Organize Your Essentials with These Handy, Security-Minded Travel Wallets

September 3, 2019

There’s no shortage of stylish, practical and safety-minded travel wallets on the market, so it took some effort to narrow it down to a few for this feature.

We decided to go with Canadian brands Herschel Supply and Derek Alexander plus a sweet wristlet from our friends at Eagle Creek.

Derek Alexander Two-Sided Card Holder

Calgary-based Derek Alexander was co-founded 31 years ago by Alex Whiteside and Derek McKinnon. The brand has grown by leaps and bounds since then, including about 300 styles of handbags, wallets, travel bags and business accessories for active lifestyles.

All their products are made from scratch in either top grain cowhide or high-density nylon.

For those who really want to roam with a compact footprint, consider Derek Alexander’s double-sided, top-grain cowhide credit card/ID holder (style YK 1346) with pockets on both sides plus a slot in the center to stow bills.

It’s available in tan and orange as well as in a new leather finish coming this fall. Measures 3” x 4.5” (7.6 cm x 11.4 cm); CAD $38

Derek Alexander Small Organizer Bag/Wallet

Looking for a smart, well-organized wallet that will carry all your travel essentials plus a smart phone? Derek Alexander’s got your number with this classy organizer wallet (style BR 8005, part of their Bristol series) that doubles as a small purse (with a removable, adjustable leather shoulder strap to wear shoulder bag or crossbody style).

Whether taking it around town on errands as a clutch or dressing it up at night as a compact handbag, this one’s perfect for stowing just what you need without added bulk or weight. It’s made of Derek Alexander’s signature grain cowhide inside and out and is finished in a Spanish tannery with a soft sheen.

We love the magnetic front closure and zippered pockets on the inside and on the back. It’ll store eight credit cards, coins, a passport, ID cards, and banknotes.

Easily fits a smart phone (the size of an iPhone Xr) — snugly with a case on. Measures 7.5″ x 5.2″ x 5.5″ (19 cm x 13.2 cm x 13.9 cm); weighs 0.5 lbs. (0.23 kg).

This one’s in a deep red but you can also get it in whiskey or black. CAD $185

Derek Alexander’s full range can be found online; they ship from their Calgary headquarters to both Canada and the USA (USD pricing is converted at the time of order. Shipping charges to both countries are reasonable).

You can also find their products in Canada at Hudson’s Bay and at independent retailers.

Herschel Supply Travel Wallet

Vancouver-based Herschel Supply has grown from its humble start as a backpack brand to offering clothes, accessories, luggage scales, locks, travel adapters and more.

The stylish, well-organized Herschel Supply Travel Wallet zips up all around to protect your credit cards, passport and cash with an integrated RFID-blocking layer.

It’s got six credit card slots, a mesh zippered compartment for cash and coins, a pen loop, passport sleeve and exterior slot for your boarding passes. A handy built-in travel loop completes the picture.

Made of 70D polyester ripstock fabric (with a 100% polyurethane foam interior), the wallet measures 8.25″ x 4.75″ (20.95 cm x 12 cm) and comes in Black, Woodland Camo and Navy/Red.

To wash, spot clean with warm water and mild detergent then air dry. CAD $29.99/USD $24.99

Eagle Creek RFID Wristlet Wallet

This cute wristlet by Eagle Creek is compact and slender to port around your travel ID and credit cards while on the go. It’s both secure (via RFID technology) and lightweight.

Unzipping it reveals eight credit card/national ID slots, a zippered coin pocket, two full-size sections for bills and space for a passport.

It’ll even accommodate a smart phone (we packed an iPhone Xr in there), so you can leave your bag at your hotel room and just strap this around your wrist, knowing all your travel essentials are in one spot.