The Absolute Best Men’s Wallets For Everyday Carry

Of all the things you might carry with you, perhaps the most ubiquitous and immediately important is your wallet. After all, we live in a capitalist society where, metaphorically speaking, cash is king — or cards, now that so much has gone digital. So unless you’re completely off the grid and living off the land, whatever it is that hauls around your plastic or paper money is probably going to be your number one go-to piece of gear.

Despite the fact that the purpose is, for the most part, universally the same, there are a lot of different types of wallets — including bifolds, trifolds, card cases, money clips, and more. And while there isn’t a single one that works best for everyone, we’re pretty confident that we’ve narrowed down the top options on our list of the best wallets for men. If you’re in dire need of a new cash and card carrier, you’ve come to the right place.

There are literally thousands of available men’s wallets currently on the market, though almost all of them will fall under the umbrella of one of eight main categories. Below, we’ll briefly be outlining the main genres of men’s wallets that currently comprise the market. 

Bi-Fold Wallets: Not to be confused with a bill-fold, a bi-fold wallet is a classic style that consists of two folding halves connected at a spine — not unlike a book. Bi-folds almost always features a horizontally-running, full-length compartment for housing paper bills, while vertical card slots typically occupy the interior side of these items. 

Card Holders: Like the name suggests, card holders are a type of minimalist wallet designed specifically for housing one or more credit cards, and little to nothing else. 

Slim Folding Wallets: Slim folding wallets are something of a hybrid between classic bi-folds and modern card holders, as these items do feature a folding setup, though are usually much more low profile than normal bi-folds thanks to an emphasis on housing cards over cash. 

Tri-Fold Wallets: Tri-fold wallets are similar to bi-folds, only this style of wallet features a third folding section. This means tri-fold wallets offer more storage space for both cards and cash, though they’re also a bit more bulky.  

Travel Wallets: Also called “passport wallets,” travel wallets are a larger style of wallet that are designed to house and protect a passport, along with the carrier’s cash, cards, boarding passes, and other vital paperwork and travel documents. 

Trucker Wallets: Also referred to as “biker wallets,” trucker wallets are a classically-styled type of wallet that often come attached to a chain or anchor. Also often secured via a snap closure, trucker wallets tend to be larger than normal bi-folds and tri-folds and offer more storage space for cards, paper bills, and whatever else you’re carrying. 

Phone Wallets: The newest style of wallet on this list, phone wallets — also called “smartphone wallets” or iPhone wallets” — are a type of wallet designed to pair with your smartphone. Phone wallets either consist of phone cases with built-in card slots on the rear-side of the device, or standalone wallets — typically of the card holder variety — that magnetically-couple with an iPhone’s magnetic MagSafe system. 

Zippered Wallets: Typically employing a bi-fold-style setup, this style of wallet simply features a zipper-secured main closure that ensures that a wallet’s contents won’t fall out. In addition to being RFID-protected, a great many of today’s zippered wallets are also weatherproof or waterproof — typically thanks to the use of AquaGuard-style zippers. 

Though men’s wallets tend to be fairly straightforward products, there are a handful of finer points that one should be privy to when shopping. Below, we’ve outlined some of the most crucial areas to consider when shopping for a new wallet.

Wallet Type: As touched on above, today’s men’s wallet segment can largely be broken down into one of eight different categories, each of which has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. 

Materials: Just like any other carry solution or piece of EDC gear, the materials used to construct a wallet will have an enormous impact on its overall quality. What’s more, the materials used will not only play a substantial role in the look and feel of a given wallet, but will also largely determine a given wallet’s durability and much of its overall quality. On modern wallets, these construction range from everything from leather and textile constructions to alloy models to wallets crafted from proprietary constructions like Dyneema and CORDURA. 

Construction Technique(s): Not only are you going to want to pay attention to the materials that comprise a wallet, but you’ll also want to focus on the construction technique — or techniques — that were used to be said material together, as this will also play a pivotal role in its overall durability. Today’s best men’s wallets employ a myriad of different construction techniques, from traditional stitching to laser-welds.

Closure: This factor only applies to certain types of wallets, as most card holders and bifold wallets are devoid of closure systems. With that said, a wallet’s closure can have a huge impact on its overall performance and user experience. Most contemporary men’s wallets of this variety employ closure setups such as aluminum G-hooks, Velcro, zippers, or magnets, just to name a few.

Amenities & Organization: Modern wallets can also vary pretty significantly in terms of the organizational amenities that they offer, as this element also plays a pivotal role in the overall user experience. Aspects to keep an eye out for in this area includes pockets and organizers for stashing things like credit cards and paper bills, as well as pen loops, key leashes, and holders for Airtags and tracking devices. RFID protection has also become an increasingly common amenity on modern men’s wallets. 

Style: Modern men’s wallets come in a huge variety of different styles and looks, practically guaranteeing that there’s a wallet out there that willl resonate with you and your personal taste. So, while it’s true that we do subscribe to the belief that factors like materials and amenities should serve as the main guiding forces in your search, there’s still nothing wrong with factoring your personal aesthetic taste into the equation when shopping around for a new wallet.

Price & Value: Wallets can vary pretty massively in terms of both price and level of value — i.e. bang for your buck. It is true that more expensive wallets tend to be made from higher-quality materials and feature better amenities, though they undeniably lack the value of some of their cheaper counterparts — making this another crucial area to explore when shopping, especially if you’re on a budget.  

When we first set out to compile a list of the best men’s wallets, we began by first making a shortlist of our three favorite wallets from each of the eight main categories. Each category’s trio of choices were selected based on a number of key criteria including their material selection, overall design, utility and organization, and general build quality. With our list complete, we then proceeded to get hands-on with all two-dozen of these wallets, as materials and features do play a major role in overall quality and performance, though it isn’t until actually physically testing each model that you start to get a much better sense of their real-world performance, as well as their overall value and worth.

This testing phase of our process saw each and every wallet used and carried by our staff for several days in an effort to glean an objective sense of performance, utility, and durability. After getting a chance to get hands-on with each and every one of these wallets, we were ultimately able to narrow our more than 20 initial picks down to just 10 in total — decisions that were also made by factoring-in each wallet’s price, value, and bang for your buck. Using this aforementioned criteria, we were then able to generate a final list of what we found to be the best of the best in the men’s wallet space. 

American Bench Craft Caliber Clip

Best Money Clip Wallet: There’s no rule that dictates that a wallet made from traditional materials has to be bulky and cumbersome — which is why American Bench Craft built their Caliber Clip Wallet. Super slim, yet still made from premium leather and titanium, this cash and card carrier is perfect for EDC enthusiasts who appreciate timeless styling in a modern package.

In addition to also being offered in a black leather version, American Benchcraft also offers a customizable three-letter monogram to further personalize this already unique wallet. And it certainly helps that this wallet comes backed by a forever warranty, guaranteeing a lifetime of daily use.

Distil Union Wally Bifold 5.0

Best Bifold Wallet: An updated fifth-gen take on an already fantastic wallet, the Distil Union Wally Bifold 5.0 features a slimmer profile, deeper pockets, the brand’s new MagLock system, and a custom money clip that’s machined from a single piece of stainless steel. Stitched from rich full-grain leather, the Wally Bifold 5.0 is built with two handy interior slots for instant access to IDs and other important carry, plus boasts storage for as many as 14 cards (plus up to 30 folded bills).

Also of note is this wallet’s convenient color-coded pull-tabs and squeeze-to-open functionality, which makes retrieving cards a breeze, no matter how loaded the wallet is. At the end of the day, it’s probably best to think of the Wally 5.0 as a bifold made for the modern-day, as it combines everything we love about the classic style — spacious storage, security, etc — in a compact, pocket-friendly package.

Bellroy All Condition Card Pocket

Best Weather-Proof Wallet: While everything Bellroy makes is superb, outdoorsmen will likely find themselves drawn to their All-Conditions collection. And this wallet highlights why, as it’s crafted around a soft yet rugged remolded leather shell that’s largely impervious to the elements. Additionally, the ACCP wallet also features a water-resistant YKK AquaGuard zipper closure plus can hold a whopping 15 cards and cash.

Also included is a pair of internal stretch pockets and a raised coin and key pocket with a tethered key loop. If you’re worried about your wallet contents getting soggy, pick up this carrier and put those stresses to bed. Whether being used in the city or out on the trails, the Bellroy All Condition Card Pocket is just a fantastic little vessel. 

Ekster Parliament Wallet

Best Wallet Deployment: Though it may resemble a large bi-fold or travel wallet, the Ekster Parliament Wallet conceals a few unique tricks up its sleeve in the form of a quick-access card deployment button that fans out all of the wallet’s cards, making it incredibly easy to quickly grab whichever one you need.

Produced in a dozen color options, Ekster’s Parliament Wallet is built around an aluminum frame with RFID protection that comes cloaked in a LWG hide leather exterior cover. Sustainably manufactured, this wallet can also be fitted with an optional Chipolo GPS tracker so you can always keep tabs on it should it get stolen or misplaced. The ability to receive a solar-powered charge also enables it to last 2 to 3 months before needing to be juiced up again. 

Tanner Goods Journeyman Wallet

Best Leather Cardholder: A handsome blend of traditional craftsmanship, premium materials, and modern expectations, the Tanner Good Journeyman card holder wallet is as beautiful as your grandfather’s old handmade bifold, but in a much more manageable package. It’s built from English bridle leather, has numerous card slots — plus a center stash for cash.

Made in America, the Journeyman Wallet also benefits from Tanner Goods’ usual top-notch construction and build quality, with this minimalist design meticulously being brought to life in small batches with a careful eye for quality control. Best of all, for an upcharge, you can get it monogrammed for a bit of custom uniqueness.

Bellroy Flip Case

Most Secure Wallet: The Bellroy Flip Case is a super contemporary take on a minimalist men’s wallet that’s constructed around a molded hardshell design made from a rugged combination of polymer and leather. The Flip Case is equipped with room for half a dozen cards plus a few bills, or it can house up to eight cards in total — two of which can be accessed via a quick-draw compartment.

Utilizing a magnetic closure, the wallet boasts a dual trapdoor design with an interior divider for card and cash organization. Measuring just 4.1” x 2.75” x 0.39”, this incredibly compact wallet also features RFID protection. Despite its overall quality and materials, this wallet is priced at below $100, too.

Pioneer Division Billfold

Best Technical Wallet: Built from high-density 3PN DWR nylon, this is one of the toughest synthetic bifold wallets available on the market, with this ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene yarn-based fabric being a whopping ten-times stronger than steel. And it’s made even better by the inclusion of the brand’s FutureForm technology — which will allow it to break in and shape to your needs the longer you use it.

The wallet also features heavily-reinforced stitching and eliminated seams for an even more solid construction. It’s also waterproof, sweat-roof, washable,  can hold up to 12+ cards and cash, and has eight different organizational slots. A lot of wallets claim to offer a lifetime of use, but with Pioneer’s Division Billfold, this statement couldn’t be more true. 

The Ridge Wallet

Best Metal Wallet: When The Ridge first unveiled their game-changing wallet, it set the new standard for minimalist cash and card carriers. As it turns out, a few minor improvements and some new options have kept it firmly at the top of the pile to this day. Now, these wallets come in a number of different materials — ranging from aluminum to carbon fiber and even titanium — a bunch of different colorways, and more.

But they’re all stupendous, RFID-blocking, 12-card-capacity carriers that are a tremendous addition to any EDC loadout. This might be the closest to perfect a minimalist wallet has ever gotten. The wealth of similar Ridge-style wallets that have popped up since this model’s debut also speaks volumes about this calculated minimalist design.

Buck Mason Countryman Full-Grain Leather Wallet

Best Classic Leather Wallet: TheBuck Mason Countryman Full-Grain Leather Wallet takes ample inspiration from vintage bi-folds, with an old-school minimalist design that’s been brought to life using semi-vegetable-tanned and semi-chromed-tanned full-grain cowhide leather that’s burnished and stitched together by hand using contrasting threading.

While it may not sport any clever or innovative features, the Countryman Full-Grain Leather Wallet is simply a beautiful retro-style wallet with a robust construction that allows for a legitimate lifetime of use. Furthering its traditional feel is a simple Buck Mason logo in gold comprising the only text or branding on the entire wallet. 

Billy Kirk No. 262 Small Trucker Wallet

Best Biker Wallet: A high-end interpretation of a classic trucker-style wallet, the Billy Kirk No. 262 Small Trucker Wallet is a robust classically-styled vessel that’s made in America from premium vegetable-tanned full-grain cowhide leather. Equipped with an optional 17.25” chain made from either solid brass or stainless steel, this wallet features a double snap-secured main closure that opens to reveal a card slot, a paper bill slot, and a zipper-secured compartment for coins and other small valuables.

The backside of the wallet also boasts a quick-access card pocket. The small details on this wallet also help to massively elevate it, including matte nickel or brass snaps with custom debossed Hammer and Maul logos. It’s also worth mentioning that the entire wallet is hand-burnished and edged, giving it a broken in appearance right out of the box — though its leather shell will also form its now unique patina over time. 

The Best Minimalist Wallets

Interested in a more spartan carrying experience? Then be sure to head over to our guide to the best minimalist wallets for a curated selection of today’s best no-fuss bi-folds and card holders.