I’m thinking of replacing my quite old Coach wallet. I think my last 2-3 wallets were all Coach bifolds, which each lasted a good decade. Over the past decade I’ve greatly cut down on the contents of my wallet, and am thinking of replacing it with something smaller - possibly a card case or even some sort of money clip. I have no need to buy anything inexpensive - instead, I’d like something that is nice leather and durable.
Any personal recommendations?
I like what I see from Ashland (bonus - from Chicago), Hank’s Belts (bison), Gator Goods (uh - gator).
Anyone go to a smaller wallet and regret it? Heck, I’ve seen phone cases that have a couple of card slots and a money clip which would probably suit my needs - but I don’t always carry BOTH my phone AND wallet all the time.
To be honest, I haven’t owned a wallet for years. I normally carry a small shoulder bag, which contains my driver licence, credit cards, cell phone, plus whatever bits and pieces I need for errands of the day.
Though I must say this is in low-risk areas of the US and UK. When traveling in more dubious places, the cards, passport and cash live in a moneybelt.
Last time I was shopping for a wallet, I recalled that the world of hiking has ultra-premium space age materials that are lighter and more resistant to damage than any other material known to man, e.g. dyneema.
I went to check if any of the hiking companies were using their access to the material to sell wallets, they were, and I bought one. Empty, the thing is very thin and weighs almost nothing. I’ve probably had it for over 5 years now and it barely has any scuffing, let alone a single frayed thread.
Leather maybe looks a bit more fancy but how often do you hold out your wallet, to be gazed upon in jealousy by other guys? Personally, I think mine’s more of a premium item.
I’m not sure if these are too feminine or too large because I’m a woman, but I used to have the standard giant-ass trifold wallet (long enough to fit a checkbook) and I replaced it with a travel wallet from Lo & Sons. I absolutely love their products and one of the features of their designs is impressive economy of size. And it’s so durable, I think it could last twenty years.
Anyway, even if it’s too big/girly for you, hopefully it’s useful info for some other woman.
I’ve been carrying this Herschel brand wallet daily for five years. Mine is a denim material that’s starting to wear a bit but it easily has more years before it needs to be replaced. They have it in a faux leather as well (but not real leather… so maybe this is a non-starter). This has been a great size for me- no extra bulk taken up with thick materials extra folds or zippers or pockets, fits easily in pockets, but is big enough to hold all the paper and plastic items I need in a day and keep them protected and organized.
I tried one or two truly “minimal” wallets, but I found that they were just too small. I carry a driver’s license, three credit/debit cards, an insurance card, and sometimes cash. It’s all easily accessible without being overly fussy/bulky, and there’s still room to easily throw in a business card or a few “buy 9 and the 10th coffee is on us” cards. With smaller wallets, I’d have to go through clipping and unclipping things or otherwise fussing about just to put a receipt or a few dollars away. Or, if I had an additional card for a day for some reason I literally could not fit it in the wallet. And, money clips in pants pockets all day really do a number on the bills/paper in the clip.
I have a super slim wallet that I use when traveling, which holds 2-3 cards plus a very small amount of paper money, but it is just too tiny for daily needs.
One side is a money clip, the other holds up to 8 cards.
Mine still looks, and functions, like brand new after 15 years. It’s as minimalist as you can get and it isn’t obscenely overpriced.
I don’t really care what anyone else thinks. I tend to have a preference for natural substances like leather and wood. But if something really seemed superior, I’d go with it.
I’ve got nothing against the zip - but I’m thinking of going as slim as I can.
Basically all I regularly use is my driver’s license, library card, 2 credit cards, and a golf course membership card. So that’s 5.
Then I have maybe 5 more cards - bar membership, insurance, etc., which I rarely use, but carry just cause my wallet has the space. Could probably snap pics and keep them on my phone. And I rarely carry much in the way of cash. Something like the folder MMM bought could work. They offer several in leather.
or this:
Think I’m gonna have to find a leather shop where I can go and check out the different styles.
I have always been a severe minimalist on wallets. Carry as little as possible in the smallest possible container. The advent of tap-to-pay digital wallet software on phones has been a huge improvement in this regard.
I now use this:
It magnetically sticks to the back of my phone. It normally holds 4 tri-folded US bills, my driver’s license, and 1 credit card. It can easily accommodate a 2nd card and I can wedge 1 more in there if needed. Removing the cash would allow another card or two.
When it’s not hanging off my phone it rides around in a pants pocket. Very slim, near zero weight, etc.
I normally pay for things using my phone, whose digital wallet has all my credit and debit cards. So everything in this physical wallet: cash, credit card, and driver’s license are only carried for emergency use. I eagerly await the advent of electronic driver’s licenses so I can stop dragging that stupid useless hunk of plastic with me everywhere on the extreme offchance some policeman might want to look at it.
I did, and nope. Got rid of all those stupid membership cards (most all those places have you on their computers) and other unnecessary stuff. I don’t carry a large amount of cash. Basically, I carry my DL, military retirement ID, Costco card, credit card, bank business card with acct number, Medicare card, and that’s about it.
Ditto, I’m an all cotton and linen guy, with a hankering for natural latex mattresses and cork flooring.
But…0.7 oz and basically made of Kevlar:
It looks like a few people have managed to trash theirs around the 8 year mark - going by the reviews with images - but others are still looking pretty fresh. I’m not expecting to need to buy a new one for upwards of a decade.
Yeah, my wallet is tiny. No need for anything bigger. Drivers license, medical insurance card, and a few CCs. It has a clip for a few bills in case I need them (although I almost never do). I’d never go back to a bi-fold or (gasp!) tri-fold.
I’m jealous of some of these, but I’m not sure I could downsize even more. I’d like to carry at least one check, plus I like having a place to stuff my receipts when I need to save them. It’s always amazed me how guys seem to get away with carrying so much less. It’s not like I’m hauling makeup around. But in my small purse I’ve usually got earplugs, earphones, a small bottle of Aleve, my daytime medication, my wallet and my cellphone. How do you live without that stuff?
My slimmish ostrich wallet bought in S Africa has worn well tho seams/corners have frayed over 20 years.
Partner has phone case with her cards in it.
I don’t like being tethered to the phone so will likely opted for a croc belly skin wallet - we farm crocs here.
But soooo expensive…$300+ - even the kangaroo are $175
Might go back to my indestructable nylon jobbie that will outlast the ocean.
