What’s the Best Wallet for You? Cardholders vs Bifold vs Trifold Wallets

In the debate of bifold vs trifold wallet, which one reigns supreme? 
 

When you walk out the door in the morning, your wallet is more than an indispensible accessory. Indeed, it's an extension of your style and functionality.

Therefore, a high-quality wallet that complements your daily routine is essential for every individual. Given the plethora of options available, how can one determine the ideal wallet that aligns with their personal style?

Now, some people have very strong opinions about bifold vs trifold wallets. But then there are alternative types of wallets, like cardholders or checkbook wallets, to consider.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each choice to help you determine the absolute best wallet for your unique style and needs. 

Traditional wallets come in one of two varieties: bifold and trifold. Bifold wallets have one fold and two flaps, while men's trifold wallets have two folds and three sections.

For years, many men could only decide between bifold vs trifold wallets. Other options simply weren’t available in local stores. Today, there are numerous options available. But traditional bifold and trifold wallets remain popular.

One reason for this continued popularity is that minimalist styles like cardholders often only hold cards and IDs. Bifold and trifold wallets, on the other hand, provide room for cash, which can be important to have on hand for emergencies.

And if you’re the type of dad who likes having cute 3x5 pictures of your kids on hand, there’s no better place than in a bifold or trifold wallet. 

Traditional wallets also have a timeless appeal. It can be comforting to know that the leather wallet you carry looks the same as the wallet carried by your father or grandfather.

That aesthetic appeal is one of the main reasons men may gravitate toward bifold wallets over trifold wallets or vice versa. If you associate a certain wallet style with a person you loved or admired, it’s natural to want that same wallet style for yourself. 

But, preferred styles aside, there are pros and cons to bifold and trifold wallets. 

The biggest benefit bifold wallets have over trifold wallets is their slim design. You’re only dealing with one fold and two sections of leather, which leads most bifold wallets to be slimmer than their trifold counterparts.

This makes them well-suited for people who like carrying their wallets in their pants but prefer the look of traditional-style wallets or need to have a supply of emergency cash on hand.

Bifold wallets are also a great choice for the first wallet for kids or teenagers. This age group often enjoys having traditional-looking wallets. But they rarely have as many cards to carry at a time as their adult counterparts.

In fact, children are more likely to enjoy the space for cash offered by a bifold wallet than the space for cards, filling their wallets with birthday and allowance money.

Trifold wallets tend to be thicker than bifold wallets, which can make them uncomfortable to carry in your pockets throughout the day — especially if you spend large periods of your day seated.

But the draw to these wallets comes in the extra space they provide. The extra wallet flap allows trifold wallet users to carry more cards than bifold or cardholder users.

For some people, this extra real estate is worth the added bulk. Trifold wallets may have space for gift cards, membership cards, and business cards. They're great for people who like to be prepared for every eventuality.

And if you prefer stowing your wallet in a bag or you throw them in cargo pockets, the extra size may be a non-problem. 

The cardholder vs bifold vs trifold wallet debate doesn’t even touch on the array of wallet types available to today's savvy shoppers. Long wallets and checkbook wallets are there for people who have specific everyday carry needs. 

If you enjoy a minimalist vibe but don’t want to cut down on the cards or cash you’re carrying each day, you may enjoy a long wallet. These unique wallets are designed to carry unfolded cash and numerous cards. Although too large to be carried in most jeans pockets, they fit easily into a bag or hoodie pocket.

Alternatively, the long wallets sold by Popov Leather come with a detachable brass chain and belt loop so you can keep your wallet by your side throughout the day. 

Checkbook wallets are elongated wallets that have room not only for cash and cards, but also for your checkbook and pen.

If you work as a contractor or an accountant, or your job necessitates a careful paper trail of everything you purchase, a checkbook wallet eliminates the headache of having to hunt down a checkbook and pen every time you need to make a transaction.