The Perfect Women's Travel Pouch
Finally, a stylish alternative to the travel money belt: Sholdit!

Have you ever tried to go out at night lugging a large bag or ugly backpack with you?

You don't have to anymore: enter the travel pouch.

I'm about to be exceptionally enthusiastic because it's not every day I come across such a brilliant travel accessory.

When you travel, you need your important things with you, not back in your room. Yet carting around your travel luggage is less than elegant on those evenings on the town.

No more bulky travel belts

For years I've advised women to wear money belts when they travel. They're flat, invisible when worn under your clothing, and the perfect deterrent to pickpockets. I backpacked across Africa, Asian and Latin America with a variety of ingenious ways to hide my money.

With the arrival of - hmmm, I'll call it middle age - my waist got a bit thicker and wearing a money belt hasn't been as comfortable as it used to be. It tends to roll up or bunch sometimes - it never used to do that when I had a flat stomach!

But I kept using a travel belt, especially after having had my passport lifted out of my daypack in Beijing. Not great, but essential.

There's something new out there: the clutch wrap (or travel pouch)

Then a few months ago I received a request to review something called a Sholdit, described by the manufacturers as 'the one and only patent pending clutch wrap.'

What on earch is a clutch wrap, I asked?

I was intrigued.

So I decided to review it by wearing it myself and by lending it out to friends to test as well.

Here's what we did: I wore it two full days in Geneva, Switzerland, and my friend Caroline (see the photos) wore it out in Annecy, France.

I stuffed it with my TWO passports (France and Canada), my international vaccination certificate, my train pass, some loose change, and all my credit cards. Caroline did the same.

I kept taking things out and putting them back in; wrapping it in different ways; scrunching it; dropping it (unfortunately) and pretty much abusing it in any way I could.

I was absolutely delighted with this little invention. Basically, it's a double-sided scarf with two zippers which open into a space to keep your money and your papers. It's so simple it's the kind of thing you wish you'd thought of yourself.

Have a look for yourself.

Its ingeniousness lies in this very simplicity: few thieves or pickpockets are going to slice your scarf off, are they? They'll look for your back or backpack or external money belt. But a scarf? I don't think so.

It isn't the cheapest of items and starts at $49. To me, it's worth it. It costs a lot more to lose my money or have my passport stolen.

On my travel packing list I already advise women who travel to carry a scarf - it dresses up any outfit. Now this item of clothing can do double duty: it will certainly dress you up for the evening, and it will also make life a lot easier by letting you leave your bag at home.

To make up your own mind, try a travel money belt, a neck wallet, a bra purse or even a leg wallet. They have an important place in your travel wardrobe but if you're in the city, going out for the evening or simply trying to look stylish, the Sholdit will win out, no contest.

Just throw your papers and money and a few odds and ends into your Sholdit and leave the bulky stuff behind. This item has definitely made it on my packing list.

	Enter your search terms Submit search form
	Web www.women-on-the-road.com