For better or worse (almost definitely worse), pretty much every experience in your life involves carrying some cards. Carrying them in one of the best wallets for men? Well, that makes it a little easier to stomach. Yes, our tech overlords have created digital, contactless wallets, but holding up an illuminated screen in a dimly-lit restaurant waiting for your turn to tap the card terminal is, frankly, an immediate aura loss. Cary Grant never asked a waiter to charge his wallet, and the best wallets for men make sure you won’t have to either.
Let me be clear: I’m not saying you should pull a George Costanza and carry decades-old receipts and business cards everywhere you go. Just that a beautiful, practical wallet is a terrible thing to lack. Your wallet can, and should be manageable, organized, sleek and handsome. But with thousands of options out there, it can be daunting to go shopping for one. After surveying the crowded field and polling GQ staffers, here are the wallets that’ll best protect your credit, ID, business, and most importantly coffee-shop loyalty cards.
The Best Men’s Wallets, According to GQ
Maximum Henry Card Case
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Il Bisonte Il Bisonte Salina Leather Card Holder in Natural
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Lotuff Leather Bifold Wallet
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Acne Studios Brown Folded Leather Card Holder
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In This Shopping Guide
Best Wallet Overall
Smythson
Folded Card Case With Snap Closure
Pros
- Legendary craftsmanship and quality
- Snap closure for an extra bit of security
- Can be personalized with standard monograms or custom designs
Cons
- Not available in black
- If you carry a lot on the regular, you’ll likely have to downsize
There aren’t too many brands that have been around as long as Smythson, which first opened for business in 1887. The company’s impressive longevity alone inspires some confidence that you’re getting a quality item, but when you add in that multiple GQ editors have owned their Smythson wallets for over a decade each, all doubt goes out the window. Their Folded Card Case is an icon for a reason: The croc embossing drips with luxury, and the clever interior design means the cash and coin pocket is both subtle and secure, thanks to the simple snap closure. There are also three card pockets, and an exterior card pocket. And that’s before we talk about the handsome personal monogram options.
Best Affordable Wallet
Pros
- Available in 18 colors
- Each piece is made to order
- Snap button closure
Cons
- 2-3 week lead time
- No organization pockets
It stands to reason that if you’re excellent at making belts, you’re excellent at making wallets. Well, with some research, we proved it out. The leather-loving crew at Maximum Henry have blessed us with yet another well-crafted accessory in their card case, which clocks in at just $70, and is available in a whopping 18 colors. It’s an affordable and easy way to have a handmade piece of your own, from one of the coolest accessory designers currently out.
There’s not much to it by way of internal organization, but that’s sort of the whole free-spirited, Italian-inspired idea. And don’t worry: The interior has a grippy suede finish that will make sliding your stuff out smooth but secure, and the whole thing shuts with a simple but secure post closure. No muss, no fuss.
Best Slim Wallet
Il Bisonte
Il Bisonte Salina Leather Card Holder in Natural
Pros
- You’ll be able to sit down in your jeans
- The leather is excellent quality, and will be a joy to watch
Cons
If you want to really streamline things, go as lean as you can with a cardholder. There’s no folding required, unless you want to fold some cash into one of the dividers. The Salina card holder by the famed Florentine leather company Il Bisonte gives you two slots on either side and an open top for some folded cash. More importantly, while it also comes in dyed black and brown, the natural leather version shown here will age with you—a journey you can enjoy observing for decades, especially when the waiter is taking too long to bring your card back and conversation has run dry. Make the move from stuffed bifold to stealthy card case, and never have a wallet-shaped bulge in your suit pocket again.
Best Bifold Wallet
Lotuff
Leather Bifold Wallet
Pros
- Available in 15 colors
- Slim but roomy
Cons
- Certain colors may require extra lead time
- Monogram only available on interior
People who know about leather goods know about Lotuff — an American brand that’s on a mission to preserve the art of leathercraft from their Providence, RI studio. GQ has loved its weekender for years, which is just as thoughtfully designed as this very wallet. Handmade from soft, vegetable-tanned leather, it’s available in fifteen colors that run the gamut from classic to adventurous (jet blue, orchid pink). Whichever finish you go for, the entire package is classic in every way and will age like Paul Newman.
Best Designer Wallet
Acne Studios
Brown Folded Leather Card Holder
Pros
- Simple and clean calf leather construction
- Very lean silhouette
Cons
- Three interior pockets only
- US bills won’t fit in larger interior without folding
Stockholm’s Acne Studios has traded on cool Swedish minimalism for years. Their calf leather bifold—the wallet I personally use—follows suit with a simple construction and nearly invisible color-matched topstitching. On the inside, you’ve got two pockets for cards and ID, and a larger pocket for folded notes that runs the full length of the wallet. The fun thing is that unlike most bifolds, this one folds horizontally, rather than vertically, making it feel more like an expanded card case.
More Wallets We Love
What to Look for in a Wallet
There is no one size fits all when it comes to wallets. One man’s eight-slot bifold might be another’s overkill. Before you even open the browser tabs, do a little bit of background work. First, take stock of what you’re currently packing into yours: Do you need that business card from a job interview in 2018? Do you actually carry cash? Whittle the stack down to only what you need, and use that as a rubric for your next wallet’s requirements. Extra space is easily filled with junk, so it’s best to stay as true to that criteria as you can.
Beyond that, the classicists among us will typically opt for a leather wallet in brown or black. But there are almost limitless color options nowadays, from neon to bright red. Leather holds up well over time and, with use, it will develop a little bit of character. Do keep in mind, though, that smooth leather is more susceptible to scratches, whereas a full-grain or pebbled leather will hold up a bit better. (And there are plenty of vegan leather options to be had as well.)