Over the years, I have owned several wallets. Each one seemed to allow me to store more and more. They had everything from plastic picture holders, zipper coin pockets, hide-a-key pockets, and several card holders.
At some point, I started experiencing lower back pain and numbness. After living with the discomfort, it finally occurred to me that the pain was likely the result of my over-stuffed wallet. Determined to “down-size” my McMansion of a wallet, I started to empty its contents on my table. I was amazed how much stuff was in there. Everything from insurance cards, multiple rewards cards, gift cards, credit cards, numerous old receipts, two crushed Advil, expired fishing license, drivers license, school pictures of my children, and a “hide-a-key” for my apartment, “just in case”.
It turns out, wallet-induced chronic sciatic nerve constriction is a common problem for many men. It produces gluteal and ipsilateral lower extremity pain, tin-gling, and burning sensations. With this knowledge and pain, I set out to find the thinnest wallet possible.
21st Century Wallets
Growing up in the 80s, velcro wallets were all the rage. These were every teenage boys first wallet. In the 21st Century, a whole new generation of entrepreneurs are embarking on Direct to Consumer startups looking to “reinvent” everything from shaving, manscaping, clothing and yes, even wallets. The new generation of wallets ditch the leather for aluminum, carbon fiber, hard plastic, polyester rubber latex elastic, titanium and even wood. Just looking at these rigid plates causes me lower extremity pain. In other words, a pain in the butt.
Back to the Basics
After testing, touching and researching several “minimalist” wallets, I went back to the basics to find the thinnest, softest and reasonably priced wallet on the market. This led me to Bellroy’s “The Low”, $75 wallet. The wallet is made from premium, environmentally certified leather. Bellroy offers a 3 year warranty that covers faults in materials and workmanship. Having carried the wallet for the past 3 years, it has formed around the items I carry and the stitching still looks new.
Downsizing my wallet with the thin and soft Bellroy has made a huge difference and I no longer have the pain in my backside. After 3 years, I still catch myself checking to make sure the Bellroy is in my back pocket because I can’t feel it’s presence the way I could my old wallets.
Conclusion
I predict the next generation wallet will be our smartphone. Until then, Bellroy’s “The Low” will be the last wallet I ever need to purchase. It is comfortably thin, soft, quality made and reasonably priced.
~ Marc