In this article, we’ll share our top recommendations for men’s metal wallets you can buy this year.
When you think of a wallet, you probably imagine an overstuffed leather billfold. But have you ever considered a metal wallet?
Metal wallets have been steadily gaining popularity, and you may have even seen a few out in the wild. They’re a far cry from the leather wallets that you’re probably used to, and you might be wondering why anyone would choose metal over leather.
For one, metal wallets are extremely durable. While leather wallets do have the advantage of developing a unique patina over time, they can also wear out quite quickly. Metal, on the other hand, virtually never wears out.
Metal wallets also feature sleek profiles that make them some of the slimmest wallets available. So if you want a wallet that can take a beating but won’t take up much space in your pocket, a metal wallet might be for you.
Interested? Then check out our list of the 10 best metal wallets for men you can buy.
Quick Take
Short on time? Here are our top three picks for the best metal wallets you can buy right now:
This wallet is crafted from aerospace grade titanium, which is both resilient and lightweight (only 0.6 oz). At 0.28” thick, it’s wafer-thin and will take up almost no space in your pocket.
If you want a slim metal wallet but don’t have a ton of money to spend, check out the LOOKISS Minimalist Card Holder.
This quick draw wallet is covered in a soft vegetable-tanned leather and can hold about five cards and a few bills. The brass gives the wallet a stunning look that’s refined and handsome.
Read on for more info and the complete list…
The Best Metal Wallets for 2020
Here they are in no particular order…
#1: Ridge Wallet
If you’ve seen a metal wallet before, it’s probably been a Ridge. Ridge wallets are widely considered to be the best metal minimalist wallets out there, and when you take a look at the feature set, it’s easy to see why.
The Ridge is made from high-quality aluminum and holds 1-12 cards. You can also choose between a cash strap or a money clip to hold your bills. Can’t decide?
You can get both or switch one out for the other thanks to the Ridge’s modular design. The wallet also provides RFID protection to prevent wireless theft.
All of this is backed by a lifetime warranty, but considering how rugged this wallet is, you may never need to use it. If you want even more durability, you can spring for the titanium version, and for the absolute best balance of strength and lightness, check out the carbon fiber version.
#2: Secrid Cardprotector
For the true wallet minimalists, there’s the Secrid Cardprotector. This thin aluminum card holder has an impressively small footprint and a handy mechanism that makes it a breeze to access your cards.
To use the Cardprotector, you press a tiny lever at the bottom that causes the cards to spring out in a stack. This way, you can select whichever card you need without any hesitation. The Cardprotector can hold up to 4 embossed or 6 flat cards, and it weighs just 48 grams.
This wallet isn’t for everyone, as it has no room for cash and only holds a few cards. But if you only use a handful of cards and want a super slim wallet, you should definitely consider the Cardprotector.
#3: Machine Era Ti5 Slim Wallet
Machine Era is best known for its range of sleek, utilitarian pens that aim to make you rethink your everyday carry. Their popular Ti5 wallet embodies that same design philosophy, and it truly is a solid addition to your minimal EDC.
This wallet is crafted from aerospace grade titanium, which is both resilient and lightweight (only 0.6 oz). The titanium is hand-finished with a corrosion proof finish that prevents the material from rusting or oxidizing. At 0.28” thick, it’s wafer-thin and will take up almost no space in your pocket.
The elastic band allows you to quickly stash your cash, and thanks to the open design, you’ll never need to fumble. As a neat bonus, the thumb slot on the back that allows you to access your interior cards doubles as a bottle opener. It’s a lot of wallet for just $65.
#4: Trayvax Armored Summit Wallet
Have you always wanted the wallet equivalent of a battle tank? Look no further than the Trayvax Armored Summit Wallet, a heavy-duty affair that’s built to last.
This robust wallet fits up to 7 cards and 5 bills in a thin enclosure made from a heat-resistant steel plate. It offers several uncommon yet useful features, like an ID display window and an attachment point so you can attach it to a keyring or carabiner.
Despite the Armored Summit’s rugged appearance, it’s still quite thin, and the tactical look is great if you’re into the military aesthetic. (Pair it with a field watch for extra style points.)
#5: Decadent Minimalist DM1
The DM1 is quite possibly the most minimal metal wallet in existence. What could be more minimal than a wallet that’s simply an outline?
The DM1 has done a fantastic job of reimagining the wallet through a minimalist lens. Simply slide your cards in and out of the titanium frame––that’s it. There are no extra parts to get in your way, and you can easily get access to all your cards (especially the outside cards).
Depending on the model, the DM1 can hold 4, 8, or 12 cards, and you can also purchase a money clip separately if you need one.
Decadent Minimalist notes that the wallet’s design allows you to use building access cards and other contactless cards without removing them from the wallet, which is a cool feature. However, because of its design, the wallet does not block RFID.
#6: Grovemade Brass Minimalist Wallet
Most of the metal wallets on this list are made from either aluminum or titanium, two of the most common metals used for wallets. While Portland-based company Grovemade offers an aluminum wallet, they also offer a striking brass version.
This quick draw wallet is covered in a soft vegetable-tanned leather and can hold about five cards and a few bills. The brass gives the wallet a stunning look that’s refined and handsome, and the darker leather pops nicely against the metal’s gleam.
Another plus is that the full-grain leather will wear over time while the brass will stay like new, providing a unique contrast in texture. This wallet proves that you don’t need to sacrifice fashion appeal for minimalism.
#7: Radix Element Wallet
If brass isn’t your thing, then how about wood? Radix’s walnut version of their Element wallet brings a touch of the outdoors to your EDC.
Based on the popular Radix One wallet, the Element features beautiful walnut that sandwiches sturdy steel (which also blocks RFID). Thanks to the wood, the Element leans more sophisticated than utilitarian, so if that’s in line with your style, you’ll like what the Element has to offer.
The Element comes with two bands: one for 4-10 cards and one for 10+ cards. So if you carry several cards but still want a slim profile, the Radix is worth a look.
#8: Gerber GDC Money Clip
Many guys prefer money clips for their ease of use. One money clip that caught our eye is the Gerber GDC, a slim clip that also features a fixed blade knife.
This titanium-coated multitool can hold up to five cards (and quite a bit of cash) in its thin enclosure. The main draw here is the short blade sheathed in the clip––press the button on the back and the knife pops out.
It also has a sturdy, serrated thumb grip and a textured ring to ensure a safe grip that won’t budge.
This wallet could be a game changer if you find yourself in need of a knife often. It’s a solid addition to any EDC, and it provides an added touch of practicality that you won’t find with most other wallets.
#9: LOOKISS Minimalist Card Holder
If you want a slim metal wallet but don’t have a ton of money to spend, check out the LOOKISS Minimalist Card Holder (Amazon affiliate link). With a list price of just $16.99, this wallet offers a lot of bang for the buck.
Similar to the Ridge wallet – but a fraction of the price – this affordable metal wallet is available in a handful of simple colors, including the always popular carbon fiber pattern.
Unlike the Ridge wallet, this one is refreshingly free of any branding. All in all, it’s just a solid metal wallet for anyone on a tight budget.
#10: Silo Mesh Card
Silo’s innovative Mesh Card might just be the wallet of the future. At first glance, it’s hard to see how this window-like rectangle can serve as a wallet, but a closer look reveals that it’s actually a minimalist multitool.
A sturdy silicone band in the center keeps up to 8 cards and 8 bills snugly in place, and the titanium wallet’s construction makes it easy to access everything. The larger opening in the wallet is a hidden bottle opener, and the notch on the side acts as a smartphone stand.
However, this wallet’s coolest feature might be its polycarbonate bumper. Why? Because you can use the bumper to separate your RFID credit card from your other cards, disabling the RFID blocking on that card so you can use it without removing it.
At the same time, you’re still protecting all your other cards from RFID signals. It’s an ingenious solution if you often use one credit card but still want to protect everything else.
Final Thoughts
Metal wallets are by no means traditional, but they offer some exciting benefits for the contemporary man. If having a lightweight, easy-to-access wallet is appealing to you, then you’ll be happy with any of these metal wallets.
Do you agree on our picks for the best metal wallets for men? Planning on grabbing one of these soon? Let us know in the comments!
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