These Slim-But-Mighty Wallets Can Carry All of Your Essentials

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Thanks to smartphones, men just don’t need to carry around as much stuff in their wallets as they used to. Which is why you should consider downsizing to one of the best minimalist wallets today. These slim-but-mighty holders can carry your ID, a few cards, and maybe some cash in a discreet package. Unlike larger bill folds and zipper wallets, it won't take up an entire pocket or bulge out. The best minimalist wallet is also easy to conceal and safely stash away your essentials, making it ideal for travel.

When shopping for the best minimalist wallet, you first want to consider which material to go with. Leather is always a stylish choice, usually coming in the form of a card holder, but it can get pricey. Synthetic, lightweight wallets are usually affordable and come in a wide range of colors and patterns. Metal (aluminum and titanium) wallets are the newest addition to the genre and come packed with modern features like RFID protection and Apple AirTag holders. Your final choice is what to do with all the pocket space freed up by your new streamlined down wallet. For this story, our gear and style editors field tested over 30 minimalist wallets. We gave top marks to holders that could contain enough cash and cards without taking up too much space. We also considered wallets that looked great. Ahead are our 15 picks.

Best Wallets | Best Slim Wallets | Best Travel Wallets | Best iPhone Wallets | Best Money Clips | Best MagSafe Wallets

Apex Slim Sleeve Wallet in Indigo

Bellroy is one of the most trusted names in wallets and bags, with a knock for finding new ways to maximize pocket space. This aerodynamic looking Apex Slim Sleeve wallet opens like a clam shell with a one-handed pinch, then closes with a magnetic click. Four inner slide compartments hold up to a dozen cards and some cash. The royal blue leather is not only nice to look at. It comes from an environmentally certified tannery in the Netherlands.

Billings Wallet

Lightweight, water resistant, and super affordable, this minimalist wallet from Kavu is ideal for both travel and EDC. Two ID slots are available, one on the inside and one on the outside, allowing easy access to an event or work ID. Two inner pouches fit plenty of cards and a little cash. An elastic strap keeps the wallet closed while a metal D-ring allows you to attach keys or hook on to a bag.

Gunmetal Wallet

The Ridge built a metal frame wallet that is light, streamlined, easy to use, and customizable. Up to 12 cards can fit inside and are accessed with a thumb slot. You can choose between a money clip or an elastic strap on the exterior, as well as having the option to purchase either part to add on to the wallet. The RFID protective exterior panels are replaceable if you want to change the color and the elastic holding the wallet together is replaceable if it wears out.

Cardslide Wallet

You actually get a minimalist wallet within another minimalist wallet with the Cardslide. A card holder with a small lever that fans out your cards for easy access, functions as a lid for a larger compartment. The larger compartment slides open to store cash, larger ID cards, and even some change. An elastic band holds everything together and can also stash more items. Both are RFID blocking and the smaller card holder works fine independently.

Read more: Best RFID-Blocking Wallets

Airtag Wallet Card Holder

An Apple AirTag fits securely in this frame container, so you'll always be able to keep track of your wallet. A dozen cards can fit into the sleek polycarbonate case, held in place by elastic straps. Plus an additional elastic band holds a money strap with little rubber bumps to keep your cash secure. All your cards are RFID protected. Just keep in mind that the AirTag is sold separately.

Read more: Best AirTag Wallets

Leather Card Wallet

Coach makes some of the most reliable and stylish leather goods in the world. This glovetanned card slide features three slots on each side, with one larger bill slot in the middle. Even though the leather starts out a beautiful brown, it will gradually get better looking year after year as a nice patina develops. That is the real draw of a good leather minimalist wallet.

Titanium Minimalist Slim Wallet

One of the most trusted names in minimalist wallets is The Ridge. Its titanium version is the strongest in brand's catalogue. To start with, titanium is naturally RFID blocking. Other than being small and easy to use, customizability is the most remarkable feature of this wallet. You can change the color, remove the money strap, and add on additional features including an AirTag holder. No wonder it's one of our go-to gifts for men.

More Great Minimalist Wallets

Bridle Hide Flat Credit Card Case

Impeccable style meets premium craftsmanship with this Ettiger card case. Black and yellow block coloring is a refreshing alternative to traditional black or brown leather wallets.

Wave Leather Wallet

Not your traditional leather card case, this super slim wallet from Rustico has two exterior card slots. The inside opens from the top and side for easy access to bills, an ID, or other small items.

Oscar II RFID Wallet

This super lightweight canvas wallet from Herschel packs a whopping seven card slots, along with a zipper compartment. A tie-dye color scheme makes this tiny container easy to spot.

Slim Front Pocket Wallet

Five cards can fit in the thumb triggered aluminum case with RFID protection, wrapped in a leather shell. A flap on the leather exterior opens up with a card slot on the outside and a clear panel ID slot on the inside.

Classic Card Case

This is almost a standard leather card case, with two card slots on one side and a larger bill slot in the middle. However, the reverse side has an exposed ID slot with a mesh screen, as well as one more card slot.

Slim Wallet for AirTag

Leather wallets can support AirTag as well. This ultra slim card carrier from Typecase has a slot specially built for a luggage tracker, as well as being RFID blocking.

Bison Buffalo-Nickel Money Clip

A money clip-card case hybrid, this is one of the most minimal leather wallets you'll ever find. The money clip side is studded with a genuine buffalo nickel, while the card side has three slots.

Card Holder Wallet

Super thin and super light, this RFID-blocking nylon pouch is water resistant and holds a few cards, an ID, and some cash. This is a perfect wallet to slip in your swim trunks—minus the cash.

What to Look for in a Minimalist Wallet

A minimalist wallet shouldn’t be much taller or wider than a driver's license or ID card because that is typically the biggest object you will carry daily. You want the width to be big enough to carry around ten to twelve cards. For the most part, bill folds are not considered minimalist wallets because they add too much bulk. Durability is critical for anything that travels with you every day, so look for a high quality leather, durable fabric, or strong metal. Of course, you also want something stylish that you don’t mind showing off.

Two tech factors to consider are RFID protection and space for an AirTag. RFID protection will prevent scanning devices from stealing your card information. It usually comes in the form of a thin layer of material that does not add any noticeable bulk or weight to the wallet. AirTags are Apple’s GPS tracking chips that can be placed on pretty much anything so that it can be tracked anywhere it goes. This is helpful when you lose your wallet. More and more companies are starting to make wallets with built-in AirTag slots.

Why Buy a Minimalist Wallet?

Investing in a minimalist wallet is all about downsizing to only accommodate the objects you need to carry around these days, which mostly means cards. Cutting down on size not only makes your wallet more comfortable to carry around, it also liberates your wallet from the confines of your back pocket. The best minimalist wallet will go unnoticed in a suit jacket, running shorts, swim trunks, or slim fit jeans. If you could use tech upgrades like RFID protection and an AirTag holder, then there really is no reason not to go minimalist.

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