Thwarting Pickpockets While Kilted

[Riverkilt]

Some recent sad adventures of the rabble have shown that pickpockets are wise to sporrans...maybe grab and run is a better term than pickpocket.

Anyhow, I know there are moneybelts, under the shirt shoulder holster type wallets, and wallets that dangle under the kilt at the waistline.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to which devices work best to thwart pickpockets/grab and run artists while kilted - particularly when kilting in warm weather.

Thanks.

[CDNSushi]

I must have missed the thread(s) detailing what happened. I'd love to read them and offer some possible suggestions. Any chance of a quick cross-link here?

Jim

[Tobus]

I must have missed it too. I can't imagine how a thief could just grab a sporran and yank it off. If that's happening, then these sporrans are rather poorly built IMHO.

[auld argonian]

I've heard a lot of stories about ingenious "cutpurses"...mostly from my friends in Paris. Taking a blade and slicing through a strap or even just slashing the bottom out of a purse of backpack and grabbing whatever falls out. There are now steel mesh reinforced bags made in an effort to thwart this kind of thing.

I've mentioned that I carry the sporran even when I'm wearing p*nts...I need the extra storage space for phone, notebook, reading glasses...middle age. The strap is usually under a jacket or coat and the position that the sporran occupies tends to keep it in plain sight, as it were, and that discourages any attempts.

If anybody has a link to some kind of men's shoulder holster type carrying devices, though, I'd love to hear from them. I've ben looking for something that would accommodate stuff like the little digital camera, ipod, glasses, etc. for a while and have come up blank on that one. Lots of little bags with a strap but nothing with a proper harness arrangement to keep it in position. I have used military suspenders, the web belt and a butt bag at times but the butt bag is difficult to access in a hurry.

Best

AA

[Tobus]

If anybody has a link to some kind of men's shoulder holster type carrying devices, though, I'd love to hear from them. I've ben looking for something that would accommodate stuff like the little digital camera, ipod, glasses, etc. for a while and have come up blank on that one. Lots of little bags with a strap but nothing with a proper harness arrangement to keep it in position.

I don't have a link or know of anyone making such a thing, but I've seen people take a standard bag with shoulder strap (worn diagonally from the left shoulder to right hip). Then they modify the back of the bag to accommodate a belt loop or clip that will keep it in place against the belt on their pants.

[ForresterModern]

I typically use a belt bag to carry my active cash (small change purse), a credit card or two, and keys, and because it is firmly attached to my belt, and snaps firmly shut, have not had any problems. It is usually covered by a sweater or jacket if weather at all not perfect, but exposed and potentially vulnerable in good weather, so I wear it just to the left of my belt buckle and sporran hangers. That leaves the sporran for the remainder of my wallet contents, larger cash amounts, and cell phones, eye drops, etc... As my sporran is attached by two non-snapping sporran hangers to my belt it would be tough to get my sporran off my person without some serious leather cutting. I rarely need to get into my sporran, rather using the quick access belt pouch for stuff I use frequently. Also, pruning down your items carried makes a big difference---only carry what you need to and leave the rest locked out of sight in the car or hotel room.


jeff

[Dixiecat]

Lots of little bags with a strap but nothing with a proper harness arrangement to keep it in position

What about a Sam Browne belt?

[hallmarktex]

I have used variations on a theme borrowed from the world of concealed carry.

The first is basically a wide (4-6 inch) medical grade elastic band with pockets sewn in one side. You wrap the band around your waist before donning the kilt and stash your wallet, cell phone, and a key or two in the pockets. A search along the lines of "elastic belly band holster" should get some good examples. They are designed to hold much heavier objects than a wallet in place without slipping and without showing the world where the items are stored. The medical grade elastic breathes so, if properly fitted, doesn't become uncomfortable to wear. They're also fairly cheap at less than $20.

The second uses a similar idea, but instead of a tight band uses what might be described as a small nail apron with a wide belt instead of the thin type. You can search the web for a product called "thunderwear" to get the idea and to find plans that direct you on how to make this item at home. Again, you done the carry apron before putting on your kilt. This one is typically more comfortable than the elastic one described above, but has the drawback of riding lower than the elastic belt. Reaching in your kilt for a wallet at a checkout counter can generate some startled reactions.

YMMV

[Noel Christian Riddell]

Accessorize with a claymore. ^_^

[Bigkahuna]

Accessorize with a claymore. ^_^

That and be aware of what's going on around you. If you pay attention, you can tell if you are being sized up for a possible grab and go/mugging/whatever. Listen to your senses and they will tell you when something is not right.