We recommend getting whichever one has a pattern you like, because we dont think RFID protection offers any substantive safety or improvements. If you want elegance, minimalism, and durability, the R.M.
We dont think RFID offers any substantive safety or improvements over going without, but for $3 more, it wont cause you any harm if you opt to have it. If the Slimfold Tyvek wallets are handsome, the Mighty Wallet ones are just funa slew of patterns make it easy to choose something delightful(ly weird), and theyre a joy to use. (We figured a card holder should at least accommodate a license, a work ID, a credit card, and a debit card.) Once youve used the WP Standard Slim Wallet, youll never want any other card carrier again.
Although it has fewer card slots than the other wallets were consideringit has only three inside pockets and one external pocket for your cards and cashits simply beautiful to look at. The tough cowhide leather is hyper-durable and guaranteed to protect your cards for years to come, but, as with most leather products, it will just look better and better as it ages. Cards fit neatly and snugly in the pockets, though we wish there were a few more interior slot options rather than the expandable two pockets that require you to fish around to find what youre looking for. If, however, you carry a lot of change, business cards (which can bend from being sat on all day), or family photos, you may want to consider a bulkier zippered or envelope-style wallet thats meant to live in another bag. While its not quite the slimmest wallet on this list, Distil Unions Wally Micro Wallet is no doubt one of the smallest. But a brands reputation such as that of Tanner Goods does its part to instill confidence in a purchasers decision. Flaws but not dealbreakers: If you carry a good amount of cash or receipts, this wallet will not serve your purposes. Keep in mind that the best minimalist wallet for another person may not very well be the best minimalist wallet for you. They stow the bare essentials, are slim enough for both front and back pocket carry, and almost force you to bring along only what is necessary in your everyday carry. The grippy rubber interior did keep the cards very secure, though. The Allett has two little slots at the top of the cash compartment to stow an Allett ballpoint micro-pen you can buy separately, but as is, the slots are a waste of some vertical space. If you want an extra thin wallet, the Herschel Charlie Wallet (in the reflective material rather than the fabric) is truly skinny, measuring under half an inch even when stuffed with four cards and a bill. It barely folded closed even without any cards or cash, and it was a beast at 4 inches long, making it hard for us to justify a recommendation. Its called the Low Wallet and it boasts a classic leather construction that has been slimmed-down even further and stripped of any and all unnecessary features. Why its great: The Slimfold Micro Tyvek Wallet is so appealing in appearance, its the one Ive been carrying almost every day since working on this guide. The Gerber Barbill is so much more than just a wallet its the tool you want to take with you all day long. Originally a Kickstarter-backed project, the wallet sports three card sleevesone is a clear plastic display for your ID in addition to two other cards, while the two extra sleeves hold up to two cards each. Luckily, the Super Slim Card Holder Wallet by Harber London sacrifices neither of these. Unfortunately its impossible to take off. 
freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "gearmoose_leaderboard_btf", slotId: "gearmoose_leaderboard_btf" }); Subscribe and get the latest goods straight to your inbox. If you want to carry around a wallet that puts your style on full display, the Shinola Pocket Bifold Wallet is a great choice. Instead, the Dash 4.0 is a very functional minimalist wallet comfortable for everyday carry in your front pocket.
It has an energetic design (we love the contrasting color panels) that makes it something youd enjoy using every day.
With two receipt pockets, six internal card slots, and a central compartment perfect for carrying plenty of cash, this Italian-made leather is just what you need to step up your accessory game. We didnt test this version, as its bigger than we wanted for in this guide, but based on our other experiences with Allett, we think it will be similarly useful, and a good option if you want a higher capacity wallet thats still slim, such as for stashing in the inside pocket of a jacket. Some slim wallets were hot, some were not, and some even came with a built-in bottle opener. Why its great: The Leatherology Thin Bifold Wallet is the platonic ideal of the leather wallet. The Slimfold Micro Soft Shell is available both with and without RFID protection, an extra feature which is meant to help protect your wallet from being skimmed by hackers. Tapered edges make the wallet fit more comfortable in your pocket for extended periods of time despite being able to carry heavier payloads of up to 10 cards and some cash. No more back pain thanks to the sleek, minimalist design, and no more fussing to pull out all your cards thanks to the quick-access slot and handy pull-tab.
A slimmer wallet may also be helpful if youre concerned about misaligning your hips while seated with a large lump in your back pocketthat can cause back pain.
Theyre not all to everyones taste, but even if youre looking for something simple, the Mighty Wallet line has it.
Its layout is exactly the same as that of the Slimfold Micro Soft Shell, with three card slots, one cash pocket, and two hidden card slots behind the cash pocket, only theres no clear plastic panel on the left slot. We wanted to like the Matt & Nat Rubben as a vegan-leather pick, but the wallet was just far too unwieldy and thick. We then tested 10 card holders and 16 bifolds to determine the very best slim wallets for most people. If you carry eight cards or fewer, plus some cash, and would like to fit your wallet in a pocket rather than a fanny pack, a messenger bag, or a handbag, try one of these. We also set the wallets in our back pockets and sat on them to determine their comfort. Beyond its appearance, though, the wallet is just a simple pleasure to use. Built rom 3-ounce Meridian English Bridle leather, the wallet is lightweight yet substantial, and accommodates just enough cards and cash for an evening out that could turn epic. Get this if: You want an extremely thin card holder in a zippy color. Featuring everything you need in a minimalist wallet and nothing you dont, the Journeyman Wallet by Tanner Goods is crafted from vegetable-tanned English Bridle leather and comes with four card slots and a single center pocket for stashing cash and important receipts. If elite Smokejumper firefighters need only to carry a minimal amount of everyday carry essentials, then so should you. And at under 50 bucks, its a no-brainer for those looking to slim things down without sacrificing the functionality of a larger wallet. Both classy and classic, this slim profile design in 100% Spanish cowhide is pretty much perfect for any guy, and hidden lining in card slots prevents stretch to keep cards secure. Dimensions: 2.75 by 4.125 inchesThickness when filled with four cards and one bill: 0.55 inchCard slots (not including cash pocket): fourMaterial: leatherColors: black onyx, cognac, brown, taupe, scarlet, turmeric, teal, electric blue, charcoal, rose, espresso, ebony, black oil, mahogany, dark caramelWarranty: one year. The clean matte finish looks super stylish, and youll love the built-in money clip, which can double as a pocket clip to keep your wallet close at hand.
The Leatherology wallet is 0.71 inch wide when filled. The hard-shell case will protect your cards no matter what youre doing, but the leather finish will make this a super-stylish choice. The Supervek Superwallet was a nice enough Tyvek choice, but the slots for cards were a bit too wide to make us feel like our credit cards and ID would be entirely secure. Plus, you can choose from eight different colors, and it comes with a generous five-year warranty. Filson blends hardcore durability with a minimalist aesthetic with the Smokejumper Wallet. It has almost no distinguishing factors, to the point that if you were to lose it and someone were to ask you to identify any specific details, you might have difficulty coming up with any.
Its no wonder this wallet earned the prestigious Red Dot Design Award. The beautiful designs of Paperwallet made it a strong contender, though the actual functionality of the card slots kept it from receiving top marks. In our tests, we found that claim to be true, though we also found it cumbersome to sort through any more than three cards simply because theyre all just stacked into one pocket without any separation. The Radix One is rugged, lightweight, and will hold up to the rigors of everyday carry just as long as some its more expensive counterparts.
Slim enough to fit in your front pocket but large enough to feel substantial, this minimalist wallet boasts a full-grain vegetable tanned cowhide leather exterior handmade by Spanish craftsmen that is sure to look better with age. The Allett Leather Sport Wallet gets around this problem by using soft leather just for the exteriorthe interior is a moisture-wicking nylon with just two card pockets.
Buy it twice and youll have a pair of one of the best, most durable minimalist wallets money can buy. The wallet is uniquely designed to carry in your front pocket, with a rounded edge design that makes it comfortable to keep with you all day long.
Our main criterion was aesthetic: Was this a wallet youd be happy and even proud to carry around? Carry it in your front pocket to save your back, or throw it inside your jacket pocket its thin enough to warrant either options, and wont spill your cards on the go thanks to Distil Unions trademarked FlexLock opening that holds it all together seamlessly. Best of all, this US-made product is truly affordable.
Theres no unnecessary bells and whistles on this wallet, only a slim, trim, well-crafted design. Choose from one of five styles tan, bourbon, black with white thread, grey with red thread, or red line and find the perfect minimalist wallet to match your style. At a mere fraction of the price of its competitors, the Radix One provides enough room for up to 10 cards sandwiched between a pair of polycarbonate plates an is held together by a silicon band that doubles as a money clip.
The card holders from Leatherology come in only one solid color, unlike those from other brands, which offer contrast panels or even differently colored stitching.
We were intrigued by the Thirteen50 Leather Card Wallets price and lifetime guarantee, but the fact that the slots were far too tight to fit our cards in easily, and the fact that the leather was so tough, made it impossible to recommend. An RFID-blocking steel plate protects your cards and sensitive information from no-good hackers and skimmers, while a military-spec webbing strap secures up to seven cards just enough to survive while keeping things minimal. You could easily fit eight cards in the Leatherology wallet (six in the slots, plus two in the extra interior pockets). The SlimFold Wallet is hands down the minimalist wallet of choice during inclement weather and the warm, summer months by the pool.
(A common Google question: Is napa leather real leather?).
Why its great: We already love the Herschel fanny pack, and the Herschel Charlie Wallet card case is similarly great. With two front slots, an inner pocket and a back ID window, this wallet comfortable houses 7-9 cards, cash, and even coinage, along with RFID-blocking technology. Another moderately-priced minimalist wallet for the budget-conscious spender is this genuine leather iteration by Hammer Anvil. If you need something for a formal occasion where you can get by with just a card or two, its a beautifulif limitedchoice. It doesnt appear to be much more than a rectangular piece of fabric until you stuff it with things, at which point it takes almost the exact shape of a stack of credit cards, only covered in micro shell fabric. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. The slots are also stretchy enough to accommodate whatever cards you carry. This really thin, cleverly-designed card sleeve has only two pockets both a central compartment that holds the majority of your cards (up to 7 cards) and a front pocket for cash, an ID, and one more additional card.
The wallet also has two additional hidden pockets behind the cash sleeve, which in our testing could comfortably hold up to three cards each (youre likely to keep your less often used cards here, as theyre not nearly as accessible).Though Slimfold claims the wallet holds up to 10 cards, in our testing it handily accommodated 13 without becoming uncomfortably snug. From there, the most important factor for us to assess was ease of use. No more worrying about pickpockets in your front pocket, youll always know its safely on your person.
(Unattractive wallets need not apply.). What makes the Slimfold Micro Tyvek a standout, though, is the sophistication of its patterns. The wallet is a delight to use, as cards slide easily into any slot. But there arent any significant downsides to having it, either. Unlike traditional bifolds, it lacks a cash sleeve, so it has no extra layer of leathertheres just a triangular piece of leather overlaying the card slot that youre meant to slide your bills through. But we wish it came in more patterns. Youll likely forget youre even carrying it until you need it. The wallet really takes shape once its full. Weve found six totes in a variety of styles and materials thatll suit your schlep, regardless if its to the grocery store, a fancy dinner, or the beach. Its sized to fit 12 cards and folded cash, or no cash and up to 16 cards. The Kisetsu Haru Wallet had an interesting vertical orientation, but somehow that made the sliding of credit cards trickier to negotiate. This puts more stress on the spine, and can lead to chronic back pain and premature disc degeneration. Get this if: You want a simple card case made of surprisingly supple leather.
And yet, despite all that storage space, its still slim and sized to fit in any pocket without ever feeling bulky or clunky. This wallet is also slightly wider than it needs to be (3.125 inches), making it substantially larger than the Slimfold. Unlike with some of the other leather wallets we tested, the leather on this wallet smelled distinctly of leather, rather than having a chemical odor that took a few days to off-gas. Its got space enough to carry all the cards youll ever need and a bit of extra cash on the side, all in a super compact design. Although we liked the burnished quality of the leather, the thumb holes gave the wallet a somewhat cheap look and feel that undermined its sophistication. Measuring at just over 3.5 inches long and 0.3 inches thick, The Wally Micro is so small that you could quite possible forget youre carrying it be it in your front pocket or your back. A classic leather bifold: Leatherology Thin Bifold Wallet, A waterproof non-leather bifold: Slimfold Micro Soft Shell Wallet, Best minimalist wallet for your front pocket: Dun Wallet, The best cheap, mostly leather bifold: Allett Leather Sport Wallet, A super-slim Tyvek wallet: Slimfold Micro Tyvek Wallet, A Tyvek bifold with more pattern options: Mighty Wallet, An elegant leather card holder: Leatherology Slim Card Case, A budget- and style-conscious card holder: Herschel Charlie Wallet, that sitting on a wallet can compress joints and muscles, and put more stress on the spine, A functional (if basic-looking) non-leather bifold, dont think RFID offers any substantive safety or improvements over going without, Allett ballpoint micro-pen you can buy separately, A Tyvek wallet that almost passes as designer, we dont think RFID protection offers any substantive safety or improvements, A wider variety of conversation-starting patterns, Eye-catching designs in a remarkably thin card case, far easier ways for thieves to steal identifying information. The Bellroy Low was beautiful, but the card slots were just a bit too tight, and it was on the slightly thicker side at an inch thick when full. The built-in RFID protection will shield your cards from scanners, making this one of the most secure minimalist wallets youll ever own. In addition, the Herschel logo is rather prominent, though you can easily remove it with a stitch picker or a pair of scissors.
It may be on the pricier side, but it definitely delivers the quality youre paying for. Ive also personally been an owner of slim wallets for more than a decade, particularly card holders. Subscribe now for unlimited access. I was an editorial assistant at GQ magazine for nearly three years and an associate style editor at Details magazine for a year and a half. (Say no thanks to a months worth of crumpled receipts, George.) Though it can only carry three cards at a time, its the perfect solution for the theft-conscious traveler. This is a problem often noted in online reviews, with owners saying that the fabric stretches over time, but we couldnt recommend something that wasnt immediately user-friendly. Here at GearMoose, weve been curating the best wallets for a decade now, and one thing is still clear: Thin is In. The rectangular cutout is meant for you to get a better grip with your thumb to slide the cards, but it doesnt make the process truly fluid. Made from super-tough top-grain leather, this wallet has been reinforced with nylon to guarantee a much longer life, no matter how active you are perfect for cops, firefighters, or athletes. Cards slide in and out with ease, but the slots aren't so wide youd worry that theyd slip out. Bellroy wallets come with a three-year warranty against defects in workmanship. Even as an aesthetic choice, it was questionable. Slightly larger than the average card carrier, this genuine Italian leather wallet provides added functionality while still remaining relatively small. After performing research on back stress and the sciatic nerve, Stuart McGill, professor of spine biomechanics at University of Waterloo, discovered that sitting on a large wallet can compress joints and muscles. Over time, however, the leather will stretch and expand until you can carry up to eight cards on you at all times. Its made using luxurious Vachetta leather which will grow more beautiful and elegant over years of use, and features a faille lining on the card slots to keep your cards securely in place and protect them from wear. You can potentially alleviate back pain by swapping your bulky wallet for a slimmer option. The wallet felt pliable straight from the box. With two expandable card pockets, two cash pockets (honestly, just one would be enough and would save on some of the wallets thickness), and two hidden pockets along the edges of the wallet, the Mighty Wallet isnt short on storage. Keep it classy with the no-fuss masterpiece that is the Herschel Supply Company Roy Wallet. Whether you choose leather, titanium, wood, or aluminum, your new minimalist wallet is surely a step in the right direction toward a minimalist lifestyle.
A slim wallet makes your silhouette look less lumpy and bulky, regardless if you tuck it in your front pocket or back pocket. Of course, its nearly impossible to track how credit card information is stolen in every instance, but experts at the Identity Theft Resource Center and others note that there are far easier ways for thieves to steal identifying information, most often en masse online.
We dont think RFID offers any substantive safety or improvements over going without, but for $3 more, it wont cause you any harm if you opt to have it. If the Slimfold Tyvek wallets are handsome, the Mighty Wallet ones are just funa slew of patterns make it easy to choose something delightful(ly weird), and theyre a joy to use. (We figured a card holder should at least accommodate a license, a work ID, a credit card, and a debit card.) Once youve used the WP Standard Slim Wallet, youll never want any other card carrier again.
Although it has fewer card slots than the other wallets were consideringit has only three inside pockets and one external pocket for your cards and cashits simply beautiful to look at. The tough cowhide leather is hyper-durable and guaranteed to protect your cards for years to come, but, as with most leather products, it will just look better and better as it ages. Cards fit neatly and snugly in the pockets, though we wish there were a few more interior slot options rather than the expandable two pockets that require you to fish around to find what youre looking for. If, however, you carry a lot of change, business cards (which can bend from being sat on all day), or family photos, you may want to consider a bulkier zippered or envelope-style wallet thats meant to live in another bag. While its not quite the slimmest wallet on this list, Distil Unions Wally Micro Wallet is no doubt one of the smallest. But a brands reputation such as that of Tanner Goods does its part to instill confidence in a purchasers decision. Flaws but not dealbreakers: If you carry a good amount of cash or receipts, this wallet will not serve your purposes. Keep in mind that the best minimalist wallet for another person may not very well be the best minimalist wallet for you. They stow the bare essentials, are slim enough for both front and back pocket carry, and almost force you to bring along only what is necessary in your everyday carry. The grippy rubber interior did keep the cards very secure, though. The Allett has two little slots at the top of the cash compartment to stow an Allett ballpoint micro-pen you can buy separately, but as is, the slots are a waste of some vertical space. If you want an extra thin wallet, the Herschel Charlie Wallet (in the reflective material rather than the fabric) is truly skinny, measuring under half an inch even when stuffed with four cards and a bill. It barely folded closed even without any cards or cash, and it was a beast at 4 inches long, making it hard for us to justify a recommendation. Its called the Low Wallet and it boasts a classic leather construction that has been slimmed-down even further and stripped of any and all unnecessary features. Why its great: The Slimfold Micro Tyvek Wallet is so appealing in appearance, its the one Ive been carrying almost every day since working on this guide. The Gerber Barbill is so much more than just a wallet its the tool you want to take with you all day long. Originally a Kickstarter-backed project, the wallet sports three card sleevesone is a clear plastic display for your ID in addition to two other cards, while the two extra sleeves hold up to two cards each. Luckily, the Super Slim Card Holder Wallet by Harber London sacrifices neither of these. Unfortunately its impossible to take off. freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "gearmoose_leaderboard_btf", slotId: "gearmoose_leaderboard_btf" }); Subscribe and get the latest goods straight to your inbox. If you want to carry around a wallet that puts your style on full display, the Shinola Pocket Bifold Wallet is a great choice. Instead, the Dash 4.0 is a very functional minimalist wallet comfortable for everyday carry in your front pocket. It has an energetic design (we love the contrasting color panels) that makes it something youd enjoy using every day.
With two receipt pockets, six internal card slots, and a central compartment perfect for carrying plenty of cash, this Italian-made leather is just what you need to step up your accessory game. We didnt test this version, as its bigger than we wanted for in this guide, but based on our other experiences with Allett, we think it will be similarly useful, and a good option if you want a higher capacity wallet thats still slim, such as for stashing in the inside pocket of a jacket. Some slim wallets were hot, some were not, and some even came with a built-in bottle opener. Why its great: The Leatherology Thin Bifold Wallet is the platonic ideal of the leather wallet. The Slimfold Micro Soft Shell is available both with and without RFID protection, an extra feature which is meant to help protect your wallet from being skimmed by hackers. Tapered edges make the wallet fit more comfortable in your pocket for extended periods of time despite being able to carry heavier payloads of up to 10 cards and some cash. No more back pain thanks to the sleek, minimalist design, and no more fussing to pull out all your cards thanks to the quick-access slot and handy pull-tab.
A slimmer wallet may also be helpful if youre concerned about misaligning your hips while seated with a large lump in your back pocketthat can cause back pain.
Theyre not all to everyones taste, but even if youre looking for something simple, the Mighty Wallet line has it.
Its layout is exactly the same as that of the Slimfold Micro Soft Shell, with three card slots, one cash pocket, and two hidden card slots behind the cash pocket, only theres no clear plastic panel on the left slot. We wanted to like the Matt & Nat Rubben as a vegan-leather pick, but the wallet was just far too unwieldy and thick. We then tested 10 card holders and 16 bifolds to determine the very best slim wallets for most people. If you carry eight cards or fewer, plus some cash, and would like to fit your wallet in a pocket rather than a fanny pack, a messenger bag, or a handbag, try one of these. We also set the wallets in our back pockets and sat on them to determine their comfort. Beyond its appearance, though, the wallet is just a simple pleasure to use. Built rom 3-ounce Meridian English Bridle leather, the wallet is lightweight yet substantial, and accommodates just enough cards and cash for an evening out that could turn epic. Get this if: You want an extremely thin card holder in a zippy color. Featuring everything you need in a minimalist wallet and nothing you dont, the Journeyman Wallet by Tanner Goods is crafted from vegetable-tanned English Bridle leather and comes with four card slots and a single center pocket for stashing cash and important receipts. If elite Smokejumper firefighters need only to carry a minimal amount of everyday carry essentials, then so should you. And at under 50 bucks, its a no-brainer for those looking to slim things down without sacrificing the functionality of a larger wallet. Both classy and classic, this slim profile design in 100% Spanish cowhide is pretty much perfect for any guy, and hidden lining in card slots prevents stretch to keep cards secure. Dimensions: 2.75 by 4.125 inchesThickness when filled with four cards and one bill: 0.55 inchCard slots (not including cash pocket): fourMaterial: leatherColors: black onyx, cognac, brown, taupe, scarlet, turmeric, teal, electric blue, charcoal, rose, espresso, ebony, black oil, mahogany, dark caramelWarranty: one year. The clean matte finish looks super stylish, and youll love the built-in money clip, which can double as a pocket clip to keep your wallet close at hand.
The Leatherology wallet is 0.71 inch wide when filled. The hard-shell case will protect your cards no matter what youre doing, but the leather finish will make this a super-stylish choice. The Supervek Superwallet was a nice enough Tyvek choice, but the slots for cards were a bit too wide to make us feel like our credit cards and ID would be entirely secure. Plus, you can choose from eight different colors, and it comes with a generous five-year warranty. Filson blends hardcore durability with a minimalist aesthetic with the Smokejumper Wallet. It has almost no distinguishing factors, to the point that if you were to lose it and someone were to ask you to identify any specific details, you might have difficulty coming up with any. Its no wonder this wallet earned the prestigious Red Dot Design Award. The beautiful designs of Paperwallet made it a strong contender, though the actual functionality of the card slots kept it from receiving top marks. In our tests, we found that claim to be true, though we also found it cumbersome to sort through any more than three cards simply because theyre all just stacked into one pocket without any separation. The Radix One is rugged, lightweight, and will hold up to the rigors of everyday carry just as long as some its more expensive counterparts.
Slim enough to fit in your front pocket but large enough to feel substantial, this minimalist wallet boasts a full-grain vegetable tanned cowhide leather exterior handmade by Spanish craftsmen that is sure to look better with age. The Allett Leather Sport Wallet gets around this problem by using soft leather just for the exteriorthe interior is a moisture-wicking nylon with just two card pockets.
Buy it twice and youll have a pair of one of the best, most durable minimalist wallets money can buy. The wallet is uniquely designed to carry in your front pocket, with a rounded edge design that makes it comfortable to keep with you all day long.
Our main criterion was aesthetic: Was this a wallet youd be happy and even proud to carry around? Carry it in your front pocket to save your back, or throw it inside your jacket pocket its thin enough to warrant either options, and wont spill your cards on the go thanks to Distil Unions trademarked FlexLock opening that holds it all together seamlessly. Best of all, this US-made product is truly affordable.
Theres no unnecessary bells and whistles on this wallet, only a slim, trim, well-crafted design. Choose from one of five styles tan, bourbon, black with white thread, grey with red thread, or red line and find the perfect minimalist wallet to match your style. At a mere fraction of the price of its competitors, the Radix One provides enough room for up to 10 cards sandwiched between a pair of polycarbonate plates an is held together by a silicon band that doubles as a money clip.
The card holders from Leatherology come in only one solid color, unlike those from other brands, which offer contrast panels or even differently colored stitching.
We were intrigued by the Thirteen50 Leather Card Wallets price and lifetime guarantee, but the fact that the slots were far too tight to fit our cards in easily, and the fact that the leather was so tough, made it impossible to recommend. An RFID-blocking steel plate protects your cards and sensitive information from no-good hackers and skimmers, while a military-spec webbing strap secures up to seven cards just enough to survive while keeping things minimal. You could easily fit eight cards in the Leatherology wallet (six in the slots, plus two in the extra interior pockets). The SlimFold Wallet is hands down the minimalist wallet of choice during inclement weather and the warm, summer months by the pool.
(A common Google question: Is napa leather real leather?).
Why its great: We already love the Herschel fanny pack, and the Herschel Charlie Wallet card case is similarly great. With two front slots, an inner pocket and a back ID window, this wallet comfortable houses 7-9 cards, cash, and even coinage, along with RFID-blocking technology. Another moderately-priced minimalist wallet for the budget-conscious spender is this genuine leather iteration by Hammer Anvil. If you need something for a formal occasion where you can get by with just a card or two, its a beautifulif limitedchoice. It doesnt appear to be much more than a rectangular piece of fabric until you stuff it with things, at which point it takes almost the exact shape of a stack of credit cards, only covered in micro shell fabric. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. The slots are also stretchy enough to accommodate whatever cards you carry. This really thin, cleverly-designed card sleeve has only two pockets both a central compartment that holds the majority of your cards (up to 7 cards) and a front pocket for cash, an ID, and one more additional card.
The wallet also has two additional hidden pockets behind the cash sleeve, which in our testing could comfortably hold up to three cards each (youre likely to keep your less often used cards here, as theyre not nearly as accessible).Though Slimfold claims the wallet holds up to 10 cards, in our testing it handily accommodated 13 without becoming uncomfortably snug. From there, the most important factor for us to assess was ease of use. No more worrying about pickpockets in your front pocket, youll always know its safely on your person.
(Unattractive wallets need not apply.). What makes the Slimfold Micro Tyvek a standout, though, is the sophistication of its patterns. The wallet is a delight to use, as cards slide easily into any slot. But there arent any significant downsides to having it, either. Unlike traditional bifolds, it lacks a cash sleeve, so it has no extra layer of leathertheres just a triangular piece of leather overlaying the card slot that youre meant to slide your bills through. But we wish it came in more patterns. Youll likely forget youre even carrying it until you need it. The wallet really takes shape once its full. Weve found six totes in a variety of styles and materials thatll suit your schlep, regardless if its to the grocery store, a fancy dinner, or the beach. Its sized to fit 12 cards and folded cash, or no cash and up to 16 cards. The Kisetsu Haru Wallet had an interesting vertical orientation, but somehow that made the sliding of credit cards trickier to negotiate. This puts more stress on the spine, and can lead to chronic back pain and premature disc degeneration. Get this if: You want a simple card case made of surprisingly supple leather.
And yet, despite all that storage space, its still slim and sized to fit in any pocket without ever feeling bulky or clunky. This wallet is also slightly wider than it needs to be (3.125 inches), making it substantially larger than the Slimfold. Unlike with some of the other leather wallets we tested, the leather on this wallet smelled distinctly of leather, rather than having a chemical odor that took a few days to off-gas. Its got space enough to carry all the cards youll ever need and a bit of extra cash on the side, all in a super compact design. Although we liked the burnished quality of the leather, the thumb holes gave the wallet a somewhat cheap look and feel that undermined its sophistication. Measuring at just over 3.5 inches long and 0.3 inches thick, The Wally Micro is so small that you could quite possible forget youre carrying it be it in your front pocket or your back. A classic leather bifold: Leatherology Thin Bifold Wallet, A waterproof non-leather bifold: Slimfold Micro Soft Shell Wallet, Best minimalist wallet for your front pocket: Dun Wallet, The best cheap, mostly leather bifold: Allett Leather Sport Wallet, A super-slim Tyvek wallet: Slimfold Micro Tyvek Wallet, A Tyvek bifold with more pattern options: Mighty Wallet, An elegant leather card holder: Leatherology Slim Card Case, A budget- and style-conscious card holder: Herschel Charlie Wallet, that sitting on a wallet can compress joints and muscles, and put more stress on the spine, A functional (if basic-looking) non-leather bifold, dont think RFID offers any substantive safety or improvements over going without, Allett ballpoint micro-pen you can buy separately, A Tyvek wallet that almost passes as designer, we dont think RFID protection offers any substantive safety or improvements, A wider variety of conversation-starting patterns, Eye-catching designs in a remarkably thin card case, far easier ways for thieves to steal identifying information. The Bellroy Low was beautiful, but the card slots were just a bit too tight, and it was on the slightly thicker side at an inch thick when full. The built-in RFID protection will shield your cards from scanners, making this one of the most secure minimalist wallets youll ever own. In addition, the Herschel logo is rather prominent, though you can easily remove it with a stitch picker or a pair of scissors.
It may be on the pricier side, but it definitely delivers the quality youre paying for. Ive also personally been an owner of slim wallets for more than a decade, particularly card holders. Subscribe now for unlimited access. I was an editorial assistant at GQ magazine for nearly three years and an associate style editor at Details magazine for a year and a half. (Say no thanks to a months worth of crumpled receipts, George.) Though it can only carry three cards at a time, its the perfect solution for the theft-conscious traveler. This is a problem often noted in online reviews, with owners saying that the fabric stretches over time, but we couldnt recommend something that wasnt immediately user-friendly. Here at GearMoose, weve been curating the best wallets for a decade now, and one thing is still clear: Thin is In. The rectangular cutout is meant for you to get a better grip with your thumb to slide the cards, but it doesnt make the process truly fluid. Made from super-tough top-grain leather, this wallet has been reinforced with nylon to guarantee a much longer life, no matter how active you are perfect for cops, firefighters, or athletes. Cards slide in and out with ease, but the slots aren't so wide youd worry that theyd slip out. Bellroy wallets come with a three-year warranty against defects in workmanship. Even as an aesthetic choice, it was questionable. Slightly larger than the average card carrier, this genuine Italian leather wallet provides added functionality while still remaining relatively small. After performing research on back stress and the sciatic nerve, Stuart McGill, professor of spine biomechanics at University of Waterloo, discovered that sitting on a large wallet can compress joints and muscles. Over time, however, the leather will stretch and expand until you can carry up to eight cards on you at all times. Its made using luxurious Vachetta leather which will grow more beautiful and elegant over years of use, and features a faille lining on the card slots to keep your cards securely in place and protect them from wear. You can potentially alleviate back pain by swapping your bulky wallet for a slimmer option. The wallet felt pliable straight from the box. With two expandable card pockets, two cash pockets (honestly, just one would be enough and would save on some of the wallets thickness), and two hidden pockets along the edges of the wallet, the Mighty Wallet isnt short on storage. Keep it classy with the no-fuss masterpiece that is the Herschel Supply Company Roy Wallet. Whether you choose leather, titanium, wood, or aluminum, your new minimalist wallet is surely a step in the right direction toward a minimalist lifestyle.
A slim wallet makes your silhouette look less lumpy and bulky, regardless if you tuck it in your front pocket or back pocket. Of course, its nearly impossible to track how credit card information is stolen in every instance, but experts at the Identity Theft Resource Center and others note that there are far easier ways for thieves to steal identifying information, most often en masse online.