Everyday Carry

The 6 Best Ridge Wallet Alternatives In 2024, Ranked

Authored by:
Jonathan Tayag
Reviewed by:
Bernard Capulong
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
14+ Years Reviewing EDC Products
The 6 Best Ridge Wallet Alternatives In 2024, Ranked

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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"
Dimensions4.00" x 2.48" x 0.31"
Dimensions3.37" x 2.25" x 0.37"
Dimensions4.00" x 2.50" x 0.34"
Capacity8-10 cards
Capacity1-12 cards
Capacity: 4-6 cards
Capacity8 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.


Dango

The Best Overall Ridge Wallet Alternative: Dango D03 Lite Dapper

Purchase
Key Features
Rail system
RFID blocking
Lanyard attachment points
Specifications
Dimensions
4.3" x 2.7" x 0.4"
Capacity
8-10 cards
Materials
Aluminum, silicone
EDC Rating


Price
$
The Dango D03 Lite Dapper Rail is a minimalist take on the metal wallet design featuring 6061 aerospace-grade aluminum and an elastic band that helps keep the debit cards secure inside but also allows for the safe carry of folded bills. It features Dango's signature overbuilt design language in its minimal form, keeping your essentials light but secure and protected.
Hayvenhurst

The Best Ridge Wallet Alternative on a Budget: Hayvenhurst Slim

Purchase
Key Features
Easy card access
RFID blocking
Integrated money clip
Specifications
Dimensions
3.38" x 2.13" x 0.24"
Capacity
1-12 cards
Materials
Various
EDC Rating


Price
$
The Hayvenhurst Slim cardholder wallet features the same design and functionality but not at the expense of lower-tier fit, finish, material, and warranty. The Hanvenhurst allows EDC enthusiasts to test the waters for the kind of wallet a Ridge can offer, from a trustworthy company, before opting for the real deal.
Secrid

The Most Premium Ridge Wallet Alternative: Secrid Cardprotector Titanium

Purchase
Key Features
Lightweight
Patented lever mechanism
RFID blocking
Specifications
Dimensions
4" x 2.48" x 0.31"
Capacity
4-6 cards
Materials
Titanium
EDC Rating


Price
$
The award-winning Secrid Cardprotector might be for you if you have an eye for design. It fits six cards yet only weighs 48 grams, making it feel like it disappears in your pocket. The cardholder 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 titanium chassis, and the cards stay hidden from view. As the core of their system, Secrid's Cardprotector is their most minimal wallet. You can add an optional cash strap if you need to carry cash. The pop-up mechanism is excellent, giving you faster access. However, remember that more moving parts mean it's more likely to fail than alternatives.
Rugged

The Most Multi-functional Ridge Wallet Alternative: Rugged Material Ranger

Purchase
Key Features
Included multi-tool card
RFID blocking
Made in the USA
Specifications
Dimensions
3.37" x 2.25" x 0.37"
Capacity
8 cards
Materials
Steel
EDC Rating


Price
$
The Rugged Material Ranger features an integrated multi-tool card with assorted SAE, metric hex wrenches, a bottle opener, and a 1/4th" bit screwdriver. The Teflon powder coat on the Ranger Wallet makes sliding cards out of the wallet easy but adds extreme durability to the design. Everything is held with the 1.5" heavy-duty elastic band, which Rugged Material rates for years of extended use. And each Ranger Wallet is made in the United States, with much attention paid to quality control.
Fantom

The Most Modular Ridge Wallet Alternative: Fantom X

Purchase
Key Features
Patented fanning mechanism
RFID blocking
Multiple capacity options
Specifications
Dimensions
4.0" x 2.5" x 0.34"
Capacity
4-7 cards
Materials
Aluminum, carbon fiber
EDC Rating


Price
$$
The Fantom X improves upon the original minimal wallet's crowdfunded design with its unique fanning system and Cerakote finish, making it incredibly abrasion, scratch, and chemical-resistant. This carbon fiber cardholder wallet is available in three different capacities, which provide a fixed number of card-carrying capabilities based on your needs. The Extra Slim can carry 4-7 cards, the Slim can carry up to 5-10 cards, and the Regular can accept 7-13 cards.
AVIATOR

AVIATOR Slide Wallet

Purchase
Key Features
Coin compartment
RFID blocking
Modular elastic strap
Specifications
Dimensions
3.37" x 2.12" x 0.41"
Capacity
1-20 cards
Materials
Various
EDC Rating


Price
$$
With its matte black anodized aluminum surface, which also features RFID protection, the AVIATOR Slide Wallet features flexible adjustment for up to 20 payment cards and some extras. Unique to this design is the addition of an integrated coin compartment which can also carry slim essentials like keys, flash memory, and coins.

The 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.

Jonathan Tayag

Senior Contributor


About the Author
Jonathan Tayag is secretly an information technology and corporate security expert who prefers to moonlight as a creative event and commercial photographer whenever possible. His varied experience and substantial travels have led him to seek, without even thinking about it at first, the best gear for the best use at the best price available. Before the concept of EDC (everyday carry) firmly took hold, Jonathan already spent untold amounts of time optimizing for the best-in-slot pieces of gear, from cameras and lenses to pocket knives, pens, and bags and packs. In November 2015, Jonathan joined EverydayCarry.com and has since written numerous articles and guides to help impart his knowledge to the community as a whole.

Jonathan's photographic works have appeared on numerous online websites, print, video, and television outlets for over a decade. Jonathan's previous clients include Blizzard Entertainment, Red Bull, ESL, Razer, and several other endemic and non-endemic esports sponsors and brands. His work also features heavily in online competitive gaming communities, especially those of the StarCraft and Fighting Game genres. You've likely seen his work if you've spent time in a stream or in-game chat over the years.

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.

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