Why you'll love it: The gorgeous Bellroy Slim Sleeve Wallet fits everything you need in a slim, efficient profile. Bellroy is a relatively young company that released its first product in 2010. Founded by a few friends in Australia who set out to design optimal wallets in terms of size and card positioning, Bellroy has since released several different series of wallets for just about any use. You may remember seeing some of those wallets mentioned on Insider Picks before.
The Slim Sleeve is the perfect example of the company’s design mission. The wallet is built using Bellroy’s “nude” approach, focusing on eliminating as much excess material as possible to keep the profile slim. There are no buckles, trimmings, snaps, buttons or fasteners. The only materials are leather and thread, with as little of each used as possible.
The Slim Sleeve is a bifold that can hold up to 12 cards plus cash. It has a total of four pockets: three for cards, one for bills. Two quick access card slots sit inside the wallet, visible when you just open it. Those slots are perfect for your everyday credit card or commuter pass — I can pull my Metrocard out without having to take the wallet out of my pocket. The third card pocket sits behind the right-side quick access card
The third card pocket sits behind the right-side quick access card slot and is perfect for less-frequently used cards like an ID, an ATM card, or a couple of backup credit cards. The cards are tucked away out of sight in this pocket, so a pull-tab helps pull them out. Behind the other quick access slot, a cash pocket has plenty of room for bills folded in half or thirds.
As far as materials go, the Slim Sleeve is excellent. Bellroy is a certified “B Corp,” a designation given to companies that meet rigorous standards for “social and environmental performance.” What this means is that Bellroy sources its leather and materials ethically and sustainably. The leather is high-quality top grain, soft yet sturdy, and comes in several different colors.
While the top review on Amazon suggests that there are quality issues, several members of the Insider Picks team, including myself, have been using the Bellroy Slim Sleeve as a go-to wallet for months or years without a problem. That, combined with the fact that the wallet has 4.5 stars over all and overwhelmingly positive reviews, suggests that the one user's experience may have been an anomaly.
Pros: Slim, sleek, holds a lot, ethically sourced leather, simple design
Cons: You have to fold bills to fit them in
Buy the Bellroy Slim Sleeve on Amazon for $79