Have you read our guide on how to choose the ideal wallet? If you haven’t, then I’ll urge to do so before continuing. If you did, maybe the decision is close at hand but you’re looking for inspiration to expand your research. Thus, without further ado, allow me to introduce you to 11 of the most popular rugged wallet brands.
All brands on this list offer at least one rugged wallet with the following characteristics:
- Made of metal (e.g., aluminum, titanium) or other rugged wallet materials (e.g., carbon fiber, wood).
- May include other materials such as leather and fabric in modular components or inlays.
- Card holder type coupled with different card capacities and access mechanisms.
- May offer attachments for other items particularly bills, coins, keys, multitool.
- RFID-protected (all metals have this property).
In short, a rugged wallet is the definite way to go if favor an active or rough style. If your profession or activities require that you provide extra protection for your wallet contents, certainly you can’t go wrong with any of these sturdy, durable materials.
| Brand | Aluminum | Carbon fiber | Copper | Gold | Stainless steel | Titanium | Wood |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akeeni | ✔ | ||||||
| Axwell | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Aviator | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Dango | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Ekster | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Fantom | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Grid | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Groove Life | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Ridge | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Secrid | ✔ | ||||||
| Trayvax | ✔ | ✔ |
Akeeni
- Origin: USA
- Frame materials: 6061-T6 aluminum
- Finish materials: Aluminum
- Card capacity: 4 – 10
- Additional features: Holding space for bills and business cards
- Prices: $67 – $88 (USD)
- Website: akeeni.com
Styled as ‘AKEENi’, this is an American brand established in 2018 in Ashland, OR. Their products feature a full metal construction in order to provide a secure card holding system. Akeeni offers two wallet models in 4 to 10 card versions, whereas a third version is also AirTag ready. Besides the card storage, these wallets can accommodate up to 8 folded bills and 4 business cards.
Axwell
- Origin: Canada
- Frame materials: 6061-T6 aluminum
- Finish materials: Aluminum, copper, stainless steel
- Card capacity: 1 – 12
- Additional features: Cash strap, money clip, magnetic cover plates
- Prices: $90 – $160 (USD)
- Website: axwellwallet.com
Axwell is an Ontario-based company, established in 2017 in Terrace Bay. Crafted with military-grade materials, their minimalist designs hence provide exceptional protection for your carry. Axwell wallets consist of two shell plates secured in place with an elastic, albeit hidden by two magnetic cover plates. These plates come in aluminum, carbon fiber, copper, and stainless steel, besides a myriad of designs and colors. All models can hold up to 12 cards in addition to folded bills. You can also select between a cash trap or a money clip for carrying cash.
Aviator
- Origin: Germany
- Frame materials: 6061-T6 aluminum, Grade 1 titanium
- Finish materials: Carbon fiber, stainless steel, titanium
- Card capacity: 1 – 20
- Additional features: Cash strap, pull strap, coin holder
- Prices: €160 – €1,009 (EUR)
- Website: aviatorwallet.com
Aviator is made by Evermade Wallets (a German manufacturer located in Alzenau) since 2017. They set out to create a wallet that is easy to handle, flexible in its setting of cards, and small enough to fit in the front pocket. Aviator basically offers two lines of products: One version with a pull strap for cards and a cash strap; and second one which also includes a coin holder. Both series offer wallets made out of carbon fiber, titanium, or aluminum in different colors, and can hold up to 20 cards.
Dango Products
- Origin: USA
- Frame materials: 6061-T6 aluminum, Grade 2 titanium
- Finish materials: Carbon fiber, DTEX, G10, leather, wood
- Card capacity: 1 – 16
- Additional features: Modular accessories for cash, pen, multitool, ID
- Prices: $35 – $339 (USD)
- Website: dangoproducts.com
Based in Santa Clara, CA, Dango Products is an American manufacturer established in 2015. Their objective is to elevate everyday carry products coupled with modern aesthetics and lasting materials. Dango produces six wallet series otherwise grouped in three collections. These are dubbed classic, modular, or tactical, as a result of their key features and materials. Dango’s wallets come in either aluminum or titanium frames eventually combined with embedded or modular components made of leather, DTEX, carbon fiber, wood, or G10.
Ekster
- Origin: Netherlands
- Frame materials: 6061-T6 aluminum, 3K carbon fiber weave
- Finish materials: Aluminum, carbon fiber, gold, leather
- Card capacity: 1 – 12
- Additional features: Quick access button, expandable backplate, bifold additament
- Prices: €71 – €225 (EUR)
- Website: ekster.com
Dutch brand Ekster was established in 2015, headquartered in Amsterdam. As a Certified B Corp, they aim to leave the biggest impact on how you move through the world with the smallest impact on it. Ekster markets two product lines: Parliament wallets and and Senate cardholders. The first one consists of an aluminum cardholder with an embedded leather (real or vegan) bifold component. The latter one includes cardholders made out of carbon fiber or aluminum (bare, or encased in leather or gold plating).
Fantom
- Origin: Canada
- Frame materials: 6061-T6 aluminum
- Finish materials: Aluminum, bamboo, carbon fiber, walnut
- Card capacity: 4 – 13
- Additional features: Money clip, modular attachments (cash, coins, keys, AirTag), MagSafe
- Prices: $69 – $161 (USD)
- Website: fantomwallet.com
Canadian brand Fantom started in 2017 near Vancouver, BC. Their wallet was designed with security in mind while still allowing easy access to cards. Fantom offers three lines of products identically made of an aluminum frame. Series S is the original one presently with an optional titanium money clip. Series X additionally offers modular attachments to hold items like cash, coins, keys, ID, or AirTag. And the series M is MagSafe compatible so it can be snapped into place on the back of certain iPhone models. Series S comes in versions with brushed aluminum or carbon fiber finishes, whereas Series M and X offer carbon fiber, bamboo, or walnut versions.
Grid
- Origin: USA
- Frame materials: 6061-T6 aluminum
- Finish materials: Aluminum, carbon fiber, copper, titanium
- Card capacity: 1 – 12
- Additional features: Money clip
- Prices: $65 – $85 (USD)
- Website: grid-wallet.com
Grid is an American brand established in 2014 in Portland, ME. They set out to create a wallet design to minimize the physical profile of everyday carry. Grid wallets are composed by two internal aluminum plates, firmly secured by an expandable elastic strap. External plates can be from aluminum, carbon fiber, copper, or titanium. All models include a removable money clip.
Groove Life
- Origin: USA
- Frame materials: 6061-T6 aluminum
- Finish materials: Aluminum, carbon fiber, leather
- Card capacity: 1 – 6
- Additional features: Money clip, cash strap, MagSafe
- Prices: $40 – $100 (USD)
- Website: groovelife.com
Groove Life was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in Spring Hill, TN. Their wallets are intended for a modern, fast-paced lifestyle, with sleek designs and innovative features. Groove Life sells only two models made of an aluminum frame. The first version includes an external plate in either aluminum or carbon fiber, plus a detachable money clip. The second version (dubbed Go) is covered in leather, includes a cash strap, and is MagSafe compatible.
The Ridge
- Origin: USA
- Frame materials: Polycarbonate
- Finish materials: Aluminum, carbon fiber, gold, leather, stainless steel, titanium, wood
- Card capacity: 1 – 12
- Additional features: Money clip, cash strap, coin holder, multitool, AirTag case
- Prices: $95 – $250 (USD)
- Website: ridge.com
Ridge is an American brand established in 2013 and based in Santa Monica, CA. Their wallet design is minimalist, aimed to carry less and live more. Ridge has a vast selection of a single wallet model composed of two internal polycarbonate plates secured by an elastic. On the outside, two plates made of metal or other materials are secured by screws to the internal frame. All models come in either cash strap or money clip versions. Ridge also offers option accessories like coin holder, multitool, and AirTag case.
Secrid
- Origin: Netherlands
- Frame materials: 6061-T6 aluminum
- Finish materials: Leather, LIBA, MIRUM, TPU, yard
- Card capacity: 6 – 16
- Additional features:
- Prices: €30 – €190 (EUR)
- Website: secrid.com
Dutch manufacturer Secrid was established in 2009 in The Hague. Their goal is to combine fashion and product design to create pocket-sized essentials. Secrid produces six lines of products with different mechanisms for card access and wallet closure (clasp or band). They all contain one or two card holders made of aluminum. The holder is bare in the simplest model, whereas the rest are embedded in other materials such leather, yard, or recycled plastic. In the end, Secrid offers dozens of models to fit every taste and style.
Trayvax
- Origin: USA
- Frame materials: 6061-T6 aluminum, 304 Stainless steel
- Finish materials: Aluminum, leather, paracord
- Card capacity: 1 – 15
- Additional features: Bottle opener, pry bar, money clip
- Prices: $45 – $115 (USD)
- Website: trayvax.com
American brand Trayvax started in 2013 and operates out of Bellingham, WA. Their objective is to make gear built to hand down, something that you trust, love, and rely on. Trayvax produces six wallet collections with a bottom plate made of aluminum, brass, stainless steel, or titanium. Their front plate can be made of aluminum, leather, or paracord. Certain collections include a money clip, an external slot or a cash strap for bills.
Key takeaways
In conclusion, here are some pros and cons of choosing a product from any of these popular rugged wallet brands.
Pros of a rugged wallet:
- Compact, small, and lightweight (depends on material)
- Naturally RFID-protected
- More resistant and easy to clean
- Offers extra protection
Cons of a rugged wallet:
- Inflexible materials
- Takes some time getting used to handling
- Less storage space than traditional wallets
- Could scratch other EDC items (e.g., phone)