When’s the last time you paid for something with cash? With the rise of online shopping and more stores accepting cards and electronic payments, chances are you don’t need to carry much cash with you wherever you go. That’s good news if you’re looking to slim down your everyday carry, too.
Modern minimalist credit card holder wallets are the perfect upgrade to bulky, outdated billfold wallets designed for carrying loose bills and cash. By switching to a card holder wallet, you’ll have access to your most important bank cards, transit pass, ID, business cards, and some emergency cash in a minimalist package without all the bulk of a regular wallet.
In this guide, we’ll show you our top picks for great credit card holders and minimalist wallets to complete your everyday carry. Whether you’re looking for a futuristic metal EDC wallet, a super slim card sleeve, modern takes on the familiar bifold design, or RFID protection for your front pocket, you’re sure to find a card holder in this list that fits the bill.
What’s the best card holder wallet?
The Best Overall Card Holder Wallet 🏆: The Ridge Wallet [Buy] / [Full Review]
The Best Card Holder Wallet on a Budget: Magpul DAKA Everyday Wallet [Buy] / [Full Review]
The Best Card Holder Wallet for Cash: Distil Union Wally [Buy] / [Full Review]
The Best Tactical Card Holder Wallet: Dango T01 Tactical EDC Wallet [Buy] / [Full Review]
The Best Leather Card Holder Wallet: Filson Bridle Leather Card Case [Discontinued]
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The Best Overall Card Holder Wallet 🏆
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The Best Card Holder Wallet on a Budget
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The Best Card Holder Wallet for Cash
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The Best Tactical Card Holder Wallet:
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The Best Leather Card Holder Wallet
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$75.99
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$22.96
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$49.00
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$89.00
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Discontinued
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Specifications:
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Specifications:
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Specifications:
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Specifications:
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Specifications:
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- Dimensions: 3.4″ x 2.1″ x 0.23″
- Capacity: 12 cards plus cash
- Key Features: Cash strap or money clip
- Dimensions: 4.2″ x 2.84″
- Capacity: 3-7 cards
- Key Features: Lightweight and tough polymer construction
- Dimensions: 3” x 4.4” x 0.31”
- Capacity: 14 cards and 30 or more bills
- Key Features: Signature pull tab
- Dimensions: 2.625″ x 4.375″
- Capacity: Up to 12 cards
- Key Features: Includes MT02 multi-tool
- Dimensions: 3.875″ x 3″
- Capacity: 3 cards
- Key Features: One-piece construction
The Best Overall Card Holder Wallet: The Ridge Wallet
If what you’re after is a durable wallet that will last then look no further than the Ridge Wallet. This ultra-thin aluminum minimalist wallet measures a mere 6mm thick and lets you carry up to 12 of your most used cards. Your choice of a built-in cash strap or money clip means that you’ll always have a few bills on hand for your favorite cash-only lunch spot. Not to mention RFID-blocking construction will keep your information safe from anyone who might be up to no good. Choose from a variety of finishes to match your particular style without sacrificing functionality.
The Best Card Holder Wallet on a Budget: Magpul DAKA Everyday Wallet
Magpul has serious expertise in crafting quality polymer goods. They put that knowledge to work when assembling their DAKA line of minimal EDC wallets. The DAKA Everyday Folding Card Holder offers more capacity when you need room for emergency cash. Its slim design also features a transparent protective window on one side that’s perfect for an ID or access card. Its extremely durable welded construction is also chemical resistant, making it a great alternative to leather or canvas.
The Best Card Holder Wallet for Cash: Distil Union Wally
Distil Union Wally Micro brings a few more features to the table while weighing a whole lot less than other metal-based minimalist wallets. The Wally Micro measures just about larger than a credit card and secures up to 10 cards and folded cash with a reinforced elastic band. Distil Union’s signature tab is front and center to make it easy to find in a pocket, and it retrieves your essentials with a quick pull. The wallet is made of double-sided, vegetable-tanned Italian leather, which gives both a pleasant feel in hand and long term durability.
The Best Tactical Card Holder Wallet: Dango T01 Tactical EDC Wallet
Not all things are as they appear at first glance. Take the Dango T01 Tactical Wallet for example. What looks to be a simple cardholder wallet at first is actually a well-made multitool that just happens to also moonlight as a wallet. The frame is entirely CNC-machined aluminum cleverly designed to perform up to 14 functions. Not only can it hold 12 of your most-used cards but it also has a built-in serrated blade, nail pryer, and phone stand to name a few. For a Made in the USA wallet that’s tough as nails (and can help you pry some too) make sure to keep the Dango 01 Tactical EDC Wallet on your radar.
The Best Leather Card Holder Wallet: Filson Bridle Leather Card Case
If you’re after a compact, perfect for front-pocket carry then the Bridle Leather Card Case by Filson should be on your shortlist. This leather wallet has three slots for just the essentials, so if you’re looking to replace your bulky bifold with something a little sleeker this is for you. It is handcrafted from vegetable-tanned leather right here in the USA and the seams are sewn using durable nylon that shouldn’t fray at the first sign of struggle.
our other Recommendations
A well-built leather wallet can last decades, and the Trayvax Element Wallet is without a doubt well built. It has tanned leather wrapped around a sturdy stainless steel frame blending the best of wallets from the past and the future into one package. It even has a MIL-SPEC paracord binding and RFID protection for good measure. An integrated money clip keeps a few folded bills securely stashed while the main section easily holds up to ten cards. A convenient cutout in the leather makes finding the card you need at the moment effortless and a built-in bottle opener means you won’t be caught off-guard at the next get-together.
Not all card-holder wallets need to look like a single folded piece of leather. Case in point: the Trayvax Contour Wallet. This ultra-thin wallet has a leather lining cleverly attached to a CNC-machined metal frame with a built-in bottle opener. It can hold up to 13 cards and ten folded bills and has a sliding clasp that allows for easy adjustment. So whether you’re carrying at capacity or are looking to slim down, it’ll be comfortable to handle either way. The Contour doesn’t just look good either, it also has a durable PVD coating and RFID-blocking built-in for added protection. If the wallet somehow gets damaged, Trayvax has you covered with its unique 65-year heirloom warranty.
Designed and engineered in the USA, the GOVO Badge Holder is used by military and law enforcement worldwide. This badge holder features a 2mm transparent polycarbonate window that lets you display your ID card or badge. And since it has enough space for up to four of your cards, it can function as a card holder wallet as well. Its spring-loaded system secures cards even if the wallet isn’t fully loaded. An optional metal clip doubles as a steel connector for lanyards to let you use it as an ID by hanging it from your pocket or belt.
The Aer Card Holder offers a simple yet effective format for carrying your essentials. Three quick-access card slots on the outside keep your most used cards at the ready. The zippered RFID-safe pocket offers more secure storage with its microfiber interior lining. Aer doesn’t skimp on materials either. This card holder boasts ultra-durable CORDURA ballistic nylon as its main fabric. It’s finished with water-resistant YKK zippers and a tough Hypalon label.
If you want a USA-made wallet that’s less tactical and more TSA-approved, look no further than the Dango D01 Dapper EDC Wallet. It’s a fully structured card holder with an ultra-slim, durable design. Dango combined their usual premium leather lining with RFID-blocking aluminum resulting in a secure wallet with a comfortable feel. The aluminum chassis offers additional functionality to your carry, like a built-in bottle opener, phone stand, and more. A textured elastic band secures folded cash and other essentials to the exterior.
Outdoorsmen and adventure-seekers will especially appreciate the high-performance materials and technical construction of this sleek minimalist wallet. Its bifold cardholder design holds up to 6 cards plus some folded bills for emergencies. Available in your choice of 10XD, an ultra-strong material made with ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene, or 3-ply nylon, the Ion is water-repellant, dirt-resistant, lightweight, yet impressively long-lasting.
If you have a keen eye for quality then the AKEENi XSTO Wallet hasn’t skipped your notice. It’s one of the more unique options on this list with a clever design that makes sifting through your cards to find the right one quick and painless. It comes in a few different configurations that let you hold up to ten cards along with some cash and business cards. The XSTO wallet is machined from a single piece of aluminum so you know it can handle your daily wear and tear, plus they offer detailed personalization options so you can really make it yours.
If you enjoy the classic heritage style of stitched and folded full-grain leather wallets but you don’t want to carry around a bulky traditional bifold, check out the Hot Rack by Open Sea Leather. It’s a minimalist front-pocket card holder wallet that’s crafted using a single piece of full-grain leather with two pockets on the front and back and a cash strap for carrying folded cash bills. There’s a wide range of colors available for both the leather and the stitching, giving you plenty of personalization options for an already stylish design.
The award-winning Secrid Cardprotector might be for you if you have an eye for design. It fits 6 cards yet only weighs 50 grams, making it feel like it disappears in your pocket. The card holder has a spring-loaded lever on the bottom that fans out your cards for easy pickings. When you’re done, push them back inside the RFID-blocking aluminum chassis and the cards stay hidden from view. As the core of their system, Secrid’s Cardprotector is their most minimal wallet. If you do need to carry cash, you can add on an optional cash strap.
The Bellroy Flip Case features an ultra-slim, dual-sided design based on a polymer hardshell case. The Flip Case holds up to 8 standard-sized payment and ID cards. Two cards fit into a quick-access section behind a magnetic flap. The main compartment’s RFID-blocking technology helps keep the rest of the cards safe from skimmers and fraudsters. It’s equipped with magnetic trapdoor openings that prevent your cards from coming out of the wallet until you need them to. Lastly, premium eco-certified leather rounds out the exterior.
The Founder is Flowfold’s newest ultra-slim EDC card holder, featuring a horizontal design and a clear ID pocket. It’s made in the USA out of recycled sailcloth technical fabric that’s both extremely durable and lightweight. It weighs in at only 0.7 oz when empty. There’s a main center cash pocket for folded bills and four card slots that are excellent for carrying just the essentials.
Card Holder Wallets FAQs
Why is a card holder better than a wallet?
A card holder is better than a regular wallet because it takes up less space in your pocket. With more stores accepting cards and electronic payments via smartphones, you probably don’t need a regular wallet to carry cash and coins. A card holder helps you carry just the essentials and eliminates bulk from your pocket.
How do I choose a card holder wallet?
Choose a card holder that’s easy to use and has enough room to carry your essential cards. Make sure the card holder is also built with quality materials that are durable enough to carry every day. Also, consider the aesthetics of the card holder and how it matches your personal style.
What are some of the benefits of a card holder wallet?
A card holder keeps your cards organized, protected, and easy to access. Card holder wallets usually weigh less and take up less space compared to a regular wallet. A slim wallet that fits in your front pocket can help you avoid the pain of sitting on your wallet in your back pocket.
How we picked
Decades of experience and deep connections in the everyday carry industry give us a unique viewpoint on the market to inform our product recommendations. We have the depth of information for thousands of products that have come before and an extensive eye on the market to see what’s new and trending for each piece of gear. The result is a buying guide that we feel is informative and useful for EDCers of every trade, industry, and budget.
What is Everyday Carry?
Everyday Carry is both the concept of what people carry in their pockets and the process of picking out gear that thoughtfully considers what one wants or needs in their daily life. It encompasses everything from style to preparedness to utility, meaning an entire industry full of valuable tools and essentials to choose from.
Why you should trust us
Our team has decades of combined experience in all aspects of everyday men’s essentials, from wallets to pens to bags and everything in between, and we know where to find great gear ideas that you may not come across at your local stores or when shopping online. Our expertise in the industry and familiarity with design, materials, and usability help you make more informed choices when it comes to picking up your next piece of gear.
