I tested a variety of money belts to see which ones were the most secure, discreet, and useful for travel.

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Travel + Leisure

Money belts can offer a secure and convenient way to carry your valuables while traveling—but in my experience, some styles can mark you as a tourist. Choosing the right design and size for your needs makes all the difference; I shied away from using money belts for years, preferring to carry a classic purse. These days, with the proliferation of different styles and sizes available, I’ve found one that functions as a part-time replacement for my purse, allowing me to navigate new cities blissfully hands-free with my phone, earbuds, and credit cards stored safely on my person.

Whether you’re looking for a fitness-friendly bag, a sleek pick that keeps your essentials in easy reach yet out of sight, or a spacious option to store your phone and passport, you’ll find an option to suit your travel style on this list.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Raytix RFID Money Belt at Amazon $28 Jump to Review Best Organization: SALE Travelon Rfid Travel Wallet at Amazon $19 $14 Jump to Review Best for Active Travelers: Fitgriff Running Belt at Amazon $16 Jump to Review Best Water-resistant: Pacsafe Coversafe X100 Waist Pack at Amazon $40 Jump to Review Best Leather: Yoder Hidden Money Leather Belt at Amazon $65 Jump to Review Easiest to Conceal: StashBandz Unisex Travel Money Belt at Amazon $24 Jump to Review Best Large Capacity: SALE Lanney RFID Travel Blocking Money Belt at Amazon $13 $9 Jump to Review

Best Overall

Raytix RFID Money Belt

Credit: Amazon $28 at Amazon View on Sears.com View on Kmart.com Why I Love It

• It’s comfortable, easy to adjust, and boasts plenty of pockets to secure all our travel essentials.

What to Consider

• Once packed, it’s visible even under two layers of clothes.

This slim, classic money belt checks all my boxes: it’s comfortable, boasts five pockets for optimal organization, can easily fit a phone and passport, and is crafted from water-resistant ripstop nylon to protect against sweat and spills.

The variety of pockets is ideal for keeping track of your items on the go, with a large primary zippered compartment that can fit a phone and passport, plus two interior mesh slip pockets for stashing smaller items like coins, transit tickets, or an earbud case. On the back, there’s a hidden mesh pocket that’s ideal for safely storing paper money, plus another medium zippered pocket on the front. T+L editor Taylor Fox found it easy to pack all of the items on the testing list inside without having to fuss over the zipper, which glided smoothly even when the bag was fully loaded.

One standout feature is the belt’s round, double-release buckle, which feels sturdier than the standard three-prong clips on most of the models I personally tested. The waist strap is also notably comfortable to wear for extended periods—it never dug into Taylor’s skin, and the strap is easily adjustable for waist sizes from 27 to 41 inches. While its slim silhouette did become more noticeable when fully packed—even under two layers of clothing—it still felt secure and durable. After six months of long runs and regular use, it still looks as good as new.

The Details: 11 x 5.5 x 0.02 inches | 1.13 ounces | 5 pockets | Ripstop nylon | Water-resistant

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Best Organization

Travelon Rfid Travel Wallet

Credit: Amazon $19 $14 at Amazon $25 $20 at Kohls.com $40 $17 at Macy’s Why I Love It

• There’s a plethora of pockets to keep even your smallest valuables safe, including two zippered sections and three small mesh pouches.

What to Consider

• The material of the waistband is super soft but on the thicker side—it might get hot and prone to trapping sweat in warmer climates.

This compact money belt is made from durable and flexible polyester that feels tough enough to withstand frequent use. Smooth zippers make it easy to access your belongings while the belt’s secured around your waist, and the soft, stretchy elastic waistband offers a snug, comfortable fit without digging in. While the waistband adjusts easily, it feels like the elastic may stretch out over time.

During testing, the belt stayed comfortably in place as I walked, sat down, and bent forward to adjust my shoes—it was so comfortable that I forgot I was wearing it after the first five minutes. While it’s comfortable enough to wear against your skin, the material isn’t sweat-resistant, and may hang on to odors over time. The mesh backing is breathable and helps with ventilation, but feels like it could irritate skin after extended wear, particularly in warmer weather.

I found the belt easy to conceal under clothes, particularly if you only pack it with flatter items, like a passport, credit cards, and a phone. It’s more visible when stuffed with bulkier objects, like a sunglasses case, so this may be better suited for just holding the essentials.

The Details: 10.75 x 5 x 0.12 | 6 ounces | 5 pockets | Polyester

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Best for Active Travelers

Fitgriff Running Belt

Credit: Amazon $16 at Amazon View on Sears.com View on Kmart.com Why I Love It

• The elastic waistband is comfortable yet secure enough to wear on long runs, and the reflective strips are great for added visibility.

What to Consider

• The water-resistant construction only holds up to light rain or sweat exposure, but the material does dry fairly quickly.

For runners, hikers, and active travelers in general, this bag offers hands-free convenience while on the go. To properly test this running belt, T+L senior testing editor Jackie Cucco strapped it around her waist and wore it while jogging along the Hudson River. She was impressed by how well the stretchy elastic stayed in place as she ran, and by how comfortable the belt felt. “It wasn’t too tight or uncomfortable in any way—I could barely notice it was there,” she said.

While the material is equipped with sweat and splash protection, the belt did get damp after Jackie worked up a brief sweat; she also tested its water-resistance by spraying the closed zipper with water, and found that the money packed inside got a bit wet in the process. Luckily, the material dries rather quickly, and is easily hand washable.

This belt is very flat when empty, and expands to accommodate a surprising number of items—it fit earbuds, sunglasses, keys, hand sanitizer, credit cards, cash, and lip gloss inside, and still had room to spare. I love the dual pockets, which are easy to access while wearing the bag, and allow you to separate valuables like your phone or sunglasses from your keys. Choose to conceal the bag or have it stand out—it’s available in a range of colors including black and lime green, and two sizes (small-medium fits a 24.5 to 35.5-inch waists, while medium-large fits 33.5 to 47.5 inches).

The Details: 10 x 2 x 2 inches | 3 ounces | 2 pockets | Polyester | Water-resistant

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The 8 Best Anti-theft Backpacks, Tested and Reviewed

Best Water-resistant

Pacsafe Coversafe X100 Waist Pack

Credit: Amazon $40 at Amazon View on REI $40 at Nordstrom Why I Love It

• It’s more spacious than most of the other models I tested, and the material repels water remarkably well.

What to Consider

• There’s only one pocket and one divider, so it might be harder to keep track of smaller items.

Whether you’re traveling to Thailand during monsoon season or just want to ensure your valuables are protected from unexpected showers, you can count on this water-resistant money bag to keep your items safe and dry. I was impressed with how well this lightweight polyester bag repelled water during testing. According to T+L writer Jasmine Gomez, “the belt repelled water excellently. I soaked the side that lays across the skin, and absolutely no water got inside of the bag.” The breathable mesh material on the back is slower to dry than the front, but the bag’s contents stayed completely dry.

In addition to its weather protection, the bag is crafted from durable, rip-resistant material that feels structured without compromising comfort. It’s easy to access while on the go, but given its larger size, this isn’t the most inconspicuous pick. Rather, it’s a great option for anyone looking to store larger items like a phone or passport, as the main pocket is super spacious and features only one divider. While I do wish there were more pockets to store loose coins or smaller items, the open space makes it easier to fit bulkier items, like sunglasses.

The Details: 0.5 x 10.5 x 5.5 inches | 3.5 ounces | 1 pocket | Polyester | Water-resistant

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Best Leather

Yoder Hidden Money Leather Belt

Credit: Amazon $65 at Amazon View on Yoderleather.com Why I Love It

• Designed as a standard belt with a hidden compartment to store bills, this piece blends fashion and function.

What to Consider

• Given the belt’s construction, it’s not as easy to access your money discreetly.

Stylish and subtle, this leather money belt is one of the most unique designs I’ve come across. Crafted from genuine USA tanned English bridle leather, it’s designed to look and function like a standard belt—but with the added bonus of a secret zippered pocket on the backside, which spans nearly two thirds of the belt’s length. I was able to fit 9 tri-folded bills inside the hidden compartment, and while it took a bit of finagling to fit them into the small opening, they were easily retrievable—although somewhat more conspicuous to remove—and completely undetectable once inside.

“This is definitely a thicker, heavier belt and it was oversized on me with a smaller waist and frame,” says T+L associate editor Anna Popp. “However, I still found it to be really comfortable to wear like a standard belt.” I think this is a particularly great pick for anyone who gets hot or uncomfortable wearing a money belt under their clothes. It also comes in a wide range of sizes, accommodating size 32-54 waists.

The Details: 1.5 x 3/16 inches | 10.4 ounces | 1 pocket | Leather

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Easiest to Conceal

StashBandz Unisex Travel Money Belt

Credit: Amazon $24 at Amazon View on Stashbandz.com Why I Love It

• The ultra-discreet band is comfortable, inconspicuous, and fits a remarkable amount.

What to Consider

• It runs small and isn’t adjustable, and the back pockets require some flexibility to access.

This StashBandz money belt is the next-best-thing to invisible pockets. Designed as a waterproof compression band, it’s made from skin-hugging spandex material that keeps your essentials as close to your body as possible, and completely protected from sweat or moisture. T+L editor Taylor Fox found it undetectable under a T-shirt, making this an optimal choice if you’re looking for a discreet design or a belt to wear during workouts.

To put it on, you pull the 360-degree band over your head or step into it; the elastic feels durable but may stretch out over time, and she found it tended to roll up whenever she sat down. The band is divided into four spacious pockets, one of which boasts a zippered closure for extra security. She found it easy to access the front two pockets, but had to twist around in order to reach items in the back two. Notably, this isn’t adjustable and runs small, so I recommend sizing up for the most comfortable fit.

 The Details: 16 x 0.25 x 6.5 inches | 2.8 ounces | 4 pockets | Spandex | Water-resistant

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Best Large Capacity

Lanney RFID Travel Blocking Money Belt

Credit: Amazon $13 $9 at Amazon Why I Love It

• Compact yet spacious, this water-resistant belt can comfortably fit passports, paper bills, a phone, and more.

What to Consider

• The included RFID protector sleeves aren’t very eco-friendly.

If you’re looking for a spacious bag with plenty of compartments to keep your valuables organized, this money belt is an excellent and budget-friendly choice. There are five pockets, including a main compartment with two interior mesh slip pockets—one large enough to fit a passport, the other for credit cards—plus another zippered front pocket, and an open mesh sleeve on the back that’s perfect for storing bills or your phone. I appreciate how comfortable the belt was to wear for extended periods, and that it didn’t require any adjusting once on. It easily fit all of the items on our packing list and still wasn’t visible under my T-shirt, making this a great pick for keeping your items safely hidden during your travels. If security is top of mind, you’ll also find the 10 included RFID-blocking card holders an added bonus.

The strap fits waists measuring 24-50 inches, but I found that the elastic could likely stretch to fit larger sizes. Beyond its impressive capacity, this bag also boasts a water-resistant coating that kept the items inside completely dry during our water bottle sweat test.

The Details: 10.5 x 5.5 inches | 4.8 ounces | 5 pockets | Ripstop nylon | Water-resistant

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Other Travel Money Belts I Liked

Several of the other travel money belts deserve honorable mention for convenient features like water-resistant coating, unique style, and comfort—while they fell short of my best-of list due to slight drawbacks over quality or size, I think these would still work well for a wide range of travelers.

Bison Designs T Lock Money Belt: While I loved the utilitarian style and dual-functionality of this money belt, I wish it came in a wider size range.

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Boxiki Travel Hidden Money Belt: I appreciated how well this spacious bag performed in our water testing (it kept all our items dry and the bag itself dried completely in 15 minutes), but I’d prefer a buckle closure instead of having to pull it on from overhead or underfoot.

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Samsonite RFID Security Waist Belt: This belt fits comfortably thanks to soft, breathable padding on the back, and it did a great job of holding all my items. It held up well to our water testing, keeping all my items dry—but ultimately I felt hesitant about trusting the flimsy elastic strap, which seems easy to tear or cut.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

As a staff writer for T+L, I personally tested these money belts in our NYC lab. Then, our team of T+L editors tested them out on runs, errands, and more to share their feedback with me on how they performed in real-world scenarios. I combined both my lab insights and information from their experiences to produce this list of the best options for travel, focusing on ones that have travel-friendly features like multiple pockets, secure zippers, RFID-blocking materials, comfortable waistbands, and water-resistant fabrics.

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