Leatherology Thin Bifold Wallet Premium (Black Oil)
Number of card slots: 6 | Monogram available: Yes | RFID Blocking: Yes | Size: 3.4 x 4.15 inches
Leatherology specializes in leather accessories created with modern designs and responsible practices. In vegetable-tanned full grain leather, their bestselling bifold holds cards and cash and has two interior pockets for stashing extra cards or receipts. It slides away easily into a front or back pocket and the leather–sourced from Buffalo shoulders–is smooth and supple.
Best Affordable Leather Wallet
Eight Soft Leather Color Options At A Fair Price
Bellroy Hide And Seek Wallet
Number of card slots: 4 | Monogram available: No | RFID Blocking: Yes | Size: 3.74 x 4.53 inches
Bellroy is known for their handsome, well-designed accessories, including wallets. The top-rated Hide And Seek is made with eco-tanned leather, sourced from Leather Working Group gold-rated tanneries, and comes in eight colors and two sizes to accommodate different types of bills, which makes it ideal for the world traveler. Behind the slim design there’s a concealed coin pouch and cash section, along with slots for up to 12 credit cards and receipts.
Best Slim Leather Wallet
Rugged, Ultra-Thin Design
Shinola Slim Bifold Wallet
Number of card slots: 6 | Monogram available: Yes | RFID Blocking: Yes | Size: 3.25 x 4.38 inches
From Shinola, the Detroit based brand known for supporting American manufacturers, this leather slim bifold is cut from natural grain leather, which has a rugged texture to it, and is finished with cut edges. Inside you’ll find six faille-lined credit card slots and a leather- lined cash pocket. It’s an elegant, minimalist pick for carrying just the essentials.
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Slim With Built-in Durability
Ettinger Capra Slim Credit Card Case
Number of card slots: 6 | Monogram available: No | RFID Blocking: No | Size: 3.42 x 4.08 inches
Ettinger is one of England’s esteemed luxury leather goods brands–around since 1934 and given a royal warrant in 1996 by King Charles–and the Capra card case wallet is for the man who likes to travel light. Made from goat leather, which is more durable than cowhide, it has natural lanolin in the skin, which provides protection from dirt, and features six card slots and two slip pockets.
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Classic And Refined For Your Daily Carry
Longchamp Wallet Le Foulonné
Number of card slots: 8 | Monogram available: No | RFID Blocking: No | Size: 3.74 x 4.52 inches
From the famed French leather goods company, this bifold is part of the brand’s emblematic line which is identified by its cowhide grain. Available in black, caramel and navy, it’s about as timeless and elegant as you can get.
Best Trifold Leather Wallet
More Room For More Cards
Bosca Leather Trifold Wallet
Number of card slots: 6 | Monogram available: Yes | RFID Blocking: Yes | Size: 3.25 x 4 inches
For those who carry multiple cards, behold the trifold. Bosca’s comes in hand stained Italian leather, which is their most recognizable, and the first fold reveals the ID by only unfolding the first flap. There’s two ID windows in total, a cash well, five card slots and two pockets for receipts.
Best Leather Money Clip
Accessibility With A Streamlined Silhouette
Andar The Apollo Card Wallet & Money Clip
Number of card slots: 5 | Monogram available: No | RFID Blocking: Yes | Size: 3.8 x 4.18 inches
For those who want to streamline even further, consider Andar’s technical, sturdy wallet and money clip. The retractable elastic pull tab allows you to access both parts with just one tug while the spring loaded money clip keeps cash and receipts secured safely. It’s got everything you need and nothing you don’t.
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Compact And Slim For Card Users
Ted Baker Rifle Card Holder
Number of card slots: 6 | Monogram available: No | RFID Blocking: No | Size: 3.14 x 3.93 inches
If you’ve gone completely cashless and walk through life using cards only, this pared-down holder from British menswear designer Paul Smith is for you. It’s made from responsibly-sourced leather certified by the Leather Working Group and has an embossed corner, six card slots and comes in four colors. The size is as compact and thin as you can get.
Best Luxury Leather Wallet
An Elegant Statement Worth The Splurge
Tom Ford Leather T-Line Bifold Wallet
Number of card slots: 8 | Monogram available: No | RFID Blocking: No | Size: 3.5 x 4.5 inches
When you want to go for the big guns, luxury designer Tom Ford’s wallets are a worthy splurge. Made in Italy from supple calf leather, this wallet spares no expense. There’s eight slots and a central pocket for bills and receipts (but you’re probably too fancy for that?) and the front is embossed with a TF gold logo.
Best Monogram Leather Wallet
Combo Money Clip And Cardholder With A Personal Touch
Mark And Graham Monogrammed Leather Money Clip Wallet
Number of card slots: 2 | Monogram available: Yes | RFID Blocking: No | Size: 2.75 x 4 inches
This is as minimal as you can get, so you’ll need to pare down to the essentials. There’s two slots on one side and a strong magnetic money clip on the other for hanging on to folded bills. A slot on the top works for small change or a business card. Mark And Graham specializes in mongrammed goods, and putting your initials on this buttery leather pick adds a handsome touch (note: it costs $12.50).
Best Phone Case Leather Wallet
Smooth Leather With Tech Functionality
Apple Leather Wallet With Magsafe
Number of card slots: 1 | Monogram available: No | RFID Blocking: Yes | Size: 0.59 x 2.34 inches
For when you only need no more than three cards, and want the convenience of carrying securely with your iPhone, this attaches to it with strong magnets. Made of French leather and available in six colors, the slim wallet also supports Find My so if it gets separated, you’ll be notified of its last location.
What To Consider When Buying A Leather Wallet
When it comes to deciding on which leather wallet is best for you, determine what your needs are. Think about whether you still carry cash (and therefore coins), if you need lot of cards on hand and how you will carry the wallet. If it’s always going to be in your pocket, then consider a comfortable size. If you’re the type to accumulate clutter, go for a slimmer cardholder that will force you to only carry the minimum.
Beyond the practical requirements of the wallet, choose one that feels like an extension of your style and personality. If you’re in a more traditional industry and dress in suits, you’ll likely want something streamlined and simple. If you’re less formal and buttoned-up, you can get away with something a bit bolder.
Obviously, the cost will factor into what you choose. Keep in mind that a wallet is one of those items you use daily so think about spending a bit more if you can. Dropping $100 is decent but if you can go north of $300, you’ll get something that you won’t have to replace for years to come.
Which Types Of Leather Are Best For Wallets?
Cowhide is the most common but it can also be sourced from sheep, goat and pig. And of course, there are exotic skins like that of alligator, ostrich and rabbit but they’re less common and difficult to procure. “In almost all leathers, you’ll find different finishes such as surface pebbling, or smooth,” says Cory Bernatt, leather expert and owner of the Sandalman Leathercare in Toronto. “Some even have printed surfaces where they do a pressing with a hot plate to add a certain texture.”
Which Leather Is The Most Durable?
Full grain cowhide is the best. It’s sourced from the outermost layer and has the tightest packed layer of fibers; it’s what protects the cow from bumps and scratches and that’s why you’ll often see minor imperfections on it. It even has some water-resistance qualities as well. And since the outer layer isn’t removed, it will develop a patina over time.
What About The Environmental Impact?
“Leather on its own is pretty much environmentally friendly,” says Bernatt. “Most of the skins being used are a byproduct of the meat industry,” so by using them, they aren’t wasting any aspect of the animal. He also notes that so called “vegan leathers” still need to be processed using chemicals that aren’t great for the planet.
What Leather Certifications Should You Look For?
Tanneries that have earned a gold rating from LWG (Leather Working Group) have been vetted for excellence in environmental and labor practices. There’s also Leather Standard by Oeko-Tex, which is a standardized testing and certification system for leather and leather goods at all production levels. Finally, there is Sustainable Leather Foundation, which vets the full chain from farm to product across three pillars: environmental, social and governance.
