Travel Safety Accessories

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However tough or experienced a traveler you are, it never hurts to take along some key travel safety accessories for backup support. Even James Bond had his gadgets. Think of me as your Q, advising you on the best gear for your next adventure.

Right. Now do please pay close attention 007. Here are my top recommended safety accessories for travelers like you with a license to thrill.

1. Best Travel Wallet: Bryker Hyde 2 ID Window RFID Wallet

Having the right travel wallet inside your (hopefully anti-theft) bag is crucial for keeping your stuff safe and secure on your travels. This is my ideal wallet to take traveling, given its compact size, yet considerable capacity for all your essential cash, cards, copy of your passport, etc. All while protecting your info from electronic theft with RFID blocking. And without breaking your travel budget either.

Ignore the fact that it’s called a men’s wallet. Unfortunately, all the best compact-yet-functional wallets seem to be geared towards men. I’m no stranger to shopping in the men’s section of department stores for these kinds of accessories. I do it all the time. I ain’t afraid. Though it would be nice if they recognized that women value these too. That these kinds of accessories are really gender neutral. But what can ya do?

You’ll still want to keep this wallet somewhere less easily accessible for thief hands. So tuck it into a secure or lockable bag pocket, or that hidden pocket in your clothing (see below). Then if you want to be extra clever, keep a decoy wallet handy as well. This one doesn’t have to be as fancy or RFID blocking. Any cheap wallet will do. Cheap enough that you won’t resent parting with it, but not so cheap that it makes a mugger suspicious. We don’t want it to be obvious it’s a decoy, now do we?

2. Best Travel Wallet Accessory: The Wallet Ninja

Speaking of wallets, the Wallet Ninja is a wonderfully cute yet badass tool that I highly recommend keeping in yours at all times. It’s the size of a credit card and comes with 18 different handy tools built right in, including a bottle opener, can opener, 4 screwdrivers, ruler, letter opener, and cell phone stand. Any of these could come in handy while traveling.

Also very handy is its capacity to do some serious damage from any of these tooled edges, if you ever need to use it that way. It’s not marketed as a self defense tool per se, but I definitely think it qualifies. And the best part is that this wallet ninja fits the TSA guidelines for permitted items, since there are no actual blades and no entire tool is longer than 4 inches. Feel free to mention these guidelines if any TSA agents give you any grief.

3. Best Money Belt: Zero Grid Money Belt

If you’d rather keep your money and/or passport somewhere less obvious than a wallet, money belts like this one from Zero Grid are a smart way to go. It’s shown worn over the clothing here, but I recommend wearing it under your clothes. It works that way too and no one will be the wiser.

Though if you go this route, I especially recommend keeping a decoy wallet on you so it’s not suspicious that you don’t have any wallet at all. Again, just something cheap and simple with a few dollar bills and maybe some expired credit cards you don’t mind losing. Just enough to look legit, so a thief will think they got away with your real wallet and leave you alone thereafter. Sure it still sucks to have those few items taken, but it’s much better than being robbed of all your valuables.

4. Best Travel Pouch: Zero Grid Neck Wallet with RFID Blocking

If you don’t like wearing a money belt under your pants, fattening up your waistline, I’m also a fan of the neck travel pouch. This really only works if you’re wearing a relatively loose or baggy top, like a blouse or sweater. A little tight tank top won’t really conceal this. So maybe not the best choice on a summer trip to Miami. But if you can cover it well, this Zero Grid Neck Wallet does make an excellently sneaky option for keeping your stuff safely hidden on your person.

It’s got 3 zippered pockets for all your cash, cards, ID, passport, cell phone, etc – all with that great RFID blocking technology. Plus, it also comes with 7 detachable RFID blocking sleeves to keep your credit cards and passport secure even when you take them out of this travel pouch. It doesn’t get much handier than that.

Once again, I recommend having that decoy wallet handy if you’re keeping your actual valuable hidden sans wallet. If you want to get even craftier, I also tend to keep a spare $20 bill folded up and tucked away in my shoe or underwear, as a back-up back-up option. If all else gets taken, $20 will still get me far enough to get whatever help I need.

5. Best Pocket Underwear: Stashitware Women’s Secret Pocket Underwear

Speaking of hiding things in your underwear, I find this is perhaps the best place to store valuables or anything else you don’t want found. It would take one hell of a bold thief to check this area of your body while robbing you. So you can’t go wrong with this clever Stashitware Secret Pocket Underwear. Keep in mind they do run pretty small, so order a size or two up. And get a few pairs. Or wear with changeable liners. It’s still underwear, so you’ll still want to change them pretty frequently on your travels. Or at least, I hope so.

6. Best Pocket Bra: Zero Grid Hidden Bra Wallet

While the pocket underwear is a great idea in theory, it does make it slightly awkward to get anything out of there when you need it. So if you’d rather not dig around in your crotch in public, another very handy place to hide your valuables where folks won’t go checking is of course your bra. We women are no stranger to keeping things in our bras, are we? If I had a nickel for every time I tucked my ID and credit card inside my bra while out at a club. Now I’ve searched high and low for a bra with actual pockets built in, but sadly to little avail. Somebody make this already!

But what does seem to be readily available are handy little hidden pouches you can hang from your bra under your clothes, much like the neck wallet above. Once again, Zero Grid makes an excellent one of these with a perfect size pocket for holding your passport, credit cards, cash, jewelry, and other small valuables, safe and sound next to your other two God-given assets.

7. Best Hidden Pocket Clothing: Clever Travel Companion Tank Top with Secret Pockets

Expanding on the idea of keeping your valuables hidden near the twins, this comfy classic-style tank top comes with two secret zippered pockets on either side just under each boob. The pockets are pretty durable and sizeable, so they can fit your cash, credit cards, passport, even your smartphone without adding too much extra bulk. Even still, if you are keeping items on the larger side in there, you might want to wear another layer over this tank top to help conceal the slight bulge that could still be visible when you raise your arms.

8. Best Hidden Pocket Accessory: Waypoint Goods Travel Scarf

The downside to the hidden pocket clothing is the need to change out your valuables whenever you change clothes. So how about a different hidden pocket clothing item that you’ll wear everyday? if you’re traveling somewhere a bit chillier and will always be needing a warm scarf wherever you go, then this Waypoint Goods Travel Infinity Scarf with hidden zipper pocket is your ideal travel buddy. The pocket is secure, durable, and big enough for all your valuable things like your phone, passport, credit cards, cash, keys, etc. Plus unlike other travel scarves, this one is made with super soft comfortable material, and a wide variety of beautiful designs.

9. Best Travel Safe: Pacsafe Travelsafe GII Portable Safe

As I mentioned in my Tips For Traveling Alone, if you do decide to carry your more valuable possessions on your person rather than leave them behind, I highly recommend carrying them in a portable safe like this one from Pacsafe. It’s got a 360 degree stainless steel wire mesh embedded in its water-resistant poly canvas fabric (which is still quite flexible and foldable when not in use), so thieves can’t easily cut their way through.

It comes with a TSA-accepted combination lock, so you won’t have any problems keeping it with you on your flight. And if you ever need to leave it unattended for any reason, it also has a stainless steel cable you can wrap around a pipe or solid piece of furniture to temporarily lock up tight. It’s by far the most space- and security-efficient travel safe you can get. And who wants to entrust their valuables to anything less than the best?

10. Best Travel Lock: Forge TSA Approved Luggage Locks

Now many of the items above already come with TSA-accepted locks included, but not everything will. And it’s always good to have more handy, just in case. So I recommend getting yourself this 2 pack (or more) of Forge’s TSA Approved Luggage Locks. Forge is so confident in their locks that they offer a full refund or replacement to anyone who can figure out how to break them. That’s certainly putting their money where their mouth is.

Other extra handy things about these locks? They come with an indicator light that tells you whether a TSA agent has unlocked and relocked it to inspect your luggage, so you can double check everything is still there. And they have a handy feature that requires the TSA agent to relock it before they can remove their TSA key. So there’s no chance of it being left unlocked after they’ve handled it. Pretty smart.

11. Best Travel Tracker: Tile Essentials

If any of your stuff does go walking from your possession, either in the hands of a thief or simply out of forgetfulness, you’ll be thankful you had the foresight to attach one of these Tile Essentials to it. Get a pack of assorted sizes and put them in your purse, your laptop bag, your suitcase, your keys, your phone case, or whatever other items you tend to lose track of or think might be subject to sticky fingers. But maybe keep one handy to have ready just in case you suddenly realize you forgot something or you sense danger approaching.

If it happens, you’ll be able to pull out your phone and track exactly where that runaway item ran off to. You can even make it ring when you know it’s nearby but still out of sight. Which might also be handy in drawing attention to your would-be thief, when his pocket starts unexpectedly ringing. These could be your lifesaver, so never leave home without them.

12. Best Travel Door Alarm: Lewis N Clark Travel Door Alarm + Window Guard

Speaking of gadgets that can sound an alarm on command, another handy safety device to have for your home or rental accommodations is the Lewis N Clark Travel Door Alarm. It’s super simple to set up. Once you’re in for the night, just slide the thin bladed part into the crack between the shut door (or window) and its frame, loop the cord around the door handle, and set the alarm. And voila! You’ve got a super loud 91db alarm that’ll trigger if anyone opens your door. It’s sure to wake you up, alert your neighbors, and deter the would-be thief all in one go. Just make sure no one in your group triggers it accidentally.

13. Best Safety Whistle: Michael Josh Outdoor Loudest Emergency Survival Whistles

Okay now you’ve got your home or room covered, but what about your body? Wouldn’t it be great if you had a super loud alarm at the ready on your person too? These compact and sleek Michael Josh Survival Whistles can do just that. Plus they come in a 2 pack. So you can wear one around your neck under your clothing, and keep the other on your keychain or hooked onto your purse strap. Wherever is most handy for immediate and sudden use. Or get several pairs and put them on all the things in all the places.

The whistle emits an incredibly loud 150db sound that can travel a far distance, in case danger strikes in a super remote area. I often say the best protection is prevention, and one of the best ways to nip a potentially dangerous situation in the bud is to make a whole lot of noise. Criminals hate drawing attention. So the more you do, the better your chances are.

14. Best Safety Keychain: EIOU Self Defence Key Chain

Now this keychain may not make a lot of attention-grabbing noise, but it sure packs a different kind of punch. These fun colorful EIOU Key Chains are much meaner than they look. The grooved shape fits neatly in your hand for strong and simple maneuvering into a would-be attacker’s soft parts. And they’re made from solid aviation aluminum that is designed to be both lightweight and strong. Their bite is definitely worse than their bark. So ignore all the blatant grammatical errors in the Amazon listing. These are a solid product and must have self defense tool that also makes an excellent gift for any other female friends.

15. Best Self Defense Tool: The Atomic Bear Tactical Pen

I saved the best for last. The tactical pen is by far my favorite item to travel with for safety and self defense. And this one by the Atomic Bear is one of the best. It’s a pen that can save your life. A real pen. That’s right. It writes. With ink and everything. Really smoothly too. And it’s refillable. That’s at one end.

At the other end, it has a military grade aluminum tip that can just as easily puncture glass (like a car window) or bone (like your attacker’s ribs), whichever requires striking in order for you to escape to safety. And you’ll always be able to have it wherever you need it. Coz it can go anywhere more traditional weapons cannot. So no worries taking this with you on that plane, train, or automobile. Or worn in that hidden pocket we talked about earlier when you go out for a stroll or jog.

But wait, there’s more. This Atomic Bear Tactical Pen comes with a spare black ink cartridge, a lifetime warranty, and even a proprietary Atomic Bear tac pen self defense online class. So you’ll be more than ready for whatever life throws at you when you set off on your next travels.

Join my Tough Cookie Travel Self Defense Course, the first truly comprehensive women’s self defense online course that’s designed FOR women like you BY a woman who’s been through it too. I got your back. Because you are not alone. We Tough Cookies stick together.