I don’t find anything around my neck comfortable. I much prefer the waist pack worn under my clothing. H likes the pouch with a belt loop he puts under his pants.
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I like the belt loop inside-pants pouch. Passport, spare credit card, and unneeded currency goes there. Ultra-thin wallet contains ONLY 1 credit card, ID, and a small amount of local cash and goes in front pants pocket.
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Many Baggu bags are unisex - here’s an example of one worn/styled by a male. They have lots of styles and sizes. This one happens to be on sale and worn in front can be hidden under a coat or be visible but secure without a layer on top.
This!
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I own this and use it for everything from local walks to travel. There is an inside zip pocket which easily holds 2 passports.
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I don’t always wear my neck wallet around my neck. (It does not work with all clothes. And in some picket cities I’ve heard reports about thieves cutting the string.). Sometimes it is lashed around the side of my bra, either shortened to hang along the left side of my ribs. OR dangling longer along my left thigh under pants - that method makes access easier but requires extra caution in restroom. And always some small change/bills in my pocket, in case I want to buy some postcards or a snack.
I like this. Doesn’t work for passport but it’s great for credit card and some cash.
The waist pouch is like this one. https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Creek-Travel-Luggage-Blocker/dp/B00BYFAIZM/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?adgrpid=54884044726&hvadid=570578466887&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9032815&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14107423353447831745&hvtargid=kwd-330676368920&hydadcr=23817_13533378&keywords=eagle+creek+waist+pack&qid=1707329977&sr=8-2
I wear it under my slacks and it’s hidden but secures my passport and essentials.
I think that is what my husband has… he likes it. (Hmm…. I actually bought similar, but $2 at thrift shop - may need to give it a try)
They sell many similar styles—I like the ones that are very thin and light and don’t add any bulk to your outfit.
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This is similar to the Eagle Creek pouch H favors.
It doesn’t work for me since I rarely wear a belt. He always wears a belt and finds it pretty comfortable and effortless.
As a woman I have used a large safety pin to put the pouch inside my pants as I do not wear a belt.
My daughter is studying abroad this semester and I’m in a related FB group. Another parent reported yesterday that her daughter, who is studying in Rome, had the back pockets of her jeans and a tote bag slashed while riding public transportation! Didn’t even feel it!
Thankfully, where my D is studying, the pickpocket reports are not as widespread as Rome, London and Paris but I know it’s a problem all over Europe. When I visit her, I plan to wear a small pouch across my chest and under a jacket. I feel like I’ll have to keep my hand on it at all times and never take my phone out because that will get stolen! I have a very old iPhone, so if they do get it, the joke will be on them 
I always have a hand on my straps too, and nothing ever in back pockets or in backpacks.
My D was nearly pickpocketed last summer in Barcelona but the guy who tried to jostle her into letting go of her crossbody didn’t realize we were together and I stepped between them.
It’s worth it for women to invest in bags with non cut straps, and hidden zippers.
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[quote=“momofboiler1, post:396, topic:3613527”]
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Travelon makes travel purses with slash proof straps and some have slash proof fabric. The zippers have a latch on them…
When we traveled on train in France the attendent had us move our smaller bags to very back if they didn’t fit overhead. The racks in front were for very large bags only. Not because there wasn’t enough room but because they could be stolen during any stop the train made.
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Thieves would probably prefer your cash and credit cards over your clothing and dirty laundry!
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They take everything. Don’t rush to help the old lady who “fell” down the escalators in the train station. Instead make sure you have your hand on your luggage handle. She’s a decoy–as youre looking the accomplices (more than one) will be off with your stuff. (I saw this in action) .
The tote bag is slashed–and yes, none of that gets taken–you’re pickpocketed as you lean over to pick up your belongings.
Watch the girl holding a baby at the top of a long escalator you are about to descend on–she has a fake arm which goes for your pocket just after you get on (my husband laughed at this one until it actually happened to him–he grabbed her hand before she grabbed his wallet.)
Never allow the well dressed business man help you with luggage onto a train. Your wallet will be gone in a flash–and you’ll be gone on the train before you discover it missing.
Barcelona and Naples were the worst ones for pickpockets IMO. We almost got taken in Barcelona - H had been scoffing at my paranoia until that happened. In Naples, we were certain one guy on the tram was a pickpocket - we got off the tram and looking back into the tram, we could clearly see him pick someone else’s pocket !!
I carry a travelon bag with the non-cut straps, hidden/locked zippers when I travel. Or use a really small purse that I can tuck inside of a jacket.
These stories! Why/How is pickpocketing such a thing!? Do they have a specific eye for travelers? Or are locals hit too?
They hang out in crowded tourist areas. Museums/ art galleries, train stations, busses–all the places you want to see. Trams, subways, train stations–where they can get on or off easily before you realize anything is missing. I almost got picked on a crowded subway but realized that sweet little old lady next to me was trying to get into zipper on my locked purse. A crowded subway train is the worst because since people are so close together it’s not unnatural to be jostled. And always beware of the kids. They are very well trained.
One of the best defenses (if it’s not too hot) is a zippered jacket with inside pockets like a Scott’s vest. You can put a fair amount in one (and you can’t tell) and zip it all the way up before getting on a train or into a crowded area.
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