Best Travel Money Belt 2023
A money belt can come in handy when you’re traveling and need a secure, discreet way to carry your cash, credit cards, and small but important items. Whether you travel frequently or just on occasion, adding a quality travel belt to your luggage can be a smart decision especially when traveling to cities such as Mexico City or Havana. Travel money belts come in a variety of styles and designs; many wrap around the hip (just like a regular belt) but contain a small pouch with storage pockets and credit card slots.
Other styles of money belts may be worn on a lanyard underneath clothing, on a strap around the leg, or even tucked inside the pants and secured through a belt loop. For most travelers, a waist money belt will be the most suitable option from a security and convenience standpoint.
If you’re thinking about adding a money belt to your travel gear, we have some recommendations to help you get started. This, in addition to understanding the inherent pros and cons of using a money belt and what to look for when shopping for a money belt, will ultimately help you make the right choice. If you are traveling make sure to check out the best carry-on luggage so you are fully prepared for your trip.
Best Money Belts
- Alpha Keeper Money Belt
- Peak Gear Travel Money Belt
- Raytix Travel Money Belt
- Alpine Rivers Money Belt With Bonus Sleeves
- Zero Grid RFID-Blocking Money Belt
Reviews of Best Money Belts
This list of top five best money belts is a great starting point as you begin your shopping:
1. Alpha Keeper Money Belt
This money belt strikes the ideal balance between comfortable and secure. With its adjustable strap that extends up to 70 inches, as well as its breathable materials and waterproof construction, you can enjoy comfort and peace of mind. It is also made entirely of RFID-blocking materials in addition to containing seven RFID-blocking sleeves to keep your information secure no matter where your travels take you.
2. Peak Gear Travel Money Belt
For the price, this money belt is a great buy. Not only is it made completely of RFID-blocking materials, but it’s also completely waterproof and easy to clean. The best part? It comes with a free $250 theft insurance policy! How’s that for peace of mind and standing behind your product?
3. Raytix Travel Money Belt
This travel belt is known for its extremely slim and sleek profile, which makes it practically invisible under clothing. It’s also one of the more budget-friendly travel belts on the market and features two zippered pockets for added storage.
4. Alpine Rivers Money Belt With Bonus Sleeves
If you’re looking for a money belt designed with durability in mind, this is a great pick. It’s made of a thick nylon material and has reinforced stitching to stand up to all the wear and tear of regular travel. This money belt also features storage galore, including a concealed pocket and individual zippered compartments for everything from passports and credit cards to keys and phone chargers.
5. Zero Grid RFID-Blocking Money Belt
If storage is your main priority when choosing a money belt, you can’t go wrong with this one by Zero Grid. It has enough space to carry your passport similar to a passport holder, credit cards, keys, boarding passes, flash drives, travel journal and more. Its larger size makes it a little more difficult to conceal under clothing, but it still has a pretty sleek profile overall.
Advantages of Using a Travel Money Belt
Still not entirely sold on the idea of using a money belt while traveling? Consider a few of these top benefits.
Protect Yourself Against Pick-Pocketing
One of the main reasons so many travelers use money belts is that they’re great for protecting you from being a victim of pick-pocketing. When you carry cash, credit cards, or other valuables directly in your pockets or even in a traditional wallet, you’d be surprised at how quickly and easily an experienced pick-pocket can steal your belongings without you even noticing.
Pick-pocketing can happen anywhere, but is more common in highly populated tourist areas. A money belt that you wear concealed underneath your clothing makes you much less likely to fall victim to pick-pocketing since none of your valuables will even be visible, much less accessible.
Enjoy Added RFID Protection
While RFID readers may not be as effective in stealing credit card information these days (thanks to most credit cards containing chips for added security), having a money belt with RFID protection built in can still give you added peace of mind while traveling. Most money belts are made of RFID-blocking material or have special pockets that will block RFID readers.
Avoid Looking Like a Tourist
One of the best ways to avoid falling victim to pick-pocketing, robbery, or any other crime while traveling is to avoid looking like a tourist in the first place. Unfortunately, thieves and criminals will often prey on tourists, especially in heavily populated areas. Wearing a money belt allows you to keep items such as your passport, boarding passes, maps, and other items that may otherwise make it obvious that you’re a tourist out of plain view.
Plenty of Styles to Suit Your Needs
While the money belts covered here are all waist-style money belts, there are many other options and styles available to suit your specific needs. For example, if you’d feel more comfortable wearing a money belt on a lanyard around your neck, this is a popular style available as well. Ankle money belts can also be secured around your leg, which some may find more comfortable than wearing one around the waist. No matter what type of style best suits you and your travel needs, you can find one.
Relatively Inexpensive
From a cost standpoint, money belts are one of the least expensive pieces of travel gear you can buy. It’s not difficult to find a quality money belt for under $20 or even $10. That’s a small investment to potentially save yourself from becoming the victim of a crime such as pick-pocketing—and if you purchase a durable money belt, it can easily last you for years before needing replacement.
Potential Drawbacks of Using a Money Belt
As with any type of travel gear, there are also some potential drawbacks to using a money belt that you should be aware of before you decide to purchase one.
More Difficult to Access Your Essentials
The whole purpose of a money belt is to make it more difficult for pick-pockets to access your belongings; of course, this also means you may have a harder time accessing your essentials while traveling. Rather than simply whipping money out of your pocket or wallet, you’ll need to dig around into your money belt. Some travelers may find this frustrating and cumbersome, so you’ll only want to opt for a money belt if you believe that the added security benefits outweigh the potential accessibility issues.
May Not Be Super Comfortable
Some money belts may not be very comfortable for long-term wear, especially if you’re traveling to a hot or humid climate. Since many money belts are made of nylon material (in order to be waterproof and durable), you may find that the belt sticks to your skin. One possible way to avoid this discomfort is to wear your money belt over a tank top or undershirt that’s tucked in. However, this may not be practical for some.
If you’re worried about comfort, you may want to consider shopping for a money belt that’s made with a breathable mesh backing, which can allow for added air circulation and thus more comfort.
Can Be Limiting in Terms of Storage
Compared to a wallet, purse, toiletry bag or other type of travel bag, a money belt typically doesn’t offer the same level of storage space. However, this is how money belts are able to be so easily concealed underneath clothing, so you don’t want them to be too bulky. Still money belts can vary greatly in terms of the amount of storage they offer. Some are more designed with a slim profile in mind and may thus only hold some cash and a few travel credit cards. Others may offer additional storage in the form of zipper pockets and extra slots.
Need to Be Removed at Airport Security
If you’re traveling through airport security with a money belt, be aware that you’ll be asked to remove it. This can be a bit of a hassle, but as long as you’re prepared, it shouldn’t be a huge deal.
Important Considerations for Choosing a Money Belt
Are you convinced that you need a money belt for your next trip? If so, then be sure to keep these important considerations in mind as you shop.
Best Style for Your Needs
Start by thinking about what type of money belt will best suit your needs. Waist money belts are by far the most popular because they’re easy to conceal and most people find them rather comfortable. However, you may also want to look into neck/shoulder money belts (which come with a lanyard), an ankle money belt, or even a pocket money belt that attaches to your belt loop using a clip or carabiner.
Specific Features Desired
Think about the specific types of features that would be most important to you when shopping for a money belt. If any of your credit cards are without a chip, then you’ll probably want to invest in a money belt with RFID-blocking materials for added security. Many travelers will also want a money belt that’s easy to clean and waterproof, which is why nylon is a popular material choice.
Some money belts will come with additional features, such as extra storage in the form of zipper pockets and slots. And others, such as the Peak Gear Travel Money Belt mentioned in our “top five” list, even come with free theft insurance for your travels!
Amount of Storage Available
Storage is a common concern among those shopping for a money belt. Before you begin shopping, it can be useful to make a list of the items you’d need to store in your money belt so you can shop accordingly. Specifically, you’ll want to make sure there are enough slots for the number of credit cards you’ll be using on your trip, as well as additional space for cash as needed. If you’ll be traveling with your passport or boarding passes, you may also want to look for a money belt that offers specialized storage for these important documents.
Some money belts will also come with zipper pockets for storage of bulkier items, such as keys and flash drives. Just remember that the more storage your money belt has to offer, the bulkier it will be and the more difficult it may be to conceal under your clothing.
Material and Durability
When you purchase a money belt, you should be able to count on it lasting you for many years to come. This is where choosing a money belt made of quality materials and construction is so important. Nylon is a great choice for money belts because not only is it durable, but it is also pretty easily to clean and tends to be water-resistant. If your money belt comes with zipper pockets or other storage features, you’ll also want to look for reinforced stitching for added durability. You may also want to take into consideration if you will use this money belt in wet locations. If you are traveling to beach destinations such as Tulum, Playa Del Carmen or Punta Cana you may want to get a money belt that you can use at the beach.
Overall Value for the Money
It’s easy to find a money belt for under $20, and some may cost as little as $10. On the other hand, some are more expensive—especially if you’re in the market for one with added features and/or storage. Ultimately, it’s about finding the money belt that suits your needs for the best value. When shopping and comparing prices on money belts, remember that you probably won’t be replacing your money belt for at least several years. With this in mind, it may be worth it to spend an extra $10-$20 on a money belt that’s going to serve all your needs and then some.
Overall, a money belt can be a great travel accessory to have, especially if you want additional security and peace of mind on your trips. Just be sure to keep these important considerations in mind as you shop and check out our list of top five money belts to kickstart your search!
