OT: - Minimalist Wallets | The Boneyard

OT: Minimalist Wallets

HuskyHawk

HuskyHawk

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It’s a weird topic, I know. Some time back I made the switch. Used a cheap Chums Surf Wallet. Nylon. I bought 3-4 of them over time. Then a friend showed me his Code 118 wallet. So I bought that and it’s been really good. The paint is wearing on the aluminum now, but it works fine. Not exactly classy but better than the Chums wallet. So I see Proof Wallets on Facebook, company started by some ex marines and these are nicer looking. Robust as hell. But the price is $125 less new customer discounts. Lifetime warranty, so the wear on my Code 118 would be irrelevant.

Anybody try these? Or Ekster? Or others? I don’t trust the online reviews. Proofs warranty seems legit, if they are around 5 years from now. I’m never going back to big fat wallets. Just wondering who has experience with these or other brands and whether dropping $100 makes sense. Ridge is the other main brand. Looks good, solid, the card release is a lot less convenient
 
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I was gifted a wallet from Kings loot and it's pretty awesome. It's a bifold so not really minimalist you're looking for (still significantly lower profile than any I'd used before) but quality is still great after prolly 4 or 5 yrs now. Have to imagine their minimalist versions are pretty solid too
 
Think I have the Secrid Slimwallet, which looks similar to the Code 118 (similar bottom slide/RFID blocking), but a little thicker/room for a few more IDs and such. Have had it for a few years, still going strong.
 
I bit on the Proof ads. Read about the company. I was getting bored with my scratched up Ridge.

The Proof is top quality. I love it.
 
HuskyHawk said:
It’s a weird topic, I know. Some time back I made the switch. Used a cheap Chums Surf Wallet. Nylon. I bought 3-4 of them over time. Then a friend showed me his Code 118 wallet. So I bought that and it’s been really good. The paint is wearing on the aluminum now, but it works fine. Not exactly classy but better than the Chums wallet. So I see Proof Wallets on Facebook, company started by some ex marines and these are nicer looking. Robust as hell. But the price is $125 less new customer discounts. Lifetime warranty, so the wear on my Code 118 would be irrelevant.

Anybody try these? Or Ekster? Or others? I don’t trust the online reviews. Proofs warranty seems legit, if they are around 5 years from now. I’m never going back to big fat wallets. Just wondering who has experience with these or other brands and whether dropping $100 makes sense. Ridge is the other main brand. Looks good, solid, the card release is a lot less convenient
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I have $100 on a money clip that I carry around instead of a wallet. If I spent $100 on a wallet, I wouldn't have $100 and wouldn't need a wallet.
 
Have a Ridge, good product. It can be a struggle getting credit cards in and out. Not a big deal but kind of annoying.
If you catch one of their sales - you can get one at a fair price.
 
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I have a ROSSM which is a knock-off of the Ridge. I think it was $30 on Amazon like 3-4 years ago and it's been great. My buddy has the Ridge, paid like $100 more for it and it's no better than the ROSSM from what I can tell. YMMV
 
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Dove said:
I bit on the Proof ads. Read about the company. I was getting bored with my scratched up Ridge.

The Proof is top quality. I love it.
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Yeah, the Facebook ads keep nagging at me. I like the Code 118 but it is pretty scratched up.
 
Imdone said:
Have a Ridge, good product. It can be a struggle getting credit cards in and out. Not a big deal but kind of annoying.
If you catch one of their sales - you can get one at a fair price.
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Yeah, I looked at Ridge years ago and rejected it for that. I like the button that ejects my cards in mine. Proof has a strap, wonder how that compares.
 
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nomar said:
This is what my wallet looks like. I want to buy a slim wallet but I have 800 cards on me at all times. License, work ID, credit cards, ATM card, insurance card, etc. Plus I like to carry cash.
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When I finally switched, I took my Chums Surf Wallet and put it in the storage in the armrest of my car. So my AAA card is there, my ATM card, my Target credit card, my BJs Wholesale card, small bills cash for tipping valets etc. All the stuff I seldom need but can get from the car if needed. Has worked out just fine. I do carry cash and the strap works for that if you avoid 1s and 5s (which I put in the car wallet).
 
I have the same brown leather wallet I bought at TJ Maxx over 20 years ago. It's still in perfect shape and will outlive me. It says it's made by Gianni Conti, good job Gianni!
 
If you’re looking for leather, Saddleback Leather makes some great wallets. Both the slim leather card and slim bifold models have been going strong for years in my family
 
Like the ridge myself six years on and no complaints Although finding the right card can be a little annoying
 
HuskyHawk said:
When I finally switched, I took my Chums Surf Wallet and put it in the storage in the armrest of my car. So my AAA card is there, my ATM card, my Target credit card, my BJs Wholesale card, small bills cash for tipping valets etc. All the stuff I seldom need but can get from the car if needed. Has worked out just fine. I do carry cash and the strap works for that if you avoid 1s and 5s (which I put in the car wallet).
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Good advice ... for someone who doesn't live and work in NYC 😃
 
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About 10 years ago i bought a "slim" wallet at a Tumi store in an airport. Im not sure if airport shopping is something i should be embarassed about, but i did it. It was small and smooth but im not sure if it was technically minimalist. I think it was just a small normal wallet. Either way it was excellent. I loved it. When i moved to MX i wanted to blend in so i bought a locally made leather wallet. With skulls and macabe Mexico stuff printed on it. Its normal wallet size. Its ok. But i think ill get another Tumi wallet when i return to the US.
 
Team money clip checking in. My observation is that more than a "bulky wallet" the problem tends to be people thinking they need to carry so many cards - one for the gym three for the grocery store one for this one for that. License, credit card, bank card, one card size heirloom religious icon, and cash. Gym card stays with gym bag, everything else you can log in with a phone #.
 
I have the ultimate minimalist's wallet = no wallet for 40+ years

Carry my driver license, a couple of credit cards, my AARP card, along with a challenge coin all free-range in my front pocket
 
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