New_England_Dawn: What is wrong w/ a fanny pack -- absolutely everything. They do have their place - like when hiling and wantin your hands free at all times you can put your camera in it and a bit of lunch money and such.

But for touring Europe they:

- signpost the wearer as a less than savy traveler and possibly an easy mark,

- are VERY insecure - a good pickpocket cann slice the strap and be 1/2 a block away before you know it is gone.

- If there IS a steal reinforced belt then you can be dragged to the ground while he tries to get it off you. He'll give up w/o attacking you - but you will have a hell of a bruise to show for not losing anything

Well, I appreciate all of your feedback, but I beg to differ. I have been using waistpacks for years while traveling and I'm <i>not</i> an inexperienced traveller. I plan on picking up the new Stashsafe pack tomorrow and I'm going to use it in Europe.

Why would a waistpack &quot;signpost the wearer as a less than savy traveler and possibly an easy mark&quot;? Whose view is this? I've read about the blazers with deep pockets, the zippered pocket pants, etc. Personally, I don't find any of these items realistic to wear on a daily basis over a long vacation, unless you plan on wearing the same clothes every day for two weeks! Also, I read the comments about the man who was being very cautious about carrying items in his pockets only to have a thief slash them open with a razor. :O I've also read the comments about traveling with children and the mother being encouraged to use a waistpack in order to store her children's items and keep her hands free. Waistpacks seem to have a giant double-standard on this forum! I've read most of the posts about this topic and it seems as though the main reason people do not wear them is because it's not fashion-forward, so they decline. If I'm wearing a safety waistpack with a lock to secure it to my waist and steel reinforcements in the straps, I figure that I've significantly reduced the likelihood of having a pickpocket ruin my vacation.

As far as this comment: &quot;- If there IS a steal reinforced belt then you can be dragged to the ground while he tries to get it off you. He'll give up w/o attacking you - but you will have a hell of a bruise to show for not losing anything&quot;, all I have to say is &quot;<b>PLEEEAAAZZZE</b>&quot;! I'm traveling with five people and I find this scenario a stretch. I don't see comments about people receiving bruises from complications from an attempted money belt removal.

No offense to anyone, but when I read some of these posts I get the feeling that many of the regulars are aloof in their attitudes regarding travel. A true Fodorite is more open to modern advances regarding travel safety and such. I find a number of &quot;experts&quot; on this site to be rather glib when someone new posts an honest question. Yes, I have read many helpful answers, but I have also read as many condescending answers/remarks.

Sorry to go off-subject, but many of the comments that I've read on this and other threads tonight have left me wondering why I even bother to participate. Oh well, perhaps I'll change my mind in the morning. Goodnight! :)

New_England_Dawn wrote: &quot;A true Fodorite is more open to modern advances regarding travel safety and such.&quot;

I'm all right then: I'm not a true Fodorite, nor a false one. I'm not a Fodorite at all. I'm myself, an individual, and not bound by travel rules laid down here.

And I sure as hell won't wear a bumbag, not even a Stashsafe. Particularly not a Stashsafe, for I wouldn't dream of buying anything with such an awful name.

Sorry - but fanny packs / bum/belt bags do shine a big neon sign over one's head &quot;<b>I'm an American Tourist and I have lots of goodies in this Fanny Pack</b>&quot;

Now, of course everyone is free to wear/use whatever they want and feel comfortable w/. But you cannot escape what wearing such a thing indicates to most other people.

(Since when is a bum bag any sort of modern advance? )

NE Dawn-
First I want to say, I do hope the comments you get here don't cause you not to participate. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion (mine being that there are better options than a waist pack). However, someone else here might find something useful in your recommendation of the stashsafe, so don't let anyone's opinions (including mine) chase you off.

That said, I have to say waistpack/fanny pack as &quot;modern advance&quot;? I'm sorry, but that's where you lose me. The fanny pack has not been &quot;modern&quot; since the 1980's.

Please don't take this the wrong way. Of course you are free to wear and do anything you want. For me, it's a matter of style. There's no way I would every wear a waist pack because I think they are hopelessly out of style and I would feel ridiculous. That's a matter of personal taste of course.
I usually carry a sling bag which I move to the front when in close situations like on a subway.

Americans are not the only people who wear waistpacks (or fanny packs or whatever you want to call them). I've seen tourists of various national origins wearing them, as well as walking tour guides.

Nonetheless, I wouldn't wear them personally because of the extra risk of pickpocketing. And also because they're not that flattering - I need all the help I can get in this respect :).

My two cents - Americans are definitely not the only ones wearing bum bags - waist bags, whatever you want to call them. I think I've noticed though that there are more non-American MEN than non-American women wearing them.

I personally would never wear/use one because I think they are horrible looking, regardless if the wearer is a man or a woman. Flying to Ireland last year, I saw a couple in their late 50s, they were each wearing one that looked large enough to be an overnight bag. I can't tell you how ridiculous they looked (and I'm leaving commentary about the rest of their travel wear out of it! )

you are right - I should have written <b>&quot;I'm a tourist and I have lots of goodies in this Fanny Pack&quot;<b>

One does sometimes see European men w/ small leather belt bags but I think that is a whole different thing.
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