great thread. I thought money bags were made from cotton. How could the contents get slimy?
Exactly what is a 'baggie'?
moonrise

A "baggie" is a sandwich bag which is resealing. The money bags are worn under your clothing and can get wet with prespiration, especially in warmer weather. That's one reason for putting valuables (like passports) in a sealed plastic bag, even if the money bag itself is "breathable."

If you don't perspire much or it's cooler weather, it should be much of an issue. (Fortunately for me, I rarely perspire, but hubby does.)

Actually, my D & her friends in LA rarely carry purses with anything of value for the same reason that it's best not to carry one in areas of high crime on travel. You really don't want to attract attention or become a victim. They try to be as discreet as possible and when they sense a dangerous situation, they get away as quickly as possible. They don't carry valuables on their person at all, other than cash they may need for food during the day.

I find it very freeing not to have to hang onto anything of value while touring. Having a jacket with pockets you can keep maps and other things in is helpful (the weather in May/June will be chilly for us, so a jacket is good anyway). As I believe this is how my pocket was picked many years back, I will be sure not to have much of value in the pockets.

I never wear a money belt.

Some people do find waist money belts uncomfortable when they sit or bend over. I wear it in back and I'm almost never aware that it's there. I never access it in public. If I'm going to an ATM, I get the card out ahead of time (like in a restroom) and make sure I'm using it in a secure place (i.e. not at night on the street). I always carry my passport, credit cards and other important things in it. If I'm at an airport going through immigration, I take my chances and don't put the passport in the moneybelt. I've never had to remove it going through security.

I know a guy who had his neck money belt stolen on the Rome Metro. Criminals are always one step ahead. I use the ankle belt under the jeans in dangerous places like Naples & Rome(metro & buses). Ankle belt- holds the most valuables like passport cc cards & the waist belt holds just small spending cash. It can slip a little when your leg is sweaty, but it stays on. Check out youtube and search for pickpockets in Italy & you can see them in action. If the authorities really cared, they could stop it.

I also recently heard on NPR a disturbing story about pickpockets in Barcelona. It seems pick-pocketing flourished there because there is virtually no punishment for thefts under $500.

In any event, pliant posted asked this question six years ago and had, no doubt, made a decision by now.

HTTY

you people sure do go through alot of trouble,I wear travelers pants or shorts plenty of pockets each pocket has a zipper and snaps and if I am worried about the large sums of cash I carry I just take a safety pin and secure the pocket a third time.If I am in a really unsafe area I secure the safty pin by a paper clip.Never been the victim of a pickpocket once not even in new york to much time and trouble for the criminal.if you think someone may try slashing your pocket with a knife put everything in a leather wallet in the zippered,snapped,and saftypin locked pocket.if they do use a knife they are more likely to kill you than pick your pockets.Pickpocketing is a crime of opportunity,don't give them the opportunity and you will have nothing to worry about.Enjoy your travels no matter where you go!