My husband and I are going to Germany next summer and I am starting to think about things we will need for the trip.

I am curious about money belts, neck pouches, and other things people use to hold on to their stuff and keep it safe from pickpocketers. Is that level of security even necesary in Germany or will it be enough to keep documents in the inside pouch of a shoulder bag and money and credit cards in a front pants pocket?

What are people's experiences?

I am a pretty small person - under 5' tall and tipping the scales at about 110 lbs. I am wondering how a money belt would work with someone of my size. Same with a neck pouch. Are there any other small people on the board with experience with this? It seems like either way I would be walking around with bulges - LOL. I know I am not there for a fashion show, but I don't want all pictures of me in Europe to look like I have a third boob or some sort of growth in my abdomen

I have seen a flat document pouch that attaches to a belt or belt loop and rides inside the pantleg. I am thinking this would work well for my husband since his pants are always a bit loose and would accomodate the pouch. Maybe I can convince him to carry all the important documents

Any comments and/or advice is welcome.

Thanks.

They are, in a word, adjustable.

I'm 5'3" and weigh ~120 lbs, so not much bigger than you. I've used the waist-type money belt and never felt like I had an abdominal growth. You don't pack it full of stuff; I just have a copy of my passport, copy of my ticket home, large bills if I have any, and a spare credit card--that's not very bulky. I keep the credit/debit/atm card that I use regularly in my day bag (secured), and the passport and actual ticket in my locked suitcase in the hotel.

I am 5'2" and used the UnderCover Hidden Pocket from Eagle Creek. (www.eaglecreek.com/40024.html).

It is very thin and lightweight. I just kept a credit card, some cash and a copy of my passport in it. I too was worried about the bulge effect, but did not have any problems with it. I also found it easy to get to if necessary.

I'm 5' and whether at 95 lbs 25 years ago or 120 lbs now, I have never had a problem getting a money belt or pouch to fit.

I've used several styles over the years - but my favorite now is a neck pouch on an adjustable cord. But I don't wear it around my neck. I put it around my waist and cinch it so the couch hangs like a pocket. it ends up working very much like the one that your husband will be using - except it isn't hooked to a belt loop. I would use one of those, but a lot of my clothes don't have belt loops. Using the neck pouch like a document pocket is the most comfortable and easiest to conceal of any style I've used.

I don't think you're very likely to be pickpocketed in most of Germany--tourist or not. Unless you plan to seek out especially seedy parts of some of the larger cities on purpose.

I have a waist money belt and I do find it bulging. I have a short torso, so when put it around my waist, I always feel it pushing up against my ribs.

Even though mine is adjustable, the belt is so long (it probably can fit folks with 50" waist) that it hangs down, so I have to loop the belt around and around so that I won't have a "tail" showing.

I've used mine in all seasons. Winters are better because of the layers of clothing - it's not as obvious.

In summers are a bit of a problem. 1st, it's HOT and can get sweaty. 2nd, it is much more obvious underneath one thin layer of T-shirt.

I dont' use neck pouches because I cannot stand the feeling of something pulling on my neck, plus I think the neck strap will show, esp if one's wearing a wide-neck T-shirt.

All in all, no good solution, or maybe I should invest in a better quality waist pouch.

<will it be enough to keep documents in the inside pouch of a shoulder bag and money and credit cards in a front pants pocket?>

I would never discourage anyone from taking whatever precautions they feel necessary, but for me, yes, I use a normal shoulder bag/purse when I travel.

Sheesh! Typos -- should be "I put it around my waist and cinch it so the POUCH hangs like a pocket."

A couch would be bulky/uncomfortable - for sure

Like Suze, I feel that I wear whatever I do in my own city, Boston. So no money belt. But I do have a belt and zippered bag I bought at Longchamps to free my hands when shopping or bikle riding and it is very attractive. Wear what makes you feel comfortable and secure.

I'm a small person too and hated the bulge in the front from my money belt, so now I turn it around, so the pouch is in the back and it does not show at all. I would not travel without it, although while staying in apts most of the time now, I usually just stash it somewhere in the apt. If staying in hotels, I always wear it.

Not sure if this makes you feel any better, but as a tall person (I'm 6'), I too feel like the money pouches are always visible.

I do prefer the abdominal growth to a third boob, though! The neck pouches are so obvious, especially in summer. I find that if I rotate the waist money-belt to my side, and keep it limited to the most important items only, it's still safe (under my arm/wrist) and less obvious than if I wear the pouch in front.

I agree with Rufus that you're less likely to be pickpocketed in Germany than elsewhere, but it's always better to be cautious.

I always wear my money belt. I know what you mean about it showing through clothing. Some time ago on this board someone mentioned wearing the belt (pouch side) on your back not your front. This has worked great for me! It does not seem to show as much! You might try this.

I never even considered wearing my money belt in the front. It always just seemd to make more sense to wear it around back, where there's kind of a hollow just below my waist, then around front, where there most definitely isn't! Maybe this is why other people complain about a money belt being uncomfortable, whereas mine never bothers me.

Yeah, just wear it in the back. Rick Steves sells a nice one on his web site. Completely adjustable.

Thanks everybody. A thin belt with only the essentials worn in the back sounds like the thing to do, either that or the neck pouch worn around the waist like janis suggested. Definitely a pouch and not a couch - LOL.