The Pitaka MagWallet bills itself as the world’s first modular magnetic wallet. It’s a radical design built with multiple layers made of carbon fiber that are held together magnetically. There is really no other wallet quite like it.
And that makes it tough to recommend other wallets that are like the Pitaka.
Fortunately, there is no shortage of credit card wallet manufacturers who embrace the same minimalism and innovation with their own bold designs. They have just taken a different fork in the road than Pitaka.
So let’s take look at five wallets that have their own ways of helping you manage and carry your credit cards. Starting with, of course, the Pitaka MagWallet UE.
Pitaka MagWallet
Think of the minimalist Pitaka MagWallet as a magnetic sandwich for credit cards. The outer layers hold one card each and the inner 2 layers each hold two cards for a total of 6. To open it, you fan out the layers like a poker hand. Then use your thumb or finger to slide out the card you want.
You can purchase extra layers separately, including a money clip and another that will hold loose change. The wallet is as thin (or as thick) as the number of layers you stack on top of each other.
According to the Pitaka website, the standard MagWallet is not friendly to the magnetic stripe on credit cards. It won’t affect the imbedded chip in your card, but many of us still use the stripe to swipe our cards on occasion. To protect the stripe, Pitaka recommends the MagWallet UE, which has special magnetic shielding.
As a bonus, if you drop a paper clip, screw, or thumbtack, you have the perfect wallet to pick it up.
Ridge Wallet
The Ridge wallet is as minimalist as it can get for a card holding wallet because it’s exactly the same size as the cards that it holds. The wallet is designed as an expandable sandwich with two plates made of either aluminum, titanium, or carbon fiber.
Instead of a magnet as the Pitaka wallet uses, these plates are connected by elastic that is secured by eensy-weensy screws. As cards are added—up to a maximum of 12—the wallet expands, holding them all tight.
There is no fancy mechanism to eject the cards into a fan like the Ekster Senate or Secrid Slim wallets. Instead, you push the cards out with your finger at a half-round notch. Then you pinch the plates together which separates the individual cards like an accordion so you can choose the one you want.
To me, it’s sort of an archain way of ejecting and displaying your cards, but at the same time, a model of simplicity in design.
ACM Wallet Credit Card Holder
In terms of raw innovation, the ACM Wallet Credit Card Holder gives the Pitaka a run for its money. Instead of all of your cards stacked on top of each other, this wallet stores them in their own individual tracks. It holds 6 cards in all, and each one is held separately and alone, never touching another.
It sounds kind of sad, actually… But it’s all good because a set of 6 buttons on the front of the wallet each control one of the cards.
The wallet comes with labels that are affixed to the buttons that remind you of which button will eject the card you want. The ACM Wallet Credit Card Holder has a brushed aluminum finish and a money clip that holds enough cash for the local flea market next Saturday.
It qualifies as a minimalist wallet, but it’s slightly thicker than some because of the small space that it inserts between each of the cards.
Rossm Carbon Fiber Wallet
The Rossm Carbon Fiber wallet uses 100% genuine 3K carbon fiber which is rigid, charcoal black, and gives this wallet a futuristic look. It has a minimalistic design that holds up to 12 cards and comes with your choice of a strap or an external money clip for cash. Similar to the Ridge wallet in almost every way, there is a thumb-size notch at the bottom that splays out your cards.
The external finish of the Rossm Carbon Fiber wallet is similar to the Pitaka MagWallet UE, but there is no magnetism at work here. Instead, it’s held together with elastic secured with old-fashioned screws. Because it’s barely larger than the credit cards it holds, it is averse to thick wads of cash, loose change, or family photos.
To be blunt, it’s really a Ridge wallet knock-off. But a very well made one, and at just one third the price.
Ekster Senate
I generally include the Ekster Senate wallet when comparing minimalist wallets. Not only because it’s my favorite EDC, but because it works so darn well. It’s a little larger than the other wallets on this list, but that’s because it has an integrated system that ejects up to 6 credit cards in a perfect fan. Just one push of a button and you can quickly see exactly the card you need.
The credit card holder is made of aluminum, not carbon fiber, but you’d never know it because the whole wallet is encased in luxurious leather.
I also purchased the optional solar tracking card so I can always find my wallet with the Chipolo app on my iPhone. True minimalists may scoff, but I like the creature comforts of this pop-up type of wallet. It’s a tad larger and a smidgeon thicker than some, but it feels good in my hands and is hardly noticeable in my front pocket.