Why Kenpal’s Minimal Metal Wallet Is Worth Considering

Key Points

• This wallet features an extremely simple and no-nonsense design that's not very forgiving of excess cards, receipts, or cash.

• Once you narrow down your everyday necessity cards to five or fewer, this wallet is a dream to own and use.

• The integrated metal clip never got in the way during my testing and seems useful for any instance where you're without pockets.

With an extremely generic Amazon listing title, I didn't hold out much hope for this wallet. There are dozens (possibly even hundreds) of similar wallets on the market, all sold under one-off brand names or no brand at all, with similar or identical specifications. When I received this one in the mail, however, I was pleasantly surprised.

Metal Wallets with Money Clip

$16.99

by Kenpal 

Buy Now

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11/28/2023 05:13 am GMT

Key Highlights of Kenpal's Minimal Metal Wallet

The Kenpal Metal Wallet feels pleasantly weighty in the hand, which makes sense since it's made from milled aluminum. The raised-grain concentric texturing on the outside surfaces, though, was even more striking in person. I can't say it aids in grip or ergonomics; the wallet almost wanted to pivot between my fingers when I gripped it due to the raised circular pattern. However, this ended up being no big deal — I just needed to take a minute to get used to it. My everyday wallet for years has been a smooth leather bifold, so anything akin to this minimal metal wallet was bound to be surprising.

Other than its external patterning and a fair range of colors to choose from, this wallet keeps things extremely simple and straightforward. There's a central multi-card slot, there's a crescent-shaped cutout along one edge for your finger to help push cards out of that slot, and there's a large metal clip on one face of the wallet where you can theoretically store cash, receipts, or clip it to a pocket while carrying it. It does just a couple of things, but as long as you don't overload it, it does those things extremely well.

Who Needs Kenpal's Minimal Metal Wallet?

If you only carry a few cards with you on any given day — say one debit card, one credit card, one employee or student ID, and your driver's license — this wallet won't give you any problems at all. I only felt like my cards were too tightly together and the wallet was getting too thick when I had eight cards or more stuffed into the card slot.

This is a wallet for someone who likes to travel fairly light in terms of how many items they bring but who also doesn't mind a sturdy aluminum rectangle residing in their pocket wherever they go. It certainly isn't meant to be sat on — leather and canvas wallets can't be beat there — but in a front pocket, jacket pocket, or briefcase, it feels right at home.

What To Consider When Buying This Metal Wallet from Kenpal

Andy Frakes for Men's Lifestyle

If you do tend to carry upwards of half a dozen cards on a daily basis, or you often need to keep track of cash and receipts, Kenpal's minimal metal wallet might not have the capacity or capabilities you need.

While it's an accessory that isn't seen often by others, the aesthetic traits of this wallet could also make or break the ownership experience for you. The external texture is somewhat flashy, and you need to remove all your cards at once just to access one card in the stack. If you're always in a rush when you buy coffee on the way to work, you might find yourself fumbling as you try to remove the correct card and then replace it when you're done paying. On the other hand, if you only carry a couple of cards and think the wallet itself looks cool, you're barking up the right tree.

The Kenpal's Metal Wallet does block RFID signals, which prevents digital pickpockets from stealing your chipped cards. As computer engineer Natalie Outteridge argues, "It has been within no doubt proven that while RFID contactless cards are quite useful for society, there are serious issues that must be addressed with the security and privacy of data, and this action must be taken as soon as possible before any serious problems happen."

Buying an RFID-blocking money clip like Kenpal's Metal Wallet helps give you the security that Outteridge warns is necessary.

My Experience With Kenpal's Metal Wallet

Andy Frakes for Men's Lifestyle

Because this specific minimalist wallet goes against so many of my habits, I limited my usage of it to one afternoon of running errands. I'm the kind of person who really does carry (and use) a lot of cards, so my traditional leather bifold wallet is often maxed out.

However, I was able to complete a grocery run with just five cards slipped into the Kenpal wallet: my driver's license, debit card, one credit card, my grocery shopping rewards card, and my fuel rewards card. With so few cards to deal with, slipping them in and out of the wallet is pretty simple and fumble-free.

One bummer I noted: some minimal metal wallets offer a slot for an AirTag, or at least an upgraded version of the same wallet with an AirTag mounting position. Kenpal doesn't offer anything of the sort with this wallet. If you want a wallet that you can track with an AirTag, read this guide and select an option from the list.

Because my tastes lean more traditional, I also wasn't a big fan of the reflective-grained pattern on the exterior of the Kenpal wallet. In bright light, it can have an almost holographic effect. It definitely didn't impact my ability to use the wallet.

One other thing that did affect my use of the wallet is the integrated metal clip on the outside. I didn't dare use it to store cash or anything else — it may be capable of it, but I have other pockets better suited for carrying money — but I used it to clip the wallet inside my back pocket, where it stayed perfectly oriented as I shopped around the grocery store.

I might prefer the clip to be removable, and it's possible that you could remove it by loosening some of the hex-key bolts holding the case together. After pocketing the wallet and using it several times, though, I found that it didn't get in the way and added a nice bit of utility for uncommon carrying situations (wearing pants with no pockets, for example).

Overall this was not the best metal wallet I've tried or tested, but for under $20 MSRP it really does check a lot of boxes.

Pros

• Its slim profile is just large enough to fit a small stack of cards.

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• Its available in a handful of appealing colors with very compelling surface texture details.

• The integrated clip makes pocket-free carrying a breeze.

• It fits up to eight cards without issue.

Cons

• If you routinely carry six or more cards, this style of wallet is inconvenient.

• The exterior texture isn't for everybody.

• There are no additional frills, tech, or upgrades — what you see is what you get.

Metal Wallets with Money Clip

$16.99

by Kenpal 

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

11/28/2023 05:13 am GMT

Why the Kenpal Metal Wallet Is An Exceptional Buy

Theft is everywhere nowadays. Officials even charged a Florida pastor with theft in August 2023. In a time when it's difficult to trust people, make sure that your money is safe with a good wallet.

If your first concern is budget and price, this might be the nicest thing about the Kenpal wallet — it's right around $16 at the time of this writing. While it does no more or less than more expensive wallets in the same style, it executes its purpose for very little cash outlay.

In terms of being the perfect wallet for the right person, as stated before, this is a minimalist's dream. Take only what you need, leave the rest behind, and keep a low profile while you're at it — that's this wallet's MO.

If you're still not sold on minimalist modern wallets like this one, you can check out this guide on the best trifold wallets available. Everyone needs a good wallet, after all, right?

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