Value for Money

This week Value for Money looks at Money Belts

This week Value for Moneylooks at Money Belts

Muji Money Belt €22
Highs:This is a big old-fashioned money belt with nine compartments that will certainly fit a lot of stuff. If you're expected to be the family pack mule this summer, you could do worse than this.

Lows:Muji's designers normally make cool, functional products. Sadly, this is certainly not one of them. It is the bulkiest, blackest and ugliest belt we tried. It is also the sweatiest and there is no way the nylon material will ever feel comfortable tucked in underneath a shirt, even if the belt is asked to carry nothing heavier than a passport. And why have three pen pockets at the front? With real estate on the belt being at an absolute premium, it seems like an incredible waste.

Verdict: Big and bulky
Star rating: **

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Design Go Dry Safe Money Belt €16
Highs:This is a sturdy money belt which is easy to put on and to take off. It fits a camera, mobile phone, wallet, keys and passport easily enough and, should you decide to go on the banana boat with all of the above, you can rest assured that the excellent waterproof compartment, hidden away and sealed by remarkably strong Velcro strips, should keep them all dry (except for the phone and camera). The material is soft and comfortable when pressed against the skin and we were also impressed with its slimline appearance, despite the presence of seven distinct pouches.

Lows:It is at its most slimline when it is empty - it gets a lot bulkier when all seven pouches are in use.

Verdict: A solid choice
Star rating: *****

The Bridge Leather Money Belt 103
Highs:
Made with beautifully soft leather, this is an excellent belt which will serve you well year-round and not just on your holiday. It has a very discreet compartment which can hold an awful lot of cash if it is folded carefully enough. It is very subtle, and very unlikely to be stolen by an opportunistic thief. Now that many flights are ticketless, it will also fit confirmation print-outs handily enough.

Lows:It won't, however, fit much else. While it is good for transporting money securely, it might prove difficult to access outside the privacy of your hotel room. While we didn't try it, it would look a bit weird if you removed it in a shop to access your cash. And if you're travelling in a pair of summery surf shorts it won't work. It is also very expensive.

Verdict: Nice but limited and dear
Star rating: ****

Lifeventure Body Waist Wallet €10.90
Highs:
This money belt clips on easily, seems comfortable to wear, at least for a short period, and is pretty cheap too. It is the polar opposite of the Muji offering. It is much softer and considerably more discreet than the competition, and the material is also quick-drying. The elasticated belt is very easy to adjust.

Lows:While it might well be easy to adjust, it is unlikely to be the most comfortable thing to have around your waist for long periods of time. Space is at a premium in this belt and the small number of compartments will force you to consider carefully what you put in it as it will not fit much more than a passport, a ticket and a few bob.

Verdict: Compact and cheap
Star rating: ****

Boots Money Belt 10.75
Highs:
This is a very compact belt that we initially thought ticked all the right boxes. It is small and discreet but nattily designed, making the most relevant documentation you're likely to need in an airport easy to access. It is comfortable to wear and the clasp looks sturdy enough.

Lows:"Looks" is the key word. Perhaps it was a flaw with the belt that we bought, but the clasp could be pulled open with the gentlest of tugs, making this the least secure of all the belts tested. The clasp makes this almost completely useless - natty compartments aside - as above all else, a money belt is supposed to offer the traveller security, something that this fails completely to do.

Verdict: Too easy to open
Star rating: *