Best Men's Wallets in 2024 Worth Paying Extra For

Anyone can go to Amazon and spend $20 on a random wallet.

But as the classic saying goes - "buy cheap buy twice".

So what if you want something that's better quality?

If you're willing to pay a bit more, you can invest in a wallet that's built to last, and will look stylish and professional for years to come.

Here are our favorites:

Top Picks

How to choose

Leather vs synthetic

Leather is closely associated with class and durability.

Full-grain leather is the only grade of leather worth considering for a wallet, as you need the extra durability for something that's used so regularly.

The leather should also be vegetable-tanned, to ensure it develops a beautiful patina over time (all Von Baer wallets use full-grain vegetable-tanned leather - see them here).

Synthetic leather can be highly resistant to the elements and is noted for its versatility.

It can be particularly appealing for those seeking vegan-friendly options and water-resistant solutions.

Design and function

It’s essential to find the right balance between design and function. How well a wallet is designed will determine how usable it is.

Slim bi-fold wallets have a sleek, minimal profile whilst a tri-fold will give you extra space and organizational pockets.

Wallets that have RFID-blocking tech can defend you from unauthorized scanning and blend sophistication with security.

Capacity and compartments

Think carefully about what you’ll be carrying with you on a daily basis.

Some people look for wallets that come not only with multiple card slots, but compartments for bills and clear ID windows too.

If you carry multiple currencies, you could look for a wallet with a zippered compartment that can house coins or multiple currency sleeves.

Personality and color

Make sure the color of your wallet complements your personal style and your professional environment.

Traditional black and brown are synonymous with classic elegance, and you can make a big statement about your personality with unique textures and vibrant hues.

Why is it worthwhile to invest in quality?

See your purchase as an investment.

A quality wallet will stand the test of time when it comes to both style and durability.

Regard your wallet as a reminder of your style, values and journey.

Make sure the designs and materials reflect them.

Types

Bi-fold wallets

Timeless bi-fold wallets open once to reveal their contents.

They can slip into most pockets with ease and give you sufficient space for your cash and cards.

However, you may struggle if you need to fit bigger items such as foreign banknotes and checks inside them.

Frequent opening and closing can make the central fold deteriorate quickly.

This kind of wallet might be right for you if you’re prioritizing efficiency and simplicity as well as sleek designs.

Tri-fold wallets

With a tri-fold wallet, there’s an additional fold over the bi-fold. This helps you achieve extra storage space in a compact form.

The wallets offer additional compartments for cards and cash and have a compact profile in spite of this extra capacity.

On the other hand, they can be rather bulky when you fill them, and the extra fold can slow things down when you need access to the contents.

If you need additional space and are happy to make compromises when it comes to bulk, this could be a good option for you.,

Money clip wallets

Minimal money clip wallets have a clip for cash alongside a few slots for your main cards.

They’re great for people who want to avoid bulk and support swift transactions.

Nonetheless, there is a bigger risk of loss due to their small size. If you prefer ease of access to carrying a large number of items, a money clip wallet could be ideal for you.

Travel wallets

These larger wallets can help you keep travel essentials including tickets, passports and foreign banknotes both secure and organized.

Some of them even have RFID-blocking tech to protect your personal information.

You do need to remember that many people find them unsuitable for daily use due to their large size and that they can also be more visible to thieves for this reason.

RFID-blocking wallets

These wallets are designed to stop criminals from scanning chips inside cards and passports which feature sensitive information.

They come in a wide range of styles. They can cost more than wallets that don’t have these capabilities but may put your mind at rest if you are worried about security and spend a lot of time in unfamiliar or crowded places.

What alternatives to wallets are available?

Smartphone

A smartphone can be regarded as a ‘digital Swiss army knife’ due to its versatility. Many of today’s smartphones can be used to complete financial transactions both online and offline.

Mobile wallet facilities like Google Wallet and Apple Pay have transformed smartphones into digital wallets.

Biometric authentication, including facial recognition and fingerprint recognition, can keep your transactions private and safe.

Many people are using smartphones instead of physical wallets and even leaving their cards at home.

Wearable technology

Wearable tech including fitness bands and smartwatches can also be good replacements for traditional wallets.

You can use devices such as the Fitbit and Apple Watch to make contactless payments and track fitness activities.

If you don’t think it’s practical to carry a wallet in certain scenarios, wearable tech can give you a fantastic solution.

Keychain gadgets

Keychain gadgets like the KeySmart and Tile can help you reduce the load in your pockets.

Some of these gadgets come with NFC (Near Field Communication) so you can carry out activities like making payments without having to carry a heavy wallet around with you.

Should I invest in a luxury wallet?

Many people opt to buy luxury wallets because of their excellent durability and craftsmanship.

One of the downsides of doing this is obviously the high initial expense.

If you do decide to buy this kind of wallet, make sure you’re opting for one that comes with a certification of authenticity that has high ratings and is in a style that appeals to you.

See the definition of a wallet here.

We also posted about wallet history, and about types (link).