The Best Wallets for Men: Brands Doing it Right

Ekster is one of my favorite wallet brands because I have yet to find a wallet that combines both toughness (a rival to the Ridge for sure) and style so efficiently.

The core of their card wallets is a metal (typically aluminum) body that shields your cards from damage, and within is a mechanism that extends and displays the cards at the press of a button. But wrapped around the metal body to add a touch of style is leather, aluminum, or carbon fiber, doubling down on the durability and adding good looks.

What began as the dream of two young Dutch students to craft “the next generation wallet” has spawned one of the most successful minimalist card wallet brands to date.

Bellroy is one of the best-known brands in the wallet space thanks to their reliance on quality materials (leather, aluminum, and carbon fiber), reliable manufacturing, and forward-thinking design features.

With options that include everything from RFID blocking to integrated key holders to easy-use pull-out tabs and flip-tops, they maximize the convenience of your carry while still delivering durability and reliability.

What began as a small company sitting around a kitchen table in Australia in 2010 has now grown to become one of the most beloved, most recognizable brands in the accessories industry.

Pioneer Carry was founded in 2016 by a bag designer who wanted to experiment with textile-based options rather than the classic leather or modern metal. Thanks to their patented 10XD fabric and FutureForm core technology, their wallets are rugged and reliable while still adhering to your tried-and-true favorite styles.

The “Division” line of wallets include a bifold, trifold, and card holder, as well as a Passport Holder. Made using ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene fabric which claims to be 10X tougher than steel, these wallets are waterproof, dust-proof, and repels stains and dirt. (Also available in 3XD waterproof nylon and ballistic nylon.)

Founded in Oregon, Tanner Goods embodies the spirit of the Pacific Northwest in so many ways: championing equality for all, progressive values, and emphasizing community and eco-friendliness. Their focus is on “value-driven design”, using premium-grade materials and prioritizing quality manufacturing to deliver a better, longer-lasting product.

All of their wallets—from classic bi-folds to card holders to travel wallets—are crafted using top-quality leather (tooling leather, English bridle leather, and more) and finished in eye-catching colors that make them a bold addition to your stylish EDC gear.

Did you know that Smythson’s wallets have been carried by Indian Maharajahs and European Royalty, as well as actors like Katherine Hepburn and Grace Kelly? In its more than 130 years of operation, the brand has made a name for itself, delivering quality, excellence, and luxury well worth the investment.

Any guy who wants a higher-priced wallet that’s a smart investment built to last a lifetime, Smythson is my recommended brand.

Their classic bifold-style and card holder wallets will look truly elegant every time you whip them out of your pocket, and anyone who sees them will know you’re a man who understands the value of premium-quality accessories.

Trayvax began in a studio apartment, the brain child and passion project of 22-year old machinist Mark King.

When his first wallet skyrocketed to overnight popularity via crowdfunding, the brand was born—and has since grown to become one of the largest US-run wallet manufacturers.

The brand’s emphasis is on American manufacturing, bringing in components from around the globe to complement the American-sourced materials.

All of the Trayvax wallets are crafted with the average American man in mind, incorporating features—like RFID blocking, a stainless steel frame, money clip, and even cool extras like pry bars and bottle openers—that will serve them well in their daily lives.

Harber London is a London-based, family-run business that prioritizes premium materials and expert artisan craftsmanship above all. This is reflected in every one of their wallets, which are handmade by expert craftsmen in Spain using only the best full grain leather.

Available in a wide range of styles—including bifold wallets, travel wallets, card wallets, ID wallets, and even passport holder wallets—they are a great choice for any classy gentleman.

Since its founding in 1906, MontBlanc has been a staple of the wallet industry, carried in the pockets of men across not only Europe, but North America, Asia, and the rest of the world. Their classic European designs stay faithful to traditional looks and manufacturing, but continue to evolve to keep pace with the ever-changing modern landscape.

Their best-known offerings are the beloved classic bifold wallets, though they have a few passport holder and card holder models available for the modern traveling man. But one thing you can always count on with MontBlanc is reliability and luxurious good looks that pair well with business casual attire.

Dango goes a different direction with their wallets. Don’t get me wrong: the wallets are handsome, with leather accents in all the right places. But it’s their versatility and customizability that makes them a winner in my book.

Their wallets are built around a “sliding rail system” that houses your cards and makes them easily accessible, and which serve as a chassis onto which you can add extra features—from multi-tools to RFID blockers to ID holders. They’re ultra-rugged and the most flexible of any of the wallets I’ve tested or researched to date.

Leatherology takes leather from the best tanneries around Europe and transforms it into accessories that are both practical and stylish. Their classic designs have been refined and upgraded to match the tech-forward and fashion-conscious man, which makes them the ideal choice to carry from home to work and back again.

Their offerings include bifold wallets, travel wallets, card holder wallets, and even large zippered pouches sized to hold multiple documents as well as cash and cards.

Despite their eye-catching good looks, Leatherology’s products are reasonably priced and built to stand up to years of daily use.

Ridge hit the ground running in 2013 with two immensely successful Kickstarters for their wallet, a tough-as-nails minimalist card wallet originally built from aluminum, but now available in titanium and carbon fiber.

Their goal was to produce a wallet that wouldn’t quit, that provided functionality, rugged good looks, and versatility, all while stripping down the concept to the barebones. Having been the proud owner and user of a Ridge wallet myself (the Carbon Fiber 3K) for 2+ years, I can attest to their insane durability and handsome style.