I've seen both the waist and neck styles at the AAA office and at Target.You could probably find them at Walmart too.

I don't find the waist style at all uncomfortable. I have friends who have been pickpocted and I and prefer not to worry about hands in my pocket or purse while on the metro or in crowded tourist sites or spend precious vacation time calling my credit card company and/or bank to report a stolen card.

For those in doubt about the value of money belts, read the post titled "Cruel Irony" posted today. A sad, but true story about being pickpocketed.

Years ago, I read on a travel site someplacw about money pouches that attach to your bra strap. I bought one in 2002 and have used it ever since. It attaches with velcro and has a small zippered pouch you tuck inside your bra. They are comfortable, zipper away from your skin, and safe. My husband wears a money belt around his waist plus puts a 20-50 Euro in his front pocket each day. We always wind up with me carrying most of the cash because he doesn't want to be seen grabing down his pants in public. He keeps the passports. I just reach down and in fast and pull, the velcro comes undone fast. They work great for us. I don't remember the name of the company. I just wash them and they have been good to go for many trips. Sounds funny, huh but they are the best.

But why does someone take a credit card to Mass?

I am not going to blame the victim here, but the prudent thing to do while traveling is to leave whatever is valuable you won't need locked up at home.

PS: I posted elsewhere that people who've convinced themselves money belts are secure aren't likely to switch to behaving otherwise, but I do think it's worth pointing that I think money belts and especially expensive "secure" purses give a false sense of security. Professional or determined thieves can still get to them.

Carrying only a small amount cash is prudent, wherever you stow it on your person. Passports and airline tix should not be on your person when you walk around since their loss would have a far greater impact on continuing your trip as planned.

When I am run over by a bus or caught in an unexpected or emergency situation, I want my passport ON me... not back at some hotel.

I agree with you, Suze. In case of something unexpected, I want my passport with me.

I guess I forgot to add you should carry a copy of your passport. That is enough to identify you in an emergency.

I'm told Belgium requires that you carry your actual passport. Otherwise, a copy is good enough, just as almost every professional guidebook will recommend. They do it for a reason.

I've been reading lately about room safes not being safe. So, nessundorma, you think you're more likely to have a thief steal your money belt under your clothing; is that correct?

Also you might need your passport for a happier reason. Visiting a friend in Switzerland we were offered a speed boat ride on the lake one sunny afternoon, everyone then decided we'd go to France for a couple glasses of wine at a cafe. My friend jokingly said to me "hope you've got your passport on you"... which I did. I don't think a copy is sufficient for border crossings, is it?

I prefer the off-chance that a pickpocket can rummage -under- my clothing (that would be quite an achievement) and successfully remove my valuables, than to leave them in a -room- safe where hotel staff have the master and can help themselves. I also prefer to keep my valuables on my person (under my clothes) than to leave at the -hotel- safe where I might forget to retrieve them (we keep <i>very</i> busy). &quot;Valuables&quot; means passport, 'big money' ie. fresh from the ATM, extra credit card... we don't bring jewelry, and don't carry more than 500&euro; at a time. I feel ok leaving my camera sometimes in the room in our most-frequented hotels, but usually don't in an unfamiliar hotel.

I don't think we have traveled anywhere that is known for more aggressive thievery than pickpocketing, ie. actually mugging or robbery. If I did, I might make an exception to my normal practices.

It seems like I am one of the few on the board who chooses not to carry my passport with me at all times. I guess if you are going to have a passport on you then yes, you will need a money belt.

Mary Fran- the money belt is not a &quot;cool&quot; issue for me. As I buy very little when I travel (if I buy anything at all) and I usually dine cheap during the day, I rarely carry around more than 50 euros, chapstick and my student ID. No credit cards means not being asked for ID, which means no passports needed. Usually with 50 euros, I can have breakfast, go to 1-2 museums, have lunch, go to another museum, then have coffee and head back to the hotel to freshen up for a nice dinner (when, yes, I do take a purse. . . actually, a Coach wristlet. . . with me) that requires credit card or more cash.

I shop a lot and don't remember ever being asked for my passport when using my credit card. I carry a copy of my passport and have used it to refer to when filling out forms for the VAT refund.

I know people who have been pickpocketed and have read numerous stories on travel web sites, this one included, but I don't remember one reporting a loss from a money belt. I'm sure it can be done, but why would a thief risk alerting the victim when there are easier pickings?

A money belt is an essential item for travel abroad. I have always used the kind under my clothes. If I am eating dinner...I will duck into the washroom prior to getting the bill and will take out the needed funds. I usually keep some small pocket change in my purse along with any items I would be willing to lose...tissue, lip balm etc. I too have several experiences where people have had their hands in my coat pockets. Luckily all I had in my pocket was tissue and he was welcome to it. Violent theft is very rare but pick pockets are very crafty in Europe and it is better to be safe than sorry. I just purchased a new money safe that you attach to your leg under your pants...I am going to see if I like that better but will bring the other one in case I find it too uncomfortable. I got mine from a luggage store.

I agree with many of the above posters....would never leave my passport in a hotel safe. It, plus whatever I couldn't travel without, IE ticket home, credit card(s), large amount of currency, goes in a money belt. I wear mine around the waist, sometimes under the ole tummy control pantyhose....really tough for any pickpocket &amp; generally gets rid of any bulge when wearing more form-fitting stuff.

When shopping for a moneybelt, do NOT get polyester, as they are too hot. Look for silk or more breathable fabrics. Check out Magellan, Travelsmith, Rick Steves, etc. if you can't find a good one locally.

I never travel without my moneybelt. A good silk one with an elasticized waist is more comfortable than a polyester or cotton one.

I've heard a lot of pickpocket stories (and spotted people going towards the pockets and purses of my travel companions) but I've never known anyone who has lost valuable if they were kept in a moneybelt, neck pouch, leg safe, secured interior pocket, etc.

Most EU countries require (and the US State Dept suggests) that you have your passport on you at all times. Personally, I keep a color copy of my passport in my daypack (to give to people at the hotel desk for registration, to get a VAT refund, etc) and one in my suitcase. Then I only have to take out my real passport for Customs.

There's money belts and there's belts that you can use to hide money or documents. Changes in Latitude, a brilliant little store in Boulder, CO, sells a good range of belts that look like regular, slim belts but have a zippered compartment on the inside. They come in nondescript patterns and colors - call them if their website doesn't show them. I was travelling through Bulder a couple of months ago and saw a whole rack of them, they're brilliant. www.cil.com

Then there are those money belts that you hide underneath clothing - already mentioned are www.magellans.com and others as a source for those.

Neither are meant to be used in plain view during the day. The kind of zippered pouch that hangs inside your pants from a safety pin or belt loop can work well for daytime use, it can be pulled up and out without fuss, and stashed back down without embarrassing movements - no need to undo the belt etc.

To each his/her own.

WK

If you check luggage on your flights, remember to remove the passport copy from your suitcase, into your carry-on. Not a good idea.

The round-the-neck variety has the advantage of quite a lot of space for large items such as passports and train tickets plus it's not difficult to pull it out and get a bit of cash to pay for something. On the other hand, believe it or not, the constant pull on the neck can cause neck-ache by the end of a long day. The majority of pickpockets (Rome subway and anywhere in central Naples) go for purses and pockets. They either reach in or in the case of a zipped pocket use a razor blade to cut through your garment.

Regarding minor border crossings such as ferries on the Swiss/Italian lakes, a copy of your passport would probably be enough. I once forgot my passport altogether on an overnight trip from Switzerland to Italy. I explained this to the couchette attendant and he explained it to the border control - they didn't bother to wake me up. I then had a copy faxed to me for the return trip.

My vote is for a money belt. Especially when traveling from place to place on the train.

My husband lost his credit card, ATM card, driver's license, and all his euros/US money. It was in a deep front pocket, but pickpocketers are very skillful and that is not an obstacle for them. They lifted it all as he boarded the train in Naples and had both hands on his luggage.

I suggest you keep what you don't need in your money belt, i.e. credit cards, passport, bulk of money, etc. and only keep a day's worth of currency in your pocket. They have pants for men with zippers and to reinforce this you can pin it shut at the waist. That should deter a thief.



I would put credit cards, ATM