates, but overall:

1. Small amount of cash, one credit card, some form of ID, map, mini first aid kit, small mirror, small brush (NEVER get a comb through my hair!), pens, small notebook, tissues, handiwipes, lip balm, extra roll of film, baggie to hold receipts and other odds and ends I pick up along the way, sunglasses. Water if I'm away from a city. Umbrella if the forecast calls for it, and usually only if I'm going to be away from my hotel. Snacks, again if I'm in a more remote location.

2. Bigger than the purse I use at home, way smaller than a carry on tote - how's that?

3. I'm more comfortable with a messenger bag type of thing. Can swing it around in front of me if needed, and my hands are still free.

My day pack is backpack style, usually a healthy back style (converted into a true backback) - but I did just get a great leather backpack syle purse in Italy that I used for the remainder of that trip and may become my new facorite. Whatever - not quite traditional backpack size, but larger than most pocketbooks.

In it I carry:
cameras

guidebook type info (usually downloaded or pages torn out of a guide book)

weather gear depending on season/location - sunglasses, umbrella, extra sweater, etc.

usual pocketbook junk (lip gloss, comb, tissues, tylenol, bandaids, etc.)

waterbottle only in hot conditions

I ALWAYS wear a waist style security pouch with passport, cash, ATM cards and all but one credit card. The days cash and the one credit card I use all the time are in the front pocket of my slacks/jeans, or if I'm wearing a skirt without pockets then I'll put that in the daypack.

I use a Rick Steves daypack. It weighs next to nothing, has mesh pockets for water bottles, etc. Very sturdy zippers.

Lipstick (a gal's gotta look good, especially when looking at all those well -dressed ladies in the museums - LOL)

camera and film, small pack of kleenex, several bandaids and neosporin, tiny umbrella, sunglasses, reading glasses, intermediate glasses, Swiss army knife, relevant maps and guidebooks, pen and small pad of paper (the hotel pads are great!), small miner's light/flashlight, small bottle of tylenol, hairpins (in case I need to pick a lock - just kidding!), small bottle of Purell, small bottle of sunscreen, tiny bottle of eyedrops, a scrunchable waterproof jacket with hood.

Cell phone hooked on belt/pants

Cap on head

I usually wear tight-fitting jeans when walking/touring a lot - in the front pockets are money (daily amount), credit card (one/two only), and other small essentials. The pants are so snug I myself can barely get my hand in the pockets, so if a thief wants in - I'd know!

Passports, international driver's license, etc., usually stay in hotel safe.

My European travel has been exclusively to Great Britain. I've carried a tote bag type day pack, never a "thief friendly" backpack, and in it I carry umbrella, guide book, camera, maps, small pad of paper & pen, and a small cosmetic bag with tissues, lip gloss and hand sanitizer. During the day I add any brochures and/or purchases I accumulate during the day.
My guidebook has alway been one I create myself. Before my trip I make a "wish list" of things I want to see and do, research them on line and through tradtional guidebooks, then write them up in a Word document along with copied-in local maps I usually find on line. I include the attraction's hours, admission prices, how to get there and any notes of interest about it. Just before leaving I print it up (double sided to save paper), 3-ring punch it, and put it in a report folder. Much lighter and easier to read than a commerical guidebook of which I might only consult a small percentage.

I have a purse that I only use on vacations. Its larger and more lightweight than my others. Its not structured and can easily hold the things I need:

sunglasses
small umbrella
guidebook or notes
camera, if not using the camera bag
maps
various medicines (I get headaches and motion sickness easily)
small amount of money
comb, lipstick and lip balm

I always use a moneybelt for my credit card, ATM card and passport

Tracy

I agree with schnauzer about carrying the wrapped wet wipes, I have them in my purse at home, and I have some in my daybag when I travel. Those, and some extra tissues, can especially come in handy at ill-supplied restrooms.

We tend to go to Italy in October, therefore it's cool enough to wear a light jacket and I don't need to carry a bag while sightseeing. My jacket has an inside zipped pocket big enough for cash, small digital camera, passport or copy thereof, museum/tour tix and the all important lip balm.

My husband and I both carry our own day packs. They are the ones that zip off of the larger back pack, so size wise they are a bit smaller than a regular school back pack.

What we carry between the 2:
compact umbrella (each)
pocket poncho (each)
digital camera
camcorder (most days)
granola bars
pen & paper
losenges
guide book
hand wipes/shout wipes
mini version of a first aid kit
maps and city guides
water bottle
swiss army knife (handy for cheese and wine for picnics)

We like the back pack type as it seems to keep any weight centered rather than pulling to one side.

Hi harrowgirl, I have never carried around a daypack. I, like suze, use a shoulderbag and basically carries what she does, but I just put the strap over my shoulder like I do at home. I do carry a small packet of sanitizer handwipes too, but I certainly don't consider Europe dirtier then anywhere else that I have been. I have no desire to lug a bunch of stuff around. And I never use an umbrella. But I am lucky in that if my hair gets wet it just get curlier and I can comb it after it is sort of dries. One thing I always carry is a very small tube of handcream. Can't stand to wash my hands without applying a bit of handcream.

It is interesting how we all have different methods of travelling. The most important thing is to find what works for you. Best wishes.

Oh, btw, a stupid question. What is a mailbag or a messenger type bag. I do not know. Thanks!

I have a new alternate purse that I've tried out the last couple trips.

It is small (7"x9"x2") with two zippered pouches. The larger pouch fits sunglasses, passport, kleenex, brush, lipstick, folded up map. The smaller one holds a couple cards, bills, and change. It's small enough I just wear it all day even in restaurants or whatever.

Hi suze, your purse sounds perfect. I have a great one that I have used the last years for travelling but to tell you the truth it is a bit to big. It is great for flying but not for carrying around all day. I need to go shopping!

LoveItaly ~ A messenger bag is essentially a bit bigger than a purse, with one large pocket and a flap. Sometimes the flap will have extra pockets or compartments in it to hold items. The strap is adjustable, but is meant to be worn across the body. They can look either very ultilitarian or more like a bigger purse, depending on who makes them.

Hi Chele, thank you!!! OK, that is not what I would want. I appreciate your answer. I like carrying something as small as possible. Take care.

My little bag is brown leather, Fossil brand, can go either over shoulder or torso cross-ways. I bought it for a family Hawaii trip when I didn't want to carry my purse to the volcano(!) but wanted to have a few necessities along. It's now done a couple Europe trips successfully. I was surprise I could adapt to such a small bag.

If only the Donner Party were as well equipped as some Fodorites.

Hey RF, in a lot of cases you guys expect the women to "pack" all the stuff for the day, LOL.

Thanks suze, I do need to go shopping at some point.

I carry a small messenger bag but also sometimes use the "healthy back" bag, a tear-drop shaped microfiber bag that goes over one shoulder.

In the small black messenger bag which I use in cities or when I am on brief forays, I carry a small microfiber wallet (some cash, atm, credit card), passport, very small brush, a few tissues, either a tiny Purell bottle or a little bag of wipes, a digital camera, room key.

In the larger one, for all day trips, I'd tuck in the small messenger bag and add a windbreaker, sunscreen, bottle of water, and guidebook and have room for purchases.

On the last two trips this year (conference in Tuscany, business and fun trip to London and Paris), I didn't use a money belt. I did feel that the small messenger bag, with the strap worn across my body (and Prada label on the inside except at a nice restaurant), was nicely secure and certainly more convenient than the money belt, which I had used on previous European travel. But I don't wear a money belt in downtown San Francisco, so I didn't feel I'd need it in Paris. I don't dispute the wisdom of a money belt in many areas but I must say I didn't feel I needed it these past two trips.

Hi annw, you don't wear a money belt in SF and so do not wear one in Paris. That is well said IMHO and exactly how I feel. I know that people feel if they are in a foreign country and have items stolen it is more of a hassle and that is true. But my friends in Italy do not wear a money belt in Italy and they do not wear a money belt when they come here either. But we each have our own comfort level.

annw and LoveItaly, your comments about not needing a moneybelt in San Francisco and therefore not needing one abroad amused me, because my son who lives in San Francisco near Haight and Baker taught me three things when I first came to visit him.

The first and most important was that I should never carry a purse in SF. I love to walk in that city, expecially from his neighborhood off Haight and from there downtown.

The second lesson he had to teach me was to speak softly when in public areas.

The third was to avoid eye contact with strangers.

Not bad advice, any of it, in my opinion, for big city traveling.

OMG -- RUFUS -- you had me ROLLING.

Harrowgirl...thanks for this post. Out of all the things I'm still wondering about is whether to change my bag for this next trip. I found a Swiss bag at REI and think it's not big enough...but I don't like the idea of a backpack.

I'll read on...

Happy Travels

Jules

Exactly, Loveitaly; people should do what they feel comfortable with; otherwise they will worry about their stuff and not enjoy the travel.

By the way I have been enjoying your posts on the various Forums.

Ann, I think the difference to me in wearing a moneybelt in Europe is not necessarily for my money...but my airline/train tickets and passport. If I lost everything in San Fran, I could call my aunt in Sacramento and she'd be down to help me out in 2 hours flat. I lose what's dear to me in Paris, and it's a big fat hassle to replace it all...so I don't gamble with carrying anything but a copy of my driver's license and my cash for the day in my purse, Prada or otherwise.

Jules

Hi Mary_Fran, do you wear a money belt in SF or do you just put "stuff" in your pocket. Not sure what you meant.

Speaking softly, well my mother always told me to do that.

Not making eye contact with strangers. Well I don't with panhandlers and advise people travelling to SF not to.

SF does not intimidate me in the least, but have known SF all my life. In fact I have never been in a large city that has intimidated me. I get more uncomfortable sometimes out in the country where no one is around. Take care.

Jules, good points; but what if you were in NYC and didn't have access to the auntie nearby? Would you use one then?

Don't you find that your passport and tickets get damp and wilted in the moneybelt? And do you have to flip the moneybelt out if you do need to use the identification? And do you ever leave the tickets etc. in hotel safe? (Not sure where you travel; I am speaking of European city travel presently).

I've been thinking about all this a lot b/c my husband who is usually fairly vigilant is giving up on the moneybelt completely separately from my experiences with the messenger bag (by the way it's a pre-owned ebay purchase so please don't get the impression it's a hot designer number) and my decisions not to use one on our trip to Venice and Lake Como this weekend.

Hi Mary-Fran, I've lived near SF most of my life and have been going to "the city" since childhood; I always carry a purse in SF! Never a problem, but I usually go downtown, embarcadero, west of the city, etc. and don't spend that much time in the Haight and personally wouldn't spend time there alone at night. There are a couple more areas I'd avoid but they are generally not areas visitors would go or even end up by accident.

I agree about speaking softly; avoiding contact is mostly important with hostile or paranoid individuals, from my experience as a psychologist as well as someone who frequents the city.

All in all, I must say I feel quite safe in most of Paris, certainly walking at 10 p.m. in summer evening light along the Seine.

I meant eye contact of course, sorry.

I don't wear a money belt in SF, but just carry stuff in my pockets and hand-carry my camera.

I absolutely adore that city (San Francisco), and I seldom feel uncomfortable there. However, things can get a bit dodgy going through some of the neighborhoods between the Haight and downtown, especially for females traveling alone. My sister and I had a funny but spooky experience once in SF, walking toward downtown from the Haight, near that famous scene where the "painted ladies" are silhoueted against the sky with the Transamerica pyramid in the background. A young fellow was obviously stalking us, and no one else was around. We quickly sprinted away across the street, and if he'd followed us, we'd have screamed and bashed him with my sister's purse.

I'm not conservative in my behavior, and I'm not generally afraid. However, in any big city, I think carrying a purse is risky. I avoided it in NYC as well, although I never give it a thought in Seattle.

annw, I am enjoying your post too, and seems like we are "neighbors" so to speak. You sound like you handle SF like I do, I always have my purse with me. I do carry (sssh don't tell anyone) extra money in the zippered part of my purse along with an extra CC and ATM card. But that is because during the earthquake in 1906 the family story is that my ggrandfather had a lot of "hidden cash" and conseequently could buy what he need as the family camped out in GG Park.

In that you are a physcologist I am interested that you don't make eye contact with certain people either. I learned this as a child from my relatives. Even though SF use to be different and much safer there were still some strange people around.

Hope we can meet each other one of these days. Take good care.

annw, just noticed (sometimes I am slow I guess) that you are going to Italy and will be in Venice and Lake Como. Have a beautiful trip!! Two beautiful areas. Think of me. Wish I could be there, but will have to wait until next year. Cin,cin.

I have a brother in NYC, so the point was moot...I didn't use my moneybelt there, because he has a safe, secure apartment where I could leave my things. In the absence of that (had I stayed at a hotel) I may not have used one anyway, because it's a lot easier to have tickets and ID replaced in my home country than to try and do it overseas, while struggling with foreign languages and other uncertainties.

I have a good moneybelt and maybe it's just that I don't sweat too much so it doesn't bother me. I find any mild social discomfort of my tummy not looking as flat as it is is a small price to pay to know that my important documents are secure while traveling internationally...but that's just me. We all do what helps us sleep at night.

Jules

1) when on vacation: small camera, cash wallet, credit card "notebook", small kleenex, some medicine, band-aids, small water bottle, pen and small note-book, maybe a map and a couple of paper pages - lists of museums, etc.., hotel's business card, hair comb.

2) purse

3) only with a strap long enough to wear across the chest

I have to say I totally agree with Jules. There are 3 reasons I use a security belt when in Europe. 1) It's much more of a hassel to get things replaced from Europe than from a city in the US, even one several hours from your home. 2) in Europe I need to have a passport in order to get home, not so when traveling in the US, and 3) in Europe I'm on vacation and don't want to waste any of my precious time dealing with business. It has absolutely nothing to do with feeling unsafe. I don't, in fact I even feel safer in European cities than I do in most US cities. But you can loose (as well as have stolen) your money, credit cards, etc. where ever you might be.

mary_fran- of course "conservative" is subject to definition. I've lived in a big city (Boston and Chicago) for over 15 years and I've always carried a purse - in fact, I don't know any woman who doesn't except for the tourists on Michigan Avenue who have on the fanny packs. Thus, I disagree that purses are dangerous in the big cities. It's just not practical not to carry a purse to and from work everyday.

I always carry a larger purse when I travel that can hold an umbrella, guidebook, wallet (with some cash and credit cards hidden in a different pocket), lip balm, sunscreen, lipstick, hairbrush, hotel key/card sunglasses compact and mints.

However, on my purse, there has to be multiple pockets and an inner zipped pocket where I store my valuables. I eschew purses that are open with some sort of a snapping or clasping device or those with a single zipper across the top. With the latter, it's too easy for a thief to open a zipper and go for what he or she wants. Multiple pockets or pouches are like a shell game for a thief. Tougher to pick. Also, single zipper small purses are easy for a thief because there are not many places for the valuables to hide. A thief may have to be elbow-deep in a larger purse before he can get at your valuables.

I don't think money belts are secure. The strap can be easily clipped and the buckle is not secure. IMHO, I think they're thief-magnets because if you're wearing one you've got REAL important stuff there.

I only wore a money belt once when I backpacked around Europe at 19 because I needed something I could sleep with in the hostels.

Once I moved up in the world and I could afford hotels with safes, I keep my passport, plane tickets, train tickets, some cash and credit cards in the safe. Never had a problem with that.

Thanks loveitaly; looking forward to it. 48 hours to go!

The money belt in the hostel reminds me, I'm wondering what people do with their stuff on the planes i.e. on long flights -- in the belt, in the bag under the seat, or what?

re: eye contact, for hostile or paranoid folks it can be taken as a challenge, so I figure why ask for trouble. Also there are cross cultural issues here, but I'm talking here about on the street encounters in SF. There are times when eye contact, erect posture, and a firm stride are important defense as well.

aschie30 - I think when most people say they use a "money belt" they mean one of the under the clothing types. These are sold in travel stores/catalogs (or travel sections of bigger stores) and are designed to hold passports as well as credit cards and cash. These are secure because no one knows you are wearing one. Pickpockets can't target them because they don't know they are there, and even if they suspected there was one they'd have to get under your clothing to get at it, not something most people wouldn't notice. I don't know what you are referring to when you say "they're thief-magnets because if you're wearing one you've got REAL important stuff there."

100 feet of euro.
100 feet of rope.
100 feet of condoms.

When I think about how I approach loading my purse or backpack for any occasion, but especially for sightseeing, I am reminded, unfortunately, of my favorite scene from the Steve Martin movie The Jerk, with Steve, as Navin R. Johnson, with his pants around his ankles, wearing a bathrobe, leaving home:

"Well I'm gonna to go then. And I don't need any of this. I don't need this stuff, and I don't need you. I don't need anything except this [picks up an ashtray] and that's it and that's the only thing I need, is this. I don't need this or this. Just this ashtray. And this paddle game, the ashtray and the paddle game and that's all I need. And this remote control. The ashtray, the paddle game, and the remote control, and that's all I need. And these matches.

"The ashtray, and these matches, and the remote control and the paddle ball. And this lamp.

"The ashtray, this paddle game and the remote control and the lamp and that's all I need. And that's all I need too. I don't need one other thing, not one - I need this. The paddle game, and the chair, and the remote control, and the matches, for sure. And this.

"And that's all I need. The ashtray, the remote control, the paddle game, this magazine and the chair."

Ahh! But to steal the money belt, they have to know it's there...

I like 'em (maybe because I'm famous for leaving my purse all over the globe.)

Yes, but if i had a dollar for every bulging moneybelt (no double entendre intended) I've seen on a tourist I'd be rich indeed. Especially when you're putting in your passport, money, heavy European coins that you are inevitably given by those pesky cashiers, hotel keys, and everything else listed by some previous posters. So yes, it's easy to discern.

And when you reach for something - there it is - in plain view. And worse, when the moneybelt is weighed down, the strap that goes around your backside starts to ride up above the beltline, making it really easy for someone behind you to bump, slice and go.

On the whole, I think there's no completely safe way to guard your valuables and I think money belts are overrated as such.

Ashie -- I don't think you're thinking of the same thing I am. My moneybelt is flat, and only holds my credit cards, passport and ticket home, and I wear it under my jeans in front around the waist. I carry my hotel keys, day's cash and change, and my ID in my purse, where I can get at it all.

I would suspect someone cramming that much under their clothes would look ridiculous, but I've never seen it. Maybe you're thinking of a fanny pack which is outside the clothing?

Moneybelts are only overrated until you wished you had used one.

Jules

This is going to sound a bit sarcastic, but I think Europe in general should just incorporate what was done in the movie "LA Story." (Another Steve Martin film)

In movie Steve Martin goes up to an ATM to withdraw cash, and as he walks away a man walks up to him and says, "Hi, I'm Bob. I'm your thief for tonight." Steve Martin hands him a $20 bill and walks away.

Perhaps it would just be easier to have all these pickpockets in line at the exits to Metros and buses and tourists could just hand them Euros as they pass by. Then there would be no need to worry about whether or not to take a money belt or if this purse or that wallet is more or less secure. *sigh*

/sarcasm

<I'm wondering what people do with their stuff on the planes i.e. on long flights -- in the belt, in the bag under the seat, or what?> for annw-

i'm guessing people do different things, but most must leave their valuables in their bags under the seat or in the overhead compartment. i say this because i don't see people toting stuff in and out of the bathrooms or when they walk the aisles on a long flight. so unless they are wearing money belts (which i doubt most are) they stuff is in their carry-on bags.

Jules- I have exactly the same moneybelt you described -- so yes I know what one is (who doesn't?) -- I just haven't used it in many years. Others I know can't and won't squeeze that thing in their jeans so they wear it under a long shirt.

But even the ones that I've seen tucked in the pants aren't secret as they tend to have a way of poking out. And you have to take it out when you pay, don't you? So my point is that any half-vigilant thief can get to it.

aschie30 - most sensible people who use a money belt don't use it to carry around the day's spending money. Most people carry one credit card and a small amount of cash in a pocket or purse. The money belt, worn under the clothing (and I don't think most people's show) is just for passport, extra credit cards, ATM cards (on days you don't need to withdraw money)and extra cash. I only access my money belt in private, in the hotel room. This is the safe, secure and sensible use of a money belt.

Everyone is of course entitled to their own opinions about this topic. I just hope that new travelers will think about it before deciding that moeny belts are unnecessary, bothersome, etc. Used in the method I describe I just cannot understand why people find it too much hassel. And as others have mentioned, we are not just talking about theft, loosing things is just as common, just as much of a headache on a vacation.

Hey, OP, I see your screenname is "harrowgirl". Just had to check in, because I could be "pinnergirl" -- are you from Harrow in England? Do you live there now? (DH would be southharrowboy!!)

The daypack issue is a dilemma I ponder every trip, and each trip seems to have different needs, and more shopping in the quest for the perfect solution. Then there's my DH, who tends to say "I can't fit my sunglasses/binoculars/you-name-it in my pocket. Can it go in your bag?" My shoulder was starting to feel the strain till I found a small lightweight folding black backpack in a local luggage store -- now he takes it along in his travel bag, ready to use when needed.

MaryFran, love the quote from The Jerk! Maybe it's time to rent the movie again...

Something's still missing, Aschie30...I don't use my moneybelt for daily cash storage (see above) ONLY for the hard-to-replace items what will get me home (passport, ticket, credit cards), and pretty much everything else goes in my purse or daypack.

I do NOT take my moneybelt out in public...if I need a card, I use a restroom and put it in my purse to use it, then will find a way to get it back to my moneybelt later, perhaps when I go to the restroom next.

I DO wear a slightly looser style of clothes as well, especially when traveling using my moneybelt, so it's not obvious, it's not uncomfortable, and it doesn't "poke out". Perhaps you need a better fitting one. If yours is old, it's probably not as nice as the new ones are anyway with better fabric that keeps you from getting all sweaty.

Personally, I think it's much riskier to store your plane ticket and passport either in your purse or worse -- out of sight in your hotel room -- but then I don't stay in a posh hotel where there's a safe I trust. I'd rather have it plastered to me and make it as hard as possible for someone to take it from me. And there isn't any other way to keep it on me that's as safe, secure and convenient.

I think a moneybelt is just like buying car insurance. It's a pain, no one likes it, but you're never glad to have it until the day you need it!

Jules

Jules - that's great for you, however, others use them differently. Some people do use them for cash & credit card storage, and I know for a fact that others are not as vigilant about not taking them out in public. To each his or her own.

If people do not use a money belt the "correct" way (i.e. it is slim and stays hidden under your clothing... it does not bulge, carry a bunch of coins, or need to be accessed in public) you might as well use a different method.

Amen, Suze. You shouldn't use a money belt as a wallet. You keep your cash for the day in a purse, pocket or wallet. And you keep your passport, CCs, ATM cards in a money belt, worn inside your pants, accessed only in private. Which means you can tuck your shirt in OVER it, keeping it hidden.

You should keep only the stuff you can afford to lose in a purse or pocket. I figure I can afford to lose one day's walking around money without ruining my trip. (Granted, I don't spend that much).

Pickpockets have never hit me yet, but I expect they will someday. And that's OK, because I've already mentally kissed off that cash. The good stuff is safe.

Everyone has their own system, but I think there is value in a money belt (or ankle safe, or neck pouch, as long as it doesn't show).

Look out:

Kleenex
Toilet seat covers (for the wife)
Small binoculars
Camera
Notepad
Pens
Maps
Guide book
Corkscrew / bottle opener
Hand sanitizer (purell or whatever)
Wet wipes (anti bacterial)
Phrase book (assuming I'm in another country)
Bottle of water
Gum
Small umbrella
Extra batteries and memory for camera
Guess that's about it...not too bad.

Someone mentioned that the strap of a neckpouch would show & be a giveaway. Well, I wore mine with the strap over my shoulder under my blouse, etc. Now, I am working on a pouch that will attach around the side of my bra & I think it is going to be more comfortable!

My friend used to wear a neckpouch until she noticed in a mirror that it looked like she had a third bosom and a crinkly one at that!

I take a small messenger bag (Prada makes the microfiber kind that is light) along with a regular purse that I carry at home too. This is only if I know I am going to be out the whole day or I will actually need a map, etc.

When I first started traveling I used a moneybelt but it can sure get sweaty and my passport during that era looked like it had been washed and wrung out. I still take one with me in my luggage in case I suddenly get worried about theft.

On the plane I take my small bag with me to the toilet, I came back to my seat once and the lady that was sitting next to me was urging her child to go through my purse. I caught them at it and have been wary ever since. If I am traveling with someone I don't take it if they are awake and lucid enough to watch it.

Loveitaly, my grandmother was in San Francisco during the 1906 earthquake too. She was living on the outskirts of town and was thrown from her bed. What stories she told of that era!

No purse...no backpack!!

This is what I do on a walking day:
Right front pants pocket, credit cards & cash.
Left front pocket kleenex & lipstick.
In my blazers I have hidden pockets...left one, small map...right one lipstick. & comb.
I keep the order the same...so I know that the important STUFF is in my right front pocket.
My hands are free!!
Oh, if I need an umbrella I carry that....and soon enough I'll buy something so I can stow it in that bag.
Photographs?....I usually go out specifically to photograph...then I carry camera/equipment in a NON photo bag.

We're traveling about 3/4 months a year...I don't want to be caught up with stuff...I keep it simple!!!

Driving days? Camera at my feet & purse in the trunk.

As a followup to what SeaUrchin just posted about her experience on a plane, my adult daughter flew from L.A. to D.C. & after landing discovered that her wallet was missing from her purse! I got the call to rescue her & wired money to her. She said, "I don't suppose that nice man who was sitting by me on the plane took my wallet while I was in the rest room!"

After my last experience in Rome, where the lock on my backpack fell completely apart...in my hands, I felt completely insecure about walking around with a backpack, although its the best bag to distribute the weight of my contents:
medications for the elders (those things are HEAVY!)
diapers for uncle
passports
wallet with very little money
bottle of water
DVDs for camcorder
my camera and my dad's
printouts from Fodors, mappy.com, and Eyewitness books
paper and pen
hair brush
lipgloss
my cell phone

I was thinking of getting a messenger bag to keep my contents in my eyesight, instead of carrying my backpack in front like a backwards camel, but haven't seen one with a zipper to close the top. I'm starting to like Kipling bags as they're lightweight and have zippers galore.

Watch out NY. A shopaholic's coming through...again...

Overland Equipment Donner and Eagle Creek Nomad are two good choices for travel handbags.

Hi SeaUrchin, so you ancestors were in the 1906 SF Earthquake too? Interesting. My family ended up in GG Park for a period of time, did yours?
More things we have in common it seems.

Regarding when I am on the plane. First of all I do not carry my purse and my carryon on the plane. I pack my daytime purse and my evening purse in my checkin baggage. Both are full of items. I only take my carryon bag on the plane with me. I have a large size wallet that holds my passport, my ticket info, my credit and atm cards and my cash etc. When I am on the plane and go to the restroom I take this wallet with me.

My carryone bag is small enough that I put it under the seat in front of me so it is not a problem to take out the wallet if I go to the restroom. And of course having only one item to carry makes flying simply. I do take a coat (which one depends on the time of the year I am travelling) with me on the plane. I put that in the overhead bin. I do try to keep it simple.

SeaUrchin! What did you say to the woman and her child when you got back?!

It was an eye opening experience. I had walked up to the toilets but little did they know that I was actually walking past them to circle the plane. So when the mother must have thought I was safely seated in the loo, she struck. Actually I was coming up to my seat from the back of the plane and saw her nudging her daughter to reach further into my purse! I grabbed it out of her grubby little hands and the mother clucked like she was surprised at her daughter's behavior. They didn't speak English but I accused her anyway in English. I went through my purse and nothing was missing. We avoided each other as much as possible in a three foot space for the rest of the flight and I sent them glaring looks whenever I could. I would have told an attendant but they were not to be bothered. It was one of "those" flights where everyone was upset over something.

The moral is take your purse with you!!

It's a lovely idea to travel light on the plane, checking the bulk of stuff inside your luggage, UNLESS you fly fron the west coast to Europe, in which case your odds of being grounded overnight at some point in transit is not uncommon.

It's happened to me twice flying from Seattle to Europe, where I was put up in a hotel for the night without benefit of my meds, night clothes, toothbrush, makeup, etc. The airlines supplied a rudimentary little pack, but not nearly enough for comfort.

Ever since then, I anticipate the unexpected and carry enough in my carryon to minimize the inconvenience of an unanticipated interruption in my travel plans.

Just back from hols, so I KNOW the answer to this. It's 25 litre back pack and in the zippy bit in the front (inside) I have painkillers, bandaid, insect repellent, and tissues. In the smaller main section, I have painkillers, indigestion tablets, 2 pens and my wallet. In the BIG section I have a guidebook or two; a guide to restaurants, whatever I'm reading, and a spare book. A language dictionary. Sometimes my binoculars and a bird book. Sunglasses or ordinary glasses, depending what I'm wearing. Goretex if the weather's dodgy.

And quite often, Keith's camera, and book and anything else he wants carried too

I carry a leather back pack.


Camera
trail mix/snack
water
guide book
cash/credit card (enough cash for the day)
tissues
tiny umbrella
a gallon zip lock bag
sun glasses
anti-bacterial stuff

Mary_Fran,

Since I also fly from Seattle your post made me curious. When you were delayed was it on a scheduled stop & then you couldn't get back out again? Or was it supposed to be a non-stop flight that was disrupted for whatever reason?

Suze, the first problem flight was a non-stop British Airways flight to London, originating in Seattle. I had arrived in Seattle the night before from Spokane and stayed near the airport. British Airways checked our luggage and we boarded the airplane and then sat on the tarmack for 4 HOURS, waiting for purported mechanical problems to be fixed, before finally being told the flight would not leave that day. I was ticked off that they made us wait four hours on the runway before pulling the plug on the flight. In any event, they left the luggage on the plane and gave us a little care package for the night at the hotel they bussed us to, with toothbrush and eyemask and a few little incidentals.

The other overnight delay resulted from a Continental flight from Seattle to Amsterdam, with a stop at Newark. Electrical storms on the east coast grounded our flight to Amsterdam until the next day. Continental at first didn't want to accept responsibility for putting us up for the night - and because the delay was weather-related, they probably had no legal obligation to do so. In any event, they eventually trucked the lot of us to a Howard Johnson's, where we were camped out for a full day.

The joys of flying out of the west coast for Europe! Your flight is going to be several hours longer than it would be from the east coast in the first place, as you cross the great expanse that is America, and then you risk being grounded on the east coast by Atlantic storms. Ain't no justice.

In any event, ever since those experiences, I pack enough in my carryon to be able to survive 24 hours in a Howard Johnson's motel in the flight pattern at Newark.