Ekster’s Stylish Wallet is Pocket-Sized Perfection

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I used to carry a fat wallet packed with credit cards, memberships, loyalty cards, and IDs. I perpetually had that feeling of fumbling for cards, pulling plastic from a tightly packed wallet only to realize I had the wrong card, trying to remember which crevice I squeezed that bill into, and occasionally spraying cards everywhere in my haste to pay. But then I realized most of what I was carrying was redundant, and I downsized to a pocket-friendly Ekster wallet.

The Ekster Parliament Wallet is a dinky leather wallet that comes in various colors (mine is juniper green). It has space for up to 12 cards with an aluminum card holder in the center that features a clever trigger button. Pull that trigger, and your five or six main cards pop out of the top, fanned for easy selection. There are a couple of additional slots in the cover, an elastic band inside for cash, and a slot on the back that’s ideal for the optional tracker card.

Cha-ChingThe trigger is the killer feature of the Ekster Wallet, because it makes retrieving the card you need quick and easy every time. It’s also just kinda satisfying to pull. The tough aluminum card holder center ensures the wallet protects your cards, making it almost impossible to accidentally bend or otherwise damage them. In theory, the RFID blocking also prevents theft, though that’s very unlikely to be an issue.

At around half the size of a regular wallet, the Ekster Wallet also allows you to travel light, but there’s just enough room here for everything you might need. While it’s not ideal for carrying cash, there are a couple of pockets tucked away inside, and the elasticated band provides some versatility, enabling you to tuck in bills or tickets.

Photograph: Simon Hill

If you worry about losing your wallet, you can pick up a tracker card for an extra $49. I opted for the Android version, which works with the Chipolo network to show your wallet’s last known location on a map. There is also an iOS version that works with Apple’s Find My network. Like all the best trackers, both versions allow you to ring your wallet from your phone, which is ideal when you have a train to catch, and your wallet has slipped down between the couch cushions. You can even set left-behind alerts, so you get pinged if your wallet goes out of range of your phone.

Battery life is up to six months for the iOS tracker and around three for the Android version. You can plug the iOS model in to recharge, but the Android tracker has a wee solar panel to keep it topped up. They are as thick as a couple of cards and fit snugly in the pocket on the back. I have never lost my wallet.

More MinimalistEkster Aluminum Cardholder Wallet

While the Ekster Parliament is my favorite, I have tested some of Ekster’s other models. The Cardholder and Cardholder Pro ditch the leather exterior for an even sleeker finish and come in some fun colors and patterns like forged magma and carbon fiber. They retain the trigger and other features and are perfect if you prefer to travel as light as possible. I have given a couple as gifts, and my eldest uses the Ekster Cardholder and loves it.

Space is limited when you opt for a minimalist wallet like this, and there is no room for coins and only limited space for bills. But there are optional add-ons. Modular extras include a multi-tool card ($49), a cash clip backplate ($29), and a coin tray ($29). The coin tray is quite handy and can also accommodate a key, but you won’t want to add too many extras, or your wallet will bulk up.

Ekster Parliament Wallet (left) vs Ekster Cardholder Pro (right)

Ultimately, the Ekster Parliament has been in my inside pocket for several years now, and it still works perfectly. I never miss my fat old wallet, and I still enjoy pulling that trigger every time I reach for my card. The tracker has also been a lifesaver a couple of times, reassuring me that I left my wallet in my other jacket and not out and about somewhere. It is a little pricey, but it might just be the last wallet you ever need to buy.