There was a bizarre moment in the twentieth century when many men took pride in wearing hefty, well-worn leather wallets. Nowadays, when most people wear little (if any cash) and things like credit cards and Apple Pay, old-school wallets are bulky, inconvenient, and really … unnecessary.
So, if you want to forego the typical bifold to reduce your EDC, but you don’t know what to do with the cards and emergency bills you still carry every day, the solution is a cardholder wallet. These ultra-slim wallets are designed to hold only the necessary IDs, cards, and cash. Their sleek shapes are compact enough to fit in the front pocket. These are the 5 best cardholder wallets every man should consider investing in.
Bellroy Apex Slim Sleeve
Anytime you need to keep your valuables secured in the palm of your hand, pick a stylish Bellroy card wallet made from environmentally certified leather. We can't talk about these compact and oh-so-practical card holders without the Bellroy Apex Slim Sleeve wallet.
Its breathtaking design is a tangible homage to the brand’s inventive approach. It is a slimline, pocket-friendly marvel, a little larger than a credit card, which contains up to 8 cards and folded notes while protecting your data with RFID technology. Additionally, it has a satisfyingly snappy magnetic closing that keeps your belongings secure while keeping a slim silhouette.
The discreet-looking design will only attract compliments from fans of minimalist designs, as there’s only a single embossed Bellroy logo at the bottom right side on the front. Instead of stitching, as they did with the Slim Sleeve (the Apex Slim Sleeve's larger sibling), they heat-pressed the leather parts together. You can see this along the edges, where the materials are sandwiched.
To open the wallet you have to squeeze along the top and bottom edges so that they pop. Once opened, the layout is quite simple. The design is symmetrical, with one pocket and one card slot on each side. The convenient tiny pull tab on the right-side pocket is one of the wallet’s most distinctive features. Because the Apex Slim Sleeve's slots are so well-fitting, orientation isn't an issue, so you can rest assured that your cards and money won't fall anytime you open it upside down.
Bellroy Flip Case (Second Edition)
Bellroy's latest Flip Case (Second Edition) is an updated version of the company's popular and stylish original. It's a stylish, double-sided card case with a slick, magnetic trap close that's unlike anything else we've seen. Inside, there's space for 8 cards (or 6 cards plus a few folded dollars), divided into two independent storage areas.
This Bellroy card wallet is everything wrapped in high-quality eco-tanned leather and a long-lasting polymer to protect your investment. It's also available in eight stylish colours, including classics like black and tan, as well as more contemporary selections like Cobalt and Evergreen. Bonus: Unlike most low-profile and card-holder wallets, the Flip Case has RFID-blocking technology.
The Ridge Ridge Wallet Stonewashed Titanium
In just a few years, the Ridge Minimalist Slim Wallet has become the go-to choice for EDC-obsessed gentlemen. The futuristic industrial design is reminiscent of a sci-fi film set shortly. Unlike traditional leather wallets, the Minimalist Slim Wallet has an all-metal exterior forged from titanium in a variety of attractive colours.
It's so sturdy and scratch resistant that The Ridge provides a lifetime warranty on all of their wallets. Inside, there is enough for up to twelve cards without stretching out. Two currency attachment options—a cash strap or a money clip—provide additional usefulness, making it more than just a cardholder wallet. Plus, the entire wallet is RFID-blocking.
Ekster Aluminum Cardholder
If you're on the hunt for one of the most unique cardholders for 2024, congratulations, you've found it. Ekster's Parliament Wallet is a genius piece. It is completely one-handed operable and will push out all of your cards neatly in a fanned, organised row with the stroke of a button, offering the most seamless and quickest card access conceivable.
No more fighting to get your AMEX or ID out of too-tight leather card slots, or searching through the depths of your bifold wallet for your Equinox membership card. The small form is also surprisingly capacious, holding up to a dozen cards and some folded-up emergency cash. It comes in around a dozen attractive colours, to compliment every personal style. Furthermore, Ekster provides a Tracker Card add-on that assures you will never lose your wallet.
Tanner Goods Journeyman Front Slim 4 Card Slot Wallet
Most cardholder wallets, including some of the best, do not differ significantly from one another. Tanner Goods takes a somewhat different approach, which sets their Journeyman Slim Card Holder Wallet apart. It has the same four slots (two on each side) as most front-pocket slim wallets. However, the slightly asymmetrical cut in the card slots and heavy offset stitching along the borders give it a distinct, rough-hewn appearance that we like. It's all constructed of excellent English bridle leather that not only looks wonderful (in one of four stunning colours) but also feels great in your hand.
