Akeeni XSTO Wallet Review – Slim Aluminum Wallet With Customizable Design

This is a detailed review of the Akeeni XSTO wallet, the newest release from the Akeeni brand.

Should you buy the Akeeni XSTO wallet?

Innovation and durability are key when it comes to this wallet. It’s made from strong materials, has a unique concept, and will be at your disposal for ages.

XSTO is the second wallet released from the Akeeni brand. It’s an improvement to the previous, STOW model, with a lot of new features and capabilities.

If you were looking for a slim wallet that can hold lots of cards and cash but comes with style too, then this is what you might be after. The Akeeni XSTO has it all.

Buying

The XSTO wallet is available to purchase at the official Akeeni website. I recommend buying it on their store as it will give you many options for customization of the product before you purchase it.

They also work with ShopPay, which offers payments in interest-free installments and other great deals you might find useful.

Price

The XSTO will cost you from around $67 to $73, based on which size of the wallet you choose.

It comes in 4 sizes, each storing a different amount of cards inside. The cheapest option holds 4 cards, while the most expensive one holds up to 10 in its pocket.

Shipping details

Shipping in the USA is free, with an estimated delivery period of a week or two. You also have the option for immediate shipping in 1 or 2 business days, costing from around $4 to $10.

Akeeni ships internationally as well, which will cost a little extra based on the fees and taxes in the country you order it from.

Customer support

Akeeni has a great and responsive customer support team available at your disposal. You can reach them on the website’s contact page, or via the [email protected] e-mail address.

The team is available Monday to Friday, from 8:30 AM to 4 PM. You can also follow their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Tik-Tok, so you can be up to date with all their latest releases.

Warranty and return policies

The Akeeni wallet comes with a lifetime warranty covering all defects that might occur to the product.

The brand also has a 30-days free return policy. During this period, you can return the wallet at any time by sending them a notification on their website.

A number of rules apply when returning the products or applying for a warranty check. Some of them include the product to be in the same condition as when you received it, undamaged, uncustomized, and with proof of purchase.

A couple of other rules apply here too, all of which you can find on their policy page.

Akeeni brand

Akeeni is a family-owned company hailing from California, USA. It’s a small, fairly new brand, that has put its first product to market just recently in 2018.

Their breakthrough in the wallet industry was with the STOW, a minimalist, open-frame wallet made with a flexible design. Two years later they redesigned this model and came up with the XSTO, the second-in-line minimalist wallet in the Akeeni assortment.

The company’s goal is to produce high-quality wallets that will endure all environments and will serve their owners for a long time. The motto for the XSTO is ‘The last wallet you’ll ever need’, which shows how sure Akeeni is for the quality of its product.

Basics

The XSTO is an open-frame aluminum wallet that consists of two pockets. The main pocket holds all the cards, with the help of a quick-release mechanism, while the other is a smaller compartment designed for business cards.

How to use the Akeeni XSTO wallet?

Akeeni’s XSTO might be one of the simplest minimalist wallets to use.

You just slide all cards into the main pocket, with the cash bills stuck beneath them. The rail mechanism allows you to take any card you need from the pile by sliding the others to the side.

The additional pocket on top of the wallet is a slim one, designed to store just a few business cards or paper notes. You can also use this pocket for your ID if you need to, but beware that it will only hold one or two such cards.

Build quality

Akeeni proud themselves in manufacturing products with strong build quality that will last for ages.

Materials

The XSTO is an all-metal wallet. Its frame is made from aluminum, while the plate that holds the cards inside is made from stainless steel.

On the outside, the wallet is nicely finished with an ultra-durable powder coat. This gives the product its glow and durability in various weather conditions.

Aesthetics

Akeeni XSTO has one of the most unique wallet designs put to market in the past few years.

Design

The wallet is designed in a unique ‘C’ shape, where the main pocket is formed from the two curved edges of the frame.

It has a very sleek figure, covered with matte colors, and an overall handy feeling to it. It comes in many different colors, including:

  • black
  • navy blue
  • green
  • gray
  • white
  • desert sand
  • red
  • purple
  • orange
  • rose
  • neon green

However, before you purchase the wallet, you can visit the customization page on Akeeni’s website and personalize the item to your liking. Here you can add any pictures, logos, signatures, and various engraving to the wallet’s surface.

You can also add some of the many accessories they have for the XSTO wallet. You can add a cover plate, business card cover, phone mount, and many more.

Fit to clothing style

The Akeeni XSTO comes in various colors and design options. Whichever you choose, you simply can’t go wrong.

The wallet will be suitable for every outfit. Casual jeans, shirts, cargo pants, and even suits. It’s practically a fit-for-all item, appropriate for every occasion.

On top of that, you have the option to customize its appearance. The XSTO is just so versatile in its design, you can easily adapt it to your personal style.

Features

Here’s a close look at the features the Akeeni XSTO has to offer.

Weight, size, dimensions

The XSTO is truly a minimalist wallet with a very slim design. Its dimensions are:

  • width: 3.75 in / 9.5 cm
  • height: 2.3 in / 5.85 cm
  • depth: o.35 – o.55 in / 0.9 – 1.4 cm, based on which size you choose

The wallet also weighs around 1.35 oz / 38 gr, which is much lighter compared to other similar models.

RFID blocking

Akeeni XSTO is most likely not an RFID-blocking wallet.

The brand hasn’t specified whether the wallet has this feature. However, judging from the open design and the fact that the top card is completely uncovered from one side, I don’t think it has any sufficient RFID protection for its contents.

Attachment hole

One of the great features of the XSTO is the attachment hole, mounted right on the edge of the frame.

It’s a small, linear hole, great for attaching any lanyards or key chains to the wallet. This will help you keep it safe, tie it around your hand, or attach it to your belt. It’s a great feature to have on any minimalist item.

Bussines card pocket

Aside from the main pocket, where all the cards and cash bills are stored, there is another smaller one on top of the wallet’s frame.

This pocket is much slimmer and is designed to hold any business cards or paper notes which will fit inside. It has space for up to 4 cards, meaning you could use it for your ID card or any other identification badge as well.

How many cards can the Akeeni XSTO wallet hold?

The XSTO can hold 4-10 cards in its main pocket, based on which size you order.

It comes in 4 different sizes, with each size being $2 more expensive than the previous one and holding 2 more cards.

How much cash can the Akeeni XSTO wallet hold?

Officially, the XSTO can hold up to 8 cash bills stored beneath the cards.

However, some users have reported storing up to 10 or 12 bills, depending on how tightly you manage to fold them.

One of the great things about the XSTO when it comes to cash is that it’s designed to hold lots of different currencies. The pocket is wide enough to hold dollars, euros, yen, and many other currencies, making traveling with this wallet much easier.

Is the Akeeni XSTO water-resistant?

Unfortunately, the XSTO is not a water-resistant wallet and will not protect its contents from any water damage.

Although aluminum is a non-corroding material, the design of the wallet is completely open and there is no protection from water intake.

Is the Akeeni XSTO TSA compliant?

Yes, the XSTO is a TSA-compliant wallet.

Since it’s a metal item, you’ll probably have to take it off for an additional check-up at the security gate. However, there should be no problems with it and you’ll be able to take it up on the plane.

Reviews and customer satisfaction

The XSTO is one of the highest-rated minimalist wallets on the market. It has immensely positive feedback from almost all of its buyers.

It has also gathered an impressive 4.9/5 stars rating based on more than 1900 reviews on Akeeni’s website.

There are many details to support this feedback. The wallet is spacious, with customizable size and design. It is rugged, durable, slim, and offers everything you might need from such an item without too much sacrifice.

Known issues and problems

Although its feedback is largely positive, XSTO still has some issues you should be aware of before buying it.

The most notable issue comes with the open design. Your credit cards inside the wallet will not be fully covered, with the card on top hanging out in the open. This causes some inconvenience about information safety. Aside from the lack of RFID protection, details such as your name and card number will be on display for people around you.

The material, although sturdy, is not exactly scratch-resistant. The surface will be somewhat damaged if you carry the wallet in the same pocket with your keys for a long time.

It is also nearly impossible to carry it in your back pocket. Although the wallet is slim, its metal frame will feel like a brick whenever you try to sit on it.

Finally, it is not the best wallet for carrying cash bills. You can easily store them in the main pocket, this won’t be such a problem, but the trouble is getting them out. The bills will have to be folded three or four times, and in order, to use them you will have to move the cards, remove the whole stack of bills, pick one, and then fold them again and put them back in. It’s just too much work if you plan on carrying more than a couple.

How does the Akeeni XSTO compare to other minimalist wallets?

Akeeni have lots of competitor in the minimalist wallets industry. Especially when it comes to metal and customizable wallets, there is a lot of competitors to the XSTO model.

Akeeni XSTO vs Ridge Aluminum

One of the most notable and highest-selling metal wallets is the Ridge Aluminum. The Ridge is a premium wallet with tactical features that, similarly to the XSTO, comes in many designs and colors, all of which are customizable as well.

However, the two wallets differ in a few other aspects. The Ridge is slightly more expensive, costing around $85, has a higher capacity of 12 cards, and has two plates that cover its main pocket. It also uses a strap to give the pocket elasticity, contrary to XSTO which is completely open from one side and has a non-flexible design.

But overall, the Ridge Aluminum is more featureful, offers RFID protection, and has a more premium feeling to it. These are some things you’ll get if you opt for the more expensive choice.

Akeeni XSTO vs Flipside 4

One of the main features of the Akeeni XSTO is its open design. While this gives some nice advantages and style to the wallet, it might turn some buyers off.

That’s where the Flipside 4 comes into play. It’s an aluminum wallet with a polycarbonate shell that is completely enclosed and holds all contest sealed in its compartments. It has a large capacity, sturdy composure, and costs just around $45.

diagonal view of the Flipside 4

If you were in the market for a minimalist wallet, but all the options seemed too unsafe, then you would want to take a look at our Flipside 4 review. It might just become your next wallet.

Who should not buy the Akeeni XSTO wallet?

There are a few types of people who would not be the perfect owner of the Akeeni XSTO.

First of all, this is not an item designed for adventurers and outdoorsy people who often like to engage in various activities. Safety will be the main concern for them. The wallet is safe and holds the cards inside no matter how much you shake it. But since its contents are almost completely uncovered, they will often get dirty, or even damaged. Take a look at my guide on the best outdoors wallets if that’s what you’re after.

The next type that comes to mind is people who like to carry their wallets in their back pockets. The XSTO is an all-metal item, made from strong materials. Although it’s pretty light, it’ll still feel very sturdy and out of place in your pocket. Sitting, or even driving with it will feel like having a brick in there.

The wallet doesn’t provide the best RFID protection necessarily. I recommend taking a look at my guide on the best RFID blocking wallets.

The card capacity of this wallet is pretty good, but it’s not that great. If you happen to need to carry a lot of cards (8+), see my guide on the best wallets for many cards.

And finally, it is not a wallet for those who prefer leather over metal. There are many people who simply can’t get on with the trend of metal wallets and still like to keep their old ones, no matter how outdated they are. If you are one of them, this definitely isn’t the greatest choice for you and you’ll be better off with a leather wallet instead.

Who should buy the Akeeni XSTO wallet?

Many people will find the XSTO very useful and maybe even the perfect choice for their next wallet.

Capacity is key with this model. The wallet holds up to 10 cards, with a couple of more in the secondary pocket, and a number of cash bills as well. It is one of the most spacious minimalist wallets that hold both cards and cash, while still keeping its slim figure. It’s perfect for people who need this much space for all their cards, especially those who are just jumping from a bulky wallet to a minimalist one.

It’s also a perfect choice for geeky people who love to customize their items. The wallet looks like a little gadget that can be completely personalized to your own liking. You can engrave your signature on it, slap your logo, or simply write your life motto and carry it with you all the time.

Lastly, the Akeeni XSTO does not lack in style at all. It’ll be largely appreciated by people who are fond of minimalist items designed with elegance and taste. The colors are smooth, its surface is elegant, and the whole design is so sleek it makes the wallet an eye-catching item well worth its price.

Akeeni XSTO Specifications

Typeminimalist
Max n. of cards4 – 10
RFID blocking?no
TSA compliant?yes
Materials usedaluminum, steel
Height3.75 in / 9.5 cm
Width2.3 in / 5.85 cm
Deptho.35 – o.55 in / 0.9 – 1.4 cm
Weight1.35 oz / 38 g
Featuresbusiness card pocket, attachment hole, customizable design
Water resistancenone
Warrantylifetime
Return period30 days

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I love all things tech, so I decided to make a blog about technology, electronics, gadgets, accessories, and all the various items we use every day that make our lives easier. I like doing a lot of research on various models and brands, looking for great value and performance, both through data and experience.