Your Travel Money Belt -
Don't Leave Home without it!

I arrived in Beijing with a brand new passport some years ago and had never heard of a travel money belt. In my ignorance I stored it (and my money) in my daypack, which I wore on my back. As I tried to pay for a pastry in a bakery, I noticed my daypack was wide open - and empty! I had been robbed - by a small group of Russian-speaking young men, it would appear. And I never even noticed.

No more. From that day onward (and after a stern scolding from my embassy), my papers would go straight into my travel money belt.

Your valuables and your money belt

The best advice I can give you about your valuables on the road is this: don't take any with you!

That's right. The road is no place for anything you aren't prepared to lose. You should be prepared to have everything stolen - though you probably won't.

So how do you protect your documents?

The one single item I could never do without is a travel money belt, also known as a money pouch. It isn't really a belt at all but rather a pouch that is usually worn around the waist. Some versions are worn on other parts of the body, such as the ankle or neck wallet.

Or should I say - a hidden money belt! This is something worn under your clothes, where no one but yourself can see it.

There are many kinds of money belt - so take your pick:

• Velcro money belt: this one uses velcro rather than a zipper. An advantage is that anyone opening the velcro will alert you because of the noise.


• Nylon money belt: these are lightweight, dry quickly, but in the heat they can chafe and make you sweaty.


• Silk money belt: this is a more upmarket version of the homemade money belt - just use silk rather than cotton or polyester for a smoother, more luxurious feel.


• Waterproof money belt: most of these are regular money belts with an inside waterproof pocket. A few are fully waterproof and made of plastic - you can even take them into the shower. You can put your money in this one and put the entire pack into your money belt.


• Traditional or leather money belt: this is the original belt with a zipper on the inside, if you usually wear belts. I don't really recommend this as it won't take a passport. However, if you want to divide your money, it can be useful.


• Designer money belt: this is the least recommended - it screams 'rich, mug me!' and is designed to be seen, not hidden under your clothes. That defeats parts of the purpose.

Let me give you a tour of a travel money belt, or what I consider the perfect money belt: it is a lightweight cotton and synthetic mix, with a moisture-proof back (if you can't find one, just put all your valuables in a ziplock bag). Some of the newest models have an anti-microbial back - to prevent the growth of bacteria that cause odor or mildew.

A waist money belt breathes because of the cotton, and dries quickly because of the nylon. It has a wide elastic waistband, which I consider most important for comfort. It has a few flat zippers, the heads of which are covered with velcro. There is a main pouch for the passport and cards, and one or two smaller pouches for cards and papers.

A second but close favorite is the bra money pouch, especially on days I know I won't be needing any access!

One more thing - I tend to divide up my money inside my money belt into days. I use small plastic see-through bags so each day, I take one small bag out and use that for the day's spending.

It keeps my travel money belt organized, so I don't feel rushed when I need to get into it. And it also helps me budget.

11 Money Belt Safety Tips 

1. Never open your travel money belt in public.
2. Don't keep all your money in your money belt. Carry enough cash for the day in your pocket so you don't have to keep dipping into your secret stash.
3. If you must delve into your money belt, go to the ladies room or other private place.
4. If a money belt is uncomfortable, try a neck wallet or ankle stash. As long as it's hidden, anywhere is fine.
5. Always wear your money pouch - especially when you sleep near other people, in hostel dorms or on public transport.
6. Keep your belt within sight in the shower (but keep it away from the water).
7. Always put your money into your travel money belt before you leave the bank or post office.
8. Your money belt is for money, cards, important phone numbers and passport. Any jewellery or other valuables should be left at home. And put a photocopy of your papers into your backpack.
9. Don't keep photocopies of your important papers in your money belt. If you should lose it, you'll also lose your vital information.
10. Don't take your money belt off and stow it in your day pack. Yes - some people do that!
11. And finally, be aware of your surroundings. Simple caution usually works better than anything else!