The 6 Best Leather Key Lanyards For Everyday Carry

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I can’t stress this enough. You must always, and I mean always, replace any stock textile lanyard you get. Whether it’s from a job orientation or a conference, it’ll typically secure your keys and IDs as securely as a sieve secures water. 

Hardcore EDC guys know that leather lanyards are the best. They’re durable, stylish, and you can keep any portable tool on it, whether it’s a small knife or keys, keeping your pockets free on the job. These six best leather key lanyards for everyday carry represent different priorities when it comes to looks, function, and budget.

Leatherology Key Lanyard

Leatherology Key Lanyard

Who would’ve thought that a key lanyard could be as elegant as a handsome pair of loafers. Turns out the purveyors of reasonably-priced leather over at Leatherology did. Built with supple full-grain hides, each individual lanyard offers a subtly unique grain from the other, as its patina will be, and brandishes flawlessly-finished edges.

Speaking of, the neck portion is sewn flat before transitioning into rounded non-edges, for a distinct look and sophisticated design that ensures everything stays in place. Feel free to monogram the leather loop to cinch the gentlemanly aesthetic.

Price: $35

Shinola Leather Utility Lanyard

Shinola Leather Utility Lanyard

Though the raw edges of Shinola’s Leather Utility Lanyard give it a rugged cowboy vibe, its flat aniline leather construction provides a super comfortable wear. The natural Napa hide is immediately soft to the touch, while maintaining its characteristic strength. Unsurprising, since Shinola uses the always trusty leathers of USA Heritage.

Meanwhile, the clip firmly fastens your keys and accessories, with a swivel action that gives flexibility needed on the field or at the convention center.

Price: $75

Rustico Leather Neck Lanyard

Rustico Leather Neck Lanyard

The smooth finish of the Rustico Leather Neck Lanyard comes courtesy of its top-grain leather build, which in addition to its lush look, is respectably strong as well. Its simple, no-loop design includes antiqued brass hardware and a thick body.

Visually, this lanyard sits somewhere between the clean-lined Leatherology Lanyard and the raw-edged Shinola Lanyard, for a no-nonsense kind of handsomeness which is pretty versatile. You can seriously wear this with a suit at a networking event to hold your nametag, or at the horse ranch to hold your multitool.

Price: $18

Tanner Goods Leather Keychain

Tanner Goods Leather Keychain

With this small but mighty leather keychain, Tanner Goods takes their focus on long-haul gear, and teams it up with the generations-deep know-how of Leon, Mexico’s leather craftsman community. You can literally see the supple squeeze of the leather’s surface where the hardware is inserted.

Plus, this metal fortification also gives it a classy look, and can be attached to anything and anywhere that’s most handy to you—a belt loop, a longer strap, your backpack, you name it. 

Parker Clay Sola Keychain

Parker Clay Sola Keychain

The Sola Keychain from Parker Clay is crafted from full-grain Ethiopian leather that has that light, almost matte texture. It’s the kind of surface that looks maybe napped or suede at a glance, and adds a summery lightness without taking away from the color’s depth.

Good news there since it comes in three: A delicately beautiful sand shade with gold-toned hardware, a commanding monotonal black shade, and a classically dapper cognac. Conveniently, you can remove the circular keyring, offering functional adaptability.

Trayvax Keyton Clip

Trayvax Keyton Clip

The strongman of leather keychains, the Trayvax Keyton Clip is equipped with a real-deal carabiner in place of a swivel clip. And more than just being carabiner-inspired, it’s made of actual stainless steel that you can get in an exquisite raw silver tone or a gunmetal-esque black.

The top grain leather is as tough as it looks, the oils seeping into the surface creating a deep, inky used look. Best of all, this USA-made piece of gear comes with a 65-year heirloom warranty.

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