Having your passport, bank card or even tickets stolen is the fear of many travelers. Fortunately, there are solutions to reduce this risk.
Below you will find a list of objects and advice that could help you hide some of your belongings, in order to foil pickpockets. And also some techniques to limit the damage in case of robbery with assault.
But above all, don’t forget the basic principles: be constantly vigilant, don’t walk around with €3,000 on you, and limit as much as possible any external signs of wealth (watch, jewelry, etc.).
Discretion is your best ally.
1. Travel belt
Buying a flat banana and placing it under your clothes is the simplest and best-known solution for keeping your belongings safe. It is not too uncomfortable to wear, and there is usually room for money, a passport or even a smartphone. Pickpockets will not be able to do anything. However, in the event of robbery with assault, the thief could search your person.
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2. Money belt
We’re sticking with belts, but this time we’re talking about a real belt, which is used to hold up your trousers. The coin purse belt has the special feature of being able to be opened to put small things in it. The advantage is that it’s really discreet. On the other hand, you can only put coins and folded notes in it.
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3. Sew pockets
The best way to hide your belongings: sew your own pockets inside your clothes. It takes some skill and patience, but if it’s done right, we think it’s the safest solution.
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4. Waterproof neck pouch (for beach use)
A particularly useful way of not leaving your belongings unattended at the beach is to buy a waterproof pouch that fits around your neck. Just be careful not to leave too much slack. It would be a shame to lose your belongings in the sea. Alternatively, you can wear the pouch under your clothes, although we don’t think this is the best solution.
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5. Fake sunscreen case (at the beach)
A rather original solution: buy a fake tube of sunscreen, which can actually be used to store your belongings. To be placed at the bottom of a rucksack. Can also be a solution at the beach: put your belongings in it and bury the tube slightly (discreetly, of course). It is possible to put a smartphone in it. Other alternatives of the same type (but smaller): the fake toothpaste tube, the fake lip balm tube.
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6. In shoes (if insoles)
Technique as old as time: put your money under the soles of your shoes. We’ve never done it, and reserve this trick for really extreme situations. It’s not very practical, and if you’re sweating a lot… well, it’s not ideal.
7. The “anti-theft” backpack
It’s the “anti-theft” backpack that you take on daily outings to put your camera, some water, etc. in. It’s an interesting way to deter thieves because the zippers are on the inside of the back. It’s impossible to search it discreetly. This bag will be useful for “connected” people such as digital nomads, as it is designed to hold a small laptop. Having used it, it’s true that it’s reassuring!
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8. The coin purse
Here, it’s not a question of hiding your belongings, but rather of limiting the damage in the event of a mugging. Personally, we take a basic wallet and put the equivalent of €10-15 in it. If a thief turns up, we give him the purse, but save the rest (hoping he doesn’t decide to search us thoroughly).
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9. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Finally, in relation to everything we’ve seen, you need to bring a certain amount of organization: don’t hide everything in the same place (which is easier said than done, I know). In the event of a problem, you won’t lose everything at once. We advise you to think of 2-3 hiding places to disperse your stuff.
10. Scan important papers
We’re straying a little from the idea of hiding, but since it’s just as important, we’d prefer to remind you just in case. Remember to scan your passport, vaccination record, driving license, etc. and send them to yourself by e-mail or on a Drive in case the irretrievable happens. Without a scan or photocopy of your papers, and in the event of loss of the originals, your vacation will soon be over.
In brief
There you go, now you have a few tips to avoid being robbed while traveling.
Of course, there are other more traditional solutions, such as cutting the seam of the trouser label to create a hiding place, but it depends on the garment itself.
Don’t forget that while the risk of theft is reduced, it does not become non-existent.
