Rick Steves Rick Steves Silk Money Belt Reviews

• Survived Costa Rica in the rainy season

  
  By A1T7A9U1GOKBSA on 2007-09-02
  I used this money belt when I went to Costa Rica for a week in May. It rained everyday, but my money, passport, and other papers stayed dry and secure in the plastic pocket. I was afraid it might be uncomfortable or sweaty with the heat, but I wore it under my waist band on my lower back and it dried out very quickly each night. It held everything I needed and was so light and comfortable I had to often check to make sure it was there!
  
  The only (small) problem I had was that the elastic for the adjustable waistband was far too long for me. I cut off a length and used a safety pin to keep the loose end up so it wouldn't end up hanging down my leg.
  
  

• So comfortable I forgot I was wearing it...

  
  By ALQ4USPEQ9L5N on 2008-02-11
  I bought this a few months ago, and since then, I've used it on two vacations. It is very comfortable, and I really couldn't tell I had it on. On a few occasions, I patted my tummy to make sure it was still there.
  
  I especially like that it has two separate zipper pockets. I looked at several different brands on these before I bought, and Amazon definitely had the best price for the silk belt. Most places wanted just as much, or more, for a polyester best...can you say sweaty? Ick.
  
  For those who might be wondering, this has a really long belt. Great for plus size people. But for those skinny folks out there, just grab a pair of scissors and trim it off, since the elastic belt isn't hemmed anyway.
  
  

• not bad but...

  
  By AXMM4F2OVZVBK on 2008-02-05
  A good and functional money belt, but you'd be better off with a money belt made of a different material. Silk retains a lot of heat, and ours absorbed a lot of sweat (even though we used it while on a chilly trip to Europe in November). We had to frequently wash our money belt at night and leave it out to dry. The plastic sleeve inside is ingenious to protect your documents/cash/papers, but it's not attached to the belt itself - so buy a non-silk money belt, fold a heavy-duty plastic sheet, and tuck it into one of the pockets, and you'll get the same result - that's probably what we'll do for our next trip.
  
  

• A handy place to keep my money!

  
  By AEZVPL6CX7UPI on 2007-12-09
  This worked great for my recent London trip. The wallet is soft and was fine against my skin. It's also nice and thin ... not bulky at all. The strap is long, but it was easily cut off.
  
  

• Nice at First

  
  By AHL1N8KGZIOR4 on 2007-09-15
  The great thing about this money belt is that it is designed to hold a passport in addition to credit cards and cash. The problem is, being made of silk, it wears very easily with frequent use. I would suggest finding an item designed like this but made of a more durable fabric.
  
  
• Not for everyone
  By A2VLZQ983Z43NU on 2008-06-13
  I brought this money belt with me to China recently and only used it for two days. It was helpful on the "sleeper" (overnight) buses where theft often occurs, but it wasn't particularly comfortable to wear during the day. First, the waist belt was extremely long and would not tighten enough to fit my waist well. I'm an average-sized girl in my 20s, and when I adjusted it to fit my waist, there was almost a foot of leftover strap that dangled unpleasantly (I had to use a binder clip to keep the leftover strap secure). Second, the belt was constantly shifting. I would suddenly find it up to my stomach rather than on my waist. This became quite annoying to me (especially when having to use the restroom), so I gave up and simply carried my passport in my purse (which I clutched tightly).
  
  The money belt was quite nice in terms of size and the material was comfortable, but note that it does not work well with everyone's body type.
  
  
• Excellent product
  By AQZV9HZVOHPW9 on 2007-10-10
  High quality money belt that is very comfortable to wear and easy to access. My husband and I each wore one on a recent trip to Europe and all of our important items were very secure. Would recommend this item to all.
  
  
• Silk Money Belt
  By A10L13YW0YI8UQ on 2007-09-13
  I thought it was very good, it worked as it was intended. The front two pockets are a bit small, my passport would not fit in them, they are good size for Credit cards though.
  
  
• plastic surprise
  By A26S8UWGJFQQUT on 2007-10-04
  Used on bike trip touring the Loire Valley. Plastic insert worked well protecting all from sweat!
  Very comfortable, usually placed pouch on my lower back.
  
  
• Works like it should
  By A2HTYXIFB2876J on 2007-10-16
  We just got back from our trip to Europe with the both of us wearing Rick Steve's moneybelt. It seemed to work fine the way it should. The silk was great as it did not add that much more bulk and sweatiness to our outfits. Only one thing I question is the strange unfinished end of the strap of the belt. It was undone (not sewn up) so when we got it, it was already unraveling. We had to use a lighter to melt/burn the end so that it would stop. Weird design.
  
  
• Great for travel
  By A3RTIOFZZXGG1D on 2007-10-28
  I bought this money belt for a trip to Costa Rica and wore it for several hours almost every day. It was light weight, which I loved. The plastic sleeve in the middle kept things dry even when I was sweating. My only complaint is that the plastic sleeve tended to wrinkle and get out of shape. This could be because I carry a few extra pounds and it didn't set just right on my waist. Other than this a great product. I have already ordered one for a friend for a trip to Portugal!
  
  
• great for international travel
  By A3LQL19T60NIRT on 2007-11-13
  I bought this for a recent trip to Italy. It was great. I knew that my passport and extra euro were safe. I could barely feel it under my clothes. I am so glad that I bought it!!!!!
  
  
• Good for carrying money
  By A3JNBXL8J3LM9A on 2008-05-25
  I found this money belt extremely helpful on my recent trip to a third world country known for it's hustlers and pick-pocketers.
  
  The following are my thoughts to help in your decision
  
  Pros:
  --made it easy to consolidate all my currencies, passport and important documents
  --barely felt it after a hour of wearing it
  --soft and lightweight
  
  Cons:
  --the plastic sheath inside is very flimsy and got all wrinkled and cannot be straightened
  --sort of flimsy, uncertain how long it will last. (only use it for 1 week and already seeing signs of wear)
  
  
  
  
• Ok...but not great!
  By A2Y1MZ74O7RJL5 on 2008-06-17
  I went on a cruise and bought this to keep with me at all times. It definately has pro's and cons
  PROS
  Keeps your things concealed
  keeps your hand free (no lugging around a purse
  
  CONS
  Uncomfortable
  Doesn't stay in place
  you get sweaty in the place that it's at
  really flimsy...one week of wear is all it has in it!
  the band is way too long.
  
  
• A must have for travel
  By A2NV0CXZGLXCY7 on 2007-09-11
  A good investment for travelling internationally where known pickpockets are a problem. A good safety measure.
  
  
• Money Belts
  By A3OVUSDQM1EOMA on 2007-09-30
  These money belts are exactly as described. We are very happy with this purchase, and the price was right.
  
  
• Good Product I Suppose, But Didn't Need It
  By A1MLPT9I7T3GWX on 2007-10-19
  This money belt appears to be made well and all, but I just didn't feel a need for it in my travels. It spent the whole time in my backpack. I traveled to London, Paris, around Germany, Vienna, Prague, and in Morroco. Not once did I feel the need for security to use this money belt. For women, I think that as long as you take a good purse you will be fine. I took a purse that could be across my body and then it had all zippered compartments and a flap that went over the compartments on the front and velcroed.
  
  
• great item
  By A8P3CC74XO6SJ on 2007-10-19
  I used this all over europe both while walking during the day and when I wanted to go for a run to hold my keys, etc. Very comfortable and soft
  
  
• Can you put a pricetag on added security?
  By A29EIB5532ZC73 on 2008-06-03
  Whether or not one of these belts is necessary is everyone's own opinion, but if you are afraid of being pick-pocketed (or mugged), then pick one of these up. Material is comfortable and light. The "plastic sleeve" inside is a great idea, but mine "bunched up" after only a few days and it never really got back to normal. However, if you want to be safe, definitely grab one of these and you won't regret it.
  
  
• Good solid product
  By A1R0628BLEUA10 on 2008-03-26
  Purchased the money belt for a trip to china. I guess success is not having anything stolen, so far, so good. It has plenty of room for lots of cash, and other docs. I thought it would be a bit uncomfortable, but i actually forgot about it, even on planes when we were sitting for long periods of time.
  
  it feels solid, and since it's worn under the clothes, was very secure.
  
  
• Great deal and so soft, too
  By A1W4F91DH3XPB2 on 2008-04-18
  Got the two of these I ordered today (thanks Amazon Prime!). I love them. They will be perfect for my upcoming trip to Ireland. I had been in the market for a 'fanny pack' and came across these. Although the fanny pack might be good for miscellaneous things, I like the fact that these are waterproof and light and can be worn under clothes (so if anyone stole my pack or my pocketbook, I would have my money and passport hidden). I am very pleased indeed with this purchase.
  
  
• A "must have" for foreign travel!
  By A37ONBTWL7QNCQ on 2008-04-27
  This money belt is just the right size for your passport, cash, etc. without being too bulky. Lightweight and easy to wear while protecting your valuables when traveling. I bought 2 of these for gifts and liked them so well that I bought 2 more for my husband and me. They are also reasonably priced.
  
  
• excellent belt. definetly will continue to use it on future travels.
  By A25DYLHMHUVD4K on 2008-05-08
  Used this in Italy. Kept our cash and passports in it. Has a waterproof plastic pouch inside. It rained really hard one day in Rome, and surprisingly nothing got wet. I will definetly use this on future travels.
  
  
• Great product....wonder about the elastic
  By A8ATC5S7R11IT on 2008-06-19
  Works as promised. I took it on a long trip, and kept my cash in it. The only problems is the elastic waistband, which seems a little flimsy to me, and I wonder if it will maintain tension after a few uses.
  
  
• Comfortable Belt
  By A2R7GFVC8IQKWX on 2008-03-08
  I have not had an opportunity to use this belt traveling yet, but I did try it on and am excited to use it. The strap feels very comfortable, fabric is very soft and I feel I should be able to put a lot of items in it without much problem. I was unexpectedly surprised to find out that there is a clear piece of plastic in it, so that when I sweat, the items will not get wet. Looking forward to using it. . . . .
  
  

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