I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Certain pieces of gear set themselves apart as something that makes a larger difference than others. I am generally most excited about products I use daily, such as key organizers, phones, and especially wallets. That is why I was so excited the Christmas before last to be gifted a Matte White Ridge Wallet! I had always wanted one. However, near the $100 price point took a lot of work to justify.
After a year of using my Ridge Wallet, I wanted to put together a comprehensive review from someone who has used the wallet extensively. I will discuss what accessories you should get, if the wallet is worth it or overpriced, and why this wallet is so expensive. Stay tuned for all this and more!
Quick Note: This article was originally posted a year after ownership, however I have regularly updated this article since posting.
Table of Contents
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- Easy access to your most-used cards
- It looks awesome
- Extremely durable
- You can't make it bloated.
- Compact sizing
- More difficult to access lesser-used cards
- It could hold a bit more cash.
- 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)
How is a Ridge Wallet different from an everyday wallet?
I have used bi-fold wallets in my back pocket, and front-pocket wallets for most of my life. Both of these have done their job. However, they have quickly become bloated, and when this happens, it becomes difficult to get to the cards, and you start to damage the wallet to use it in the intended way.
The Ridge Wallet encourages you to remove all those receipts, loyalty cards, and other junk you never use and only include the items you need the most. Once done, you may have between 8 and 12 cards in your new wallet and carry your cash on either the cash strap or the money clip (depending on your choice). In my case, I have the cash strap, and this quickly has become my recommendation.
What do I like about the Ridge Wallet?
1. Easy access to your most-used cards
This wallet has a learning curve. You will find yourself adjusting the order of your cards, figuring out how to slide individual cards out by feel, and more over the first week or two. However, once you get used to this wallet, you can quickly access the most used cards without looking at the wallet.
I recommend placing your two most used cards on the outside edges of the wallet, and from there, you can quickly push both of those individual cards out with the indent on the bottom of the wallet. With the remainder of the cards, you will remove them and sort through them as needed.
2. It looks awesome
If you have ever unboxed an iPhone (I currently use an iPhone 15 Pro), you are familiar with what it feels like to unbox a Ridge Wallet. Not only is the experience fantastic, but the wallet continues to feel great in your hands from then on. They took excellent care to ensure that you are greeted with quality every time you use your wallet.
Now, I have the white version in hand. However, you can opt for various color variations, material options (including carbon fiber, wood and even gold), and face plates. You can make it exactly how you want it and even equip it with plenty of different accessories.
3. Extremely durable
Most wallets tend to fall apart, whether it be stitching falling out, creases causing cracks, or fabric just wearing out and getting dirty to the point you are ready to throw it away.
In the year I used my Ridge Wallet, I have been pleased to find that it doesn’t wear out. Sure, there are nicks in the paint from getting hit constantly by key organizers like my Keyport Pivot 2.0 (I reviewed that here).
However, the strap has retained its elasticity, and the metal and face plate are going nowhere soon. It should also be mentioned that the Ridge Wallet carries a lifetime warranty on anything on the wallet itself (you can see its warranty policy here).
4. You can’t make it bloated
Every guy can agree that if you have space in your wallet, you will fill it up with receipts and old gift cards with a 15-cent balance. The Ridge Wallet doesn’t have pockets, and it doesn’t care that you want to put more stuff in it. Instead, it forces you to think through the essential items and allows you to keep them there.
While many may think this is a downside, it has completely changed how I feel about my wallet and allows me to keep my pockets down to a minimal size. While my bifold wallets used to hurt my back (a front-pocket wallet fixed this issue), the Ridge Wallet has kept me from carrying around years of junk.
5. Compact sizing
Building on the other items above, I appreciate how compact my Ridge Wallet is (2 ounces, and 86mm wide by 54mm deep by 6 mm high). With its small size and rounded corners, you will forget the wallet is even in your pocket.
What do I NOT like about the Ridge Wallet?
1. More difficult to access lesser-used cards
While accessing your most used cards may be straightforward, it can be quite a pain to get to your lesser-used cards. To access any cards outside of the two cards on outside of the stack, you need almost wholly remove the whole stack of cards, sift through them, and then put them back into the Ridge Wallet.
Removing the cards is on the clunky side, and I have once or twice dropped a couple of cards while trying to get the card I needed. That said, if you are anything like me, you likely only use two cards regularly (even if you don’t think you do), and this is something that only happens sometimes. One company I can think of that does this slightly better is Ekster (that I’ve had plenty of experience to, thanks to the brand gifting me one a long time ago), which I have a full comparison here!
2. It could hold a bit more cash.
One of the main upsides of a bifold wallet is that it can hold plenty of cash! While the use of paper money is becoming less and less common, this means that when I receive cash, I end up putting it into my cash strap and then not using it.
This can cause my wallet to get bigger, and the possibility of the cash sliding out of the wallet increases.
Are ridge wallets worth it, or is it overpriced?
Paying almost $100 for something that holds the rest of your money can be a tough pill to swallow. However, after a year of ownership, I would have no problem paying that to repurchase this wallet.
The Ridge Wallet is a high-quality, pocket-changing, ultimate everyday-carry gear that everyone should try. You quickly find that you do not need a larger wallet and instead feel like you can quickly get to what you need most in your wallet.
Who is the Ridge Wallet for?
The Ridge Wallet is for anyone looking to simplify and minimize how much stuff they have in their pockets. It has been an enormous benefit to me in these areas! However, remember this is an expensive wallet, so it is only for some people looking to save a few bucks on their wallet purchase.
Thoughts on accessories
1. Money Clip vs. Cash Strap
I recommend the cash strap for most people. Money Clips restrict how much cash you carry, and I find them annoying to have in your pocket. On the other hand, the cash strap evens out the money in your pocket and makes your wallet more cohesive.
2. Should you get the Cavity Tray?
Along with my Ridge Wallet, I was gifted the cavity tray to go along with it. I would not recommend purchasing this accessory, as I could not find a good use for it, making it impossible to fit all of my cards in the wallet without stretching it out. Coins roll around in the cavity tray and clink while you walk, and keys don’t fit quite right and are better organized in a key organizer
Why is Ridge Wallet so expensive?
The Ridge Wallet is surprisingly simple, which might leave you believing that it is not worth the price you pay. While I think the materials included in the wallet are less than $10, it is evident that research and development were painstakingly taken when creating it.
Small things like a slight angle where you input your cards mean you can easily slide cards into the wallet without an issue. Quality bands are used, so they don’t stretch out, and you lose cards or cash. Everything seems to be well thought out, with nothing left undone.
Ultimately, the Ridge Wallet is not expensive because of its materials, but the fact that it is worth it to change how you use wallets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cards does a ridge wallet hold?
Ridge Wallets can hold up to 12 cards. Added accessories like the cavity tray restricts the number of cards it can carry, so beware when shopping for additional items to use with your wallet.
Do cards fall out of Ridge Wallet?
I have never had a card fall out of my Ridge Wallet, and the bands hold up to the test of time without issues.
Do Ridge wallets stretch out?
Bands on Ridge Wallets do not stretch out over time! However, if you have a defective unit and a band stretches out, you can utilize Ridge Wallet’s lifetime warranty.
Conclusion
The Ridge Wallet is, by far, my favorite wallet out right now. It completely changed how I think about wallets, and their quality and engineering match the price you pay.
If you want to change things up and move away from a bulky wallet, consider switching to a Ridge Wallet.
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
