The best wallets for men are thoughtfully designed: They hold your essentials without creating extra bulk, and they’re made of durable materials that last over time. After testing many men’s wallets, our best pick overall is the Leatherology Thin Bifold, a classic that’s great for most guys and also a Forbes Vetted reader favorite. For more specialized needs, we like the Dango T01, a versatile and tactical design, and for a splurge, you can’t go wrong with Tom Ford’s soft-grain leather cardholder.
To find options that suit a variety of different tastes and needs, we talked to men’s fashion experts and asked Forbes Vetted staffers for their top picks. Then, Forbes Vetted content strategy analyst Luke Frangis tested out a variety of the wallets and shared in-depth feedback. Whether your style leans minimalist, rugged or traditional, here are the best men’s wallets that we’d carry ourselves or give as holiday gifts. (And for more recommendations, we also rounded up the best leather wallets and best slim wallets).
Best Wallets For Men: Editor’s Picks
Leatherology Thin Bifold Wallet
Colors: 8 total, including Black Onyx and Cognac | Materials: Vegetable-tanned leather | Warranty: One-year limited warranty against defects in materials or craftsmanship
Pros: Excellent quality leather, compact design, monogramming available
Cons: Premium leather costs more
The top pick in our Best Leather Wallets For Men story, Leatherology has everything you want in a wallet and nothing you don’t: There are six card spots, a bill compartment and two interior pockets for receipts or extra cards. Despite all the storage, the design is thin and fits neatly in a front or back pocket. This pick also comes a variety of colors (such as Black Onyx, Espresso and Cognac) as well as three leather finishes that can be monogramed with your initials—which is especially nice if you’re giving it as a gift.
What our tester says: “This wallet has great craftsmanship, featuring soft and pliable leather that gives a sturdy yet soft feel simultaneously. It’s perfectly sized, comfortably nestling in the palm of my hands, and it’s efficiently designed with 9 sections for cards, coins and currency. The strategic arrangement of card slots at varying heights facilitates a quick, comprehensive view of all cards at a glance. Its sleek appearance in black is visually appealing, and the gold-imprinted initials add a personalized touch that I love.”
Colors: Tan and Black | Materials: Vegetable-tanned Horween leather, faille-lined card pockets | Warranty: Not listed
Pros: Handcrafted from high quality leather, RFID protection, lined card slots
Cons: Expensive
If leather quality is of the utmost importance to you, then you’ll want to consider this streamlined bifold wallet from Shinola. You can really feel softness of the vegetable-tanned leather and the sewn-in-the-USA details of the wallet. With daily use, the natural grain leather gains character—like a fine wine, it gets better with age. The pared-down wallet offers six faille-lined card pockets, a leather-lined cash pocket and RFID protection.
What our tester says: “This standard bifold wallet has well organized compartments for your cards and cash. The leather has a soft and supple texture, yet it maintains a firm and durable structure. However, the price is a little high.”
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Ekster Parliament Men’s Wallet
Colors: 11 total, including Steel Blue and Milled Beige | Materials: Leather | Warranty: 12-month warranty
Pros: Smart design with cardholder that fans out, slim profile
Cons: Engraving is an additional charge
This leather wallet holds an impressive amount of cards and bills, despite its ultra-slim, lightweight presence. This can be largely attributed to its built-in aluminum cardholder, which fans out your cards with the simple press of a button. Another genius feature: Ekster’s Parliament wallet is specifically designed to fit the brand’s solar-powered wallet tracker card, which uses Chipolo technology to report the exact location of your item up to 200 feet away. This RFID-blocking wallet is constructed from leather sourced from Leather Working Group gold-rated tanneries, and comes in a wide range of hues. For a $15 engraving fee, you can add up to 20 characters of personalized text.
What our tester says: “It has a very professional look to it and the leather is good quality. It almost acts as a wallet within a wallet due to its card holder feature—it hides your cards in a 2.5 inch slit and shoots them out when you press a button. It’s a cool feature, but not practical if you want to visibly see all your cards at once.”
Colors: Brown and Dark Brown | Materials: Leather | Warranty: Not listed
Pros: Well organized interior, simple yet functional design, affordable price
Cons: Leather might not be as high quality as more expensive wallets
Stylish and rugged with classic appeal, this Fossil bifold is made from 100% leather that’s been distressed to give it the patina of a wallet you’ve already had for years. The interior has six credit card slots, one bill compartment, an ID pocket and a durable cotton twill lining. You can spend a lot more on a leather wallet, so consider this one a real steal.
What our tester says: “I appreciate the straightforward, traditional design of this wallet. The material is flexible and smooth to the touch while the stitching around the edge of the wallet prevents loose strings from sticking out. Cards are easily accessible with slots at different heights and it’s easy to get unfolded bills in and out. The inner ID flap folds out, which made the wallet feel a little large for my liking.”
Dango T01 Tactical Wallet
Colors: Rawhide, Redline and Jet Black | Materials: Leather, aluminum | Warranty: One year limited warranty for defects in materials and workmanship
Pros: Multi-functional tool that comes in handy on the go, indestructible design
Cons: Limited but decent space for cash (via the exterior money clip) and cards (three interior slots)
Dango’s innovative model is the Swiss Army knives of wallets for outdoorsy, adventurous guys. It holds cards between plates of aluminum (notched for easy access) and cash under a flexible silicone band. But the most interesting feature is the stainless steel tool with over 14 features—it has a serrated and sharpened edge, paracord tensioner, hex driver, smartphone stand, ruler and more. The multi-tool is also removable to make it TSA safe for travel.
What our tester says: “This is an ideal wallet for outdoor activities and the quality is good for its intended purpose. The feel is rigid and sharp, and I found it hard to fit more than five cards in. If you want a combination of a Swiss Army knife and a wallet, then this is for you.”
Best Minimalist Wallets For Men
Bellroy Hide & Seek Wallet
Colors: 7 total, including Caramel and Java | Materials: Premium eco-tanned leather | Warranty: Three-year warranty covering defects in materials and craftsmanship
Pros: Hidden pouch for storing bills and coins, durable leather, slim design
Cons: Logo on exterior is small but might not appeal to all
Opting for a minimalist aesthetic doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice practicality. Despite its lean appearance, Bellroy’s Hide & Seek wallet is designed with easy-access pockets that accommodate up to 12 cards, as well as a hidden pouch for bills and coins. This RFID-blocking design comes in seven different shades, including unique hues such as Ranger Green, Ocean and Deep Plum. Also nice to know: All of Bellroy’s environmentally certified leather goods sourced from Leather Working Group gold-rated tanneries.
What our tester says: “This wallet is meticulously designed and the leather feels smooth to the touch. There’s also excellent functionality for safeguarding both cards and cash: it’s well organized with plenty of different card slots and the hidden pockets offer an extra layer of protection for large bills.”
Colors: 10 total, including Navy and Taupe | Materials: Crossgrain calf leather | Warranty: Repair services offered on case by case basis
Pros: Sophisticated leather that ages well, slim profile, monogramming available
Cons: Can’t hold a lot of cash if that’s what you carry
London-based Smythson of Bond Street designs men’s accessories with form and function in mind. This wallet—named the best slim wallet overall in our review and based on extensive testing— has external card slots and a central compartment that can accommodate an ID, credit cards and spare cash without adding unnecessary bulk to your back pocket. If you’re looking for an ultra-minimalist wallet, this checks all the boxes. For an added fee, you can add customized touches, including a monogram and a personalized motif.
Best Money Clips For Men
Colors: Black, Chocolate and Tan | Materials: Leather | Warranty: Not listed
Pros: Smart, minimalist design for those who travel light, sturdy money clips, quality leather
Cons: No storage for coins
There’s a lot to love about this timeless leather wallet from Mark & Graham. It features a sturdy magnetic money clip on one side, slots for cards on the other and a compartment slot on the top for business cards or small change. To finish it off, you can add a personalized monogram detail (for $12.50 extra), which makes this wallet a thoughtful gift for any guy.
What our tester says: “The Mark & Graham money clip has a slim and compact design that allows for one card per slot. The magnet is very strong, so you won’t have to worry about money falling out of the clamp, but the leather’s lack of grip makes it prone to slipping out of your pocket.”
Colors: 14 total, including Black and Vintage Brown | Materials: Carbon fiber, faux leather (depending on style) | Warranty: Not listed
Pros: Made from resilient steel for guys who are hard on their wallets, tab that slides out to display cards
Cons: No storage for coins
A money clip is essential for those who prefer to pay in cash; this bifold wallet from Travando features one made of sleek, sturdy stainless steel, which keeps your bills from falling out. Constructed out of RFID-blocking carbon fiber (or faux leather, depending on the style), the wallet offers 11 storage slots and a convenient front tab for assessing essential cards out on the fly.
What the reviews say: “The addition of the money clip is a brilliant feature. It securely holds my cash in place, preventing it from slipping out or getting disorganized,” says one Amazon buyer. “The clip is sturdy and reliable, providing peace of mind that my money is safe and secure.”
Mountain Voyage Minimalist Wallet For Men
3050Save $20 (40%)
Colors: 8 total, including Walnut Wood and Army Green | Materials: Carbon fiber with metal finishes | Warranty: Lifetime warranty
Pros: Made from durable carbon fiber, RFID blocking, robust storage for cards and cash
Cons: Rugged style might not appeal to all
Mountain Voyage’s wallet is protective in more ways than one: It’s made of a durable, scratch-resistant carbon fiber casing and boasts state-of-the-art RFID blocking technology for identity theft prevention. The compact design is only 0.35 inches thick, yet holds more than most slim tactical wallets—15 cards and eight bills. The removable money clip is an added bonus, offering flexible functionality for your daily needs.
What our tester says: “The aluminum is pleasantly soft to the touch, but light scratches can permanently mark the material up. It’s super light and small, and this would be an ideal option if you want a low profile wallet and don’t carry a lot of cards.”
Colors: Black | Materials: Soft grain calfskin leather | Warranty: Not listed
This Tom Ford soft grain leather card holder is one of the most beautiful wallets you may have the pleasure to carry. It’s crafted in Italy from calfskin leather with reinforced stitching, so it’ll hold its structure for years to come. The wallet has six card slots, three on each side, and a center slip pocket for receipts or bills. It’s a streamlined option for a man who doesn’t need to carry a lot of cash or an abundance of cards. Plus, the monogram hardware adds a sophisticated touch.
What our tester says: “The wallet is an ideal size that easily fits into my palm with a pleasing, professional look and feel. The leather has an ample grip that stays secure in my pocket and I can effortlessly retrieve my 10 cards, even with multiple cards stored in a single slot.”
Best Of The Rest
Choosing a wallet is ultimately a very personal decision. If none of the options above speak to your specific needs or tastes, we also reached out to Forbes Vetted staffers and fashion stylists to ask for additional recommendations. Here’s what they have firsthand experience with and speak highly of.
Julia Golden, A New York fashion stylist, recommends the Tom Ford Full-Grain Leather Billfold Wallet for its classic look and durability. It’s crafted from premium pebbled leather that adds a bit of visual interest to the simple design. “The Tom Ford wallet has many card slots and there is also a cash pocket. The size is great too; it fits in pants pockets, coat pockets and inner jacket pockets,” she says. “The wallet I got for my husband already lasted over a year and still looks perfect. My husband carries a lot of cards so it was important for me to find a wallet that would meet his needs in regards to that.”
For a luxurious pick that’s priced under $250, New York City stylist Jordanna Sharp recommends the Smythson Bifold Cardholder. “This one is really sleek and understated, the grain effect leather ensures it will be long lasting and its compact enough to not feel bulky,” says Sharp. It also has a snap closure to keep the interior compartments secure.
For a great budget pick, Zachery Shuffield, Forbes Vetted senior engineer, recommends this slim card holder with RFID-blocking technology. It can hold five standard-sized credit cards, which forces you to pair down and only carry what you need. Most importantly, Shuffield says that “the Vulkit Card Holder has held up well over time, and outlasted a more expensive brand” that he previously owned. You can choose from 11 different colors, ranging from black to navy to emerald green.
Most men’s wallets come in black or brown, but opting for another color can accent a neutral wardrobe nicely. “An alternative to black for men, I would always stick to softer neutral colors, but nothing too light that it doesn’t wear as well. Olive green is the perfect balance, it adds a little more interest,” says Sharp. This one is crafted in Italy from full-grain leather and has plenty of room for cards, cash and more.
If you’re able to spend a bit more on a classic brand that will last for years to come, Bottega Veneta’s Leather Billfold Wallet is a beautiful option. “Anything with the Bottega classic woven detail feels timeless in my opinion. I love the pop of green inside this one, it adds a fun element without feeling too in your face, so you won’t get sick of looking at it,” says Sharp.
SlimFold Nano Soft Shell Wallet
The Nano Soft Shell wallet is a favorite of Forbes Vetted associate editor Luke Fater thanks to the durable and flexible material that holds up well to frequent wear. The lightweight fabric is thinner than leather but still provides enough space for eight to ten cards and bills. The fabric is also machine washable and waterproof, making this an excellent choice if you tend to be hard on your wallet.
“One wallet I’m loving is the Louis Vuitton Pocket Organizer—you don’t see a ton of vertical wallets in the market,” says Philip Pirkovic, director of brand and partnerships at Shinola. “I currently have three in rotation (all different colors). After I stopped primarily carrying cash, I wanted something that wasn’t bulky that could fit a couple of cards and my license and this does that. Plus you can’t go wrong with the classic Louis Vuitton print.” This pocket organizer is admittedly a splurge, but it instantly elevates your wallet game and provides a secure spot for your essentials.
Co-author and Forbes Vetted commerce editor Katherine Louie has extensive experience researching and reviewing fashion and accessory picks including stories on the best leather jackets for men.
We looked to a team of outside experts: men’s fashion stylist Derek Lall and Jian DeLeon, former editorial director at Highsnobiety. Joseph Tang, fashion director at Holt Renfrew in Canada, also weighed in on the types of factors to consider about the best men’s wallets.
We regularly update this story to make sure we’re providing the best, most accurate recommendations. In January 2024, we added in-depth testing feedback from Forbes Vetted content strategy analyst Luke Frangis, and in February 2024, we added additional wallets recommended by fashion stylists as well as other Forbes Vetted staffers.
How We Chose The Best Wallets For Men
Derek Lall helped us determine the types of materials that are best for men’s wallets, while DeLeon and Tang offered guidance on sizing.
We looked to top-rated brands and selected styles with not only excellent reviews, but superior functionality too, since a wallet is an everyday essential that experiences a lot of wear and tear.
When selecting styles, we also took into consideration different uses—some men may want a more slim, compact wallet while others may prioritize security and anti-theft features.
How To Pick The Best Men’s Wallet For You
Men’s style and fashion experts Derek Lall, Jian DeLeon and Joseph Tang weigh in on what to consider when shopping for a men’s wallet. Keep the following pointers in mind when choosing the right wallet for your needs and preferences.
Material
“Leather and nylon are the best materials for a wallet,” says Lall. “With something that goes in and out of your pocket or a bag, you want a material that is smooth and durable, and something that can withstand consistent use.” DeLeon agrees. “Leather breaks in nicely, conforms to what you put in it, and develops a patina that gives your wallet a sense of personalization.”
Size
DeLeon suggests putting the wallet in your front and back pockets before buying. “It’s like test driving a car,” he says. “Put your stuff in it and see how it feels, but more importantly make sure it fits securely inside the pocket and isn’t annoying when you sit down.” Tang says to keep your wallet as slender as possible. “A slim wallet can fit multiple cards and minimize the clutter that can accumulate in a larger wallet,” he says. “If there is room, you will tend to fill it, so keep your wallet light enough to carry only what you need to get by.”
Zipper
Zipper or no zipper? “For every day, I suggest a classic bi-fold—it’s slim and easy to carry,” says Tang. However, if you are traveling, and need something that’s large enough to fit a passport and different currencies, a zipper is useful. Lall has a zippered wallet for that very reason. “I travel enough that it doubles as a place to put coins,” he says. “It’s also infinitely more elegant than Velcro.”
Craftsmanship
Look for wallets with neat and even stitching and no loose threads. The overall construction, including how it’s stitched together and the alignment of compartments, plays a significant role in the wallet’s durability and longevity. High-quality wallets often have superior a “build” that minimizes wear and tear.
The number and type of compartments in a wallet are important to consider for functionality. While a clear slot for an ID and a specific compartment for coins can be useful, too many compartments can lead to bulkiness and make the wallet hard to navigate. Consider wallets with a dedicated space for bills and multiple card slots, and possibly a hidden compartment for added security.
Security
With the rise of contactless theft, RFID-blocking wallets have become more relevant. RFID stands for Radio-Frequency Identification and many credit and debit cards, as well as passports, now come with RFID chips. These chips store personal information that can be read wirelessly. RFID-blocking wallets are designed to shield these cards and documents from such unauthorized scans. They typically contain materials that interfere with radio waves, making it difficult for remote readers to access the information stored on RFID chips within the wallet. This adds an extra layer of security for individuals carrying RFID-enabled cards. While not essential for everyone, an RFID-blocking feature is an option to consider if you’re looking for extra peace of mind.
Price
Lastly, the price of the wallet is an important factor. Quality wallets can be found at various price points, so it’s not necessary to spend excessively. However, investing in a high-quality wallet can be more economical in the long run, as a well-made wallet tends to last longer. Your personal style should also guide your choice, whether you prefer classic, minimalist, or contemporary designs.
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I’m a deputy editor covering women’s and men’s fashion, accessories and athletic apparel. My writing has appeared in T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Vogue and The Wall Street Journal. Prior to joining Forbes, I wrote two books, including The New Beauty: A Modern Look at Beauty, Culture, and Fashion. I’ve studied fashion styling and hold certificates in jewelry essentials from the Gemological Institute of America and design history from Sotheby’s Institute of Art. A native New Englander, I grew up in Rhode Island and was—and remain—a sneaker obsessive with far too many pairs of white sneakers.
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I am a commerce editor for Forbes Vetted covering beauty, fashion, travel and home. Prior to joining Forbes, I held positions at BuzzFeed and Dotdash Meredith where I was responsible for curating lifestyle content and testing products for real-world insights. My work has appeared in Women’s Health, Men’s Health, BuzzFeed, Brit + Co, Everyday Health and more. I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in English/Creative Writing from Marist College and currently reside in Brooklyn, New York.