I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
One day, a while back, I was perusing Ridge’s website (as one does), and all of a sudden, I saw a wallet I didn’t recognize. The brand is well known for creating different variations of the same wallet they have since 2013, and they have never deviated from their standard credit card-sized sandwich wallet. However, here it was, a not-credit card-sized wallet that was actually smaller than a credit card.
Well, that, of course, is this Ridge Wallet Lite, which, even though its main competition is a rubber band, is actually a fantastic wallet. Thankfully, the brand was more than happy to gift me one of these new wallets at my request, and I’m able to tell you everything you need to know about it! Including what I like, what I don’t like, and exactly who this wallet is for.
Jump to:
What is the Ridge Wallet Lite?
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- Incredibly easy to access your outside two cards
- Doesn’t add much bulk to your pocket
- It’s built with the same quality as the other wallets
- Cards in your pocket are more prone to damage
- It’s considerably more expensive than the competition
Alright, let’s talk about the (tiny) elephant in the room, because you are probably thinking about it anyways! Who asked for such a small wallet? Well, its going after all those people that use a rubber band as a way to keep their cards and cash to together. It essentially is two small metal plates that are held together via an elastic strap, and thats about it.
If you truly asked for a “minimalist” wallet, this would be it. There isn’t any dedicated cash storage, no pull straps, and nothing that you don’t need. Instead, its two plates and an elastic strap can hold up to eight cards at a time. Want a place to put a bit of cash? I just put them inside of the bundle of cards.
While I, just like you, thought this all seemed a bit ridiculous (considering it’s about $44.98 more than the alternative), I have found it to be a competent wallet that is for more people than you’d think.
What do I like about this tiny minimalist wallet?
1. Incredibly easy to access your outside two cards
The Ridge Lite is the exact opposite of the standard Ridge wallet (you can see my review of that here) when it comes to ease of access to your cards. One of the biggest complaints I have (and it seems most users) is that it is a bit too difficult to get cards out of a standard Ridge; you have to push out the cards from a notch and then pull them out and fan them out to get to your cards.
Now, when it comes to the Ridge Lite (Paid Link) because the top and bottom of your cards are open to the elements, I can easily slide the cards from the front or back out with one hand not being used at all. I just held the wallet in my palm and slid it out with my thumb.
It’s so incredibly easy and is one of the few wallets I’ve ever used where that is possible. Impressive, to say the least.
2. Doesn’t add much bulk to your pocket
So what happens when you cut an already minimalist wallet down in size? You get even less bulk. While it may seem like a minimal change in bulk to the wallet at first glance, I found it quite noticeable in usage. I noticed I felt like I had quite a bit less in my pocket, and it was easier to keep everything in there (such as my key organizer and fob) without it getting quite as bulky as before.
3. It’s built with the same quality as the other wallets
I have far too many wallets right now (close to 40 of them at the moment), and over time, I have started to get a good idea of what a high-quality wallet feels like. I can generally tell the first time I pick a wallet up, whereas, in terms of quality, it is in comparison to all of the other wallets in my collection.
Ridge has always stood near the top of my list. Sure, Ridge may be an imported product, but it stands as being of higher quality than many of the USA-made wallets I’ve also reviewed. The edges are beveled just right, the paintwork is durable and high quality, and it feels smooth (not gritty) when you slide your cards into the wallet. The Ridge Wallet Lite is no different here!
What do I NOT like about this wallet?
1. Cards in your pocket are more prone to damage
Alright, having the cards poking out of each end of the Ridge Lite may make it more compact and easier to access the cards. However, its major downside is damage to your cards. Either end of your cards is, unfortunately, exposed to whatever is in your pocket!
This means that your car’s key fob, key organizer, loose change, and more are all rubbing up against your cards, causing damage to them for days on end. While I personally don’t care that much about it, I’ve found this bothers a lot of people and is something you probably should think through before deciding between this wallet or its bigger brother.
2. It’s considerably more expensive than the competition
As I alluded to earlier in this article, the Ridge Wallet Lite doesn’t have much competition on the market outside of a rubber band. Considering a quick glance online, it appears a 600-pack of rubber bands is $9.95 or so, which means each rubber band is rounded up to 2 cents. This means that Ridge’s $50 MSRP of this product is 249,900% higher than its primary competition. That’s a hard pill to swallow, I would say.
Who is the Ridge Wallet Lite for?
The Ridge Wallet Lite (Paid Link) is for that person that wants to cut dramatically down on the bulk in their pockets. It’s the true minimalist that needs this wallet. It’s also for that person that normally would just utilize a rubber band, but finds they would prefer to not look like a cheapo in line at Starbucks.
Who is it not for? That person doesn’t care if they use a rubber band to keep their cash and cards together. They say, “Stink on your world.” I do what I want with my cards and cash. I’d rather spend two cents than $50 for something that does the same task.
Where should you buy it?
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- Incredibly easy to access your outside two cards
- Doesn’t add much bulk to your pocket
- It’s built with the same quality as the other wallets
- Cards in your pocket are more prone to damage
- It’s considerably more expensive than the competition
