Wingback Cash Wallet Review

Wingback is a company committed to high quality, clever design and sustainability. Their focus is on rugged, personalized products with traditional materials and repairable construction.

Think classic adventurer style, something you’d see Indiana Jones using while paying for a drink in Kathmandu.

The Review: Wingback Cash Wallet

The box of the Wingback’s Cash Wallet describes it as “built to last many journeys through the city and on the road, gaining a little more character with every adventure.” And that’s really what it is. A standby ready to stick with you whether you’re doing a deep trek into the Himalayas or just heading out to the store to buy milk. It’s not the hippest of minimalist wallets, but it is exquisitely made and full of character. Made to last through whatever life throws your way.

But is it right for you? Read the full review to find out.

Wallet Features

Central Cash Pocket

As the name implies, cash-carrying is really what defines this wallet. One side of the traditional cash pocket is cleverly removed, allowing bills to fold on themselves while tucked into one end. This removes the heft you get from a traditional three-section wallet, while also providing an additional bit of security because the bills and the wallet end up rolled up together.

A quick test of my original sample with a bunch of ancient bills from my international backpacking days showed it could hold 20 bills, but things got a bit bulky at that point. Wingback’s current listing specifies 15+ notes; thickness and condition make a difference. It’s also nice to see that the wallet accommodates a range of currencies. Aussie dollars, Yen, Euros, you name it, this thing is made to hold cash.

Another nice feature of having the cash pocket feature so centrally is that you don’t have to open the entire wallet or touch the card area to access your cash. Pop open the first fold, and you can start pulling out bills. You’ll still need to keep both hands firmly on the wallet when you do this though. A cash wallet suitable for “making it rain” this is not.

Interior Card Slot

The card slot is tiny on this wallet, but it’s not an afterthought. The beveled leatherwork around the edges of the card slot is impressive and allows cards to pass easily in and out through the open corner at the top of the slot. Even though it’s designed to carry cash, they’ve really tried to make it card friendly, too.

But does it work?

Sort of.

The top of the card pocket is open even when the wallet is closed, which does allow you some access to your cards. If you squeeze a bit, you can fan out your cards and choose the one you need. It’s a nice thought, but a little clunky in practice.

And right out of the box it only holds 3 cards comfortably, which is pretty limiting. Credit card, ATM card and an ID, then boom, you’re done. Of course, leather has the ability to stretch over time, so if you wanted to really stuff it with cards and let it grow you could. Wingback’s current specification is 2–5 cards. Don’t overstuff it; once stretched, the pocket will not shrink back to a smaller load. But it would be a mistake to look at this as a carry-all wallet for both cards and cash.

Snap Fastener

For added security, the wallet comes with a machined metal fastener on the front that snaps into place. It’s a lovely accent, too, giving an air of sophistication to the rugged leather. The female end of the snap inside the wallet also features the words: “For Your Journey”, which is a nice, subtle bit of branding.

Customization

Wingback offers leather colors, fastener finishes and personalized inscriptions. The current limits are 20 characters outside and 35 inside, so a long message needs planning.

Unpersonalized orders are generally dispatched in 1–2 working days; personalized ones take 1–2 weeks. Check the selected version’s estimate, including delivery to your country.

With that kind of customization, you’re bound to get a combination that fits your style…if you’re willing to wait.

Wallet Size/Dimensions

With the face of my original Wingback Cash Wallet coming in at 2.7” x 3.6”, it fits squarely in the bounds of what you’d expect from a minimalist wallet. It forms a good envelope for credit cards, but it doesn’t veer into classic bulky wallet territory.

My sample, when empty, cuts a thin profile at 0.5”, and when loaded up with 10 bills and 3 cards, it stretches up only to 0.6”, which is pretty impressive for holding that much cash.

Wallet Material & Colors

Wingback takes the sourcing of their materials very seriously, devoting an entire section of their website to them.

Since it makes up the majority of the product, the leather gets particular attention. The vegetable tanned leather comes from Tuscany, Italy, according to the current maker listing.

A traditional material, and when you pick it up, the quality is apparent. The smooth finish on the outside of the wallet is soft and tender to the skin, while the interior retains the grain of unfinished leather, ready to cling to the bills placed there.

Wingback even goes further to say that all their leather is a byproduct of the meat industry, which describes where the hide comes from rather than proving that making the wallet has no environmental impact. It’s a nice spin and a good way to look at using a leather product. But try that on any of your hardcore environmentalist friends and you’ll get some strange looks.

The available finishes give you plenty of choice:

• Leather: Charcoal, Whisky, Chestnut and British Racing Green

• Fastener: Brass, Stainless Steel or Black Steel

• Inscriptions: inside, outside or both; check the current stitching and engraving options

Check the selected color and personalization before ordering.

Wallet Durability

This is a very well-made wallet.

It makes you realize why wallets have been traditionally made from leather. It’s rugged, yet pliable and easy on the fingers. And unlike wallets made of metal or synthetic materials, leather will bend and shape itself in response to the environment. It will get worn from pocket wear and scratched by your keys, though leather and hardware can still wear or fail. It develops “character” as the leather enthusiasts say.

The stitches used to hold the wallet together are also incredibly strong and durable. They are put in using a technique called saddle stitching, a traditional hand-sewing method.

A lot of manpower is invested in making a product of this quality, so Wingback really stands by it. The current returns terms allow 30 days for eligible unpersonalized purchases, with return shipping paid by the buyer. Personalized or engraved items are not returnable unless faulty; check limited-edition exclusions too.

Overall Usefulness

The Wingback Cash Wallet is an excellent wallet if your purpose is to carry cash and you want something that uses elegant traditional materials like brass and leather, but still has a modern design. If you want to compare a different engineering approach, you might also want to look at the Akeeni XSTO/Stow wallet — another brand with a strong story and a unique engineering-driven design. It’s made to last, too, and the company takes great care in creating a quality product. The real drawback here is the card-carrying function. It works well enough, but it’s really not enough if carrying cards is your primary use.

Alternatives to the Wingback

Are you intrigued by the Wingback Cash Wallet, but still not completely sold? Here are a few more cash wallets you might want to look at.

Trove Cash Wrap

Where the Wingback Cash Wallet is for the adventurers who see life as a journey, the Trove Cash Wrap is for city folks who want their billfolds to dazzle. The Trove Cash Wrap comes in leather and alternative finishes, including the reflective Reflex version. Check the exact material; a carbon-fiber-style finish is not necessarily structural carbon fiber.

The Cash Wrap has an interior pocket for coins or small essentials and can combine with a compatible elastic card case for pull-tab access. Check what is included in the version you order. Its elastic closure is a different mechanism from Wingback’s metal fastener, so choose the one you prefer using rather than assuming a fixed lifespan for either.

Note we also reviewed some Trove Alternatives too.

The Wrap Wallet

Wallet brands love to boast, but The Wrap Wallet’s claim to be “The Best Wallet in the World, Guaranteed” goes one step further: if you aren’t completely blown away, they won’t just offer you a refund — they’ll send you a cash kicker on top (check their site for the current terms).

In many ways, it lives up to the hype. It’s one of the most practical wallets I’ve looked at. The cash pocket functions the same as the Wingback, but comes with three card sleeves. This includes an ID pocket that can be ordered inside or outside the wallet. As advertised, it easily holds up to 10 cards.

It’s also customizable like the Wingback with a choice of leather and thread colors. The only drawback is that it doesn’t quite have the elegance or style of the Wingback.