ga9497

I have travelled to Italy, France and London and never used a money belt. Felt quite safe with my purse. For those of you that do use one which did you purchase and how did you like it?

I was thinking of getting one for my husband for this summer so that he doesn't need to carry his wallet. There are so many out there and so many different kinds / shapes, etc that I have no idea which to order.

CarolJean

My husband uses a pocket that loop over his belt and then tucks in his pants. He not only uses it on trips, he uses it all the time. He keeps the bulk of his cash in it, he has his bank card there also. CJ

travelerjan

If you can go to a Luggage Store that has a "Travel Accessories" rack you can look at several styles, and see what suits each of you best.

YOur husband can carry his Wallet, but just the money for the day... no cc's no papers. And have him put it in his FRONT pocket, and stand with his HAND in that pocket while in public transport or in a crowd.

For the important stuff (major cash + cc's + pasport etc. THere are 2 styles... the actual flat packet that goes around his waist above the belt, under his shirt. Many men prefer another approach... Belt-Loop Inside Pocket ?? a flat unit about 6" x 3.5" of soft cloth, zippered. On one end is a brown Loop. When putting on one's trouser belt, you slip loop onto belt, then swing the flat "pocket" inside the front of one's trouser. Much less bulky.

Asa woman I naturally don't want anything EXTRA around my waist or tummy! I like the flat white velcro'd "pocket" big enough for passport & cash & cards with adjustable loop for arund my neck & it hangs down inside my blouse, not bulky at all. I travel in Greece, and I only use it while in transit on airplane or going from island to island on a ferry, or on a Metro. When I've checked into a hotel, I lock my important stuff in my suitcase & just carry a small zippered change purse in my pocket, never carry around passport or cc's by day. In Italy, u may have to be more careful.... I've heard tales.

The key thing is, have the needful things (cash for lunch, admission tickets etc) in a pocket, or y our daybag, so you NEVER have to reveal your "security pocket" in public. IF for some reason u need to get access to your "stash," go to a restroom & retrieve it.

Axel2DP

I don't think there is any easy or comfortable way to wear a money belt.

My camera bag has a zippered pocket that can only be opened when the bag is off my back, and that's where I keep the bulk of my money and passport. Of course I have to make sure that bag never leave my back I try to keep extra changes in a deep pant pocket for ease of access.

fmpden

We have worn money belts for years and find them totally comfortable and second nature. Too many people like to wear money belts at the belt line just behind the belt money -- more as a hidden billfold. They like the easy of access. IMO the proper way to wear a standard money belt is higher in the small of the back above the waist. My wife wears her's higher just below the bra line. A lot is personal preference and for some reason this question can generate a lot of opinionated opinions.

PS -- A front pocket is not much safer than a rear pocket. ONLY carry in your pockets that which you can afford to use.

gwan

I'm also a money belt skeptic - it probably helps that I live in Europe, so I feel like if I don't carry a money belt every day of my life, then why should I while travelling? If you do just carry your handbag, try not to take too much out and about with you if possible, and always make sure your handbag is on the front of your body (not back behind your arm), zipped, and that you have your arm on top of it so it can't sneakily be unzipped.

I do understand the reasons why people do want a money belt, however, and I'll echo the advice above that the *worst* thing you can do is get it out in public and advertise the fact that you're a tourist with lots of money hidden about your person.

thursdaysd

I (female) agree with fmpden - I wear my money belt with the pouch at the back - and the strap round my hips, not my waist. I am currently wearing (as I type) a Lewis N Clark model which just has one compartment, I think the models with two are too bulky.

gwan - there is a difference between going out in your home town and traveling. When traveling I have my passport, extra credit and ATM cards, and more cash than usual all with me (since my hotels seldom have safes). I would never carry all that stuff around with me at home.

gwan

Yep, I know there is, which is why I said I understand why people wear money belts.

gwan

Sorry for the short response above (in length and in tone), perhaps it would be more helpful if I outlined why I think money belts aren't always a good idea (I was originally just posting to agree with the questioner, who feels okay with carrying her handbag, and let her know that I think, whatever she may decide vis-à-vis her husband, if she's comfortable without a money belt then that's okay - in my personal opinion).

1) Your likelihood of being pickpocketed doesn't proportionally increase with the amount of money or other valuables you have on you, only the consequences do. The likelihood increases if you're not being sufficiently cautious (which, yes, includes demonstrating that you have stuff worth stealing). That's why I think, personally, it makes more sense to cultivate habits of personal security that fit into your lifestyle on a permanent basis, rather than relying on a money belt.

2) Money belts can offer a false sense of security. As I've said, to my mind, the tips above that say not to "misuse" the money belt by taking it off and on and demonstrating where it is are sound. However, many people *don't* follow these guidelines and thus make themselves more of a target for thieves who thus identify them as people with something worth stealing.

3) While obviously this doesn't appear to be the case in this situation, I think sometimes people get it into their heads that the whole of Europe is a crime-ridden cesspool, and this can lead to them being overly fearful and unnecessarily worrying or restricting themselves, for example, women who think "I'm travelling alone, I daren't leave my hotel at night". I'm not at all advocating that people don't take the utmost care with their personal security and that of their possessions, but it can be useful to be reminded that yes, people do live in Europe, and you don't have to spoil your trip by being fearful, you just have to be sensible. Unfortunately, appearing overly nervous can actually be a trait that may draw the wrong sort of attention. While we can't always, of course, look like we were born navigating the Paris metro (or whatever), an air of confidence and 'belonging' can go a long way. Just don't go to the opposite extreme and think that going off with Stranger X to Destination Y is a 'carpe diem' romantic European moment!

Of course, if you love your money belt & utilise it wisely, I don't think you should necessarily throw it out, I just wanted to give the arguments for the other side!

TDudette

Dear hub wore one in which he kept our passports. He kept his wallet in his side pocket and was careful about the amount of $ he carried. He had to drop his trousers to retrieve passports when we were required to show them at Monte Carlo.

We also made copies of our passports, licenses and credit cards and one set stayed at the office, the other in our room.

gwan has good points.

thursdaysd

I certinly agree that youo should not accesss the money belt in public if at all possible! However, tourists in general look like tourists, and are therefore more at risk than residents. Plus, they're out and about more - at home I drive everywhere, whereas when I'm traveling I walk or take public transport. I guess I have some difficulty understanding the resistance to a simple security measure - I'm finishing up a six month trip, and I've worn a money belt most days. When I get home I'll feel undressed without it for a while!

gwan

Well, if you don't understand my reasoning by this point I think we will have to agree to disagree, I don't think I can add anything more! As I've said, it certainly doesn't bother me if you like having your money belt!

Although, of course, the rates of car ownership and use are generally lower in Europe than most of the US (where I assume you're from based on your spelling), or, for that matter, where I'm from (New Zealand). I don't have a car, and everyone I know usually gets around without one. And I agree that tourists do usually look like tourists, but I think you can minimise *how much* you look like one (and therefore, in the eyes of some, like a good victim).

Anyway, I'll leave the friendly debate there, bon voyage to all & I hope whatever strategies you use your trips are crime-free!

thursdaysd

Well, I was all set to let this drop, too, until I read this post: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...omment-6993431 - semi-successful pickpocket attempt on a bus in Sicily. (I should perhaps also mention a recent unsuccessful attempt to steal from my day pack when I was taking a short cut through a metro station in Lisbon.) Now the poster is advising people to take taxis instead of buses, which for a solo traveler is an unnecessary expense. But as you say, gwan, everyone can make their own decision, and live with the consequences.

Thomas1836

I've been to Germany twice in the past year and to Germany France, Italy, Holland Beligum, England about a dozen times in the previous decade and have never worn a money belt.

I do think for some people they promote a sense of safety, for others discomfort or even paranoia. I've always kept slim wallet and passport in my front pocket. I rest a hand casually and/or am always aware of the feel of them. I've never been pickpocketed in Europe.

AJPeabody

As to men's wallets in back pockets vs. front, the back pocket is so easy that it's a very bad idea, but the only time I was picked, it was from a front pocket, albeit as a victim of a team of at least three pickpockets with a good distraction method. Now I use a money belt.

fmpden

As I posted earlier and AJ confirmed, a front pocket is not safe. As a couple others have posted, I don't understand the anti-money belt crowd but it exists on all travel sites. I take it as a degree of boasting or bragging - "I don't need to do that. Beside I have never had any problem." Which, of course, proves absolutely nothing. We teach some travel course locally and I collect anecdotal evidence of pickpocketing. Have have four pages now. A common thread to almost all is a "good distraction" and I never feel a thing. AJ has been added to my collection. IMO the best way to evaluate what you are doing is, "If it is easy for me to get to, it will be equally easy for someone else." And carrying a bag in front, with a flap, and your arm over it is no guarantee either. Also have a report from someone who lost a credit card from her bra.

dfourh

I wear a moneybelt just so that I don't have to worry - - the savings in protectionist stress alone is worth the ten bucks many times over. I know MANY people who have been ripped off. I'm a guy, so a belt-pack works best. I get mine either in the travel section at Wal-Mart, or at European airports. The models change constantly. I think a lot of women prefer something worn higher.

Elyse_Dorm

Not a fan of money belts either... mainly because it makes me feel uncomfortable to have one. But if you can comfortably pull of that look then you should by all means do it.

330east

I would like to speak out in favor of a wallet (for the man) that has a loop that hangs from your belt and then tucks down into your crotchal area. Let them try to pick that pocket! Of course, paying for things is only a little embarassing.