Several years ago, I realized that putting my wallet in my back pocket contributed to my back pain. I purchased a front-pocket curved wallet like this one and love it.
I carry 2 credit cards, 1 debit card, my DL, and several other cards, like medical, library, etc. My cash, such as it is, goes into a money clip, kept in the same front pocket as my wallet.
I got one of these. It’s got a zippered pocket on the side and a zipper on top. I put a key ring right through a corner of it because I didn’t trust the ring it came with. It’s so small that it’s almost a hassle taking out cards. I have my car fob and keys on it so I can’t lose them. Sometimes, if I don’t want to put anything in my pocket, I’ll put the wallet in my waistband and let the keys hang. Very secure and comfortable.
I originally bought this one to use on long car trips (sitting on your wallet for 8 hours can cause back problems). I intended to switch back and forth with a slim folding wallet, but gradually I just ended up carrying this. Drivers license, two credit cards, atm card, and about half a dozen bills folded in half in the center (I have to access my cash about once every six months). Other cards and records I need to show or provide the information from are on my phone.
The best thing about it- $7.00!
My wife stuffs every membership card she gets in there. I’ve tried to explain that they are only issued to make you feel like you got something for your money and that we have been in the computer age for some time now, but to no avail. I can’t believe how much crap she stuffs in the same wallet that I have. And of course, she can never find anything in it.
Our membership cards are all digitalised with Catima.
My slim wallet journey started with a basic Aliexpress card holder thingie, but I quickly went with more quaility Lejiled No1. I’ve now settled on something more smaller still, the Nano boy. Both are handmade in Europe, the latter has 10y warranty.
I don’t know what “detectives” wear in your city, but here they used to have neat hair and blue wool overcoats. And a police badge in a black leather wallet. I had a fun interaction including thanks, an apology, and a quick exit when I showed someone my wallet. I didn’t even have to hold it out. I was just moving it from one pocket to the other as I searched for change to give someone.
That was a high-value-customer freebe that eventually wore out. Now I’m using a thin Modapelle wallet with a clip, but they don’t appear to make it anymore.
You really have had to whip out a check on the spot to pay for something in person? That has literally never happened my entire life. Receipts just go in my pocket until I get home. My Loops (earplugs) hang off my keyring, my AirPods just go in my pocket, I keep several pills in a tiny plastic pill bag that also just goes in my pocket. I use the Apple MagSafe wallet that attaches to the back of my phone, similar to what LSLGuy posted. In that wallet are my ID, metrocard, one credit card and a backup $20.
Guys have more ample pockets!
I’m a lady who has never carried a purse. Along with my keys (minimal), wallet (back pocket) and phone I also manage to carry around a hard pack of cigarettes & lighter. It helps that I’m plus-sized and wear plus-sized pants which mean slightly bigger pockets. My silhouette is wrecked because of all of these bulges in my pants (hur) but eh, I go for comfort and convenience.
It also helps that I drive everywhere so I could keep extra stuff, that one might find in a purse, in my car.
I love my SlimClip and fully endorse the carry-fewer-things concept. Cash on the open end; DL, bank debit, everyday CC separated with business cards. The card side has room for another one or two as needed like a hotel room key, parking garage voucher, or company card when on biz travel, etc.
I’ve got another regular leather billfold wallet that I keep all the other insurance and membership cards in. The grocery loyalty card, separate fuel CC, keys stay in the car.
I like minimalist wallets and currently have been using ‘Big Skinny Women’s Taxicat Bi-fold Wallet’ I think the woman’s part is because it has a snap closure, so it will stay closed in a pocketbook, and can be clipped off if one desires but I don’t have any issue with it. For its size in really includes a lot of features including a zippered section, and a ‘ID’ clear card holder pocket.
Before that I used Big Skinny Money Penny Coin Slim Wallet which worked well before I needed to hold some extras.
Before that I used a hiking single zippered pouch style one by Mountain Gear I think that I got on the Appalachian Trail, and used it for a few years after till upgrading to the model above.
All 3 withstood everything I through at them and none failed.
I started using one of those carbon fiber money clip wallets a while ago, kind of like this one but nicer:
I love it. It fits nicely in my front pocket, fits a few credit/ID cards, blocks RFID, is basically indestructible, and doesn’t show wear. Like ZipperJJ, I hate purses so everything I want to carry has to fit in my pocket. This does the job perfectly.
I also carry a Big Skinny, a simple bifold without flaps, snaps, or zippers. It’s quite slim, but I anachronistically have had a hard time shedding many of the cards I carry. One of the reasons I carry it is because it doesn’t hold very much, which requires me to think about whether I really need to carry that new card I was just issued, and if I do, which one will I jettison to make room?
Popping in here to say I will only buy Coach wallets and belts - not because I’m bougie but they are high quality and last forever. My current wallet has a removable insert that holds my driver’s license and 3 cards which is very convenient when traveling at not having to drag everything with me. Maybe get one of those so you have the backup when you do need to carry everything with you.
Thanks for the reminder. When traveling I also carry a money clip with a bunch of small bills for tips, etc. That’s separate from my wallet and often lives in a different pocket for redundancy; any single pickpocket (or inadvertant drop) event will lose my wallet or my cash but not both.
Anyhow, this weighs nothing, is indestructible, doesn’t set off metal detectors, and looks great:
I got one of these Ekster wallets a couple years ago and I love it. Very compact, and the best thing is the little button that pushes your credit cards up so you don’t have to open it to get at them. If you carry a lot of cash, this is not the wallet for you, but if not, I highly recommend it.
I have a long history of buying Coach for 40 years. Several wallets and belts and a couple of briefcases. IMO, they used to be better constructed, and definitely used to have a stronger warranty.
My Coach belts, wallets, and briefcases have been quite durable, but DEFINITELY wear out.
I came here to recommend Ekster as well. I have the aluminum card holder and love it. I use the strap for holding a bit of cash now and then but mostly it is just the cards.
Everyone gives you a plastic card to keep in your wallet. Do I really need my Home Depot card if I am not working on a project? No. How about my Costco Card if I haven’t been there for over 2 years? No. My prescription drug card when everything I need comes in the mail from CVS? No. It goes on. Most of these things can be tossed in a drawer until I need them.
Drivers Licence, a couple credit cards for emergencies, Safeway card for shopping, that is about it.
I have a Mountain Voyage minimalist wallet with the wood exterior finish. I was a little worried that the wood might not last but I have had it for three years now and all the scuffing is on the metal – the wood is still in fine condition. It’s an obvious Ridge Wallet knockoff but it’s worked fine for me. Ridge doesn’t (or didn’t, haven’t checked) have a wood option like this so for the substantially lower price I figured it was worth a go and have been very happy with it.
I keep five cards in: Two credit, License, Costco and Health Insurance. It rides in my front pocket and I barely notice it. Way better than the spine twisting leather beast that used to ride on my ass.
Edit: Looks like they added a few other wood options. Mine is the Walnut which used to be the only wood clad option.
This seems to have wandered away from the wallet discussion
Deerskin is the best motorcycle glove I’ve ever used. Like a second skin.