Best wallet ever
I’m not much of a back pocket wallet guy. Used to be, but then I got a Levenger money clip wallet thing a few years ago and fully made the switch to any-pocket-but-the-back-pocket wallet carrying. The Levenger money clip didn’t last nearly long enough, and then they quit selling it. I bounced around a few different wallets for a while, some traditional some not. For a little over a year I kept buying and wearing out those plastic cardholders just to keep my cards, while I kept my cash in a pocket.
I’ve kept an eye out for a good small wallet for a while–found a few, and really considered the Jimi for a while. I never made the leap with the Jimi because I didn’t really like the idea of a truly fixed capacity. All wallets have a finite capacity, of course, but the Jimi is made of plastic that just doesn’t really expand. So the limit is the limit, and there’s no squeezing just one more card/receipt/whatever in there.
At some point I ran across the All-Ett and I remember thinking it looked interesting. Then a few months later I ran across it again at this 43Folders post and figured I’d just try it out. I ended up buying both the classic All-Ett, and the Junior Billfold. For me, the Junior is just the ticket–I still haven’t taken the classic All-Ett out of the package. The Junior carries a bunch of cards and the way it’s built makes four cards (top and bottom on each side) really easy to access. It carries money and receipts quite nicely, too.
Some folks have complained that the All-Ett is loud. That is to say, it’s made of a ripstop nylon sailcloth and it’s kinda crinkley for a while. It wears off (either that, or I’ve gotten used to it…probably a little of both). The Junior just isn’t that bad, though the classic version is about double the size, so I guess it’d have double the crinkley-ness. Anyway, I’m sold–it’s All-Etts for me from now on.
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5 opinions for Best wallet ever
Blaine
Jul 15, 2006 at 11:51 am
I ended up with a small stack of replacement wallets as they seemed the gift of choice when I was a groomsman in a wedding. Such that I don’t carry much cash with me, the (both leather) wallets have proven sturdy and dependable. Well, the first wallet did die when I washed it. ‘guess wallets aren’t made to tackle Tide (with Bleach Alternative)…
Marc Orchant
Jul 16, 2006 at 6:45 am
Bren - I ordered a classic to give it a try. I’ve been using just my GTD NoteTaker wallet and it’s a bit overstuffed with four cards, a few BCs and some currency. Hopefully this will handle the cards and currency.
Bren
Jul 16, 2006 at 1:14 pm
@Marc: I hadn’t thought of using the classic as a place to store 3×5 cards. I’ve got my unused classic in hand right now, and it looks like it’s a great solution for that. The currency pocket is actually bifurcated by a piece of sailcloth running the long length of the open wallet so that, when closed, there are essentially four sections where cards could fit.
Should work out well for you, but I’d be curious to hear about your experience.
Brandon
Jul 16, 2006 at 7:02 pm
I bought my first wallet when I was 13 when I had finally accumulated enough allowance money to justify one. Now, 16 years later, I still use that same wallet. At first I didn’t need a new one, then I couldn’t be bothered to buy a new one, then lastly I refused to buy a new one on the grounds of sentimentality. This green Eagle Creek baby may no longer have functioning velcro or zippers and it may also be severely discoloured from years of dirt, water and abuse, but it’s mine and I’m not giving it up.
My Eagle Creek has carried over 20 different currencies, dozens of different bank or credit cards, countless loyalty cards (subway, wagamama, etc etc), a go-yen coin and all manners of receipts, phone numbers and notes.
I WILL NEVER REPLACE IT!
Nathan Bowers
Jul 17, 2006 at 12:28 am
I like my All-Ett billfold, but the darn credit card pockets don’t have enough friction to keep cards in. If you have less than about 6 cards per pocket, all your cards tend to fall out at the worst times. The smaller card holder model is much better.