Whipping out your wallet should make you feel powerful – if you feel ashamed instead, something isn’t right. It’s time to take action and invest in a sturdy and stylish new wallet.
It can be hard to know where to start, though. There’s no end of high-street shops and online outlets to hunt through, and “where did you get your wallet?” isn’t exactly a regular talking point among blokes.
But never fear: we’ve trawled the web and singled out the very best wallets money can buy. Read on to find the perfect wallet for your needs.
How to choose the best wallet for you
To find the perfect wallet, you need to work out exactly what you’ll be using it for. How many cards does it need to be able to fit? How much space do you need for coins, receipts and other bobbins? The answers will help you choose between a slimline option or a bulkier design. And don’t just go by what you’re carrying around right now: in this age of contactless payments and online transactions, choosing your new wallet presents an opportunity to slim down and slash the number of cards and coins that you carry around with you.
What sort of colour should you choose?
Ideally, your wallet should complement your outfit. If you dress mostly in black, don’t opt for a brown wallet that will clash with your clothes. But if it tends to be blues that dominate your apparel, brown will offset your getup nicely. Don’t feel the need to stick with traditional dark tones, either: it’s 2018, and nothing’s stopping you going with a bombastic colour choice if that suits your style.
How do you feel about leather?
Many people shy away from genuine leather in favour of more animal-friendly options – and there are plenty of them on the market. Often these can look just as trendy as leather designs, and are just as reliable when it comes to carrying your currency. Unless you’re really invested in old-school authenticity, there’s no reason to rule out synthetic materials.
Do you want to make contactless connections through your wallet?
Contactless technology makes today’s credit cards and travel tickets much smarter than they used to be. With the right wallet, you don’t even need to take your card out: you can plonk the whole thing on a scanner and make your transaction in a second. Alternatively, you may prefer an anti-magnetic design, which protects your cards against accidental transactions – and against “electronic pickpocketing”, where high-tech thieves with concealed card readers can brush past you and take contactless payments without your even noticing.
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The best wallets to buy from £8
1. Bullcaptain wallet: Best anti-magnetic wallet
Price:£21 | Buy now from Amazon
This affordable anti-magnetic wallet features total NFC blocking to thwart thieves. It’s stylish too, with a retro design in genuine leather material that looks really fetching. Inside, there’s space for eleven cards, a small purse section for your loose change and a separate window for an ID card or family photo. It zips shut for extra security – and, best of all, it’s currently half-price on Amazon.
Key specs –Genuine leather: Yes; Total card space: 12 slots; Anti-magnetic: Yes; Zip: Yes; Size: 11.5 x 9.5 x 2.5cm
2. Vaultskin Notting Hill: Best slimline wallet
Price:£30 | Buy now from Amazon
The minimalist Vaultskin range of wallets is ideal if you don’t like to lug around a big hefty folio. This highly compact Notting Hill design is the polar opposite of bulkiness, yet it somehow accommodates up to 12 cards. An outside pocket makes your most-used card instantly accessible, and there’s even a little slot for a house key or a few coins. It’s available in black, brown, cognac and alpine green, meaning you can pick the perfect version to match your wardrobe – and if you’re buying it as a present, it comes with an eye-catching gift box, too.
Key specs – Genuine leather: Yes; Total card space: 7 slots; Anti-magnetic: Yes; Zip: Yes; Size: 8 x 10.5 x 11.2cm
Vaultskin NOTTING HILL Slim Zip Wallet with RFID Protection for Cards Cash Coins (Alpine Green)
3. Buono Pelle: Best-value classic wallet
Price:£8 | Buy now from Amazon
If you just want a sturdy, no-nonsense wallet, Buono Pelle has you covered. With a sleek black real leather finish, space for seven cards and a zipped coin section, it’s a reliable wallet that gets the job done without making flashy statements. It also has two note compartments, one zipped and one not – ideal for separating cash from receipts and other paper slips. If you’ve been putting off replacing a reliable old wallet, this could be the ideal successor. It also comes with a gift box, if you want to give it as a present.
Key specs – Genuine leather: Yes; Total card space: 7 slots; Anti-magnetic: Yes; Zip: Coin section and one note section; Size: 11.5 x 9.3cm
4. Travando Dublin: Best imitation-leather wallet
Price:£22 | Buy now from Amazon
You don’t need to buy real leather to get a stylish and practical wallet. This Travando offering is the best faux-leather wallet on the market, boasting an elegant German design and RFID-blocking insulation. It does everything you’d expect from a premium wallet, with ample room for all your monetary bits and bobs, and a classic, tasteful style. Perfect for those who want something sleekly functional that’s made without animal products.
Key specs – Genuine leather: No; Total card space: 10 slots; Anti-magnetic: Yes; Zip: No; Size: 9.8 x 12.5 x 14cm
5. Secret Felicity Bifold Profile: Best money-clip wallet
Price:£12 | Buy now from Amazon
Rather than using a traditional leather separator to create a note compartment, this Secret Felicity wallet features a space-saving money clip. The result is a less bulky wallet, and easier access to your cash. The design also eschews the traditional flaps-for-your-cards approach, instead offering an innovative little card section that you access by pulling on a small strap. Made from high-end cowhide leather, it looks classy and feels reassuringly tough.
Key specs – Genuine leather: Yes; Total card space: 5 slots; Anti-magnetic: Yes; Zip: No; Size: 10.4 x 7.6 x 1cm
6. Mt Eston Trifold: Best extra-spacious wallet
Price:£26 | Buy now from Amazon
If you need to carry around a lot of cards, a regular wallet can quickly get overstuffed. Mt Eston’s Trifold Men’s Leather Wallet is the answer: it can house 11 cards the traditional way, and it also has four extra-capacity slots behind each card section, allowing you to fit even more stuff into your wallet, such as travel tickets or receipts. As an added bonus, it also comes with a lifetime warranty, and a 100% money-back guarantee.
Key specs – Genuine leather: Yes; Total card space: 11 slots; Anti-magnetic: Yes; Zip: No; Size: 11.3 x 8.9 x 1.5cm
