Ridge Wallet vs Bellroy Card Sleeve (Is Leather or Metal Better?)

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There aren’t two minimalist wallets that are more different from each-other than the Ridge Wallet and the Bellroy Card Sleeve. One is built from two metal plates with an elastic strap, the other is a soft leather build. However, what they both do is effectively carry cash and cards – and not much else. I’ve had a chance to spend quite a bit of time with both wallets at this point, and it’s time to decide which one is best.

Thank you, Bellroy, for gifting their card sleeve for me to check out, and while the Ridge I talk about in this article was gifted to me by my wife, the brand has sent me other products to test out as well. However, I’m never afraid to give the upsides and downsides of any product sent out to me.

What is the Ridge Wallet?

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4.5

Pros:

• Easy access to your most-used cards
• It looks awesome
• Extremely durable
• You can't make it bloated.
• Compact sizing

Cons:

• More difficult to access lesser-used cards
• It could hold a bit more cash.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 0.24" by 3.39" by 2.13"
• RFID Blocking: Yes
• Card Capacity: 1 to 12
• Cash Organization: Strap or Money Clip
• Coin Storage: No (accessory available)
• Weight: 59 - 87 grams (depending on material)

Paid Link to Ridge.com

Read My Full Review

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Unless you have just started your minimalist wallet journey and research, you probably have bumped into Ridge. They are the biggest name in the industry, and for good reason! Their wallets offer what I call a two-plates-and-an-elastic-strap design (some people call it a sandwich wallet), which can hold up to 12 cards on the interior of the wallet. You can then also choose either a cash strap or a money clip at the time of purchase (some of their higher-end offerings send both), and that’s about it.

While it may be a simple design, it’s extremely effective, with the only real downside being that getting to the internal cards (any other than the other two cards) can be a bit of a challenge and, of course, their high price point. While the wallet in this article is their basic white option, there are plenty of other colors and materials available for the outer plates.

What is the Bellroy Card Sleeve?

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4.4

$90.86

Pros:

• Easy access to my most used cards
• Reliable access to lesser-used cards
• Leather build
• Attention to detail
• Worry-free cash storage
• Compact sizing

Cons:

• Larger than some competitors
• I miss fanned-out cards

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 4.05" High by 2.79" Wide
• RFID Blocking: No
• Card Capacity: 2 to 8
• Cash Organization: Rear Facing Cash Slot
• Coin Storage: No
• Weight: Unknown

Paid Link to Bellroy

Read My Full Review

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On the opposite side of the minimalist wallet spectrum, we have the Bellroy Card Sleeve! This is a completely leather build, where you are able to store up to eight cards, along with some cash in one exterior sleeve and an additional easy-access card on the other side. The cards on the interior of the wallet are removed by pulling a little strap, which pulls the whole bunch out the top, rather than having to pry them out with the tips of your fingers.

You can store a reasonable amount of cash in one of the outer two slots of the wallet, and you can choose from a couple different color options on the wallet.

1. Value (Winner: Bellroy)

When it comes down to it, both wallets do exactly the same thing, they hold cards and cash, and both are awesome choices. Because of that, the Bellroy wins out as the better value! The MSRP on the Bellroy is $55 (at the time of writing) and the base MSRP of a Ridge Wallet is nearly double, at $95. However, value isn’t always the only thing you should pay attention to.

2. Styling & Aesthetics (Winner: Ridge Wallet)

Ultimately, this is in the eye of the beholder, as both are so incredibly different. While I personally prefer the feel of the Bellroy in my pocket and hand better than the Ridge, the Ridge easily wins out for me in this department.

The Ridge can be purchased in so many different colors, designs, etc, meaning you can pick and choose how you want it to look. I have both the white on in the picture above, but also their Aurora Carbon Fiber (which they gifted to me recently) and its stood out as one of the best looking wallets I’ve ever used.

That’s not to say that the Bellroy Card Sleeve isn’t a great looking wallet, as it is! The Hazelnut color that I have is by far my favorite version, as it has a classic yet modern feel to it.

3. Build Quality (Winner: Tie)

I don’t enjoy giving a tie in these comparison articles, however these two wallets are so different, but both so nice, that there isn’t any way around it here. The leather on the Bellroy is top notch, and I have no doubt it will look nicer as it ages.

On the flipside, everything is incredibly refined with the Ridge Wallet. I’ve never had screws back out; everything is beveled (so you don’t cut yourself), and it’s extremely resistant to damage.

Now, I have no doubt that as the two wallets age, the Bellroy will look nicer; however, when it comes to build quality, they are both fantastic.

4. Card capacity (Winner: Ridge Wallet)

The Bellroy Card Sleeve maxes out at eight cards, while the Ridge Wallet (in all variations) offers a twelve-card capacity. This very much makes the Ridge win out in this category.

In fact, the only real downside I found with the Bellroy Card Sleeve, and why I don’t use it as much as I used to, was because I tried to stuff too many cards and cash into the wallet for a period, and it ended up stretching the leather out, and since it doesn’t have an elastic structure like the Ridge, it hasn’t gone back into its original size, and now my cards like to shake around.

5. Durability (Winner: Bellroy)

While I have no doubt that both of these wallets will function correctly for years and years, and they both have the warranty to back them up, I do think that Bellroy’s aesthetics will last longer and be overall more durable. The paint on the Ridge does start to wear after years of spending time with keys, sliding across your desk, or just being dropped. There is only so much paint on top of the silver metal before it starts to shine through.

Meanwhile, the leather on the Bellroy will only age more and more with time, and I have no doubt it will continue to look better. All of the stitching seems fantastic, and I have no worries about it breaking and unraveling.

6. Overall Usability (Winner: Ridge Wallet)

Even after all these years and having something like 20+ wallets to choose from on a daily basis, I still find myself choosing the Ridge wallets (Paid Link). They are simple, durable, easy to use, and I know exactly what I’m going to get. However, if I really want that leather feel in my pocket (no hard edges), the Bellroy is the obvious next choice for me.

That said, just because of that, the Ridge has become the most usable wallet, not only in comparison to the Bellroy but almost any wallet I own.

7. Warranty & Returns (Winner: Ridge Wallet)

The Ridge Wallet offers a lifetime warranty on all of their wallets, along with a 99 day return policy. As for Bellroy? They offer a 3-year warranty, and a 30 day return policy. The obvious winner between these two products is Ridge!

Now, it should be mentioned that while the wallet is Ridge’s main product, Bellroy’s main products are generally their bags, covers, etc. So, the lower return policy and warranty tend to make sense.

Who are these wallets for? (Final Verdict)

If you want to dip your toes into the minimalist wallet lifestyle but can’t leave your leather alone, the Bellroy Card Sleeve will 100% be THE BEST choice out there. It’s a fantastic wallet that does everything that you want but nothing that you don’t.

However, for just about anyone else, who isn’t tied to leather, you should just get the Ridge (Paid Link). Its reliable, easy to use, and you can choose the exact color and design that works best for you.

Where should you buy these wallets?

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