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The Best Slim Wallet

By Jason Chen

Jason Chen is an editor overseeing Wirecutter’s tech and style content. He also oversees standards, advising on ethical issues relating to coverage.

As a cashless society inches ever closer, a slim wallet becomes all you need.

A good one will also be comfortable in your pocket and bring you some pleasure—or maybe even a compliment—every time you take it out.

We tested more than two dozen slim wallets to find our eight favorite leather and non-leather bifolds, synthetic or Tyvek bifolds, and leather  and non-leather card holders in a variety of styles.

The research

Who this is for, the best slim bifold wallets, the best card holders, why you should trust us, how we picked and tested, what about rfid protection, the competition, frequently asked questions.

If you carry a wallet in your pants, consider a slim wallet (either a bifold or a card holder) over a more traditional thick wallet.

A slim wallet makes your silhouette look less lumpy and bulky, whether you tuck it in your front pocket or back pocket. If you carry eight or fewer cards, plus some cash, and would like to fit your wallet in a pocket rather than a fanny pack, a messenger bag, or a handbag, try one of these.

A classic leather bifold: Leatherology Thin Bifold Wallet

Leatherology Thin Bifold Wallet

A buttery leather bifold.

This beautifully simple leather bifold is a straightforward and—more important—functional wallet that’s not as expensive as it looks and feels.

Buying Options

The Leatherology Thin Bifold Wallet is the platonic ideal of the leather wallet. It doesn’t have any gimmicks such as technically advanced materials or innovative pockets—it’s basically what older generations might think of when they hear “slim leather wallet.”

It’s very thin and subtle. It has a low profile (a little less than 0.75 inch when filled with six cards), and it’s devoid of any logos beyond the debossed Leatherology name on the interior.

It feels high-quality. It’s made of extremely supple full-grain leather—which has been processed less and is higher quality than cheaper, corrected-grain leathers—and the stitching along the outside edges is tight and precise, especially compared with the widely spaced and somewhat amateurish stitches we saw on wallets from Phil’s Wallets and Thirteen50 .

It’s a pleasure to use. Cards slide in and out with ease, but the slots aren’t so wide that you might worry about them slipping out. You could easily fit eight cards in the Leatherology wallet (six in the slots, plus two in the extra interior pockets).

It’s customizable. Leatherology also offers a personalized monogram option for up to four characters (in any of three sizes, two fonts, and four colors) on either the exterior or interior of the wallet. (We didn’t try it, though.)

Flaws but not dealbreakers: 

• It has almost no distinguishing factors, to the point that you might have difficulty coming up with any notable descriptive details if you were to lose it.

Dimensions: 3.25 by 4.125 inches

Thickness when filled with six cards and two bills: 0.71 inch

Card slots (not including cash pocket): six

Material: leather

Colors: black onyx, cognac, brown, and navy blue; premium versions come in ebony, espresso, black oil, and mahogany

Warranty: one year

A waterproof non-leather bifold: Slimfold Micro Soft Shell Wallet

Slimfold Micro Soft Shell Wallet

A functional (if basic-looking) non-leather bifold.

Made of a stretching material that securely holds your cards while allowing you to pull them out easily, this wallet makes a strong case for innovative materials beyond leather. But we wish it came in more patterns.

The Slimfold Micro Soft Shell Wallet is made of a waterproof soft-shell material from the Gore company (the brand behind Gore-Tex) that’s almost as thin as a piece of paper but durable and stretchy.

It holds a lot. This wallet sports three card sleeves and has two additional hidden pockets behind the cash sleeve, which in our testing comfortably held up to three cards each. It handily accommodated 13 cards without becoming uncomfortably snug.

It’s under warranty and waterproof. We tested Slimfold’s claim that the material is waterproof by spilling some water on it; the water did indeed bead on top and leave the interior dry. We also love the extremely generous five-year warranty .

You have the option of RFID. The Slimfold Micro Soft Shell in black is available both with and without RFID protection, an extra feature meant to help shield the wallet from being “skimmed” by hackers. We don’t think RFID offers any substantive safety or improvements over going without,  but for $4 more, it won’t cause you any harm if you opt to have it. At this writing, all other available colors of this wallet automatically include RFID protection.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The design is extremely basic. You can go with a black wallet and a different stitching color (gray, orange, or red), or you can choose an orange, gray or navy wallet instead of black.
• Though the Slimfold wallet is extremely well designed and of high quality, it doesn’t read as expensive with its lack of beautiful stitching, individual card slots, and eye-catching prints.

Dimensions: 2.875 by 4 inches

Thickness when filled with six cards and two bills: 0.55 inch

Card slots (not including cash pocket): three

Material: soft-shell polyester

Colors: black, black/gray, black/orange, black/red, gray/orange, orange/gray

Warranty: five years

Best minimalist wallet for your front pocket: Dun Wallet

An extremely minimalist leather wallet

If you’re looking for something less traditional, this wallet is truly thinner than any other bifold we found, though its lack of a bill compartment may take getting used to.

The Dun Wallet is billed as the world’s thinnest wallet. Though we’re not able to verify that claim, it certainly is the thinnest wallet that we tested.

It’s extremely thin. The whole wallet is barely thicker than half an inch when full, and unlike traditional bifolds, it lacks a cash sleeve, so it has no extra layer of leather—just a triangular piece of leather overlaying the card slot that you’re meant to slide your bills through.

It’s cool-looking. The Dun Wallet certainly has some wow factor, and not in an obnoxious way—it’s discreet enough to look like a regular wallet, but if someone were to examine it closely, they would notice that it definitely isn’t one.

• It doesn’t carry many cards. The wallet has only four slots, and we were able to fit two within each, for a total of eight.
• The triangular sleeve is slightly annoying, especially when you have to flip bills over from side to side to find the card you’re looking for.

Dimensions: 3 by 4.125 inches

Thickness when filled with six cards and two bills: 0.59 inch

Card slots (not including cash pocket): four

Material: leather and steel

Colors: black/gold, black/silver, brown/gold, brown/silver, black edition (with RFID protection only)

The best cheap, mostly leather bifold: Allett Sport Wallet Leather Edition

Budget pick

Allett Sport Wallet Leather Edition

An actually affordable leather wallet.

A slim leather bifold wallet that also happens to be cheap is practically a unicorn, but Allett cleverly uses leather only on the exterior to keep this wallet affordable.

The Allett Sport Wallet Leather Edition is a great leather wallet that’s actually affordable, a bit unusual-looking, and capable of stowing a tiny pen in a pinch.

It has leather only on the exterior. While Allett uses soft leather outside, inside it uses a moisture-wicking nylon. The wallet has just two card pockets, both of which are lined with rubber for maximum grip; Allett claims that you can fit five in each, for a total of 10 cards.

It’s surprisingly small. For a leather bifold, this wallet is extremely compact—not just thin but also both shorter and narrower than the Leatherology wallet (and shorter than the Dun wallet).

• When we first saw the exterior, we thought it was a plastic-leather material, but it feels like the leather of a car seat, which is fitting because it’s made of common-in-cars napa leather. Napa (also spelled nappa ) leather is full-grain leather that becomes especially soft after a salt-treatment process .
• The stitching on the exterior of our Allett wallet was a bit uneven, as the lines along the edges criss-crossed and hit the edges, and they weren’t particularly uniform or tight.

Dimensions: 3.125 by 3.8 inches

Card slots (not including cash pocket): two

Material: leather and nylon

Colors: merlot, navy, black, chocolate brown, hazel brown

A super-slim Tyvek wallet: Slimfold Micro Tyvek Wallet

Slimfold Micro Tyvek Wallet

A tyvek wallet that almost passes as designer.

These Tyvek wallets, especially in the eye-popping patterns, have an understated charm that’s more classic than corny.

The Slimfold Micro Tyvek Wallet is a great choice if you want a truly compact Tyvek wallet with a vibrantly sophisticated design—and you don’t mind having to replace it annually.

It’s terrific looking. I’ve been carrying this Slimfold wallet almost every day since working on this guide. The prints are beautiful and vibrant, and we’re particularly enamored of the repeating Monyou wave (a traditional Japanese pattern) and cubic looks, which are far more sophisticated than the patterns generally found on Tyvek wallets.

It holds a bunch of cards. The wallet is a delight to use, as cards slide easily into any slot. We could easily slip five cards into the left slot and two cards each into the two on the right—with each of the back hidden pockets holding three cards, the wallet can accommodate 15 cards easily.

It has RFID protection. This feature may not be truly necessary, though, because we don’t think RFID protection offers any substantive safety or improvements .

• Because the Tyvek material that holds this wallet together is basically a very durable paper, we weren’t expecting the wallet to last an especially long time. But after just two months of use, the edges of our wallet started to fray and lose their color.

Dimensions: 2.825 by 3.825 inches

Thickness when filled with six cards and two bills: 0.4 inch

Card slots (not including cash pocket): five

Material: Tyvek

Colors: Monyou/flower (available seasonally), orange, green, white

Warranty: None, as the wallet will eventually wear to the point of needing to be discarded, but you can earn a $5 credit on your next Slimfold purchase. When your old wallet wears out, buy a new Slimfold Micro Tyvek or Micro Soft Shell wallet on the Slimfold site, and once the receipt for the new wallet comes in, reply via email requesting your refund. When Slimfold confirms your order history, you get five bucks back.

A Tyvek bifold with more pattern options: Mighty Wallet

Mighty Wallet

A wider variety of conversation-starting patterns.

If the Slimfold Tyvek wallets are handsome, the Mighty Wallet ones are just fun—a slew of patterns make it easy to choose something delightful(ly weird), and they’re a joy to use.

If you’re looking for a more durable Tyvek wallet with fun designs that keep the tongue firmly in cheek, consider a Mighty Wallet .

You get lots of slots. With two expandable card pockets, two cash pockets, and two hidden pockets along the edges of the wallet, the Mighty Wallet isn’t short on storage. Cards fit neatly and snugly in the pockets, though we wish the wallet offered a few more interior slot options.

It offers cheeky designs. The Mighty Wallet comes in a plethora of fun designs, and that’s where it really shines: You can get one that looks like an airmail envelope (a nod to the material that’s usually used for such shipments), a peanut butter and jelly sandwich , or even a New York City subway map —you’ll find nearly 40 designs in all. They’re not entirely to everyone’s taste, but even if you’re looking for something simple, the Mighty Wallet line has it .

Flaws but not dealbreakers:

• The extra cash pocket is a bit confusing—the additional layer possibly contributes to the wallet’s durability, but it also adds unnecessary thickness. (No other wallet we tested had two cash sleeves.)
• This wallet is wider than it needs to be (3.125 inches) and is substantially larger than the Slimfold Tyvek wallet.

Dimensions: 3.125 by 4 inches

Warranty: none

An elegant leather card holder: Leatherology Slim Card Case

Leatherology Slim Card Case

Superb leather with plenty of card slots.

This tasteful card holder has everything you could want—nice leather, four slots, a cash pocket—and nothing you don’t.

If you’re interested in quiet elegance, get the simple Leatherology Slim Card Case , which is made of surprisingly supple leather.

It’s made of beautiful leather. As with Leatherology’s bifold wallet, the leather on this card case feels extremely smooth and especially buttery, which makes sense considering this card holder’s premium price.

It’s monogrammable. For an extra $10, you can personalize the card case with a monogram of one to four letters.

It offers 10 colors to choose from. While most of them are fairly traditional, if you’re looking for something a bit more arresting, the mustard-hued “camel” shade is especially handsome.

• The card holders from Leatherology come in only one solid color, unlike those from other brands, which offer contrast panels or even differently colored stitching.

Dimensions: 2.75 by 4.125 inches

Thickness when filled with four cards and one bill: 0.55 inch

Colors: black onyx, cognac, brown, navy blue, camel, scarlet, blue, river, olive, fig

A budget- and style-conscious card holder: Herschel Charlie Wallet

Herschel Charlie Wallet

Eye-catching designs in a remarkably thin card case.

If you want an extra-thin wallet, this case is truly skinny, measuring under half an inch even when fully stuffed. It’s colorful, too.

The Herschel Charlie Wallet , with its eye-catching contrast and youthful material, is the card holder we’d get for a cool cousin in college. It’s an extremely thin card holder that comes in a slew of zippy colors.

The construction is high-quality. The stitching is tight and uniform, and we love that it doesn’t haphazardly run into the edge of the case.

It comes in fun colors. The polyester wallet is available in six energetic designs—we appreciate the contrasting color panels in particular—that make it something you’re likely to enjoy using every day.

It’s easy to use. We recommend this card holder’s reflective polyester over the more common fabric-style polyester we found on other wallets because cards fit into this case snugly without being overly tight. We wouldn’t try to stick more than the recommended four cards into the slots, though, as this polyester doesn’t have much give.

• It’s tall for a card case (3 inches versus the 2.75 inches of the Leatherology card case), a difference that we could feel in our pockets.

Dimensions: 3 by 4 inches

Thickness when filled with four cards and one bill: 0.43 inch

Material: polyester

Colors: 11 colors and patterns

Warranty: limited lifetime warranty

I’ve worked as a magazine editor since 2007, often specializing in men’s style. Before starting my current role at Wirecutter, I was deputy editor at New York magazine’s The Strategist, where I often wrote about things to buy your boyfriend , tote bags , and other fashion phenomena . I’ve also personally been an owner of slim wallets for more than a decade, particularly card holders.

We consulted other slim wallet guides and forums to select our list of 46 bifold wallets and 32 card holders. From there, we culled the list by setting parameters around what most people would reasonably want to pay for a wallet (between $50 and $100 for a leather bifold and up to $50 for a leather card case), after which we eliminated options that deviated too far from the basic slim wallet, either with uncomfortable materials such as metal or with complicated folding patterns.

We then tested 16 bifolds and 10 card holders to determine the very best slim wallets for most people. Our main criterion was aesthetic: Was this a wallet you’d be happy and even proud to carry around? (Unattractive wallets need not apply.)

From there, the most important factor for us to assess was ease of use. Did cards slide in and out easily? Did the material have some give? We opted for wallets that were comfortable to have in your pocket and easy to get cards in and out of from day one.

We also set the wallets in our back pockets and sat on them to determine their comfort.

And of course, we measured their dimensions and considered how many cards they could store.

RFID-blocking wallets block out radio-frequency identification, which in theory digital pickpockets can use to steal the data on your credit cards and carry out identity theft.

Although it’s certainly possible for thieves to swipe information this way, there has never been a documented case of its happening in the real world. Experts at the Identity Theft Resource Center and others note that there are far easier ways for thieves to steal identifying information , most often en masse online.

So although RFID-blocking wallets serve a purpose, we didn’t consider the technology worth the additional cost, especially when enclosing your cards in a piece of aluminum foil can achieve the same results as using an RFID-blocking wallet. But at the same time, we didn’t consider its presence to be enough of a detriment for us to dismiss any of our picks.

The Big Skinny Mini Skinny Card Holder was a bit of an aesthetic letdown (the thumb slot bordered on just plain unattractive), and while the slots for cards worked fine, the giant logo and overall cheap appearance of the wallet caused us to nix it from our list.

Our testers were enamored of the Chester Mox Slim Wallet , but although this card case is definitely stunning, it’s not particularly functional. With only two card slots in this slim wallet, the testing we did with four cards caused it to pucker badly.

The Kisetsu Haru Wallet had an interesting vertical orientation, but somehow that made the sliding of credit cards trickier to negotiate. Although we liked the burnished quality of the leather, the thumb holes gave the wallet a somewhat cheap look and feel that undermined its sophistication.

We wanted to like the Matt & Nat Rubben as a vegan-leather pick, but the wallet was just far too unwieldy and thick. It barely folded closed even without any cards or cash, and it was a beast at 4.5 inches long, making it hard for us to justify a recommendation.

A number of readers asked about the Nomatic Wallet card holder, but we didn’t test it because we skipped wallets with moving parts, which the pull tab on this wallet definitely qualifies as.

The beautiful designs of Paperwallet made it a strong contender, though we had to angle our cards in exactly the right directions to fit them into the pockets, whereas the other Tyvek wallets we tried were much more forgiving. Wirecutter staff members who own Paperwallets note that the lack of stitching causes the slots to loosen over time, as well.

The Supervek Superwallet was a nice enough Tyvek choice, but its slots for cards were a bit too wide to make us feel like our credit cards and ID would be entirely secure. We did like the variety of tasteful exterior options, though, particularly the Japanese motifs.

Though the Tanner Goods Journeyman was gorgeous, it was also practically impossible to use. There are people who enjoy devoting time to breaking in leather pieces and “working” them loose, but we’re not those people, and we certainly can’t recommend a wallet that’ll be great … in a few years.

We were intrigued by the price and the lifetime guarantee of the Thirteen50 Natural Minimalist Wallet , but the fact that the slots were far too tight to fit our cards easily, and the fact that the leather was so tough, made it impossible to recommend.

This article was edited by Jennifer Hunter.

Why are minimalist wallets better?

A minimalist wallet is a thin and lightweight way to keep a couple of important identification cards and a few bucks on you at all times. A slimmer wallet may also be helpful if you’re concerned about misaligning your hips while seated with a large lump in your back pocket—that can cause back pain.

What is the smallest wallet?

The smallest bifold we recommend is the Slimfold Micro Tyvek Wallet , which measures 2.8 by 3.8 inches and is 0.4 inch thick. The smallest card holder we recommend is the Leatherology Slim Card Case , which measures 2.75 by 4.12 inches and is 0.55 inch thick.

How thick should a wallet be?

The thickest wallet we recommend is 0.71 inch, and we recommend staying under three-quarters of an inch thick with four cards stashed in the wallet. We recommend storing a thicker wallet in a fanny pack or a messenger bag rather than in a pocket.

Which pocket should hold your wallet?

Keep your wallet in your front pocket. After performing research on back stress and the sciatic nerve, Stuart McGill, professor of spine biomechanics at University of Waterloo, discovered that sitting on a large wallet can compress joints and muscles and put more stress on the spine.

Meet your guide

Jason Chen is an editorial director overseeing Wirecutter’s tech, gifts, style, and standards teams. Previously, he held editorial positions at GQ, Details, and Departures, and most recently he was deputy editor at New York Magazine’s The Strategist.

Further reading

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by Rose Maura Lorre

If you’re trying to comply with a venue’s bag size restrictions while still keeping your stuff secure at a show, you can’t beat a running belt.

Your Wallet Might Be the Source of Your Back Pain

by Elissa Sanci

You can potentially alleviate back pain by swapping your bulky wallet for a slimmer option.

This Excellent Reusable Grocery Bag Fits in Your Pocket

Baggu’s range of tote bags (including a reusable grocery bag that holds 50 pounds) are seemingly indestructible, incredibly spacious, easy to clean, and even easier to carry.

The Best Tote Bags

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Wherever you may be headed, we’ve found five great totes to take along on your schlep.

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The 10 Best Passport Wallets of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Stay organized while traveling with these sleek passport wallets.

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Our top picks
• Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying
• Why Trust T+L

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Morgan Ashley Parker

Not to be dramatic, but losing a passport or other travel documents can be a huge nightmare while traveling. To safeguard passports, credit cards, and boarding passes, we recommend using a passport wallet to keep everything organized in one spot. 

We researched and tested 16 passport wallets in various sizes and materials to recommend options that fit the needs of all types of travelers. We paid close attention to traits like capacity, durability, functionality, and organizational features to ensure smooth travels. Keep reading to find out which ones surpassed our expectations during testing. 

Best Overall

Leatherology zip around travel wallet.

• Capacity 5 /5
• Ease of Use 5 /5
• Quality 5 /5

The exterior zipper adds an extra layer of security to keep passports and credit cards safe while traveling. 

It might be too large to fit in a smaller purse or sling bag . 

While most passport wallets we tested have a snap-closure, this one has a zipper that wraps around the entirety of the wallet to ensure a passport and other travel essentials remain safely tucked away in transit. The versatile design is so spacious that it can easily hold multiple passports, up to eight credit cards, cash, and coins without feeling bulky or cumbersome to carry. There’s even an exterior pocket for boarding passes so you don’t have to open up the wallet for access. It might be too big to fit in small purses, but the sleek leather look and larger size makes it possible to carry it as a clutch or place into a backpack or tote bag, if needed. 

The Details: 9 x 4.75 inches | Full grain leather | RFID blocking

Travel + Leisure / Morgan Ashley Parker

Bellroy RFID Travel Wallet

The wallet easily fits in a back pocket. 

The wallet will be bigger if it’s packed full and may not fit then. 

Minimalist travelers will appreciate the sleek and simple design of Bellroy’s RFID Travel Wallet. We dubbed it our favorite slim option since it can fit virtually anywhere, including in a back pocket (just be sure to take it out of your pocket before going through security). Made out of a soft and durable leather, it never scuffed or scratched while traveling and it looks premium on the outside. The wallet has pockets for a passport, cash, credit cards, and plane tickets, and we love that there aren’t so many pockets that items get disorganized or lost in the void. The best part is that it opens like a standard wallet so we could quickly grab our passports and credit cards while traveling. 

The Details: 6.02 x 3.86 inches | Leather | RFID blocking

Travel + Leisure / Taylor Fox

Best for Families

Valante travel document organizer.

• Ease of Use 4.5 /5

It has pockets for multiple passports, plane tickets, and cash.

The large capacity might be too big for solo travelers. 

Family travel can be hectic, so we recommend this spacious wallet that can keep all of your family’s important documents in one safe spot. Designed to store multiple passports, credit cards, plane tickets, and more, there are tons of pockets to place items neatly. There’s even a key leash, two zippered pockets, a pen holder, and two designated slip pockets for boarding passes in the front of the wallet. Because the wallet is on the larger side, we love that it comes with a wrist strap to hold onto it while going through customs or the TSA security line. The size might be too large for solo or minimalist travelers, but it works perfectly for staying organized while traveling in groups. 

The Details: 10.63 x 5.91 inches | Polyester | RFID blocking

Travel + Leisure / Michael Navarro

Best Faux Leather

Melsbrinna waterproof rfid-blocking travel wallet.

The PU leather material feels just as soft and durable as regular leather.

The clear plastic window pockets could scratch over time.

Similar to our overall pick, this passport wallet isn’t made out of genuine leather, but it has the same premium look and feel. Made with layers of PU leather, there is a piece of RFID-blocking fabric sandwiched between the material for extra protection while traveling with chipped documents. This sleek wallet comes with all of the standard pockets for a passport, credit cards, and boarding passes, but there were several other features that made it stand out in testing. We are big fans of the two SIM card slots and two plastic window pockets for extra organization for international travelers. Our only concern is that the plastic might scratch or wear over time, but it depends on how often you use the wallet and care for it. 

The Details: 5.7 x 4.7 inches | PU faux leather | RFID blocking

Travel + Leisure / Madison Irons

Best Color Options

Lucrin geneva passport travel wallet.

The sleek and spacious wallet comes in over 21 colors and five leather texture options.

The premium materials come with a higher price. 

One of our favorite leather passport wallets we tested, this one from Lucrin impressed us with a variety of color and texture options to please any and all travelers. There are over two dozen color options available and five different leather textures to choose from, including smooth, granulated, square granulated, vegetable tanned, and crocodile patterned. Once you narrow down your desired color and texture, we’re confident travelers will love the luxurious feel of the premium leather and generous capacity of the snap-closure wallet. It features several slip pockets, thirteen credit card slots, and a large zippered pocket for storing smaller items like coins or a pen. While the price is on the higher end, we believe you get what you pay for with this made-to-last passport wallet. 

The Details: 9.8 x 9.1 inches | Leather

Travel + Leisure / Anna Popp

Best Crossbody

Pacsafe rfidsafe v150 rfid-blocking compact organizer.

It comes with a removable strap to keep the wallet attached to your body.

The strap isn’t adjustable.

A lost passport can put a huge damper on a trip, so we recommend the Pacsafe RFID-blocking wallet with a removable crossbody strap for keeping your travel documents attached at the hip (literally). You can wear the strap across your body, on your wrist, or through a belt to ensure the wallet is securely fastened on the go. Besides the ability to wear the wallet as a purse, we love all of the slip and zippered interior pockets for a passport, credit cards, cash, or coins, which will keep you plenty organized. The nylon material is water-resistant with a thick and durable feel, so we expect this wallet will stand the test of time.

The Details: 6.69 x 5.12 inches | Nylon | RFID blocking

Travel + Leisure / Rachel Thalhuber

Best Budget

Tigari passport and vaccine card holder.

The high-quality materials and functionality of this wallet are unbeatable for the low price.

It feels a bit big to carry around.

If you’re trying to build a luggage capsule for traveling, this budget-friendly passport wallet makes a useful addition for all types of travelers. Although the wallet comes at a lower price, it doesn’t lack durability and quality of materials. The PU faux leather case comes in a variety of neutral and bright colors, and it has sleek embossed wording on the front. The case opens up to reveal tons of organizational features for one passport, four credit cards, two SIM cards, and a slip pocket for cash. All of the pockets make it easy to grab travel documents quickly and the larger case keeps everything safe from damage during transit. The wallet is on the bigger side, so it might not fit in smaller purses , but it should fit in a backpack or personal item without any issues.

The Details: 4.33 x 5.9 inches | PU faux leather | RFID blocking

Travel + Leisure / Andria Park Huynh

Best Organization

Baphity genuine leather passport holder.

There are a variety of slip and zippered pockets available. 

The card slots can be tight at first. 

This genuine leather passport wallet is the best option for travelers prioritizing organization. Designed to store a passport, vaccine card, cash coins, boarding passes, and SIM cards, the wallet is bursting with pockets to efficiently organize items. After we filled it with travel documents, we were impressed with how slim and compact the wallet remained. The leather material is high-quality and durable, and we think the wallet has an excellent value for the construction and price point. We ran into slight issues with the card slots being a bit tight at first, but the material loosened up with more use, which made it easier to pull the cards in and out quickly.

The Details: 6.15 x 4.93 inches | Leather | RFID blocking

Travel + Leisure / Elise Wang

Best AirTag-compatible

Normest airtag travel wallet.

• Capacity 4.5 /5

The wallet has a designated pocket for storing an Apple AirTag for tracking and locating.

It has a smaller capacity.

Tracking devices can be a game-changer if your luggage gets lost, so we recommend this AirTag-compatible wallet. While the AirTag is sold separately, the wallet does come with a secure slot on the outside to discreetly store the tracking device. The genuine leather material is sleek and soft, and the wallet has a slim design that makes it easy to place it in a back pocket or small bag. It can fit a passport, three credit cards, and some cash before running out of room, so if you’re looking for a spacious wallet, this isn’t the best option. However, sometimes it’s better to be safe than sorry, so this is a great option for AirTag enthusiasts . 

The Details: 5.51 x 4.13 inches | Leather | RFID blocking

Travel + Leisure / Dylan Thompson

Most Stylish

Away the passport wallet.

It's compact enough to fit inside any sling bag, fanny pack, and even some pant pockets.

It's a bit small and really only fits your passport and a few cards.

This compact passport wallet has a slip pocket on the front for a passport and the side opens up to reveal several credit card slots and a bit of room for cash or a plane ticket. While the side pocket doesn't have a zipper, it is tight enough that all of our items felt secure and nothing moved when we shook the wallet vigorously. We love that the small size means you can fit this passport wallet in any bag and even some pant or coat pockets for quick access. We used this throughout six flights and it was never a hassle to get the passport in and out of the case, even while in a hurry. The black leather is very sleek and feels high-quality and hasn't scratched at all throughout our months of travels. For Away fans looking for a passport wallet to complete your matching style set, this is an absolute essential.

The Details: 5.43 x 4.25 inches | Leather

Other Passport Wallets We Liked

There were several passport wallets that almost made our list of winners, but we ran into some slight issues during testing. 

Royce Vaccine Card and Passport Wallet : The wallet has a simple and functional design, but the price is fairly high for the smaller capacity and lack of extra organizational features.

Walnew AirTag Passport Holder : It has plenty of room to fit all necessary travel documents and it comes with an AirTag leash, but we liked that the other tracking device-compatible wallet we tried holds the tracker more discreetly.

We researched and selected 16 passport wallets to test out while traveling and in everyday scenarios. From busy TSA security lines to shopping and sightseeing, we made sure the best wallets make it easy to pull out passports, credit cards, IDs, and cash when you’re in a hurry. We paid close attention to the capacity and noted how efficient the organizational features are for storing essential travel documents. Since travel can take a toll on luggage and accessories, we judged the overall quality of the materials and stitchwork to gauge the longevity of each wallet. 

Tips for Buying a Passport Wallet

Check the dimensions of the wallet.

Passports from around the world feature the same design and size, but you’ll still want to make sure a passport wallet fits your size needs. Some wallets are designed to just be slightly larger than a passport and others will be large enough to fit the length of a boarding pass. It depends on the space you’ll have in a bag, pocket, or backpack, so you’ll want to consider how to store the wallet while traveling before making the purchase.

Decide how many compartments you need

Passport wallets are typically designed to hold a passport and a few credit cards, but some are equipped with more organizational features. The bigger the wallet, the more room and storage options there will be for multiple passports, credit cards, cash, and boarding passes. Extra features to look for include interior zippered pockets for coins, SIM card holders, and plastic window sleeves for IDs or vaccine cards.

Look for additional security features

Sometimes it’s better to be safe than sorry, so you may want to consider getting a passport wallet with an AirTag holder (AirTags are usually sold separately) to track the wallet in case it goes missing. Other security measures can include a wrap-around zipper to ensure passports and credit cards are secure and layers of RFID-blocking fabric to prevent cyber pick-pocketing.

Security and customs lines can be stressful, so it’s important to have your passport and other necessary documents out of any wallets or cases and ready to go. This will save time and make it easier to hand the documents over to an agent to speed up the process and eliminate unnecessary stress while traveling.

Radio frequency identification or RFID is technology commonly used in credit cards and passports to locate information and data quickly. It is possible to steal data from RFID documents, but there are some passport wallets with a fabric layer to block radio waves from transmitting. Although it’s uncommon for data to be stolen via RFID, the layer of fabric offers extra security and is designed to prevent criminals from taking information while traveling. 

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

T+L commerce writer Anna Popp writes nearly all of the team’s Travel + Leisure Tested articles and participates in product testing from luggage and shoes to outdoor gear and apparel. Anna used her own knowledge of traveling with important travel documents and combed through thorough testing notes to put together this list of the best passport wallets. 

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How To Fold A Crane Place Card Holder

Published: October 30, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Ianthe Coss

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Introduction

Welcome to our guide on how to fold a crane place card holder! If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance and creativity to your table settings, these beautifully folded origami cranes are a perfect choice. They not only serve as aesthetic decorations but also function as unique place card holders for your special events, such as weddings, parties, or formal dinners.

Origami, the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, offers endless possibilities for creating intricate and delicate designs. The crane, in particular, holds significant symbolism in Japanese culture, representing good luck, longevity, and happiness. By incorporating these elegant origami cranes into your table decor, you’re not only adding visual appeal but also infusing your event with a rich cultural tradition.

Don’t worry if you’re new to origami or have never tried folding a crane before. This guide will take you through the step-by-step process, ensuring that you’ll be able to create a stunning crane place card holder with ease. So, gather your materials and let’s get started!

Materials Needed

Before we dive into the folding process, let’s gather all the necessary materials to make your crane place card holders:

• Origami paper: Choose square origami paper in your desired colors. You can find a variety of options at craft stores or online.
• Scissors: You’ll need a pair of scissors to trim the paper if necessary.
• Ruler: A ruler can be handy for measuring and ensuring precise folds.
• Place cards: Prepare small cards with your guests’ names or other desired text. You can either make them yourself using cardstock or purchase pre-made place cards.
• Pen or marker: Use a pen or marker to write the names or any other desired information on the place cards.
• Optional: Decorative elements such as ribbons, beads, or small flowers can be added to embellish the crane place card holders.

Make sure you have all these materials at hand before starting the folding process. Having everything ready will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.

Step 1: Folding the Base

The first step in creating your crane place card holder is to fold the base. This will serve as the foundation on which the origami crane will sit. Let’s get started:

• Start with a square piece of origami paper in your desired color. If your paper is not already square, use scissors and a ruler to trim it into a square shape.
• Place the paper in front of you with one of the corners pointing towards you. Fold the paper in half diagonally to create a triangle. Make sure the sides are aligned and crease the fold.
• Take the right corner of the triangle and fold it towards the top corner, creating a smaller triangle. Repeat the same fold with the left corner.
• Rotate the paper so that the open end of the triangle is facing away from you. Fold the bottom point of the triangle up to meet the top point, creating a smaller triangle.
• Open up the last fold and turn the paper over. You should see four smaller triangles divided by a vertical and horizontal crease.
• Take the right corner of the top triangle and fold it towards the center. Repeat the same fold with the left corner of the top triangle.
• Fold the top edge of the paper down to meet the bottom edge, creating a rectangular shape.
• Finally, fold the rectangle in half, bringing the bottom edge up to meet the top edge. You now have the base of your crane place card holder!

Make sure to crease each fold firmly and neatly. The base should be sturdy enough to hold the weight of the origami crane and the place card. Once you’ve successfully folded the base, you’re ready to move on to creating the crane itself.

Step 2: Creating the Crane

Now that you have the base of your crane place card holder ready, it’s time to fold the origami crane that will sit on top. Follow these steps to create the intricate crane:

• Take another square piece of origami paper in your desired color and place it in front of you with one corner pointing towards you.
• Fold the paper in half diagonally to create a triangle. Align the sides and crease the fold.
• Unfold the triangle and fold it in half diagonally in the opposite direction. Again, align the sides and crease the fold.
• Turn the paper over to the other side. Fold the top corner down to the middle of the bottom edge, creating a smaller triangle shape at the top.
• Repeat the same fold with the bottom corner, bringing it up to meet the top corner. You should now have a diamond shape.
• Take the right and left corners of the diamond and fold them towards the center, forming a smaller diamond shape.
• Rotate the diamond so that the open end is pointing towards you. Take the top layer of the right side and fold it towards the center crease. Repeat the same fold with the top layer of the left side.
• Flip the paper over to the other side. Fold the bottom points of the diamond up to meet the top point, forming a smaller diamond.
• Open up the last fold and flatten the paper. You should see two triangular flaps on each side.
• Take the top layer of the right flap and fold it to the center of the diamond. Repeat the same fold with the top layer of the left flap.
• Flip the paper over to the other side. Fold the bottom point up to meet the top point, trapping the previous folds inside.
• Now, fold down the top layer of the right side towards the center. Repeat the same fold with the top layer of the left side.
• Flip the paper over to the other side and fold the bottom point up once again, creating the neck of the crane.
• Next, fold the two flaps on each side up, creating the wings of the crane.
• Gently separate the bottom layers to create the body of the crane.

With these steps, you have successfully folded the origami crane. It may take a few tries to get the folds just right, so don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t look perfect on the first attempt. Practice makes perfect!

Step 3: Attaching the Crane to the Base

Now that you have folded the origami crane, it’s time to secure it to the base you created earlier. Follow these steps to attach the crane to the base:

• Take your completed origami crane and turn it upside down, with the wings facing down.
• Apply a small amount of glue to the bottom center of the crane.
• Carefully center the crane over the folded base.
• Press down gently to secure the crane to the base. Make sure the crane is positioned upright with the wings spread out.
• Allow the glue to dry for a few minutes to ensure a strong bond between the crane and the base.

Once the glue has fully dried, gently check the stability of the crane on the base. Ensure it is securely attached and won’t easily tip over. If needed, you can apply a bit more glue to reinforce the bond.

At this point, you now have a completed crane place card holder! The crane will beautifully adorn your table settings and hold the place cards for your guests.

For an extra touch of personalization and decoration, you can add ribbons, beads, or small flowers to embellish the crane place card holders. Get creative and customize them to match your event’s theme or color scheme.

Now that you’ve successfully attached the crane to the base, you’re ready for the final step to add some finishing touches!

Step 4: Finishing Touches

With the crane securely attached to the base, it’s time to add some finishing touches to your crane place card holder. These final steps will ensure that your table settings look polished and complete:

• Take your prepared place cards and write each guest’s name or any desired text onto the cards using a pen or marker.
• Once the ink has dried, insert the place cards into the slot at the top of the crane, between the wings.
• Ensure that the place cards are positioned securely, so they don’t slide out or get easily displaced.
• If desired, you can further enhance the aesthetic appeal of your crane place card holder by adding decorative elements.
• Consider tying a small ribbon around the neck of the crane or attaching a tiny flower or bead to the wings.
• These embellishments will add an extra touch of elegance and personalization to your table decor.

Finally, step back and admire your beautifully crafted crane place card holders. The combination of the origami crane, the elegant base, and the personalized place cards will surely impress your guests and create a memorable table setting.

Remember to repeat these steps for each individual crane place card holder you wish to make, ensuring consistency and uniformity throughout your table arrangement.

Now that you have completed the folding process, attached the crane to the base, and added the finishing touches, you are ready to showcase your crane place card holders at your special event!

Enjoy the admiration and joy they bring as your guests find their designated seats, surrounded by the beauty of these origami-inspired creations.

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to fold a crane place card holder using the art of origami. By following the step-by-step instructions and utilizing your creativity, you’ve created elegant and personalized table decorations for your special event.

The crane place card holders not only serve a practical purpose but also add a touch of cultural significance with their symbolism of luck and happiness. They are sure to impress your guests and create a memorable atmosphere.

Remember, practice makes perfect when it comes to origami. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts don’t turn out exactly as planned. Keep practicing, experimenting with different colors and designs, and you’ll soon become an expert at folding origami cranes.

Feel free to customize your crane place card holders further. Add decorative elements, such as ribbons or small flowers, to match your event theme or color scheme. Let your creativity soar and make each place card holder unique.

Whether it’s a wedding, party, or formal dinner, your crane place card holders will bring elegance and sophistication to your table settings. Your guests will surely appreciate the attention to detail and the thoughtfulness behind these handmade creations.

So go ahead and impress your guests with your newfound origami skills. Enjoy the process of folding, creating, and personalizing your crane place card holders. May they bring joy and a touch of Japanese tradition to your special event!

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• Printed Oyster Card Holders
• Printed Examples

Travel Card Holder – 3 Fold

£ 0.39

Price Table

The above prices include Full-colour print to 1 side of the Wallet. All origination, setups and delivery to 1 UK mainland address are included. There is a Matte Finish or Gloss Finish at no extra cost. A pinseal linning is offered at an additional 4p / wallet (this is an extra textured layer added to the interior of the wallet)

Sample Price

Our sample wallets will either be sent out with our logo dependent on stock. We cannot print one-off designs, the minimum order for personalised wallets can be seen above on the pricing table. Normally a sample can be obtained for free after receiving a quote.

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