Slim wallets are not only becoming, they’re a necessity for the modern wardrobe. And the Carbonlite Minimalist by slimTECH, spotted at this week’s Capsule show in New York City, is one of the coolest and slimmest we’ve seen, thanks to its simple yet ingenious design.
Consisting of two highly durable, wafer-thin plates of aerospace grade carbon fiber, this wallet is held together by industrial-grade EPDM tension rings that loop around corrugated edges and expand as you insert cards between the sleeves. (For some reason we had a sudden flashback of the diminutive rubber bands folks used to sport around dental braces back in the late 80s. Thankfully when we tried these out the bands didn’t snap but stretched to easily accommodate nine credit cards.) As a result, slimTECH’s design not only feels sensible but also eliminates unwanted bulk from leather stretched out over time by users.
Three additional innovations keep our interest: first, an optional strap that sits on the outside so you can quickly cram bills to receipts and business cards in; second, a built-in money clip that lays hidden when not in use (simply press on the outer edge to flip it up and insert your notes); and third, RFID shields on the inside of the wallets so you can block out worrisome RFID scanning devices used to steal ID and credit card info. If that isn’t reason enough to like Carbonlite, the company also offers a handful of universally appealing metallic finishes to choose from, along with two extra sizes and sets of tension rings in its starter kit. Say farewell to pocket bulges for good.