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Travel Gear Review: Pacsafe Coversafe (The Moneybelt With Extras)

During our travels around Europe, we’ve been trying out some travel gadgets and doodads to find out just how useful they really are when you’re on the road.

We’ll be running a series of travel gear reviews over the next few weeks, letting you know how it all went.

First up, though, our thoughts on the Coversafe, the Pacsafe version of the much-used-when-travelling hidden-under-clothing money belt.

The Coversafe is a thin, flat money belt designed to hide away under your clothing and conceal from prying thieving eyes your most valuable documents and any cash you don’t need immediately.

There is a wide range of moneybelts out there, but what makes this one different from most is the additional anti-theft safety features built into the thing.

Slashproof material and a double stainless steel cord (length easily adjustable) running from one side to the other around your body, protect you from a slash and grab attack.

There’s a convenient clip to allow you to slip the belt on quickly and easily (no hassling with uncooperative buckles), and a layer of the slashproof material covers the clip itself, making it more difficult to access if you’re a thief.

It has a breathable back, which means your passport et al won’t be drenched in your sweat (we’ve just been in Spain, we know how hot it can get!) and two zipped sections, one of which has a handy inner pocket for keeping smaller items like jewellery (or credit cards) separate from your documents.

Just to make sure no one unzips your pockets, two strips of velchro keep the zips in place (you’re going to hear that there velchro make its crazy noise if anyone manages to get close enough to start fiddling).

Our verdict: we liked the Coversafe very much and think it’s probably one of the most useful travel gear items a backpacker can have. It may cost a little bit more than a regular money belt, but its long-lasting, and the well-thought-out security features surely make that extra expense worthwhile.

Coversafe comes in either tan or black, and retails at just under US$18.

Posted in Reviews, Travel Gear