There’s a fine line between cautious and paranoid, one which I enjoy walking. I don’t know if it’s because I saw 1000 Ways to Die on Spike TV or because I’ve watched Dateline religiously since I was a kid, but I often think about how myriad things can go wrong throughout my day. The line of demarcation—for me, at least—into paranoia is inconvenience. As soon as a cautionary action presents a physical, mental, or financial cost, I’m out.
It’s why having an RFID-blocking wallet makes sense to me. Along with the rest of my EDC, it makes me feel prepared and protected. RFID (radio frequency identification)-blocking wallets protect credit card information from being scanned and taken. Any quick Google search will tell you the chance of identity theft using RFID scanners is very, very low.
It’s a high-risk operation that yields a low reward for criminals: To even get your info, someone needs to get very close to you to scan; transactions are encrypted and use a one-time code, which hides your info, and, if all that fails, you can cancel a card instantly on your phone.
So, why bother with an RFID wallet? Well, why not? They cost about the same as any other decent wallet and provide peace of mind without much effort on your part. It’s not irrational or so far out of left field that having one is equivalent to wearing a tinfoil hat. Cybersecurity experts agree that while no one really needs an RFID-blocking wallet, they don’t hurt.
When they first started generating buzz, RFID wallets boasted “space-grade” metal construction using materials like aluminum and titanium. We saw these sleek, futuristic metal wallets and bought into the idea that they should look like a NASA gift shop souvenir to protect our precious information. Fortunately, that’s not the case.
Metal RFID Wallets We Trust
It’s true that metal blocks radio frequencies and prevents any nefarious party from mining info. (In fact, just wrapping your credit card in aluminum foil does the trick as well as any metal wallet would.) Here lies the beauty of the vastness of RFID wallets these days—they come in a variety of materials, are quite slim, and protect your information just the same.
Canvas, nylon, and leather RFID wallets have either plates sewn into the slots or RFID-blocking material sewn into the fabric itself, and are just as effective. Good news for those like me who consider a classic leather wallet unbeatable.
Leather RFID wallets look like ones your dad or grandpa may have had—in the best way possible. The leather breaks in and looks better the more it’s used, plus it gets softer and more flexible over time. I also prefer leather RFID wallets, as they offer more space for organization. Metal RFID wallets generally only have one slot that you can expand, but I prefer some separation of powers.
My leather RFID wallet maintains a slim silhouette and is comfortable in either my front or back pocket, featuring four slots for added storage. It also feels easier to fish out of my pocket when I need it. I’ve tried metal RFID wallets before, and they have sharper-than-they-need-to-be corners that seem to get stuck on every stitch of my jeans on their journey out.
Leather RFID Wallets Worth a Look
I’m old-fashioned but annoyed when things stagnate. In every product category, I prefer what’s considered the classic aesthetic, but understand that things change as they need to to meet modern needs. That’s why I’ll opt for a leather RFID wallet over a metal one: It looks old, performs like new, and makes me feel like I’ve taken just the right amount of caution—no more, no less.
