Good times—at least of the sort we’re after—come with a downside. The hard truth behind adventure is that you can’t safely peace out beyond the confines of cell service with nothing but a sandwich in one hand and your car keys in the other. For those of us desperate for even a brief escape from technological and material overload, that’s the dream. It’s just not always practical.
No amount of planning will keep life from throwing wrenches. Flat tires, empty tanks, broken arms, natural disasters, weather fluctuations, miscommunications, and other hazards are eventually inevitable. It’s a matter of when not if. Even the most experienced aren’t immune. We’re all playing Russian roulette out there to an extent. Unpredictability is all part of the fun—until the consequences catch up with you.
Not every hiccup will prove a matter of life and death, but they’re worth avoiding or at least ameliorating. You don’t need to lug around a loaded go-bag on every occasion. But if you want to make it back in time for dinner (or at all), there’s no negotiating on bringing a few critical items along with you. Identification, insurance, a credit card, and a couple of bills are typically all it takes to spell the difference between a mild inconvenience and a disaster.
The exact essentials aren’t the problem here. It’s the hassle of how to store them surreptitiously. That’s where these slim and sleek wallets come in. They make it possible to take minimalist travel seriously yet responsibly. The basics don’t have to be a burden. Nix that mental image of your father’s fat leather wallet or your mother’s Mary Poppins purse. You can keep tabs on all the things you need to stay safe, save time, and even stop for a quick bite without feeling like you’re sitting on a brick in your back pocket.
Each wallet on this list prioritizes function over fashion in its own way. That’s not to say they’re at all sore on the eyes, though—only that every detail serves an actual purpose. Picture smooth exteriors that won’t catch on clothing seams, intentionally placed pockets that don’t take six steps to access, durable materials that ward off the elements, and intuitive arrangements that remove the guesswork of what goes where. They inherently disencourage extravagance by design. There’s no room for anything but the bare essentials, so you can’t be either tempted or put off by the option to go overboard. In that sense, these wallets are perfect for both the veteran and aspiring minimalist. Create new habits by putting a cap on your carrying capacity. (LH)
Ridge Wallet
Something about the Ridge Wallet emanates Inspector Gadget. There are no buttons to crank or levers to pull, but carrying the Ridge Wallet just feels smart. And it is, simplicity and all. The super-sleek metal casing contains more than the eye can see. Ridge’s choice of materials—either aluminum, carbon, titanium, or steel—gives each wallet RFID-blocking powers for a layer of wireless theft protection you may never have known you needed.
The metal can also take a serious beating without cracking open and sending its insides strewn across the floor. The aluminum meets aerospace-grade standards, for goodness sake. Down here on lowly Earth, that should be more than enough to withstand any impact. Even the elastic puts up a fight as it expands and contracts to hold between one and 12 cards. Both extremes pass the vigorous shake test.
It follows that these wallets have some heft to them. For something that takes up such little space, the weight seems strangely disproportionate at first. But the heft serves as a nice reminder that you’ve got something sturdy in hand. You’re trusting it with some of the most vulnerable information about yourself. That’s a responsibility that this wallet can handle.
Bonus: Pair the Ridge Wallet with a matching keycase that stows up to six keys on an axis between metal plates; swivel them out one by one and keep the rest contained. No poking or prodding in all the wrong places from inside your pocket (don’t pretend you don’t know what I mean). (LH)
$95+ | ridge.com
Bellroy All-Conditions Card Pocket
When they say “all conditions,” they’re not kidding. It’s easy to mistake the Bellroy Card Pocket for yet another finicky piece of fine leather goods. You’d have the last bit right (it’s certainly fine leather), but nothing about this wallet needs coddling. A water-resistant finish infused with oils during the tanning process protects the leather against rain, snow, and bleary-eyed coffee spills. An Aquaguard zipper keeps its contents just as safe. And before anyone says anything about how “water-resistant doesn’t mean waterproof,” I beat you to it. This wallet—filled to the brim with cards, cash, and keys—survived a full puddle submerging on my harried way out the door last week. That’s “proof” enough for me.
The fact that it has a zipper at all makes this wallet more suitable for travel than most of its peers. Three internal pockets help with organization, but feel free to stuff and zip when your hands are full. The main compartment is perfect for loose items like medication, contact cases, or emergency chocolate that are a bit too clunky to fit in the pockets but still deserve a place on your person (especially #3). Two of those pockets stretch to fit up to five cards on each side, so space shouldn’t pose much of an issue. The third pocket includes a key loop as well. Ditch your keychain and pare down to this compact, all-in-one solution. (LH)
$79 | bellroy.com
Thread Elastic Wallet
But if you’re already a fan of your tricked-out keychain, go the opposite direction and get a wallet that works with it. The Thread elastic wallet is so simplistic that it might make you wonder why you didn’t think of it first. But you didn’t, and Thread does it better anyway. If you’ve ever seen someone wrap their cards in a rubber band, this wallet is the much more effective and elevated version of that. Two loops of tight-knit elastic create three flexible pockets for cards and cash. Choose from 50 different patterns. That’s it, and that’s the beauty of it.
For all the butterfingers out there, the Thread might save your sanity. It’s the best option for hands-free portability out of all the options on this list. Let’s bring the lanyard look back. Utility makes strutting around like a college freshman worth it. Clip this wallet on a lanyard (they make matching ones) via the built-in ring, attach your keys, drape it all over your head, and off you go. Tack on accessories like the lip balm holder or AirPods case, and your neck becomes a one-stop shop for on-the-go essentials.
One caveat: The Thread wallet isn’t made with top-notch security in mind. The elastic itself is smaller than the cards it contains, so passersby will get a glimpse of what’s inside if they get close enough. That being said, we’re talking about the basics here. People know what credit cards and $5 bills look like; consider not carrying anything more blatantly valuable than that. (LH)
$16 | threadwallets.com
Chums Reversi Wallet
Can’t choose between security and accessibility? Chums feels your pain. The next time you head to the bar, the airport, or the bank, think about how many times you have to pull something different out from your wallet. First, they need your ID, then your credit card, and maybe even some cash (though if airport security needs that, ask for their ID). That’s when the Reversi comes in handy. Flip it inside out to keep everything within reach without having to open and close your wallet a million times. The clear ID window might even save you the task of pulling it out at all.
Otherwise, keep your cards and cash safe within the zippered compartment. Similar to the Bellroy Card Pocket, the Reversi wallet includes card slots on each side and an open compartment in the middle. Be aware that the wallet opens all the way around, so loose items are liable to fall out if you get too zesty with the zipper. For whatever you can’t risk dropping, two elastic bands on the outside (or the inside, your choice) stretch to fit bills or other small essentials. The inside pockets don’t stretch, which is actually appreciated when using the Reversi inside out because the cards don’t budge.
The Reversi may be made from nylon, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s cheaply constructed. Ripstop fabric protects against scratches and tears just as well as your Carhartts. Chums’ choice of material also keeps the Reversi wallet ultralight. When ounces matter more than durability, go for the Reversi—and you still won’t be sacrificing much. (LH)
$20 | chums.com
Flowfold Vanguard Wallet
Still, nothing beats the Flowfold Vanguard when it comes to weight savings. This wallet is made from recycled sailcloths. I’m no sailor, but considering that boats are meant to stay afloat, it makes sense that sails would need to be as light as possible. At the same time, they need to withstand huge gusts of wind. A punctured sail doesn’t sound too effective. So if it’s good enough for a sailor, it’s good enough for you.
Using old sailcloth allows each Vanguard wallet to clock in at a mere 20 ounces. If you plan on heading out to sea yourself, that’s light enough to float on water. It’s also thin enough to fit in the poor excuse for pockets on women’s pants. Plus, anything that can hold up against 20 knots can certainly cope with whatever you throw at it. I’ll admit that I dropped this one when rummaging through the backseat of my car and ran over it the next morning. That means it survived a rainy night and a 3,500-pound load. No harm, no foul. Flowfold feels the same way, so you get a lifetime warranty in case you’re able to prove them wrong.
The recycled nature of these wallets means that no two are exactly alike. Choose your colorway, but leave the finer details up to the sailmakers. They clearly know best. (LH)
$40 | flowfold.com
Cotopaxi Lista Crossbody Bag
Okay, so one of these things is not like the others. Hear me out: sometimes, you need to carry more than what even the most comprehensive minimalist wallet can manage. That doesn’t mean you have to upgrade to a full-blown daypack immediately. The Cotopaxi Lista threads the needle in between. It’s not quite a wallet, but not much more of a hassle than that, either—three ounces, two pockets, one strap.
In some ways, the Lista is even more convenient than a traditional wallet. It can hold slightly bulkier items like pens and sunglasses but doesn’t tempt you to stuff it with everything in your trunk—only a quick trip’s worth of supplies. This bag will help you redefine what’s necessary for most everyday outings.
The Lista’s lack of internal organization features makes it even more alluring, not less. Besides a single key clip, everything’s open for interpretation. Treat this bag like a wallet in itself by letting your cards run wild in the zippered pocket. Or, get more out of your favorite wallet from the above by stowing it inside and eking out a little extra space. There’s no need to overthink. You’ll quickly forget it’s there until the colors catch your eye (in typical Cotopaxi fashion). (LH)
$35 | cotopaxi.com
Magpul Daka Essential Wallet
Magpul was founded in 1999 by Richard Fitzpatrick, a Force Recon Sergeant in the US Marine Corps. What started as a composite polymer firearms accessory company ultimately expanded to include numerous products well suited to travel, including their clothing line and Daka products. The Daka pouches and utility organizers are a boon for efficiency, providing numerous colors to identify the contents and dust/water sealing. This product line also includes minimalist wallets, some with a transparent ID pocket or as a bifold. My favorite in the lineup is the Essential wallet, although I would recommend the black color to lower the impression of its tactical roots (for international travel).
The Essential’s construction is quite unique, employing permanent radio frequency (RF) welded seams on reinforced polymer fabric. This material is highly durable, as I have used this wallet for over five years and have only experienced a slight separation at one of the corners. The material also has an anti-slip texture, which helps the user maintain a grip and keep it in the pocket. The real advantage of such a thin (3 millimeters without cards) wallet is being able to store it in the front pocket, limiting pickpocketing or accidental loss. There is easily enough room to keep all my important cards, but I ultimately choose to keep two debit cards on the single-slot side with two $100 bills, supplemented by two credit cards and my driver’s license. Maximal minimalism at its best value. (SB)
$17 | magpul.com
Ekster Carbon Fiber Card Holder
During my travels, I keep cards, IDs, and currency in four different locations, all separated by how critical they are to my trip. Traditionally, the passport and vehicle carnet are the most important documents, so I keep them in the most secure locations, with the carnet buried deep in the vehicle and the passport buried deep on me (and always in the first layers of clothing, never in a removable layer like a jacket). Then I have walking-around money in one front pocket and a minimalist wallet in the other. This leaves a final location, which is kept with my electronics kit and includes the Ekster carbon fiber card holder to house a backup driver’s license, medical insurance cards, rescue memberships, spare credit cards, and an extra debit card (on an account with limited funds).
The Ekster is notably light and reasonably thin at 7.5 millimeters, but its über feature is the deployment mechanism, making it extremely easy to access all cards in the sleeve. With one press—bam—they all splay out like a parlor trick. The wallet also comes with a thick rubber band that holds tight around the exterior to house cash, even more cards, or their tracker card. It holds around six cards/IDs while also protecting them from RFID wireless theft. I did not find the wallet comfortable for use in the front pocket and it can slide out of the rear pocket easily. (SB)
$125 | ekster.com
The Dread and Fear of Kings Folder
In Act 4, Scene 1 of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, Portia recites a speech on the quality of mercy. “The quality of mercy is not strain’d; it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath … The attribute to awe and majesty, wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptered sway.” Nothing is more dangerous to a ruler than a well-informed and principled constituency, and the same applies to premium goods. As consumers, we should look past the signaling and labels to the craftsmanship and features underneath, a core tenet of the Dread and Fear of Kings brand.
The folder wallet must be viewed within the context of an heirloom piece constructed to last generations with proper care. The experience begins with the purchase, which must be completed in person during one of their city tours. Your order is typically presented in a boutique location, the product range is on display, and both the designer and executives are available to discuss the story behind each item. The Folder wallet is handmade in New York, USA, from Italian Nappa leather and constructed in a simple two-compartment design, with each side holding approximately three cards. The wallet is so low profile and smooth that it slides easily into a front pocket, nearly invisible and affecting neither drape nor gait. Debossed on the outside is a single dagger logo, along with the brand name on the inside, parallel to the card slot. (SB)
Pricing dependent | thedreadandfearofkings.com
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in Overland Journal’s Summer 2024 Issue.
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