Combining your phone with your wallet is an idea that’s sparked thousands of products and hundreds of variations. The concept makes sense if you want to minimize what you carry each day. In fact, with the ability to add cards and a license to your electronic wallet, some people no longer bother carrying any physical cards.
But that hasn’t worked for me—I like having a few credit cards, especially for the times when electronic doesn’t work. And I have no interest in handing over my phone to show an ID.
I’ve been using a wallet case with a folding cover to carry a few of my cards, insurance and health cards, a license, and some cash. I also like how the case provides screen protection in case of a drop. Done right, a wallet case means leaving the house with just your phone—cards, cash, and ID all integrated into one pocketable package.
In recent years, some cases have offered a clever innovation where the phone in its own case and magnetically attaches to the wallet part using auxiliary magnets. Its removed when you want to charge it, mount it in your car, or take photos.
My favorite is the Vaja V-Mag case. At $198 it’s pricey, but it lasts for years and is one of the most attractive, durable, and functional cases available. Occasionally it goes on sale at 20% off.
Vaja cases are made in Argentina from a high-grade Patagonia leather. It’s soft, supple, and thick enough to provide protection without adding bulk. The embossed grained ages well over years of use. The V-Mag holds four to six cards in four slots and has a long pocket for bills. I’ve doubled up on the slots.
The BookBook ($59.99) takes a different aesthetic approach—it’s designed to look like a vintage leather book. Made from a stiffer full-grain leather, it also covers the entire phone when closed. Inside you’ll find slots for four cards, a pocket for cash, and a removable shell that holds your iPhone with MagSafe compatibility. While it uses the same design concept as the Vaja with the removeable phone, its bulkier, stiffer, and a bit less refined, but it’s a good value for what you get.
If you don’t need the removable wallet, Nomad’s Modern Leather Folio offers an attractive wallet case made of Horween leather from a Chicago tannery. It’s about $120, but as little as $22 for older phones
The leather darkens over time and its inside is vinyl rather than leather, but its attractive, nevertheless.
The Shieldon wallet case ($40) from Amazon is a budget option. It offers the same folio design with a removeable phone case as the Vaja and BookBook. It’s not as refined as the others—the leather is thinner and lighter – but it’s remarkably good for the price.
If budget allows, the Vaja V-Mag is worth every penny. It’s the best-made wallet case that I’ve ever seen. For a novel style with detachability at a better price, look at BookBook. If you need rugged protection, choose Nomad. And if you’re budget-conscious but want decent quality, the Shieldon is a good option.
