REVIEW – With the wide availability of tracking devices, particularly Apple’s AirTags, a new problem has arisen as to how we can incorporate these trackers into our everyday stuff, like wallets. Fortunately, Geometric Goods has found an elegant solution with their Minimalist Leather AirTag wallet. Let’s take a closer look.
What is it?
The Minimalist is a small leather AirTag wallet that securely holds up to 7 cards, cash and one Apple AirTag tracker.
What’s in the box?
- Geometric Goods “The Minimalist” Leather AirTag wallet
- Matching leather key fob
- Extra rivet
Hardware specs
- Italian full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather sourced from Tuscany
- Height: 3.9 in / 10 cm
- Width: 3.1 in / 8 cm
- Depth: 0.7 in / 1.8 cm (with 6 cards and AirTag inside)
- Fits inside up to 7 cards and your AirTag
Design and features
The Geometric Goods “The Minimalist” Leather AirTag wallet is handsome and expertly crafted. The leather feels good in the hand and the overall construction is excellent. The outer ridge of the wallet and pockets is held together with thick, clean stitching. Running a finger along this stitch, one does feel a few odd spots where the thread gets snagged, presumably where the thread ends are, but those spots wore down with a few weeks of use.
There are two card pockets on the wallet. The larger top-loading pocket has an incorporated leather tab that’s used to pull all of the cards out of the top and can fit 3-6 cards. The front pocket can fit one card, maybe two if they’re thin, or one card and some folded cash.
The wallet’s construction is slightly wedge shaped, with the thicker part at the “top” of the wallet where the cards and AirTag overlap.
Two rivets hold the top of the wallet together and when removed allow the inner AirTag compartment to be accessed.
There is a very small Geometric Goods logo embossed on the front card slot of the wallet, near the bottom. Overall, the design fits right in with Apple’s leather MagSafe wallets and cases. I like the added ruggedness that the look of the rivets adds.
Setup
To get the AirTag into the Geometric Goods “The Minimalist” Leather AirTag wallet’s secret compartment requires some quick and minor surgery. Simply use a screwdriver to unscrew and remove the rivets. Opening a leather flap underneath the pull tab side of the wallet reveals a small, circular compartment where the AirTag fits into. Inside there was an extra rivet, which I almost immediately needed after dropping one half of a rivet on the floor.
The compartment is just large enough to fit the AirTag. The fit is snug but not tight. Afterwards, just fold the leather flap back down over the AirTag and refasten the rivets, and you’re all set.
The instructions that came with the Geometric Goods “The Minimalist” Leather AirTag wallet mention loosening the card slots by fitting more cards than you’ll typically be carrying and leaving them in the slot for a half day. This will stretch the leather a bit, allowing easier removal of cards.
Performance
Right out of the gate, it’s worth mentioning that if you own a smartphone, you can very likely use Apple’s AirTags, even if you have an Android phone. Apple includes the “Find My” app with iOS by default, and have released a “Tracker Detect” app on the Google Play store. While the wallet doesn’t come with an AirTag, they are a mere $29.99 for one or $99 for a 4-pack.
I’ll only touch on the performance of the AirTags very briefly, since this is a review for the wallet that can accommodate it rather than the tracker itself. I ran a quick test with the AirTag in the Minimalist wallet and the fact that the tracker was embedded in the leather compartment didn’t affect its broadcast area. I was able to locate my wallet when hidden in the backyard. Moving too far away from the AirTag sent a notification to my phone that I had forgotten it. That part works beautifully.
That being said, unless you’re forgetful or unlucky, the AirTag functionality of the Geometric Goods “The Minimalist” Leather AirTag wallet will almost never be utilized. Just like insurance or a dash cam, it is a thing you purchase with the hope that you never have to use it.
As a wallet, the aptly-named Minimalist is best suited for individuals who only need to carry about 4-5 cards and a few folded bills. This is decidedly not for people who carry loads of cash, change, 6+ cards and a bunch of receipts. In fact, once that AirTag is nestled in place, it’s pretty difficult to fit more than 5 cards until the inevitable stretching of leather occurs.
I hardly ever carry cash, other than an emergency $20 bill, but even that was awkward to find a good place to store it. The front card slot seemed to be the best place, but even with the angled cut of the slot, placing cash all the way into the slot hid it completely, making it difficult to access. You have to remove any card in the front slot and try to pinch a corner of the bill with your fingernail. Or you can remove all the cards in the wallet to allow more clearance to nab the cash.
If it’s just a backup $20 you don’t need to grab, that’s one thing. But I’d just use this wallet for cards and opt for putting a wad of cash in a separate billfold or money clip.
The leather tab used to lift the cards out of the Geometric Goods “The Minimalist” Leather AirTag wallet is certainly handy. Anywhere from 2-5 cards can be placed in the top of the wallet, which is more than I need. Geometric Goods makes larger billfolds that can accommodate more cards and cash, and they’re certainly worth checking out if you have more to carry.
What I like
- Easy setup with very secure compartment
- Wallet itself is small and very well made
- Hardware and rivets are a nice touch
What needs to be improved
- Cash can be hard to remove from card slots
Final thoughts
The one thing I thought about when Apple launched their tracker is how it could be added to a wallet, and Geometric Goods developed an elegant approach to keeping your cash and cards safe. If you’re willing to invest the time it takes to break-in this simple card carrier, the Geometric Goods “The Minimalist” Leather AirTag wallet should serve you for years and keep your stash secure.
Price: $71.90
Where to buy: directly from Geometric Goods (customizable with 5 leather colors and 4 rivet styles)
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Geometric Goods.
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I bought this wallet and it’s really great! Thank you, Jacob, for your recommendation =)
No other wallet in the market conceals the AirTag, making it obvious to pickpockets.