Are Slim Wallets Any Good? Pros, Cons and Who Should Switch

The short answer

Yes, slim wallets are good if you carry a few cards and little cash. They are easier to carry, easier to sit on and keep you to the essentials. They are a poor choice if you carry lots of cards, receipts and notes every day. The honest test is simple: if you can empty your current wallet and only miss a handful of items, a slim wallet will suit you.

The pros of a slim wallet

• It fits the pocket you want it to. A card holder about the size of a card sits flat in a front pocket, so it doesn't pull on your trousers or spoil the line of a jacket.
• It's comfortable to sit on. There's less to sit on, so a back pocket doesn't push you off balance. Our navy card holder is about 3 mm deep when empty.
• It stops the clutter. A wallet with four to ten slots makes you choose what to carry. Old receipts and cards you never use stop piling up.
• It's quicker to use. Fewer cards means you find the one you want faster.
• Less to lose. If it goes missing, there's less in it, and a lighter wallet is easier to keep track of.

The cons of a slim wallet

• Capacity is limited. That's the point, but it can catch you out if you routinely carry ten or more cards, a lot of cash or coins.
• No coin pocket. Our card holders don't take loose coins.
• Notes are folded. Most slim wallets take notes folded once or twice rather than flat. Our navy card holder has a central compartment for a few folded notes, and the saffiano card holder has a central notes compartment.
• It can feel like a change. Expect a week or so of adjusting to carrying less.

Who should switch (and who shouldn't)

Switch if you pay mostly by card or phone, you carry under ten cards, you want your wallet in a front pocket, or you're tired of a bulky back-pocket wallet.

Stay with a full-size wallet if you carry a lot of cash, receipts or coins every day. In that case a compact bifold, like our Black Saffiano Leather Bifold Wallet (118 × 89 × 24 mm closed, 6 card slots, 3 interior pockets and 2 notes sections), will serve you better. It isn't a slim wallet, and we don't pretend it is.

Not sure which? Our guide to [wallet or card holder] walks you through it.

A one-week test before you buy

You don't need to spend anything to find out if you're a slim-wallet person.

1. Take everything out of your wallet and put it on a table.

2. Put back only the cards you used in the last month (usually four to six), plus one bank note.

3. Carry only those for a week.

4. If you missed nothing important, choose a card holder. If you reached for something three times, you need more room: look at a larger card holder or a bifold.

If the test says yes, our Navy Blue Genuine Leather Card Holder (4 card slots plus a notes compartment) is the slim option, and our genuine leather wallets page shows the rest. For picks by budget and use, read best slim wallets for everyday use.

Slim wallet FAQs

Do slim wallets hold enough?

For most daily carry, yes: a few cards and a note. Our navy card holder holds 4 to 6 cards plus a few folded notes, and the black saffiano card holder holds 10 or more.

Are slim wallets comfortable to sit on?

Generally yes, because there is less in them. A card holder about 3 mm deep (empty) is far less noticeable than a thick, full bifold in a back pocket.

Are slim leather wallets durable?

Yes, if the leather is genuine and well stitched. Genuine saffiano and castello leather are durable, and the card holders have fewer folds than a bifold. Avoid wallets sold as "leather" that are PU or bonded leather.

What is the best slim wallet for a first try?

A card holder with four to six slots and a small notes compartment. Ours is the Navy Blue Genuine Leather Card Holder, in genuine castello leather.