Finding the best slim wallet
With digital wallets in full swing, many people have decided to pare down to slim wallets. These space-savvy designs forgo the bulk and only hold the bare essentials of cash, credit cards and identification.
Choosing a slim wallet is one of the most personal purchases you can make. To some, the thought of downsizing can be intimidating. Others view it as a welcomed change. To a certain extent, it’s seen as a simple exercise in minimalism. More still might be looking for an alternative to that hunk of cash and cards that takes up too much space in their purse or is causing back pain from sitting on it all day long.
Whatever the reason, there’s a host of new features in this streamlined economy that will make transitioning to a slim wallet feel like a lifestyle upgrade rather than a sacrifice.
Key considerations for slim wallets
What fits inside a slim wallet?
Slim wallets accommodate the bare essentials: a limited amount of cash and cards. With that said, some slim wallets only hold cards and identification. Those that do hold cash aren’t designed to hold too many bills, with the exception of some hybrid-wallet money-clip styles.
How to pare down a wallet
If you’re wondering how to pare down a wallet, only keep the essentials:
Identification: Always keep your driver’s license, government-issued ID, student ID or other forms of identification in your wallet.
Credit cards: Choose two or three of the credit and debit cards you use most often. If there’s room for other cards, great — if not, keep them in a secure place so they’re accessible next time you need them.
Cash: If the slim wallet fits cash, keep only as many bills as needed. Consider carrying a few bigger bills as opposed to several smaller ones to save room.
Wallet materials
If you’re wondering which material is best for wallets, brush up on the pros and cons of each one. While leather is a classic option, it’s not the only one worth considering.
Leather: Leather is known for its long-lasting construction and luxurious design. It holds up well to the wear and tear of everyday use. However, leather is a porous material, so it’s susceptible to water damage and stains.
Vinyl: Vinyl looks and sometimes feels like leather, though it’s much lighter and more affordable. Vinyl wallets come in a wide variety of colors and designs, so it’s fairly easy to find one that suits you. Unfortunately, vinyl wallets tend to wear out quickly.
Polyester: Polyester is an affordable synthetic option for wallets. It’s lightweight, and like vinyl, it comes in a rainbow of colors and prints. While polyester wallets are generally durable, quality tends to be hit-or-miss.
Cloth: Cloth — including cotton, canvas and linen — is appreciated for its soft aesthetic. Many cloth wallets have intricate embroidery or embellishments. One of the pitfalls of cloth, however, is that unless it’s treated, it’s absorbent. This means wallet contents will get soaked or damaged when exposed to moisture.
Slim wallet styles
There are several styles of slim wallets, though bi-fold wallets and card-case wallets remain the most popular. Some larger styles, like accordion and continental wallets, are also available in slim styles, though they tend to get heavy and bulky when filled to capacity.
How much you can expect to spend on slim wallets
There are several affordable slim wallets priced $25 and below. If you’re looking for quality without breaking the bank, look to the $30-$100 range for slim wallets made by well-known brands. High-end and designer start at $100 and run as high as $1,000.
Best slim wallets
Best slim wallets for women
Kate Spade New York Spencer Small Slim Bifold Wallet: available at Macy’s
A popular Kate Spade style, the Spencer bifold has a luxe design with a zipper compartment and eight internal slots. It’s one of a few slim wallets that even holds coins.
Apt. 9 Lambskin RFID-Blocking Slim Clutch Wallet: available at Kohl’s
This elegant slimline clutch is made with soft leather and comes in four colors. It boasts nine card slots, a zip pocket for bills and an easy-access ID window slot.
Tory Burch Walker Zip Slim Wallet: available at Tory Burch
The cool, refined style of this color block Tory Burch wallet exudes luxury. It’s made with fine Italian leather and has elegant contrast stitching along the edges.
Coach Slim Accordion Zip Wallet: available at Macy’s
This classic Coach accordion wallet is made with supple leather and has fine gold-tone hardware. It has a larger capacity than most slim wallets without feeling too bulky or heavy.
Best slim wallets for men
Calvin Klein Men’s Duofold Slim Wallet: available at Macy’s
The rich, cognac color of this Calvin Klein Duofold exudes luxury at an affordable price. In addition to RFID protection, the wallet has seven slots, including an exterior one for IDs.
Perry Ellis Portfolio Men’s Leather Gramercy Slim Trifold Wallet: available at Macy’s
A traditionalist design, this Perry Ellis trifold has fine stitching and comes in black or tan. Users appreciate its space-savvy stacking design, which isn’t much larger than a deck of cards.
TUMI Men’s Slim Leather Bifold: available at Macy’s
This sleek TUMI bifold comes in an attractive, gift-ready box. It earns praise for its long lifespan, with some users reporting that it lasts well over 5 years.
Best slim wallets for $50 and below
GUESS Lyndi Slim Clutch Wallet: available at Macy’s
This slim PVC wallet by GUESS holds up to a dozen cards and has two full-length slots for bills. It weighs a mere 0.35 pounds and fits inside most smaller handbags.
Herschel Men’s Charlie RFID Wallet: available at Amazon
Touted as a tap-friendly card case, this Herschel design is equipped with four outer slots plus a center slot for bills. Users report it easily holds up to seven cards and a few bills.
Buffway Slim Minimalist Front Pocket Wallet: available at Amazon
Buffway’s RFID-blocking card case has eight slots to hold cards and bills. It comes in six types of leather and 14 colors, including pink and green.
Serman Brands Slim Money Clip Wallet: available at Amazon
Appreciated for its modern, practical design, this clip wallet has an outer ID window slot for quick access. The innovative stainless steel clip holds up to 15 bills.
Sian Babish is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
