Staying safe and not losing any of your possessions is probably the most important thing for travelers. Some countries, inevitably, are safer or more dangerous to visit than others. Central America may not be as safe as travelling to somewhere like Norway, for example. However, every country has risks, and you need to protect yourself in unfamiliar environments. The best way for me is to use a fanny pack, which lets me keep all my valuables in one safe place that the pickpockets can’t get to.

Here are five ways that travelling with a fanny pack can protect you when you travel. 

Keeps Your Money Safe

The first obvious reason is that you can put the larger denominations and your bank cards inside. When you have cash in your pocket, it’s easy for it to fall out when you reach inside. Pickpockets can easily get their fingers in too. This risk vanishes with a fanny pack. Put the small notes and coins in your pockets, and the larger ones and bank cards inside. 

Keeps Your Passport Safe

Your passport is by far the most important travel document that you have. If it gets lost, you’re in for a lot of trouble to get a replacement and to be able to go back home. In some parts of the world, local criminals see tourists as dollar signs and try to rob them at gunpoint. The only thing you can do is comply with their requests, even if it means giving them all your cash and travel documents. But, if it’s nice and hidden inside the fanny pack, they probably won’t take it from you. 

You Can Have an Emergency Kit

Sometimes it’s important to keep a few items with you in the case of an emergency - especially if you are doing outdoor, adventurous activities. This may be your travel insurance documents, numbers, first aid supplies, or even a phone that uses a local number. Some people, especially female solo travelers, may carry a whistle to attract attention. All of this fits nicely into one of the compartments in the fanny pack. 

Back Up Your Precious Memories

Sometimes, especially for photographers on the move, memory cards get full in the camera and you need to replace them when you’re on the road. Do you really want to keep the tiny plastic thing in your pocket that has all your precious memories on for the last six months? A fanny pack will have enough compartments to safely keep used and new ones inside. 

The Convenience Factor

You can keep and store everything together inside one of the compartments. This makes it easier and more convenient to find when you need it. Compare this to pulling everything out of your pockets when you’re searching for that coin. This increases the risk of losing something and you never know who will be watching. 

The Takeaway Message

If you want to stay safe and keep your belongings in one place when you’re travelling, consider wearing a fanny pack. This not only protects you against crime and lowers the risk of losing something, it also helps you keep organized and stay safe. 

Do you use a fanny pack when you travel? What do you love most about it?

These photos courtesy cc: here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. Last photo courtesy FannyFactory. Word photo adapted by Wandering Educators