Field Test: Eagle Creek Silk Money Belt
Rating
- Security = 8.5
- Storage = 8.5
- Comfort = 7.5
- Build quality = 9
Pros
- More than enough capacity for essential valuables
- Helpful space division
- More comfortable than non-silk
- Flawless construction
Cons
- Not sweat resistant enough
- Multiple layers reduce breathability
- Strap too long for petite waist lines (can be sewn)
Security
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Invisibility: ✓ Yes The travel wallet can be concealed so that no one knows you’re carrying valuables. As long as the waist of the lower garment rides high enough to trap the bottom of the money belt pouch, the Eagle Creek is invisible. It will show a bulge if it pops out.
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Attachment: ✓ Yes The travel wallet attaches securely and does not come loose? The waist strap can be cinched to size and clasped with a plastic buckle that never let go unexpectedly at any time during the field test.
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RFID blocking: ✘ No While the Eagle Creek silk money belt doesn’t have RFID blocking, this is not a major shortcoming.
Storage
- Dimensions & capacity: ✓ Yes The travel wallet is more than big enough for all the items in our list of key items needing protection. External dimensions = 29 cm (11.5 in) X 13.5 cm (5.5 in), featuring two zippered sleeves and one unzippered. We think there’s excess storage available, tempting some travelers to stuff too much in the belt. EXCEPTION: Travelers going to countries or situations where it’s necessary to carry a large number of high value banknotes may benefit from the extra capacity.
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Protection from moisture: ✘ No Under normal conditions, your valuable contents should be fine, but in hot tropical weather or during strenuous physical exertion, the coated satin liner wasn’t enough to prevent moisture from dampening the passport and banknotes. WORKAROUND: place money and documents in small ziploc bags, adding slightly to the bulk and partly blocking breathability.
Comfort
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Position & movement: ✓ Yes The Eagle Creek silk money belt stays in position during use. As long as the waist line of the lower garment was high enough to tuck the money belt in, it stayed put.
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Sizing & adjustment: ✓ Yes Accounting for minimum belt adjustment and maximum comfortable stretch, waist sizes 64cm (25in) to 122cm (48in) should be able to wear the Eagle Creek comfortably. For smaller waists, the strap can be easily shortened, but your stitching must be flawless and strong.
- Feel: ✓ Yes The fabric is soft, non-abrasive and easy to clean. We found that silk was smoother and softer than a nylon money belt.
- Breathability: ~ OK The material breathes and wicks moisture away from the body, but many sandwiched layers largely block air from reaching the skin and block moisture from escaping the other way.
Build quality
- Buckles & clasps: ✓ Yes The buckles and strap adjuster never let go and did not break.
- Sewing: ✓ Yes The sewing was tough enough not to break or unravel during months of daily use and numerous washings.
- Zippers: ✓ Yes The two zippers are coil type and easy to pull, especially because of the pull tabs attached. They never popped open or ran off their tracks.
Suggested improvements
- Better moisture protection for the contents.
- Reduce the number of layers to improve breathability and moisture wicking. The storage pocket for the waist strap can go, as can the zipper pouch on the front. Leave just the main compartment, with its internal divisions. Simpler construction should reduce cost as well.
Our recommendation
The Eagle Creek silk money belt is a well-made and comfortable option for all day, every day use. How to Travel’s test user even wore it with no complaints on overnight trains and inside a sleeping bag during desert camping. Much of the time, even in dripping 38℃ (100℉) conditions, he was not aware of the money belt at all. It holds all it needs to (and then some), although you may need extra moisture protection in some hot and sweaty travel situations.
