If you visit The Gadgeteer on a regular basis, you already know that we like to review wallets. As a matter of fact, Andy J. just posted a wallet review yesterday. I personally enjoy using minimalist wallets and thought I’d share my top 5 favorite minimalist wallets with you today.
IDENTITY Card wallet
This one is my current favorite because it has the smallest form factor while still allowing me to very easily retrieve and reinsert cards. The cutout on each side allows you to use your thumb to slide the cards out of the slot.
The IDENTITY Card wallet fits in the front pocket of whatever pants I happen to be wearing without adding any bulk. It’s also made of carbon fiber so it’s extremely lightweight.
The only small downside is that it doesn’t hold cash. But that doesn’t bother me because I very rarely use cash these days.
You can read my review of the IDENTITY Card wallet and order one for only $35 at identitywallet.bigcartel.com.
Trayvax Summit wallet
This one was my favorite before the IDENTITY wallet came along. Like the IDENTITY, The Trayvax is barely larger than the credit cards it holds. This one also has a few extra features including a lanyard or carabiner loop attachment point, RFID resistance, and it can hold a few folded bills or a key.
You can read my review of the Trayvax Summit Minimalist wallet and you can buy one for only $19.99 which is an insane deal. For more info visit trayvax.com.
Col. Littleton Front Pocket Wallet
This wallet combines two things that I love. Minimalist design and leather. I carry this wallet when I definitely need to have a little cash with me. It has a little bit larger form factor that the two wallets above, but not by a lot. It’s made extremely well and just feels great in my hand.
You can read my review of the Col. Littleton Front Pocket Wallet and buy one for $50. For more info visit colonellittleton.com.
Machine Era Ti5 Slim Wallet
Here’s another ultra minimalist wallet. This one is made of Titanium and features an elastic band that holds a stack of up to 6 cards in place. It’s basically just a tray with curved sides and has zero frills. That’s not a bad thing though. It’s lightweight, will last longer than you will and it can carry a few folded dollar bills.
You can read my review of the Machine Era Ti5 Slim Wallet and buy one for $42. For more info visit machine-era.com.
Walter Wallet
This wallet is the most unique wallet of the five wallets that I’ve listed in this article. What makes it so unique? It has a cool card eject feature that lets the cards rest in a staggered stack for easy viewing and retrieval.
The only down-side for me is that it’s a bit on the thick side. But if they offered one without the attached cash section, it would give the IDENTITY wallet a real run for its money as my favorite minimalist wallet.
You can read my review of the Walter Wallet and buy one for $17.50. For more info visit walterwallet.com and Amazon to order one.
What is your favorite minimalist wallet?
Those are my top 5 favorite minimalist wallets, now it’s your turn. What are your favorites? Let me know in the comments below.
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I can’t believe the TriHold didn’t make this list. I’ve had mine for a year and it looks like new. Hold cash and cards and stays super thin. Check it out!
I don’t know what the TriHold is… Link please.
I carry Flipside 3Xwallet. RFID protection. Cash. Business cards. Many colors. Awesome!
During the week, I’ve been carrying the Vinco Wallet (https://www.vincolife.com/products/wallet). Have had it for a year, and it still looks brand new, even though it’s been over filled with 14 cards and has been with me for over 400,000 air miles this year.
And on the weekend, I use the Crabby Wallet (https://www.crabbygear.com).
Nice choices! I like look of the Vinco. The elastic strap on the Crabby looks like it would annoy me.
For years I’ve been using a credit card sleeve (it’s usually provided by your bank). It’s good enough to hold 3-4 plastic cards (license, 1 CC, shopping cards) and a couple of emergency $20s. It’s what I grab whenever I run off anywhere.
Fits comfortably and lightly in my front pocket. Hardly know it’s there. Though maybe, I should upgrade to an RFID sleeve(?). Spending money is usually kept separate in my pocket.
I have a regular velcro-based wallet I keep at home that’s loaded with everything. Unless I’m travelling or need it for something major, the wallet stays at home.
Your system is similar to mine. I have a Waterfield Design Finn wallet that lives in my gear bag. It has the cards I rarely use and cash in it.
Saddleback ID wallet for me. Only (2) downsides. The wallet is barely deep enough to hold US bills, and they raised their prices over 100% (I paid $33 for it and now it’s $69? What were they thinking?)
I like leather wallets. Yes the new CNC machined and 3D printed wallets are cool to experiment with, but when it comes to class, nothing can beat a perfectly crafted leather wallet. I wear suits a lot, so I can’t really use the non-traditional wallet like Walters or Machine Era Ti5. They just don’t go along. I have used Bellroy Slim Sleeve(www.bellroy.com) for some time and its great. Last Christmas, one of my friend got me Aurochs Gravity(https://myaurochs.com). This one is great too with good quality leather and attention to details. I am going to hang on to this one for a while.
I love leather too, but it’s tough to get a front pocket sized leather wallet down to the same size as a credit card. That’s why I love the IDENTITY wallet so much. But I still have my leather Waterfield Finn wallet for everything else.
Great selection, as always! I currently use the Walter wallet, and I think it’s great! It’s my most go-to wallet. I used Bellroy’s note sleeve, ridge wallet, Hard Graft’s (best leather in my opinion), Frenchie wallet, Haru v2 wallet, and currently I’m one of those unfortunately waiting on Keplero’s magnetic wallet. With the Walter’s cool-factor, I lost my passion for Keplero’s! And actually, the reason I like the Walter wallet is that I can carry my cards and cash “without exposing it” at the same time! Let alone the cool card mechanism! 🙂
I’ve been carrying the Boconi Weekender for about a year now and I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a conventional billfold.
The Weekender is made from what feels like high quality leather and boasts RFID protection thought I haven’t verified it. At first it was snug getting even a half dozen cards and a few bills in but it’s stretched out a bit and it’s much easier to access things. I generally have 8 cards in it and a dozen or so bills and can get them in and out easily. I’ve not had a card or cash slip out unintentionally, even pesos or the slippery new Canadian bills.
Here’s the link:
http://boconi.com/collections/wallet-weekend/products/tyler-tumbled-rock-solid-weekender-id-card-case-coffee
Tried several before going with the Col. Littleton full time. After three years it still looks and smells great; it has stood up well to the extensive wear and tear of a engineer’s life and hasn’t produced any torn front pockets. What a difference not having my former thick wallet in my rear pocket (it tended to collect stuff). All of these wallets will have you revisiting why you needed to carry a bunch of useless crap in your old wallet.
Currently trying out an Urban Organizer Mini for weekends; similar to the Col. Littleton but with several slots for EDC gear like my Space Pen.
I can’t believe the Tyni Wallet didn’t make it! It definelty carries a lot more than the wallets you mentioned and the quality of the leather is awesome. I’ve had mine for 2 years now and still going strong. Maybe you can write a review about the wallet. Got it at https://tengandco.com