A former tech columnist at Yahoo, Scientific American, and the New York Times, David Pogue will write occasionally for the Strategist about things he has bought for himself and loves.
I needed a new wallet — something non-bulky. I’m not quite at the stage of getting away with a single credit card strapped to the back of my phone, but neither do I want a George Costanza–style club-sandwich wallet.
After hours going down the Amazon rabbit hole, I found the Texbo RFID Blocking Leather Slim Wallet for ten bucks. It’s a terrible name, both because it’s 13 syllables long and because it buries the lede.
Yes, yes, it’s RFID-blocking, meaning that bad guys can’t secretly scan your credit-card numbers as you walk within inches of their illicit scanning machines. (That never happens. RFID blocking is pure paranoia marketing.) And yes, this wallet is very slim, because it doesn’t dedicate leather walls to a money compartment; a graceful chrome clip holds your bills inside.
The key feature, though, is the fabric tab. When you pull it, your primary credit card pops out of the wallet. You don’t have to open the wallet, or even pull it out of your pocket; that main card is always instantly at your fingertips. I let my kids yank the tab when I pay for dinners out.
You also have instant access to your second-most-used card on the opposite side of the wallet. A thumb cutout lets you just shove it out, again without ever opening the bifold.
On the inside, there’s a clear window so you can show your ID without having to remove it—with a thumb hole so you can eject the license when necessary—and two pockets for more cards. All told, you can fit about eight cards in this wallet without stressing the cowhide leather. More, if some of them are subway cards, medical-insurance cards, and other flimsy plastic ones. Everywhere I go, when I tug that tab to eject my credit card, people ask about this wallet. I used to go into an office every so often, and every time I went in, I would see more and more guys with this wallet — I’d say I’ve sold a dozen at least.
Editor’s Note: The Texbo bifold wallet is currently unavailable on Amazon, but here are a couple other options that have a similarly non-bulky profile and easy-to-use thumb cut-out.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
