A Clever Top for Clever Travelers: the Clever Travel Companion

Hi Frugalistas!  I don’t know about you, but I hate carrying my valuables around in a big bag when I travel.  Regular readers will know that I love to fit in just like a local no matter what my destination.  I would never, ever carry a bum bag/fanny pack or those silly sacks on strings that go round the neck.  But I do like to be secure and feel safe when I’m traveling.  That’s why I was thrilled to be contacted by the travelers at the Clever Travel Companion about their range of pickpocket and loss proof travel clothing.  I was even more thrilled  when they offered me a Clever Travel Companion Tshirt to try for myself.

Lots to choose from! And I love the colour selection! Photo: Clever Travel Companion

Choosing my Clever Travel Companion Tshirt

Clever Travel Companion offers a range of products to suit men, women and kids, including both under and outer wear.  Looking around their website I decided the ladies’ short sleeved Tshirt was definitely the one for me.

Based on the sizing chart I decide I need a large.

First impressions of my Clever Travel Companion Tshirt

Despite it coming from the other side of the world my Tshirt arrives very promptly after my order.

The packet says it all….

Trying it on, I’m pleased to see that the size chart on the website is accurate – it fits exactly as I wanted it to.  The shirt itself is nice and long – which is good for my taller than average frame and has a generous sleeve length to protect my upper arms from the sun.

I’m immediately impressed by the quality of the garment.

The fabric is thick and gorgeously soft.  The finish is excellent with good quality stitching and making up of the garment.  Two good quality zips complete the garment.

Look at how neat the pocket is

Wearing the Clever Travel Companion Tshirt

Putting the Tshirt on for the first time is a test.  Will the pockets on the sides under my arms be annoying?  Will the zips get in the way?  Well, no and no.  With nothing in them I forget the pockets are there.  The zips are visible if you look closely, but don’t get in my way or rub against my arm.

It’s definitely a comfortable Tshirt.

As I wasn’t traveling I wore my Tshirt around and about at home.  I wore it to work under jackets with both skirts and pants.  I wore it casually on the weekends.

Out and about casual style

Most importantly, I took it out for a number of trials with things in the pockets.  My passport and large smartphone in its case both fitted easily into the pockets.  Obviously being quite heavy and more bulky, I could feel the phone, and it was quite visible without a jacket over the top.  Because the fabric and quality of the Tshirt is good, I found that despite its weight, the phone didn’t pull on the Tshirt in an uncomfortable or unsightly manner.  Credit cards and money in the form of notes were quite invisible.

I also found it easy to get my things in and out of the pockets while wearing the Tshirt without having to do any fancy contortions to reach the zippers or the pocket contents.

My Tshirt washed well and didn’t need ironing – great for traveling!

How to use your Clever Travel Companion Tshirt

I like the Clever Travel Companion Tshirt, but I think there is a way to wear it.  If I was in locations where I was at risk of pickpocketing, I do think I would feel more secure with some sort of jacket or shirt to hide the zippers.  Alternatively, choose one of the other Clever Companion products – such as the underwear (available for both men and women) where your pockets will never be visible.

Regardless of where you are the Tshirt is great if you want to live “hands free” – you will be comfortable with a phone, a credit card, keys and some monetary notes in your pockets.

I think the Clever Travel Companion gear is also a good option for backpackers, as the pockets are convenient to reach additional storage for passports, notebooks or maps.

Photo: Clever Travel Companion

The Clever Travel Companion Tshirt will be a worthy addition to your travel wardrobe – put that fanny pack away, and forget about those neck sacks!

The team at Clever Travel Companion gave me my Tshirt for free.

As a gift to frugal first class travel readers clevertravelcompanion.com are offering a 15% discount on any purchase you make on their website – just add the discount code FRUGALTRAVELCOMPANION at checkout to claim your discount (no expiry date or quantity limit).

Photos author’s own unless identified otherwise.