The best RFID-blocking wallets and bags for 2024 take the stress out of travel (2024)

Essentials Shopping

By Jason R. Rich

Edited By Leslie Gornstein

/ Essentials

CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.

The best RFID-blocking wallets and bags for 2024 take the stress out of travel (2)

If you typically carry credit cards, a debit card, a driver's license or a passport, you could be vulnerable to hackers -- even if those cards never leave your wallet. Criminals can use special tech to wirelessly access the information stored in those cards and IDs. There's a way to fight back, though: Consider investing in an RFID-blocking wallet, passport case or bag.

Most of the latest credit cards, debit cards and government IDs have an RFID chip installed. In the case of credit and debit cards, this tech comes in handy; it lets you tap to pay for all kinds of purchases at stores worldwide. But that same tech is what a criminal is looking for. Hackers can scan your credit or debit card numbers or IDs, allowing them to steal your money or identity. An RFID-blocking wallet prevents contactless scanning, which is also known as a "skimming attack."

Best RFID-blocking wallets and bags

RFID-blocking wallets, passport cases, fanny packs, purses and crossbody bags incorporate a layer of carbon fiber or aluminum that can prevent a skimming attack and keep the information stored in your cards and IDs protected. Our in-house team oftravel expertshas curated this selection of the best RFID-blocking bags, wallets, covers and more in 2024.

  • Best RFID blocking wallet overall:
  • Best budget RFID blocking wallet: Herschel Hank
  • Best minimalist RFID-blocking wallet: The Ridge Wallet
  • Best leather bi-fold RFID blocking wallet: Harber London Leather Bifold Zip Wallet
  • Best women's RFID-blocking leather wallet: Royce New York Continental Wallet
  • Best RFID-blocking handbag: Sherpani Metro Convertible Travel Sling
  • Best RFID-blocking passport cover: Royce New York Leather Passport Wallet
  • Best RFID-blocking money belt: Boxiki Travel Hidden Waist Pack
  • Best RFID-blocking travel neck wallet: Zero Grid Travel Neck Wallet
  • Best RFID-blocking leather travel wallet: Harber London Travel Wallet with RFID Protection

Shop RFID-blocking wallets and bags on Amazon

Best RFID blocking wallet overall: Bellroy Hide & Seek

The best RFID-blocking wallets and bags for 2024 take the stress out of travel (3)

Available in seven stunning colors -- including this green that we really like -- this slim, classically designed wallet offers multiple interior pockets that hold five to 12 cards. This includes quick access slots for your most commonly used cards. The entire wallet offers RFID blocking.

This Hide & Seek wallet is crafted from eco-tanned, environmentally certified leather. It's available in two heights, to accommodate paper currencies from around the world. There's also a separate section for business cards.

If you're seeking an elegant and versatile wallet that holds a lot (without generating bulk) and that offers RFID protection for your cards and ID, we recommend Bellroy's Hide & Seek for yourself or to give as a gift.

$89 at Bellroy

Best budget RFID-blocking wallet: Herschel Hank

The best RFID-blocking wallets and bags for 2024 take the stress out of travel (4)

Here's an affordable, unisex wallet that offers a classic bi-fold style. It has a currency sleeve, card slots and an ID window -- all of which offer RFID blocking.

This is a durable, everyday wallet made from EcoSystem 600D fabric that's created from 100% recycled, post-consumer water bottles, along with synthetic leather.

Find this 4.7-star-rated wallet on Amazon for $21.

$21 at Amazon

Best minimalist RFID blocking wallet: The Ridge wallet

The best RFID-blocking wallets and bags for 2024 take the stress out of travel (5)

Not into leather -- faux or otherwise?

For that person looking for a wallet where less is more, take a look at the Ridge. This is a super slim, minimalist wallet that's made from carbon fiber.

The inside of the wallet securely holds up to 12 cards in a compartment that offers RFID blocking. On the outside, you'll find a handy, easy-access aluminum money clip.

The Ridge is available in more than a dozen colors and comes with a lifetime guarantee. The RFID blocking material used is 6061-T6 aluminum. The entire wallet weighs just 4.9 ounces and is a bestseller on Amazon.

$120 at Amazon

Best leather bi-fold RFID-blocking wallet: Harber London leather bi-fold zip wallet

The best RFID-blocking wallets and bags for 2024 take the stress out of travel (6)

Since 2012, this London company has been designing and creating handmade, premium leather wallets, bags and accessories crafted in Spain. They're beautiful to look at, durable and versatile.

This popular leather bi-fold zip wallet with RFID protection is available in tan, black or deep brown. It offers a slim design and a handful of useful compartments for bills, coins, cards and an ID. There's also an integrated zippered pouch. This wallet is made from premium full-grain leather and incorporates a layer of RFID-blocking material.

The leather is designed to develop a unique patina over time. When closed, the wallet measures 3.54 x 4.09 inches. In the wallet's front pocket, you can store four to eight cards. An additional four to eight cards can be kept in the inner compartments.

$116 at Harber London

Best women's RFID-blocking leather wallet: Royce New York continental wallet

The best RFID-blocking wallets and bags for 2024 take the stress out of travel (7)

For an elegant leather wallet with a continental design, head over to Neiman Marcus to purchase this Royce New York wallet in your choice of red, black, navy blue or pink. Free monogramming (with up to three initials) is included.

The wallet measures 8 x 4.25 x 0.75 inches when open and has separate compartments for bills, cards and other essentials. There's also a convenient, zippered center section.

Treat yourself to a wallet that's designed to last for years, or buy one as a gift for someone special. In addition to offering the functionality people need from a wallet, this one offers the peace of mind provided by RFID blocking.

$200 at Neiman Marcus

Best RFID-blocking handbag: Sherpani Metro convertible travel sling

The best RFID-blocking wallets and bags for 2024 take the stress out of travel (8)

RFID blocking can be found in more than just traditional wallets. Here's an example of a convertible travel mini sling from Sherpani, featuring an adjustable and cut-proof strap that can be reversed to give easy access to what's stored inside. Even better, the strap is centered, so this bag is great for either right- or left-handed people.

The bag is made from recycled material and features RFID blocking and anti-theft protection. Locking zippers, a wire-loop chair lock, a return-me tag, and a slash-proof bottom are among the other impressive features. It's a great accessory to hold your important belongings while traveling.

This travel sling measures 7 x 12 x 3 inches and comes in a variety of color combinations. It's made from Ballistic nylon, vegan leather and a durable fabric made from 11 recycled plastic bottles, all diverted from landfills. The Metro is water-resistant and includes four pockets and one padded sleeve. The strap can be adjusted between 22.5 and 40.5 inches.

$60 at Sherpani

Best RFID-blocking passport cover: Royce New York leather passport wallet

The best RFID-blocking wallets and bags for 2024 take the stress out of travel (9)

Avoid potential identity theft via your passport, with a travel-friendly cover that offers RFID blocking. And enjoy a little luxury while you're at it.

This personalized leather passport cover from Royce New York is available in your choice of five colors. It offers a compartment for your passport, several card slots and an inside 3 x 4 inch pocket for a vaccine card or other important documents.

Three-initial monogramming is included for free, and the wallet itself is made from soft leather. It measures 5.6 x 4 x 0.25 inches and will be a wonderful travel companion for years.

$95 at Neiman Marcus

Best RFID-blocking money belt: Boxiki Travel hidden waist pack

The best RFID-blocking wallets and bags for 2024 take the stress out of travel (10)

When you're touring major cities worldwide, navigating your way through busy airports or visiting crowded tourist spots, pickpockets are always a threat. To protect your valuables, consider a hidden waist pack that fits securely under a shirt.

In addition to securely holding cash, credit cards and other valuables, there's enough room to hold a smartphone, too. This pack offers RFID blocking and is designed to keep your possessions secure and away from potential pickpockets. You get three sections with two spacious pockets that are held shut with zippers.

Measuring 11.22 x 5.51 inches, this waste pack is slim, lightweight, durable and has an adjustable strap. It's made primarily from rip-stop nylon. It only comes in one color, but since it's designed to be kept under your shirt, nobody will see it.

$25 at Amazon

Best RFID-blocking travel neck wallet: Zero Grid travel neck wallet

The best RFID-blocking wallets and bags for 2024 take the stress out of travel (11)

Instead of securing your cash, credit cards, passport and other essentials in a hidden waist pack, the Zero Grid travel wallet can be worn securely around your neck.

This bag is available in your choice of six colors and is primarily made from moisture-resistant, rip-stop nylon. The bag contains seven RFID-blocking sleeves and compartments -- all of which are easily accessible.

The Zero Grid bag comes with lost and found coverage and two recovery tags from ReturnMe. It measures 7.5 x 5.7 x 1 inches and offers a unisex design that's perfect for travelers and urban explorers.

$21 at Amazon

Best RFID-blocking leather travel wallet: Harber London travel wallet

The best RFID-blocking wallets and bags for 2024 take the stress out of travel (12)

In addition to Harber London's bi-fold zip wallet, another piece in this company's beautifully designed leather collection is this travel wallet. It comes in three color combinations and is designed to hold a passport, up to 12 cards, paper-based currency and other essentials -- each in separate, easy-to-access compartments.

The wallet is handmade in Spain from full-grain leather that will age over time and develop a unique patina. All of the internal pockets offer RFID blocking. This is a well-designed, versatile and durable travel wallet that'll serve as an heirloom if it's treated right.

$103 at Harber London

Do you really need an RFID-blocking wallet?

Criminals are more apt to steal your physical wallet, cards or IDs, because not every key piece of info can be gleaned wirelessly. In many cases, the information stored in your cards or IDs is encrypted, so even if a criminal does try to wirelessly steal your info, chances are, they won't be able to do too much with it.

That said, using an RFID-blocking wallet or bag does give you an added level of protection for your identity, since they could prevent someone from illegally accessing your driver's license or passport information wirelessly and without your knowledge.

Or, instead of carrying around your physical debit or credit cards in a wallet, another option is to rely on an electronic payment service, like Apple Pay, Google Pay, orSamsung Payusing your smartphone or smartwatch.

Jason R. Rich

Jason R. Rich (www.JasonRich.com) is an internationally recognized consumer technology expert with more than 30 years' writing experience. He's also an accomplished author and photographer. One of his most recently published books, The Remote Worker's Handbook: How to Effectively Work From Anywhere ($24.99, Entrepreneur Books) is now available from Amazon and wherever books are sold.

The best RFID-blocking wallets and bags for 2024 take the stress out of travel (2024)

FAQs

Do RFID blocking wallets really work? ›

RFID blocking tools claim to protect users against identity theft by stopping criminals from scanning your passport's ID chip by just rubbing shoulders with you. In practice, however, RFID blocking does little to help in the most likely identity theft scenarios.

Can TSA see through RFID wallet? ›

No, this would not create a problem for you. The x-ray machines would see the antenna as a piece of metal, and security might question you about it, but the transponder should not have any impact on the performance of security equipment.

Do you need RFID blocking wallet for travel? ›

If you're at low risk, or simply don't use anything that has RFID in it, then you probably don't need RFID protection. For low-risk people that still have cards, passports, or ID you'd prefer to keep under wraps, then investing in some protection could be worth that extra peace of mind to know you're covered.

What is a good RFID blocking wallet? ›

  • Best RFID blocking wallet overall: Bellroy Hide & Seek.
  • Best budget RFID-blocking wallet: Herschel Hank.
  • Best minimalist RFID blocking wallet: The Ridge wallet.
  • Best leather bi-fold RFID-blocking wallet: Harber London leather bi-fold zip wallet.
  • Best women's RFID-blocking leather wallet: Royce New York continental wallet.
May 29, 2024

Can people steal your credit card info through your wallet? ›

Stolen wallets or lost credit cards

Physical credit card theft still happens. If you forget your wallet somewhere or your wallet is stolen, a criminal can snatch your card and use it right away.

Can my debit card be scanned while in your wallet? ›

Similarly to card skimming, card scanning is a type of payment card theft where the fraudster with a scanning device gets close enough to your bag or wallet to scan your card number. This type of fraud is enabled by the fact that today's payment cards typically work on Radio Identification Frequency (RFID) technology.

Do passports need RFID blocking? ›

Even though it's hard to steal data from a closed passport, the rest of your cards and data need the RFID blocking protection provided by RFID wallets and waist belts. Read on for a detailed guide to protecting not only your passport, but all of the data in your wallet.

Does RFID wallets interfere with cell phones? ›

Will it block cell phone signal? There's a chance it could, but not a big one. Bluetooth and GPS, on the other hand, might get interrupted if your phone case contains an RFID blocker. The best way to make sure you can still hear your music, and not get lost, is by keeping your wallet and your phone in separate pockets.

How can you tell if a wallet is really RFID? ›

The most straightforward way to verify if a wallet is RFID protected is by checking the label or product description. Manufacturers who incorporate RFID-blocking technology are likely to advertise this feature on the product label, packaging, or online description.

Does my credit card have RFID? ›

If you're not sure whether your card is RFID enabled, you can easily check by taking a look at the card. RFID-enabled cards have a symbol on the front or back of the card that looks like a Wi-Fi icon turned on its side. This symbol is meant to represent the radio frequency used by the card to make it contactless.

How do I choose an RFID wallet? ›

The capacity of your RFID wallet should match what you want to carry daily. Some people like to keep it super slim to hold in their front pocket and therefore can do without carrying cash or excess cards. If you want space for extra bills opt for a cash-carrying option like a money clip or bi-fold.

Can RFID wallets go through airport security? ›

RFID wallets are indeed capable of going through airport security without any significant issues. The amount of metal in these wallets is usually too small to cause any major disruptions during security checks.

Does aluminum foil in your wallet protect my RFID cards? ›

Some sources say that if you actually have an RFID-enabled credit card, aluminum foil does the same job, if not better, than an expensive RFID-blocking sleeve. Other sources say that aluminum foil does not block RFID, only merely inhibits it, meaning it only prevents reading the information from long distances.

Is RFID theft really a problem? ›

RFID crime is really rare: Grimes says in the handful of times someone's card info has been stolen this way, it involved a scenario where a person had to pull their card out of their wallet to use it (at, say, a gas station). Having an RFID-blocking wallet wouldn't have prevented that crime anyway...

How can I stop my credit card from being scanned? ›

Preventing Credit Card Scanning
  1. Buy a card sleeve or RFID wallet that blocks RFID transmissions.
  2. Stack your cards together to mitigate some of the scanner's ability to read information.
  3. Leave your cards at home and only use cash in public places.

Top Articles
Apple Earns ESG Cred With Bold Environmental Goals
KAS (Kaspa): The Fastest PoW Layer1 in the World
Section 4Rs Dodger Stadium
It's Official: Sabrina Carpenter's Bangs Are Taking Over TikTok
Cold Air Intake - High-flow, Roto-mold Tube - TOYOTA TACOMA V6-4.0
Citibank Branch Locations In Orlando Florida
PRISMA Technik 7-10 Baden-Württemberg
Did 9Anime Rebrand
Kansas Craigslist Free Stuff
How Much Is 10000 Nickels
Craigslist Vermillion South Dakota
Grand Park Baseball Tournaments
Uc Santa Cruz Events
Culos Grandes Ricos
Yesteryear Autos Slang
Best Food Near Detroit Airport
All Buttons In Blox Fruits
Craigslist Malone New York
Unlv Mid Semester Classes
How Much Is Tay Ks Bail
Aldine Isd Pay Scale 23-24
Drago Funeral Home & Cremation Services Obituaries
Kcwi Tv Schedule
Ceramic tiles vs vitrified tiles: Which one should you choose? - Building And Interiors
2487872771
Move Relearner Infinite Fusion
Lexus Credit Card Login
Victory for Belron® company Carglass® Germany and ATU as European Court of Justice defends a fair and level playing field in the automotive aftermarket
Inter Miami Vs Fc Dallas Total Sportek
Delta Township Bsa
Sams Gas Price Sanford Fl
Log in or sign up to view
Housing Intranet Unt
Craigslist Scottsdale Arizona Cars
Kiddie Jungle Parma
2487872771
JD Power's top airlines in 2024, ranked - The Points Guy
Garrison Blacksmith's Bench
Hotels Near New Life Plastic Surgery
New Gold Lee
Giantess Feet Deviantart
Mcgiftcardmall.con
Walgreens Agrees to Pay $106.8M to Resolve Allegations It Billed the Government for Prescriptions Never Dispensed
Linda Sublette Actress
Paul Shelesh
Wgu Admissions Login
Florida Lottery Powerball Double Play
The Plug Las Vegas Dispensary
Compete My Workforce
Nfhs Network On Direct Tv
Used Curio Cabinets For Sale Near Me
Mast Greenhouse Windsor Mo
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Van Hayes

Last Updated:

Views: 6192

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (46 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Van Hayes

Birthday: 1994-06-07

Address: 2004 Kling Rapid, New Destiny, MT 64658-2367

Phone: +512425013758

Job: National Farming Director

Hobby: Reading, Polo, Genealogy, amateur radio, Scouting, Stand-up comedy, Cryptography

Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.