Title says it all. My wallets seem to disintegrate in months. Latst one is a Levi brand from Kohls and it looks like crap, it's falling apart and the black surface material (whatever it is) is sticking to all my cards. I need something better with lots of slots, like 9-10.
Recommendations please.
I bought one at the Coach outlet store in 2018 and it still looks almost like new. Far and away the best one that I've ever had
I have a Zeit.works wallet. They make wallets out of reclaimed interior materials from classic cars at the end of their useful life. Some have the VIN branded along with the model.
My wife gave me my tan Porsche 911 SC a while ago. Maybe three or four years? It's been run through the wash a handful of times. The leather stretches when I change what's in it, but zero stitches have let go, no leather damage can be found, no element of the wallet shows anything worse than the aforementioned stretching.
Of course, what car your wallet comes out of will change your result.
Edit: Linky! https://zeit.works/
jimbob_racing said:I bought one at the Coach outlet store in 2018 and it still looks almost like new. Far and away the best one that I've ever had
This. I had a Coach wallet DW bought for me in about 2004. In 2010 she bought me another one that sat in the drawer until the original wallet was killed in a flood in 2017. At that point I broke out the spare from 2010 and I have been using it for 4 years. It is just now starting to show a little wear.
The Coach Outlet stuff is fine, but the first line stuff from the mall store or online is even better. It may cost $120 for a wallet but you will get a decade or more out of it.
jimbob_racing and Duke, are your Coach wallets leather or other material?
My current wallet is from Duluth trading and has lasted for nearly 6 years. maybe give them a try.
I have a Roots leather wallet that looks like a leather wallet should after a decade or so. Beautiful patina. But I don't overstuff it.
Couch (not Coach) makes some nice guitar straps, their wallets are probably worthwhile.
https://www.couchguitarstraps.com/wallets
I got one from Saddleback about 10 years ago. Aside from the leather aging to a nice patina its a solid as the day I got it.
Leather Wallets and Belts | Full Grain Slim RFID Bifold | Saddleback (saddlebackleather.com)
In reply to DeadSkunk (Warren) :
Mine is smooth, full grain leather.
I've had two wallets in my life. First one I bought August 1998 (I know because I wrote it on the inside) and it lasted until 7 years ago when I decided to trade it out.
I got both from a leatherworker at local flea markets. No fancy name brand stuff.
Common Fibers in Seattle, WA invented the carbon fiber wallet. I have a now discontinued tri-fold that is over 5 years old and still looks and functions basically new.
Leather single fold wallets. I think I've had two since I started carrying wallets 30 years ago. I don't know what y'all are doing to yours.
I have a Ridge wallet in titanium with a money strap. Best I've ever owned.
After too many years of various cheap wallets that didn't last long, I bought a nice handmade leather bi-fold from a local business that has been around for 70+ years. My best friend got one 3-4 years prior and loved his, and I have been very happy with mine for the four years I've owned it now. It is just getting nicely broken in! They have several styles, with vertical or horizontal options.
You may be able to find something similar in your area if you have any long-standing leather workers around.
These wallets are great. Made from thin, spinnaker like material. Hold a ton of stuff, hold up well, and are designed to be slim.
I have one from WP, with a spot for my guitar pick. Still in great shape after 5 years.
https://wpstandard.com/collections/leather-wallets
I think the important thing is to find one that is actual, real full grain leather. Inspect the stitching as well.
FYI - Coach used to be buy it for life, no matter the product. They've gone downmarket in recent years. You can still probably get a BIFL product from them, but be aware that they've "sold out".
vwcorvette (Forum Supporter) said:I have a Ridge wallet in titanium with a money strap. Best I've ever owned.
Another vote for the Ridge wallet. I've had mine for years and I still think it's a fantastic minimalist wallet.
If you've seen Pulp Fiction, I have Jules "It's the one that says Bad Mother berkeleyer."
Paid $25 from BMFwallets.com about a decade ago, I suspect it will go another decade.
ddavidv said: I don't know what y'all are doing to yours.
z31maniac said:If you've seen Pulp Fiction, I have Jules "It's the one that says Bad Mother berkeleyer."
Paid $25 from BMFwallets.com about a decade ago, I suspect it will go another decade.
You're the first person I've known to say positive things. I've wanted that wallet forever, but all the reviews I've seen everywhere say it's junk.
My last wallet was a generic Alice in Chains wallet I got at a spencers like store, lasted 10 years before I decided I needed sobering a little nicer.
ae86andkp61 (Forum Supporter) said:After too many years of various cheap wallets that didn't last long, I bought a nice handmade leather bi-fold from a local business that has been around for 70+ years. My best friend got one 3-4 years prior and loved his, and I have been very happy with mine for the four years I've owned it now. It is just getting nicely broken in! They have several styles, with vertical or horizontal options.
You may be able to find something similar in your area if you have any long-standing leather workers around.
I used to have a Langlitz motorcycle jacket, it was wonderful. Unfortunately it got stolen; that was 30 years ago, and it still makes me mad to think about it.
I have a front pocket money clip/wallet from rogue-industries. I've had it for at least 10 years & it is still fine. It has a magnetic $ clip on one side and 3 slots for cards on the other side that will hold 2 cards/slot. Then it has a space between the two sides where I keep my drivers license and a couple of other things. I like it a lot, it's small, made to fit in a front pocket where I've carried my wallet for 35+ years, and I think the newer version has RFID blocking material sewn into the leather to protect your chip type credit cards.
I'm suffer from an affliction known as Noassatall. I have to have a thin wallet so it's not uncomfortable sitting. I usually upgrade every 5-10 years. Previous wallet was an embossed leather piece that mom got me in Alaska in 2004, so it lasted 14 years. I think I stretched it's life a bit longer than humanely recommended because it was a nice gift.
I picked up this one at a flea market where a lady had thousands of wallets, likely all made overseas for the lowest possible dollar. It is real leather, but pretty thin. I think I paid $12 for it. Inside has three slots for cards on one side and a windowed pocket for ID on the other which has my medical insurance card, driver's license, and passport card. The ouside has an additional pocket which I keep my school keycard, a half-used gift card for HD, and a few business cards.
3 years on it and it looks like this:
JThw8 said:I got one from Saddleback about 10 years ago. Aside from the leather aging to a nice patina its a solid as the day I got it.
Leather Wallets and Belts | Full Grain Slim RFID Bifold | Saddleback (saddlebackleather.com)
This is my wallet from 2012 from saddleback
I carry it in my front pocket with all my keys.
Another +1 for Saddleback. Watch their videos, even this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a11wlngpuSY even though it's about bags.
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