20 Best Wallets You Can Carry in Your Front Pocket

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Like old-school wristwatches, wallets are fast becoming obsolete. Thanks to tech like Apple Pay, Venmo, and whatever chip the Illuminati are planning to implant in our eyeballs to pay for everything, the lowly wallet is more like a sentimental relic than something we’re required to carry these days. It’s more fashionable than functional. But if you just can’t part with your trusty wallet, we get it. You can at least upgrade, though, to something more compact, lightweight, and pocketable, like a front-pocket wallet.

Front-pocket wallets are the ultra-minimalists of the wallet world. They’re designed to carry only what you need every day and nothing more. Things like: Your ID, a credit card or two, maybe a AAA card, and a few pieces of hard currency, in case you find yourself in a jam that requires spreading a few hundos around (emergency bail money comes to mind).

There’s no shortage of front-pocket wallets available today. Whatever size, weight, material, quality, price point, or RFID-blocking features you’re into, there are guaranteed to be at least a dozen options for you to choose from. So, our gear-obsessed testers set out to compare the top-rated models. Ultimately, we decided on the 20 below as our honest picks for the best front-pocket wallets worth buying in 2023.

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Minimalist Slim Wallet For Men

Forget your old-school leather wallet. Nothing says "industrial chic" like a metal wallet. This minimalist slim wallet from The Ridge is exactly as big as it needs to be to fit comfortably in your front pocket while still holding up to 12 cards without expanding. Credit cards, debit cards, and business cards will all fit neatly into wallet body, ready to slide out with a swipe of the finger notch integrated into the design. A clever elastic strap or metal money clip adds room to stow a few bills, too, in case you need 'em.

Our testers have long been fans of The Ridge, and its entire line of slim wallets. But what really sets this wallet apart is the RFID-blocking design. It's a feature you hope you'll never need, but will be very, very glad to have it if you're ever the victim of a digital pickpocketing.

Groove Wallet Midnight Black with Money Clip

Groove Life's all-metal wallets are sleek, streamlined, and handsome. The Groove Wallet in Midnight Black looks like an artifact plucked from a retro-future world. It's trimmer than its closest competitor, The Ridge, with only enough room for six cards. A little cash can be stashed in the integrated money clip for "just in case" scenarios.

What we especially love about the Groove Wallet is that it's one of the most front-pocket-friendly industrial slim wallets available. With a limited capacity of roughly a handful of cards, it forced us to pare down to only our most essential carry, including a driver's license, a couple of credit cards, and our health insurance card. Bonus: We also love that it's slightly cheaper than The Ridge. So there's that. The best part, though? It's one of the few front-pocket wallets in this year's roundup that's designed, tested, and made right here in the good ol' U.S. of A—Tennessee, to be exact.

Slim Sleeve Bifold Leather Wallet

For a more traditional look, we love Bellroy's Slim Sleeve. It's a bifold wallet made of top-grain leather that's environmentally certified. It's probably a lot like the leather wallet you have in your pocket right now, but thinner and more front pocket-friendly. It fits four cards and folded bills nicely but can stretch to accommodate up to eight cards if need be. But, honestly, if you're slimming down anyway, why carry more than you need, right?

Our gear testers loved the tasteful, sophisticated design of this all-leather slim wallet. The cowhide is buttery soft, and it looks especially "warm" in the Cocoa-Java colorway. We tested this with only a handful of cards inside, and the size felt just right. We found the dual quick-access slots and built-in pull tab made accessing all of our cards easy-peasy. It lacks the RFID-blocking construction of many of the more industrial, all-metal options in our roundup. But it is priced right at just under $80 delivered.

Wallet S Slim RFID Blocking Wallet

Dollar for dollar, Spiegen makes some of the best smartphone and everyday accessories available. Its Wallet S slim wallet features a futuristic, RFID-blocking design (especially in the Gunmetal colorway) that combines aluminum, nylon, and silicone. The sleek form factor is ultra-minimalist and front-pocket friendly yet capable of expanding to hold up to a dozen cards without stretching. A built-in nylon cash strap adds even more functionality for keeping a few bills on hand.

What sets this slim wallet aside, however, is the integrated AirTag slot. It's a handy feature for keeping tabs on your most important credit cards, ID cards, and other essential EDC cards. Just pop the cover off, slot your own Apple AirTag inside, and you're ready to track your new front-pocket wallet in real time. What our team of testers found most surprising was the price. At around $30, it's one of the best value front-pocket wallets we tested this year.

Front Pocket Minimalist Leather Slim Wallet

Like a perfectly broken-in pair of jeans, there's something about a well-worn wallet that feels so... right. While it might not actually be broken in, this slim leather wallet at least looks the part. It's made of slightly distressed leather, available in more than two dozen colors, so you can dial in your exact look. With six card slots, a see-through ID slot, and a pouch for folded bills, it's one of the largest in this year's roundup while still being front-pocket-friendly.

Our panelists loved the rugged good looks of this all-leather minimalist wallet. We also found the size to be a good compromise: Smaller and more pared-down than a traditional bifold but slightly larger than the thinnest front pocket wallets in our roundup. In our tests, this wallet fit roughly 6-8 cards, plus cash comfortably without adding noticeable bulk to our front pocket. We were surprised to find that it's also made with an RFID-blocking construction designed to protect against the most common types of credit and ID card digital pickpocketing. But the best part? It's just under $10 delivered, making this one of the best value front pocket wallets of 2023.

Minimalist Tyvek Front Pocket Wallet

Just because your wallet holds some of your most important financial essentials doesn't mean it has to look "all business." Mighty Wallet sidesteps the traditional and often boring look of most wallets with a line of playful, tongue-in-cheek front pocket wallets. The designs range from the American flag to an old-school cassette tape to a poorly photocopied "half-dollar' bill.

Our team agreed the look isn't for everyone. But for those who don't take themselves (or their money) too seriously, we think they'll love these entirely unique front-pocket wallets. We like that Mighty Wallet opted to use Tyvek (over more traditional materials like leather or metal) because it's cheap yet water- and tear-resistant. Every wallet is also eco-friendly and recyclable with a low carbon footprint. Bonus: They're priced around $20 each.

Slim Curve Front Pocket Leather Bifold Wallet

Traditional, squared-off wallets are fine for tucking into a back pocket, but they're less than ideal for front-pocket use. Polare Original's Slim Curve Front Pocket Leather Bifold lives up to its name with an asymmetrical design that's curved on one side. This makes stashing this slim wallet in a front pocket infinitely more comfortable and ergonomic. Plus, it's thin enough (with six card pockets) not to add noticeable bulk to the front of your pants.

Our gear testers found this wallet to be surprisingly high-quality, especially given its ultra-affordable price tag. At less than $25, it's a solid budget-friendly option for anyone looking for a genuine leather slim wallet without dropping close to $100. The integrated, see-through ID slot and money pocket add even more versatility, making this feel more like an OG bifold wallet. Bonus: A gift box is included, in case you're thinking of gifting this to someone for the holidays.

Slim Minimalist Front Pocket Leather Wallet

Even many of the best front pocket wallets are only available in a handful of colors (usually a limited selection of deep browns, blues, and blacks). Buffway ups the ante with its Slim Minimalist Front Pocket Leather Wallet. It's sold in more than 30 colorways, including everything from silver to yellow to pink to black, making it easy to perfectly coordinate with your personal aesthetic. Eight total card slots allow for stashing about six cards comfortably, or more than 10 if you really want to pack it to the gills.

We found the biggest selling point of this front pocket wallet to be its color selection. At close to 35 available colors, it offers the widest variety of options we've seen this year. The faux leather is decent, in our opinion, although it's not going to hold up or feel quite as nice as the more premium genuine leather options we tested. Still, for around $16, it's hard to complain. Plus, this wallet is made with RFID-blocking, too.

Front Pocket Wallet

Some front pocket wallets feature rounded corners for a more comfortable fit. Rogue Industries takes that a step further with a purpose-built semi-curved wallet that's designed to perfectly conform to your front pants pocket. The three card slots fit six cards in total, plus an ID card pocket and a full-sized banknote divider add even more versatility.

"This feels like the best of all worlds," said one of our self-described "pickiest" gear testers who found this wallet to be just right. The shape fits perfectly into any front pocket, and we unanimously agreed that it holds everything a front-pocket wallet should. That includes just enough cards to be useful (but not too many), a driver's license or ID card, and a few bills. And that's really all most of us need on a daily basis. At $40, it's priced right in the midrange of wallets we tested this year. Our only real gripe: No RFID protection.

Summit Card Case

Creative wallets must also be functional, and the Summit Card Case from Craighill understands that guideline. For starters, the card case is made from brushed stainless steel and coated in a PVD Vapor Brass finish; so you're not getting any cheap materials here. Pop the top of the wallet back like a Zippo lighter and you have access to the inner compartment, where you can store up an impressive 9 credit cards.

You won't get much cash-carrying on this piece, but theoretically, you could shove one or two bills inside if needed. If you're worried about dimensions and weight, the wallet itself measures a pretty compact 4 inches by 2.5 inches and weighs under 5 ounces. So if you're looking for a special wallet that's front-pocket-friendly, then this surely a suitable pick.

Charlie RIFD Card Case Wallet

For a basic card case wallet, it doesn't get much simpler or more straightforward than Herschel's Charlie RFID Card Case Wallet. The all-polyester construction includes two sides for four total card slots, plus a top-access storage sleeve for stashing extra cards or a few folded-up bills. A rubber elastic wraps around the entire setup to keep all your cards and cash in check.

We appreciate the ridiculously simple nature of this ultra-minimalist design. It speaks to the spirit of what front pocket wallets are designed to do: Strip your everyday carry down to the barest essentials. Our team loved that the Charlie forced us to really think hard about what we planned to carry each day. Overall, the look of this front pocket wallet is simple, but it has a premium feel in the hand. We also dig that it's surprisingly RFID-blocking, too. Plus, the roughly $16 price tag is a nice bonus.

Minimalist Wallet

If you live and breathe online games, you want a wallet that speaks to your lifestyle. This minimalist, slim wallet from Oaridey is legit "gamer core" style with a precision-cut shell that combines aluminum and carbon fiber. It feels futuristic, vaguely militaristic, and totally badass. It's slim enough to qualify as front pocket-friendly but expands to hold up to 15 cards plus hard currency with the integrated cash clip.

Our team was divided on the unique gamer-inspired aesthetic of this front pocket wallet. The look definitely isn't for everyone. But we all agreed that it feels well-made and durable. We also like that it's available in about a dozen colors, from basics like gray and blue to bolder options like orange and red. The clear ID window is a nice touch, too, allowing you to flash your driver's license, state ID, or employee badge without having to remove it from the guts of the wallet. The reasonable $22 price tag is especially surprising given its metal-and-carbon-fiber construction.

Oliver RFID Blocking Minimalist Front Pocket Wallet

Size (or lack thereof) matters when it comes to front-pocket wallets. The Oliver from Alpine Swiss is one of the slimmest, most compact options we tested this year. It's just one-eighth-inch thin, making it exceptionally front-pocket friendly. Yet, it boasts seven total slots, including four vertical card slots, two horizontal card slots, and a single full-length opening at the top to hold more cards or a few folded-up bills.

Our team loved the streamlined modern aesthetic of this slim wallet. With only a handful of cards and a couple of bills, it fits nicely into a front pocket or even a shirt pocket. The genuine leather construction feels great in the hand, and we found that it breaks in nicely after about a month with a handsome patina. Given its razor-thin design, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that this wallet features RFID blocking. It's also one of the best value front pocket wallets of 2023, with a roughly $17 price tag in any of the handful of available colors.

RFID Leather Magnetic Front Pocket Wallet

Dickies upgrades the traditional bifold wallet with this magnetic model that opens like an old-school police detective's badge cover. It's handsome and timeless, but the magnetic closure adds a dash of modernity. Capacity-wise, this is a legit front pocket wallet with only four card slots and one ID card window. So, it's plenty thin enough not to add unnecessary bulk to your EDC setup.

Our gear-testing team loved the traditional look of this clever slim wallet in the OG brown colorway. It's guaranteed to look just as good a decade from now as it does today. We also found that this model holds up well, and the leather breaks in nicely after a few months of use. Plus, it features RFID-blocking tech and a pretty sweet price to boot at less than $15.

Two-Tone Front Pocket Bifold Wallet

Maybe you're not ready to let go of your chunky, old-school bifold stuffed with pictures of your ex, a decade of receipts, and sub shop punch cards. This two-tone leather wallet from Carhartt is a good stepping stone into the world of front pocket wallets. The design is compact enough to be front-pocket-friendly yet roomy enough to hold all your essentials plus a little more.

Our team found that with a total of 10 slots—including six card slots, two multipurpose "slip" slots, one exterior slot, and an ID card window—this wallet holds more than almost every other front pocket wallet we tested this year. If capacity is more important than ergonomics, this is your man. We especially liked this model in the brown & black two-tone leather that feels traditional and timeless. It's a look that's guaranteed to work with almost any personal style.

Derrick Leather Slim Minimalist Bifold Front Pocket Wallet

Fossil's Derrick is almost too big to qualify as a legit front-pocket wallet but just a bit too small to be a traditional rear-pocket bifold. If you're looking for serious capacity but still need a footprint that's compact enough to stash comfortably in a front pocket, this is your man. It boasts six generously sized card slots and a single large bill compartment, so it'll hold all your pocketable essentials and then some.

Our team agreed that this model was just barely small enough to count as a front pocket bifold. Like the Carhartt option above, we think this is a solid option for anyone who isn't quite ready to ditch the storage capacity of their full-sized wallet. We unanimously agreed on the look, though: The already-broken-in leather is sexier than most options on this list. Straight off the rack, this is a wallet that looks like it's been well-used for years, and that's a good thing. There's no RFID-blocking tech baked into this one. Still, we think it's a steal at around $33 on sale.

Original Bi-Fold Wallet

If you're ready to go all-in on front-pocket wallet minimalism, DUN's Original Bi-Fold Wallet is ready to receive you. It's built to hold four cards and ten bills without a separate bill compartment. It's clever and a little unorthodox, but it's designed to pack the most amount of storage into the thinnest possible form factor. Plus, the calfskin leather exterior looks tasteful and streamlined in any of the three available colorways.

This was another front-pocket wallet with a unique design unlike anything else we tested this year. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that it's still possible to come up with new ways to build a wallet. The bill-compartment-less design is a stroke of genius that seems surprisingly obvious when you first see it. It's a wonder no one thought to do it before. Our testers agreed that it took some getting used to, but we grew to love it, especially because it shaves considerable thickness and a little weight off the overall design.

Thin Bifold Wallet

If you like your fashion accessories simple, tasteful, and sophisticated, Leatherology's Thin Bifold Wallet delivers. The design is elegant and handsome, with a clean look that easily complements any personal style or aesthetic in one of a handful of colors. The capacity more closely resembles a traditional, full-sized bifold, with six card slots, a bill compartment, and two interior slots/pockets for lesser-used cards or receipts.

We loved the understated look of this front pocket wallet. The leather is lightly textured in a way that feels simultaneously new and just a little broken in. At roughly half an inch deep, it's slightly thicker than our thinnest picks of the year but still perfectly pocketable. It is a little pricier than most on our list at around $85 ($95 for the RFID-blocking model). But the premium look and feel make this a solid buy and even a gift-worthy option if you're looking to give it to someone else this year.

MICRO Minimalist Front Pocket Vegan Slim Wallet

If you're hard on your gear (including your wallets), you need a front-pocket wallet that can keep up with your lifestyle. SlimFold's MICRO Minimalist is an ultra-durable option that's built to take a beating. The shell material is made by the Gore company (the folks behind Gore-Tex), so it's waterproof and stain- and abrasion-resistant. The entire wallet is also razor-thin, at just 0.2 inches, and measures just wider than a credit card and slightly taller than a U.S. bill. So, it's designed to be exactly as big as it needs to be. SlimFold claims that it's "2-3 times thinner than leather wallets when empty."

This was unlike any other front-pocket wallet we tested this year. We were surprised at just how simultaneously thin and durable it felt in hand. The footprint is ridiculously compact, making it one of the most front-pocket-friendly wallets we tested all year. It's also priced right at under $60, which is especially surprising given that it's made in San Francisco.

Card Holder

Keep your bills dry with this affordable waterproof wallet by Rains. The top cash pocket closes tight shut to keep out moisture, while the waterproof coated fabric keeps any water seeping through. It's simple, under $35, and available in multiple fun colors.

What to Look for When Shopping the Best Front Pocket Wallets

Front pocket wallets, like all wallets, are pretty straightforward. But that doesn’t always mean that finding the right one is easy. You’ll want to consider things like materials used, durability, overall size, card capacity, and price. Here are the most important things to look for when shopping for the best front-pocket wallet for you.

Materials

Like traditional wallets, most front pocket wallets are constructed of leather, aluminum, synthetics, or some combination of these three. Leather is durable and lends a more “traditional” and timeless look for those who like OG bifold wallets. Aluminum is extremely durable, with an industrial chic aesthetic that feels modern but can be a bit “cold.” Synthetics like polyester and Tyvek fall somewhere in the middle, as they’re typically more durable than leather but not as durable as aluminum. They do tend to be the cheapest option, but most don’t look or feel as nice as either leather or aluminum.

Card Capacity

The “right” card capacity for any wallet is entirely up to you. Most front pocket wallets hold around 6-8 cards, which allows for decent storage without adding unnecessary bulk. The slimmest models offer about half that storage, while the bulkiest models (those that resemble more traditional bi-folds) can hold up to a dozen cards or more.

Features

It’s no surprise that most front-pocket wallets aren’t packed with features. There are a few things to look for, however, including hidden pockets, see-through ID pockets (so you don’t need to remove your ID from your wallet), and RFID blocking.

Price

The good news is that front-pocket wallets are often cheaper than traditional wallets, which are already typically very affordable. The most budget-friendly front pocket wallets can be had for less than $20, while more moderate options (including genuine leather) run in the $25-$50 range. The best, most premium front pocket wallets, including those made of high-quality top-grain leather and aluminum, cost north of $75.

Meet the Expert

I’ve spent most of my life hiking, kayaking, camping, and exploring the great outdoors. For more than a decade, I’ve traveled the world, including all seven continents, and covered outdoor and adventure travel, sharing my advice on Forbes, Travel + Leisure, CNET, and National Geographic. These days, I personally evaluate gear (like the best front pocket wallets) and tech gadgets for Men’s Health from my home base south of Boston. So, you might say I’m a little gear-obsessed.

How We Selected

Our gear-obsessed editors and writers take our everyday carry (EDC) very seriously, and that includes the wallets we carry. Most of us are happy to embrace the minimalist wallet experience by paring down to only our most essential cards and cash. So, we wanted to find front pocket wallets with a good balance of storage, good looks, durability, and pocketability—all at a great price. After testing dozens of models this year, we agreed on the 18 above as our picks for this year’s best front-pocket wallets.

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