The 10 Best Men's Wallets
Special Honors
Harber London Card Wallet With a slim design that somehow boasts the ability to contain 12 credit cards, this model from Harber London is ideal for the individual who doesn't like carrying anything bulky in their pocket, but still needs to have a variety of payment methods on hand. It also features RFID-blocking technology and a magnetic closure, plus it is handmade in Spain to ensure consistent quality. harberlondon.com
Hermes Manhattan Compact Crafted from Sombrero II and Epsom calfskin leather, the Manhattan Compact is a luxurious option that features two credit card slots, a gusseted pocket, and a bill pocket. It has a sleek look with its multi-textured raisin and dark blue, almost black color scheme that is sure to please even the most discerning man. hermes.com
Editor's Notes
December 16, 2020:
We've added a couple of affordable models to the list that are both quite popular, very durable, and highly rated. The Timberland Cloudy Black is a no-nonsense option and the Mighty Wallet Dynomighty is the opposite: fun and quirky, from a brand with somewhat of a cult following for its light billfolds made from next-generation materials. For a higher-end look, the Leatherology Thin is old-school cool and feels soft in your hands.
Two models have been removed because they are no longer available, the Distil Union Minimalist Bifold and the Trayvax Element. The Montblanc Meisterstuck is also gone; its reviews when compared to its price were no longer that impressive. We've also updated the information on several items, including the SlimFold Micro, the Himi Bifold, and the Belroy Travel WTRB-301.
If you don't see anything you like, you may want to look at metal wallets, RFID-blocking wallets, or travel wallets.
December 05, 2019:
A man's wallet is a reflection of his personal sense of style, which is exactly why we strove to include a wide variety of options on our list. Whether you prefer a slim, minimalist design or a traditional bifold, and natural or synthetic materials, you'll find something to suit your needs here.
In addition to removing a few of our previous recommendations due to availability issues, we also eliminated the Stewart Stand, but for a very different reason. Though we still found its stainless steel construction to be a unique selling point that would appeal to nontraditional men, its stitching has proved not to stand the test of time. Speaking of nontraditional men, we included Rogue Industries Front in this update. It is rather unusual in appearance because it was specifically designed to be carried in the front pocket and conform to the curved shape they often are.
For the men who are rugged on their belongings, we recommend the Trayvax Element, SlimFold Micro, or Flipside 4. The Element has a steel frame and is crafted from tough leather that will both easily stand the test of time, while the Micro is made from an abrasion-resistant and waterproof synthetic material, and the Flipside 4 has a hard polycarbonate shell.
Those with more refined tastes who prefer a classic aesthetic will appreciate the Montblanc Meisterstuck, which is very elegant in appearance and certainly wouldn't look out of place if you pulled it out in an upscale restaurant.
If you are a frequent traveler who prefers not to carry a passport case in addition to a wallet, you would be well-served by the Belroy Travel WTRB-301, though we will be the first to admit it is probably too large for daily carrying when at home.
The Psychology Of Your Wallet
Even acts of charity of goodwill are often secretly performed to make themselves look better.
The psychological state of a person is a large factor in their financial decisions and, more often than not, their entire life. The relationship a person has to money will often pervade every aspect of their financial life; from buying decisions to family vacations, even how much of a tip they leave at the diner.
By cultivating a better understanding about our mindset towards wealth, humans can learn to consciously steer their purchasing habits and larger financial goals to create the most out of life.
There are two basic attitudes towards wealth; positive and negative. The positive wealth mentality expresses itself in acts of generosity, joy, expansion, and playfulness. At the very core of this mentality, the use of wealth is not self-serving; rather it is service-oriented. Money use influenced by this positive side of wealth serves a higher principle beyond the accumulation of things.
Living a better quality life, providing for someone's well-being, or making large charitable donations are examples of the positive side of wealth. A person with a positive attitude towards wealth realizes that there is a nearly infinite amount of resources.
The negative side of wealth is often expressed through the idea of scarcity. When wealth is viewed negatively, there is never enough of it. The negative attitude towards wealth is often restrictive, competitive, suspicious, arrogant, and always self-serving. Even acts of charity of goodwill are often secretly performed to make themselves look better.
This state of mind can actually cause stress hormones to increase throughout the day. Often people who are otherwise highly capable sabotage their own efforts by holding a negative attitude towards wealth.
Men's Wallet As A Status Symbol
As an item, a man's wallet is a purely practical thing. It holds his identification, money, debit and credit cards, as well as various business cards and auxiliary items such as notes, receipts, and lottery tickets. In western society, a wallet is much more than this. A wallet and its contents are symbols of wealth and status in society, and may be conveying more to others than you think. A wallet is a glimpse into a man's attitudes about money and the way they carry out their lives.
It holds his identification, money, debit and credit cards, as well as various business cards and auxiliary items such as notes, receipts, and lottery tickets.
Studies have shown that poverty affects cognitive function, but the effects may not stop there. A mentality of poverty can actually affect how a man relates to money, making it more difficult to generate wealth.
The type of wallet as well as its contents may provide a glimpse into the mentality of man. Bi-fold wallets are comfortable, and tend to convey the idea that the man enjoys this comfort. The tri-fold wallet symbolizes someone who likes things secure and safe. Clean wallets with no logos accent a man who is self-assured, whereas scruffy, worn-out wallets tend to symbolize a man's fear of letting go.
The contents of a wallet are another indicator of a man's status. Many large denomination bills in a new wallet may be a sign of a healthy, wealthy man. A wallet that is stuffed with credit cards shows the man does not understand his limitations or would like to be in a spending class that he is not.
Assorted bills, coins, and receipts smashed into the same pocket shows no care for money. This man likely has erratic spending habits and no financial plan. An organized wallet, with cash segregated in the order of denomination, signifies a man who always has a plan. This can be a negative thing as well, as these men may even schedule their fun.
What Preferred Payment Style Reveals About Personality
The state of a wallet may speak volumes about a man's personality, but his preferred payment style will tell you about his attitudes towards how money is spent. There are three basic worries that easily separate into three classes of spenders. These worries are budget, security, and trends.
Things like check fraud, losing cash, and identity theft play heavy on their minds when spending.
Trendy spenders prefer the form of payment that is new and cool. They are often young and tend to use whatever payment system is easiest. App-based payments and transfers are preferred by the trendy crowd, and if they must use a standard form of payment, it is likely a credit card. These people believe it is easier to keep track of payments when they avoid cash altogether. Often, these spenders will avoid bank branches, completing all of their banking online.
Spenders who worry about security take a different approach to spending. They likely carry an RFID blocking wallet to avoid skimming, and will always desire the safest form of payment. Security spenders lean towards credit card use over any other form of payment. Things like check fraud, losing cash, and identity theft play heavy on their minds when spending.
The budget spender is more worried about actually spending money than anything. Their payment choices reflect this notion. Budget spenders avoid new methods of payment as a way to limit their spending, and prefer cash or debit cards over any other method of payment. Though the list is not definitive, most spenders reflect habits from at least one of these categories.