Everyday Carry

The Best Minimalist EDC Wallets for Carrying Cash

Authored by:
Ashley Woo
Reviewed by:
Bernard Capulong
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
14+ Years Reviewing EDC Products
The Best Minimalist EDC Wallets for Carrying Cash

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Even with the rise of portable card readers and payment apps, we still encounter the occasional “cash only” situation on our daily adventures. Whether you want to tip your waiter in cash, buy something from a street vendor, support a busking musician in the subway, or just like the feel of hard-earned paper money in your hands, it pays to carry a wallet that’s got you covered.

This shouldn’t mean carrying an overstuffed George Constanza-like monstrosity of a billfold—instead, you can carry cards and cash without adding extra bulk to your pocket or bag if you pick the right wallet. Designs that will allow you to fold your bills neatly over in two, avoiding the triple-fold (and deterring the act of just stuffing your cash in a pocket), combined with the use of durable, versatile materials mean that you can cash in on some super slim, efficient pieces that will withstand wear without taking up extra space.




Filson Small Bi-Fold Wallet

The Filson Small Bi-Fold is a new classic. Filson means quality—after all, they have been crafting goods made for hunting in the US since 1850. Their products will hold their own almost no matter your daily use. The Bi-Fold is made out of vegetable-tanned leather with Tin Cloth accents, which will age beautifully over time. There are two slots for cards, a security pocket, and a leather strap bill-holder for keeping that reduces the bulk of extra fabric that an entire pocket dedicate to storing your notes would entail.

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Common Fibers Max

The Max Classic by Common Fibers claims to reduce the thickness of your standard wallet by 50%. This USA made wallet includes six slots for cards and a billfold for unfolded cash. The Classic also features two hidden pockets and RFID protection to give you that extra bit of security. All Common Fibers products use durable aerospace grade carbon fiber for that high-tech look and feel to a familiar wallet form factor.

BUY ($100)




Flowfold Vanguard

The Vanguard Billfold by Flowfold boasts the same thickness as just two credit cards and a weighs the same as three sheets of standard printer paper. This practical wallet keeps you organized with one pocket for cash, two ID windows (that each hold two-four cards) and two hidden card pockets. The Vanguard comes in seven different colors of a strong and lightweight kevlar or carbon fiber cloth, so you can have enjoy personalizing your carry with just the right wallet to match.

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Distil Union Wally Bifold

The Wally Bifold by Distil Union is a front-pocket-friendly wallet made with fine Argentine leather. The Wally has a metal money-clip inside for easy cash storage and access. With a super slim overall profile, both sides of the Wally have pull-tabs so that you can reveal and retract up to 12 of your cards back into your wallet for discreet access. They’ve even color-coded the ribbons so you know which pocket to pull from at a glance. (Editor's Note: See my full review of the Wally Bifold here for more info.)

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Bellroy Low Down

As far as wallets go, Bellroy is a favorite in the EDC crowd. They make a good point on the matter: Why, indeed, carry more wallet than your bills need? Bellroy’s latest, the Low Down, is a “slim wallet that loves flat bills” (and so do we!). This minimally designed piece accommodates both US and Australian currency (from the brand’s home country), as well as up to ten cards, in a classic landscape style. Like all Bellroy wallets, this one is made from vegetable-tanned leather and comes in five different colors. The Low Down lives up to its name and keeps your pockets slim and smooth with its tapered edges.

BUY ($80)




Capsule Minimalist Wallet

Offered in a variety of colors and leathers, this wallet by Capsule is truly minimalist. They make one product and make it well, with a proprietary CashStrap that helps you store and remove your cash in an innovative way. The main sleeve pocket holds a recommended two-to-four cards, and has a high-density lining to ensure you can slide them easily in and out. They’ve even reinforced specific stress points with extra stitching and debossed their logo onto the CashStrap to keep their branding understated. The standard model offers both utility and a luxury feel at a good value compared to other designer wallets.

BUY ($70)




Hayvenhurst Slim Bifold Wallet

The classic bifold gets a unique and feature-packed twist with Hayvenhurst's take on the design, pairing the practicality and utility of a well-made money clip and modern materials and construction. This bifold packs plenty of features into its 100% full grain leather design, including designs like carbon fiber, an ID window, and front slots with a cutout for quick access to your most essential cards. A minimal money clip takes literal center stage inside the bifold, and RFID blocking adds security from outer access.

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SlimFold Micro Wallet 

For a vegan- and environmentally-friendly slim wallet, check out the new SlimFold collection. They get their thinness, light weight, and durability from resilient non-leather materials. The Tyvek option is thin and rip-resistant, while the soft shell version is tough against abrasion. High-tech and mindfully manufactured, these are bold, functional, and even waterproof.

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Dun Wallet

The Dun Wallet is the world’s thinnest leather bifold at just 0.2” thick and weighing in at a single ounce. You can easily fit it into your front pocket, back pocket or shirt pocket. It can stash up to ten bills, or tickets and receipts in its unique triangular cash strap. Leather construction and polished hardware make the wallet well-suited for a more formal look. It fits most currency types, with room for a key or pocket change to spare.

BUY ($60)




ATELEIA Slim Wallet

For those of you who are fans of handcrafted artisanal leather goods, give the ATELEIA Slim Wallet a look. It’s cut and sewn by hand from beautiful natural, red, brown, or black leather. It can store up to 12 cards in its two outer pockets. An internal pocket can store 6-7 US bills folded in half. Despite its large capacity, it stays slim thanks to its simple, minimalist construction. It’s both a classic and reliable piece that can find a home in most pockets.

BUY ($55)

How are you carrying your cash these days? Let us know your favorite cash-friendly wallets and gear in a comment below.

Header image by Bernard Capulong

Bernard Capulong

Founder and Editor-in-Chief


About the Reviewer
Bernard Capulong is an everyday carry (EDC) gear expert, entrepreneur, all-around nerd, and the founder and editor-in-chief of EverydayCarry.com—the largest online community for EDC gear enthusiasts. Since founding Everyday Carry in 2009, he’s built over a decade of experience in the industry, reviewing and highlighting brands and products, including pocket knives, flashlights, wallets, watches, bags, pens, and much more.

Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.

In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.

Discussion (36 total)

Aaron S. ·
Also consider the Recycled Fire-hose Sargent front pocket wallet.
Steve Spaulding ·
I have 2 of those! one in leather the other in tank vinyl
Robert Taradash ·
They might be slightly thicker, and maybe less professional, but Recycled Firefighter Sergeants should be on this list.
Scot Jeffus ·
Which wallet is in the background of the picture at the header of this buying guide?
Bernard Capulong ·
That's a Bellroy Slim Sleeve. It's not designed to carry half-folded bills, but it works just fine (the bills peek out a bit, but it works and helps with retrieval in my experience). Great wallet!
Brandon Bergeron ·
I'm using a small waxed canvas pouch I picked up from an artisanal craftsman on Etsy. The guy is for Spain and goes by the name aseismanos. Check it out. Small enough to carry in my front pocket, stuff plenty cards, and even for my Fisher space pin.
GarthS ·
I've been using the Allett wallets as long as they've been around, and have given out loads as gifts. They're brilliant wallets, and take a good beating.
I just picked up a FNDN wallet. I've had a Allett for some years now, and my buddy told me about this FNDN brand outta Detroit. Finest Quality, if your ever looking for another style. If your like me, you have at least 6 wallets...haha. Totally good for a beating too!
Jeff Povey ·
I have the Makr corner zip slim wallet, which is ideal for front pocket carry
Bernard Capulong ·
Nice. I have one too and it's great, but I feel some people won't get on well with the zipper. If you're not super careful with how you stuff your cash in it, the zipper can get caught on the bills and tear them up, then get stuck. Beautiful materials and construction though
Jeff Povey ·
Hi Bernard, It was actually your own review here on "EDC" that persuaded me to get a Makr wallet....

I quarter my UK bills and havent experienced the tearing problem. At least, not yet
jones ·
What is the blue wallet in the picture at the top of the article?
Bernard Capulong ·
It's the Bellroy Slim Sleeve (not the Note sleeve) which is advertised to carry bills folded into thirds, but in my use I've been able to get away with 10+ US bills folded in half. It's sort of a hacky way to do it but it's great.
Bruce Satow ·
I'm surprised that the Taxi Wallet didn't make it. I've been using it for decades and got 3 other people hooked on it.
Chris ·
That Dun wallet looks nice. Was just what I was looking for, but I just grabbed a loft of cambie. Will remember that one next time.

And Leon, it can carry coins.
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