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 leather wallet brands.
All brands on this list offer at least one leather wallet with the following characteristics:
- Made primarily of leather (no fabric, metal, or plastic – we’ll address these in other posts).
- Offer classic (bifold and trifold) or card holder (case and sleeve) options.
- Includes card slots, cards sleeve or bill section.
- May offer space for other items or RFID protection.
Briefly, a leather wallet should be your choice if you’re going for an elegant, classic style. If you’re looking to dress up your wallet for the office or for a night out in town, there’s no need to look any further.
| Brand | Classic | Card holder | RFID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andar | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Bellroy | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Café | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Distil | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| FOCX | ✔ | ||
| Frenchie | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Hardgraft | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Nomad | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Tgt | ✔ | ||
| Trove | ✔ | ||
| Wingback | ✔ | ✔ |
(information taken from brand sites in February 2024)
Andar
- Origin: USA
- Types: Bifold, sleeve
- Materials: Full grain vintage leather
- Features: Money clip / cash strap, card slots / sleeve with pull tab
- RFID protection: Yes
- Prices: $40 – $79 (USD)
- Website: andar.com
Andar is an American company established in 2015 and headquartered in Chandler, AZ. The name comes from a Spanish verb meaning “to carry” and “to ride”, hence their pledge to minimize and organize what you carry. Andar offers an equally good selection of wallets and card holders. Features vary by model but may include a money clip or cash trap for bills, and a pull tab for easily accessing cards. All of their wallets are RFID protected.
Bellroy
- Origin: Australia
- Types: Bifold, sleeve, slim
- Materials: Premium eco-tanned leather
- Features: Bill section, coin pouch, magnetic closure
- RFID protection: Yes (certain models)
- Prices: €35 – €139 (EUR)
- Website: bellroy.com
Bellroy, an Australian-based brand headquartered in Melbourne, began around 2010. They’re a certified B Corp, which makes products that aim to last and have a positive impact on the planet. Bellroy produces a vast selection of bifold wallets and card sleeves, obviously with minimalist and slim versions. Besides the usual card slots and bill section, some models include sections for coins and keys. Only some of their wallets are RFID protected.
Café Leather
- Origin: Spain
- Types: Bifold, sleeve, slim
- Materials: Premium vegetable-tanned leather
- Features: Card slots, bill section, coin purse
- RFID protection: No
- Prices: €69 – €119 (EUR)
- Website: cafeleather.com
Manufacturer Café Leather is headquartered in Madrid, but their products are made by artisan hands in the small Spanish town of Ubrique since 2017. Their philosophy revolves around three things especially: Search for authenticity, passion for small details, and respect for well-made things. Cafe’s product line includes a varied selection of card holders, as well as bifold and slim wallets. Their designs are pretty simple and practical, certainly providing plenty of cards slots and a bill section or hidden coin purse in some models. None of their wallets are RFID protected.
Distil Union
- Origin: USA
- Types: Bifold, sleeve
- Materials: Full grain leather
- Features: Card slots / sleeve with pull tab, bill section / money clip, magnetic closure
- RFID protection: Yes (certain models)
- Prices: $39 – $89 (USD)
- Website: distilunion.com
Based in North Charleston, SC, Distil Union is an American independent design studio founded in 2011. Their mission is firstly to simplify life by creating problem-solving products that are a delight to use. Distil sells at this time a handful of bifold wallets and card sleeves. Aiming for a minimalist style, their products markedly include the minimum basics. Bifold models contain cards slots and a bill section or money clip, whereas sleeve models feature a pull tab or magnetic closure for easy access. Presently only a couple of their wallets are RFID protected.
FOCX
- Origin: Germany
- Types: Sleeve
- Materials: Eco-tanned leather
- Features: Sleeve with pull tab, bill section, coin compartment
- RFID protection: No (RFID blocking card sold separately)
- Prices: €39 – €49 (EUR)
- Website: focx.store
German brand FOCX was established in 2016, headquartered in Reutlingen. This startup was created to illustrate an enthusiasm for minimalism EDC culture. FOCX’s products are grouped to that end in two lines of card holders: R-Series and C-Series. Their card holders consist of a sleeve with a pull tab, in addition to compartments for bill/coins in some models. None of their wallets are RFID protected, although an add-on blocking card is available for purchase.
The Frenchie Co.
- Origin: Colombia
- Types: Sleeve, slim
- Materials: Eco-friendly leather
- Features: Magnetic closure, unfolding bill section
- RFID protection: Yes
- Prices: $69 – $159 (USD)
- Website: thefrenchie.co
The Frenchie Co. is a Colombian brand established in 2015 and headquartered in Bogotá. The name was in effect inspired by the founders’ dog, a little French Bulldog. They set out to reinvent products by making them more functional and luxurious, yet at the same time affordable. Frenchie introduced a patented design called speed wallet – straightaway a card sleeve with an unfolding bill section secured magnetically. Their entire line consist of variations of this model in normal or slim, coupled with special editions with carbon fiber or ballistic nylon inlays. All of their wallets are RFID protected.
Hardgraft
- Origin: UK
- Types: Bifold, sleeve
- Materials: Vegetable-tanned leather
- Features: Sleeve with pull tab or push slot, bill section, coin compartment
- RFID protection: No
- Prices: £69 – £225 (GBP)
- Website: hardgraft.com
British company Hardgraft was founded in 2007, yet surprisingly headquartered in Monaco. Above all, their designs juxtapose new ideas with good old-fashioned skilled workmanship using premium materials. Hardgraft offers an elegant collection of bifold wallets and card sleeves in typical yet particularly stylish colors. Their traditional bifold models come with standard bill section, card slots, not to mention a coin compartment in certain models. The sleeve cards are equipped with either a pull tab or a push slot mechanism. None of their wallets are RFID protected.
Nomad Goods
- Origin: USA
- Types: Bifold, sleeve
- Materials: Full grain leather
- Features: Card slots, bill section
- RFID protection: No
- Prices: $60 – $130 (USD)
- Website: nomadgoods.com
American brand Nomad was established in 2012 in Santa Barbara, CA. They pride in the fact of manufacturing items with equally important world-class materials, durability, and attention to detail. Nomad’s collection consists of only three models – two bifold wallets as opposed to one card holder. The simplicity in their design furthermore provides the two basic features in a wallet: Bill section and card slots. None of their wallets are RFID protected.
Tight
- Origin: USA
- Types: Sleeve
- Materials: Vegetable-tanned leather
- Features: Sleeve, external card slot, elastic band
- RFID protection: No
- Prices: $46 – $56 (USD)
- Website: tightstore.com
Tgt (pronounced “Tight”) is an American company based out of Brooklyn, NY, since 2013. Their wallet concept aims to keep it simple as well as keep it tight. Tgt offers basically two sleeve models made of lambskin with a custom designed elastic. The second model includes additionally a second card slots in the exterior of the leather component. None of their wallets are RFID protected.
Trove
- Origin: UK
- Types: Sleeve
- Materials: Vegetable-tanned leather
- Features: Elastic strap closure, unfolding bill section
- RFID protection: No
- Prices: £35 – £43 (GBP)
- Website: trove.cc
Trove is a British manufacturer established in 2011 in Melton Mowbray. They set out to create by all means an original slim, new format for carrying every day cards, cash, tickets and scraps. Trove sells two standard sleeve wallets: One with an elastic strap for securing the cards, and another with a pull tab for easy access. The third model is a sleeve with an unfolding bill section, specifically secured with an elastic strap. None of their wallets are RFID protected.
Wingback
- Origin: UK
- Types: Bifold, sleeve
- Materials: Full grain leather
- Features: Card slots, bill section
- RFID protection: No
- Prices: £55 – £95 (GBP)
- Website: wingback.co.uk
British brand Wingback started in 2014 and is based out of London. They design products that pursue to be straightaway a pleasure to use, to improve with age and become a cherished item passed down through generations. Wingback offers bifold and sleeve models, notwithstanding two versions inspired and honoring former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Their card holders contain two card slots located either one or both sides. Consequently, their wallets contain a bill section or a slot for folded bills. None of their wallets are RFID protected.
Key takeaways
In conclusion, here are some pros and cons of choosing a product from any of these popular leather wallet brands.
Pros of a leather wallet:
- Elegant look coupled with luxurious feel
- Less expensive than most metal wallets
- More durable than synthetic materials
- Develop eventually a patina over time
Cons of a leather wallet:
- Environmental impact besides animal welfare
- Undeniably use of chemicals in processing
- More expensive than eco-friendly wallets
- Comparatively special maintenance and care