We will be traveling to Europe in the spring. I am thinking about buying a travel wallet. I do not know which one to buy...one for my waist or one for my neck. I know this is probably personal preference, but I would like some input!
Thanks.

to: mariamack
I use both.
I place my passport, credit /ATM cards and large amounts of currency in my waist belt and the cash I need daily in my neck pouch. When I need my CC/ATM cards I remove them from my waist belt in private where I can't be observed.
I recommend keeping very small amounts of loose cash in your front pocket.Preferably not in a wallet.
If a pickpocket observes that you only have a small amount of loose money in your pocket he may look for easier prey. I was careless for only a moment in the jam packed Naples train station-in a hurry to catch a train-and a thief was able to steal my wallet from my buttoned front shirt pocket with out my being aware. Fortunately my important valuables were in my waist belt so I only lost my day money. I had my neck wallet but I was in a hurry and didn't use it.
I observed that locals only had a few euro in loose change when they purchased their tickets.
The thieves are very clever so don't think that just placing your wallet in your front pants' pocket will be enough.
There are other types of travel wallets available.
One type that slips over your calf like a sock and another that with loops slips over your belt and is worn inside your pants.
I have tried both but I prefer the waist/neck wallets for convenience.

I hate the neck wallet, I tried one once and it was too heavy on my neck and made me look like I had a third breast.

Wear one under your waistband with the pocket part in the back, its more comfortable.

Hi

Definitely a concealed waist wallet. The cords on neck wallets are the giveaway and enterprising thieves slash these with a razor.

I use Don's approach - small amounts of cash in your pocket. The rest in your money belt. Dress down - no wealth display so leave diamonds and Gucci watches at home (no problem for me cos I don't have any of this bling!).

Have a safe trip.

I've tried a waist version, but prefer a leg stash:

http://www.eaglecreek.com/40025.html

~Liz

I agree with SeaUrchin...the neck pouch doesn't lay flat on a woman's chest, and it looks weird.

However, I still use it because, for me, my passport is quickly accessible hanging around my neck as opposed to lifting up my top to retrieve it.

not too very uncomfortable but ladies can wear the neck pouch, slung around and under their arm...and avoid that mutant look!

I am a female and have used the waist pouch - under my pants - several times with no problem. I do not carry a purse and have a very small amount of money (like 10 euro) in my hand or pocket. I carry nothing else.

After delivering mail on a walking route for years, I know what I'll need with me and what I won't, so even at home in the US I carry very little on my person.

Take only your passport (or a copy), one credit card, more cash, and one ATM card in your waist pouch under your clothes and you're set. If you need one of them, remove it in a bathroom out of view.

We're with elberko.... I used a waist moneybelt for years, turned the pouch around to the small of my back. After my husband decided he liked the leg-stash, I've ordered one for myself. We travel in cooler months and always wear jeans/slacks so this will be perfect for us. The neck pouches can feel heavy on your neck.

In addition to a neck pouch, I often wear a travel shirt with a hidden zippered pocket, particularly on travel days involving planes or trains.

The zippered pocket is very convenient for items I will <b><i>need to have handy</i></b> and cannot afford to lose (such as tickets and passport). It's also more convenient than trying to find a restroom to access my neck pouch each time I need something.

My favorite travel shirts are made by Ex Officio, but there are other brands as well.

Woody

Buy the waist type! I purchased a neck pouch for myself and a waist security pouch for my husband. Women cannot wear the neck pouch without looking like some kind of freak. It probably works fine on flat chested men. I threw my neck pouch away and purchased the waist model which I love.

neither- I just have my hand bag. It is zippered. I do not understand the fetish with travel pouches. I do take prcautions. I always have a zerox of my passport stashed somewhere else, have a spare credit card elsewhere and carry very little cash. I don't wear a travel pouch in NYC so why would I wear one in Paris or London?

Brava, Travelbunny!

My resounding answer is also &quot;Neither!&quot;

I've been to Rome over 30 times, to Naples twice, and to Palermo twice, and never used a &quot;travel wallet&quot; anyhere - not around my waist, nor around my neck, nor - God help us! - around my leg.

And I've never lost a penny to pickpockets or thieves.

I, too, just use what I would use in a city in the US. I've tried the neck and waist products and they are just not comfortable for me.
I do, however, carry only one credit card and, if traveling with my husband, he carries another. That way, if one of us loses it, we still have one.
If he's not with me, I use a hotel safe. If that's not available, I hide the card somewhere in my belongings in the hotel room.
We've never lost a thing in many years of travel.

I used the waist pack last year in Italy. No problems. Those folks who turned it around to the back, weren't you leery about someone coming up behind and crowding you?

Msbelle51, you wear it under your pants, hopefully you would feel someone reaching in there! At that point it goes past pickpocketing and into molestation!

I quit wearing a travel pouch too and just keep a strangle hold on my purse when I am in a crowd and keep it under my arm with my hands on the zipper at other times.

&quot;...<i>keep a strangle hold on my purse when I am in a crowd and keep it under my arm with my hands on the zipper at other times...</i>&quot;

Sounds like fun.

I use a pouch underneath my clothes, and then I don't have to pay attention to my bag, and or remember to keep my hands clasped onto it.

But whatever works for you.

I bought a pair of pants from TravelSmith that have a concealed pocket inside at the waist--ideal for some cash and a few credit cards.

I use the Eagle Creek neck pouch that can also be used as a waist belt. I prefer it around my neck, and let it hang under my shirt, resting below my waistline, almost tucked into my panties. (Sorry for being so graphic!)I keep my passport, credit card, ATM card, and airline ticket, and extra money in it. It has a zippered compartment, a net section, and some other areas. Folds up very nicely, one side is smooth, nylon material, the other more cottony. In my small travel purse, I carry a wallet-sized zippered bag with my money for the day. I always have xeroxed copies of everything somewhere else, just in case.

No travel wallet for me either. Have tried them all and hate them all. Carry a purse across my shoulder with the bare necessities in it. Even have a small lock on it that I have had the rare occassion to use when I didn't like the neighborhood or folks I was around. I believe if you carry yourself self-assuredly and confidently, you are less of a target. Know where you are going and stay aware of your surroundings and those around you. I've never had a problem, knock on wood. I was travelling with family in Belize and we decided to walk up and down the beach and visit a few local bars. I looked over at my brother-in-law and he was surrounded by cute little children clamoring for him to buy handmade necklaces. I yelled at him to watch his wallet. Just as he grabbed for his pocket he caught a small hand trying to liberate his wallet. Believe me, he paid much better attention from then on. Barb