Secure Day Packs/Money belts
 

Traveling 10 days in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. I am looking for a day pack (preferably a backpack style) that is compact...something I won't have to check when I go into museums. Also, looking for something that is tamper-proof (i.e., can't be slashed/pockets can't be casually opened by a pickpocketer).

Also, I always hear/read that a money belt is a MUST when traveling. Does anyone have any good recommendations?

I am female (in case that makes a difference).

Thank you :-)

PacSafe is a good one. They have a variety of products.
http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php...uct_status=New

I have a money belt with 2 sections - both of which have a zipper closing. I put my passport in a small plastic ziplock bag or snack sized plastic bag so it doesn't get damp from the body. Also, put my money in another plastic snack sized bag. My credit cards & ATM card go in the money belt too. They stay there the entire trip unless I need to use them.

I take out enough money just for the day. If I need to go into my money belt I find a restroom to do that. Cautious - maybe - but I do feel safer. Have never been pickpocketed but have a scam or two tried on me.

Thanks you brats! Do you by chance have a link to the money belt that you use?

twiggers - no, I have had it so long I don't remember where I got it. It is one that goes around the waist. You can search online for money belt. Here are a couple that are about the same as mine.

http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/ca...ntId=124&id=32

http://www.magellans.com/store/Safet...tsSV605R?Args=

I can't stand wearing a money belt. Extra bulk around the mid-section? No thanks. People say you get used to it, but I just can't. Plus, they are harder to hide under summer clothes. So I take my chances. My husband does have a sort of a pocket that can attach to his belt and rides inside his pants behind his front pocket. If we have to carry a bunch of cash, he wears it. Otherwise we take the divide-and-conquer approach. We each carry ATM and credit cards for different accounts and don't carry much cash. We leave back up cards and cash at the hotel in the safe. If someone pickpockets one of us, then they'll get away with a little bit, but we wont be out of business.

I, on the other hand, always wear a money belt, especially as my hotels seldom have safes! I wear it with the pouch at the back, which is much more comfortable. I used to buy from Rick Steves, but his belts have gotten bulkier, and my current one is from Lewis N Clark - http://www.lewisnclark.com/index.php...roducts_id=203

I do agree that money belts aren't compatible with really skimpy summer clothes, but I do my hot weather travel in south east Asia, where I'm cooler, and more respectful of local customs, if I cover up. When I get back from a long trip I feel undressed without my belt!

thursdaysd I checked out the one on Lewis N Clark. It has the one zipper compartment and I prefer two, however, this one looks big enough and deep enough to handle it all nicely.

If you have lost a paasport, credit card or cash, you will find out how important it is to use a money belt. There is a posting going now about a person who had their purse stolen and the passport was in it. I never carry anything valuable in my purse except for a small amount of cash needed for the day, water bottle, sweater if needed etc.

I don't trust hotel safes either. I may be overly cautious but it is easier than ending up with valuables stolen.

We travel in cool weather so always wearing long pants. We've switched from the waist security belts to the calf pouches. Very comfortable.
Like this:
http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com...llet-p-91.html

I don't use a daypack/backpack for daily wanderings, prefer the cross-body style so I can keep it in front of me.

I ordered a Pacsafe purse ( http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php...n=detail&id=25 )and it's exactly what I wanted. It's slightly smaller than the messenger bag that I used to use (not a bad thing) and it has great compartments and pockets. I like that it has various security features (clip closed zippers, hook to a table or chair leg, etc) that I can choose to use or not depending on where I am.

If you use a money belt, do remember to put it under your clothes and LEAVE it there. That defeats most of the purpose. I always laugh at the people who put all of their money in a money belt and have to get into it for every purchase. Put your days worth of money and one credit card and/or ATM card in a purse or daypack and leave your extra stash in your money belt. If you need to access it during the day, do like bratsandbeer and go into a bathroom or dressing room to do so. Also, even with a money belt it's a good idea to make a photo copy of your passport and put it in a safe location apart from your real one. Many people scan their passport and email it to themselves on an email account that can be accessed from anywhere.

I haven't used a money belt in the past, but I've also been extremely lucky and possibly naive. For me it entirely depends on how and where you're traveling. In London, I wasn't worried about not having a secure bag. In Rome, I am. For an upcoming trip to China I will absolutely use a money belt but I'm also planning on taking an overnight train.

Good luck and have fun! :)

I am a divide & conquer on my own person. I use a Bra pocket for some cash, an eagle creek webbed belt for additional cash and a zippered pocket that hangs from the belt inside my clothes for passport, ect. Knock on wood, so far 40 countries later, no problems.

Neuman605, I've been thinking about a bra pocket. Where did you get yours and is it comfortable?

bratsandbeer - they also make one with two zippers - I prefer just one as it's less bulky. Now my plane tickets are e-tickets I have less stuff to put in it. I always wrap the contents in plastic.

I can see the calf safe being reasonably comfortable. I just can't get used to a moneybelt. I have tried wearing it in the small of my back, but that doesn't work well. Maybe if I were taller - I don't know. But if the moneybelt rides along the flat of my back and not over my butt, the top of the zippered compartment is definitely above the top of my pants. I don't wear particularly skimpy clothing, but unless I am wearing a tunic, I can see the outline of the moneybelt through cotton summer pants. Sort of defeats the purpose. I think they just work better for bigger people.

Thank you so much everyone! This gives me lots of different options.

I thought about a messenger bag vs. backpack, but I'm not 100% sure. Although I do want something that I won't have to check at museums.

spcfa,
I have had it for years, can't remember for sure where i got it but think it was some luggage type store, possibly a Samsonite Outlet Store?? As for comfort i don't even know that it is there, it is soft silk type material with a plastic snap closure.

Travelnut That leg "belt" looks great. Does it stay on the leg or keep falling down to the ankle?

Iowa_Redhead I don't have a Pacsafe purse but my niece bought one for our last trip and she liked it. It can't be sliced with a knife.

The scanning in of the passport is a great idea. I am planning on doing that before I leave in September. Thanks!

I lost a credit card in Costco due to my own stupidity last week. I didn't want to take time to put it back in my purse so stuck it in my pants pocket to give to the check out gal. When I got to the checkout it was gone. I walked through the store and didn't see it. It was not turned in. I got on my cell phone and called immediately and cancelled it - no wrong charges were made on it. American Express had a temporary card to me by 10 am the next day. What more can you ask for??? So it is not always that someone will pick pocket you although it happens everyday - you can do something stupid like I did. Having the money belt makes me more aware of taking care of my valuables.

Twiggers - what do you use at home? Why do you think you need anything different when travelling to 4 very civilised countries?
I've never yet used a money belt, or a hotel safe for that matter, either in Europe or the US (or Tanzania for that matter). And yes I leave my passport in the room, along with a laptop and in the evening quite often my photographic gear - which is worth a lot of money.
I use very little cash when travelling anyway, paying by CC or debit card when possible - and yes lots of shops in Europe will accept a debit card with a Maestro symbol on it.

Some museums will not allow backpacks of any sort, nor bags bigger than a small handbag.

Hetis: Well, I use a purse for everyday...but I want something more comfortable for shlepping around all day. When I've been traveling within the US I'll often use one of those drawstring backpacks....but they seem easy to cut/slice open.

I've traveled to Europe twice before and didn't use anything special....I was just conscious of making sure my money was in an inside pocket of the backpack.

I just hear so many horror stories on here of people being pick pocketed, etc.

"what do you use at home? Why do you think you need anything different when travelling to 4 very civilised countries?" - when I'm at home I don't schlep around a water bottle, a camera, a map plus guidebook, an umbrella... etc. etc. (aside from the fact that at home I drive everywhere and when I'm traveling I walk and take public transport). None of that stuff comes close to fitting in the purse I use at home. When I travel I use a small backpack as a day bag.

Nor, when I'm at home, do I carry around my passport, plane/train tickets, extra credit/ATM cards, extra cash - all of which go in my money belt. I have been pickpocketed, once (in Rome) - the lucky thief got one day's cash and an expiring bus pass.

I think you may like this BRX Excursion backpack (http://www.briggs-riley.com/category...Backpack_BP118 ). It’s the perfect size for a daypack and can carry a lot of stuff without being too bulky. It’s made from extremely tough material that’s difficult to tamper with, so you need not worry about pickpockets. But if you would feel a lot more secure carrying a messenger bag, there’s a nice option from Briggs & Riley you can check out – the Go messenger bag (http://www.briggs-riley.com/category...nger-Bag_VB410 ). It’s an extremely compact and cool looking bag and the best part is when you sling it across your shoulder, you’ll always have it in your direct vision.

Thursday: Great points!! I have some sunglasses, gum, and wallet in my purse. But when we travel there will be a lot more.

Luther: Thank you for the links!!!!

I find pacsafe heavy for its size. I use a cross body purse which can be turned zo zippers face in. Mine is a baggalini.

My travel purse is a black SportSac. It is small enough to carry conviniently and has an adjustable strap so I can carry it cross-body, on a shoulder tucked up under my arm, or in my hand. It also is made of light nylon so it weighs practically nothing and can be rolled up to fit into another bag when not needed. It fits a guidebook, my wallet, bottle of water, sunglasses, and a few odds and ends.

I've read the horror stories of people getting pickpocketed in Europe, but one thing I notice is that the vast majority of them happen in Italy, Spain, and France. Benelux doesn't seem to be a hotbed for pickpockets.

November: That seems to be my general impression as well, but you can never be too safe I suppose!

I would never buy a special travel purse or clothes. If you carry a sportsac at home then carry it on vacation. Otherwise use the type of purse you use at home, it already goes with your clothes.

^^^yea, but my main purse is a pain. I wouldn't want to carry it around all day on vacation. It's heavy, it's a designer brand which could scream "rob me", and it's clunky. I want something more discreet, something that doesn't get in my way, and lighter.

I have special beach bags for when I cruise....so it won't be too bad to buy something for city travel.

I'm leaning towards cross-body, and will hunt for something that doesn't cost a fortune.

My needs on vacation are vastly different from my needs at home, so there is no way my home purse would work for trips. In my "real life" I drive to the office, spend all day there, and then run an errand or two on the way home. I use my desk as my special needs holder. When I travel I'm out all day, and with my spouse, taking public transportation and going places I've never been before. I've got snacks, maps, a dictionary, antibacterial hand wipes, kleenex, mints/gum, disposable ponchos, etc. in addition to regular purse stuff. Needless to say I have a for-travel-only bag that I wear across my body, that will transform to an over the shoulder bag or a waistpack. It's about 9x6, so it's neither small nor large. In a museum it passes for a purse so I don't need to check it. Can't imagine how I could do without this specialized bag.

<<<Otherwise use the type of purse you use at home, it already goes with your clothes.>>>

But it doesn't go with my plans! :) My regular purse has shorter straps and just goes over a shoulder. The top is pretty much open and can only be snapped closed in the center. While I can fit a book and/or journal in it, my shoulder would fall off before too long.

At home, I go from the house to the car to work to the car to stores to the car to the house. I'm rarely out and about for long periods. When I travel, I want a camera, journal, book, maps, water bottle, snack (sometimes an apple, sometimes a sandwich), umbrella, sometimes a hat and/or sweater. In addition, I want something that I can carry and have my hands free.

With a mid-size messenger bag, I can put whatever I want into it and the weight is distributed across my chest and back instead of just hanging off a shoulder. I can protect the bag better in crowds by swinging it a bit more in front of me or I can have my hands free for spiral staircases or hiking by simply spinning it more behind me. Anything I want/need to carry will fit.

Just like my normal purse, my messenger bags all tend to be black so they "match" my clothes as much as ever. My needs at home are different from my needs when traveling so my bag changes to fit those needs. I use a messenger at home if I'm going to be out all day at an antique show or amusement park, etc. I think I have about 4 messenger bags of various sizes and styles now. :)

When I travel I use my large sized Healthy bag. It can be brought around front or to the back. It is on one shoulder and so both of my arms are free if need be. You can pack it so full and feel no weight. It is amazing.

When I am walking around a tourist area I usually just carry a water bottle, my Birkenstocks if I want to change shoes which I do everyday when walking a lot, a snack and maybe a light jacket.

If it is cooler weather I wear my black microfiber rain coat. I did sew a pocket with a zipper into this raincoat so I have a pocket where it would be very difficult for anyone to steal something out of it.

There are ways to make yourself safe without going overboard about all of it. The main thing is to keep the important things in a safe place. I have read reports where the bottom of purses were slit with a knife and everything falling out. This is where a pacsafe purse would be ideal cause it has a metal mesh lining and can't be slit with a knife.

My son tackled a pickpocket in the metro in Paris. The pickpocket had stolen a billfold form a U S tourist. The tourist got his billfold back.

So to think it won't or can't happen to you is silly. But don't lose something valuable because you didn't take precautions to keep it in a safe place.

<red>bratsandbeer</red> - the leg safe doesn't slip because it is secured with Velcro straps, and you can position it over the 'bulge' in the calf so it doesn't slip down. At most I have adjusted it once during a full day, but mostly I forget it is there.

Travelnut - thanks - I wondered how it would stay up. Might be comfortable and another way to carry your valuables.

I don't use a money belt myself. I think they are good if you are traveling in less developed countries, for longer trips (more than a week or two), staying in hostels, or other reasons like that.

It depends what your every day purse at home is like. I have used mine for European travel (a medium sized leather purse with thick strap long enough to go cross-body). Or I've used a LeSac type nylon tote bag with zippered top, which is good because it's roomy and has no weight of its own.

I don't worry about getting "slashed" because I don't think that's going to happen. Most people who lose things traveling it from their own carelessness (setting something down in a train station, looping a purse over the back of a chair in a sidewalk cafe, etc.).

You don't think a purse slashing will happen? I was in Oaxaca at a market last October. I had a PacSafe purse on (slash proof in the strap and whole purse area). My friend had a regular cross body purse. We entered an area that was a bit crowded. As we were leaning over to look at some dishes, someone pulled my friend's purse strap a little off her back (she didn't feel this and we did not see it, but this must be what they did) and slashed it, pulled on it and thereby got the whole purse, and ran. By the time we realized what had happened, the person was long gone.

PacSafe. I don't go on any trips without my PacSafe purse. When you are traveling, you are not in your every day frame of mind. You are out and about, and stopping to look at whatever or take a picture, and that is when it happens.

btw, my friend's purse was leather (not material), so it was not that easy to slash. Must have been a very sharp knife or utensil that was used to slash it so fast.

I got this pacsafe purse for a recent two week trip. Love it, it is more stylish than the other pacsafe purses and looks more like a regular purse. Perfect size for me.

http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php...=detail&id=105

You can also go to www.travelsmith.com and look at their shirts. I stopped wearing a moneybelt and just bought a couple of their shirts that have security pocket for my money, credit cards, passport etc. I even put my camera in one of the pockets. I wear them over a tank top or long sleeve tee if it is cold. Then sometimes I carry a small backpack or purse for other things.