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Ridge Wallet Review: 500+ Day Test

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

The Ridge Wallet started out on Kickstarter in 2013 and has only gained traction since. Today, the wallet comes in different material options and styles to fit most tastes. 

Compact Minimalist Wallet

Ridge Wallet

Ridge Wallet

The Ridge wallet is a slim RFID blocking front wallet. In our first 500+ days of use it has been easy to use and a mostly seamless transition from a more traditional tri-fold wallet. I absolutely love the size and thinness. The transition to the front pocket took a little getting used to, but over time it feels natural. When I made the transition from tri-fold to Ridge I had to give up a few cards. However, after 500+ days of use I haven’t missed any of them. Easily my preferred daily driver wallet.Check Price

Here is our review of the design, features, and usability of the Ridge Wallet.

Slimline credit card holder - Ridge wallet
Slim, RFID-blocking Ridge wallet

Its small profile makes it ideal for minimalists and the quality materials mean it will last a lifetime. The Ridge Wallet also has RFID-blocking material to protect from chip reader theft. This added security helps offset some of the cost.

500+ Day Ridge Wallet Test

I bought the Ridge wallet in early September 2019. Since then, I’ve been using it as my daily driver wallet. The Ridge replaced a traditional leather tri-fold wallet.

On a daily basis over the last 500+ days (1 year, 5 months) I’ve used my Ridge Wallet to hold:

  • A max of 5-7 bills (using the money clip), though usually more like 2-3
  • 5 cards

During the last 500+ days we’ve made two durability updates. Our first was at the 9 month (270+ days) mark.

See the images of durability below:

Ridge Wallet Durability Test
Ridge Wallet durability at the 9 month mark

Over the first 9 months overall durability was excellent. There were a few minor scratches on the exterior metal plate, but nothing major.

In addition, we noted some minor pilling on the fabric strap. But again, pretty minor wear and tear.

Ridge Wallet Durability Strap
Ridge Wallet strap durability at the 9 month mark

In February, 2021 we made our next durability update. The images below show the state of our Ridge wallet after using it every day for 500+ days.

Ridge Wallet 500 day durability test
Ridge Wallet 500 day durability test

As you can see, there are a significant number of new and expanded scratches on the surface of the metal. In addition, edges are starting to show more scratch wear and tear.

I should add, I am not kind to this wallet. It goes in my pocket with my keys, gets tossed about on my desk, and in general doesn’t get any special treatment.

Despite the aesthetic scratches, functionally, it’s still in perfect shape. It’s as good today as it was when I first purchased it. If minimizing scratching is important to you then definitely keep it out of your pocket with keys, change, and any other hard and/or metal objects.

Ridge Wallet 500 day durability test (strap shown)
Ridge Wallet 500 day durability test (strap shown)

Durability on the strap is actually really impressive. It looks more or less the same today as it did at our last durability check in (270 days in). The fabric pilling has not expanded significantly. We have not noticed any performance differences due to changes in elasticity, it still holds the cards snuggly.

What’s To Like

  • Compact Size – First and foremost, the Ridge Wallet is slim and light. Everything is incredibly compact and tight. You’re supposed to use it in a front pocket, which I found to be a fairly easy transition. The weight and size cannot be understated. In my view, this is the primary reason to buy the Ridge. Not having to drag my thick leather wallet around was the biggest win.
  • Durability – I haven’t been overly kind or overly hard on my Ridge. I just use it like any other wallet. Most of the time it sits in the same pocket as my keys. As a result, it’s not immune to scratches. That said, surface level scratches are about the only discernible wear and tear that I can see over the first 500+ days. The money clip is still more than tight enough to keep bills firmly held down. In addition, the card strap is still incredibly elastic. The strap has the slightest degree of pilling at the ends, but it doesn’t seem to be an area that’s likely to fail any time soon.
  • RFID Blocking – I don’t know how often skimmers are out there trying to swipe my card’s data, but having the RFID blocking is a nice extra.

What’s Not So Good

  • Limited Carrying Capacity – If you’re like me you have a lot of stuff in your old leather wallet. Tri-folds work because they can hold a lot of stuff. As a result, when I made the transition I left behind several cards. Granted, none of them are cards I use on a day-to-day basis (ex. Dave & Buster’s, Top Golf, business debit, business cards, etc.) The Ridge can hold up to 12 cards and 7 bills. When you make the switch, you may end up needing (or wanting, as was my case) to leave a few cards behind. I kept my tri-fold wallet, which now sits on my office desk. Thus far, I’ve only needed to grab a card or two for special outings. Suffice to say, I think the limited capacity is well worth what you gain in terms of compact usability.

Ridge Wallet Design

The Ridge Wallet has a simple design that tends to appeal most with minimalists. However, a simple design doesn’t mean sacrificing on quality materials.

Let’s take a look at the material and features of the wallet.

What’s the Ridge Wallet made from?

The Ridge Wallet is made of one of three materials. Choose an option depending on personal preference:

  • Titanium
  • Aluminum (shown in the image below)
  • Carbon fiber
Ridge wallet compared to leather wallet
Ridge wallet vs. traditional leather wallet

It consists of two plates screwed together and bound by black elastic bands. The metal plates come in colors including:

  • Black
  • Navy
  • Rose gold
  • Gunmetal

And there are a variety of other colors and designs that can be found at different price points. These are the additional designs and colors offered in aluminum finish:

  • Desert tan
  • White
  • OD Green
  • Raw (no color)
  • Tiki
  • Tropical
Ridge wallet packaging
Unboxing the Ridge Wallet and accessories

Features

The Ridge Wallet may be small, but it packs in a number of features that make it stand out from other smart wallets.

  • RFID blocking: One of the main features of the wallet is that it can block wireless access to chip-enabled debit and credit cards.
  • Extremely durable: The Ridge Wallet is made to be long long lasting and expandable. According to Ridge, the wallet can hold up to 12 cards at one time. 
  • Easy to use: The round cutout on the side allows one-finger access to push the cards out, then they fan to make it easy to choose a card.
  • Easy to replace parts: All the parts are made to be taken apart and replaced as needed. Replacement straps can be purchased from Ridge.
  • Choose cash carrying option: You can choose either a cash strap or a money clip for the exterior of the Ridge Wallet. Both are available for purchase separately, but one comes included with the wallet. If your needs change, you can easily swap out between the two.
Ridge wallet view from the side
Side view of the Ridge Wallet

RELATED – Looking for other smart devices? Check out our list of the best ones.

How big is the Ridge Wallet?

The Ridge Wallet is minimalist in both use and size. The wallet is less than a 1/4″ in depth, which helps to ensure that cards are held securely in place.

Here are the dimensions of the wallet:

  • Length: 86 mm (3.39 in)
  • Height: 54 mm (2.13 in)
  • Depth: 6 mm (0.24 in)
  • Weight: 2 oz

Keep in mind the weight will increase with how many cards are added. The weight filled with 12 cards and 7 bills is about 4.3 oz.

Ridge wallet filled
Size of the Ridge Wallet (7 cards + 7 bills shown)

Anyone who typically carries their wallet in their back pocket might notice some back pain on that side. If there isn’t another reason, perhaps it’s the wallet thickness causing it.

If so, choosing a slimmer wallet like the Ridge Wallet might be worth it. In our day-to-day test we liked how slim and compact the Ridge was. It was easy to toss in the same pocket as my keys and not really feel it at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ridge wallet worth it?

Compact and light, the Ridge wallet can easily fit into your pocket. While it’s not immune to scratches, it can withstand a lot of wear and tear. The RFID blocking feature is a welcome addition, as it ensures that no one can steal your card’s data. 

In our opinion, the Ridge wallet is worth every penny. Though it’s on the expensive side, it comes with a lifetime warranty and takes far less space than traditional leather wallets.

How long do Ridge wallets last?

The Ridge wallet is designed to last a lifetime. It actually comes with a lifetime warranty that covers most types of damage except for cosmetic issues (e.g.: tears or scratches) and damage caused by improper usage, theft, neglect, abuse, and authorized repairs. 

We tested the Ridge wallet for one year and five months. While it has some scratches, functionally, it’s just as good today as it was when we purchased it. You also have the option to buy replacement parts in case something breaks or gets damaged. The wallet comes with a screwdriver that allows you to make small repairs if necessary.

Which Ridge wallet is best?

Ridge offers several types of RFID-blocking wallets. They have a nearly identical design, with the only difference being the material they are made of. 

Depending on your preferences, you may opt for titanium, carbon fiber, forged carbon, or aluminum. There is also a gold-plated version. All Ridge wallets have the same features and come with a lifetime guarantee.

Using the Ridge Wallet

The Ridge Wallet comes fully assembled and ready to go. It’s much slimmer and lightweight compared to the average leather wallet.

Simply place up to 12 debit and/or credit cards into the wallet. The elastic strap will expand with each card added, keeping it secure even when a card is removed for use.

Ridge wallet money clip
Back view of the Ridge Wallet money clip

To switch out the cash strap for a money clip, remove the screws holding the strap on. Then, replace the strap with the money clip and put the screws back in.

According to the FAQs on the manufacturer’s website, you could choose to use both cash carrying options. Place the cash strap on one side and the money clip on the other. It would add some bulk and weight to the wallet, but will offer the ability to carry more cash and/or cards.

EDITOR’S NOTE – After using the Ridge Wallet for a few weeks I definitely want to replace the money clip with the cash strap. If you use cash with any regularity you’ll probably prefer the cash strap over the money clip.

Longevity & Durability

When testing the wallet, we noticed that the more cards added inside, the harder it was to get them out when needed. It seems that the ideal number of cards is 6-7 (and about 6-7 bills also).

Also, if you prefer to carry more cash, then the cash strap might be a better choice. The main reason is that the money clip requires bills to be folded twice, limiting the amount of space.

taking cards in and out of the Ridge Wallet
Sliding cards out of the Ridge Wallet

However, both the cash strap and money clip can also be used to carry:

  • More credit/debit cards
  • Business cards
  • IDs

If space is an issue, consider using both the cash strap and the money clip as mentioned above to get the maximum usage out of the Ridge Wallet.

The RFID blocking protection might also affect key cards that some offices use to enter buildings, meaning the badge will have to be put in the cash strap or money clip.

As far as durability, the material is not bulletproof and might show some wear and tear after prolonged use. It’s normal to see scratches and dings depending on how rough you are on a wallet. It’s not much different than a leather wallet getting worn out and discolored after using it for a long time.

Is it a good value?

The initial cost of the Ridge Wallet is definitely on the expensive side. There are loads of knock offs that are less expensive (we might test those in the future).

Ridge wallet view in hand
Ridge wallet in hand

The Ridge Wallet is made with quality materials and is made to function for life. If the Ridge really does last that long then it’s probably worth the cost. My last wallet was $30 and I have had it 15 years. If the Ridge goes that long I’ll be satisfied.

The company stands by its product, backing it with a lifetime warranty.

It’s important to note the limitations of the warranty, which the company states as:

The warranty does not cover: cosmetic damage, ie wear, tear, scuffs, scratches, or scrapes; damages caused by accident, abuse, neglect, or shock; lost or stolen items, improper use or storage of the product; unauthorized modifications or repairs.”

Ridge also offers replacement parts on their website. This is a good option in case something breaks or gets damage that isn’t covered by the warranty, the wallet doesn’t become unusable.

The small screwdriver accessory makes it easy to disassemble the wallet and replace parts as needed.

Screwdriver for the Ridge Wallet
Screwdriver for the Ridge Wallet

Though this wallet is marketed towards men, the variety of colors and designs means women can enjoy this functional wallet as well.

Who Should Buy the Ridge Wallet?

When searching for a minimalist wallet that will last, the Ridge Wallet is a strong contender. 

You should consider buying the Ridge Wallet if you:

  • Want a small wallet – I didn’t realize how fat my wallet was until I started using the Ridge. It’s compact, light, and is basically invisible alongside my keys in my left pocket. I hardly noticed it was there most of the time. The size is the greatest advantage to the Ridge, in our opinion.
  • Want an RFID blocking wallet: Card theft is on the rise, and the easiest way to protect yourself from having your card cloned is through RFID technology. The Ridge Wallet keeps your cards safe no matter where you are.
  • Enjoy the minimalist look: There is no denying that the Ridge Wallet is perfect for people who want function along with a minimal design. There are a variety of colors to choose from to show personality without sacrificing values.
  • Don’t have a lot to carry: The Ridge Wallet limits the number of cards and cash that can be carried. For many, this isn’t a problem and is actually preferable. Cards can be changed out as needed and the Ridge Wallet will fit in almost any pocket or bag.

Fore more information or to buy the Ridge Wallet visit here.

ChangeLog

  • February 26, 2021 – Our 500+ day testing section was added. By this point we had tested Ridge for 1 year and 5 months. We updated some of our long-term testing notes based on our experiences over the last 500 days.
  • June 18, 2020 – Our 9 month test data was added. In addition, we added durability pictures, pros / cons, and clarified information in a few places in the review.
  • October 17, 2019 – Initial version of the page was published.
Compact & Lightweight
  • Design - 95%
    95%
  • Performance - 95%
    95%
  • Quality - 96%
    96%
  • Usability - 98%
    98%
  • Value - 93%
    93%
95%

Summary

The Ridge Wallet is a slim wallet designed to help cut down on the bulk of a traditional leather wallet. It holds up to 12 cards and also includes a money clip. The dual metal plate design blocks RFID signals, protecting your card’s security. It’s lighter and far less bulky than a traditional leather wallet. Overall, we just love the usability. It’s an easy replacement to the old fat wallet.

About Derek Hales

Derek HalesDerek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ModernCastle.com. He has been featured in Fast Company, Reader's Digest, Business Insider, Realtor.com, She Knows, and other major publications. Derek has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University. Hales has been testing and reviewing products for the home since 2014.