How To Choose A Good Leather Wallet

One of the most widely used materials for men's wallets today is leather. It is long-lasting, stylish, and made to survive years of rubbing and strain in your pocket or bag.

Another distinctive quality of a leather wallet is that it gets better-looking with use as it develops a glossy sheen or patina that improves its appearance.

However, not every leather wallet is made equally. How, then, can you pick a high-quality leather wallet? When it comes to elegance and sophistication, nothing can compare to the beauty of a finely designed and expertly sewn leather wallet. 

Here are five tips for choosing a good leather wallet.

5 Tips for Choosing a Good Leather Wallet

When looking for the ideal wallet, you need one that has style, convenience, durability, and can hold almost everything you need it to.

Many top brands of men's wallets have similar qualities, so make sure you compare them closely when buying a wallet for the new season.

1. Leather Quality

Leather varies widely in quality. Given its versatility, leather is a material that can take on any shape or form. The type and grade of leather used in the wallet's construction can determine whether it is the best wallet available or an average wallet that will soon fall apart.

There are many categories of leather quality. 

The primary leather quality distinction is determined by the area of the animal's hide from which the leather is produced. Furthermore, since the animal hide is quite thick, it is divided into numerous layers to increase its usefulness.

Full-grain leather, the outermost layer taken from the hide, contains numerous inherent flaws. It’s also the strongest and most durable type of leather. It’s more resistant to moisture as well.

The layer that results from buffing or sanding these flaws is known as top-grain leather. Top grain leather is slightly inferior to full grain, however, because the strong fibres in the hide are also sanded down, compromising the integrity of the leather. 

The best leather you can buy is full-grain, followed by top-grain. Other options include corrected grain leather and split leather. These are all genuine leather options, but the first two are the superior choices when it comes to leather. 

2. Size of the Wallet

The size of a wallet is based on how many notes you want to carry around with you.

Keep in mind that a larger size does not automatically equate to more carrying capacity.

A poorly constructed wallet could be big without actually taking up much additional room if it has extra layers of leather and pockets. Remember this as you shop around.

There are many different sizes for wallets. The best option for you will mostly depend on how you carry your wallet. For example, front pocket wallets tend to be slim and lightweight, whereas back pocket wallets tend to be thicker and bulkier. 

Consider front pocket wallets if you typically carry your wallet in the chest pocket or front pocket of your pants. They fit into smaller pockets since they are smaller than typical bifold or trifold wallets, making them a convenient choice no matter what pocket you use.

3. Capacity and Design

When selecting a wallet, functionality is just as crucial as durability. You don't want to use a wallet that isn't useful for your daily needs, no matter how high-quality it may be.

It's a common challenge for designers to strike a balance between practicality and aesthetics.

Wallets that are slimmer and more minimalist are very popular right now, but they come with many trade-offs and have limited storage space.

Before you can find your ideal wallet, you should take a look at your current one. Determine how many cards, etc. you’ll need to make room for. 

Style and design are also crucial, along with colour. Do you want brown leather? What about grey or green? Do you prefer a front pocket wallet or a back pocket one? Would you like a chequebook wallet? These are all relevant questions to keep in mind when you search for a wallet to add to your collection.

Some wallets are made for specific uses. Travel wallets, for instance, should have room for your boarding passes, passport, and the major international currencies. Zip wallets, which are popular with men and women, use a zip closure to safeguard the valuables inside.

4. RFID Protection

Magnetic strips were once used by credit cards to facilitate swipe transactions at checkouts. With the introduction of RFID-enabled cards, transactions are now contactless.

RFID skimming, a type of unlawful scanning, is possible with RFID cards. To safeguard contactless cards from skimming, your wallet should contain at least one RFID-protected pocket.

RFID-blocking wallets increase the security of your cards. They prevent all radio and electromagnetic waves from entering your wallet and reading the sensitive user data on your card, protecting you from theft.

5. Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship refers to paying close attention to the smallest details of the product, and can only be achieved through years of practice and improvement.

A good design and high-quality leather can be utterly overshadowed by shoddy workmanship. An excellent wallet manufacturer can make a product look amazing and last a long time through their undeniable craftsmanship. Therefore, it's crucial to take that into account when looking for the ideal wallet.

FAQs About Men’s Leather Wallets

How can you tell the quality of men's leather wallets?

Leather that is smooth or has small dots on the surface is an indication of good quality. It might also have scars and natural imperfections from insect bites, which is a positive sign that you’re getting the top layer of the hide, which is the strongest option available.

How do you know if men's wallets are good quality?

Full-grain and genuine leather are almost always used to create high-quality wallets. When compared to other types of leather, full-grain and genuine leather are more resistant to depreciation, are strong, and when used often, develop a wonderful sheen.

How thick should wallet leather be?

Wallet leather should ideally be 0.8 millimetres thick. However, if you prefer a slightly thicker wallet, opt for 1.2 millimetres.

Shop Cardinal Wallets’ Leather Collection Today!

A good quality wallet is one of the essentials that all men across the world should have. If you're looking for premium quality wallets, Cardinal Wallets has you covered. We offer a range of slim, innovative, and practical wallets to give you the wallet upgrade you need! 

It's time to start shopping!