ummm "razor your pack" sounds way too much like "razor your back" and I don't want noone slicin' me up!

I've succumbed to the idea of the money belt, though I don't like it one bit. My dynamic duo will be money belt for valuables and messenger bag slung around my front for all else. If I feel comfortable and am not in a big crowd, I'll make no qualms about placing my money belt in my shoulder bag, all the while hoping for the best. I think being careful and prepared are different than being paranoid. hate to cross that line

Casey

Menudio,
"Razor your back" Thats exactly the way I read it. I was like "Yikes!"

What a hastle to have to carry a moneybelt, but I too will comply. If everyone does it though, wouldn't it be pretty easy for some thief to mug you with almost 100% certainty that they can get more money in the money belt under your shirt?

I prefer the belt option, although still look for better alternatives because it's never very comfortable. I quit using the neck pouch after my friend got mugged wearing one in Spain.
Some teenagers walking by somehow reached into her shirt, grabbeed the pouch ,and ran. The string didn't break right away so it left a nasty welt and seriously hurt her, dragging her a bit. She took great care to make sure it wasn't showing, but i think the boobs preventing it from laying flat tipped them off that she was wearing it. So, for women, at least, I think it's better to have a bulky stomach rather than risk the whiplash should your neck pouch get grabbed.

I think that as long as you're in a crowd and so on a thief is less likely to mug you for your money belt. To do so would require a greater risk of atracting attention... I mean, if you're a mugger, you probably just want to be able to slash, grab and run, instead of waiting while someone tries to get a money belt from underneath their shirt and so on.

For me, at least, a money belt (despite the grossness and annoyingness of them) makes the most sense.

I agree, but the grossness and annoyingness factors are pretty darned large. Maybe I'll get one of those gun-shoulder holsters like a cop

Personally I think that money belts make you stand out as a target.

I don't do anything different that I normally would at home, which incidentally, was that last place that I had my wallet stolen...

As I've mentioned before, don't look like an easy target, act with confidence, don't count money in train stations etc and maybe you don't need a money belt.

My 2c

--
Rob - http://www.robstravels.com

I agree Rob. I have been debating this. Most people seem to think its a good idea, but I don't fancy the idea at all. I've never used one before, I think I'll keep it that way. Watch me lose everything in the first month of my RTW - my nickname is Lucky by the way!

I'm surprised no one's mentioned the idea of "secret pockets." you can sew these into your pants. i've never tried this, but i might on my next trip.
By the way, i'm similar to the last two posters - i never use my moneybelt in the way it's meant to be used. i traveled through thailand, laos and most of india and nepal with it either in my hotel room (big cities) or just around my waist, *outside* my pants in more rural, low-key areas. yes, very silly. finally the strap broke and i just stuffed it in my pocket. lost it that way on a nepali bus - it either fell out or i was pickpocketed (which would be a first for me). so the moneybelt wound up being more trouble than it was worth. kind of stupid, when you think about it, to have all your valuables in one place.although i guess it works better if you use it correctly.
In Asia, i didn't feel the need to take more precautions than i would at home - i live in a city where teenage gangs are currently killing each other and beating up elderly people for sport. compared to that, most of asia seemed tranquil and it seems silly to take more precautions there than i would at home.
but i'm headed for South america next, and i'll probably take more precautions there.

a ha, secret pockets. now THAT'S brilliant. 1 vote for the secret pockies

baggy pants or shorts with zipper pockets seems to me like it would be the easiest to me, having something strapped or hanging from my body just gives me an extra thing to worry about and may take away from comfort, i think a passport fits comfortably in a pocket, and everything else can go in a wallet in the other pocket. anything else that you would normally put in a money belt seems like it would be just as safe in your daypack.

hey fieke, if you get a chance---I lost yer e-mail----drop me a line and maybe well get to share a pint and stories when i get there...
peace!
Colin

I'm confused. Isn't a moneybelt supposed to be completely hidden so that no one knows you're wearing one?

you're right, but the point that we're making is that it SUCKS to wear them underneath your clothing, especially in hot, humid weather. Like there has to be a better way, ya know?

The secret pocket idea is a very good one - worth investigating further. It'd be best if you could put them INSIDE your pants, though... I suffer passport paranoia!

Of course, the problem with secret pockets is, what if you're wearing a dress or something? Then what? Or if you're wearing shorts?

I'm definitely looking, but can't find anything to replace my trusted money belt... it lays flat, it's unnoticeable and it's safe. I never feel like it makes me a target, since I'm the only person who knows with 100% certainty that it's there.

"Never for me the lowered banner, never the last endeavour." -- Sir Ernest Shackleton

vote 2 for secret pockets...I better get sewing!