Next to K9s, a wallet is a man’s best friend. It sticks with him through thick and thin, out on the town or at the hardware store. A wallet knows your deepest and darkest spending habits, it’s there for moral support when out with a significant other and also acts as a motivator to pursue alternative career options if you find it on the lighter side. Whatever the case, a man’s wallet is an integral element of his daily carry and serves to work with him, not against him, in the never-ending management of his finances.
It is for these reasons that an investment in a quality wallet is a must. However, such an investment need not “break the bank” so to speak. There are plenty of options out there from money clips to traditional bi-folds, to more minimal /modern-looking wallets for the stylish individual. Wallets are meant to serve as an extension of your own personality, keeping your identity safe and consolidated along with your money.
So in accordance with this notion, and because we ourselves care about our carry, why not share the wealth -so-to-speak- of our knowledge pertaining to wallets that are durable, function properly, and won’t cost a fortune? It’s what we do day in and day out, and our expanse of knowledge is free for the taking. So here they are, the 15 best wallets under $50. Some American-made. Some minimal. All affordable.
Trayvax Summit Wallet
For the tactical minimalist comes the Summit Wallet, made in the USA and designed to carry up to eight of your most used cards, ID included. It’s highly durable and corrosion resistant thanks to a steel frame with electro-coated paint finish. Clearly, the Trayvax is built with high-quality American-made components which, for the price point, makes this wallet a steal.
JBird Co. Taco Card Wallet
The Taco Card Wallet is a great option for keeping important business cards or credit cards safe and snug in a minimalist design. Made right here in the USA, it’s constructed from full-grain vegetable tanned leather and features a simple elastic band riveted into the wallet for easy closure and security. Keep it close to ensure protection on a daily basis and, thanks to the wallet’s slim design, bulk may finally become a fad of the past.
Dash Slim Travel Wallet
If weight is an issue for your carry then look no further than this one ounce Dash wallet. Featuring RFID-blocking technology and durable construction from the Dash’s Premium Thin Saffiano Leather, you’ll keep organized thanks to an internal three-compartment system and a two-year warranty ensures that Dash stands behind their quality products.
Herschel Supply Co. Charlie Card Holder
For when you find yourself traveling light with your finances there’s the Charlie Card Holder, built from 100-percent polyester and hosting multiple card slots for your convenience. It’s fully lined with their trademark coated poly fabric and features a “No Closure” closure and top sleeve pocket for easier access to you more frequently-used cards.
Recycled Firefighter Sergeant
Nothing like an everyday carry item that reduces our environmental fingerprint. The Recycled Firefighter wallet is made from decommissioned polyester fire hose and sewn together with T-90 nylon thread that boasts 15 lbs of breaking strength. Each wallet carries the capacity to hold between four and eight cards and with a one-inch Mil-Spec nylon binding, the odds of this wallet ever letting you down are slim to none.
Vanguard Limited Bifold Wallet
A water-resistant wallet is never a bad idea. This Vanguard, in particular, is a crazy thin option (as thin as two credit cards) that’s ultra light and durable in addition to its water resistant properties. It boasts two hidden card pockets, a cash pocket, and weighs about as much as three sheets of paper. If traveling light is your prerogative, the Vanguard BiFold if the perfect option.
Axess “Smooth” Vegetable Tanned Compact Wallet
Keep the cash and cards safe with this RFID-blocking wallet. Featuring the capacity to hold between 7-9 cards as well as cash, the Axess wallet is made from genuine Vegetable-tanned leather and hosts an outer wide pocket with RFID-blocking technology. Each wallet is handmade and features tight stitching with strong and durable Polyester/Cotton Corespun thread. It no only keeps your identity safe but will last for years to come.
Crazy Horse Craft Wool Felt Wallet
For those who don’t know, Crazy Horse is another term used to describe Saddle Leather. Makes sense right? Here, the leather is manipulated to gain an antique appearance through the application of waxes to the surface. The Wool Felt Wallet boasts this appearance and will only look better with age. In short, it’s a handsome minimalist wallet that will hold you cards and cash in style.
Slim Timber Walnut Card Wallet
Crafted out of, you guessed it, walnut wood, this Slim Timber wallet also features leather construction and an elastic strap. It’s small enough to fit comfortably in your front pocket yet durable enough to keep all important items safe and secure. The elastic strap holds cards in place, the thumb groove allows for easy access, and it can fit up to eight credit cards and even more business cards if you need the space.
Brass Money Clip
We’re throwing it way back here with this old-school-looking money clip. It’s about as minimal as it gets for wallet wearers these days since it’s built from a single piece of solid brass. Manufactured in the US, each money clip is cut, engraved, tumbled, and hand-bent into the smooth shape you see before you. A perfect option for ideal minimal carry.
Ezra Arthur Cash Fold
The Cash Fold is a money clip without the clip. The goal here is to help those who want to carry around a bit of cash in a slim and modern manner. It’ll remain comfortable in your pocket, keep any and all cash secure and since there are no metal parts the wallet won’t cut through your clothes like more traditional clips. The result? The Cash Fold will hold up to 30 bills without making your pockets appear overstuffed.
Machine Era Ti5 Slim Wallet
The Ti5 is the ultimate EDC wallet. It’s slim, light, and strong, a design that’s been years in the making; a next-level wallet based on their original Machine Era model. This piece, in particular, is built from titanium and comes complete with RFID- blocking technology, a bottle opener, and is ultra durable to boot. The thumb slot facilitates easy access to frequently-used cards and the Ti5 is hand finished and corrosion proof. Ready for years of use.
Trove Slim Wallet
Handmade in England, the Trove wallet is built with full-grain, bonded Italian leather and durable Italian elastic producing a high-quality, fully reversible pocket companion. It’s slim, comfortable, and modern with Trove’s elastic band that conforms to your cards so there’s little to worry about in case you carry around an extra bit of plastic. It’s a wallet that will never let you down.
TGT Americana Deluxe
Yet another quality American-made wallet, the TGT boasts dual leather pockets with a red, white, and blue elastic band to keep everything secure. Use the TGT to fit all your ID’s and credit cards, a stack of greenbacks and even a small item, such as house key, safe in your front pocket and out of harm’s way. On top of all that, The TGT is also made from Italian lambskin so years of reliable use is a sure thing.
HuMn Aluminum Slim Wallet
Durable in quality and sleek in design the HuMn is an American-crafted beauty that lays claim to both form and function in the wallet world. It’s built from aircraft-grade aluminum plates, features RFID-blocking technology, and customizable for travel. Carry up to six cards and cash thanks to its slim design and elastic band for extra security. And for those animal rights activists out there, rest assured knowing there’s no leather whatsoever anywhere near this wallet.
