I spent two weeks overseas and decided to put my passport and "backup" money in this pouch.  It was so smooth that I regularly had to check to make sure it was still there , which it was of course.  In the future I'll have the most confidence.  My passport did not get bent, but it did get slightly "curved"; it has since flattened out on its own.  The elastic waist strap seemed at first like it would lose its elasticity, but it did not.  It held the pouch snugly, but not tightly, to my waist.  It was unnoticeable to outside viewers.  Great product.