Winks Travel Neck Wallet Review

We purchased the Winks Travel Neck Wallet so our writer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

Keeping your travel documents closely guarded during an international trip is of the utmost importance, which is why tools like passport holders and passport protectors are so popular. There are a few different types of accessories you can choose from in this category, including wallet-style passport protectors and wearable holders that have space for keys and cards. The Winks Travel Neck Wallet passport holder with RFID-blocking technology is the latter—it’s a slim bag that travelers can wear around their necks to safely hold their passports, tickets, and other essential travel documents. We tested it out on a recent trip to see how it performed in terms of functionality and convenience. Read on for all the details and to find out whether or not we think this is the right passport holder for your next adventure.

Design: Not going to win a style award

The Winks Travel Neck Wallet is thoughtfully designed with many features travelers will appreciate. Rather than being shaped like a billfold or protective passport case, it’s instead styled as a hanging bag that can be worn around the neck, either over or under your clothes. It comes in three color options: black, grey, or pink.

 It’s 9 inches long and 5.5 inches wide with seven pockets. There are several slots a passport could fit in, though the most secure pocket is likely the large zippered one on the front. In our testing, we were able to hold three passports very easily, which makes the Winks Travel Neck Wallet a good option for couples or parents with young children. 

 It’s made from 210D ripstop nylon so you know it’s durable. The back of the holder is padded with very light moisture-wicking foam to make it comfortable against skin or clothing, and the thin neck strap is adjustable. It’s important to note that it’s quite a thin strap. It may not be ideal if you have concerns about someone cutting or ripping it off your body. We also found that when the holder was packed full and worn under clothing, the thin strap dug into our shoulder skin a little. It wasn’t painful, but it may be annoying if you’re trying to do significant sightseeing or walk long distances. 

The real downfall of the design, in our opinion, is that it screams “tourist.” Wearing it on the outside of your clothing is a surefire way to mark yourself as a tourist in any foreign country, which can be appealing to pickpockets. A common safety rule of international travel is “try to blend in,” and you will absolutely not blend in if you’re wearing this over your clothing as you explore. Many travel experts also recommend that you should carry a copy of your passport with you and leave your actual passport in the safety of a hotel safe. 

 You could, of course, wear the passport holder under your clothing, which is commonly done. That allows you to keep your documents close without advertising that you’re carrying valuables. This is a popular tactic for travelers in areas where pickpocketing is common or where hotel safes and storage can’t be trusted. A third option is not to wear it at all but instead carry it as an accessory to keep all your travel documents in one place, which is what we did. It worked exceptionally well, with plenty of pockets and secure space. It’s also water-resistant, which is sure to be helpful if you get caught with your passport in a downpour or have to change planes in rainy weather.

Portability: Can carry most of your small items 

The Winks Travel Neck Wallet excels in portability. Aside from being wearable and thin enough to lie flat under loose clothing, it's loaded with useful pockets. It held much more than we thought it would, including three passports, a cell phone, earbuds, several credit cards, a wad of cash, lip balm, and a hotel room key. If you're not carrying too much beyond that, it could be your only bag while out sightseeing for the day. 

Once loaded up, it can feel a bit bulky under clothes so how you carry it really comes down to personal preference. In our testing, a friend described it as “a sort of dorky-looking purse," which seems fitting. It's certainly not stylish or trendy, but it's very useful. Even packed full, it has a much slimmer profile than a purse. Because it's fairly slim, it's easy to slide into a backpack or bag if you're carrying one while sightseeing. 

Security: Solid protection

A selling point of the Winks Travel Neck Wallet is the fact that it's woven with RFID-blocking fibers. That means the passport holder interrupts frequencies from electronic card readers, so thieves trying to steal your information electronically will be unable to read the contents of any cards in your bag. Your info will be safe if you use the designated credit card pockets, even if someone around you is phishing for data.  

Price: A no-brainer on price 

The Winks Travel Neck Wallet retails for around $17, making it cheaper than most budget wallets. If you think there’s even a small chance it may come in handy during your trip, it’s worth buying. It would also be an affordable gift to give a frequent traveler in your life. 

 Competition: Design will guide your decision  

 Anthropologie Whitney Winkler Posie Passport Holder: The Anthropologie passport holder and the Winks Travel Passport holder are two very different items. Anthropologie’s holder is more like a protective book for your passport rather than a wearable accessory. It also has a trendier, more elegant design, with patterns created by current artists. However, the Winks Travel Neck Wallet has many more pockets and holds more items than the Posie Passport Holder, making it a better choice for buyers who want to carry multiple passports or use it in lieu of a purse or bag.

The Venture 4th Travel Neck Pouch Wallet: The Venture 4th Travel Neck Pouch Wallet is extremely similar in design to the Winks Travel Neck Wallet, even down to the name. Both have a similar design and features and have space to carry your passport as well as travel documents and cards. They’re nearly the same in price, too, so the decision on which to buy may just come down to aesthetics (though they’re almost the same on that front, too.)