# Tether Pockets? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 9, 2025, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127 "2025-05-09T00:31:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127/1 "2025-05-09T00:31:58Z")
Last night, I thought of an invention that’s so simple, I’m sure it’s been conceived of, many times over, so perhaps I’m underselling the possible safety concerns I could conceive of possibly having to be addressed. Also, style and variety are important, so if there was a company to implement this, (I’m not familiar with infringing rights patent holders have, assuming that’d be a concern), you’d be limited in whatever they produced (I guess, like I said, not informed). Also, accessibility would have to be considered. Pockets with Tethers that are inside pockets that somehow attached to, or enclose you’re personal belongings, so they’re harder to take or lose and would always be on your person, so long as you’re wearing the article of clothing. As I said, I would assume there would be issues with safety. You don’t want to get stuck while something’s moving, or there’s danger that’d possibly be more difficult to avoid. Then, you think, ‘What about something that would break under a certain amount of stress? And how do you determine how much stress is safe, compared to what renders the product so weak, it’d be rendering it kind of useless?’ I don’t know. Any fixes one could imagine, or is this something that anyone has ever heard of anyone ever having, or personally had it themselves? Am I missing anything? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127/2 "2025-05-09T00:44:08Z")
Maybe a metal ring? You wouldn’t want to put that on a child. A adult wouldn’t necessarily have something in a pocket that would catch them up. I’m sure there are things. And there’s the problem of what to attach. The object would need to have a tie off, clip off to work. A phone or wallet, say. Which reminds me, don’t fancy hiking shorts often have carabiners? My husbands hunting coat has them to clip gloves to in the pockets and sleeves. So I’m pretty sure its been thought of. I have a purse with a key ring leash or holder inside the bag. It’s a leather strap with a magnet closure to itself. It could be a thing if put in regular jeans or slacks pockets. I see it as it could go viral and everyone just has to them. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127/3 "2025-05-09T00:49:53Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > And there’s the problem of what to attach. The object would need to have a tie off, clip off to work. > A phone or wallet, say. That’s assuming that it’s not an easy to open (somehow?) bag or inclosement, inside of your pocket that contains things, of which is attached to something that prevents it from not staying on you. Like I said, functionality would certainly need to be addressed. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I see it as it could go viral and everyone just has to them. Well that would be determined on which way the wind was blowing… could be the next " Members Only" type thing, or go viral for a bad reason. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127/4 "2025-05-09T00:54:16Z")
Attached chains used to be common for pocketwatches, and I’ve also seen them for wallets. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127/5 "2025-05-09T00:58:39Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Attached chains used to be common for pocketwatches, and I’ve also seen them for wallets. While I didn’t consciously think of those specifically, I assumed that the idea was under my nose. I see safety issues with those, though, alongside issues in the style. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127/6 "2025-05-09T01:00:59Z")
I’m really struggling to understand what the hell the OP is talking about. Pockets with loops for attaching keyrings or similar are extremely common. Substantially every pair of men’s boardshorts or swim trunks has one. Ditto “tactical” or hiking clothes. Or is the OP envisioning these pockets as on the interior of the garment, _and_ the wearer connects their stuff to the clothes and then leaves it there for the life of the clothes? Like through washings etc., only removing the articles when used or when the clothes are thrown away? That’s sure what it sounded like to me. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127/7 "2025-05-09T01:08:24Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I’m really struggling to understand what the hell the OP is talking about. It’s a very vague concept that, as I said from the beginning, I was sure wasn’t unique. If I understood all the factors involved, I’d be drawing it up now. I’m just looking for information by more knowledgeable people, to point out what I’m missing. I’m not trying to make any definitive proclamations. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127/8 "2025-05-09T01:10:03Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > I see safety issues with those, though, alongside issues in the style. I once had a wallet chain get snagged on a ski lift chair. I didn’t realize it until I was starting to get off and noticed I couldn’t slide forward. Luckily I managed to get it untangled quickly enough and I think that’s the last time I went skiing/snowboarding with an exposed wallet chain…or anything that could get snagged like that. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Pockets with loops for attaching keyrings or similar are extremely common. I remember back in the 90s when I wore cargo pants, some of them had a string in the pockets, presumably for tethering things. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127/9 "2025-05-09T01:15:13Z")
Lost keys just seems like a problem we could all get behind. 😅 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127/10 "2025-05-09T01:15:19Z")
My winter coat has an inside pocket with what appears to be a handkerchief, permanently attached with a strip of cloth. I think that it’s intended for wiping off fogged-up glasses when you come in from the cold. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127/11 "2025-05-09T01:23:58Z")
I mean, it somewhat sounds like some attachment based bags common in the “tactical” community. > **[Assaulter’s Accessory Pocket (AAP)](https://www.first-spear.com/assaulters-accessory-pocket-aap/)** > > Made in America Tactical Nylon Gear and Load Carriage Vests for military and law enforcement professionals. Being a high end version of such. It’s almost always applied to various off-body options (messenger bags, tactical bags, tactical fanny packs, etc.) because the sort of things you carry tend to be heavy and/or awkward, and often needing a lot more securing than your average pocket fare. Another option that seems to be more similar to the OP is variations on carpenter’s pants/jeans, which come with tool friendly pockets, loops for hammers and other tools, and the like. ---
**Author:** ![gkster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gkster/32/14107_2.png) [@gkster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gkster)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127/12 "2025-05-09T01:52:45Z")
200+ years ago, “pocket” referred to a pouch, attached by a ribbon tether. The old nursery rhyme “Lucy Locket” reflects this usage: Lucy Locket lost her pocket, Kitty Fisher found it; Not a penny was there in it, Only ribbon round it. From the wiki article on the nursery rhyme: Historically, the term “pocket” referred to a pouch worn around the waist by women in the 17th to 19th centuries. Skirts or dresses of the time had an opening at the waistline to allow access to the pocket which hung around the woman’s waist by a ribbon or tape. > **[Lucy Locket](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Locket)** > > "Lucy Locket" is an English language nursery rhyme. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 19536. > Common modern versions include: > Another version: ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127/13 "2025-05-09T02:15:16Z")
> [@gkster](#): > > “Lucy Locket” reflects this usage: > Lucy Locket lost her pocket, > Kitty Fisher found it; > Not a penny was there in it, > Only ribbon round it. While it’s not my favorite nursery rhyme, it doesn’t fill me with increasing dread like Ring a Ring o’ Roses. 😬 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127/14 "2025-05-09T02:18:07Z")
I have a shirt with a eyeglass wiper sewn inside the front shirt tail. Oh, Zzz-maybe a whole line of clothing(pants) and companion wallets, phone cases, key rings? You’ll clean up. ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127/15 "2025-05-09T03:15:50Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Oh, Zzz-maybe a whole line of clothing(pants) and companion wallets, phone cases, key rings? Heh. The ‘ZZZ’ Line? People can have their phone’s attached to their belts, but people seemed to have immediately rejected that. I’m wondering if what @ParallelLines presented, would be the way to go. Don’t make something that’s exclusive to a brand of coats or pants, but something to ad, Instead… Fanny Packs are another ‘fashion faux pas’, apparently, and perhaps, unfortunately?? Seems like anything that makes life more comfortable is “bad fashion” . Poor gals have traditionally had it worse, without a doubt. I’ve tried walking in heels, y’all. I’ve also seen the pictures of frequent heel walking. 🫤😓 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127/16 "2025-05-09T04:17:44Z")
Hey, Fanny packs are apparently back and cool. So sez my young gals. I always had to have my insulin pouch on me as a kid. Turned it in at the nurses fridge every morning. One year I had time right before lunch. Here came the nurse to pull me out each day. I gave myself the insulin and took the pouch to my backpack and threw it in. A hidden safety pocket or leash would have been more secure. I wonder if I would have done it tho’. Now I carry my med pack, a smallish black back pack that has an addible freezy thing and place to put that. I’m trying to think if a tether in some jacket or hoodie pocket may be less noticible. I get asked frequently why I have that on my shoulder all the time. Think up something for _our_ ZZZ line. 😄 ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tether-pockets/1018127/17 "2025-05-09T04:18:11Z")
Here we revisit the concept of the chatelaine [![](http://janetsfox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/tumblr_mzcjxiWGiG1r41njzo1_1280.jpg) ](http://janetsfox.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/tumblr_mzcjxiWGiG1r41njzo1_1280.jpg)