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Turning to award-winning experience for a wallet alternative

CODEOFBELL are no strangers to slings, making a name for themselves with award-winning designs that bring innovative functionality to daily and travel settings alike. Now they’re building on their design experience with the ANNEX 360 Wallet Sling. As the name suggests, it’s a clever hybrid. A wallet that carries like a sling. But it’s more than both of these. A design that goes beyond wallet essentials to store small EDC items too. And a piece that offers multiple carry options beyond sling mode.

Finding a multifunctional balance

The ANNEX 360 Wallet Sling is designed to be an extension of your pockets. A wallet with increased capacity and useful organization to securely carry a range of EDC items, while still remaining compact and portable. The design offers a total of five pockets to neatly and securely store your gear. First, three separate pockets within the main compartment, accessed via a single zipper. The left and right pockets are great for cards and folded cash, while the shallower top pocket is useful for coins or other small items.

Next, a separate dome-shaped pocket is located on the front of the ANNEX 360 Wallet Sling. The dome shape provides space for a variety of EDC items such as car keys, earbuds, a mask, or other gear you want close at hand. On the rear you’ll find a fifth pocket, useful for frequently used cards or ID.

The CODEOFBELL ANNEX 360 Wallet Sling offers much more space and organization than traditional minimalist wallets. Sure, it won’t fit in your pocket. But you get far more versatility than a super-minimalist wallet offers. Large enough to carry additional EDC items beyond cards and cash, yet small enough to not weigh you down, it’s a piece that fills the gap between wallet and day bag very well. A piece that will let you get away with not carrying a larger bag for many outings, yet keep your pockets uncluttered and still allow you to have essentials at the ready.

Beyond pocket carry, but still portable

While it won’t fit in your pocket, the CODEOFBELL ANNEX 360 Wallet Sling remains compact and easily portable thanks to a range of different carry options.

The primary carry mode is crossbody as a sling courtesy of the removable shoulder strap. But you can really get creative with your carry to suit a range of preferences and settings. Remove the strap and turn the ANNEX 360 upside down to create a pouch that can be attached to your belt or a larger bag.

You can alternate between the included snap hook or webbing to secure it to a belt or bag. It even has shoulder strap attachment points to secure it to the strap of a larger bag.

A magnetic-release keychain on the end of the shoulder strap provides added carry versatility. And when it’s not in use, you can secure it to the snap hook or included clamp to avoid loose strap webbing.

An optional ANNEX STRAP KIT is also available, which features a padded and adjustable shoulder strap, a padded and adjustable wrist strap, and a chest stabilizer strap. The padded shoulder strap also includes a magnetic-release keychain, as well as an emergency whistle in the buckle. The ANNEX STRAP KIT is also compatible with CODEOFBELL’s other ANNEX bags. 

Quality materials with minimalist aesthetics

A piece designed to be carried every day needs to handle the daily grind and whatever the weather might have in store. The CODEOFBELL ANNEX 360 Wallet Sling offers confidence on this front. Built with tough X-Pac fabric and water-resistant YKK AquaGuard zippers, it will take the scuffs and scrapes of daily carry in its stride, while shedding the elements with ease.

Inside you’ll find a high-vis orange lining; great for making the contents more visible so you can quickly retrieve what you need. Inbuilt RFID-blocking protection and a snap button on the main compartment zipper pulls add extra peace of mind too.

The wallet sling’s durable, weatherproof build is complemented by understated aesthetics. This piece can transition from daily urban settings to travel environments, but is tough and compact enough for the trail too. On the zipper pulls you’ll find discreet embossed logos, while a small label on the rear marks the only other branding. There are no visible logos or flashy branding. Sleek and tastefully tough, it does a great job blending dependable durability with low-key, adaptable aesthetics.

Slinging beyond traditional wallets

The CODEOFBELL ANNEX 360 Wallet Sling is in a niche of its own. A compact sling, a multifunctional wallet, a small pouch organizer, a belt bag…its versatility is impressive. It keeps your daily essentials secure yet accessible on the go, while its compact form, multiple carry options, and minimalist aesthetics allow it to accompany you wherever you go. If you’re keen to find out more, check out CODEOFBELL’s Kickstarter campaign to see the ANNEX 360 Wallet Sling in action.

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And today, we’re reviewing their Dapper Pen Wallet in Whiskey Brown and the brand-new limited edition 007 themed edition, with gorgeous black leather and an anodized gold aluminum chassis. 

I often need a pen; I usually carry a cheap one in my bag as I often lose them, but this wallet has a small pen held along the spine and includes a small notebook inside. I attend several expos a year and find the need to write a quick note with a vendor or about a potential client, so having a small notebook and pen handy is essential.

Who It Suits

If you like unique design and are a minimalist carry when it comes to cards, this would be a great choice. The chassis of the wallet is aluminum, so it does take up a bit of room, but it also allows for a rigid back when using the notebook. I carry 5-7 cards and my ID, which is about half the amount Dango claims it can hold. The wallet ends up being slightly larger than I would prefer, but the ability to have the notebook and pen around is worth it. 

Who It Doesn’t

If you tend to carry every card known to man, or stuff in receipts, photos, and all sorts of things, this wallet is not for you. Even with a pen and notebook, one could consider this a minimalist wallet. 

If you carry your wallet in your back pocket, then the hard frame is a bad time when you sit down.

The Good

The build quality of the wallet is outstanding. The leather mixed with the CNC’d aluminum chassis makes for a long-lasting and good-looking wallet. The pen is refillable, so you can keep it for the life of your wallet and beyond. They did a fantastic job with the pen slot on the spine. During my time using this wallet, there was never a time where the pen got loose and fell out.

It has has a few handy extra tricks, like a bottle opener for when you need to crack an ale, and Dango’s MT02 & MT03 Multi-Tools (sold separately) also slip inside to give you extra functions like Hex bits, chisel, a phone stand and more, so you can notch up your preparedness.

The wallet is also TSA compliant. I had no issues with security when I traveled with the D01. The other benefit is that the wallet is RFID-blocking so you can carry and maintain peace of mind. 

Not So Good

There was the occasional time where the tip of the pen cap could get uncomfortable if the wallet adjusted wrong in my pocket. Other than that, I have not had any issues or complaints with the wallet, notebook, or pen. I liked the Dapper Brown colorway so much that I picked up the 007 edition as well. 

As I stated up top, this is a hard case wallet, so it isn’t comfortable to sit on, and does stand out in your front pocket with a bit of bulk, so if you want to keep your wallet placement subtle or discreet, then this probably isn’t the right option for you.

Verdict

If you are in the market for a unique, well-built minimalist wallet, check out the Dango lineup. The D01 Pen Wallet is an excellent option if you find yourself needing to jot something down on the go. The quality and design are outstanding, and the fact that Dango Products are made in the USA makes this a great product. 

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Gear List:

Arc Company The Bolder Wallet
Victorinox SwissCard Lite Multi-Tool
Distil Union Wally Micro Wallet
Tile Slim Tracker
Bellroy Card Pocket Wallet
Pocket Tripod Pro
Carved Wood+Resin Alloy Wallet
Lever Gear Toolcard Pro Multi-Tool
Chrome Industries Zip Wallet
KableCARD KC7

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Well, you can with the BOND Travel Gear Travel Wallet.

All-in-one for adventure and about town 

The BOND Travel Gear Travel Wallet is a great travel companion, ensuring your small items are tidy and easily accessible when you need them, while safely secured when you don’t. But it goes beyond the travel realm, stepping into the world of EDC organization too.

Its versatile design offers excellent value for money, letting you store travel items one day and daily essentials the next.

Pick a pocket, any pocket

The key to keeping on top of your gear is rummage-free storage. The BOND Travel Gear Travel Wallet does this with multiple interior and exterior pockets, so quick-access items are close to hand and valuables can enjoy added security inside the zippered main compartment. The outside of the wallet offers both front and back pockets, useful for the likes of pens, cables, tickets or tools.

Inside you’ll find card slots, a mesh pocket, as well as a passport pocket. And with RFID-blocking fabric you can keep precious data out of the wrong hands. As an added benefit, the wallet also includes an A6 pocket notebook featuring dot grid Tomoe River 68 gsm paper. The travel wallet protects the notebook against the elements and abrasion, so you don’t need to worry about rips or rain ruining your important notes.

A carry chameleon

To get the most out of your gear, it needs to work in a variety of environments. In addition to functionality, aesthetics play a large part here too. With its low-key aesthetics, the BOND Travel Gear Travel Wallet has you well covered. It blends easily into work, travel and play settings, moving seamlessly between carry worlds so you can use it pretty much anywhere while enjoying its understated style and practicality.

A bargain that’s built for life on the move

The wallet is large enough to offer good organization for essentials, yet compact enough to fit easily in a travel or everyday bag. It measures 4.5 x 6.5 x 0.75 inches and weighs just 3.5 oz (99 grams). A slim and lightweight design that slots conveniently into your setup, wherever the day takes you.

If you want the benefits of this travel wallet, organizer and notebook companion in your EDC and travel carry, you can get your very own here. And by using the code CARRYOLOGY at checkout you can enjoy a 10% discount too (also applicable to all BOND’s gear until the end of the year).

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The process builds the wallets in a flat 2D plane, which is why leather is a great material selection for them, as it can then stretch and move as you adapt the wallet to its 3D use. The wallets feature Horween leather which is more typically used in heritage products, showcasing it in a far more progressive form. Currently they’re being built in Arc’teryx’s Vancouver factory.

Who They Suit

If you want a head-nod to your outdoor performance life, but consider style and elegance important, you’ve found your thing. These are minimalist wallets requiring discipline and restraint. They don’t hold much, but what they do hold creates a striking vibe.

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“These wallets are laminated rather than stitched, using tooling and registration techniques that very few brands have mastered.”

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Who They Don’t

If you’re after budget-friendly wallets, these aren’t them. They’re not cheap – this is premium leather in a futuristic construction. Additionally, if you like to shove loads of cards, coins and receipts into your billfold, these are not for you.

Materials

The wallets are crafted with fine grain, water-resistant Horween leather. This leather is excellent, feeling durable with just the right level of softness. You get wrinkling on the spines as you have to keep folding them back against themselves for access, but that’s fine. The wallets also feature nylon woven linings laminated to the flesh side of the leather.

Construction

The construction of these wallets is really precise and beautiful. Panels are aligned with registration tools, so they fit snug and straight. The formed leather panels give you a starting point for card volume, which you then stretch into depending on how many cards you want to carry. The joins at the top of card sections can feel a touch vulnerable, even though they are actually okay. Heat-set adhesives keep it all together, and radii are spot on, avoiding rabbit ears with age.

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“These are minimalist wallets requiring discipline and restraint.”

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The wallets also feature minimalist laser-etched branding, along with unfinished edges that work well against the precision of everything else.

Casing Billfold 78mm

The Casing Billfold 78mm suits low currencies like USD, CAD, and AUD. However, there’s an 89mm version also available for taller currencies like EUR, GBP, and JPY.

Arc’teryx claims this billfold fits up to 8 cards, but we found it fit 6 cards more comfortably. With 8 there is almost zero room for cash. With 6 cards there is room for a few bills with only some distortion. With 4 cards you can fit 6-8 bills in there with only some distortion.

In terms of cash, the wallet fits unfolded bills up to 78mm tall, but only a handful at most. The Casing Billfold is built without bill allowance. Bill allowance is that extra curve of leather most wallets typically have around the spine, to create room for more bills to fit around the fold without distorting the inner spine. This means you’ll max out the cash-carrying ability at around 5 or so bills, before the wallet starts to distort around the inner spine. An additional construction note, this wallet has a lovely tongue detail coming up inside the bill section from the base.

It’s worth noting that since this wallet is built flat, there’s some breaking in required to get it working in three dimensions. I generally only would use a maximum of 6 cards and it handled them fairly well. The interaction did get a little bit awkward when trying to fumble for the card at the base of the stack and I felt I really had to open it fully wide to get access. You need to peel back past flat to access cards.

There are a few things I think they could do better in finishing, particularly the lining and how the crinkling comes through.

Casing Passport Wallet

Arc’teryx says this wallet will hold 8 cards. If you really want to stretch it, you can jam 12 into it, but it needs some forcing for that.

It carries international standard-sized passports that are 125mm tall. That means most countries should be fine, other than recently superseded German hardcovers and some Irish passports. If you have a double thickness passport (frequent travellers), it’s going to be really tight.

There’s no room for a pen down the inside of the spine, as the passport goes right to the inside of the spine. However, there’s some lovely detail as the backing liner ducks inside the leather between card slots.

Casing Card Wallet

Arc’teryx claims up to 8 cards fit in the Casing Card Wallet, but we found with 8 you have trouble closing the wallet and access is tricky. Four cards is really comfortable, and 6 cards are manageable but require a touch of fiddling.

You can three-fold and tuck a small amount of bills, but in general this wallet isn’t great for bills. Where it shines is as a great-looking card slip.

In terms of breaking it in, the wallet wants to stay open for the first few weeks, but will eventually rest closed. Cards start to push through and get easier to access, but it is initially very tight. I would not recommend using it for more than 6 cards.

It’s so tight that you have to bend it back on itself for card access. That’s fine if you’re only in and out occasionally, but for frequently used cards it can slow access down.

Verdict

The Arc’teryx Veilance wallets deliver a clean combination of progressive construction and premium materials. They look and feel great, exuding a minimalist style that’s sure to draw admiring glances. However, like any design, there’s room for improvement such as reexamining how the crinkling comes through and making access easier. Overall, these wallets are an exciting development in Arc’teryx’s design direction and we’re keen to see where they’ll lead.

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Sanela and Adrian (a language instructor and engineer, respectively), started their Minimum Squared workshop after realizing they could apply their love for craft to solve a problem they were seeing with marketplace offerings – wallets are an everyday carry item but they were often too large and bulky. Their name reminds us of their focus (minimalism x minimalism) and the squared aspect reminds us of the engineering and math we practiced in school. The company is a melding of old-school craft and modern technology.

The Slim Wallet Elastic I was sent won a 2016 Red Dot Design Award which is no easy feat. It is made with vegetable-tanned goat leather and is CAD designed, precision laser cut, and sewn with a waxed linen thread from France that dates to 1847. They are experimenting with other types of leathers and I understand a version with Horween Chromexcel may be coming soon.

“The Slim Wallet Elastic I was sent won a 2016 Red Dot Design Award which is no easy feat.”

There is a 6mm elastic band that free-floats, passing through two slits in the leather. The band keeps everything intact. When you first receive the wallet, you’ll find four placards inside, one in each slot, instructing you of the recommended number of cards per slot. The Slim Wallet Elastic is designed to hold a total of ten cards with three on the right side (front and back) and two on the left (front and back).

Using the wallet is straightforward. Simply pull on the leather flap for easy opening. When you are done with your transaction, just close it up and wrap the loop around the whole thing.

“The Slim Wallet Elastic is designed to hold a total of ten cards with three on the right side (front and back) and two on the left (front and back).”

Who It Suits

As the name implies, this wallet is really geared towards someone who appreciates a mix of old-world craftsmanship and materials, and modern design and construction. Also, it would be for someone who does not need to carry more than ten cards with them; a minimalist person. It also would benefit an owner who wants some unique leather and band color combinations and does not necessarily want to stick to the traditional browns and blacks of most wallets.

“As the name implies, this wallet is really geared towards someone who appreciates a mix of old-world craftsmanship and materials, and modern design and construction.”

Who It Doesn’t

This wallet would not suit a buyer who needs to carry a lot of cards or enjoys bulky wallets. It also would not suit a blue collar worker, especially if the wallet might be exposed to tough (dirt, water, etc.) conditions on a daily basis. While there is no doubt the wallet could stand up to a lot of abuse, there is nothing rugged about the wallet. This is a gentleman’s/lady’s wallet, and not something you’d take into the field.

“While there is no doubt the wallet could stand up to a lot of abuse, there is nothing rugged about the wallet.”

The Good

It’s a difficult thing to describe, but what I really like most about the wallet is the presentation and craftsmanship. I think those concepts are easy to grasp, but there’s something special about how Sanela runs her company. There’s a special blend of small atelier but with the advantages of modern technology. For example, the packaging really impressed me but it’s admirable in the way you enjoy a gift from a crafty friend, and not in the industrial design way that for instance an Apple package is impressive. The wallet comes wrapped in tissue paper, inside a lightweight cardboard box with simple tabs to keep things enclosed. Inside the box is a printed letter to the new owner, explaining the materials and a brief note on how to use the wallet.

“It’s a difficult thing to describe, but what I really like most about the wallet is the presentation and craftsmanship.”

There are only three materials that make up the wallet, so each must be perfect. The vegetable-tanned goat leather is from the British firm Harmatan and Oakridge Leathers. I don’t have much experience with goat leather but I can tell you it’s very supple. The thread, Fil au Chinois Lin Câblé, is waxed linen and twisted to prevent fraying. The band is just a simple elastic affair.

The construction of the wallet is quite good. The leather is laser cut so everything lines up nicely. The sewing uniform and even, with no discernible fraying or loose ends. Lastly, I really like that bills (especially the US currency I use) fit without folding. Many minimalist wallets, especially from international companies, have issues fitting bills without some sort of alteration or slight folding. This makes them extremely frustrating to use.

“I really like that bills (especially the US currency I use) fit without folding.”

The Not So Good

I have a few very nitpicky quibbles about the wallet. The first is that having a wallet that relies on an elastic band for closure is a slight inconvenience. Take for example a trip to the market. I have my chipped card in the machine and am waiting to enter my pin and approve the purchase. This whole time, I am not sure what to do with my wallet. In 30-60 seconds, I have to put my card away, so I don’t want to wrap the band around the wallet and put it away in my back pocket. But if I don’t put it away, I have to stand there holding my wallet open. It sounds silly but having to wrap the band around the wallet each time you put it away is an extra step that a normal wallet does not require.

“I have a few very nitpicky quibbles about the wallet. The first is that having a wallet that relies on an elastic band for closure is a slight inconvenience.”

The next issue is where the band enters and leaves the wallet. There are simply two slits that are not reinforced. The band is free-floating and not sewn to the wallet, so this arguably adds less stress to the holes, but I am worried about this portion of the wallet being a weak point. I’ve brought this up with Sanela and she assures me that there are wallets in the wild that are four years old and they have not seen any failures.

The final small complaint is the leather itself. I am not sure if it’s the goat leather or the weight/gauge, but it’s very supple. This is both good and bad. Obviously, it’s very soft and nice to hold and put in your pocket. But the con is that with time, it feels kind of loose, sort of like a sweater that has stretched a bit. Arguably, this is the natural character of the wallet and I can get behind that thinking. However, sometimes I just feel like I wish things were a little stiffer or tighter.

“I am not sure if it’s the goat leather or the weight/gauge, but it’s very supple. This is both good and bad. Obviously, it’s very soft and nice to hold and put in your pocket. But the con is that with time, it feels kind of loose, sort of like a sweater that has stretched a bit.”

Verdict

Minimum Squared have accomplished something really special here. They’ve taken the best ingredients, married them with modern design and construction and have come up with a wallet that does its job well, and nothing more. With a price tag of 150 Euros, I feel like this is a legacy wallet, something that you can invest in but will use as your sole for decades. I think the Slim Wallet Elastic is up for the challenge and deserving of both the Red Dot Award and a place in your pocket.

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Isaac Reina No. 275 Mini Zipped Wallet

Chic and compact, this zipped wallet is crafted from calf leather and brings French style to your EDC with space for cards, coins and folded bills.

Isaac Reina No. 223 “une feuille” Wallet A

Made in France from a single piece of leather, this elegant bifold is a slim and attractive option for carrying bills and cards.

Leather Works Minnesota Capital Wallet

Crafted by hand in Minnesota, this handsome wallet features four card pockets and a space for bills while remaining compact enough to slip easily into a back pocket.

Maxx&Unicorn Co. Eagle Bifold Wallet

This eye-catching Eagle Bifold wallet is handmade in Brooklyn from a single piece of American bridle leather using stitchless construction. The wallet is also screen printed by hand and offers two card pockets and a sleeve for bills.

Maxx&Unicorn Co. Card Sleeve

Providing a single storage space for cards and bills, this intriguing card sleeve features stitchless construction and is handmade with American bridle leather.

abrAsus Thin Wallet

Trying to fit cards, bills, coins and a key in a wallet can result in a bulky and uncomfortable design. Japanese brand abrAsus however have come up with a clever solution that effectively positions these different elements to provide a slim design and easy accessibility.

Tailfeather Robin

Stylish and durable, this zipped wallet is handcrafted in Australia with Horween leather and provides handsome storage for cards, folded bills and coins.

Tailfeather Oriole

Slim and hard-wearing, this Horween leather wallet keeps cards and bills safe and secure yet quickly accessible with a convenient flap closure.

Tailfeather Finch (Roo)

Crafted from kangaroo leather and featuring four card slots and a space for bills, this suave bifold will put a spring in the step of anyone looking for understated and durable EDC for pocket essentials.

Tanner Goods Journeyman

Slim enough for your front pocket and stylish enough for work and play, the Journeyman packs four card slots and a central bill pocket into a small and tidy form.

Tanner Goods Utility Bifold

The Utility Bifold artfully combines clean and functional form with useful organization, offering a choice of four card slots and a full-length bill pocket, as well as two further concealed pockets for storing less frequently accessed items.

Tanner Goods Rider Wallet

Looking for minimalist aesthetics and a wealth of organization? The Rider Wallet delivers in style, pairing a sleek exterior with thoughtful interior organization to keep cards and bills tidy and accessible.

Makr Cordovan Flap Slim Wallet

Beautiful, tough and simple, this wallet is guaranteed to rack up the compliments. Handcrafted with Horween Shell Cordovan leather, its straightforward pocket design and flap closure provide fuss-free storage for cards and folded bills.

Makr Round Wallet

Putting simplicity front and center, the Round Wallet will appeal to users who favor stripped-back style. A center pocket stores folded bills, while two exterior pockets take care of cards.

Makr Horizon Four Wallet

Durable construction, stylish aesthetics and a multifunctional design makes the Horizon Four wallet a versatile addition to your EDC. Made in the USA, the wallet provides two interior and two exterior pockets for cards and bills, while retaining pocket-friendly dimensions.

Teranishi Arc

Teranishi’s Arc wallet achieves a fine balance of minimalist form and functionality. Handcrafted with 4 oz Horween Dublin leather, the wallet’s staggered and arced card slots keep cards secure but accessible while adding to the wallet’s aesthetic appeal.

Stash Card Wallet

If sleek and unique is what you’re after, the Stash Co Card Wallet fits the bill. Great for cards, cash or storing business cards, each Card Wallet is made by hand in Texas.

Stitch Leather Goods Butterfly Burrito

The Butterfly Burrito offers meticulous craftsmanship, quality materials and useful organization in a wallet that’s compact enough to fit in a front or back pocket. Made from full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather, the wallet features two slots for quick-access cards and a larger slot for infrequently accessed cards and cash.

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