If you’re looking for the best money belt, you’ve come to the right place.
We all know that some travel gear like bum bags and fanny packs have made a serious comeback in the last few years – for travelers and everyday folk alike. And money belts might only seem like something your great-aunt will insist on wearing for the next family vacation. But money belts have come a long way too, in terms of fashion, comfort and protection for your valuables. You can’t beat their benefits with safety, and what’s more important than keeping valuables safe during precious trips?
These new money belts offer so many quality aspects, like RIFD blocking, slash-resistant straps, barely-there silhouettes and moisture-wicking materials, that it’s hard to say no to one.
“Money belts are great and I’m not sure why they ever went out of style!” says Jasmin Diaz, marketing specialist and travel expert. “I recently used my money belt when I went on a cruise and it’s perfect for excursions off the boat. When you are somewhere you are not familiar with, heading out light is ideal.”
Jordan Tonniges, a stylist with lookingGLASS believes that money belts are making a stylish comeback because they’re “blending retro ‘90s vibes with modern designs for a chic, versatile accessory,” she says. “They offer hands-free convenience and secure storage for your essentials, making them perfect for travel or everyday use. Everyone loves making life easier, so it’s no surprise we’ve found a way to stay functional without sacrificing style!”
Here are 11 money belts that will have you feeling totally safe and comfortable on your next great adventure.
The Pacsafe Coversafe X100 RFID blocking security waist belt has two main features we like: a slash-resistant strap and RFIDsafe™ blocking material. It fits cash, passports, tickets, credit cards and other important documents quite easily. The adjustable waist strap has a side release buckle that’s hidden under fabric, for extra comfort, and it is water resistant and made with PFC-free lightweight polyester.
“As a travel professional with almost 20 years of experience, I was surprised by the comeback of the money belt,” says Cassandra Lena Santoro, the Italian American dual citizen and CEO/Founder of Travel Italian Style. “However, if it gives our travelers more peace of mind, then we are all for it!”
Santoro recommends Pacsafe to her clients. Especially for travel in Italy, Santoro feels that “a money belt is a sensible idea for daytime touring in larger cities such as Rome, Florence or Palermo. Although they’re generally safe, the crowds reach their peak from June to October, and using a money belt ensures that your museum tickets, passport, and cash remain secure and close to you at all times.”
The Bandi Pocketed Wrap is a complete revolution in the money belt market. It comes in six sizes and dozens of fun prints and boasts four separate pockets to carry all sizes of phones, your passport, keys, cash and credit cards, and even can fit small medical devices. The unique full-circle design gives more room than most money belts out there. The stretchy, soft fabric is moisture-wicking and antimicrobial. It’s made in the USA and is perfect for everyday use or travel.
The elastic belt, two zippered pockets and RFID block make Peak Gear’s Travel Money Belt an obvious choice. But we really love the $250 Theft Protection and Recovery Service for Lost Items that comes with the purchase. Buying the money belt also gets you two tags that you can activate prior to your trip. With a personalized ID and ReturnMe’s 24/7 helpline at no additional cost, your valuables — if they do happen to go missing — are never too far away.
Salomon’s Active Sling says it all in the name – it’s for the active individual. If you’ve got multiple museums and tons of walking to do, this is the money belt for you. It’s got a mesh inner area for breathability against your skin and a really minimalist design that still holds your passport, phone, keys and cash.
“When on vacation or sightseeing, I like to use the Salomon lightweight money belt to store additional cash, important credit cards and my passport,” says Daniel Clarke, Director of Parklink and travel expert. “There is a little strap inside you can secure the passport (or phone) in to avoid it moving around or falling out. It’s small and wears comfortably under my clothes, or I can adjust the strap and wear over different layers of clothing if needed. It’s also useful if you are going running and don’t want to take a backpack.”
If you want to be so discreet that no one else would even know that you could possibly have a money belt on, try the Jasgood Travel Security Money Belt – a belt that also secretly holds your cash!
“Unlike fanny packs or purses,” says Echo Wang, found of Cool Travel Vibes, “[money belts] stay hidden under your clothes, making them a much less attractive target for pickpockets. One great option is the JASGOOD Travel Security Belt. It’s designed to be super subtle, so there’s no bulky bulge or giveaway clasp. Even better, it secures with a special closure that’s nearly impossible to open without you noticing.”
With two main pockets and sectioned pockets inside, the Raytix Money Belt keeps you organized. Its RFID blocking is, as always, a great security feature, and the stretchy adjustable belt is A-plus for added comfort. We also like that it’s waterproof and comes with a handy little extra: a “What to Pack” checklist!
“I think people are realizing that the safety of their valuables while traveling is more important than the embarrassment of potentially being seen wearing a money belt!” says Matt Hapgood, e-commerce specialist and avid traveler for both business and pleasure. “Money belts have come a long way, and there are tons of options now, including ones that are water-resistant – a great feature, especially if you want to carry your phone in your money belt at times – and ones that have RDIF protection [that] help protect from electronic money theft, not just physical money theft. And while I’m not sure that this kind of protection is needed in most places at this time, I do think this feature will get more and more important as societies become more cashless.”
If it’s luxurious comfort you’re after, Eagle Creek’s Silk Undercover Money Belt is made from soft silk fabric that won’t irritate your skin. The adjustable elastic waistband only adds to the comfort level. Two zippered pockets fit all your valuables without the bulk of a fanny pack. Hapgood votes it the most comfortable money belt!
“Bullhide Belts are the best!” says Jordan Tonniges, a stylist with lookingGLASS. “They perfectly mix fashion and functionality, so you don’t have to sacrifice style to carry your money safely. With plenty of options and a wide range of price points, there’s something for everyone.”
Bullhide money belts size from 32- to 52-inches and just because they say “belts for men” certainly doesn’t exclude others from wearing them. They truly are a great way to carry extra cash when on holiday.
If you plan on getting sweaty on your next vacation, we can’t recommend highly enough FlipBelt’s adjustable waistband to keep your valuables safe while getting those steps in. With a zippered pocket and a small key chain carabiner, you can fit your phone, passport, headphones, and cash in a totally discreet belt that is as comfortable as it is functional.
“It’s a sleek choice with a seamless design that stays snug and secure against your body,” says Tonniges.
For a super budget-friendly option, the MoKo Secure Travel Money Belt will not steer you wrong. It also comes in six colors, which is always a fun choice to have! It’s also quite a bit bigger than other money belts out there, but still just as thin. It is made out of ripstop water-resistant nylon and has two pockets, a breathable mesh back, elastic and adjustable waistband, RFID blocking technology, and – perhaps the cleverest addition of all – a headphone hole. Keep your phone safe and away from potential pickpockets while still being able to listen to tours or directions while sightseeing.
If you want to keep your valuables safe while also keeping the planet in mind, the Corker Travel Money Belt is made from cork fabric, a sustainable material made from a cork oak forest. The company is always animal cruelty-free and has fully sustainable packaging. The money belt itself offers everything you want in a traditional money belt: RIFD-blocking, adjustable and elastic strap, and can fit keys, passports, cash, credit cards and more in the two zip pockets. Because of the material, though, it’s probably best worn over one thin layer of clothing and then under a second layer.
Looking for a travel credit card? Find out which cards CNN Underscored Money chose as the best travel credit cards currently available.
