This is a detailed preview of the Ridge Titanium, the premium metal version of the Ridge wallet series.
Ridge Titanium Review
Ridge Titanium is a premium-looking, minimalist, modern, and elegant wallet with a very thin and simple design. It’s built from high-quality grade 5 titanium plates that offer a few functional features like great protection, RFID blocking, and the option to customize the wallet’s looks and components. The wallet holds up to 12 cards and 5 cash bills, tightened safely by an unbreakable elastic leather.
Why should you buy the Ridge Titanium wallet?
I would recommend the Ridge Titanium to anyone looking to switch their leathery wallet for a much safer and sleeker metal replacement. If you would like to jump on the minimalist wallets train but are not yet sold by any of the other cheap, low-end options then this is probably the product you’ve been waiting for.
Buying
The Ridge Titanium wallet can be bought from the official Ridge store on their website, as well as through Amazon. Seeing how both of them offer the same price, there isn’t much of a difference between the two.
However, it seems like most of the time Amazon only offers one of two possible colors for this wallet, so I would recommend the Ridge website as the better option where you can choose from more options.
Price and value for money
The Ridge Titanium will typically cost around $105 for the basic monochromatic designs, going up to $125 for the premium-looking Burnt Titanium color. In my opinion, it is one of the best wallets priced at around $100.
If you take into account the high-quality, almost unbreakable titanium build and premium looks of the wallet, I would say this is definitely a fair price for such a product. Additionally, this version of the Ridge wallet is the middle one from the three options they offer – the aluminum, titanium, and carbon fiber design, offering the best of both worlds.
Shipping details
Shipping on most Amazon orders is generally free and the product is delivered in 2-7 days.
If you order through the Ridge official website store, they will also offer you free shipping with estimated delivery of 2-5 days. You can also choose the express option and get your wallet delivered in 2 days for an additional $9.
Customer support
The Ridge brand offers constant customer support which you can reach through the contact form on their website, or by emailing them at [email protected].
Warranty policy
The Ridge offers a lifetime warranty on their wallets, even if you don’t order yours through their official website. You will have to show a receipt and some photos of the wallet to prove its authenticity though.
Naturally, normal wear, scratches, and certain damages that were done by improper use or storage of the wallet will not be covered by the warranty.
Return and refund
All Ridge wallets are eligible for a free return and a full refund for up to 45 days after the purchase. The product will have to be returned unused and in the same conditions you got it delivered in.
You can find out more about Ridge’s return and refund policy on their website.
The Ridge brand
Founded in 2013 as a start-up company, Ridge is an accessories brand whose main focus is to redefine the items we use in our daily life and transform them into valuable tools.
Their design and manufacturing process is driven by the goal to maximize your life by minimizing what you bring with you. They offer a big assortment of products, ranging from backpacks, wallets, phone cases, and similar gear, so make sure to check out their website and find the most suitable accessory for your style.
Where are the Ridge wallets made?
The Ridge manufactures their wallets in both the US and China.
Ridge Titanium Basics
Following up on their goal to make products that do more with less, Ridge has constructed this wallet in a true minimalist fashion.
Consisting of just two metal plates attached to one another with an elastic strap, the Ridge Titanium truly pushes the limit on what can actually be called a wallet!
Still, the simple design does not diminish any of its functionality, and it still offers all the important features you need from a wallet.
How to use the Ridge Titanium?
Like any other minimalist wallet, using the Ridge Titanium needs very little explanation.
You place your credit, ID, and other cards in the space between the plates, which are secured with the elastic strap. For your cash bills, you have two options to choose from: a cash strap or a traditional money clip, either of which you can attach on the rear side of the wallet by screwing them in the main plate. The two options can either be used separately, or placed together on each side of the wallet if you are in need of more space.
These options offer a unique customizing feel that lingers throughout the whole design of the wallet and is one of the biggest innovative points of the Ridge brand.
Unboxing
The wallet comes in a simple square box. The package contains a few items: the wallet itself, some extra screws, and a screwdriver. The wallet will also be sealed in a plastic bag, offering bigger protection during delivery.
Although the wallet will be completely assembled and ready to use, Ridge has offered the extra tools in the package just in case you ever need them. You will use them in case you want to clean the plates, change them for another color, or if you switch between the clip and the band, all of which are held together by the 14 screws placed in the main plates.
User experience
The Ridge Titanium is a slim, smooth, and elegant minimalist wallet that feels extremely light when held in your hand. The fine metal finish of the outer plates gives them a very nice touch, which makes them look and feel really sleek and polished.
Aside from its looks, the wallet is very functional and offers enough space for a lot of cards and cash bills for such a thin piece. Its simple build will make you forget all the struggles you had with other wallets when trying to take your cards in or out.
Aesthetics and design
Staying true to the minimalist ways, the Ridge Titanium is a very slim, light wallet that comes in multiple designs. With its thin figure, it’s perfect for carrying almost a dozen of cards, while still fitting nicely in your front pocket.
Colors and design
The Ridge Titanium comes in 5 different colors:
- matte black
- stonewashed
- gunmetal grey
- matte cobalt
- burnt titanium
All these colors come at the same price of $105, except the burnt titanium one which is considered a premium design and costs an additional $20. With its customizing features, you also have the option to build your own design by combining any of the two colors together.
Clothing style fit
The Ridge Titanium is largely a perfect fit for anyone spending most of their day in professional or business attire. Its slick, modern look also goes well with a classical shirt-and-suit wardrobe.
However, the stonewashed grey and burnt titanium designs offer a bit more flexibility here, so they can be pulled off by someone often rocking a sporty outfit or a simple business casual attire.
Features
The list of features for this wallet is not that long, mainly because of the simplistic approach Ridge has taken here. However, it does make a convenient combination of elegance and functionality to satisfy all the basic needs you might have from such an item.
Weight and size
The wallet weighs approximately 2.5 oz / 71 g when empty, which is slightly heavier than other similar wallets. This is mainly due to its heavy metal build.
Its dimensions are:
- width: 3.38 in / 8.6 cm
- height: 2.12 in / 5.4 cm
- depth: 0.23 in / 0.6 cm
The wallet definitely falls into the category of the smallest and slimmest wallets.
Customizing build
As we previously mentioned, the customizing build of all Ridge wallets is their signature move.
Held together by 14 screws, the first you’ll notice is the removable metal plates. The wallet can be easily disassembled by unscrewing those pieces, whether it’s because you want to change them for a different color, clean them thoroughly, or replace some other parts.
On the other hand, what’s more important here is the option you have to choose between the money clip and the cash strap as to which one you would like to use for your cash bills. Both can be attached to the outer side of either plate, you can have them both simultaneously if you need more space, or detach them all together and use the wallet just as a cards holder.
All of these parts can be separately ordered on the Ridge official website for an additional price of around $9-$12.
RFID Blocking
The titanium plates provide the wallet with excellent RFID blocking, which is the Ridge Titanium is definitely one of the best RFID-blocking wallets available today.
If protection from cards information theft is high on your priority list when choosing the next wallet, Ridge Titanium must definitely be one of the products you should consider.
How many cards can the Ridge Titanium hold?
Officially, the wallet can hold up to 12 cards in the space between the plates.
It must be mentioned that a lot of users have reported this number to be too high and most of them have only managed to fit 6-10 cards in there. It seems like having anything more than 10 cards will make the wallet unfunctional and you will have a hard time pulling out your cards or putting them back in.
How many cash bills can the Ridge Titanium hold?
Both the money clip or strap can hold up to 5 bills on them. Of course, you can always choose both if you think you’ll carry more than that.
Is the Ridge Titanium TSA-compliant?
Ridge has made assurances that all their wallets are TSA-compliant and you will be able to take them on the plane.
However, since it is a metal object, it will have to be additionally checked by the airport security and taken out at the entry gate.
Is the Ridge Titanium waterproof?
The wallet is obviously not completely waterproof as it has an open design. If it falls in water, your contents might get damaged, but the titanium plates should be fine as it is a strong metal that hardly rusts.
I would still advise you to wipe it clean if it ever comes in contact with water (especially if you wash it yourself), but the overall condition of the wallet will be fine.
Build quality
This is definitely one of the strongest wallets out on the market, probably surpassed only by the Ridge Carbon Fiber itself, the most expensive version of the Ridge wallets.
The titanium plates will make sure that your contents won’t be damaged at all if the wallet falls hard on the ground, even if it is run over by a car or pressed by something heavy.
Lifespan and durability
All aforementioned qualities, combined with the lifetime warranty that Ridge provides, inform us that this wallet’s durability is on par with its hefty price, and will be an item you can use your entire life.
Aside from its premium build, the occasional change and customization of the wallet can guarantee you can never get bored of it.
Unlike the elastic straps on other similar, minimalist wallets, which are from rubber, the one on the Ridge wallets is made purely from elastic leather. This makes it much more durable to normal wear and tear, expanding the life expectancy of this critical part. Thus, you can rest assured that the wallet will never feel loose and all your cards will be tight and safe inside of it.
Materials
The materials used in the Ridge Titanium are:
- Grade 5 Titanium
- Elastic leather
- Steel (for the screws)
This is one of the best titanium wallets that are available for purchase today.
Known issues and problems
The main concern regarding this wallet is definitely its price. Paying more than $100 for a simple wallet can be hardly justified, although the Ridge Titanium offers nothing short of what it’s advertised for. If you are looking for a premium wallet with a burnt titanium design with both a clip and a strap, then the price might be justified, but otherwise it may be too much.
Regarding its build, the only issue users have found with the wallet is its tightness. Admittedly, this is rarely an issue since you will want your wallet to be compact so no cards can fall out of it. Still, the Ridge can come off as, what users have described, “too tight”, and many have struggled with using their cards conveniently.
It’s important to notice that the plates, especially a few designs like the burnt titanium, can be easily scratched by your keys and similar metal items you hold in your pockets. This does make it troublesome to hold the wallet in the front pocket, usually where your keys are unless you are fine with the occasional scratches found on its frame.
A couple of users have also mentioned how the money clip can break easily, especially if you try to overstuff it with cash bills. However, all of them have reported that Ridge has immediately replaced it with another one, so it seems that this isn’t anything you should be truly concerned about.
Aside from these esthetic troubles, the wallet really has no substantial performance issues and can be used without issues for decades.
Ridge Titanium vs Ridge Aluminum
The Ridge brand has made it fairly easy to compare its wallets as to which one suits you the best. All of them have the same build, size, and features, with the only differences being the price and the material.
The 6061-T6 aluminum one is about $20 dollars cheaper but comes as slightly weaker in terms of materials used compared to the Grade 5 Titanium used in the more expensive version.
However, the precise difference between the durability of the two materials is very hard to measure. So, if you are working with a limited budget, I suggest you opt for the cheaper version of the Ridge wallets.
Ridge Titanium vs Dango D01 Dapper
The difference here is as clear as night and day.
The Dango wallet is an aluminum wallet for half the price, with slightly larger cards and cash capacity than the Ridge Titanium. Ridge also makes their wallets with a modern, sophisticated, futuristic look, while Dango sticks to the old-fashioned, rugged, leathery design.
Simply put, the choice here comes down mostly to the looks and the budget – the metallic, contemporary, premium-quality Ridge and the cheaper, leather-covered, rustic design of the Dango wallet.
Reviews and ratings
Almost all of the reviews of the wallet are positive, especially on Amazon, where 80% of the users rated it as a 5-star product.
Even more importantly, the wallet works and looks exactly like advertised. There are no unexpected troubles and you will surely get what you pay for.
Who should not buy the Ridge Titanium?
Many people looking to jump on the minimalist wallet train have yet to give up on the vast amount of cards, cash, and miscellaneous stuff in their old wallets.
If you don’t believe you can manage your day with just a few cards in your pocket and everything else left home, then you might have a hard time adjusting to this product. In that case, I suggest that you take a look into some wallets with larger card capacities, at least until you get completely convinced that this new-age trend is the right fit for you.
The wallet doesn’t provide a convenient place to store coins, and if you need that feature, I suggest checking out my guide on the best wallets for coins.
Also, if your budget can’t really exceed the $100 mark, then the price of the Ridge Titanium can be an issue as well. This is a premium-looking wallet that comes at a premium price. If money is more important than looks to you, then cheaper alternatives like the Dango or Trayvax wallets might be a better option.
Who should buy the Ridge Titanium?
If you are searching for the best quality product the market can offer, and you are willing to pay the price for it, then the Ridge Titanium is the way to go.
The wallet will be best suited for a person who values innovation, modernity, sleek design, and the freedom of customizing the items how they see fit. If aesthetics and minimalism in the true sense of the word are the priority for you, the Ridge Titanium can be the life-changing wallet you are looking for.
Where to buy the Ridge Titanium from?
Ridge Titanium Specifications
| Type | minimalist |
| Max n. of cards | 12 |
| RFID blocking? | yes |
| TSA compliant? | yes |
| Materials used | grade 5 titanium, leather, steel |
| Height | 2.12 in / 5.4 cm |
| Width | 3.38 in / 8.6 cm |
| Depth | 0.23 in / 0.6 cm |
| Weight | 2.5 oz / 71 g |
| Features | RFID, cash band/money clip, elastic strap, customizing plates |
| Water resistance | some |
| Warranty | lifetime |
| Return period | 45 days |
