Drive By :: Allett Classic Leather Women’s Sport Wallet

One of the best things about going to the Outdoor Retailer show is finding brands you might not have discovered otherwise. Such was the case with Allett (pronounced All-et). The small California-based company has been steadily growing with their American-made wallets since 1995.

Who it suits

The slim profile of the Allett Classic Leather Women’s Sport Wallet was the primary feature that first drew me to it. I rarely carry a purse so unless I’m going to or from work with my laptop bag, I carry my wallet alongside my phone in either a jacket or pants pocket. With slim-fitting jackets and pants, minimizing bulk is key to being able to tuck both into a pocket. This is a great wallet for someone who’s looking for a high-quality, low profile that doesn’t look like you borrowed it from your uncle. Also, as an American-made leather wallet (supple Napa leather to be precise), it’s a steal at USD $24.95.

Who it doesn’t suit

This wallet has very few bells and whistles. It is straightforward, small and light so if you’re someone who carries 25 supermarket loyalty cards, and keeps every receipt you’ve ever received in your wallet, you’re going to quickly max this wallet out. While Allett specifically markets it as a women’s wallet, it’s not overly feminine. Other than offering somewhat feminine color choices (mine is turquoise, 2014 wallets are available in black, camel, cherry, fuchsia and sea blue) it’s indistinguishable as a women’s wallet. I appreciate this subtler styling, but not all women will.

The Good

Over time, I was surprised at how well the leather has worn. It is so supple and thin at first fondling; I doubted the longevity of such staggeringly slender hide. My primary concerns were not only durability, but also how the leather would age as it got scuffed and worn. While the color has darkened, and it does show scuffs, they rub out and lend a patina to the leather that allows it to age without looking dingy.

I appreciate the bit of rubberized elastic hidden inside the pockets, which are designed to keep a snug hold on your credit cards. There is no trick to it. Just push a card in, and you instantly feel the wallet hold the card with a bit of tension. The interior pocket layout is very simple, with a card pocket on each side and a bill pocket in back. Because there are only two pockets for cards I carry anywhere between three and five cards in each side. The rubberized elastic maintains its hold, even when the pockets are packed full of cards.

The Not So Good

Alletts are known for (but not this particular one) their RFID-blocking alloy, which protects against identity theft on cards with RFID chips. While I currently only carry one RFID card, since this wallet is not RFID blocking I use a protective RFID-blocking sleeve to keep my ID safe. I anticipate RFID blocking being a key feature in future wallets and would love to see Allett incorporate it into more, perhaps all of their products, especially those with slim profiles oriented towards women. 

Conclusion

For women who are looking for a small wallet that slips easily into a pocket, the Allett Classic Leather Women’s Sport Wallet is perfect. It’s stylish without being overly bulky or feminine and holds up well to use despite the very soft leather. Despite being very simple, thoughtful details like rubberized elastic inside the pockets to keep cards secure make it highly functional. Also, as an American-made leather wallet it’s great value for the price.