BootsnAll's Travel Community

i wear my neck pouch with string over the shoulder and the pouch under my arm. i have a button-up collared shirt that works well with it so that it cannot be seen.

I do the neck pouch thing. Money belts bug the crap out of me. I've never had any problems with it, and honestly, I'm sure it is easier to steal stuff from it, but I'd rather take that chance then be uncomfertable during my trip. You just have to be extra cautious.

I do neither of those two options

What I've found works best for me (I've been travelling 2 months so far) is an interior pocket sewn into my pants/shorts etc big enough to hold a passport etc. I like the pocket to be on the front of my right thigh but I guess it could go anywhere. This way, you've got your valuables hidden somewhere non-traditional (potential robbers are less likely to find the location than if you're wearing a money belt or neck puch which have become too overused in my opinion). Plus, it's more comfortable. It is however more expensive as you have to get it done to all your pants/shorts by a tailor.

I tried a neck pouch for a week and couldn't stand it.

Daniel

quote:

I tried a neck pouch for a week and couldn't stand it.

I must confess that I only used the neck pouch in this manner when on the road or in what i deemed to be risky areas. it frequently moved to my day pack, which i'm good about keeping an eye on regardless.

I've thought about giving a leg money belt a try. It attaches around your shin under your slacks/skirt with velcro-I googled 'leg money pouch' and came up with several hits. I'd probably keep larger bills in it with smaller ones in a neck pouch-I don't like keeping all of my $ in one place.

Tell you what I've used in the past ... don't laugh ... doesn't work for passports ... but for spare money in countries that aren't too hot and I've been wearing socks, I've put both money and travellers cheques under the soles of my socks (inside). As long as you make sure they are nice and flat to start with, you really can't feel them - I've done this in both US and Europe when I've been travelling by myself! My feet don't sweat or smell too bad though Everywhere else, including Israel and Tunisia, I just use a little shoulder bag across my body, never had a pick pocket yet!

Veronica aka confusedtigger

So *that* is what Paul Simon was singing about.
confusedtigger has diamonds in the sole of his shoes.

hm.. I keep my money in my wallet in a bag on my shoulder along with my passport. I keep some spare cash and change in my pockets out of habit, for easy access.. never had a problem.. *knocks on wood*

Even if you have a money belt or a neck pouch, there are other valuables that you can't keep on your person. So I think the trick is to just not look like you're the sort of person who'd have tons of money, and to be aware..

I hate money belts and hate neck pouches. I've found this "hidden pocket thingie" to be a decent middle ground. Not as uncomfortable as a money belt, less visible than a neck pouch, and (reasonably) accessible. And the little loop that your belt goes through comes in two colors, so it's not so entirely obvious (or at least doesn't have to be).

If you're a chick you can go old school and stick your wad of cash in your bra. Then when you go to take it out you look like one of those sweet Saloon Girls in an old Western.

I've done this at concerts and what not when I don't want to carry a purse, but don't want to get pickpocketed. It's not that uncomfortable. Never tried it while traveling though.

If you're a dude you can go old school and stick your wad of cash in your bro.

I prefer to keep mine in the ol' Banana Hammock. The only problem is avoiding arrest when you need to take some cash out.

i was given a money belt as a gift when i first started traveling... but i've never used it (and never been pickpocketed).

what i do is carry a shoulder bag, across my body, which has a pocket in the back - completely separate from the main compartment. i keep all my important documents, passport, and money in there. with the pocket against my body and my hand on my bag i feel pretty secure in most situations.

i also have a little zip pouch/wallet thing that i can hook onto a belt loop and stuff in my pocket - not secretive, but pretty secure.

I've personally met people held up at gun point and told to strip - some theives know about money belts. The key thing is to 'spread' the wealth. I have a wallet for day cash and a card carrier for emergency cash / credit cards and keep them in separate pockets. I have a neck purse for the passport (doesn't feel comfortable in the money belt) and a money belt for travellers checks. Then I have a belt that holds up my pants but has a zipper compartment on the backside.

I'm not paranoid since I know it's a one in a million chance I'll be robbed. However, I'd rather they only got one and not a million!