What makes a quality wallet

Each of these slimmer wallets had the same basic elements: two or three card holder pockets on each side; a transparent window that lets you flash your ID without removing it; an inner space that can be used as a cash pocket or to stow a few more cards; RFID blocking on its card sleeve to block electronic pickpocketing of your credit and debit cards; and, in the case of the slightly pricier Zitahli, a magnetically attached money clip.

Though that company claims this money clip wallet can safely hold up to 25 bills, when I put just 10 folded bills into it, the magnets failed to connect. But my top choice overall is the shorter, wider Hammer Anvil; I don't mind that it lacks the ID window, which, for all of its practicality, I find tacky and not befitting of the top wallets for men or women, minimalist wallets are for all!

I also really like the Kinzd , which has a slightly broader design that separates it from the cookie-cutter field.

It has a terrific inner pocket -- which is closed on one side only, allowing you to open it up wide -- that comes together firmly with a satisfying magnetic snap. If James Bond carried a minimalist wallet, it would be Ekster's distinctive but pricey Parliament. The main compartment securely holds one card to five cards, which fan out of the top when you push the nifty eject button.

It must be noted that there are a fair number of Amazon reviews complaining about problems with the button. Concealed within the interior is an elastic band that holds money or additional cards.

And the genuine leather cover flap -- yes, technically, this could be called a bifold -- has two more slots for additional storage. There's yet another slot on the back, too. If you pack too much into a pocket, however, you risk perverting the mission of the minimalist wallet.

Note that Ekster also sells a solar-powered, voice-activated tracker card that can help you find a misplaced wallet. Vaultskin's tasteful Notting Hill wallet manages to cram a lot into a small package. The defining feature here is the zipper. For some, it will be a deal breaker -- for its bulk, or whatever it connotes, style-wise -- while others will find the security of a zippered compartment appealing for containing their credit and debit cards and money.

If you identify as pro-zipper, there's much to like. The exterior features three slots that can accommodate cards or money. A fourth hidden slot can store two or three more cards, which you can eject out the top using the genuine leather pull tab. The inside has two pouches, one of which snaps down, and a strap that can stow several more cards. There's also a small key hook. Though it says "London" on the packaging, this wallet is made in China.

Trayvax's Armored Summit Wallet delivers an appealing combination of ruggedness and extra features at a reasonable price point. It can hold up to seven cards and five bills, and like the Dango, it's built from sturdy materials -- steel and melonite, in this case -- in the US.

Also like the Dango, it has an integrated bottle opener. Still, Trayvax's buckling strap is a deal killer for me. It's nylon -- not elastic -- and I found it quite difficult to adjust when I needed to remove a few cards or make more room for additional money. Though technically a minimalist bifold wallet and not a sleeve, the Micro Wallet warrants inclusion here for its incredibly light weight. Made out of Tyvek -- the synthetic material used to wrap buildings during construction, which is also water resistant -- this bifold wallet weighs a mere quarter of an ounce.

You can park a few cards in each of its side pockets or slots, and the cash compartment will hold as many folded bills as you can cram in. Whether it's one dollar or a stack of 20s, however, this wallet will not stay closed when outside of your pocket. You can get these wallets on Amazon. But the company sells an array of quirky, distinctive designs on its own website.

Paperwallet guarantees the Micro Wallet for 30 days -- a shorter period than most other vendors. But I've been using mine for a couple of weeks and, so far, it's held up surprisingly well.

I'm curious to see how it does over the long haul, and will update this roundup in the future. Thread Wallets' Elastic resembles a fancy Ace bandage or compression sleeve. It's made of a stretchy material, and can easily hold 10 cards and some money. It also has a small key ring. Though it's billed as specifically "for women" -- and it was my year-old daughter's favorite of the bunch -- that seems a bit reductive.

This would also be an excellent wallet for men. The only drawback to this simple, stylish wallet is that the excess material on the interior bunches up into a lump -- a minor but considerable design blemish. Discover the latest news and best reviews in smartphones and carriers from CNET's mobile experts.

Think about how small you can go and try to go smaller. Get rid of the clutter, and you will discover more contentment. Leather is often used for minimalist wallets, but you can also find them crafted from synthetic leathers , fabric , and metal.

Some even come with RFID technology. The best minimalist wallet will save your lower back from the pain. Say goodbye to sitting on a brick for most of the day and say hello to lightweight organization.

The wallets listed here as the best minimalist wallets for men; they are clean, minimal, and simple while being heavy-duty and durable too. If you want a minimalist wallet, then aluminum is the way to go. Not only does this material hold its shape when you fill it with cards, but it also stops you from overfilling it, and helps you to choose the cards that you actually need to carry.

Along with being tough, this metal wallet features RFID technology. If you are worried about your identity or credit card information being stolen, then this wallet will stop any potential information thieves. The Ridge also has so much faith in their product, that they offer you a lifetime guarantee, something that we believe shows exactly how durable a product is. The longer the guarantee, the more durable the product tends to be.

The aluminum plating helps to keep the wallet slim, but you can still hold up to 12 cards, making it a functional and protective wallet. Not all minimalist wallets look this stylish. This wallet from Huskk is one of the best looking minimalist wallets that we have found.

It manages to bring some elegance while being functional and durable. The wallets are designed in the United Kingdom with most being made in the US. Of course, adding cards and cash is going to increase the thickness of the wallet but, even at capacity, this wallet is going to remain slim and elegant. There is RFID technology included, preventing someone from reading your cards while the wallet is in your pocket, protecting your identity.

There are a total of 3 pockets, and you can split up to 10 cards between them, including some cash. It is not often that companies can pull off minimalist bifold wallets, but Vaultskin manages it. This stylish wallet, that comes in 9 different colors, is durable, slim, and refined. Like any good protective wallet, this one comes with RFID blocking technology, preventing identity theft when the wallet is in your pocket.

You can hold up to 9 cards in the wallet, with 1 in the front pocket and 8 on the inside; it is in the inside pocket where they will be protected by the RFID technology.

The wallet folds up to 4. The luxurious top-grain Italian leather has a look and a feel that is sublime, and you will be hard-pressed to find anything as luxurious at this price.

The stitching helps to reinforce the edges and adds to the overall look and feel of the wallet. Sometimes you need something with just a little bit more to it. You still want the organization and minimization of the minimalist wallets, and you also want superior materials, but sometimes life throws more at you than the average wallet can handle. That is where tactical wallets come in. From heavy-duty construction work to the great outdoors, there is a great need for a wallet that is extra durable without losing any of its functionality.

Tactical wallets will help you to organize your life, but they also offer more. Every square inch of a tactical wallet has been designed and crafted to bring you added functionality. From bottle openers and blades to tools and RFID -blocking technology, there is almost nothing that these wallets cannot do. These wallets are heavy-duty and sturdy, feature weatherproofing, have multitools, and overall are the most durable wallets out there; great if you find yourself in a pinch.

Manufactured in the USA, this wallet is built around a metal core made from aerospace-grade aluminum. The wallet hides a suite of tactical tools in the aluminum core, which can be removed. Some of the included tools are a bottle opener, two rope tensioners, a chisel, two wrenches, a seatbelt cutter, and two cutting edges. The actual body of the wallet is made from high-quality leather, which acts as a sheath for the metal core.

But do not let the size fool you: there is plenty of space inside. You can store up to 16 cards plus cash, and thanks to the RFID blocking design, you can be sure your credit cards are secure. The design is bifold, but includes a number of pockets and clear windows for easier access to ID and other cards. If you want a sturdy yet fashionable wallet that can save your life in a pinch, this might just be the tactical wallet for you. Looking for a durable and secure wallet to pair with a new outfit?

The sleek profile perfectly suits your everyday getups and adds a touch of style. And because it is metal, RFID wavelengths are interrupted and cannot read the chip on your credit cards.

The frame also includes a clip for attaching a lanyard, so you can make sure the wallet cannot be pickpocketed. Measuring at 4. The small size means it fits perfectly into a jacket or blazer breast pocket. You can slip 12 cards inside with ease, and a silicone band helps hold in your cash while keeping it flat. The wallet comes with a camo-patterned ballistic nylon exterior by default, but a number of other colours are available, such as subtle imitation leather exteriors.

This is an excellent tactical wallet for taking out on the town while retaining the security of other such wallets. Tactical wallets do not need to be crafted from metals and carbon fibers, and this fabric wallet is proof of that. This is a trifold wallet, so you are going to get a lot of space inside at the expense of minimalism.

There is a choice of colors, and the American flag is emblazoned on the front. When the wallet is closed, its dimensions are 4. There really is a generous amount of space for all of your belongings. In fact, there are 18 separate compartments and pockets.

You also have a non-stick ID window, zippered pocket, media card storage, and velcro flap. It still has all it's natural markings and texture. We love this! Top-grain leather: This is also a high quality leather, the only difference between full-grain, and top-grain, is that the top-grain started as full-grain, and had a little bit of the top layer sanded off to remove some of the scarring and imperfections and might have had some of the bottom removed to make it slightly thinner and more pliable.

Genuine leather: Genuine leather is the bottom layer of leather opposite the outside layer. Genuine leather did come from a cow, but it's the weakest part of the leather torn off the bottom of full-grain leather.

It's not very durable and falls apart very easily. To make genuine leather look like full-grain leather, companies will often texturize it with a steel roller and then lacquer it with a plastic coating to fool you. Bonded leather: In some countries and states it's not even legal to call this "leather". Bonded leather is made by grinding up scraps of leather together with leather dust and then gluing it all back together. Just like the genuine leather they will texturize it with a steel roller and then lacquer it with a plastic coating so you think it's full-grain.

You also need to understand thread. There are basically three choices: cotton, nylon, and polyester. Cotton is by far the cheapest, and breaks and falls apart very easily. Nylon and Polyester are both quality synthetic threads and have pros and cons depending on the specific application. Nylon is more water resistant, and polyester is more UV resistant. If you understand the different types of leather grades, and thread types you can look more closely at the below photos of the department store wallet.