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While I think Ridge Wallets are well worth their value, there are a large number of people who don’t want to own one of the most popular wallets on the market.
Whether it be that you don’t want to look like everyone else or that you truly don’t like their wallets but would like something like it, I have compiled a list of every Ridge Wallet alternative that we have tested here. That said, unlike everyone else who just spits out a bunch of general minimalist wallets (that’s what this post is for), I’ve only added wallets here that are actually LIKE a Ridge Wallet.
So, what is a Ridge Wallet? It follows a popular two-plate and an elastic strap design. Basically, your cards are sandwiched between two metal plates and elastic bands keep them in place. All of the wallets on this list follow that sandwich design, making them true Ridge Wallet alternatives. Let’s get into it.
Quick Note: You’ll notice I haven’t included any cheap-o Ridge knockoffs on this list. I’m not a fan of brands that straight-up copy another brand. If you want a Ridge, buy one. Don’t support knockoffs and people taking advantage of Ridge’s success. Instead, get a Ridge or a wallet that brings something new to the industry. I could rant about this all day, but I’ll leave it at that.
Jump to:
1. Axwell Aluminum Wallet
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- Stronger magnets
- It's a Fantastic value
- The Bolt Blue color is intense.
- Very Easy to swap cash strap for money clip
- Aluminum material is obvious and feels great.
- Large card capacity
- Clean design with NO screws
- Somewhat difficult to access cards
- A less mature design
- The vibrant color makes it difficult to mix and match.
- Dimensions: 0.31" by 3.39" by 2.13"
- RFID Blocking: Yes
- Card Capacity: 1 to 12
- Cash Organization: Strap & Clip Included
- Coin Storage: No
- Weight: 74 grams
If you just can’t bring yourself to purchase a Ridge Wallet but appreciate its utility, you don’t have to go any further than the Axwell Aluminum Wallet. It follows the same exact recipe as a Ridge but has a sandwich design. However, it made two major changes!
The first change, is that it removed the elastic band at the bottom of the wallet. This is nice, because you technically could remove cards out the bottom of the wallet if you wanted to.
However, the second biggest change is its removable plates. These plates are magnetized to the inner plates with some high-strength magnets (which also means a cleaner, screw-less design)! This means you can take the plates off at a moment’s notice and swap them out for a different color or design if you want!
It also means you can swap the cash strap for a money clip (I wouldn’t, but you can) without any tools at all (Ridge requires a screwdriver for this). Both of these options come with every wallet.
Now, these are some great enhancements to the sandwhich wallet design, so if you don’t want a Ridge, you’ll want to check this wallet out (Paid Link). Also, did I mention they are less expensive?
The only downside is that the magnetic plates add complication to a nearly perfectly minimalistic wallet. The wallet could have been thinner and more lightweight had they forgone the magnets, meaning if you don’t ever use the magnetic function, you have added weight and complication for nothing. Something to think about.
2. Aviator Wallet
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- Extremely high quality
- Great card capacity
- Easy access to card with pull strap
- Comes with coin tray
- Fabric pull strap is loud in your pocket
- Dimensions: 0.41" by 2.12" by 3.37"
- RFID Blocking: Yes
- Card Capacity: Up to 20 Cards (Chosen at Purchase)
- Cash Organization: Cash Strap
- Coin Storage: Yes
- Weight: 42.4 grams
Alright, if you are someone who likes the Sandwich wallet design (come on, you’re making me hungry) but wishes it worked a bit differently. You might want to look at the Aviator Wallet (which we actually sell now). While this maintains the two-plates-and-an-elastic-strap design, it adds one interesting feature: a pull strap!
One of the biggest issues with a Ridge Wallet is getting your cards out of the thing. At the same time, it may be an easy task to get the cards on the outer sides of the wallet out, but it’s difficult to get the inside.
Aviator has overcome this by making the cards come out vertically out of the wallet via a pull strap. You just pull upware on the strap, and out come your cards. Done with your card? Just push the cards back in, and the pull strap goes with it.
These wallets (by the way, my full review is here) are made of very, very high-quality metal and all-quality components, and they are made (and shipped from) Germany. It’s an impressive wallet for sure, especially because it comes with a coin tray in the box.
The major downside to this wallet, again, is that it adds a bit of complication to the wallet. If you are looking for true simplicity, this does take a bit of that away, but in the name of utility. So you have to weigh for yourself what you are looking for.
