How to Choose the Best Men’s Wallet

The best men's wallet — for you — speaks volumes about who you are, and how you live your everyday life.

It’s not only a place to store your money, club memberships and credit cards, but it's also an expression of your personal style. The best wallet proclaims, "I'm organized, creative, eclectic!"

With so many different types and styles of wallets on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right one that lives comfortably in your pocket for decades.

Yes, I understand your frustration. In fact, I started Popov Leather in 2013 because I was struggling to find the best front-pocket wallet for my needs.

Now, together with a leather-loving, hard-working team, we make leather wallets that suit every need, taste, and preference.

I'm going to help you select a wallet style that is not only functional, but also resonates with your personality and aesthetic preferences. 

"Why do you want to change your wallet?" This is the first question I ask when guiding someone through the process of choosing a new wallet.

What are the reasons behind your purchase? To organize? To be more eco-friendly? For comfort?

It's important that you don't just go with what looks best or seems stylish, but rather one that serves your specific needs. Once you know your "why," it becomes much easier to find the right wallet for you.

Sometimes, finding your "why" is as simple as reviewing what you use your current wallet for.

It's worth noting the below questions you should answer in order to find the best men's wallet that is functional, and fits your purpose.

• How often do you carry cash? 
• How often do you use your credit cards? 
• How many cards (bank, membership, discount) do you need each day?
• Do you ever carry a standard size checkbook? 
• Do you need to carry your ID with you at all times? 
• Do you need a chain to make your wallet easier to access?
• Are there any other cards or documents you need to carry on a regular basis? 

The Popov Leather wallet collection has different pieces for different needs. Here is a table showing the types of wallets we have and their uses.

Leather has a very distinctive look, feel, and smell. As one of the most natural materials, it makes the best men's wallets totally unique in terms of thickness, texture, coloration variations, patina, markings, scuffs.

Of course, not all leather is the same. Although they all come from cowhide, there are different types of leather.

A wallet can be made from top grain leather, corrected grain leather, split grain leather, bonded leather, nubuck, patent leather, pebbled leather, chrome-tanned leather and even exotic leathers such as from snake, alligators, ostriches and more.

To illustrate the best choices for a man's wallet, we'll go through the most commonly found types of leather.

The highest quality and most expensive leather also makes the best men's wallets.

Full-grain leather is made from the outer layer of the hide, which has all the natural markings and features from the animal. It's durable, thick, and has a great texture when you hold it in your hands.

As a result, premium leather is well-known for its longevity, and can last for 10, 20, even 50 plus years. And, as it ages it develops the most beautiful patina, showing all the experiences, adventures and travels that it has journeyed on with you.

To put it another way, it absorbs some moisture and oils from handling over time. The result is a rich, deep, mottled patina that tells the story of all the places you've been with your wallet.

As this type of leather 'breathes', you will see it mold itself softly to your pocket and hand, without becoming saggy or misshapen.

You guessed it ... cheaper leather wallets will quickly lose their shape, fray at the edges, and a patina won't develop.

Since the grain of premium leather is kept intact during the manufacturing process, wallets made with full-grain leather are more durable than their less expensive counterparts. Building on that, the leather fibers are stronger, and may even last longer than the thread used to stitch the wallet.

At Popov Leather, we use full grain Horween leather to manufacture wallets. Our goal is threefold—to give you a high-end product that will serve its purpose, look good, and last longer than you :)  

Just like full-grain leather, corrected grain leather is made from the top cut of the hide. However, the surface has been sanded down and a finish is applied.

Manufacturers "correct" the leather to get rid of the natural markings and imperfections on the surface of the skin. The result of these processes is a smooth finish and even texture free of imperfections. 

The process also seals the pores, making the leather less breathable than full-grain types. Consequently, it takes much longer for items made with this leather to develop patina. 

On a related note, corrected leather can be easier to clean as it doesn't absorb as many oils and moisture. 

Split grain leather is just as the name suggests; the part that would have been full-grain has been split into two layers. It's usually very thin and is not durable at all.

To illustrate this, it's weak, scratches easily, and tears apart quickly.

Manufacturers using this type of leather and coat it with polymer, emboss it, and label it "genuine leather." In reality, it's anything but. 

Bonded leather is made of all different types of leather scraps that have been ground up and combined with a bonding agent. Usually, a very small amount of leather is used, making it the cheapest and least durable type of leather.

It doesn't look or feel like real leather, and it definitely doesn't smell like it.

In my opinion this is the worst type of leather to use as wallet material. No one wants a wallet that flakes, peels and scratches itself inside your pocket.

In addition, while it may initially be more affordable they simply wear out way before their time, forcing you to replace them with yet another wallet. 

Sure, functionality is an important factor when deciding which wallet to buy. However, I believe there's always room for style.

That's why I encourage you to find a wallet that not only fits your needs, but also reflects your personal style.

Are you a vibrant, boisterous person? Do you love bold pieces that make a statement? If so, you'll want a wallet that pops.

For you, I recommend the Long Wallet. It's absolutely one of the best men's wallet options and our signature product for those who refuse to downsize and love to make a statement. It features a lever snap chain so you can show off your handsome leather and always have it by your side.

Or, do you believe that less is more? Are you a more low-key and classic type of person? Maybe you're more understated and prefer pieces with clean lines and simple details. 

In that case, our Slim Wallet could be perfect for you. Its minimalist design allows you to carry all your cards and coins without the bulk that you see in other wallets. 

The pouch features a snap-shut button that has a satisfying click. And the generously sized overlapping flap will keep your coins where they're meant to be — not floating about in your pocket!

You've weighed your options, added your wallet of choice to your cart, and are about to checkout. Have you considered when and how your prized possession will get to you?

It's always a good idea to check the shipping and return policies of an online store before you make your purchase. It can save you a lot of trouble and time down the line.

What if you order your wallet and realize it’s not what you expected? Have you thought about how easy or hard it will be to get an exchange or refund?

Just like our handcrafted leather wallets, our return policy stands out from the competition. We offer:

• 90 day free returns for store credit
• 90 day free exchanges
• 30 day returns for refund

Before you go scrolling endlessly through Amazon or check out the wallets section at your favorite department store, I encourage you to check out our leather wallet collection. 

Earlier, I mentioned that Popov Leather was born out of my struggle to find a front-pocket wallet that suited my needs. After trying out countless wallets and being disappointed with the results, I decided to take matters into my own hands.

I wanted a wallet that was made of high-quality materials, was stylish and lasted long. Oh, and it had to be comfortable to carry. After months of designing, testing, and redesigning, I finally created the perfect front-pocket wallet.

I was thrilled when others saw the design and asked if I could make the same for them.

Keeping in mind what I've learned over the past few years, Popov Leather offers you an incredible product at a price that fits your budget. Our customers agree.

To ensure you're buying the best possible wallet, use this checklist before you buy:

• High-Quality Leather: Remember, good leather ages beautifully. Bad leather gets bent out of shape.
• Craftsmanship: Look for even stitching on seams with a strong, hard-wearing thread.
• Functional Features: Do you carry more cards or cash? Pick the wallet with either more card slots or a more generous cash pocket.

At Popov Leather, I'm always innovating and improving our products for the satisfaction of our customers.

Each piece is made honestly and with the utmost care. We pride ourselves on creating the best men's wallets that are not only beautiful, but also durable.

Our leather goods are backed by a lifetime warranty, and we're always here to help with any questions or concerns you may have.

I want you to be happy with your purchase for years to come, and I'm confident that you'll love our products. So head into to our store, and find the perfect wallet for you!

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