I’m always on the lookout for new wallet designs. After my previous wallet started to fall apart at the seams, I purchased the Bellroy Hide and Seek and have been using it every day for the last couple of months.
Here are my thoughts including what I like about the wallet, an outline of it's features, as well a recommendation for who it would be suitable for.
Unboxing
The packaging itself is pretty simple—it comes in a small box with a top that pops off, revealing the wallet inset into the packaging.
It has a tiny logo on the corner with its signature owl and a few notable features about the wallet.
A focus on minimalism
The first thing I noticed when I took the wallet out of the package was how slim it was.
Nothing is worse than a bulky wallet that doesn’t fully close, so this is right up my alley.
I chose the Caramel color since I like the look of natural leather and can’t resist that sweet, sweet patina that happens naturally over time.
If this color isn’t your thing, they have 7 other colors available, ranging from a few dark variations to blue, green, and some darker browns.
I like how they’ve also added a dark interior to the wallet—it gives it a nice little contrast with the exterior.
The wallet is held together with some simple stitching on the outside, and it’s nice and even without any janky spacing I’ve seen on other wallets.
Features
Multiple sizes available
In Canada, our bills are slightly taller than our American counterparts.
I’ve had some wallets in the past that didn’t factor this into the design, which would often mean that these tall bills would be peeking out of the top.
I’m happy that they’ve considered this in their product line and allow you to choose which size you’d like depending on your currency.
Hidden coin pouch and bill section
This is an interesting feature that not a lot of wallets have.
If you open up the wallet, you’ll see a little flap on the top. If you fold this up, it reveals another hidden section where you can stash some extra bills and coins.
I’m not quite sure I’ll be using this, but it’s a nice feature if you want to keep some of your bills separated.
RFID protection
Another unique feature is the addition of RFID protection.
I’ve never been concerned about my cards being compromised through a skimmer, but hey, it’s nice to have.
Storage for 6-12 cards
I usually carry around 8 cards, and this has plenty of room for everything.
The slots are a perfect size, so getting cards in or out is not a struggle.
3-year warranty
Bellroy has a pretty generous warranty program, so you shouldn’t worry about this thing falling apart soon after making your purchase.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Minimal design
- Unobtrusive branding
- Coin storage
- High-quality material
Cons
- Not suitable for those with 12+ cards
- Slightly more expensive than other wallets on the market
Where to buy the Bellroy wallet
You’ve got a couple of options here, but in order to take advantage of their warranty, the best place to make a purchase is going to be directly through their site.
You could also pick one up on Amazon, but they often don’t have all the available colors on the site.
Who should buy this wallet?
I think this wallet is best suited for those who don’t like carrying around a ton of cards.
If you need to carry more than 12, this thing will get out of that slim category pretty quickly, and you might be better suited to something designed to hold a bit more.
Final thoughts
Overall, I’m pleased with this purchase.
It would be my top recommendation for those looking for a high-quality, well-designed wallet with a few more features than the competition.
If you're looking for a wallet that is really slim (but can't hold as many cards) check out my review of the Cloud and Co Wallet.
Another solid option that's a bit more rigid, but with a unique quick access feature, you might enjoy the Ekster Parliament wallet.
