The 6 Best Waterproof Wallets For Summer Adventures

Later this month, summer will finally be upon us. And for some, that means more time spent indoors to avoid the scorch of the sun. For us, however, it means much more time outside – preferably in a pair of board shorts floating around in some body of water, be it natural or manmade. Though, when we take a dip, we generally don’t like our cash, cards, and wallet contents to get soaked along with us.

Thankfully, there are a few everyday carry brands out there that share both our love for potentially wet environments and our desire to keep the stuff in our pockets safe and dry. And that spirit is exemplified in the creation of these waterproof men’s wallets. Don’t be fooled, though; it doesn’t have to be summer for you to reap the benefits of these cash and card carriers. Whether you frequently get caught in torrential downpours, you like to hit the surf, or you’re just prone to dropping your gear in puddles, these waterproof wallets will stop those liquids from ruining your day.

Waterproof Vs. Water-Resistant

Waterproof and water-resistant are often used interchangeably, but we must make it clear that when it comes to keeping gear and yourself protected from either rain or accidental water submersion, there is a difference.

Water-Resistant: The term “water-resistant” simply means that some or all of a product can resist moisture, to a degree. It can be a generalization for “water-repellant,” which achieves its repellence through fabric coatings or treatments (companies will usually tell you what it is). On the other hand, if there’s no real specification for why it’s water-resistant, chances are that the item is simply using inherently water-resistant fabrics such as nylon or polyester, which resists moisture simply because of the density of the respective material.

Waterproof: Something that is waterproof is, by definition, resistant to water, but there is much more to it than that. The materials it’s made of can be inherently water-resistant, but there are usually other construction details that make it waterproof, such as gaskets or seals. While it’s not always easy to tell (and some brands keep it intentionally ambiguous), you can place your trust in reputable brands as well as a claimed IP rating. We won’t get into IP ratings right now, but essentially, the higher the last number is, the more it holds up against water infiltration.

WITZ Surfsafe Waterproof Case

Best Cheap Wallet: As evidenced by its name, this offering from WITZ is the ideal low-cost waterproof wallet for seafaring people – like surfers. In fact, it’s not just watertight – it’s also airtight. That means, once you put something inside it, nothing from the outside world is going to get in there and contaminate it unless you open it up yourself. What’s even better is that this cash and card carrier floats. So, if you do find yourself out on the open ocean and you accidentally drop it in the water, you can just reach down and pick it right up off the surface of said water. And the hard casing is crush-resistant, too – you know, if you mistakenly sit on it or, for some reason, decide to take a hammer to it.

Chums Surfshorts Wallet

Best for Style Options: Although it is not waterproof, the Surfshorts Wallet from Chums is more than enough to protect your cards and cash from a little unexpected water. Available in dozens of color and pattern options, it’s also built with a keyring to attach to your lanyard or keys. Equipped with an ID window in front so you can have access to it quickly when needed, the ripstop nylon fabric shell is water-resistant and comes with two zippered compartments for cash, cards, and coins. There’s also an external sleeve for any additional cards.

Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof Wallet

Best for Travel: When heading out on all your summer travel adventures, make sure you have a wallet that can keep up with your pace and the unpredictable weather of unfamiliar cities. Nite Ize’s Runoff Waterproof Wallet is a fantastic choice simply for its IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, meaning it can be fully submersed up to 1m for 30 minutes. So you’re able to keep it attached to your person, the loops on either side can attach to your belt for added security, or if you want to keep it at the ready. Weighing just over 1oz, this model is constructed from thermoplastic polyurethane with RF welded seams and is closed with a snag-proof TRU Zip toothless zipper that won’t ever fail you. Not only that but there’s a transparent window in front so you can easily find what you’re looking for.

Pelican G5 Personal Utility RF Field Wallet

Best for Camping: If there’s anyone you can trust to make a solid waterproof wallet, it’s the folks at Pelican. Creators of some of the toughest coolers and cases out there, they’ve applied their expertise to this much smaller aluminum carrier that is both waterproof and dustproof at a rating of IP67. Essentially, this will last fully submerged up to 1m for 30 minutes. Inside, you’ll find a mesh pocket and elastomeric strap to help you organize your cash and cards, which are accessible via an easy-to-open yet extremely tough latch. It also has enough room inside for a few keys, if you’re worried about keeping your gear separate while you take a dip. And, on top of its water and dust resistance, this offering is also crush-proof and floats if dropped in a body of water.

Rains Zip Wallet

Best for Work: Sometimes all you need is a wallet that can withstand some drizzle on your daily commute. After all, we’re not going to bring our heavy-duty Pelican G5 to the office or to a business lunch. Constructed from polyester with a polyurethane coating for a leathery appearance, this minimalist and surprisingly durable Zip Wallet from Rains can hold four cards inside its external sleeves but then has an internal zippered pouch for extra cards, bills, and coins. Available in four stylish colorways, the wallet is a great alternative to the sporty card holders you’d bring to the beach or camping trip.

Bellroy All-Conditions CARD POCKET

Best Upgrade: Once again, Bellroy has done what they do best – create not only a functional piece of everyday carry gear, but manage to do it in a format that is both minimalist and stylish. While their whole line-up of All-Conditions offerings is worthwhile, we’d like to take a moment to focus specifically on the Card Pocket. Built around a water-resistant all-conditions premium leather, this cash and card carrier can fit up to 10 cards inside at a time, plus folded bills and coins – which stay dry thanks in part to the water-resistant external Aquaguard zipper, as well. It also has separate slots inside for cash and coins. And, although it is so capacious and rugged, this wallet is still small enough to easily and comfortably fit inside your front pocket.

Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant

Just so we are clear, waterproof means something different than water-resistant. If you’d like to familiarize yourself with exactly how different they are, then you should have a look at our waterproof vs. water-resistant guide.