6 Types of Men’s Leather Wallets

Men’s leather wallets: it seems like a pretty basic category, but in reality, men’s wallets include seemingly endless variations. You’d think it would be easy to find the right one, but the sheer number of options can make the task overwhelming. To help, we’ve broken the whole category down into 6 Types of Men’s Leather Wallets. Any wallet will fall into one of these types, so consider the features and limitations of each, and choose the right one for you.

1. Bifold Wallets

Bi-fold wallets are a type of billfold with two sections (thus, the “bi” in “bi-fold”). To close the wallet, it is folded in half. Since it’s folded only once, a leather bifold wallet is usually slimmer than a trifold (depending on how it’s filled, of course). Although the two sections, as opposed to the three in a trifold, provide a bit less room for cards, the slimmer design typically makes a better option for carrying the wallet in a pants pocket.

2. Trifold Wallets

Tri-fold wallets are billfolds with three sections (hence, “tri”) and two folds. Being folded twice makes leather trifold wallets thicker than leather bifold wallets, but depending on the design, it’s possible for a trifold wallet to take up less space in a pocket than a bifold. Since this wallet is divided into thirds, it typically provides more space than a bifold for debit/credit cards, business cards, and ID.

3. Checkbook Wallets

Checkbook wallets are more than just a checkbook cover. A good checkbook wallet will have a slot for your checkbook (travelers’ checks or otherwise) or cash, as well as cards and ID. These wallets are not considered billfolds because, well, they don’t fold your bills. Whether you plan to use it primarily for checks, cash, every day, or travel, a leather checkbook wallet carries a sophisticated air and tucks nicely into a chest pocket.

4. Travel Wallets

Whether you’re traveling across the globe or just across town, when you need your passport handy, it can be a lifesaver to have it in one place with the rest of your essentials. Cue: leather travel wallets. Travel wallets (also called passport wallets) are just the right size for carrying your passport along with a bit of cash and a couple of cards. Conveniently, travel wallets are also just right for use as a field notes journal cover so you can jot down all your thoughts and plans along the way.

5. Slim ID Wallets

A slim ID wallet works well for carrying the essentials with minimal bulk. An ID window is front and center. Then, on the flip side, you’ll find cards slots and a slim inside space for a few bills. If you need to carry coupon cards, membership cards, insurance cards, and 14 receipts at all times – this is not the one for you. But if you’re taking advantage of the electronic wallet on your smartphone for all those extras, a leather slim ID wallet is a fantastic low profile choice.

6. Money Clips

Money clips round out the types of men’s wallets worth knowing before you shop. A money clip is not really a wallet: a spring or magnet holds folded bills, with no room for excess. Buffalo Jackson’s version is not a bare clip. It is the Dakota bifold wallet with a magnetic money clip, which pairs top-grain leather with a magnetic clip mounted on the outside. Two card slots hold up to three cards each, and one interior slot takes extra bills or cards, so it carries more than a true money clip while keeping the clip’s quick-access front.

Because the clip rides on a full bifold body rather than a slim metal frame, it will not compress down the way a standalone clip does. One buyer summed up the trade-off plainly: “Great leather. Too thick for a money clip wallet. Unfortunately I’ll keep looking for a better fit.” Buffalo Jackson does not currently sell a true frame-and-spring money clip on its own; the bifold with a magnetic clip is the closest option in the collection, built for someone who wants clip-style access to cash without giving up card storage entirely.

Set next to the slim ID wallet above, the choice comes down to profile versus capacity. The slim ID wallet carries the least and sits the flattest in a pocket. The money clip bifold carries slightly more, at the cost of the slim profile a true money clip is chosen for.

At the end of the day, all types of men’s leather wallets serve one purpose or another. But regardless of which type suits you best, it’s worth investing in a quality wallet that can not only stand up to the demands of daily use but look and feel good doing it. For some exceptional options, be sure to check out our collection of men’s leather wallets.