Regular wallets have lots of space, but their sizeable bifold design and leather construction make them prominent and bulky. And suppose you’ve had the misfortune of carrying around a thick wallet in your back pocket as you go on a long drive. In that case, you know how much a traditional wallet can weigh you down.
The venerable Ridge Wallet is an excellent option for paring things down to the essentials and carrying a minimalist design front pocket wallet. Made of metal and elastic bands, the Ridge Wallet conforms to the exact number of cards you have, with room for some folded cash and business cards. It also comes with a lifetime warranty, making it a buy-it-for-life deal.
Our Top Picks
The Best Overall Ridge Wallet Alternative: Dango D03 Lite Dapper [Buy] / [Full Review]
The Best Ridge Wallet Alternative on a Budget: Hayvenhurst Slim [Buy]
The Most Premium Ridge Wallet Alternative: Secrid Cardprotector Titanium [Buy]
The Most Multi-functional Ridge Wallet Alternative: Rugged Material Ranger [Buy]
The Most Modular Ridge Wallet Alternative: Fantom X [Buy] / [Full Review]
Dango D03 Lite Dapper | Hayvenhurst Slim | Secrid Cardprotector Titanium | Rugged Material Ranger | Fantom X |
 |  |  |  |  |
| $ | $ | $ | $ | $$ |
| Dimensions: 4.30″ x 2.70″ x 0.4″ | Dimensions: 3.38″ x 2.13″ x 0.24″ | Dimensions: 4.00″ x 2.48″ x 0.31″ | Dimensions: 3.37″ x 2.25″ x 0.37″ | Dimensions: 4.00″ x 2.50″ x 0.34″ |
| Capacity: 8-10 cards | Capacity: 1-12 cards | Capacity: 4-6 cards | Capacity: 8 cards | Capacity: 4-7 cards |
| Key Features: Lanyard attachment points | Key Features: Integrated money clip | Key Features: Patented lever mechanism | Key Features: Included multi-tool card | Key Features: Patented fanning mechanism |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
Best Ridge Wallet Alternatives
But if a Ridge Wallet doesn’t work for you, many other EDC-friendly designs can serve you well. In this guide, we’ll review some of our favorite Ridge Wallet alternatives and explain why they can work for your everyday carry needs.
The Best Overall Ridge Wallet Alternative: Dango D03 Lite Dapper
Purchase
The Best Ridge Wallet Alternative on a Budget: Hayvenhurst Slim
Purchase
The Most Premium Ridge Wallet Alternative: Secrid Cardprotector Titanium
Purchase
The Most Multi-functional Ridge Wallet Alternative: Rugged Material Ranger
Purchase
The Most Modular Ridge Wallet Alternative: Fantom X
Purchase
AVIATOR Slide Wallet
PurchaseThe Competition
In your search, you may come across these products, but we don’t recommend them, and we’ll explain why below.
- Ekster Senate Wallet: This features a pop-up mechanism similar to Secrid’s, which means it has the same drawback of having moving parts that can fail over time.
- Fidelo Prestige Wallet: This wallet comes with a similar plate-and-elastic band setup to the Ridge Wallet, but is only available in carbon fiber, compared to the number of materials and designs available from Ridge.
- ROCO Slim Wallet: The ROCO Slim Wallet features a plate design like the Ridge Wallet but uses a silicone band instead. This silicone band is a standout difference but has less give and flexibility than the elastic band on a Ridge Wallet.
Why Should I Look for Alternatives?
Taking stock of what’s available when picking out new EDC gear is always good. That’s why we’ve put together some of our favorite alternatives to Ridge Wallets in this guide. And while the Ridge Wallet is one of the best everyday carry wallets, it’s not for everyone. For example, suppose you’re a person who needs lots of dedicated organizational space in your wallet. In that case, the Ridge’s simple design does not cater to you.
And while you can carry some folded cash with a Ridge Wallet, it’s designed for someone with a limited amount of hard currency or none. While the metal construction of the Ridge provides durability and easy access, it won’t work if you prefer the softer touch a leather wallet provides.
Another consideration is price. You can use the coupon in this guide to save a bit on a Ridge Wallet. However, its exceptional design and construction require a higher price than some people may have in their budgets.
Things to Look For
As you search for an alternative to a Ridge Wallet, it’s essential to focus on the following key features that make for an excellent everyday carry wallet.
Functionality
If you need to carry a lot of cash, EDC-friendly minimalist bifold designs will accommodate your needs. If you can pare things down, you can opt for less-bulky wallets that use removable cash straps and cash clips for the off chance that you need to have the hard currency on you.
High-quality materials
Pick an EDC wallet that isn’t a knockoff made so cheaply that it will fall apart after a week of use. The best wallets for everyday carry are made of quality materials like titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, leather, and technical fabrics that come together in a practical package that’s better than a dollar store special.
Multi-tool components
Some of the best wallets for EDC integrate a multi-tool into the design, meaning they do more than hold your everyday cards and cash. While you won’t need to use all of the functions all the time, it’s nice to have, and it can help your wallet stand out in your EDC.
RFID protection
Modern credit and debit cards feature tap-to-pay chips in their design that allow them to work with point-of-sale terminals without swiping or inserting the card into a reader. This makes for a convenient shopping experience but can expose your personal information to thieves and scammers if left unguarded. Many ID cards and access cards also emit these signals. A wallet like the Ridge Wallet with a majority metal construction helps block them from being read from the outside.
FAQ
Is The Ridge Wallet really good?
The Ridge Wallet is one of the best everyday carry wallets you can buy, and it comes with a lifetime guarantee. That’s why so many people in the EDC community carry one daily.
Is The Ridge wallet trackable?
The Ridge Wallet only has built-in tracking if you pick a model or accessory that works with an Apple AirTag. You can also use a credit card-sized tracker like a Tile Slim inside the wallet. Either of those options works if you carry an Apple iPhone.
What is The Ridge wallet made of?
The Ridge Wallet is made of two metal plates held together with durable elastic bands. This allows the wallet to compress to the number of cards you carry. You can choose between many decorative faceplates as well as clip options.
Does the Ridge wallet have a money clip?
The Ridge Wallet has two kinds of money clips. The first is an elastic band on the wallet’s exterior that lets you carry folded bills. The other is a clip that can also double to keep the wallet in your pants pocket like a deep carry clip on a folding pocket knife.
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.
