Gear

BEST Money Belts in 2022: Reviews, Pros and Cons

money belts travel 2022

Tourists and digital nomads alike always have to pay attention to their safety and security of their belongings when travelling to different countries, either on holiday or longer passages.

Even though some countries seem like paradise in pictures, many of them have a high crime rate and are not quite safe, especially for non-locals. 

Hence being equipped with the right travel gear for security makes complete sense and you want to be prepared for the worst, to avoid inconveniences and even physical harm during your travels. And one way to avoid trouble is to conceal your valuables like phone, money and passport.

Money belts are a very good solution to keep your items safe and at hand. Moreover, they are inexpensive and can prove to be a great investment long term if they are of good quality. On average, they cost about 20 USD and can save from a lot of trouble.

Money belts not only improve your security but also help you keep your money organized and give you a sense of comfort and security.

This guide offers some great choices for money travel belts, from slim to sophisticated and premium ones.

Why you SHOULD consider a money belt

Especially when traveling abroad, money belts can provide peace of mind. The secure pouches are worn beneath clothing and keep important items safe from the prying eyes and sticky fingers of pickpockets. Although thieves are aware of money belts, they are less likely to jump through the hoops—or belt loops as the case may be—necessary to steal from these pouches. The best money belt loops can also store your passport or copies of passport pages, and have RFID-blocking protection.

What Are The Best Travel Money Belts?

We’ve looked at the most popular belts for money on the internet and picked up the top 10 that passed our quality and usability tests.

These belts are just ideal for travellers and digital nomads. Let’s go! 

1. Mountain Ware RFID Security Waist Belt

Designed and produced by a company with outdoor tradition – Mountain Ware – this money belt is a simple yet useful and good quality accessory for your travels. It features an RFID security feature, securing your identity and data information. With two zipped security pockets for added safety, this simple money belt can keep your credit cards and money separately and isolated from each other.

The waist strap is elasticated so you can adjust it for your comfort and reliability. Moreover, it has a quick-release clip in case you want to take it out fast or with just one hand and it has a slimline design which makes it easy to conceal.

Another thing we love about this belt is that it is very light and easy to wash.

The ideal use is of course for travelling where you can store your passports, tickets, and currency notes. It is made of 100% polyester

What we like

Cons

2. Alpha Keeper Money Belt for Travel

This slim and comfortable money belt uses the most innovative materials that make it one of the softest and lightest products of its kind. On top of that, the belt is breathable, moisture resistant and made from a non-rip fabric available making it one of the top belts you can use in your international travels. 

The Alpha Keeper travel pouch also has an RFID barrier and it can guard up to 5 passports, credit cards and money.

The company is so dedicated to the quality of its products that it even offers a Lifetime Guarantee for this money belt. 

What we like

Cons

3. Alpine Rivers Travel Money Belt - High-Quality RFID Waterproof Breathable Material

alpine travel belt

Made from 210-denier nylon, the Alpine Rivers Money Belt boasts reinforced stitching and durable zippers. The fabric is layered with RFID Block material to keep you safe from identity theft as well as very easy pick-pockets, whilst the large concealed pocket on the back of the belt gives you another secure option to store valuables.

The zippered front pockets allow you to keep the passport and credit cards and access them with ease. There’s even a carabiner clip for keys and USBs which is a cool addition for digital nomads and adventure travellers. 

This money belt can also accommodate different phone models. The back is lined with FeelSoft absorbent mesh so that it rests comfortably against your skin even in humid climates.  The elasticated strap is fully adjustable and it makes it suitable for wrists measuring 26 to 56 inches. Available colours for this belt include beach sand, graphite, and black.

Material: Nylon

What we like

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4. Vantamo Money Belt
with 2 Global Recovery Tags Included

This lightweight, comfortable and secure belt is the perfect travel companion for both men and women. With both POCKETS RFID secure there is no need for RFID sleeves. You can even fit your passport with a cover. 

Moreover, it is stretchable to fit bigger items like phones and even documents.
Vantamo uses only high-quality premium YKK Zippers! (The highest quality on the market).

Vantanamo Money Belt offers something pretty unique for the products in its class namely a lifetime recovery service for list items. They have partnered with ReturnMe the worlds leading lost and found company and will include TWO FREE Global Recovery Stickers (8,99$ Value) with your purchase. 

You can stick them on your phone, passport, computer or other valuables, and their 24/7 call centre will help you get your lost items back to you.

A free travel document folder is also included.  This will help you keep your travel reservations organized while helping the environment so no more waste in case you want to support a cleaner planet.
And finally, the100% Satisfaction Guarantee label comes too with this product, making sure you are happy with your purchase. All our products are created by travellers to make your travel effortless.

What we like

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Since Osprey’s founding in 1974, every single product design bearing the Osprey name has passed through the hands of owner and founder Mike Pfotenhauer, undergoing relentless scrutiny. From stitching the first lines of custom-fitted packs to meticulously designing innovative products with intuitive features, to forging personal relationships with the sewing operators who construct the packs.

A very compact, discrete and well-made money belt which shouldthat definitely catch your attention. This poduct is ideal to discretely carry ID and cash when travelling or caring about your security. It comes with RFID protection for your card. This belt is ideal if you want to carry more, but still, have quick access to documents 

You will be able to fit into the Osprey stealth waist belt a wallet, mobile phone along with some documents and an additional wireless charging pack. You could probably fit some bluetooth ear buds if you try a bit harder.

It’s easy to fit with adjustable sliders and has a quick-release button should you want to remove it and not have to re-adjust the size all over again, which is really cool.

Users report it is very comfortable and sometimes it’s even hard to remember you are wearing it. The slim design and body skin colour will expose you less if you travel in place were personal security is at stake. 

What we like

Cons

6. Lewis N Clarks RFID-Blocking Neck Stash

If you are not a big fan of money belts, but still want to conceal your valuables for different reasons, you can also consider the Neck Stash Hidden Wallet as a worthy alternative. Made from 100 per cent rip-stop nylon, it features self-repairing zippers and TravelDry technology that wicks moisture and resists odorodour. Its ultra-slim design includes RFID Block protection while remaining lightweight enough to hang around your neck. There are two zippered side pockets and multiple compartments for your phone, credit cards, and cash.

The neck belt comes in 5 different cool colours and has some really interesting features like:

  • SECURITY AGAINST MODERN THREATS – A modern hidden neck wallet, the Lewis N. Clark anti-theft neck stash is made with RFID-blocking technology, protecting you against electronic pickpocketing and identity theft
  • UNDERCOVER SAFETY – The ultra-slim design helps keep a low profile under your clothes, and secures your belongings from potential thieves
  • TRAVELDRY TECHNOLOGY – The special TravelDry fabric wicks away moisture as well as resists odors, mildew, and shrinking, keeping you comfortable while on the move

What we like

Cons

This classic looking unisex belt  (works for both men and women) is a very good option for people who still want to look stylish and have a functional belt too. This nylon lining belt with buckle closure keeps your cash safe from pickpocketers so you can have a quiet holiday.

It is equipped with an easy-to-use hidden zippered security pocket that safely conceals spare currency and some important travel documents from thieves. However, the space is linited inside there so you might be able to keep only your cash and cards

This money belt is spacious enough to store bills with a SINGLE fold which you can quickly stash and then remove with ease. With a fully adjustable and removable buckle it will provides you with a hassle-free airport security experience. You can easily change another buckle and becomes another style belt.

The Peak Gear Money Belt is probably one of the best quality belts we’ve seen on teh market. 

It is made from 210-denier water-resistant nylon and has premium YKK zippers which are designed to last. This piece of travel equipment will last you for years and its build with one purpose in mind: safety and comfort for travellers. 

The money belt has two zippered pockets, one of which features special compartments to keep your passport, credit cards, and cash organized and easily accessible at a moment’s notice. The RFID-blocking protection is built into the belt’s fabric so you can feel confident about your card data not being stolen.

The belt’s back panel will stay cool in hot days due to the quality material., and the Comfort Strap includes a double release safety buckle and can be easily adjusted for a snug fit. 

Maybe the best feature of this belt is that includes an insurance policy, which you can use to claim expenses in the unlikely event of theft. For additional peace of mind, apply the included decals from global lost and found company ReturnMe to your most precious items.

If there is a word to describe this money belt, this would be comfort. Keep your valuables hidden with this money belt from Eagle Creek almost effortlessly. 

Its breathable, natural silk construction means your skin won’t be irritated from wearing the belt under your clothing. Better yet, the silk is washable and water-resistant. Soft adjustable straps offer a comfortable fit, while a back slip pocket stores the straps when not in use. 

There’s also enough organization inside, with two zippered pockets for storing currency, your passport, and other important travel documents.

This small and lightweight money belt securely stores credit cards, passports & cash in two zippered pockets keeping your valuables close and secure

The adjustable strap was made to fit all shapes and sizes comfortably with the adjustable elastic waistband that tucks into the slip pocket on the back when used as an organizer in a purse or backpack

And last but not least,  Eagle Creek’s offers a Lifetime Warranty, plus the added insurance of repair or replacement due to product failure during the product lifetime, regardless of the cause

The E Tronic running belt might not be the best one for travel, but it’s an option, especially if you are a keen runner. Even though it’s slim and light, it can easily carry a few things, from a phone to keys and money. The running bag also has a convenient, built-in port for headphone wires
Composed of flexible yet durable neoprene, the running belt for men & women is created to flex, twist, and bend but not warp out of shape. This phone holder for running brings comfort to your workout using lightweight yet durable material. One size fits most to provide a fit so perfect you will forget that it’s there.

As a runner, you want a running phone holder that’s so slim that it won’t be intrusive, but large enough to fit your phone. Well then, this money belt might be the one for you. It fits waists 22″ to 46″

With a 4.5* review on Amazon, buyers report a pretty good quality overall. Some users complain that some bigger phones do not fit in so you want to check the sizes before you buy and also that the built-in port for headphones doesn’t work with the 90-degree angle jack.

What we like

Cons

...And The Winner Is

peak gear money belt 1

Peak Gear Money Belt

The Peak Gear Money Belt is about as slim as they come; when I first tested it with just some cash and a room key, I couldn’t get over how easy it was to hide beneath my leggings. But its compartments aren’t really designed to keep my travel credit cards snug in one place, so I ended up spending the majority of the day with my wallet in the bag. This added uncomfortable bulk to the otherwise thin money belt. With the money belt filled to the brim, I had to wear a looser sweatshirt to avoid it sticking out awkwardly. If you want a money belt that discreetly fits beneath your clothes, the Peak Gear Travel Money Belt With RFID Block is a great option.

What To Look For In A Money Belt

When choosing a money belt, there’s plenty to consider. A good money belt will give you peace of mind as you travel. An unsuitable money belt could be uncomfortable, fiddly to use or the wrong size for your needs.

Read through this list carefully to ensure you don’t waste your cash on a money belt that won’t work for you!

Security

Sure, you might carry your cash around, but it’s always a good idea to have a card on you, just in case. This means you’re going to want a money belt that has RFID-blocking technology, which keeps your cards—and therefore your electronic identity—safe from high-tech thieves.

Material

It can be hard to predict exactly what a city might throw at you—whether it’s endless flights of stairs or unseasonally rainy weather. Be prepared for the elements with a money belt that’s waterproof, mesh, or moisture-wicking.

Other gadgets for the Travel Money Belt

Companies know that if you’re buying a money belt, you’re not the kind of traveler to take chances. That’s why quite a few belts—even cheaper ones—come with useful perks like theft insurance policies (in the unlikely event it gets stolen) or ReturnMe decals in case you lose it.

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About Andrew Williams

Andrew Williams is the Founder of Remote Tribelife, an online magazine for digital nomads and remote working. Andrew has an extensive background in SEO and content marketing. His experience with digital marketing goes back to his early age in University when he founded a blog about startups and funding. He does his best writing in the coffee shops in Bali or in the condos of busy cities like Bangkok and Singapore. He is currently based in Singapore. You can connect with Andrew on his Linkedin profile and/or follow Remote Tribelife on Instagram.