Which Wingback Wallet Is Right for You?

If you're trying to decide which Wingback wallet is right for you, the choice really comes down to how much you carry and the look you're after. They're all cut from the same full grain, vegetable tanned leather and hand-stitched in our London workshop, so the decision is less about quality and more about fit for your daily habits.

At a glance

• Card Holder: the slimmest option, best if you carry just a few cards and little or no cash.
• Card Wallet: a touch more room, for cards plus the odd folded note.
• Cash Wallet: holds 2 to 5 cards and 15 or more notes, ideal if you still like carrying cash.
• Travel Wallet: the largest, made to keep cards, notes and travel documents together in one place.

A quick comparison

*All of the above wallets also come in a Winston version, except for the Card Wallet

The Card Holder: the least you can carry

If your ideal is a couple of cards and nothing else, the Card Holder is where to start. It's the slimmest of the range and disappears into a front pocket, which is exactly why so many people who thought they wanted a full wallet end up here. It's a lovely example of buying less and buying better, and if you'd like to read a little more about how it came to be, we wrote about it in Designs: The Card Holder.

The Card Wallet: a little more everyday room

The Card Wallet sits neatly between the Card Holder and the Cash Wallet. It keeps that slim, low-profile character but gives you a touch more room for cards and the odd folded note, which suits people who mostly tap to pay but like to keep a bit of cash to hand.

The Cash Wallet: cards and notes, together

The Cash Wallet is the one for you if you still carry cash and want it in the same place as your cards. It holds 2 to 5 cards and 15 or more notes, and measures 69mm x 91mm x 12mm, so it stays compact whilst carrying a proper amount. One thing worth knowing: the leather feels stiff at first and then softens with use to hold its contents snugly, so you can gradually increase what it carries but not really reduce it. Start with what you genuinely need and let it settle around that. There's more on the thinking behind it in Designs: The Cash Wallet.

The Travel Wallet: everything in one place

The Travel Wallet is the largest of the four and the one to reach for when you want cards, notes and travel documents kept together and easy to find. It's less of an everyday pocket wallet and more of a considered companion for trips, the sort of thing that makes the moment at the gate or the desk feel a good deal calmer.

What are the Winston versions?

The Travel Wallet, Cash Wallet and Card Holder each also come in a Winston version. Think of it as a slightly different, more refined look rather than a big change in what the wallet does, so the choice really comes down to taste and which finish you're drawn to. The Winston Card Holder has one neat detail worth mentioning: a small sheet of steel inside that gently springs against both sides, holding your cards securely without any bulk. If you like the idea of that quiet bit of engineering doing the work, it's a lovely thing to carry.

So which Wingback wallet should you choose?

Start with how you actually pay. If it's cards and only cards, the Card Holder or a Winston Card Holder will serve you for years. If you like a little cash alongside, the Card Wallet or Cash Wallet is the natural home. And if you travel often and want documents in the mix, the Travel Wallet earns its keep. Beyond that, trust your eye. Leather is personal, it takes on a patina and ages beautifully with you, and the version you keep reaching for is usually the one you liked the look of from the start. If you'd like the wider case for choosing one good thing over several disposable ones, our note on buying less and buying better is a good read.

Whichever you choose, it's cut, stitched, bevelled and burnished by hand in London and backed by our lifetime guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the slimmest Wingback wallet?

The Card Holder is the slimmest, made for a few cards and little or no cash. If you want the same slim feel with a slightly more refined look and a sprung steel plate holding your cards, the Winston Card Holder is worth a look.

How many cards and notes does the Cash Wallet hold?

The Cash Wallet holds 2 to 5 cards and 15 or more notes. The leather starts stiff and softens with use to hold everything snugly, so begin with what you need and build up rather than overfilling it on day one.

What's the difference between the standard and Winston versions?

It's mostly about look and feel rather than function. The Winston versions of the Travel Wallet, Cash Wallet and Card Holder are a slightly more refined take, so the choice comes down to personal taste and which finish appeals to you.

Do Wingback wallets come with a guarantee?

Yes. Every wallet is handmade and carries a lifetime guarantee, and because we design, make and repair them ourselves, we can look after them for the long haul.

The Wingback Team