In this post, I’ll give you a quick review of 7 different zipper wallets designed to keep their contents from escaping until you’re ready for them. Each of them has an excellent organizational scheme so that cards, cash, and passports are logically placed and accessible.
The trade-off is that many of these wallets run a little larger than a minimalist wallet. This is a good thing, really, because the extra bulk and weight that comes from a sturdy zipper is what adds to the security. A zipper also helps to keep out moisture and grit that can infiltrate wallets with a more open-air design.
Best of all, the zipper keeps what’s in, in.
BEST Overall: Bellroy Travel Folio
This is my top pick for a zippered smart wallet for men.
Quick Facts
- L 7 in x W 4.5 in x 0.8 in
- Available in 5 different colors
- Premium LWG certified leather
- Carries up to 2 passports and every other kind of travel document
For safe and hassle-free journeys, the Bellroy travel folio is perfect for the job. It is a zip-around wallet, capable of housing many items at once. You can load it with 2 passports, 4 to 8 cards in their designated slots, and boarding passes, then zip it all up securely.
It is styled with a leather divider that conceals your cash and sorts all your vital documents. So, you won’t have to dig deep when boarding. To avoid times when a pen is direly needed (and no one seems to have one), Bellroy gives you a stylish compact pen to fill out a customs form on the plane.
Bellroy is known for its high-end leather products and the Travel Folio is no exception. In fact, it’s backed by a 3-year warranty. This is truly a zip-around wallet, so once it’s zipped, everything inside stays inside. At 7 inches long, it’s not even close to a minimalist wallet.
But traveling inevitably needs extra space for things you’d never carry at home. And for that? The Bellroy Travel Folio delivers.
Pros:
- slot placement makes organizing easier.
- mini pen included
- the pen comes with a refill (a classy extra touch!)
- includes a SIM card slot
Cons:
- too large to carry in a pants pocket
- a normal-sized pen will not fit in the pen loop
Herschel Oscar RFID Zip Wallet
Quick Facts
- L 3 in x W 4.5 in
- Made of indestructible polyester
- RFID blocking
- Exposed metal zipper
The Herschel Oscar RFID zip wallet is crafted from 100% Polyester on the outside, with a lining of polyester and cotton inside. Not only will this zipper wallet prevent your money from falling out, it will protect your cards and cash from rain and snow. In addition to this, you get a range of design and color variations to mix and match. 27 colors in all.
It has a sturdy and finely stitched zipper that runs along the top. You also get the retro-cool Herschel logo on the front of each wallet (whether you want it or not).
What’s interesting about this compact yet unique zipper wallet is the card slot placements. There are 3 card slots inside and 1 on the exterior. This way, you get ample space to store your cards and keep track of receipts.
The best part? You can easily hand wash the wallet without it losing its color or shrinking in size. But don’t forget to remove all your cards and cash first.
Pros:
- thin and compact design
- adequate and clever slot placements
- easy cleaning
- durable and water-resistant material
Cons:
- zipper occasionally snags on cash
- can be stiff when new until it breaks in
Manbang Leather Zip Wallet
Quick Facts
- L 3.7 in x W 4.7 in x H 0.6 in
- High-quality Italian cowhide leather
- RFID-blocking
- Transparent ID window
If you are one for a quintessential leather wallet, yet want something safer with a zipper, this Manbang Leather Zip wallet might be the one to woo you. What I mean is that this Manbang Leather Zip wallet has range.
It’s a casual EDC during the week, yet won’t fail to impress your Tinder date when you pay for the check on a Saturday night. Its crafted from genuine cowhide, fully waxed, incredibly soft, and has a comfortable feel to the touch. The smooth leather is tough with quality stitching and overall construction.
The insides are pure polyester and are equipped with RFID blocking material. Its size makes it possible to fit any pants pocket.
This type of leather will become beautifully aged over time, but it is no friend to moisture. Leather and water just don’t mix. It houses 5 card slots, 3 additional interior slots, 2 ID windows, 1 SD card slot, 1 SIM card slot, and 2 long slots for cash. Most owner reviews glow brighter than an Arizona summer day about the Manbang.
Pros:
- ample space to hold cards and cash.
- cards don’t slide out due to zipper.
- durable waxed leather
- owner reviews give this wallet top marks
Cons:
- zipper does not go all the way around
- it could be slimmer
Protectif Zipper Card Holder
Quick Facts
- L 3.25 in x W 4.675 in x H 0.2 in
- Uses quality YKK zipper
- Made from NAPA full-grain cowhide
- Blocks RFID and NFC
Coming in a wide variety of colors, this Protectif Zipper card holder wallet is no ordinary money-carrying, card-holding sleeve. There is no fancy card ejection or pop-up mechanism here. Instead, your cards are stored in a more “old school” way, inside individual leather slots, accessible on the outside the wallet. That means they’re easy to grab in a jiffy.
Next, the wallet comes with an RFID protective layer, keeping you safe from electronic pickpocketers. It’s equipped with three card slots on the front, 1 slot at the back for ID or license, and a big zipper pouch in the middle for carrying cash, coins, or an extra house key.
Look closely and you’ll see that the zipper can withstand repetitive use and stands its ground even when the wallet is stuffed with pennies or receipts. The best part is that you will not have to deal with the bulgy leather flapping counterparts anymore. Those are unattractive, not to mention the additional weight that they add.
This Protectif zipper card holder is a slim fit and lightweight option for any sized pants pocket.
Pros:
- it feels nice and slim in your pocket
- lightweight due to the compact design.
- long-lasting zipper doesn’t come loose.
- Napa leather is known for its soft feel
Cons:
- external slots aren’t enclosed within zipper
- like most leather wallets, card slots can loosen over time
Admetus Zip-around Bifold
Quick Facts
- L 4.33 in x W 3.55 in x H 0.78 in
- Made from head layer cowhide
- Zips all the way around
- RFID blocking
If you’re used to the run-of-the-mill, bi-fold wallet, but are hankering for a more secure zippered version, have a look at the Admetus Men’s Zip around. It still retains the classic bi-fold design but adds a zipper to keep your essentials from falling out.
This wallet is fashioned from head layer leather (aka full-grain), which is the toughest layer of a cow’s hide. It has slots for 9 cards, a transparent ID window on the inside, and a wallet-length place for cash. There are even two teeny tiny slots for SIM cards. And yes, the zipper really does go all the way around the wallet.
The best way to clean your Admetus leather wallet is to rub it with a cloth or your fingers till the scratches fade away. Because the leather is 100% cowhide, natural scratches will disappear, and the wallet will lighten in color with time.
The Admetus wallet zip around not only keeps the contents in, but it keeps dirt out. This makes it a good choice for someone like me who often ends the day with a spoonful of sand in his pocket.
Pros:
- many slots for cards and change
- excellent stitching
- compact size, small enough to fit in any pocket.
- beautiful leather
Cons:
- cards can bend if you sit on the wallet
- some owners report problems with the zipper
Donworld Zipper Card Holder Wallet
Quick Facts
- L 4.92 in x W 3.94 in x H 1 in
- Slots for 13 cards plus TF and SIM cards
- Vintage look and feel to the leather
- Has a modified bifold design with a center ID window
The Donworld zipper card holder is another quintessential yet chic zipper wallet to consider. It’s also one of the bulkiest zip wallets on the list, measuring a full 1 inch thick. If you’re looking for a minimalist wallet, you might want to stop reading now and take another look at the Protective zipper card holder (number 4 above).
But there are some advantages to a pudgier leather zip wallet. For one, it means extra space for coins, an extra house key, or a co-pay receipt from your urologist. Plus, the Donworld zipper card holder will accommodate a whopping 13 credit cards (giving you the potential to spend indefinitely).
Owners love the vintage leather look, smell, and feel of the Donworld zipper card holder. The natural scratches and imperfections of this type of leather add to its lived-in character.
Like most zip around wallets, the stiffness of the sewn-in zipper doesn’t allow the wallet to lay completely flat when open. All-in-all, though, 75% of owner reviews give a perfect score to their zip-around pocket companion.
Pros:
- zipped on all three sides, protects all slots
- nice matching leather pull tag for zipper
- many slots to cater to different purposes
- neat and tight stitching
Cons:
Zero Grid Zipper Passport Wallet
No products found.
Quick Facts
- W 4.25 in x L 5.75 in
- Weighs 6.3 oz
- Durable YKK zipper
- Holds a passport and 8 credit cards
If you were frustrated from passport holders not being able to fit your pants pockets, then take a gander at this Zero Grid Zipper passport wallet. It is made from water-resistant ripstop nylon with an added layer of RFID protection. It will keep contents dry while it protects you from identity theft or any other sort of electronic crimes while traveling.
This wallet not only secures your belongings and prevents them from falling out, but it also carries global lost and found tags. No matter where you lose it, simply call ReturnME, the world’s largest lost and found company. If anything inside is lost or stolen, you get a $300 reimbursement!
As for fitting in your essentials, this wallet can hold 8+ credit cards and a passport. The slim and sleek design also has a mini pen added! The flexible, storage-friendly, and compact wallet is a must-have for all your travels. Owners rave about the Zero Grid Zipper passport wallet. They find it roomy and compact at the same time.
Pros:
- water resistant
- comes with ReturnMe, a global lost and found service
- compact yet roomy
- lifetime guaranty
Cons:
- some owners think it’s a little too small for travel
- passport slot is a really tight fit
What is a zipper wallet or zip-around wallet?
A zipper wallet and zip-around wallet are the same thing. They refer to a wallet that uses a zipper to enclose all or part of a wallet’s contents. A zipper can either close just the top of a wallet or it can zip around three sides. Most wallet zippers are relatively heavy metal and add both size and weight to a wallet.
What is head leather?
Head leather (also known as full-grain leather) comes from the topmost part of a tanned hide. It has all of the natural grain, including the marks, scrapes, and imperfections that come with it. This is the thickest, most durable, and long-lasting leather, but also the most difficult to stitch and work with.
What is RFID?
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. Contactless-type credit cards have an RFID chip imbedded in them. The chip uses NFC technology to transmit account information wirelessly with radio waves to a vendor’s credit card reader. A high tech thief could potentially intercept these transmissions, so many smart wallets have RFID-blocking technology built into them.
Learn More
- Here are another 6 wallets that have a zipper to choose from. Check it out: 6 Awesome RFID Wallets with a Zipper.
