These 20 products will help keep your money, credit cards, and electronics out of the hands of would-be thieves.
Europe and much of the rest of the world is fairly safe when it comes to violent crime. Not so much when it comes to petty theft; bag-snatching and pickpocketing can be rampant in places where tourists gather.
Here are 20 products that will protect your money, credit cards, and electronics.
- Belt-loop travel wallet
Available in black for jeans/dark pants and white for lighter-colored trousers, this wallet attaches to your belt (it comes with two belt loops, for use with brown or black belts) and tucks inside your pants. It’s zippered and big enough to hold a passport (which is what I use it for, along with my extra credit card and some local cash). Although I’ve never ever met someone who’s been a victim of electronic theft, it also blocks RFID signals.
- Chained pocket travel wallet
Husband likes his slim leather billfolds but he leaves them at home when we are on the road. Instead, he uses something similar to this model to carry his credit cards and cash. It has a chain that clips to his belt to prevent a nimble-fingered pickpocket from making off with it. His only complaint? It doesn’t protect against my shopping sprees.
- Strapped pocket travel wallet
There’s also a strapped model, if you prefer it to the chain.
- Crossbody bag
Clutches? Satchels? Shoulder bags? I rarely carry them when traveling; they are too easily snatched by a teen who can outrun me or his buddy on a motorbike. Crossbody is the style I prefer—always zipped, never buckled or drawstring. And while I confess a weakness for Prada’s nylon models, there are many lower-priced bags that do the job just as well.
Bric’s and Baggallini are available in different colors, are big enough to hold a tablet, and are made of tough nylon and have thick straps, both difficult to cut.
If you want to spend a bit more, the Arden Cove cross-body is waterproof and features slash-resistant fabric lining, RFID-blocking pockets, locking zippers, and a strap that’s cut-proof and detachable so you can use it to secure your bag to a chair or table leg. The interior of the bag has pockets sized for smartphones and passports, and there’s a built-in wallet with card slots and space for cash, and a zipper pocket for valuables. While many anti-theft purses aren’t the most fashionable, the Arden Cove looks like a regular purse. It comes in a variety of colors (black, cream, gray, burgundy, navy) and two different sizes (small and large).
- Add a strap to your phone case
I use my phone’s GPS to navigate; that means carrying it instead of keeping it in my bag. I thread a wrist strap through one of the openings in my phone case for added security against thieves.
- Add a security ring to your phone case
There are also adhesive security rings available if you don’t like the idea of a wrist strap. Stick one to the back of your phone and slip your finger through it; you may be able to foil an attempted grab by a thief. It also works as a kickstand for your phone and can attach to a magnetized car mount. (For the record, I prefer the wrist strap.)
- Neck stash bag
I don’t like money belts. The bulge looks funny and they’re not comfortable. On those occasions when I don’t want to carry a bag (elephant polo in India, sand-surfing in the UAE), I wear this small bag around my neck. Enough for a credit card and some cash without any bulge or rubbing around my waist.
- Bra stash bag
Keep your valuables close (like, really close) with a bra stash bag. This sleek silk pocket snaps onto the center or side of your bra, can hold cash and a few credit cards, and is fairly undetectable under clothing. It’s best used for your emergency stash, as it’s awkward to access in public!
Here’s another version that attaches not quite so closely to your bra. Secure? Yes. But you still have the access problem.
- Infinity scarf with pocket
Another option for when you’d rather not carry a bag is a scarf with a zip pocket. There are many options out there; here is a print and a solid. Most are big enough for a passport and slim wallet, maybe a not-too-large phone.
- Travel security belt
This belt has a hidden pocket that can hold a few folded-up bills. It’s unisex, can be adjusted to fit 26”-42” waists, is made from a fray-proof nylon that’s also water-resistant, and has a non-metal buckle (which means you don’t have to take it off when going through a TSA checkpoint). Nice to know if your wallet is lost or taken, you’ve got taxi fare back to the hotel.
- Savvy Sleepers pillowcase
Sleeping in close proximity to strangers? (Such as in a hostel, airport, or on a night train/bus?) Bring along a Savvy Sleepers Travel Pillow Case to pop over your pillow. The pillowcase has a hidden pocket that keeps your valuables literally under your nose. Plus, the satin prevents skin creases and won’t mess up your ‘do.
- Phone case with hidden compartment
This phone case not only protects your phone, but also has a hidden pocket on the back that holds a credit card and a driver’s license. It’s available for Apple and Android phones.
- Bluffworks blazer
Dressier clothes make you look good, but also leave your valuable vulnerable, as their pockets usually aren’t designed for function. Not so with the Bluffworks Blazer, which has ten pockets hidden in its sleek profile. The internal security pocket at the left hip is impossible to pickpocket, and can hold cash and an emergency credit card. Other pockets are big enough to hold an iPad Mini, boarding passes, and a passport.
- Bluffworks pants
Bluffworks recently re-designed its travel pants to include a second hidden zippered front pocket. The pants have a side hip pocket (big enough to hold a large smartphone or a passport) and a Velcro-closured interior pocket (within a pocket) that can hide credit cards. Both Bluffworks’ chinos and original pants have a hidden zippered internal security pocket, a rear zippered pocket, a side pocket, and a hidden loop that you can clip keys or id badges to. Both are also made from a technical, rugged, breathable, and quick-drying polyester, yet look like cotton (chinos) or wool (originals).
- ExOfficio bug-proof pants
These men’s pants feature a hidden pocket and are made from an insect-repelling fabric that will keep you from getting bitten. As a bonus, they have more of a tailored fit than most adventure/hiking pants, so they look good on city sidewalks, too.
ExOfficio also makes a women’s version (insect-repellant, too) that can be converted to cuffed capris.
- SCOTTeVEST hoodie
This brand is synonymous with hidden pockets—that’s the premise the entire clothing line is built on. Its hoodie for women has 16 of ‘em (the men’s model has 21), which can fit valuables as large as a tablet or as small as a credit card.
- SCOTTeVEST vest
I wear this Featherweight Vest (Husband has the men’s version—it has 26 pockets!) when flying discount airlines that charge for carry-ons. (Note: the women’s model has a boxy cut; I had mine tailored a bit.)
- Clothing Arts travel wrap skirt
This may look like a normal wrap skirt, but it has five hidden zippered pockets designed to be pickpocket-proof. The side pockets are easy for you (but not for thieves) to access, so you don’t have to worry about digging around inside your skirt when you need to pay for something.
- Clothing Arts Pick-Pocket Proof pants
These pants have nine pockets, with two triple secure (zippered, Velcroed, hidden) and five double secure. When Husband gave them a try, he liked the zippered pockets and adjustable waist, but wasn’t a fan of the nylon material or tailoring (a bit baggy).
- Khataland fitness towel
This microfiber towel is perfect for the gym, camping, or the beach, thanks to the hidden pocket that zips closed. You can keep your keys, cash, or cards with you while you hit the shower or go for a dip, and won’t have to worry about leaving your valuables out in the open.
For the record, there’s a line of undies with secret pockets (men’s boxers, men’s t shirts, and women’s tanks), but I’m not a fan. They’re 100% cotton (which takes too much time to dry after washing), the pockets are hard to get at in public (at least if you don’t want to strip down to your, well, undies), and if you stash more than a credit card, you look lumpy in funny places.
Twist’s Take: Don’t let a pickpocket or bag-snatcher ruin your trip. Make yourself a harder target with any of these 20 products.
