Experience with Rick Steves' silk money belt?

[kena]

I won a gift certificate to the Rick Steves' web store, and I'm wondering what I should get with it.

One option is to "upgrade" my current money belt to the silk one featured here:
travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=124&id=32

I'm attracted to the moisture barrier (I tend to suffer from the "soggy passport syndrome" with my current one) and the more comfy feeling, but I'm not sure if it's worth it, considering I already have a simple but decent money belt.

Anyone has one and could share his input?


The other options are to get a pocket tote, which I don't really *need* (I already have a small backpack based on the same principle) but could find a use for eventually, if only as a gift to someone else. Or an elastic clothesline which seems nice, but I've always done well without one.

[WillTravel]

My main complaint with the cheap money belt (that you wear at the waist) I have is that the perspiration issue, to the extent that it gives me a rash. So of all the things you've listed, I think that would be my choice. If you're traveling in summer, all the more so.

[me]

when on the road, the things in my money belt (other than credit cards, ie passport & big cash) is also in a zip-loc bag. that keeps it dry. <i take extra zip-locs with me it case of a tear>

[kena]

I've tried the ziplock strategy, but I find it really uncomfortable. There are always folds and seams in the ziplock that poke through the cotton of my current belt, and I usually prefer to deal with the soggy passport.

[WillTravel]

I use the ziploc bag in my money belt, but it doesn't solve the rash issue.

[patrickt]

Rash?? Holy cow... I don't do well with extensive skin contact... though this pretty much emasculates me, I have very sensitive skin...

Can anyone offer up any ideas as to how to prevent this... without compromising the safety of my money, passport, etc... ??

Thanks!

[WillTravel]

Patrick, I think if I had made sure the moneybelt never actually touched my skin, it would have been better. So if you are wearing a T-shirt, and a shirt or sweater over that, you would be all right. Or if you can figure out a way to get the money belt between your trousers and your shirt. These are difficult in the summer, though. I've also heard of people who slide the moneybelt around to the small of their back. Maybe that would have worked for me.

Or if you got the silk money belt, I think that will be better than the polyester I have. Or you can use a leg belt, which doesn't seem to cause this problem. As you probably know, the moneybelt is not for constant access. You keep a day's worth of cash and maybe a credit card in a safe place in your clothes (like a pinned front pocket), and the moneybelt is for stuff like your passport, plane tickets, large sums of cash, that you won't ordinarily access during the day.

Anyway, try the moneybelt out, going for long walks, and see you if you tolerate it well. Maybe it won't be a problem for you!

[patrickt]

Thanks for pointers, WT.. it's greatly appreciated..

I'll let ya know how it goes... and if it doesn't work, I can always find something else to use while overseas.. soo... no worries