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A bulky wallet makes for the perfect target for pickpockets. Then there’s the fact that sitting on your wallet can actually tilt/rotate your spine to the side and cause issues.
All in all, not a ringing endorsement of the classic “chunky leather” style of wallet.
But 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 you need when on the go.
No hassle, minimal visibility, and they’re tough enough to take a beating, so perfect for an active lifestyle.
The wallet game has changed, gents, and for the exponentially better!
Below, I’ve compiled a list of the best cardholder 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 cardholder wallet that suits your needs.
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 are very lightweight and can expand to hold up to 12 cards.
The wallet blocks RFID signals to prevent wireless theft, and the elastic band holding your cards securely in place will never stretch or sag. Not only do you get free returns/exchanges for the first 45 days, but it’s also backed by a lifetime warranty.
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 (space-grade) carbon fiber that is scratch-resistant and dent-proof.
Just click the button and the wallet will fan out all your cards so you can easily grab the one you want in a matter of seconds.
The metal backplate both protects your cards from damage and can expand to accommodate up to 15 cards (plus a bill or two).
Pair it with Ekster’s tracker card and you can make sure you’ve always got a way to find your wallet anywhere in the world.
The M1 Maverick is a more complex—and more secure—wallet than any other on the list, and it’s definitely worth consideration if 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 the built-in rail/slide action will make you feel like a total badass when you “holster” your wallet on your belt.
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.
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, but the wallet is designed to be elegant in its simplicity.
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.
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.
Rogue Industries takes sleek and stylish to a whole new level with their Minimalist Wallet.
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.
The curving design makes it all but invisible when carried in your front pocket, giving you convenient access to your cards while reducing the risk of theft, pickpocketing, or loss.
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.
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.
Aer’s Cardholder in Black is made using ultra-sturdy 1680-denier Cordura nylon, which is water-resistant and tough enough to handle even the rigors of skateboarding, snowboarding, hang gliding, or parachuting.
The YKK zipper keeps all your cards securely in place and adds a touch of extra waterproofing to safeguard your plastic. Thanks to the microfiber inner lining, your cards won’t grind/rub against each other/the wallet.
Keep the three cards you use most often in the quick-access card slots, and trust that your data is safe from theft due to the built-in RFID blocking.
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