The Wallet Shoppe
Are metal wallets any good? What are the pros and cons of metal wallets vs leather wallets?
We’ve seen a big increase in the number and variety of metal wallets on the market since the advent of the Ridge Wallet in 2013. But how do they stack up in practice against the traditional leather wallet?
We decided to put all the questions we’ve received (and others we asked for ourselves) together to go through the pros and cons once and for all, and we’ll also show you some of the best metal wallets (in our humble opinion) on the market today. Enjoy!
Metal Wallets vs Leather Wallets
What do we mean when we say “metal wallet” anyway (or “leather wallet” for that matter)? There are a range of styles of metal wallet, but we think you can break them down into two main types:
Box or Tactical
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The Plate Wallet. This is essentially the “Ridge style”. It’s a metal frame, typically just two plates each large enough to cover a credit card. The two sides are held together by a fixed or flexible mechanism (many are simple elastic-band like features). Cards in a plate wallet usually slide out with a thumb push; a box-style case may use a lever or open with a latch
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The Tactical Wallet. Still typically minimal in overall size, a tactical wallet takes it up a notch by adding extra features ranging from bottle openers to compasses - think of a Swiss Army knife merged with a wallet
Weight
Many metal cardholders have a compact footprint, like the wallets in our minimalist roundup. This isn’t surprising when you think of the weight of a hunk of metal. A small aluminum cardholder can weigh less than a large leather bifold. Compare the actual empty weight and loaded thickness; material alone doesn’t settle it.
For the titanium-specific picks (which offer a different finish and feel from aluminum), see our 3 best titanium wallets.
Summary of Pros and Cons
We went through the main differences between metal and leather wallets and this table below is a summary of what we think the main points are, with our take on pro vs con:
| Criteria | Metal vs. Leather | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | Leather is soft and pliant; rigid metal edges, thickness and cash hardware affect pocket comfort | Leather |
| Cost | Both leather and metal wallets can be found in a wide range of materials, quality, and from a wide range of brands. The price ranges accordingly from inexpensive to “the sky’s the limit” | Tied |
| Durability | Both metal and leather can get scuffed and scratched. A metal frame resists bending, but coatings, elastic and moving parts can wear; leather quality and construction matter too | Depends on the design |
| Care Required | Leather care depends on its finish. Metal needs little conditioning, but check elastic, screws and moving parts; abrasive polish can damage coatings | Metal |
| Range of Styles | Hard one to answer - the traditional leather wallet comes in a wide range of styles, but the metal wallet can be a tactical wallet, a box wallet, … lots of possibilities. Metal cardholders tend toward minimalism, which limits the range, so we’d give this to leather by a nose | Leather |
All right, let’s go through the list shall we? We’ll come back to a buyer’s guide later in the article.
The Best Metal Wallets - Our Top 5!
For those that are all “Just the facts, M’am”, here’s a quick table covering our Top 5. The full reviews are after the table. (OK, Spoiler Alert - there might just be one or two bonus wallets in there too …)
Trayvax Element Wallet
Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.8 x 0.5 in
Weight: Trayvax lists 5 oz for the Element
Available in a variety of different red, brown and black colors, the Trayvax Element Wallet is built around a stainless steel rugged frame enveloped in oil-tanned, top grain leather. This compact wallet can fit 3 to 10 cards in it and 1 to 5 bills. The Element is backed by Trayvax’s 65-year heirloom warranty.
As well as the wallet functions it is also packed full of extra features including bottle opener, money clip, attachment point and RFID Protection.
A perfect wallet for the guy on the go, who requires a wallet slimline enough to suit front-pocket carry, with a rigid frame for outdoor use, and yet stylish enough for everyday use.
The Ridge Wallet: Aluminum-Navy
Dimensions: 3.39 x 2.13 x 0.24in
Empty weight: about 2 oz for the aluminum version
What can we say about the Ridge? Quite a lot actually, we wrote a whole article on the Ridge Wallet.
With navy anodized front and back plates, stainless steel screws, expandable elastic strap and RFID Blocking aluminum plates this navy metal wallet is a beautiful option from the Ridge range.
You can choose between elastic cash strap or metal money clip, on the outside of the wallet. The Ridge has the ability to hold 1–12 cards, with the elastic expanding to match the stack.
With replaceable elastic and a lifetime warranty, the Ridge Wallet is one of the best-known plate-style cardholders (but … see below).
One Ridge owner found card selection slower than with their old leather wallet. That’s the tradeoff of a shared stack: small size, but a different way to pay.
Axwell Wallets - Aluminum Navy
Dimensions: 3.39 x 2.13 x 0.31 inches
Empty Weight: 2.6 oz
Now this little beauty from Axwell Wallets may just be the one that topples the Ridge from its perch.
To make this a fair comparison, this is the navy blue aluminum version from Axwell. Unlike the Ridge, Axwell wallets come with both a money clip and cash strap as part of the package. The outer plates clamp tightly to the frame with strong magnets, making them simple to remove and replace the strap with the clip, or vice-versa. Much easier than the Ridge’s “get your screwdriver out” approach.
They are extremely solidly made, beautiful in design, have a lifetime warranty covering manufacturing defects and functional failures, with limits and normal-wear exclusions, and can also hold up to 12 cards. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this range.
Check out our full review of Axwell Wallets here. Don’t miss that gorgeous copper version…
Ogon Stockholm Wallet
Dimensions: 4.61 x 2.91 x 0.83 in
Empty Weight: 2.5oz
The Stockholm Original is compact, light with its contents accessible with a mere glance.
Perfect for both men and women this wallet will fit securely in a handbag or a pocket. The Stockholm can hold up to 10 cards and banknotes and provides RFID protection.
The modern and distinctive style is made from aluminum and polycarbonate, with an accordion interior and a range of colors and patterns.
Dango Dapper 2 EDC Wallet
Dimensions: 4.4 x 2.63in
Empty Weight: 2.5oz
Made with aerospace-grade aluminum, the Dango Dapper 2 is nickel-plated, then polished and assembled by hand in the USA. This beauty comes with a top-grain leather finish that is secured to the Dango Dapper chassis with military-specification bolts.
Note that this wallet is compatible with the MT02 Multitool which is sold separately and adds tools to an already versatile design. A blade-bearing multitool belongs in checked baggage, even if the wallet alone can go in carry-on.
BONUS WALLET! - ElephantWallet N3D Metal Wallet
We promised you bonus wallets, and this older design is the first!
The N3D is a unisex metal wallet made from anodized aluminum, rubber, metal and elastic. The contrast between the metal plates and colored strap gives it its character. For an older or resale listing, compare the actual finish, included strap and card capacity before buying.
The wallet has no fancy frills, it is just a simple clean design, but it’s strikingly eye-catching and worth a look if you want something elegant.
BONUS WALLET 2 - Decadent Minimalist (DM1) In Titanium
OK, this DM1 seems to be aiming for the title of “most minimalist!”
The DM1 Titanium is a cardholder machined from a single piece of titanium. The current titanium model lists 5-, 8- and 12-card sizes; choose one to suit your stack. The frame retains even a single card.
There are no unnecessary screws, hinges, magnets, snaps, straps or rubber bands, just the simple, stunning design. The optional DMC money clip is a separate accessory and takes the space of one card when attached.
It may just be the end of the line for the evolution of the minimalist wallet!
Buyer’s Guide
Whether you choose leather or metal comes down to a personal decision largely dictated by how you will use your wallet.
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If you want to carry much more than a handful of cards and maybe a couple of notes, then you’re probably going to want to go for a larger wallet, or a longer wallet, and that calls for leather, either a high-quality true leather, or a vegan leather material
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If you are looking for a cool, minimalist style, a metal wallet in the Ridge style is a great choice. See our review of the Ridge and its main competitors, or take a look at some inexpensive alternatives
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If you’re looking for something that carries out more functions in an emergency than a regular wallet, then you’re looking for something tactical, and most of the best of these are made from metal
That’s our round-up.
FAQ
Do Metal Wallets Block RFID?
Metal can shield contactless cards, but the wallet’s construction and the position of the card matter. Choose a model with an explicit RFID-blocking specification if that feature matters to you; not every metal shell shields every card.
Do Metal Wallets Damage Clothes?
Smooth, rounded edges help. Exposed screws, rough edges or tactical attachments can catch on fabric, so consider those parts and the thickness of the loaded wallet.
Do Metal Wallets Damage Credit Cards?
Cards stacked tightly together can rub against each other. Keep grit out, avoid overloading the holder, and use the maker’s intended card capacity. A metal frame doesn’t guarantee that cards will never show wear.
Are Metal Wallets Uncomfortable?
A rigid holder feels different from a soft bifold. Front-pocket carry usually makes more sense than sitting on one in a back pocket. Loaded thickness and the money clip’s position matter as much as the metal itself.
Are Metal Wallets TSA-Compliant?
A plain metal cardholder can go through security. Follow the officer’s instructions about emptying your pockets. A wallet with a blade is a different matter: TSA requires knife-bearing multitools in checked bags, and the officer makes the final screening decision. See our Trayvax and airport screening guide.
Are Metal Wallets Heavy?
Some are, but size and construction matter. An aluminum plate wallet can be lighter than a large leather bifold; a steel tactical wallet can be much heavier. Compare the specified weight of the models you’re considering.
Are Metal Wallets More Durable Than Leather Wallets?
Both can scuff and scratch. Metal frames resist bending, while leather can flex and develop a patina. Elastic, stitching, hinges and replacement parts often decide how long the whole wallet lasts.
