I’ve always had a vendetta against bulky wallets, and I embraced the ultra-slim, smart wallet revolution years ago. My last wallet (before my dog made a meal out of it) was thinner than my iPhone, but it only held 6 cards, and I found myself having to choose which cards to keep on hand, or limiting the amount of cash I could stuff in the bills pocket.
On the hunt for a new wallet, I’m test driving three of the most popular slim designer brands on the market—Ekster, Nomad, and Ridge—for three weeks.
Winner takes all!
The Contenders:
Ekster carries a wide variety of RFID-proof smart wallets and card holders, each with a sleek, trimmed down design. They come in hardwearing materials like premium leather, space-grade aluminum, 3k carbon fiber, and ultra premium 18k gold.
Ridge is a minimalist, hard-case, RFID-blocking wallet that’s available in durable materials like aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber.
Nomad designs several slim card wallets and bi-folds, each made of full grain or Horween leather.
Round 1: Easiest Access to Cards and Bills
Ekster really shines when it comes to accessibility and ease of use. I love that I can click a button to fan out my cards, and there’s absolutely no fumbling around trying to pry a card out of a leather pocket’s death grip. I hate being that person in the check-out line who wastes time trying desperately to produce a card or ID without holding everyone else up.
My Ekster wallet can hold between 12-15 cards at a time, and each one is just as easy to access as the next.
Ridge has a similar option for accessing your cards, but you need to click a button manually for each card, and I found this a little tricky juggling multiple cards at once.
Winner: Ekster
Round 2: Protection Against Identity Theft
I have to be honest with you: I am not the best when it comes to keeping track of purchases, or ensuring the fields on my browser are secure before I go ahead and enter my sensitive information online.
One of the reasons smart wallets appeal to me is because I need all the help I can get, and having a regular reminder to keep better track of the money in my back pocket has been healthy for me.
Thankfully, both Ekster and Ridge provide protection against RFID skimming to help prevent wireless theft, so I can run around town secure in the knowledge that my money is also secure.
Winner: Ekster or Ridge
Round 3: Tons of Versatile and Aesthetically Pleasing Designs
When it comes to making a purchase, especially an accessory, I need choices. Yes, carrying a wallet is really more of a “must have” than an “I want,” but I still like mine to look good every time I pull it out of my pocket, ok?
Ekster wallets and card holders are sleek and modern, and there’s a wide range of styles, colors, and materials to choose from. Each of them is as great looking and well designed as the last.
It took me a while to choose the one that’s right for me, but once I landed on it, I knew it would make a perfect addition to my wardrobe. 🕶
Winner: Ekster
Round 4: General Affordability
Price points are all over the map when it comes to slim wallets, but Ekster definitely takes the win here. Ekster wallets and card holders range from as low as $56 (Senate Cardholder) to as high as $250 (18k Gold Cardholder). Each is definitely an investment, but when you consider their design, security, and how easy they are to use, I think the price is definitely worth it.
Technically, Nomad’s leather Card Wallet is priced similarly ($60 for their most basic design), but Ekster is currently running a Father’s Day for an additional 30% off site wide, and offers free shipping, free returns, and a 100 day risk-free trial.
Winner: Ekster
The Ultimate Winner
I think you can surmise which wallet I’m carrying around in my pocket exclusively. I’m so happy with my Ekster wallet, and I’ve even converted a few friends, too. Several of them were impressed by how quickly I was able to access my cards while out and about, and now at least two of them have Ekster wallets of their own.
If you’re looking for a secure wallet that’s user-friendly, with a sleek design, and a price tag you can feel good about, you should check out Ekster.
