The Wallet Shoppe
A long wallet is a vertical-style wallet built to carry cash flat instead of folded. Below, we’ll look at what it is, what else it gets called, and why you’d carry one over a standard bifold.
The Best Breast Pocket Wallets
We looked far and wide to come up with the 9 best long wallets on the market!
These aren’t “one size fits all” - there’s a range of price points and styles here, from budget picks to full-on luxury.
Here is a quick guide to all nine picks. Follow a name to its section for materials, storage, and trade-offs.
| Wallet | Best suited to | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Kattee Vintage | Budget leather and checkbook storage | More storage means a larger wallet |
| Ariat Patriot | Rodeo styling and many cards | Bold flag and camouflage design |
| House of Jack | Distressed leather and hunting motifs | Hunting-themed interior printing |
| Fossil Executive | Organized everyday leather carry | Tall shape needs a suitable jacket pocket or bag |
| BRASS TACKS | Rustic leather and full-length cash pockets | Choose the size and pocket layout carefully |
| JooJoobs | Personalized, made-to-order leather | Older custom design; shop availability varies |
| Bosca Italia | A slim wallet for a jacket pocket | Fewer card slots than the larger organizers |
| Michael Kors | A zip closure around cards, coins, and cash | Bulkier than an open breast-pocket wallet |
| XCraftsman | Distinctive handcrafted alligator leather | Premium materials and custom-order considerations |
What Exactly is a Long Wallet?
What exactly is a long wallet? In its simplest form, a long wallet is a vertical-style wallet that allows cash to be carried flat without being folded. It’s really as simple as that.
(Since they are vertical, “tall wallet” might be a better term)
Long wallets appear in several styles: jacket-pocket organizers, Western rodeo wallets, and biker designs with chain attachments. A chain is a separate feature, so don’t assume every long wallet has one. Our chain wallet guide covers those designs.
Nowadays these wallets (although still carried by bikers) can be seen being carried by business professionals and anyone who wants something a little different.
The reason for this is that they fit so cleanly in a breast pocket of a sport coat. It really helps to eliminate the bulk when carrying. Cowboys or “western style” guys also carry long wallets, often emblazoned with various badges or other rivets… it gives them a westernized look.
The point is this: cowboys, bikers, and everyone in between can make a long wallet work. They come in materials such as leather, canvas, alligator … more on that later.
What Are Other Names For Men’s Long Wallets?
What else are long wallets called? Actually, there are a lot of different names for this type of wallet. Some of the more common ones are:
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Long Wallet
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Tall Wallet
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Vertical Wallet
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Breast Pocket Wallet
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Coat Wallet, or Coat Pocket Wallet
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Checkbook Wallet*
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Suit Wallet
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Rodeo Wallet, or Cowboy wallet (typically with a Western motif)
*We disagree with this one. A checkbook wallet is specifically designed to carry a checkbook, while a long wallet is more of a preference as to the way you carry your bills…longways.
Why Carry One?
There are a ton of reasons that a long wallet makes sense. Because of the elongated shape of the wallet, the user can carry cash longways without needing to fold it. This makes accessing the cash extremely easy, especially if you carry a lot of cash — when you’re digging through fifties, twenties, tens and ones, having them all accessible makes life much easier.
There’s also an elegance to them that a short wallet doesn’t have. When someone reaches into their breast pocket and pulls out a long wallet, there’s an air of sophistication to it. A lot of really high-end brands make long wallets, and it’s definitely a fashion statement.
Because of the tall shape, a long wallet is also easy to access from your back pocket. Some people see that as a downside, but if you chain your wallet, it actually makes accessing it easier.
Tall wallets tend to be slimmer than their short-wallet counterparts too, since the contents spread out over a larger surface area instead of stacking up.
One thing to watch: because the wallet sticks out the top of your back pocket, it’s an easier target for pickpockets, so treat that as your cue to be careful — unless it’s chained to you, we’d recommend using these as breast pocket wallets instead.
They’re also not the pick for a minimalist. Long wallets aren’t designed for a front shirt pocket or front pants pocket, so you’ll need to be comfortable carrying it in a back pocket or sport coat instead. See our minimalist wallets list if that’s more your style.
Best Value For Money
We’ve looked at long wallets across different price points, styles, and layouts.
Kattee Vintage Long Wallet
The Kattee Vintage is a budget-friendly long wallet that guys will love. It’s made from imported “top grain” crazy horse leather. That describes the leather and finish, rather than predicting how many years the finished wallet will last.
Inside, there is room for plenty of items, even a checkbook, with an ID window, four long compartments, a zipper pocket, and ten card-slot pockets in the linked brown gift-box version.
The divided layout is the attraction here if you want cash, receipts, and a checkbook separated. All in all, a great option at a great price.
Ariat Patriot Long Rodeo Wallet
This is definitely a wallet made for a true American patriot.
The leather exterior pairs an embroidered flag with digital-camouflage detailing. That contrast makes this wallet stand out. It comes in a “Digital Camo” that corresponds with the color of the leather – black, brown, or green. The top of the wallet is also set with an American flag emblem that stands out nicely against the leather.
Inside are card and cash compartments, a clear ID window, and a removable photo slip. The tall rodeo shape suits someone who likes Western styling and a roomy layout. Check the selected model’s pockets; the photo insert adds another layer when filled.
House of Jack Long Bifold
This wallet by House of Jack really rounds out the first set of wallets on our list perfectly.
It comes in vintage-style distressed leather; color choices depend on the listing. The wallet features nine card slots on the inside as well as the ID window for your drivers license, etc.
Across from the card slots, the main cash slide compartment is great for carrying your bills without folding. The Deer model has four full-length compartments altogether for cash and receipts. It measures 3.5 by 6.9 inches and uses full-grain cowhide with a hand-burnished finish.
Clearly designed with hunters in mind, this wallet also has “Eat, Sleep, Hunt” screen-printed onto the interior cash pocket.
Mid-Range
Fossil Executive Tall Wallet
This long wallet from Fossil is a step up from the ones above.
The supple leather and cotton pocket lining are the appeal. The Derrick Executive measures 3.5 by 6.75 by 0.5 inches, so compare it with the pocket you plan to use.
We like the straightforward organization: the current maker specifications list six card slots, an ID window, a zipper pocket, and two slide pockets. The separate zip pocket is useful when you want small items enclosed rather than loose beside your banknotes.
BRASS TACKS Leathercraft Men’s Long Wallet
Brass Tacks takes a rustic approach with cowhide and a Crazy Horse-style finish. The linked large version lists six card slots, an ID/photo window, and three cash pockets in a 7.5-by-3.5-by-0.6-inch body.
We like the look of the staggered card arrangement. Choose the large or medium size deliberately rather than assuming their pocket layouts match. A snug card slot should hold its intended load; don’t rely on doubling cards to meet your everyday capacity.
All in all, this is a distinctive option for someone who wants the worn-in leather look.
JooJoobs Leather Long Wallet
JooJoobs’ older long wallet is a handsome distressed-leather design with room for flat bills and rows of card pockets. The Chiang Mai maker is also known for personalization, which makes this a gift idea worth remembering.
The JooJoobs shop currently shows a break rather than an orderable version of that listing. If it reopens, choose the actual long-wallet layout and ask about initials, production time, and return terms before ordering. Customization options and lead times can vary by design.
Luxury
Bosca Italia Coat Pocket Wallet
A quality men’s blazer needs a quality long leather wallet.
Bosca has you covered. Their wallet is vertically crafted to fit perfectly into your breast pocket inside your jacket. Its longer layout spreads cards and cash across the wallet instead of stacking everything into a small square. Check the loaded thickness against your coat pocket.
The design is practical too - we really like the way you can access your bills from the top of the wallet without having to open it up. Other features include a row of card slots and four vertical stash pockets. The overall dimensions of the wallet are roughly 6.5″ x 3.75″.
Leather-wise, Bosca is in a different class from the others on this list. This vegetable tanned wallet is made from their signature hand-stained Old Leather. The glossy, hand-stained finish gives it a classic dressed-up look. Owner D.S. liked its card and cash space, while S.H. returned it because it was thicker than expected. Read their reviews.
Michael Kors Tech Zip Around Wallet
The zip-around wallet is a little different in style to what we’ve seen so far.
The older Tech Zip Around combines Saffiano leather with an enclosed organizer layout. The zip is the useful difference from the open rodeo and breast-pocket wallets above, particularly if you want small items kept together.
Michael Kors sells several long wallet and smartphone-wristlet designs. When browsing the current range, choose the actual card layout, closure, and dimensions you need. A “tech” name doesn’t establish that your phone fits, and RFID shielding should be specified for the particular model rather than assumed across the brand.
XCraftsman Alligator Bifold Long Wallet
The last maker on our list is XCraftsman, out of Hanoi, Vietnam. The older alligator bifold long wallet is part of the appeal of this maker: distinctive textured leather and a handcrafted layout that looks very different from a conventional cowhide wallet.
Its current long-wallet collection includes open and zip-around designs with different linings and pocket arrangements. Choose the design as well as the exterior color. For a custom order, confirm dimensions, production time, personalization, and the return terms before buying.
Why have a wallet that looks like everyone else’s when you can have a statement piece like this?
FAQS
Why Is It Called a Rodeo Wallet?
A long, vertical wallet (typically with Western motifs) is sometimes called a Rodeo Wallet because of associations with the long wallets often used by rodeo cowboys
Why Are Rodeo Wallets So Long?
The tall shape provides room for flat banknotes and, in some models, a checkbook. Western motifs are part of the rodeo-wallet style, while the practical benefit is keeping cash and cards organized across a longer layout.
Why Do Bikers Use Long Wallets?
Partly a style issue as western-style long wallets have cowboy associations, but partly because it’s easier to access a long wallet from safely inside a jacket. See also chain wallets.
