Free Up Some Pocket Space With One Of These Card Wallets
Pictured Above: Alpaka Ark Card Wallet
Your wallet can be minimalist or it might be a virtual repository of your life, carrying everything from cards and cash to receipts, club cards, and photos dating back to your senior prom, among other personal paraphernalia. Even a high-capacity, trifold wallet can end up looking like a cannister of Pillsbury cinnamon rolls left out in the heat to long – bulging and ready to bust at the seams.
If your current wallet simply isn’t up to the task of carrying years of accumulated baggage, as well as needed cards, perhaps it’s time to give your weary wallet a rest and transfer some of your plastic to a slim EDC card holder wallet for easier accessibility. After all, you’ve got plenty of pockets to accommodate another slim accessory. You needn’t stamp a wallet-sized imprint in every pair of pants you own.
Of course, if you’re going to add a card holder to the mix, or you’re simply looking to downsize and simplify your EDC situation, you’ll want to get the right product for the job. Never fear, we’ve done the homework for you and came up with a list of the best card holders for men that fit the bill, or the plastic, as the case may be.
Alpaka Ark Card Wallet
Leave the old-fashioned leather products behind and step into the future with Alpaka’s Ark Card Wallet. Built entirely from high-tech materials—including X-Pac VX21 and VX25—it’s UV-proof, water-resistant, and, best of all, 100% carbon neutral. It’s a zero-waste product made entirely from upcycled materials, so you can carry it confident that you’re helping to keep the world clean.
The fact that it’s got space enough for up to 6 cards and features built-in RFID protection is just the cherry on top of the eco-friendly cake.
Price: $39
The Ridge Wallet
The Ridge Wallet aims to redefine the way you carry your cards and cash, giving you a slimmer, sleeker case that will shield your credit cards from RFID readers and protect them from any damage. Crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum (or titanium if you prefer), it’s virtually indestructible but still looks absolutely beautiful with its smooth finish and clean matte color choices.
Best of all, it’s insanely lightweight and fits into any pocket without calling attention to your money. Now that’s a card wallet you’ll love to carry.
Price: $95+
Bellroy Card Sleeve
Minimalists, this one’s for you. The ultra-slim Card Sleeve is Bellroy’s latest-and-greatest addition to your loadout, perfect for keeping your EDC lightweight and invisible. At just over a quarter-inch thick, you can carry it in any pocket or pouch without it being easily spotted by pickpockets or thieves, and it weighs so little you’ll almost forget you’re carrying it. However, it’s built from tough leather that’ll hold up under the rigors of daily use and backed by a 3-year warranty to prove it. With space for 8 cards, two quick card slots, and a handy pull-out tab, it’s as convenient and reliable as you could ask for.
Price: $55
Ekster Cardholder
Ekster goes the extra mile in the construction and design of their cardholder. It’s built using only tough space-grade 6061-T6 aluminum that won’t scratch, scuff, or fade with hard use. It comes with space enough to hold up to 12 cards (plus a bit of cash, thanks to the expandable backplate), and the patented card deployment mechanism spreads them out so you can see all your cards at a glance.
The real kicker, though, is that you can include a Tracker Card that uses Chipolo technology to help you find it if it ever gets lost, anywhere in the world.
Price: $89
Filson Leather Card Case
For the well-heeled traveling gentleman, this Leather Card Case by Filson is just the thing. It’s designed to fit snugly in your front pocket and be all but invisible, keeping your credit cards safe and within easy reach.
The Chromexcel Leather from Horween is tough to start, but becomes incredibly gorgeous as it develops a unique-to-you patina over time. With four card slots and space for a few folded bills, it’s the ideal travel companion to carry on your next business trip or vacation.
Price: $110
Peak Design Mobile Wallet
Peak Design’s Mobile Wallet has been my (Andy) go-to for the last two years, and I don’t go anywhere without it. The wallet’s design is convenient, complete with a pull-out tab and magnetic flap, with space enough to store up to 7 cards and/or some cash. It’s also tough, built from 100% waterproof, abrasion-resistant recycled canvas. But what I really love about it is the SlimLink technology that connects it magnetically to the back of my MagSafe phone case (both Peak Design’s proprietary cases and others).
I never have to worry about losing my wallet because it’s always securely connected to the back of my phone. The perfect everyday and travel companion.
Price: $50
Nomad Card Wallet
The Nomad Card Wallet is definitely for guys who prioritize form over function. Make no mistake: it’s functional enough, with three external card slots for your most-used cards and IDs and a large inner pocket that can hold more cards and some cash. But it’s the look that really sells this wallet. It’s built using gorgeous full-grain leather (sustainably sourced, too!) that has been thermoformed to a mold that gives it both a convenient shape and an eye-catching look.
The glossy leather patinates beautifully and becomes as essential to your daily outfit as your watch band, belt, and leather dress shoes. Whip this out in any bar or boardroom and it’ll be sure to turn heads.
Price: $60 $48
Leatherology Card Holder Wallet
If you just can’t say goodbye to the tried-and-tested billfold style of wallet, the Card Holder Wallet is Leatherology’s solution for you. The double billfold style is familiar and comfortable to carry, but it’s sized down small enough that it won’t be excessively bulky in your pockets.
It’s got space enough for 3 cards on the interior and one on the exterior plus an extra pocket for cash, business cards, or extra IDs and credit cards. The soft fabric lining will also protect your cards from wear and friction, ensuring they last for many more years.
Price: $60
Groove Wallet Trace
The Groove Wallet Trace takes an already-excellent design and adds an incredibly handy feature: tracking from your iDevices. That’s right, the newest Groove Life offering features a built-in “smart” capability that lets you use Apple’s “Find My” network to track your wallet anywhere in the world using your iPhone or iPad.
Add to that its other reliable features—RFID-blocking technology, an easy-access mechanism that fans out all your cards with the swipe of your thumb, an ultra-tough waterproof aluminum body, a detachable money clip, and stealthy design—and you can see why it’s a wallet we’re glad to include on this list.
Price: $125
Tanner Goods Journeyman Card Wallet
There’s nothing quite as elegant as leather, and elegant is exactly how you’ll feel when whipping out this Tanner Goods Journeyman Card Wallet. Only the best quality natural tooling leather is used to make this wallet, which weighs just three and a half ounces and is sized to fit any credit card or ID you need to carry.
This US-made wallet is designed to be carried in your front pocket, where it will be safer from theft and give you more convenient access to up to six cards and a few bills of your choice. Best of all, as with all leather goods, the more you use it, the more the leather develops that patina of wear that makes it look even more luxurious with age.
Price: $85
Distil Union Wally Micro Wallet
Though the Distil Union Wally Micro 4.0 is small, it is a truly mighty card wallet. It’s sized to carry up to ten cards—or thirty business cards—as well as a bit of cash just in case you need it on the go.
The flexible band expands to meet your storage needs, but keeps everything securely tucked in place no matter how active you are. The Micro 4.0 is also fully reversible. If you don’t like the exterior, simply flip it around to show off what was once the interior. It’s the user-friendly, versatile wallet you’ve always wanted and needed.
Price: $49
TUMI Delta ID Lock Shielded Slim Card Case & ID Wallet
Slim, sleek, and gorgeous: that’s how you will instantly define the TUMI Delta ID Lock Shielded Slim Card Case & ID Wallet. Made from top-quality leather and finished with elegant, eye-catching stitching, the wallet features the embossed TUMI logo for an extra flourish.
With three ID slots and a center currency pocket, it’s convenient for carrying all your go-to cards when out and about. One side is RFID-shielded, but the other is not, allowing you to quickly tap your card for easy payment.
Price: $95
Holden Card Wallet
If the standard four card slots aren’t quite enough for your card-carrying needs, you’ll find a bit of extra space in this slim, 6-pocket bifold in sturdy, 2mm full grain leather. With vertically aligned pockets on one side and horizontal slots on the other, you can not only differentiate cards with ease, but you can slide in some cash, as well. Choose classic black leather or opt for natural tan designed to pick up your own personal patina with wear.
Price: $99 $79
Distil Union Wally Sleeve
This sleek sleeve has just two pockets – a central compartment that holds the bulk of your cards and a front pocket for cash, an ID, or your most important or frequently used card. Lest you fear cards sliding out of the central slot, you’ll be glad to hear this wallet offers secure card storage via FlexLock technology, paired with the Wally Pull-Tab for quick access to cards. It’s also NFC compatible for easy swiping at POS, keyless entry, and travel terminals.
Price: $55
Shinola Magnetic Money Clip Card Wallet
Money clips may be the stuff of gangster movies, but they can also be pretty handy when attached to a tiny card wallet. Skip the flashy, blinged-out money clips of yesteryear in favor of understated, modern elegance in simple, leather styling.
This sweet little sleeve in premium leather includes just two faille-lined card slots on one side and a leather-wrapped, magnetic clip for cash on the other. Cards, cash, done. All you have to decide is black or brown. Does it get any easier?
Price: $175
Herschel Supply Co. Charlie Card Case
A durable, utilitarian wallet doesn’t have to come in premium leather with hand stitching, as this tough and affordable offering in polyester deftly proves. Known for modern minimalism with classic appeal, Herschel delivers a unique take on the slim wallet with this fun and functional card holder wallet in plain black, black crosshatch, or arrow wood (a fancy name for yellow).
Four card pockets and a central slip for extra cards or cash hold your EDC must-haves and RFID blocking adds needed security.
Price: $20+
Radix One Slim Wallet
Tired of bulky bifold and trifold wallets? Radix aims to alleviate your suffering with two ultra-thin polycarbonate plates wrapped in a strong, silicone band. It’s a wallet designed to hold up to 4-10 cards between the plates, with the outer band acting as a money clip.
The body comes in black, white, or smoke and bands can be had in various colors (gray, red, and blue, to name a few). Slim, lightweight, and easy to stow, this trim wallet slides into any pocket easy everyday carry.
Price: $15
Travelambo Front Pocket Minimalist Wallet
Not only does this slim, handmade wallet come in durable, 100% genuine cowhide leather, but anyone seeking added flair will enjoy the many available colors and textures, from rustic “crazy horse coffee” brown, to classy “carbon fiber texture blue”, to shocking “vipor red” and more.
You’ll also enjoy RFID protection and seven slots, including an ID pocket with thumb notch. The slim design works equally well in loose or slim fit jeans, making it perfect for gentlemen who prefer to carry light.
Price: $10+
Harber London Card Wallet
Frankly, it’s amazing that this slender, bifold wallet holds up to 16 cards, and offers RFID protection, to boot. Until you start stuffing cards in, you’re likely to be skeptical, but the four card slots (two on either fold) and accommodating slips behind them will absolutely fit up to eight cards per side.
With expert handcrafting in Spain and premium, full grain vegetable tanned leather, not to mention a handy pull tab and magnetic closure, this is one wallet you won’t have to think twice about purchasing.
Price: £79.00
The Reeve Card Wallet
Some leather wallets look the same, but this one is different thanks to subtle touches that demand attention. Handmade in the USA from supple, 100% calfskin leather, this slim wallet is designed to accommodate a handful of plastic and petty cash and still fit in your shirt or pants pockets with minimal bulge.
A single pocket is the epitome of simplistic design, with the addition of an easy-access pull strap that doubles as a top strap and front snap to ensure secure carry.
Price: $85
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