I hate carrying bulky wallets. When I was younger, I had quite a few experiences with pickpockets.
Thankfully, over the last decade or so, more and more cardholder-style wallets have been manufactured and released.
These take slim and sleek to the next level, providing a convenient place to carry credit/debit cards, IDs, and a bit of cash—really, everything busy guys like us need when on the go.
After doing extensive testing and combing through hundreds of product reviews, I’ve compiled a list of the best slim wallets. Leather, carbon fiber, aluminum, and more—a variety of materials, multiple shapes and sizes, and all the versatility you could ask for.
Read over the list, and I guarantee you’ll find a wallet that suits your needs.
If you want tough and ultra-versatile, Ekster’s Carbon Fiber Cardholder is so the way to go. As its name suggests, it’s built from super-durable 3K carbon fiber that is scratch-resistant and dent-proof.
This is one of my all-time favorite card wallets because of its mechanism. Just click the button and the pop up wallet fans out all your cards so you can easily grab the one you want in a matter of seconds. No other wallet I tested featured such a user-friendly design.
Of course, being an active (a.k.a. “rough”) kind of guy, I liked that the metal backplate both protects my cards from damage and can expand to accommodate up to 15 cards (plus a bill or two).
I’ve been using it in tandem with Ekster’s tracker card so I’ve always got a way to find my wallet anywhere in the world. I’ll never have to worry about losing it again.
I’m a big fan of the Groove Wallet. For 6 months, I carried this bad boy around in my pocket, and it’s proven to be amply spacious (holds up to 6 cards), incredibly tough, and practical (store cash in the money clip). The gunmetal black isn’t just sturdy, but also beautifully stylish, too, with a sleek feel that makes it a pleasure to hold.
But what really makes it one of my favorite card wallets is the built-in slide mechanism. It’s smooth as butter and makes it easy to slide the cards in and out one-handed. Plus, there’s no arguing with that 94-year (a.k.a. lifetime) warranty backing it up. And if I ever need more space for card storage, I can always add on the exterior leather card holder.
The M1 Maverick is a more complex—and more secure—wallet than any other I’ve tested, but that’s not a bad thing. On the contrary, I think that actually makes it even more worth consideration if, like me, you use your IDs or cards multiple times a day.
Made of 6061 aerospace grade aluminum and machined for maximum precision, it’s hyper-sturdy and built to protect your cards, but give you easy access for scanning.
One side is RFID-protected so you can keep your data safe, but when you want a convenient way to tap your card or scan your ID, just flip it around to the non-RFID-protected side and you’re good to go.
The quick-release mechanism makes it easy to get at your cards in an instant. And I won’t lie, the built-in rail/slide action makes me feel like a total gunslinging badass when I “holster” the wallet on my belt.
For an everyday guy like me who needs a travel card wallet to take on holiday, the Herschel Supply Co. Charlie Wallet makes a great choice.
It’s built from a tough polyester canvas that I don’t really have to worry about getting wet or damaged, and it’s got just enough space to fit the few cards I take with me on holiday plus a bit of cash in case of emergencies.
The wallet features built-in RFID blocking to keep my data safe from skimmers, and it’s small enough to be nearly invisible in my pocket.
The low price tag, though, is the real kicker for me. If it ever does begin to wear out or show signs of damage, it’s affordable enough I can replace it in time for my next trip. Definitely a more budget-friendly option than any of the leather or ultra-tough metal wallets on our list.
If you’re just carrying cards and don’t mess with cash, you’ll love this little card holder wallet.
Made from rich full-grain leather, it’s handcrafted by expert craftsmen in Spain, and will grow more beautiful over the years as the leather develops a patina. The hand-feel of this wallet is buttery smooth against my fingers and gives it a really luxurious texture to match its stylish look.
I like that it’s slim enough that it will fit in any pocket (shorts, pants or shirt), backpack, pouch, gym bag or briefcase, but it can hold up to 8 cards.
It’s also RFID-protected to protect against wireless data theft. The two-tone design is eye-catching and stylish, and after carrying it around for a few months, I have to say wallet is truly elegant in its simplicity.
Bellroy’s Flip Case stands apart from the crowd because of its sleek, minimalist design. The hard-shell case keeps your cards safe from impact, friction, and water/moisture, but you can flip open the top one-handed for easy access to anything within the wallet.
With two storage sections, you’ve got space for up to 8 cards (or 6 + cash) in a second. Both sides of the wallet open and close using magnetic “trapdoors”, so you’ve always got your preferred cards easily accessible.
The eco-tanned leather is sturdy and gorgeous, and the durable polymer case will stand up to years of daily wear and tear.
The Molecule Cardholder by Pioneer is a work of art, a “modernist reworking of a classic profile” that will set you apart from every other cardholder wallet-carrying guy around you.
It’s made from 10XD, ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene technical fabric that is finished with a water-repellent coating that shrugs off moisture and dirt easily so your wallet always looks brand new.
The matte finish is scuff-resistant, too, and won’t get dinged up or damaged if you carry it in your pocket with keys, EDC gear, or coins.
Weighing just 28 grams and sized to fit up to 6 cards (plus cash), it’s just the wallet you need to pair with your stylish business outfits.
The Tanner Journeyman is a masterpiece of leatherwork, crafted from English 3.5 ounce vegetable tanned Bridle leather and made in the U.S.A. to ensure top quality.
In addition to four card slots, the wallet features a built-in cash pocket—which you can use to store more cards if you don’t like carrying around cash.
Though it only holds four cards total, it’s slim and lightweight enough that you’ll almost forget you’re carrying it, and thieves/pickpockets will never spot it in your pocket.
Available in a wide selection of colors—from black to red to golden to cobalt and even plum—it’s a style choice you’ll never regret.
The Ridge was one of the first brands to make minimalist wallets, and their wallets still stand out as some of the toughest, sleekest, best-looking on the market.
Made from a variety of materials including forged carbon fiber aluminum and titanium, they’re as tough as I could want. Plus, I’ve found from carrying around that they are very lightweight and surprisingly compact. Even when I’ve packed it out with 12 cards (maximum capacity).
The wallet blocks RFID signals to prevent wireless theft, and the elastic band holding my cards securely in place will never stretch or sag. Best of all, you get free returns/exchanges for the first 45 days, and the wallet is backed by a lifetime warranty.
I’ve been using this bad boy for two years and I can’t imagine ever going back to a chunky bi-fold or tri-fold.
This Minimalist Wallet by Rogue Industries was built for travelers like me! It takes sleek and stylish to a whole new level, but it’s as close to pickpocket-proof as I could want.
Made from superior-quality bison leather and stitched in a solar-powered workshop in Maine, it’s the first (and only) wallet to be shaped specifically to fit in your front pocket.
I tested it out personally, and I found the curving design makes it all but invisible when carried in my front pocket. I’ve still got convenient access to my cards but significantly lower chance of my wallet being stolen.
With space for six cards (or 3 cards + cash), it’s a great solution for busy men who don’t have time to worry about where they left their wallet. It’ll always be securely in your front pocket and ready to whip out when you need it.
When in doubt, go black leather. There’s something utterly timeless and classy about black leather wallets, which is why they’ve been the most popular choice for decades.
KillSpencer keeps to tradition with this sleek, slim cardholder wallet, using premium full-grain leather in a rich, glossy black and hand-painted stitched edges.
It weighs 0.05 pounds, has space enough for cash and cards both, and features two exterior pockets that give you easy access to your most-used cards.
This U.S.-made wallet is certainly on the pricier side, but you’re paying for quality materials and craftsmanship that will last a lifetime.
If you’re the kind of guy who likes to pair your watch band and wallet to your leather belt and shoes, you’re going to love the Distil Union Wally Micro. It’s made with a reversible design that lets you flip it inside out. Each wallet comes in two leather colors—you can choose from black, gray, dark brown, light brown, red, and even navy. Just flip it inside out and voila, the perfect pairing.
The wallet’s designed to be fully reversible, with the elastic band and pull tab that works in both configurations. The leather lining also protects your cards from being scratched or damaged while in your pocket. With space for up to 10 cards and easy access (courtesy of the pull tab), it’s one of the most versatile card wallets on our list.