Slim Wallet vs. Tri-Fold Wallet

[Qs Laptop]

My 15 year old trusty tri-fold wallet is getting beat up, frayed and torn. Time to replace it.

I saw an article in the NY Times Wirecutter about "The Best Slim Wallet". Their recommendation was a bi-fold leather wallet that cost $70. Yes, $70. I'm sure it's real nice but, $70?! This caused me to do a search on "best wallets" and some were coming back priced at over $500!

Anyway, they also listed card holder wallets which are smaller than traditional wallets, don't fold and are made primarily to carry credit cards, ID cards, and other types of plastic cards. Thinking about it I only use perhaps 3 or 4 cards--my bank debit card, a credit card, my driver's license, Medicare card, and Medigap Insurance card. I probably don't need to carry my Medicare cards. I rarely use cash so the search was on for a highly-rated card holder wallet.

I ended up getting the Big Skinny Open Sided Mini. I got the leather one but they have a nylon one as well. Holds up to 9 cards and one of the ends is open (hence "open sided") to make it easier to access currency. I've only had it for a day but what a difference! The footprint of the Big Skinny isn't much smaller than the tri-fold (when folded.) The big difference is in the thickness and the weight. Much lighter and a lot thinner. I'm scarcely aware it's in my pocket. (I'm a front pocket wallet guy.)

Picture is of the Big Skinny and traditional tri-fold holding the exact number of plastic cards, six, and currency bills, five. Keep in mind the tri-fold is well broken in and if it were new or less than a year old it would be much thicker.


Big-Skinny-vs-Tri-Fold-Wallet.jpg

[Jerry1]

I have one similar to that but the biggest change in my wallet carrying is that I put the slimmer wallet in my front pocket. Works very well.

[Qs Laptop]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry1 I have one similar to that but the biggest change in my wallet carrying is that I put the slimmer wallet in my front pocket. Works very well.

Yes, it is amazing that such a seemingly small change makes such a big difference.

[Gumby]

For many years, I have used a slim wallet for the few cards that I carry. I keep my cash in a money clip in my front pocket.

[Qs Laptop]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gumby For many years, I have used a slim wallet for the few cards that I carry. I keep my cash in a money clip in my front pocket.

Back in the 80s I folded my currency around my driver's license and a credit card and stuck it in my front pocket. No wallet whatsoever. This card holder wallet reminds me of that.

[Car-Guy]

Never liked tri-folds. Bi-folds for me.

[Sunset]

I always dreamed of having a Fat wallet..

I'm just glad to not be putting any change in my wallet these days.

[Lakedog]

I went with something similar a few years ago - All-ett sport wallet. Best wallet I've had and usually don't even notice it in my pocket. I have the nylon version but they come in leather as well. I did notice that inflation has hit though -- paid $14.95 for mine on Amazon but now they are $42.

https://www.all-ett.com/products/nylon-sport-wallet

[athena53]

Take a look at these.
https://www.madisonstitch.com/prototype-store

Made in downtown Kansas City and many of their employees are from the local refugee population. Leather comes form Hermann, MO. I have some of their purses and they're very high quality. I'm not a fan of the contrasting white stitching on the wallets but shoe polish will blend it right in.

[Happyras]

Best Wallet I finally found is the Original Taxi Wallet. Lost my first one (stolen), had the last one now for 6 years. Fits in the front pocket!

[Midpack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Car-Guy Never liked tri-folds. Bi-folds for me.

+1. I guess a slimmer one would be nice, but the Coach wallet I’ve had for years is slim enough. I carry more than 12 cards even though only 3 are credit cards - mostly medical, and a half dozen membership/discount cards.

[OldShooter]

I'm presently using a bi-fold leather Big Skinny and have been very happy with it. In the past I have had nylon wallets from all-ett.com. The latter easily win the slim wallet race but the nylon does not wear as well as leather. I do use the all-ett for international travel, where I do not take all of the cards in my regular wallet and I am a real nut about traveling light and compact.

[Chuckanut]

I have a big skinny and like it a lot more than my previous tri-fold.

I wish I could get rid of enough wallet clutter to use the small carbon fiber wallet I was given a few years ago. But, too many business don’t accept the Apple wallet and Apple Pay on my phone.

[djsander]

I used to have a cram packed George Costanza wallet. I’ve downsized over the years what’s in the wallet. I have a trifold that I bought for about $20 off of Amazon probably 6 years ago and it’s still going good. I won’t spend much on a wallet once it wears out. I started carrying my wallet in my front pocket about 10 years ago as I drove a lot for work and it was bothering my hips and back.

[badatmath]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakedog I went with something similar a few years ago - All-ett sport wallet. Best wallet I've had and usually don't even notice it in my pocket. I have the nylon version but they come in leather as well. I did notice that inflation has hit though -- paid $14.95 for mine on Amazon but now they are $42. https://www.all-ett.com/products/nylon-sport-wallet

I love mine which is many years old by may be too cheap for a new version. $42 for fabric seems a little steep.

[KCGeezer]

DW got me a metal card holder/money clip years ago. If I ever lose it I’ll get this newer one.

https://normest-store.com/products/w...42333976756472

[Jimonlimon]

My favorite wallet ever is a slim one. One clear slot for my driving license. One thin slot for my most-used credit card. One big slot for the rest of the cards and US dollars folded in half. On the back is another slim slot that I use for hotel key cards or parking lot tickets. Folded it is 5 layers of thin fake leather and one of thin plastic.

With the same 12 cards as my previous wallet this is about 1/2 as thick. I mostly carry it in my front pocket since my former fat wallet in my back pocket was giving me back problems from driving and sitting.

The best part is the cost- $7 at the car wash.

[FLSUnFIRE]

I've been using this since 2017 and love it! Silicone band has held up for 6 years which is surprising. I rarely carry my wallet and usually just use a phone case that holds a single credit card and I carry a few bills cash in my pocket.



https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[dingo]

Bought the all-ett leather 6 or 7 years ago and love it. I even bought those for my brother in law and father in law. They are very happy with it. It can really make a lot of difference due to the thickness.

[rk911]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry1 I have one similar to that but the biggest change in my wallet carrying is that I put the slimmer wallet in my front pocket. Works very well.

i still carry a tri-fold. and i find i have to put it in a front pocket in summer in my cargo shorts and whenever I need to wear my dress slacks (which happens, thankfully, very rarely).