The best wallets for men are thoughtfully designed to hold essentials without creating extra bulk, and they’re made of durable materials that last over time. After considering more than 20 men’s wallets and testing nine, 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 versatile and tactical design of the Dango T01, and for a splurge, you can’t go wrong with the Tom Ford Soft-Grain Leather Cardholder.
To gain more insight into how each wallet performs, we tapped Forbes Vetted content strategy analyst Luke Frangis to test out nine wallets for more than a month and share in-depth feedback on each. Our final selections were reviewed by Forbes Vetted deputy editor Kari Molvar. Whether your style leans minimalist, rugged or traditional, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find the best wallets for men, along with shopping tips from our team of experts.
Best Wallet For Men Overall: Leatherology Thin Bifold Wallet
Best Leather Wallet For Men: Shinola Slim Bifold Wallet
Best Slim Leather Wallet For Men: Ekster Parliament Men’s Wallet
Best Bifold Wallet For Men: Fossil Men's Derrick Leather Wallet
Best Tactical Wallet For Men: Dango T01 Tactical Wallet
Best Minimalist Wallet For Men:
Best Money Clip For Men: Mark & Graham Leather Money Clip Wallet
Best RFID Wallet For Men: Mountain Voyage Minimalist Wallet For Men
Best Luxury Wallet For Men: Tom Ford Soft Grain Leather Card Holder
Best Wallet For Men Overall
Leatherology: Variety Of Shades And Finishes
Leatherology Thin Bifold Wallet
Colors: 11 total, including Black Onyx and Cognac | Materials: Vegetable-tanned leather | Capacity: 6 credit cards, bill compartment, 2 interior pockets
- What’s notable: This wallet is excellent quality leather, has a compact design, and monogramming is available.
- What could be better: Because it’s made of premium leather, it costs more than some other brands.
The top pick on our best leather wallets for men list, 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. The arrangement of slots at different heights facilitates a quick, comprehensive view of all cards at a glance. Despite all the storage, the design is thin and fits neatly in a front or back pocket. This pick also comes in 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. Its sleek appearance in Black is visually appealing, and the gold-imprinted initials add a personalized touch that I love.”
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Best Leather Wallet For Men
Shinola: High-End Pick For Leather Aficionados
Shinola Slim Bifold Wallet
Colors: 2 total, Tan and Black | Materials: Vegetable-tanned Horween leather, faille-lined card pockets | Capacity: 6 credit cards, 2 interior open pockets, cash pocket
- What’s notable: It’s handcrafted from high-quality leather and offers RFID protection and lined card slots.
- What could be better: It’s 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 the 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.”
Best Slim Leather Wallet For Men
Ekster: Sleek Design That Fits In Any Pocket
Ekster Parliament Men’s Wallet
Colors: 12 total, including Steel Blue and Milled Beige | Materials: Leather | Capacity: Holds up to 12 cards (9 is recommended) and has a cash storage strap
- What’s notable: The smart design features a cardholder that fans out and a slim profile.
- What could be better: If you want engraving, it’s 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.”
Best Bifold Wallet For Men
Fossil: Worn-In Look And Feel
Fossil Men's Derrick Leather Wallet
Colors: 3 total, including Brown and Dark Brown | Materials: Leather | Capacity: 8 credit card slots, 2 slide pockets, ID window, bill compartment
- What’s notable: It has a well-organized interior, a simple yet functional design, and the price is affordable.
- What could be better: The 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 eight 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: “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.”
Best Tactical Wallet For Men
Dango: Built-In Stainless Steel Tool With 14 Features
Dango T01 Tactical Wallet
Colors: 6 total, including Redline and Jet Black | Materials: Leather, aluminum | Capacity: Designed to hold up to 12 business cards or credit cards, exterior silicone band holds cash
- What’s notable: In addition to the indestructible design, it has a multi-functional tool that comes in handy on the go.
- What could be better: There is limited but adequate 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 more than 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 Wallet For Men
Bellroy: Simple And Sustainably Made
Bellroy Hide & Seek Wallet
Colors: 7 total, including Caramel and Java | Materials: Premium eco-tanned leather | Capacity: Holds between 8 and 12 cards, main bill compartment, hidden bill compartment and coin compartment
- What’s notable: It has a hidden pouch for storing bills and coins. Plus, it’s made from durable leather and has a nice, slim design.
- What could be better: The logo on exterior is small, but it 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 are 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.”
Best Money Clip For Men
Mark & Graham: Slim Profile With A Monogrammed Detail
Colors: Black, Chocolate and Tan | Materials: Leather | Capacity: 2 credit cards, pocket for business cards, magnetic clip to hold cash
- What’s notable: The minimalist design is great for those who travel light, the money clips are sturdy, and the leather is high-quality, especially for this price.
- What could be better: There is 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.”
Best RFID Wallet For Men
Mountain Voyage: Unique Blend Of Wood And Metal
Mountain Voyage Minimalist Wallet For Men
Colors: 24 total, including Walnut Wood and Army Green | Materials: Carbon fiber with metal finishes | Capacity: Holds up to 15 cards and 8 bills
- What’s notable: It’s made from durable carbon fiber, has RFID blocking, and there is robust storage for cards and cash.
- What could be better: The rugged style might not appeal to everyone.
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.”
Best Luxury Wallet For Men
Tom Ford: Quality Materials In A Timeless Design
Colors:Black |Materials:Soft grain calfskin leather | Capacity: 6 card slots, center slip pocket for cash
- What’s notable: It’s gorgeous thanks to the supple leather, high-quality stitching, and elegant gold accents.
- What could be better: It’s quite expensive.
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.”
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted team has researched, written and published a wide catalog of fashion stories, including dozen of menswear pieces including the best watches for men, best belts for men and best sunglasses for men.
- Deputy editor and co-author of this story, Kari Molvar, oversees Forbes Vetted’s fashion coverage and she has more than 20 years of experience in the industry. She has reviewed a variety of men’s style and leather goods from belts to messenger bags.
- Co-author and Forbes Vetted commerce editor Katherine Louie has extensive experience covering fashion and accessories, including stories on the best clothing subscription boxes for men and the best leather jackets for men.
- We spoke to three menswear experts to gain more insight into what factors to consider in the best men’s wallets: fashion stylist Derek Lall; Jian DeLeon, former editorial director at Highsnobiety; and Joseph Tang, fashion director at Holt Renfrew in Canada.
- We regularly update this story to make sure we’re providing the best, most accurate recommendations. In September 2024, Forbes Vetted fashion contributor Molly Calhoun re-evaluated all of our picks to ensure they met our criteria for inclusion.
How We Chose The Best Wallets For Men
Since a wallet is an everyday essential that experiences a lot of wear and tear, we focused our selections on top-rated brands and chose styles with not only excellent reviews, but superior functionality too. We considered more than 20 wallets and ultimately tested nine.
- Forbes Vetted content strategy analyst Luke Frangis tested our nine top selections over one month; he provided in-depth feedback on each wallet, determining which one became our best overall pick.
- Lall helped us determine the types of materials that are best for men’s wallets, while DeLeon and Tang offered guidance on sizing.
- 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.
- We gathered additional wallet recommendations from New York fashion stylist Julia Golden, Shinola director of brand and partnerships Philip Pirkovic and personal stylist Jordana Sharp.
What To Consider When Shopping For A Men’s Wallet
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Long Should A Wallet Last?
A good wallet should last for up to 10 years, if not more. To ensure your wallet stands the test of time, we recommend investing in one made of durable, high quality materials—whether that’s leather, carbon fiber or aluminum. You can also extend the life of your wallet by cleaning it regularly. If you happen to notice dirt or staining on your wallet, simply wipe it with a damp, clean cloth. (Serious staining may require a leather conditioning product which will remove blemishes without ruining the leather.) If your wallet gets wet, wipe it with a dry, clean cloth and let it air dry.
How Much Should I Spend On A Wallet?
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. A majority of our picks fall in the $50 to $250 range, which is a good ballpark to stay in when buying a wallet. However, if you have extra room in your fashion budget, you may want to splurge on a truly special piece that will last you for ages—like the Tom Ford Soft Grain Leather Card Holder.
How Can You Tell If A Wallet Is High Quality?
There are a few telltale signs that indicate a wallet is well made:
Leather quality: High quality leathers are soft and pliable but durable; if it feels plastickyor overly rigid, it’s probably poor quality.
Cost: Leather wallets will tend to be more expensive than polyurethane leathers or mixed material wallets.
Smell: Quality leather has a characteristic smell, while poorly tanned leather or synthetic materials can have a strong, unpleasant chemical odor.
Finishings: Check for precise, even stitching and no loose threads.
Details: Functional details that don't add bulk are another indication of quality. Look for things like hidden pockets, ID windows and sturdy money clip mechanisms.
