An overstuffed credit card holder wallet is risky cargo.The more items you cram into it, the easier you can lose track of something or that it will be stolen.
Likewise, a wallet that’s bursting at the seams can easily spill some contents. Worse yet, it might literally burst at the seams.
Want to improve your card wallet security? Slim down.
Folks who downsize to a thin wallet design rarely regret the move.
If you want the thinnest of thin, choose a credit card holder. A minimalist card holder is slim enough to live comfortably in your front pocket, where you’ll never lose track of it.
Our Top Credit Card Wallets
But today, we’re talking about credit card wallet security and how Popov is addressing these very real issues. Namely:
- What is a card holder wallet?
- What are the safety advantages of card holder wallets?
- What are people saying about card holders?
Table of Contents
What Is a Card Holder Wallet?
(How does it differ from a traditional wallet?)
A credit card holder wallet, often called a card holder wallet or simply a card holder, compactly holds cards by design.
For instance, card holders typically have one or two thin slots for holding cards along with a cash pocket.
This wallet style isn’t meant to hold a big wad of cash and doesn’t provide numerous slots for storing cards individually.
The slim, minimalist design of a card holder makes it a comfortable front pocket fit.
What Does Everyone Else Think?
I've compiled a list of the most often mentioned reasons why people prefer card holder wallets, over other styles:
- “A minimalist wallet encourages me to only carry what I need, and nothing else. It's clutter-free.”
- “It's more comfortable for me to carry in my pocket. I don't feel like I have an unsightly bulge.”
- “I feel like it's more modern to have a sleeker wallet.”
- “Because it's so small, I was able to afford a better quality wallet. Less leather equals less cost.”
- “When I'm travelling, I like to know that my wallet is in my front pocket, away from wandering hands.”
- “I use my phone for most purchases, and rarely carry cards these days. I simply don't need a bigger wallet.”
When looking at the Popov range of cardholder wallets, it’s easy to see how these opinions are formed.
Here’s how the Popov Leather card holder dimensions compare to some of our other wallet styles.
| Wallet Style | Thickness | Height | Width |
| Credit Card Holder | 0.28” | 3.75” | 2.80” |
| ID Wallet | 0.30” | 3.30” | 4.10” |
| 5 Card | 0.40” | 2.90” | 4.00” |
| Money Clip | 0.40” | 4.30” | 2.80” |
| Traditional (Billfold) | 0.50” | 4.30” | 3.30” |
| Trifold | 0.75” | 4.25” | 3.45” |
At just 0.28” of thickness, the card holder is our slimmest design.
A skinny wallet is a secure wallet. So here are the key safety benefits you’ll enjoy when carrying a card holder.
So what makes the best security wallet for credit cards? Let’s take a look at the efforts we put into our wallets to make sure your money and ID are as safe as possible.
SAFETY FEATURE # 1 - A Wallet that Fits in Your Front Pocket
Firstly, the front pocket—that’s where you want your valuables.
You can cram bulky wallets into a front pants pocket, but Popov credit card holders comfortably glide in.
Front pockets, like card holders, are generally considered safer as they reduce the risk of pickpocketing compared to back pocket wallets making them perfectly safe wallets for credit cards.
Your back pocket is far more visible and accessible, especially in places teeming with crowds or tourists. In fact, in 9 out of 10 cases of pickpocketing the victim doesn't feel the intrusion due to the natural gap between your body and the pocket.
Whereas your front pocket is tighter and closer to more sensitive areas of your body. You are more likely to notice if someone is reaching for your … front area!
SAFETY FEATURE #2 - CREDIT CARD SIZED WALLETS ARE LESS CONSPICUOUS
Secondly, Did You Know virtually all credit cards, debit cards, and ID cards are made with the same dimensions: 3.37” wide, 2.125” high
There’s a standard size for credit cards, debit cards, and ID cards. Consequently, card holders don’t need to be much bigger than the cards they carry.
Credit card holder wallet dimensions provide just enough space to comfortably enclose cards. A minimal amount of material extends past the cards’ length and width. Popov Leather’s card holders are about 1 cm wider and 2 cm longer than your credit cards.
Most importantly, Popov's card holders are thin.
Consequently, the design consists of a single card pouch and a cash slot. This creates a wallet thickness of just 0.28”, i.e. less than 1 cm. Even when the wallet is fully loaded (it holds up to six cards) it’s still super slender, since the cards are pressed flat together.
A thin wallet is a front pocket wallet, and that’s a major safety advantage. Pickpockets are much less likely to make a grab for your front pocket. A back pocket, on the other hand, can be swiftly emptied by a capable thief and you might not feel a thing.
Likewise, a wallet is also less likely to be accidentally dropped or left behind when it’s in the front pocket.
The back pocket is out of sight, out of mind. The front pocket, where lots of us keep our hands, can easily be patted during your daily triple checks (phone, keys, wallet—good to go!).
Safety Feature #3 - Slim Wallets Are Better for Your Back
No, really!
Need another reason to favour the front pocket? Sitting down over and over again on your back pocket wallet is terrible for your spine.
Finally, the problem is common enough that it has its own name.
Wallet neuritis, also known as fat wallet syndrome, refers to the sciatic nerve pain that occurs when you subject your back to long-term, unbalanced sitting atop an overstuffed wallet.
Safety Feature #4 - An Addon for a Wallet with RFID Protection
Unfortunately, the convenience of modern payment methods brings new opportunities for complex forms of crime.
Hackers with RFID readers can silently collect info from your cards from up to a meter away.
If you could instantly make your wallet and credit cards impervious to RFID-enabled thieves, would you do it? Of course, you would.
To clarify, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is embedded in credit cards, debit cards, and ID cards. RFID tagging uses electromagnetic fields to attach digital information to objects, such as the chips on credit cards.
Credit card holders are small, but they’re big enough to hold up to six cards. To maintain digital security, make one of those cards an RFID blocker.
RFID security is an evolving topic but if you're interested in it, then our RFID blocking cards are worth looking at.
Fortunately, it’s quite simple to add RFID blocking to your wallet.
To secure your wallet against RFID theft, check out the Popov Leather RFID blocker, the Wallet Gauntlet. It’s credit card-sized, just 0.9 mm thick, and keeps your other cards safe by blocking and scrambling any malicious attempts to skim your data.
The Popov RFID Blocking Card will keep your credit cards and identity secure from digital thieves. Secure your possessions here.
”Works as advertised. Tested it with my work RFID access badge and it blocks it from registering. Worth having these days.”
What Are People Saying About Our Credit Card Holder Wallets?
At Popov Leather, we receive a LOT of customer reviews. There’s something about the smell of full-grain Horween leather … it gets people fired up.
Our credit card holder wallets are exceptionally well-received. For most buyers, it takes a leap of faith to downsize to the absolute smallest wallet design. Fortunately, our credit card cases seem to hit the sweet spot, satisfying minimalist preferences while still providing just enough storage space.
Here are the key points I see raised most often by card holder owners:
- The minimalist design is aesthetically pleasing and fits great in the front pocket.
- Despite the small size, card holders provide enough storage space for daily use.
- For those who prefer a larger daily wallet, card holders serve as “weekend wallets,” used for specific outings like gym trips or bar nights.
As with all Popov Leather wallets, there’s always plenty of love for the hand-sewn Tiger thread, the durable leather quality, and the gorgeous patinas. And, of course, the smell.
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| LEATHER 5 CARD WALLET - ENGLISH TAN | LEATHER 5 CARD WALLET - HERITAGE BROWN | LEATHER 5 CARD WALLET - NATURAL FINISH |
Choose your favourite stylish leather wallet from the Popov range.
”Absolutely love this wallet. There’s an elegance in its simplicity. It smells absolutely divine. And, as with all Popov wallets, the stitching and burnishing are top notch.”
”I love this model… The manufacturing quality is, as always with Popov Leather, impeccable. This is the perfect minimalist wallet for the weekend.”
”The quality of the wallet is amazing. The size is perfect for the cards I carry. It’s extremely slim and fits well in my pocket.”
”Wanted something slimmer for the summer months and this is perfect. I actually carry more in this wallet than my trifold and I can barely tell it’s in my pocket.”
Safety First With a Popov Leather Wallet
If you could instantly obliterate the efforts of thieves to ruthlessly steal your money or your identity, wouldn’t you make it your first order of business?
Of course you would.
That’s something you share with us at Popov Leather as it's one of the biggest motivators for our development of a security wallet for credit cards.
Finally, check out our wallet card case collections page to find the secure, minimalist design you love best. Our wallets, card holders, id wallets, money clips, and five-card wallets are all front-pocket-compatible amd offer you peace of mind in a stylish fashion.
Written by Ryan Popoff
Ryan Popoff is the creative mind behind Popov Leather wallets, iPhone cases, belts, watch bands and journals since 2013. With a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts, my leatherworking journey began at home. I wanted to create a simple leather wallet that could fit into my front pocket and — to my delight — it was a hit with family and friends. Hopefully you love our honest, quality leather goods too! Reach out with questions.
