Ekster Key Case Review: Minimalism at its BEST!

/ Daily Carry, Product Reviews / By

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I have recently been on a key organizer kick and have been trying out several different options on the market, so I can fully understand which is the best (I have also used KeySmart, Keyport, and soon-to-be KeyBar), and to help you out in finding the best key organizers on the market.

I had reached out to Ekster recently, as I wanted to try out their minimalist wallet (as a friend of mine had one, and liked it), and they sent me this Key Case with it, and I was stoked to try it out.

While Ekster sent me this Key Case free of charge, a review or article was not required, but I wanted to share my thoughts with you! All opinions are my own.

Why should you listen to me? I have been using key organizers for years (longer than this site has been around), and they are an essential part of daily-carry gear for me. I am trying to test out as many as possible to give you the best possible advice to see which is best for you. This is all hands-on experience. I have used this key organizer daily, along with many of its competitors.

Table Of Contents
  1. What is the Ekster Key Case?
  2. How is the Ekster Key Case different from the competition?
  3. Is the Ekster Key Case easy to install keys?
  4. Is the Key Case easy to use every day?
  5. What do I like best about the Ekster Key Case?
  6. What do I NOT like about the Key Case?
  7. Who is the Ekster Key Case for?
  8. Frequently Asked Questions
  9. Conclusion

What is the Ekster Key Case?

4.0
The Ekster Key Case is a minimalist take on the key organizer game rather than a fully customizable version. It features a leather strap that wraps around your keys and is held together with a single screw that keeps your key in place and organized.
Specifications:
  • Dimensions: .5" High by 1.2" Wide by 0.31" Deep
  • Capacity: 2 to 8 keys
  • Weight: Unknown
Pros:
  • High quality build
  • Very easy to use
  • Doesn't damage other items in pocket
  • Easy to install keys
Cons:
  • Not overly customizable
  • Smaller key capacity
See Price: Ekster Key Case
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How is the Ekster Key Case different from the competition?

Most other key organizers, such as the KeyPort Pivot 2.0 and the KeySmart Rugged, try to be a key organizer and a swiss army knife of accessories. 

Ekster takes a different route by keeping to its minimalist roots and designs simple and effective. The leather band looks great and has a leg up on the competition, as it doubles as a safeguard for the other items in your pocket.

Is the Ekster Key Case easy to install keys?

After using several key organizers, the Ekster Key Case is the easiest key organizer to install and remove keys and accessories from. 

While the Keyport Pivot 2.0 is a close second, the flexible leather strap on this organizer allows you to position the strap without moving the keys around and risking them falling out of the stack during installation.

You can easily add or remove keys with no issues, and I was able to install and remove keys onto this organizer this morning within a minute or two. That said, there are two issues I have had worth mentioning!

  1. The screw has a slight tendency to cross-thread. The screw should thread inwards smoothly; if you have any resistance, it might be cross-threaded, and you should not force it (instead, just back it out and try again).
  2. Do not use a screwdriver to insert the screw during installation; instead, use a quarter. I used a screwdriver when I first installed my keys, and the flathead caused some damage to the screw head (nothing serious, but just a warning to you).

Please Note: The images used in this article feature a pen and a multitool. These accessories are not from Ekster; instead, they are accessories from my Keyport Pivot 2.0 but are universal to most (if not all) key organizers. Below are some links to those if you would like to add them to your Ekster Key Case!

Is the Key Case easy to use every day?

This simplistic key organizer is straightforward to use every day. Once installed, your keys rotate out quickly and smoothly with no issues. 

Due to the flexible leather, it is easy to move it out of the way and find the exact key you want without it getting hidden behind metal plates. Outside of the one thing I don’t like about this key organizer (you’ll learn about that moment), this Key Case is easy to use and has a smooth operation.

What do I like best about the Ekster Key Case?

Every product has its upsides and downsides. Here are my favorite things about using the Ekster Key Case.

1. The leather strap looks great.

The leather strap that wraps around your keys on the Ekster Key Case makes it stand out from the other popular key organizers on the market. 

Not only is it functional (as we’ll talk about in a moment), but it also looks great. The leather is high quality, houses your keys well, and has a soft feel, rather than the hard metal that most other key organizers utilize.

2. This Key Case doesn’t damage my wallet.

I recently also started testing the Ekster Carbon Fiber Card Holder, and I quickly switched over to the Ekster Key Case so that I would know my new daily carry wallet wouldn’t get damaged. 

My Ridge Wallet (that I reviewed here) was used for over a year, and it did see wear and tear over that time (not a ton, but some) due to being in the same pocket as my key organizers. 

With the leather strap, I know that at least some damage won’t happen to my wallet.

3. The straightforward design makes it easy to use and install

It doesn’t get much more straightforward than two pieces of metal, a leather strap, and a screw for a key organizer’s build. However, in this case, it makes installing your key extremely easy. 

One of my biggest struggles with this key organizer (that I used for years) was that it was such a pain to install new keys that I found myself just not doing it and keeping other keys on the outside of the organizer. While the Keyport Pivot 2.0 that I tested out did a much better job of easing that pain, this Key Case from Ekster makes it more accessible.

What do I NOT like about the Key Case?

While I have enjoyed the Key Case from Ekster, it could be better. There is one single issue I have with it.

1. It doesn’t include a pocket clip.

What I appreciated most about my KeySmart Rugged and the KeyPort Pivot 2.0 is that they both had a pocket clip. These clips allow the key organizer to sit at the top of your pocket rather than living at the bottom. 

Without this feature, I have to dig around in my pocket, past my wallet and car keys (which causes extra bulk at the bottom of the pocket) to find the key organizer, rather than having easy and quick access that a pocket clip gives.

Who is the Ekster Key Case for?

The Ekster Key Case is not for the person that wants the swiss army knife of key organizers; rather, it is strictly meant to look and feel great while keeping your keys from being jumbled up in the bottom of your pocket and stabbing your leg. 

If you prefer minimalism over customization, the Key Case is for you. This organizer isn’t suitable if you want flexibility and are okay with the extra bulk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

While the Ekster Key Case may not have the customizations of the Keyport Pivot 2.0 or the rigidity of the KeySmart Rugged, it does hold to what Ekster is known for, simplicity and usability. 

This leather-wrapped key organizer feels excellent, is smooth to operate, and gives you everything you could want from a minimalist key organizer.

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