This is a detailed review of the Ridge Premium wallet. It will cover what’s good and what’s bad about this wallet, as well as how satisfied customers are with it.
The Ridge Premium wallet is a lightweight, minimalist, stylish, TSA-compliant wallet for men that fits up to 12 cards and some cash. It has a few good features such as RFID blocking, the cash strap, and the cash clip. The wallet has a classy look, and the level of quality is very high, but the price is also higher than most minimalist wallets.
Most people will find the Ridge Premium to be a great minimalist wallet choice.
In particular, those who like high-class-looking items which are also practical would be the ones most interested in this wallet.
Ideal owners of this wallet would be those who don’t want to carry many cards with them and don’t tend to keep too much cash at hand.
In short, if you are looking for a truly high-quality minimalist wallet, then this is an investment worth making.
Buying
The Ridge Premium is available on the Ridge website and Amazon.
Since this is a premium product, it comes in limited stock, and both Amazon and the Ridge websites might run out of the model you are searching for.
Prices will be the same no matter where you buy the wallet from, but I recommend checking out Amazon from time to time since you might get a great better there overall.
Price and value for money
It’s important to state that the price of this wallet is higher than most minimalist wallets for men on the market. Most premium wallets cost more than $200, but there are cheaper options that are still of great quality that cost around $85, which is the case for some Ridge Premium models.
If we take into consideration what the company has to offer and the costly materials it uses to create these amazing wallets, then the price is well-justified. After all, this isn’t a budget minimalist wallet, but rather a classy more expensive one.
The Ridge brand
The Ridge Wallet was launched on Kickstarter by a father and son team (Daniel and Paul) back in 2013. Today they have over half a million people using their products.
They also design other products, such as backpacks and chargers with minimalist designs that don’t sacrifice function.
The main motto for their company is ”Carry less. Live more”. With all the effort put into this brand, it’s no wonder it continues to grow every day.
Shipping
The shipping will be free whether you order from Amazon or the Ridge website.
Standard shipping if you order from the Ridge website takes 2-10 days.
If you order from Amazon standard delivery will take 3-7 business days. I recommend checking out the product on Amazon since you can get great deals and fast delivery if you order from there.
Customer support
The Ridge support team is available on most social media platforms (Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook), and you can also reach them through their e-mail [email protected].
What sets their website apart is that they allow you to make changes to your accessibility profile. You can adjust it to be a seizure safe profile. This means that flashes will be eliminated and color will be reduced. The option for a vision-impaired profile enhances the visuals of the website. The cognitive disability profile assists with reading and focusing. The ADHD-friendly profile puts more focus on fewer distractions. Blind users can use their website with their screen-reader. And lastly, the website also allows keyboard navigation.
Warranty
There is a lifetime warranty for this wallet since the company uses durable military-grade materials that will almost certainly last a lifetime.
If there are any problems with the functionality of the wallet, you can make a claim and the company will try and fix it. This includes replacing elastics, screws, money clips, and cash strap plates.
Return and refund policy
If you are not satisfied with your Ridge wallet purchase, you can return your order to their warehouse for a refund or exchange within 45 days of purchase. This is only if you order from their website.
If you order from Amazon, then you have a 30 day period in which you can return the product for free.
Basics
Although this is a very simple product, there are some interesting facts you should take into consideration. Here are some of the basics you should know before deciding whether a Ridge Premium wallet would be the right choice for you.
How to use
Using the Ridge wallet is very easy.
The wallet is built with two plates that hold everything together. This is the main place where you keep all your cards. If you want to access the cards, you can push the bottom of the cards up from the little cutout. If you are looking for a specific card, you have to go through them to find them. This makes this wallet not the best fit for someone who doesn’t want to sort through their cards every time they need one.
One of the biggest advantages of the wallet is that it’s small and compact. This allows it to be packed in very tight places where you probably couldn’t keep a traditional wallet. Most users say they don’t even feel the wallet in their pocket.
So if you are a guy that likes to carry your wallet in your pocket, the Ridge Premium is quite a good choice.
Unboxing
When the product arrives, it is neatly packed in a small box which is carefully placed inside a plastic bag.
The company also has its logo printed out as a card and packed beside the box.
Inside the box, there is the wallet itself, some extra screws, and a screwdriver. What’s interesting is that they have a little card printed out the same size as a credit card so you can try it out.
If you happen to lose some of the screws, Ridge sells additional screws directly on their website. They also sell elastic bands if you need to replace your old one.
Aesthetics
The Ridge Premium has a minimalist look, supported by an amazing design.
The highest selling point of this product is its high quality and its many options for personalization. That is exactly why it comes at a fairly higher price.
The wallet itself is made from two plates that are held together by 14 screws, 7 on each side.
On the front of the wallet, there is a flat surface with nothing on it. This gives the wallet a very aesthetically pleasing look and holds up to the minimalist standard. As a serious brand, they have the Ridge name edged on the surface so it’s not easy to scratch it off.
The back of the wallet has a cash strap that is thin, versatile, and elastic. This is ideal for carrying cash, ID, or RFID-enabled cards.
A money clip is included in the product. The money clip is made from spring steel and it’s perfect for holding cash or any type of card.
You have to unscrew the wallet if you want to remove your cash strap or change it for a money clip. If you own more than one Ridge wallet you can even swap the plates and come up with your designs. The only problem with this is that you need to buy another Ridge wallet.
The black plates that are sandwiched beneath the exterior are super smooth, so when they touch your cards they won’t be damaged at all. This also allows the cards to slide in smoothly.
The wallet is sturdy so there is no bending even when you apply force to it. The exterior of the wallet feels nice on the touch, and some users describe it as touching a colored hydro flask.
Materials
There are a couple of different Ridge wallets in the premium section and they are made out of different materials.
Some of the most popular choices are the Damascus and the Black Damascus. Both of these wallets are made out of 304 Stainless Steel. This material has excellent corrosion resistance and it’s of very high quality. It can withstand corrosion from most oxidizing acids, and since it’s very easy to sanitize, it’s perfect for everyday use. Since the material has these properties, it’s quite resistant to harsh outdoor elements, and doesn’t need extra protective coatings to be made suitable for usage under extreme circumstances, making it a great outdoor wallet.
Next, there is the Carbon Fibre wallet and the Forged Carbon, both of which are made from carbon fiber with a matt finish. Carbon fiber is used a lot since it has many unique properties. Carbon fiber is five times stronger than steel and twice as stiff but despite that, it is also very lightweight. This makes it the perfect material for manufacturing strong and long-lasting wallets. These wallets also have corrosion resistance so the product is fairly well-protected.
The Titainum Burnt model is one of the few titanium wallets, made out of grade 5 titanium. This material can sustain a range of environmental factors such as seawater and high temperatures. Titanium is also very resistant to rust and corrosion, and is one of the strongest materials in general.
Lastly, we have the 18 karats gold-plated wallet, which practically speaks for itself. It is made out of 18 karat gold and it doesn’t tarnish. This product will definitely maintain its worth in the long run. It is a luxurious possession and an investment at the same time. It’s not prone to corrosion, but it is somewhat susceptible to scratches and dents.
In the end, the whole point of a premium experience is to bring forth high-quality products. This is exactly where Ridge delivers on their promise. By using materials of high quality and allowing their customers a lot of options for personalization, they truly deliver premium customer service.
Colors
The Ridge premium has a variety of different color choices:
- Titanium Burnt
- Damascus
- Black Damascus
- Forged Carbon
- Carbon Fibre
- 18 Karat Gold Plated
In my opinion, out of all these choices, the Carbon Fibre and the 18 karat gold plated capture the minimalist look the best.
Still, if you want your wallet to make a bold statement you can always go for the Damascus style or the black Damascus.
For those who want to play around with the color of their wallet, the best choice would be either Titanium Burnt or Forged Carbon. The Titanium Burnt gives off more of a fun vibe, while the Forged Carbon is more class yet still stylish.
Keep in mind that all these choices are available on the Ridge website, while they might be limited on Amazon.
A golden wallet
This is something that sets the Ridge wallet apart from other minimalist wallets.
Out of all the options for customizing your wallet, there is one that especially stands out. This is the option to get an 18 karat gold-plated wallet, which is definitely the best choice for someone looking to make a strong statement with their accessories.
This wallet is a special edition that brings together luxury and minimalism. Plus, not only will you have a fancy wallet in your pocket, but you will also make a small investment in gold of sorts.
Each order comes with a sleek, matte black box and microfiber cloth for care.
Fit to clothing style
The Ridge Premium is designed to fit into anyone’s lifestyle.
It will be an especially great fit for anyone looking for a classy wallet that adds to their style.
With so many options for personalization, the wallet adapts to customers and makes it so that they each have their unique wallets. On that note, it’s good to mention that the premium options are a bit more costly, so they might be the best fit for someone who likes the classy yet minimalist look.
Features
Since this is a minimalist wallet it focuses on minimizing the stuff you carry around. If you are looking to carry less, the features of the Ridge Premium are exactly what you need out of your wallet.
Everyday use
In the first week or two, it might be a little rough using the Ridge wallet.
The main reason is that the elastic is very stiff and won’t stretch too far. Some users say they’ve only managed to squeeze in five or six cards, but this issue will likely be overcome in a month.
In time, you will be able to squeeze in up to 15 cards.
Still, keep in mind that even though the Ridge Premium can handle more cards, you shouldn’t overstuff it. The perfect amount of cards that is recommended is less than 10.
Weight, size, dimensions
The Ridge Premium is one of the smallest minimalist wallets on the market.
The dimensions of this wallet are:
- width: 3.38 in / 8.6 cm
- height: 2.13 in / 5.4 cm
- depth: 0.24 in / 0.6 cm
The weight of this wallet is 2.8 oz / 70.87 g, which makes it one of the heavier minimalist wallets on the market.
RFID blocking
Like most minimalist wallets, the Ridge Premium has RFID blocking as well. All the cards are secured in the middle and the content of the cards is very well hidden.
In fact, a lot of minimalist wallets claim to have the RFID blocking feature, but they actually fail scan-reading tests quite frequently, which is definitely not the case with the Ridge Premium. So, this might be one of the best RFID-blocking wallets that actually does a great job of blocking RFID signals.
Replaceable elastic
As I mentioned before, the elastic is the one that holds your cash bills in place. However, this part of the wallet can be damaged, and there might come a time where you need to replace it. You can find a new elastic directly on the website’s online shop for the cost of $7.88.
Integrated money clip
If you prefer, you can change the money elastic for a money clip. It doesn’t come with the wallet by default, but you can get it from the online shop for $13.50. You can choose between the colors black and silver.
What’s amazing about this wallet is that it’s the exact shape and size of a credit card, and it’s just a bit thicker. This means when you put cards in it, they will sit neatly and safely. It can hold up to 12 cards in its slot, and is definitely one of the wallets with a bigger card capacity. All the cards rest on top of a bottom elastic which keeps them from falling out.
The most amazing part here is if you compare the same amount of cards in your traditional wallet vs in the Ridge Premium, you will notice that the traditional wallet looks overstuffed while the Ridge looks very neat.
Water resistance
The exterior is somewhat water-resistant. However, since the wallet is open from all sides you can’t expect the contents inside to be safe from water. If this is an issue for you, you should also consider getting the money clip instead of the money strap since the strap can easily get wet.
Wallet accessories
What’s most fun about this wallet is that you can mix and match the parts to create your own unique look. It also has some fun accessories you can add or replace if you wish so.
Cavity tray
The cavity tray is an interesting add-on where you can keep some change and a key. It is made out of 6061-T6 aluminum and its dimensions are 86 x 54 x 3 mm. It gives the wallet an extra function while still maintaining a slim profile. You can get this on the website for $27.01.
Replacement screws
The Ridge premium is held together by screws which can sometimes get lots. That is exactly why you can buy extra screws from the companies website for $7.88. You can also choose between them being black or silver.
Customer satisfaction
Most customers are very satisfied with this product. The highest praise is given for the quality and craftsmanship of the wallet.
Reviews
Out of all of the reviews given on Amazon, the highest percentage of them are 5-star ones. There are still some customers who didn’t get the highest possible outcome of this product as well.
Known issues and problems
One of the most well-known issues for this wallet is that it has a hard time handling embossed cards. If you try sliding a card and it happens to slide where an embossed card is it can be stopped by the embossed lettering and not let you slide your card down. This means you have to remove the card and slide it somewhere else. Such a problem could be a deal-breaker for someone who is looking to get easy use of their wallet.
Another thing that can get annoying considering the embossed cards problem is that they take up a lot of space. So you might have to settle for a lower number of cards in your wallet.
Someone who isn’t very handy with tools also might have a headache with the Ridge Premium wallet. Even if it is a simple procedure to screw the wallet parts together, this is still something that can take up some time. On top of that, the small screws can get lost, and you might have to buy new ones just to fix your wallet.
Lastly, one major issue is in the design itself. If you want to have the easiest possible access to your cards you might be disappointed. The Ridge Premium has all of them in the middle. As I explained earlier, you have to take out all the cards and sort them out to find the one you are looking for.
There are many minimalist wallets out there but even so, the Ridge Premium still has a lot to offer. Here is how it compares to some of the competition.
The thing that makes these two wallets similar is they both appeal to the same type of person.
When comparing looks, the Ridge looks way better, looking more high-class.
The Ridge might also deliver better in terms of RFID-blocking, since its contents and the cards in it are better covered.
The Trayvax Ascent is bigger and weighs more. If you are looking for a classy wallet that’s more on the budget side then you should check out my review of the Trayvax Ascend wallet.
The Ridge Premium and The Flipside 4 are very different. The Flipside 4 is fully enclosed while the Ridge Premium isn’t. The Flipside 4 wallet might do an even better job with RFID-blocking because of this. The Flipside 4 is way cheaper but the Ridge Premium is smaller. If you would like to know more about this wallet check out the Flipside 4 review.
The first person who comes to mind that shouldn’t buy this wallet is someone who likes everything to have their own little space. Since all the cards in the Ridge wallet are put together in a small place, this might cause a problem for such a person, mainly because you have to take out all the cards and find the one you want.
Next on the list is someone who is looking for a budget minimalist wallet. This is one of those wallets priced around $200, and while we could never deny the quality of this wallet, it is way more expensive than other minimalist wallets and will be out of the price range for many.
Finally, those who like higher-tech smart wallets will not find this wallet to be the best fit. This is because the Ridge Premium looks very classy and dignified.
A lot of different people come to mind who would love this wallet.
The first is the creative type. This is because you can mix and match different parts and make up your wallet. On that note, people who like putting things together will enjoy the process of making their wallets as well.
A classy man will also find this wallet to be an excellent pick, since it looks clean but still delivers minimalist functionality.
If you are an investor at heart you will love the gold option for this wallet. This version of the wallet is made of real gold and you can have an item that simply doesn’t lose its worth over time, which can’t be said for most other wallets (and products in general).
Lastly, I would recommend this wallet to anyone who just likes a good-looking wallet, since Ridge has the biggest number of available design options for a minimalist wallet.
| Type | minimalist |
| Max n. of cards | 12 |
| RFID blocking? | yes |
| TSA compliant? | yes |
| Materials used | 304 Stainless Steel, Grade 5 Titanium, carbon fiber, gold |
| Height | 2.13 in / 5.4 cm |
| Width | 3.38 in / 8.6 cm |
| Depth | 0.24 in / 0.6 cm |
| Weight | 2.5 oz / 70.87 g |
| Features | RFID blocking, Replaceable elastic, Integrated money clip |
| Water resistance | some |
| Warranty | lifetime |
| Return period | 30 days |
