The best men’s wallets have convenient features for accessing cash and cards, have relatively slim profiles, and are made from long-lasting materials. The worst ones are bulky in the pocket and make it difficult to slide cards out quickly.
For the last few years, we’ve been testing wallets and polling our teammates about their favorite styles, features, and brands. While some folks prefer high-tech wallets with RFID-blocking technology (which helps prevent digital theft), the majority of people prefer a simple, well-designed leather wallet that fits cleanly in their pocket.
Our top pick overall is the Bellroy Apex Slim Sleeve, which happens to fit all the parameters above (it’s also the best overall pick in our guide to the best slim wallets). Not only is it RFID-blocking, but it also has a sleek, minimal exterior and a design with everything you need, including a few easy-to-access card slots, cash storage, and a casing that snaps shut with a satisfying magnetic clasp. If you’re looking for a more traditional billfold with subtle, stylish details, we recommend the Bellroy Slim Sleeve.
Whether you’re shopping for Father’s Day, a recent grad, or yourself, now is a great time to upgrade to one of the best wallets for men.
While wallets are universally essential, men’s wallets are designed to be kept in pockets instead of purses or bags. If you’re looking for larger styles, you can check out our guide to the best women’s wallets.
Our top 5 picks for the best wallets for men
Bellroy Apex Slim Sleeve
This sleek leather wallet is ideal for those with dexterity issues as it can be opened with one hand, and it snaps shut with a satisfying magnetic seal.
The Ridge Wallet with Cash Strap
Designed to carry everything you need and nothing you don’t, The Ridge Wallet features a durable aluminum body and elastic straps that expand to hold up to 12 cards.
Bellroy Hide & Seek Low
Featuring a low-profile design, the Bellroy Hide & Seek Low Wallet is made to fit short currency like US dollar bills.
Best overall: Bellroy Apex Slim Sleeve
Bellroy Apex Slim Sleeve
This sleek leather wallet is ideal for those with dexterity issues as it can be opened with one hand, and it snaps shut with a satisfying magnetic seal.
The Bellroy Apex Slim Sleeve is our top pick as the best men’s wallet because it ticks nearly every box for convenience, aesthetics, and special features. For reference, this RFID-protected wallet is about two-thirds the length of an iPhone. The sleek profile slips easily into front pockets, and its leather has aged gracefully in the past year that I’ve used it. Because of its firm leather shell casing, it can be packed full and still feels slim.
The checkout experience is so much easier when your wallet has everything you need in your palm. You can open it using one hand with a side squeeze, which makes it easy to use for those with limited dexterity. Once open, the wallet’s card slots are easy to access and have a pull tab in one of its sleeves. Then it clasps firmly shut with a gratifying magnetic snap. It’s genuinely a pleasure to use and feels worth its cost, and the brand offers a three-year warranty on all of its products.
Read more in our full Bellroy review.
Best monogrammed: Leatherology Bifold Wallet
Leatherology RFID Bifold Wallet
Leatherology’s Bifold Wallet features a classic design and has many color, texture, and monogramming options to make it personalized.
Leatherology specializes in high-quality leather goods without the designer markup. While the brand sells everything from handbags to duffle bags, its selection of wallets is one of the best affordable options on the market. Leatherology’s monogramming options make them great for a personalized upgrade for yourself or someone you’re gifting.
My personal favorite style is the Bifold Wallet because of its classic design. It’s tall enough to store your bills without them messily sticking out and has enough slots for well over 8 cards. I chose the RFID-blocking model for extra security and added my initials in gold lettering.
Amir Ismael/Business Insider
I was very impressed with the leather quality, stitching, and overall construction of the wallet, but if you want an upgraded version, you can opt for premium model, which is made from vegetable-tanned full-grain leather.
Best slim leather: Bellroy Slim Sleeve Wallet
Bellroy is a relatively young company that released its first product in 2010. Founded by a few friends in Australia who set out to design the best wallets for men in terms of size and card positioning, Bellroy has since released several different series of wallets for just about any use. You may remember seeing some of those wallets mentioned on Business Insider’s Reviews vertical before.
The Slim Sleeve wallet is built to be the best slim wallet using Bellroy’s “nude” approach, focusing on eliminating as much excess material as possible to keep the profile slim. There are no buckles, trimmings, snaps, buttons, or fasteners. The only materials are leather and thread, with as little of each used as possible.
The bifold style can hold up to 12 cards plus cash. It has four pockets: three for cards, one for bills. The two quick access card slots inside the wallet are perfect for your everyday credit card or commuter pass — I can pull my subway card out without having to take the wallet out of my pocket.
As far as materials go, the Slim Sleeve is excellent. Bellroy is a certified B Corp, a designation given to companies that meet rigorous standards for “social and environmental performance.” This means that Bellroy sources its leather and materials ethically and sustainably. The leather is high-quality top grain, soft yet sturdy, and comes in several colors.
Best for lots of cards: The Ridge Wallet
The Ridge Wallet with Cash Strap
Designed to carry everything you need and nothing you don’t, The Ridge Wallet features a durable aluminum body and elastic straps that expand to hold up to 12 cards.
If you want something simple, straightforward, and high-quality when shopping for the top wallets for men, consider The Ridge Wallet. Rather than being made of leather, like most wallets, it’s made of durable aluminum.
The slim design allows for up to 12 cards, making it the perfect wallet for eliminating clutter while still carrying all of your essentials.
Your cards slide into the wallet at the top and can be accessed by pushing up on the cutout at the bottom. They’ll come out in a fanning motion, and from there, you can easily grab whichever card you need.
The back of the wallet is where you’ll find the cash strap or money clip. I personally prefer the cash strap because it seems a little more secure than the clip design. And, when you’re not carrying any cash, it doubles as a good spot to keep things you’d want quicker access to, like a Metro card or bus tickets.
Even at full capacity, the wallet is slim enough to fit in your front pocket comfortably.
Read more in our full Ridge RFID Slim Wallet review.
Best minimalistic leather: Bellroy Hide & Seek Low Wallet
Bellroy Hide & Seek Low
Featuring a low-profile design, the Bellroy Hide & Seek Low Wallet is made to fit short currency like US dollar bills.
Unless you live in or frequently travel to places with taller bills (like Euros or British Pounds), the Hide & Seek Low is one of the best all-around designs for minimalists shopping for the best wallets for men.
The minimalistic, low-profile design eliminates extra room that will inevitably get filled with stuff you don’t need while leaving just enough space for all of the things you do need. You’ll be able to carry around all of your essentials, like credit cards, business cards, IDs, and cash, without a bunch of extra space prone to overpacking.
Amir Ismael/Business Insider
I was able to fit the 12 cards and 6 bills from the Gucci wallet I currently carry into the Bellroy Hide & Seek Low with plenty of room for more.
And just like all of Bellroy’s leather wallets, the Hide & Seek Low Wallet uses top-grain leather that has been ethically and sustainably sourced.
Best vegan cardholder: Herschel Charlie Cardholder Wallet Vegan Leather
Herschel Supply Co. is likely most recognizable for its retro-inspired backpacks, but they also have smaller accessories to fit into their wide range of quality travel goods. The Charlie is an RFID-protected cardholder that fits a light EDC in a slim profile. It works great for carrying the bare necessities on your person, wrapped up in an animal-friendly material.
The pebbled faux leather has a surprisingly supple texture that looks like genuine leather at a glance. If you just need your transit card, ID, and a couple of bank cards, and you’re already a Herschel loyalist, the vegan Charlie belongs in your collection. After wearing it, it’s aged nicely with a light fade and stitching that’s remained firmly intact.
Best money clip alternative: Leatherology Bifold with Money Clip
Leatherology Bifold with Money Clip
Combining the elements of a cardholder and a money clip, this Bilfold is perfect for carrying essential cards and cash when needed — without the extra bulk.
If you’re looking for a super low-profile option but a cardholder or money clip doesn’t fit your needs for carrying a mix of cards and cash, the Leatherology Bifold with Money Clip is the best alternative.
It’s constructed like a classic bifold but reduces bulk by removing the billfold storage in favor of a money clip. The design allows more than 6 cards and a decent amount of cash.
Amir Ismael/Business Insider
I’ve always used a traditional wallet, but with cashless payment methods like Apple Pay and CashApp, I tend to carry much less cash than I once did. I love that this bifold still feels like a traditional wallet, but only allows me to carry the necessities — there’s no extra room for old receipts and useless business cards.
Best for lots of cash: Bellroy Note Sleeve
Bellroy Note Sleeve
If you prefer cash over cards, the Bellroy Note Sleeve will quite literally fit the bill.
When searching for the best wallet for men who carry cash, we considered not only how many bills it can hold but also which types of bills it can hold. The aptly named Bellroy Note Sleeve checked off all of our boxes for bills.
With a 4.02-inch height, the Bellroy Note Wallet can hold US dollars, Australian dollars, and taller bills like British pounds and Euros. You’ll appreciate it if you frequently travel or simply live in a country with taller bills. Plus, it has a coin holder for all of your non-paper currency.
Although I haven’t traveled much lately, I appreciate that my US dollars are completely out of sight when in the Bellroy Note Sleeve. Although low-profile wallets are designed to accommodate US dollar bills, I’ve found they can still stick out of the top when you have a lot of bills. I could fit more than 10 bills in the Note Wallet without any problem.
You’ll also find ample sleeves for your essential cards, and a coin pocket for all that change you’ll be getting back after spending your cash.
Best hardcase: Secrid Cardslide
Secrid Cardslide Wallet
This minimalist aluminum wallet made our list of best wallets, under the best hardcase category.
There are a lot of imitators, but Secrid is a true innovator in minimalist aluminum wallets. The Cardslide combines the brand’s Cardholder, which features a patented spring-loaded lever that lets you instantly access your cards, with a slide for storing paper money, up to two extra cards, and whatever else you need, and a Moneyband to hold even more cash.
The coolest feature is the Cardholder. With a push of a button, your cards pop up. It holds four to six cards, depending on whether they’re embossed. When the cards are inside the case, they won’t fall out, even with a good shake while upside down. Secrid won a prestigious Red Dot Design award for its Cardholder design.
The slide is just extra storage space, taking this from simply being a cardholder to more of an actual wallet. Secrid, a small family-owned business, ethically and sustainably produces its products in Holland. They rigorously test the products — promising at least 1 million operations — to guarantee longevity backed by a standard two-year or three-year warranty if you register your Cardslide on the company’s website.
Best handcrafted: Tanner Goods Utility Bifold
Tanner Goods Utility Bifold
The Tanner Goods Utility Bifold is handcrafted in Minnesota from a sturdy 3.5 ounces of vegetable-tanned English Bridle leather.
Tanner Goods started out making belts using old-school hand tools in Portland, Oregon nearly 20 years ago. While the tools and techniques may have changed since then, the brand maintains a true sense of craftsmanship and heritage in constructing the best wallets for men.
They handcraft the Utility Bifold in Minnesota from a sturdy 3.5 ounces of vegetable-tanned English Bridle leather. Bridle leather is both super durable – it was, after all, made to stand up to horse sweat and the elements — and extremely handsome and will only get better with age. They burnish and wax the leather wallet to bring out its natural beauty and for added longevity.
Inside, there are four card pockets that hold two cards each, a traditional bill pocket, and two hidden pockets. While this isn’t a minimalist wallet, it still fits in your front pocket. Tanner Goods really stands behind its products, offering a limited lifetime warranty. This wallet doesn’t have lots of bells and whistles, but it is elegant, very well made, and will last you for years to come. There are 11 color choices, but I’d recommend the natural or saddle tan in keeping with the spirit of the piece.
Best waterproof: Skog Å Kust Plånbok Floating Waterproof Wallet
Skog Å Kust is a fairly young brand specializing in outdoor gear like all-weather backpacks and bags. The family-owned brand from Pennsylvania gets its name from the Swedish words for forest, creek, and coast. Their Plånbok Floating Waterproof Wallet is a go-to for camping, boating, fishing, and hiking. It’s also great at forestalling having to dry out your stuff after your “hilarious” friend pushes you into a pool.
They make one of the best wallets for men by using Cordura ballistic ripstop fabric and welding the seams for a super lightweight (1.52 ounces) but tough and abrasion-resistant exterior. It’s then coated with Thermoplastic Polyurethane, making it water and stain-proof, but still flexible. Inside this bifold-style wallet, there’s room for six cards in three slots and folded cash (20 bills) you can store in the two waterproof zippered pockets, and it features a clear window for your ID. It also has a clip for keys that you can also hook onto your shorts for extra protection. But even at maximum capacity, the wallet still floats.
It should be noted that while the wallet is waterproof, it’s only guaranteed to protect your valuables if briefly submerged, as in if the wallet falls overboard while kayaking. It’s not made to be underwater for extended periods, so maybe don’t take it snorkeling.
Best affordable designer leather: Polo Ralph Lauren Pebbled Leather Billfold Wallet
Ralph Lauren is one of my favorite brands to shop for timeless clothing, and its small leather goods and accessories are just as reliable in terms of style and quality. I had a similar Ralph Lauren leather billfold to the one listed above and I used it daily for nearly 8 years before replacing it with the Gucci wallet.
To be completely honest, I’d probably still be using it if I was never gifted a new one, and it still stands as one of the best men’s wallets. The leather and stitching have held up well, and it’s not nearly as expensive as some other designer options.
Best leather cardholder: Ekster Parliament Wallet
Ekster Parliament Wallet
The innovative Ekster Parliament combines quick access to cards, location tracking capability and RFID blocking in a stylish leather finish.
If you carry mostly cards, but still prefer the feel of leather wallets over metal money clips and card holders, the Ekster Parliament Wallet is for you. This is among the best wallets for men for its fully leather outer construction, but features a unique storage solution for up to 12 cards.
With the click of a button, your cards will fan out, giving you quick access to them without having to open the wallet. When you open the wallet, you’ll find two additional storage slots and an elastic band for holding cash.
You can also add a tracking card to your wallet, making it impossible to lose. Powered by Chipolo, you can locate your wallet using your smartphone — a useful feature whether you regularly misplace your wallet at home or in public.
Best lightweight: Mighty Wallet Rich Black Minimalist
Carrying the bare essentials in a Mighty Wallet is like wearing an envelope in the shape of a wallet. The wallet debuted in the MoMA Design Store and is made of the paperlike material of Tyvek. Tyvek has the consistency and weight of paper, but is much more durable than Manila. It’s also water and tear resistant, so won’t be ruined if you happen to run it through the wash in your jean pockets.
Upon first impression, it may look more like a novel origami wallet than the best lightweight wallet to hold your valuables securely. But its eight expandable compartments are expertly angled, so everything is easily accessible and compacted. It only weighs 0.265 ounces— that’s lighter than 2 credit cards— and is so miniature that I could sit down with it in my back pocket without feeling lopsided.
Best leather coin wallet: Harber London Leather Zip Coin Wallet
Leather goods brand London Harber launched in 2012 from a London apartment, intending to fill the gap in the market for quality laptop sleeves and has since expanded into other products, including leather wallets. The brand uses full-grain leather and Spanish artisans to craft the best wallets for men, which are minimalist in aesthetic, as with the Leather Zip Coin Wallet. But you can pack a lot into it.
This coin wallet has a front pocket for holding one card, but it opens widest when it’s only holding coins in its main compartment. While this wallet doesn’t have the traditional slot for paper money, there’s room for holding enough coins to cover your trip to the laundromat. We’ve tested Harber London’s other more traditional styles like their Card Wallet, and its full grain leather is supple and notably high quality.
What to look for in men’s wallets
A great place to start when looking for a new wallet is to clean out your old one first. Once you’ve gone through and tossed out the aforementioned random items you may have collected, you can get a visual sense of what size wallet you need, whether that’s a trifold, bifold, or minimalist version. The wallet’s material is another consideration.
A good quality full-grain leather wallet may be a bit of a financial investment, but it will last you for years and only gets better as it ages, taking on a beautiful patina. That said, leather can stretch over time, especially if you overstuff your wallet. Today, wallets come in all kinds of materials, so if you are an overstuffer, consider one made of aluminum. If you spend a lot of time in or near the water, then a ballistic nylon wallet that’s fully waterproof is the one for you. Today, thieves don’t have to actually steal your wallet to rip you off financially. They can use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to gain access to your credit cards from a distance. The best way to protect yourself is with an RFID-blocking wallet.
Closures can also be an important aspect to consider. Do you lose items easily? Maybe a zippered wallet is what you need. Do you want quick and easy access to your credit cards? One with an automatic card slide might be for you. Or maybe something in between these two. A wallet with a magnetic closure might be your best option.
How we tested men’s wallets
We used real-world testing, crowdsourced interviews, and extensive research (including reading hundreds of customer comments) to create our guide to the best wallets for men. Our testing included using wallets for weeks at a time in our own daily lives to assess convenience, card access, and the overall carrying experience. We also relied on feedback from our teammates, who shared insights about their preferences for pocket-friendly wallet features. Beyond materials, design elements, and craftsmanship, we also considered value when determining what made it into this guide. Ultimately, we feel strongly that expensive, designer wallets aren’t worth it unless fashion is your first priority.
FAQs
What makes a high-quality wallet?
It comes down to materials and construction. For leather, look for a wallet completely made of full-grain leather, which is the outer layer of the hide and is more durable or top grain, which comes from a different layer of the hide and is thinner, more pliable and more stain resistant than full-grain leather. Look for straight stitching using a thick thread. A long warranty is also a good sign since it means the company stands behind its products.
Do I need an RFID-blocking wallet?
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. It’s essentially wireless technology that allows a reader device to track or receive data. While credit cards do have RFID chips, there’s very little evidence to show that criminals are using RFID readers to access your personal or financial information (data leaks and breaches are the bigger issue). While security experts say there’s no harm in protecting yourself with an RFID-blocking wallet, the short answer is that you probably don’t need it.
How much does a good wallet cost?
A high-quality full-grain leather wallet should cost between $80 to $125+. A top-grain leather wallet should run you a little less. Wallets made from aluminum may cost a bit more. For an item you use every day and that will last you years, that’s not a bad cost over its lifetime.
What is a minimalist wallet?
As the name suggests, it’s a more compact version of a traditional wallet specifically designed to be smaller, lighter, and thinner and is meant for your front pocket rather than the back pocket. The best slim wallets we tested come in various materials such as leather and aluminum, but because of their size, you won’t be able to cram as many things into them as an old-fashioned wallet.
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