Should I take a money belt?

[mjgeo]

I'll be in Queenstown, New Zealand for 24 days, and I am thinking about not taking a money belt.


Honestly, I don't really see the added protection it can give me for my trip. I will always have a day pack and zipped pockets for my passport, and the safe at the hostel for my travel documents.

I can't really think of anything else that the money belt could be used for apart from those two things.

[d_fresh]

I personally don't use one.
some people like having them, some don't.

[pinion]

I brought one & wore it when I felt I was heading into a sketchy part of town. But that was like the slums of Berlin, I'm sure New Zealand isn't as bad.

Its whatever makes you feel secure right?

[space virgin]

I brought one and used it just because. I realized later that with my particular type of day bag I would have been perfectly fine without it. It's just personal preference. Although I will say that it's handy if you're in a dodgy dorm room and you feel like you want to have your money, passport, tickets, etc. close to you-- I slept with it on once or twice.

[GoKrazy]

I'm taking one with me, since I figure it's better to be safe then sorry. I figure the $5 investment will be especially worth it while traveling on trains (especially at night). I'll be busy enough doing a hundred and one other things during each and every day to worry about if my backpack will be opened or if someone will go through my pockets. It's just added security I suppose.

[Diorama]

I've travelled with and without one. I wouldn't take it personally. Queenstown is no ghetto. I only used it when I went to Costa Rica (and some parts I went to were sketchy ish), other wise I found it too be sweaty and akward. Sometimes if i wouldn't trust my roomates then I'd sleep with my wallet (tuck it in my sleep sack)

[LiveFreeorDie]

I bought one before my first backpack trip and then never used it. Too much of a pain in the ass. I just kept my shit in my pockets or a locked daypack.

[Esterina]

I'm with GoKrazy, better safe than sorry. Professional pickpockets hang around tourists, both in rich and poor countries. And in hostels too.

I had my wallet stolen in Laos, even though it was in a zipped pocket in my daypack. It took two weeks to get a new credit card, so you can imagine how happy I was to have kept $100 of emergency cash in the money belt ! Plus of course, plane ticket, insurance proof, and passport. I've met several travelers whose daypack, camera case, etc. were stolen or lost as well.

And I so got used of wearing it, that I even forgot it was there and went in the Mekong with it (locals were swimming with their clothes on, and I joined them.) I had to dry my things. Fortunately, the weather was hot and sunny, 35 degrees...

[Qwardian]

I just bought one and wasnt sure about it. Now I am worried how its going to feel on my soft sensative skin.. Stop looking at me. I am a guy.