Everything about Ridge is created with a purpose. From the close-knit family business to the sleek design of their metal wallet and watches, the brand is on a mission to rethink your daily essentials.
Understanding Ridge is to understand the ethos behind their design decision: strip down your stuff to the absolute essential so you can focus on quality and function. The fact that the end result is gorgeous to look at is a bonus.
I’ve used a Ridge wallet as my daily cardholder for over three years now. This review was first published three years ago, but I’m updating it now to add more colors based on my long-term experience with this wallet.
I recently tested the Ridge Titanium Field watch, which gave me the opportunity to dive back into the Ridge universe. And it feels great!
A word of caution before you go further: this wallet isn’t for everyone. If you need to carry a bunch of credit cards, IDs, a driving license, bank notes, and coins with you all the time, I suggest you look elsewhere. Check our round-up of the best minimalist wallets for men to see other solid options.
But if you embrace a minimalist approach to your daily essentials and want a sturdy, slim, and beautiful wallet, a Ridge wallet is a great choice!
Is that you? Then, let’s get into my updated review of the Ridge Wallet.
| Size | 86 x 54 x 6 mm |
| Weight | 2 oz |
| Holds | 1-12 cards |
| Safety feature | RFID-blocking |
| Materials | Aluminum, Titanium, Carbon Fiber, Leather, or 24 Karat Gold |
| Available colors | Large selection of colors and patterns |
Pros:
- Impressively sleek and slim for what it can hold
- Stylish design made from premium materials
- Security conscious: able to block RFID
Cons:
- Can be tricky to remove cards if you’re carrying six or more at one time
- Not ideal if you’re someone who carries a lot of cash
Our verdict:
The Ridge wallet is sleek, durable, and understated. It brings a fresh new perspective to the world of minimalist wallets. I love that it fits comfortably in my front pocket while keeping my daily essentials safely at hand.
Why you can trust Luxe Digital? As minimalist enthusiasts and adventurers ourselves, we know a thing or two about EDC and wallets (Hint: check our list of the best minimalist wallets for men to see what I’m talking about). All year long, we rigorously test and review elevated essentials and go the extra mile to unearth everyday gears that go the distance and brands that we believe will go places.
Ridge sent us three models of their wallets to test, but our opinions and recommendations are our own. The brand didn’t influence this article in any way.
See how we test products and learn more about our HAPPY philosophy (read: Honorable Craftsmanship, Aesthetic Design, Positive Impact—on People and the Planet, Purpose, and Function, and Yielding Value) for buying luxuries. You can also read our hands-on review of Bellroy’s wallets to learn more about our experience with other minimalist wallets.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Ridge Metal Wallets review: When there’s nothing else left to remove
Known as one of the premium options for anyone looking for a security-conscious, fashionable wallet, Ridge prides itself on simultaneously hitting quality, function, and style on the head. Unsurprisingly, our style editors picked Ridge as the best minimalist wallet for men on the market right now.
Launched by father-son team Daniel and Paul Kane in 2013, Ridge Wallet began its life as a Kickstarter campaign. After aiming to raise $12,000 worth of funds and accidentally hitting sky-high levels of $200,000, which more than readied them to enter the production process, Ridge Wallet grew exponentially in popularity.
The brand’s “Carry Less. Live More” philosophy is perfect for the minimalists. And, with a range of simple yet effective rigid wallets made of carbon fiber, titanium, aluminum, and even 24K gold plated, it’s hard not to fall in love with these designs.
From the sleek and suave monochrome metal wallets right through to the vibrant and colorful ones, there’s a Ridge Wallet for every personality type.
The consistencies throughout? Premium materials, state-of-the-art manufacturing, and embracing the values of minimalism.
Not only do they feel good and look good, Ridge’s metal wallets are also suitably durable (but come with a lifetime guarantee to be on the safe side) and are equipped with RFID-blocking technology to keep your cards safe. What’s not to love?
You can purchase the wallet directly from Ridge’s official website. Continue reading if you want more details. Next, we’ll explore the following aspects of the watch:
- Unboxing experience
- Materials & craftsmanship
- Aesthetic & design
- Available colors
- Care & maintenance
- Money clip vs. cash strap
- Price and discount codes
- Alternatives
- My conclusion and recommendation
Unboxing: Everything you need
The wallet comes in a sleek box with the wallet, a screwdriver, and a cleaning cloth. I got the wallet with the cash strap and the money clip, so they both came with the box.
The screwdriver is a nice addition! You can use a T5 Torx Driver to disassemble the Ridge Wallet. Over my three years with it, I only needed to use it once to tighten the screws. You can also use it to remove the money clip or replace the elastic band.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Materials & craftsmanship: Built to last a lifetime
The Ridge wallet comes in a large selection of materials and colors. For this review, I tried the 24 Karat Gold Plated, Damascus, and Half Dome wallets. Three very different styles, all beautiful.
The Aluminium wallet is one of the brand’s most popular wallets. While it might not be the strongest metal, this wallet comes with all the brand’s staple features and the largest color variety.
The Titanium wallets are slightly more futuristic looking, come in three different color varieties, and are a little more expensive than their Aluminium sibling. While Titanium is known for being a stronger metal than Aluminium, the titanium wallet also comes with ever so slightly more weight. But not a noticeable amount, even if heaviness is your most important factor.
The Carbon Fiber wallet offers the best of both worlds: lightweight and durable. It’s also a material that brings more textured options to the table, such as 3k weaved carbon and allow-infused forged colorways.
The 24k Gold plated wallet is the brand’s premium offering, a more expensive variety that comes in two staple shades. While the premium metal doesn’t add any extra security, it’s arguably the most stylish wallet.
All three variations can also be personalized with a money clip, a money strap, or both, and a screwdriver designed to fit the screws in the wallet to change its configuration and laser-engraved options.
| Model | Material | Weight | Dimensions | RFID Protection | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium | 6061-T6 aluminum | 0.06 kg (2 oz) | 86 x 54 x 6 mm | Yes | 12 cards |
| Titanium | Grade 5 Titanium | 0.07 kg (2.5 oz) | 86 x 54 x 6 mm | Yes | 12 cards |
| Carbon Fibre | Carbon Fibre | 0.04 kg (1.6 oz) | 86 x 54 x 6 mm | Yes | 12 cards |
| 24k Gold | 24 Karat Gold PVD Coating | 0.06 kg (2 oz) | 86 x 54 x 6 mm | Yes | 12 cards |
Whichever material you go for, the craftsmanship and build quality are undeniable. This is a smartly thought-through product that’s built to be used on a daily basis for a long time. I’ve never had a single quality issue in my three years with this wallet.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
Aesthetic & design: Embracing minimalism
I love how this wallet forces me to focus on the essentials. The result is a slim design that fits perfectly in the front pocket of my pants. It’s barely visible, and it’s light enough to be forgotten when I’m out and about.
In terms of aesthetics, you’re looking at the essence of function dictating form. The wallet is just the right dimensions to carry up to twelve cards.
Available colors: Plenty to choose from
As mentioned above, there are a ton of different colors to choose from. And Ridge continues to expand the collection with new colorways and patterns.
Some of the most popular colors are gunmetal Aluminum, Carbon Fiber 3K, matte black, and burnt Titanium.
Care & maintenance: It’s got a tough skin
It’s very easy to care for Ridge’s wallet. It’s built to be thrown around and survive in the harshest environments. In three years with mine, I only had to use the screwdriver once to tighten the screws a little.
Ridge Wallet money clip vs. cash strap
Every Ridge Wallet has two options for carrying banknotes: A cash strap and a money clip.
Opt for the cash strap if you’re looking to streamline your pocket efficiently. The cash strap wraps around the wallet and is made from elastic. Secure enough to keep everything tucked away but spacious enough to allow for a lot of cash, it’s a win-win option that keeps everything tidy.
Photo: © Luxe Digital
The Ridge Wallet money clip takes you down the traditional route of clipping your money to the outside of your wallet. Not quite as streamlined but perfect for easy access, it keeps your money perfectly secure but able to be counted out instantly.
Still undecided? You can also buy your Ridge Wallet with both attachments if you’re carrying around even more notes or want some flexibility with organizing everything.
Price and discount codes
Prices for the Ridge Wallet vary from $76 for the cheapest version (that’s the Polar White Aluminum wallet currently on sale), all the way up to $250 for the 24k gold wallet. Most models are selling between $95 and $150, though.
A Ridge Wallet is a good investment for a sturdy wallet that also comes with a lifetime guarantee, but it becomes a little cheaper still if you use our exclusive promo code.
Get 10% off your first order by using our discount code at checkout: LUXE10.
The alternatives
Minimalist wallets aren’t going away any time soon, and there are plenty of alternatives on the market if a Ridge Wallet isn’t quite what you’re looking for. Some of our other favorite minimalist wallets come from Bellroy and Vaultskin.
Bellroy’s Note Sleeve Wallet is a premium leather equivalent of a Ridge Wallet, with the same RFID-blocking technology and space for up to 11 cards. It also comes with a coin pouch.
Vaultskin’s Manhattan Wallet is a more budget-friendly Ridge Wallet alternative, designed to be worn in your front pocket in a sleek style that also includes RFID-blocking technology and space for 11 cards.
We’ve also rounded up the rest of our favorite wallets for men if you’re still undecided on the best alternatives.
My conclusion and recommendation: Is the Ridge Wallet worth it?
In my three years with this wallet, I have no regret and don’t plan to return to a traditional bifold wallet.
A first impression of a Ridge Wallet tells you everything you need to know about its purpose: it’s designed to look good but without drawing too much attention away from everyday life. Slim and un-intimidating, if it wasn’t for Ridge Wallet’s balanced weight, you’d almost wonder whether it had fallen out of your pocket; it’s that light.
There’s a particular art to effortlessly swiping out the card you require without fumbling around – but it’s an art that you’ll perfect after one or two tries. After that, it couldn’t really be much easier to swap out your existing wallet for a Ridge Wallet, and, chances are, you’ll be kicking yourself for not doing so already.
This wallet’s organization and ease of use mean no more frantically pulling out everything inside your wallet to double-check you’ve still got your cards in order. It also prevents you from carrying too many unnecessary extras or too much cash, helping you to live life more efficiently without even trying.
These wallets also have the added benefit of RFID blocking technology, which protects your banking and other personal information from RFID skimmers, who can access your data without seeing the numbers on your card.
With a range of stylish colors (scroll down for our breakdown for each material) to suit every personality, it’s difficult to go wrong with a Ridge Wallet.
As I said in the introduction, this wallet isn’t for everyone. But if you’re after a slim and lightweight minimalist wallet that will stay with you for years, this is the best option on the market.
Frequently asked questions about Ridge Wallet
Ridge Wallets produces some of its wallets domestically from inside the US and some internationally, from China. Check our in-depth Ridge Wallet review to learn more.
Ridge Wallets are expandable minimalist wallets known for being durable, stylish, and security conscious. Their RFID Protection adds an extra benefit, and their lifetime guarantee means you’ll never need to find a replacement.
Ridge Wallets come with a lifetime guarantee, which means if yours does happen to break, you can order a replacement for free.
Ridge Wallet’s Carbon Fibre wallet is its premium offering, suitable for up to 12 cards and complete with RFID protection. Read our review for all of our favorite Ridge Wallets.
Ridge Wallets must be removed from your pocket when going through security otherwise, the RFID protection will flag. But the wallet itself is TSA approved and can easily be traveled with.
