In the past Iāve used a waist pack outside my clothes. I donāt think there is a pickpocket problem on the CF, and I think itās fine to just wear it during the day or out in the evening. I do have it facing the front or worn as a cross body, never on my backside.
I stay in a lot of private accommodations, so I donāt worry about it at night in those places, but when I am in an albergue, at night if I have a bunk next to the wall, I clip my waist pack to the bedpost right next to my face and slip it under my covers or pillow. I am almost always in a lower bunk, so someone would have to reach over me and inches from my face, undo a loud buckle using two hands or operate the zipper to get my stuff. Iāve always thought that was safe enough. Otherwise, if I am in an upper bunk or not next to a wall, it goes in the foot of my sleep sack.
The idea that a thief would slit open my sleep sack or my waist pack clipped next to my face in an albergue is so unlikely, I donāt worry about it. If anyone wants to think that is something to worry about in albergues, please go right ahead and worry about it. Iām not going to.
In the future I may bring this (below) to wear at night because I used it on a recent trip and itās incredibly secure and comfortable. Much better than a neck pouch or the ones with a buckle and strap. I could sleep in this one, no problem.