A leather wallet is a mandatory purchase as well as a valued life tool, one that you use every single day to carry around your most personal and private data, not to mention your credit cards, cash and coins.
However, a wallet isn't just a utility item – guys can differentiate themselves by choosing a stylish wallet that says something about their personality. Prioritising an item that is less essential than shoes and shirts sends a strong message about your individuality, along with your approach to style.
What wallet will be best for you will be determined by your intended usage and personal taste. To give you an overview of everything from billfolds to standout designer card holders, below is our list of the best wallets you can find right now.
Best wallets for men
For a more refined taste
+ High quality
+ Elegant yet masculine design
+ Great brand
- Pricey for a wallet
If you’re willing to put aside a bit more cash for your next wallet or cardholder, then this leather bifold cardholder from Tom Ford is a top option. The fine stitching, well-proportioned font and a colour that looks sort of like ‘cement black’ all combine to make a high quality accessory.
While it’s not the cheapest item on the list, the full-grain leather will ensure long-term durability. It also comes with six slots for your cards, two of which have thoughtfully-designed thumb cutouts to make it easier to draw out as you’re making a payment.
It’s all in the visuals
+ Slick design
+ Great for business trips
+ Has a D-ring, perfect for attaching a strap
- On the showy side
There are card holders, and then there’s the ‘extreme business’ card holder from Montblanc. Whether this relates to a better way to store cards, or is just a clever branding exercise from Montblanc’s product team, we’ll never quite know. What’s certain, however, is that this is a very good-looking accessory.
The quality leather has been worked for an eye-catching woven carbon look and is a great accessory to carry while you’re travelling for work. It comes with cotton lining and a range of card slots and compartments to store all of your valuables.
A beautiful wallet from a brand with exceptional heritage
+ Classic leather
+ Heritage brand
+ Stylish
- Too large for some
One look at this bifold wallet and you’ll be very keen to start enjoying its charms for yourself. Central to the appeal is its classic, timeless design, fashioned from pure Italian calf leather. It’s gorgeous to look at but undeniably practical into the bargain. Opened up, you get the option of eight card slots, two long pockets for all of your notes.
Perfect when paired with a vintage wax jacket
+ Gorgeous brown or black leather
+ Perfect when paired with a Barbour wax
+ Affordable compared to some
- Not the smartest
Step into the sumptuous world of Barbour with this hand-crafted full grain leather wallet, that comes in fetching brown, or black if you want to remain low-key. It sports that classic bifold design that’s been around forever, but there are some neat variations on the theme.
Inside, you’ll find a signature tartan lining, no less than eight card slots, plus two more for other slimline bits and bobs along with a separate note compartment. Icing on the cake comes from the embossed vintage branding.
Luxury slim wallet handmade from full-grain leather
+ Beautiful soft leather
+ Choice of colours
+ Ability to personalise
- Those that need a larger wallet will need to look elsewhere
Harber London makes beautiful leather items which include this slim bifold wallet handmade from the Spanish brand’s signature full-grain leather. The wallet features a coin compartment, a pull tab for easy card access and magnetic closures. Harber says it will fit 18+ cards, though it won’t be quite so slim if you take it to that extreme. The wallet also has RFID protection if you’re paranoid that someone with a hidden card reader is going to bump up against you and drain your bank account in small contactless payments.
Form and function harmonised
+ Practical, modest design
+ Tan and beige match
+ 5 different colours available
- May scuff faster than black
Harber London makes beautiful leather items which include this slim bifold wallet handmade from the Spanish brand’s signature full-grain leather. The wallet features a coin compartment, a pull tab for easy card access and magnetic closures. Harber says it will fit 18+ cards, though it won’t be quite so slim if you take it to that extreme. The wallet also has RFID protection if you’re paranoid that someone with a hidden card reader is going to bump up against you and drain your bank account in small contactless payments.
A simple classic from this South African brand
+ RFID lining
+ Coin pouch
+ 6 credit card slots
- Only one colour available
You get the choice of a coffee or black finish from this simple-but-effective 12cm x 9cm x 3cm design from the Jekyll & Hide stable. The full-grain leather finish promises hard-wearing performance while the RFID lining is designed to protect bank cards and passports from identity theft.
Storage is plentiful, with no less than four card slots, two slip pockets and a handy little coin pouch that can be secured thanks to a studded closure. There’s space for notes plus a zipped compartment and the whole package comes in a cool gift box.
A casual wallet you can hand wash
+ RFID security blocking
+ Hand-washable
+ Affordable
- Doesn't look as smart
Wallets can get grubby pretty quickly, so this hand-washable Herschel Supply Co. Unisex Wallet is a great option if you like things squeaky clean. What’s more, it has the benefit of an RFID blocking design that can fend off card skimming attempts and inside there’s a sensible selection of card slots and a pocket for loose change.
There are six different shades to choose from and we love that signature red and white striped interior flourish too. Meanwhile, the one-size-fits-all design makes it a perfect gift option.
Bridge the divide between smart and casual
+ Zip security
+ Simple design
+ Great brand
- Zip-around has to be your taste
Store your cards and cash in this zipped wallet from Comme Des Garçons. Crafted from textured grain leather, it's smart yet casual aesthetic will go with most outfits. The major positive here is that the zip-up bifold design will keep the contents secure.
Unzipping the wallet will reveal three card slots, a coin compartment and space for cash and receipts.
Types of Wallet
Your wallet may be a practical item for keeping your cash safe, but it also says a lot about your style and as you use it every day, it’s worth taking some trouble to invest in the right type. This will mostly come down to your lifestyle – you don’t want to use a rugged nylon wallet if you predominantly wear expensive suits – but also how much stuff you carry about. Here’s a quick rundown.
Bifold
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Lots of men favour a bifold wallet as it has plenty of room for cards, notes and sometimes spare change (if it has a zipped section inside). It’s worth looking to see how each one is laid out, as designs differ. The benefit is that it keeps all your stuff (aside from a phone and keys) in one place, but they can feel too bulky for some.
- Browse bifold wallets at Mr Porter
- Browse bifold wallets at Selfridges
- Browse bifold wallets at John Lewis
- Browse bifold wallets at Flannels
Card holder
If you pretty much pay for everything by card or contactless payment on your phone, you won’t need a bifold wallet. Card holders are some of the slimmest and most minimal offerings for carrying money and you can always stuff a £10 note in one of the slots for emergencies.
- Browse card holders at Mr Porter
- Browse card holders at John Lewis
- Browse card holders at Selfridges
- Browse card holders at Flannels
Coin wallets / Zip Wallets
For stylish eccentrics, coin cases are ideal. Tactile and compact, they’re great to keep in a coat pocket or bag. Yes, they are a little bulky, but they are also really useful for keeping loose change in one place so you’ll never have to beg for change for the car park again.
Do you need an RFID Blocking wallet?
You might keep an extra eye on your wallet in dodgy areas, but its cybercriminals who are the biggest threat. These days, criminals use tech to pickpocket by accessing your contactless payment cards using radio frequency identification, or RFID.
The good news is that some wallets come with RFID blocking tech (and you can buy a card to keep in your wallet if not).
Some people think this isn’t necessary, as criminals need to get very close to your card, or steal your wallet to make use of RFID, while others say hackers are getting increasingly sophisticated and we should be protecting our contactless cards, which have chips in them without an off switch – enabling them to be accessed in a split second.
So, while the jury is out, having the blocking tech built into your wallet is no bad thing and adds an extra layer of protection without taking up any room, so you can’t lose!
Best wallet brands
Montblanc
makes sophisticated wallets from the finest leather. A subtle designer choice, those in the know will be impressed by the little mountain logo, while you know you have a quality wallet that will never embarrass you in important company.
- Shop Montblanc wallets at Mr Porter
- Shop Montblanc wallets at Flannels
- Shop Montblanc wallets at John Lewis
Aspinal of London
makes luxury wallets that don’t cost the earth. The British company is known for its quality leather goods and wide choice of colours and styles, so there’s definitely something for everyone. The best bit is that they look much more expensive than they are. Card holders start at just £40 and they can be personalised too.
- Shop Aspinal of London wallets at Aspinal
- Shop Aspinal of London wallets at Selfridges
- Shop Aspinal of London wallets at Harrods
Mulberry
is another highly covetable British brand. You won’t find one for less than £100, but they are available in a number of simple styles to suit your lifestyle as well as a rainbow of colours, from the most vibrant to neutral. The brand doesn’t rely on a big logo, making this a discrete designer choice, but its quality speaks volumes.
Herschel
is a great choice for people who work in more casual environments or want a practical and rugged wallet. They tend not to be the smartest or poshest, but come in leather plus canvas, as well as every colour and print you can think of. You can have a lot of fun for less than £30so you might just fancy using one at the weekend.
Paul Smith
is known for his signature stripes and love of colour, so it makes sense that wallets by the iconic British brand can be vibrant and super stripy, as well as black or brown with a fun but subtle stripy trim. Of course, the luxury fashion house uses the best materials, so it’s not just the pattern doing the talking.
Important things to consider when buying a wallet
While wallets are not the most complicated of tools, there are certain criteria that we looked at when evaluating each one.
Out-and-out style and aesthetic, while not the most important factor, is a serious consideration. After all, you don't want to go on a date to Bibendum in a tailored suit and John Lobbs only to whip out a tatty piece of cowhide, do you?
If you have chosen the type of wallet you like, you’ll already be aware of how you use your wallet, but it’s also important to think about how your choice will fit with your style and image.
And while we're talking about suits, size and compactness is another factor that needs to be evaluated for similar reasons. If you're going out for a night on the town, then a full-sized wallet might not be the best option. Instead, a smaller, streamlined, card-focused affair might be a better choice.
Of course, these options come in different sizes too, with different features and number of card slots, for example. So, it might be worth seeing how many cards you actually use and measuring your most-worn item’s pockets.
Finally, there is material and colour to consider. A caviar leather finish or rugged nylon are super hard-wearing, but fine-grained calf leather might look smarter at first (but wear less well over time). If you’re a banker, you might not want a camo print or rainbow printed cardholder, whereas it would be a great look in a more relaxed workplace. Basically, you do you, but pick something that makes you feel confident whipping out your wallet in daily life, as it speaks volumes about you.
Of course, there's a multitude of other features to consider.
- How many cards do you need to carry? Most wallets range from two card slots, up to eight
- Do you carry cash around? You'll need a cash and coin compartment, preferably zipped
- And finally, there are features that go above and beyond the call of a standard currency carrier - so, for example, if you're scared of identity theft you might want a wallet with RFID-blocking security tech
