Ekster Wallet Review: The Wallet That Saved Me From Identity Theft

I want to begin this review with a little story.

A few weeks ago, I was walking through a busy mall with my wife when I felt a tap on my back pocket. I didn’t think anything of it then but soon realized I had been skimmed.

Skimming is when someone uses RFID technology to try to tap your bank or credit cards and steal money from your account. It’s not a pleasant experience for sure.

My nightmare became a reality when I noticed $50 missing from my bank account. I called my bank as soon as possible and started the process of restoring the stolen money.

It was a mess and took several hours to rectify.

I say all of the above to tell you that I set out looking for a product that would protect me from this event from happening again.

This was when I discovered Ekster wallets.

About Ekster

According to their website, Rick and Oliver started Ekster after discovering their shared desire for a better, slicker, and thinner bifold.

They thought,

“What would a wallet built for the 21st century look like?”

They took their idea to Kickstarter, and only five years later, they built a brand known worldwide. They currently have 40 team members that are spread across 11 countries.

The quality of their wallets is unbeatable, and the materials they use are sustainable, reliable, and durable.

They are honestly making the next-generation wallets.

Ekster Modular Bifold Review

If you’re looking for a wallet that can be used in almost any situation in your life, I suggest checking out Ekster’s Modular Bifold Wallet. One thing is for sure: this wallet is far from average. I recently got my hands on the Ekster Modular Bifold wallet; I was impressed with its features and quality.

The Design

When you purchase this wallet, you’re not getting only one wallet but two.

You get the base wallet with two sections of card slots, which can hold four cards or more, and a secret card slot that holds two more cards. Then, a separate cardholder carries up to eight more cards.

Here’s the kicker and why this wallet is called a modular wallet.

This cardholder detaches and can be used as a separate wallet. It attaches with a strong magnet and can snap off whenever you need a smaller wallet.

This is a fantastic idea. Why would you bring your full wallet when you have to rush to the store to grab some milk? You can bring the small cardholder wallet and still have everything you need.

The full wallet has a lot of different compartments. There’s a place for your bills, coins, cards, and some secret compartments. It really does have an incredible amount of space for such a compact, thin wallet.

In fact, the wallet had plenty of room for all my cards, and I loved that it could hold cash and coins. I have to be honest; for such a minimalistic wallet, I was surprised that a cash and coin section was added. Even the tiny detached wallet has lots of room for cards and cash.

The tabs on the cash slot are a nice touch and make it easy to grab the cash you need quickly, and those tabs also make it really easy to glance at all your cards in a rush.

This bi-fold is the thinnest bi-fold wallet I have ever owned at only 0.4 inches thick, but it can hold over 12 cards – it’s pretty great.

Of course, you can also add a tracker and always know your wallet’s location. The tracker gives you some pretty nifty features and transforms your wallet into a smart device. We’ll detail the tracker further in this article.

The Quality

This wallet is well made, which you can tell by holding it in your hand.

The leather feels so soft. It’s made with top-grain leather and has excellent details throughout the entire wallet, which gives this wallet a luxury feel.

I found the leather is a little stiff at first, but it does slowly soften over time.

Overall, it’s a tremendous, high-quality bi-fold wallet. This bi-fold will cost you just under $100, so your wallet will be a little lighter after you buy it. It’s a little pricey, but it’s worth the investment based on its quality and function.

If you’re looking for a premium bi-fold wallet, I suggest checking out the Ekster Modular Bifold.

Ekster Parliament Wallet Review

I received my Parliament Wallet in a stylishly designed box wrapped in tissue paper.

The wallet itself is a boxy bifold with a band for bills.

It’s certainly not your ordinary wallet.

There isn’t any bill holder except the band, and you definitely won’t find a place for your coins.

It’s minimal. A wallet that is super small and fits nicely in your pocket.

There is a place for 14 cards on this minimal wallet, so though it’s a small design, it still allows you to hold enough cards.

The Cardholder

The cardholder in this wallet is an excellent idea.

You push the trigger at the bottom of the wallet, and all your cards fan out nicely. Then, you can effortlessly make your pick.

I like that it lets you see all the cards, and nothing gets hidden.

The cardholder is also RFID-blocking, so you don’t have to worry about getting skimmed like me, and you’ll be glad for that.

I have embossed cards, so I could only get five cards in the cardholder total. I have six cards that I usually put in my wallet, so it works for me. I just put one card in the slot on the opposite side of the cardholder.

My biggest fear was that the cards would fall out of the cardholder, on the ground, or in my pocket, but this wasn’t the case. You’ll want to ensure it’s full of cards so they are all snug.

The Quality

The wallet itself is a quality product. I knew it right from the moment I picked up the box. It was packaged well; it felt like I was opening an Apple product.

The stitching, feel of the leather, and overall wallet design were flawless. It was super slim and felt good to hold in my hand.

It felt like I was opening an Apple product.

The Design

If you’re a back pocket wallet guy, you will find switching to the Parliament Wallet hard. It’s not a back pocket wallet.

I have always put my wallet in my back pocket, but you can’t with the Parliament Wallet from Ekster. According to Ekster’s website, they suggest that carrying your wallet in your back pocket is actually a terrible idea.

• Sitting on your wallet misaligns your spine over time.
• Your back pocket is unseen and unprotected.

You won’t have to worry about putting the Ekster Parliament in your back pocket because It just doesn’t feel right; plus, you could easily damage the card ejector by bending the metal casing. I’m unsure if that’s possible, but you don’t want to take the chance.

This wallet gives you a completely different experience. It’s a front-pocket kind of wallet, so it took me some time to get used to that idea.

The great thing about this wallet is it’s small enough to fit nicely in your front pocket.

It felt nice to hold and eject my cards, and it looked terrific. It’s a super minimalist wallet with an elegant design.

Ekster Tracker Card Review

If you’ve ever lost your wallet, you know how terrifying that can be.

I’ve been there, and when I heard that Ekster had solved this problem, I was excited to try it.

This tracker is unbelievably tiny. It slides nicely into your wallet, and you forget it’s there.

The great thing about this small Bluetooth device is that it has a two-way alert. If you can’t find your wallet, make your wallet ring by enabling it on your phone. You can also make your phone ring by pressing the button on the tracker.

I love that it’s a part of the global lost and found network. It means if your phone is out of range from your wallet and someone with the app is near it, the app will send you an anonymous update and tell you its location. That’s pretty cool.

You’re probably wondering how this device is charged. It’s solar-powered.

I’m not super crazy about the solar power option. I wish there were an option to plug it in as well. You have to charge it for 3 hours for two months of use. I mean, it’s really neat that you don’t need a charger cord if you’re away from home, but it will be hard to charge in the winter.

The last feature of the tracker is my favorite. When enabled on the app, your phone will alert you when your wallet is left behind.

Two weeks ago, I was having lunch at a fast food restaurant and walked out without my wallet. When I stopped for gas, I started to freak out when I couldn’t find my wallet anywhere. I called the restaurant, and it was sitting on the table. I sure wish I had the Ekster Wallet at that time. I wouldn’t have had to drive another hour to get my wallet.

Alerting you when you leave without your wallet is an incredible and practical feature.

Should You Purchase an Ekster Wallet?

If you’re looking for a minimalist smart wallet, I would strongly recommend this wallet.

Its quality is superb, and slim enough to fit in your front pocket.

I love the cardholder and the protection it offers you from identity theft: RFID blocking and, with the tracker, alerting you if your wallet is left behind.

Overall, my experience with the Ekster wallet has been positive. It’s taken me a little time to get used to my wallet in my front pocket, but I am starting to love the features, and I don’t think I could switch back.

I must admit, it’s the best wallet I have ever owned.