Believe it or not, your old everyday carry essentials just aren’t up to snuff any more. That wallet that you’ve had for years potentially overstuffed? It’s no good, we’re sorry to say, and it’s time to streamline in the best way possible: With a technologically savvy, extremely well-designed, durable-as-heck wallet from Ekster. Ekster Wallets have bonafide chops in terms of functionality, in terms of sleek style and in terms of that ever-tough-to-define cool factor. That’s nothing against your old wallet, except, well, it kind of is.
Our philosophy has always been that if you put in the time to plan the perfect #OOTD, if you find your new favorite work boots, slim selvedge denim and, let’s say, a great moisture-wicking shirt, well, you should go the extra mile and make sure your accessories are on-point. That’s precisely where Ekster Wallet enters the equation — think of them like the final answer after a long equation of mixing and matching menswear essentials.
Reason being, Ekster Wallet blends loads of technical functionality with the streamlined style you need, especially if your wallet has proven a bit too bulky to comfortably fit in the pocket of your field jacket or the front pocket of your jeans. Here’s what you need to know about Ekster, because picking up your new favorite wallet, the kind of wallet you can use every single day, is no longer as simple as searching for the best bargain.
For starters, they’ve leaned on crowdfunding and devoted fans to become what they call the “biggest smart wallet brand in the world,” and that’s some serious commitment we can appreciate. Materials like vegan recycled leather (made from car windshields) and ECCO DriTan leather make the difference, too (more on those materials in a moment). They’re also working to become a Climate Neutral company, a lofty goal for anyone, but especially for a brand that’s as concerned with aesthetics and design principles as it is sustainability. With Ekster, you get the whole package.
Heck, the company has already saved 175 million (yes, MILLION) liters of water using that DriTan leather.
All that being said, this Ekster Wallet review is just about the best way we can think of to hook you up with a durable, streamlined wallet made from the toughest materials on the planet.
How to Find Your New Favorite Wallet
Key factors abound when shopping for a wallet to add to your daily carry. Not just any old wallet will do, of course. A smart wallet is the right way to go in the 21st century, and Ekster has you covered.
- Space: Consider carefully how much carrying capacity you need in your next wallet purchase (make it an Ekster wallet, of course). Ekster wallets can hold anywhere from 10 to 15 cards, plus other essentials. The brand’s MagSafe Cardholder is substantially slimmer (down to as few as three cards for an ultra-streamlined approach). The choice is yours, but rest easy knowing that Ekster isn’t cutting corners, even with more compact offerings.
- Material: Perhaps your go-to daily wallet right now is made of leather, and only leather. Ekster wallets have a little something extra going for them — scratch that, they’ve got a lot more than that. The Parliament Wallet, for instance, blends both rich leather and an aluminum cardholder built in, all the better to provide durability and bang for your buck (or bucks, in this case). Above and beyond is an apt phrase that comes to mind, as far as Ekster wallets are concerned.
- Style: Call us vain or style-obsessed, but the problem with plenty of wallets on the market, or at least plenty of bad wallets, is that grreat style is simply nowhere to be found. We have high standards for our denim we have high standards for our chambray shirts, we have high standards for our boots and our henleys and watches, and you should hold those same standards for your EDC gear. Luckily, Ekster wallets are made with fine leathers in sleek colorways, or else richly crafted leathers that’ll age nicely. And don’t get us started on the slick aluminum variations in sharp, no-nonsense colors — those are mighty fine for the modern man on the go, too.
- Affordability: If you happen to want to hang onto some coin to carry around in your new wallet, value has got to be the name of the game when shopping for a wallet card holder. Ekster’s wallets often come in under $100 (and even below $75) when on sale, and when you consider this smart wallet’s toughness and utility, that’s a steal. And yes, you’ll have some cash left over to carry around in your new Ekster wallet. Now, it’s time to start shopping our favoirte wallet picks from Ekster.
The 7 Best Smart Wallets from Ekster
Ekster Parliament Wallet
If you want to get your hands on a smart wallet that doesn’t exactly look like something out of a Ridley Scott movie, then the Ekster Parliament Wallet is your best bet. As we mentioned above, it blends the best of both worlds as far as reliable functionality and smooth style is concerned. With RFID blocking technology and a handy button to display your cards with just one click, it’s ingenious, refined and yet tactically crafted for when you need it the most (which is, let’s be honest, every single day).
Ekster Senate Cardholder
The more savvy or secretive among us might prefer something even more pared-down than the classic smart wallet that is the Parliament Wallet, and that’s where the Senate Cardholder steps up to the podium. The cash strap adds a nice touch of easy access, while the same quick-release card holder feature helps you pick up the tab just about anywhere. Plus, you can store seven cards easily, all contained within one of seven cool leather color options.
Ekster Aluminum Cardholder
Ekster proudly calls this tough-as-nails aluminum cardholder the “last wallet you’ll ever buy,” and the reviews seem to indicate as much. Heck, reviewer Eder Lopez calls it “The best thing invented!” and while that’s pretty high praise, the specs seem to indicate that our friend might not be that far off. It’s made with truly remarkable space-grade 6061-T6 aluminum, and it includes that signature card ejection system that’ll make paying for your morning coffee a simple breeze (easier than that Monday morning meeting, after all).
Ekster Modular Bifold
For those who value the traditional style of a bifold wallet and aren’t quite ready to give up on it (or to readily jump into the next century with the aforementioned “Ridley Scott wallet”), the Modular Bifold is a happy middle ground when it comes to a durable smart wallet. It’s got all the expected bells and whistles from Ekster, including innovative Chipolo® tracking technology (the better to keep your wallet part of your daily carry.
The real kicker here is the exceptional DriTan leather, which is made without water by ECCO. Oh, and if you’re curious what goes into DriTan leather, take it from ECCO themselves: It’s the use of “proprietary tanning agents” that work to “preserve the leather’s natural collagen” without water. The end result, long story short, is a stylish AND sustainable leather wallet.
Ekster Vachetta Parliament Wallet
The Parliament Wallet you know and love, the very Parliament Wallet you’ve perhaps been considering buying, is getting a major upgrade in a very refined and exceptionally cool way. The difference here, as fans of quality leather know, is the use of environmentally certified Vachetta leather, tanned in Tuscany. So, this wallet hails all the way from Italy, and it looks like the last wallet you’ll need to buy for years and years to come.
Ekster Fortuna Parliament Wallet
When the wallet in question is a product that’s the flagship of your much-loved brand, it’s wise not to inker with it all too much, right? Perhaps, but when the wallet in question i s the Parliament Wallet, and when the tinkering in question revolves around using some of the hands-down best leather on the planet, we’re inclined to give Ekster a pass. What say you? The Fortuna Parliament Wallet uses full-grain American leather, a remarkable waxed finish, golden accents and plenty more to make this a wallet that’s worth the higher cost. It’s one of the finest leather wallets we’ve seen in some time.
Ekster MagSafe Cardholder
This is less of a traditional Ekster wallet (although traditional in this case still means seriously cool and streamlined), and more of a way to turn your iPhone 12 from a top-level phone into a next-level wallet. It’s compatible with iPhone models including the iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, and it uses strong magnets to attach to the back of your iPhone. You know the old trick of hiding a $20 bill in your cellphone battery? This is the grown-up way to get a similar effect and way more utility (and stule points, for that matter). Don’t take our word for it, though. Reviewer Anderson had this to say: “Slim, and super strong magnets. Better than my Apple MagSafe cardholder…” Sounds like quite the endorsement to us.
