This is a detailed review of the Trayvax Element wallet, one of the best and most popular metal wallets on the market.
Read the review below to see some positive and negative aspects of this wallet, and see if it would be the right purchase for you.
Trayvax Element Wallet Review
The Trayvax Element wallet is a minimalist, elegant, stylish, and affordable wallet that comes with some great features like RFID blocking, bottle opener, attachment point, engraving, and many cool things that you may find enjoyable and useful. The wallet includes a slot for up to 10 cards, 5 cash bills, and premium quality leather.
Should you buy Trayvax Element Wallet?
I would recommend the Trayvax Element wallet to anyone who is looking for a cool-looking minimalist wallet that can meet your basic needs for carrying cards and cash. If you are concerned about the quality of the wallet then you should not worry because this wallet comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Buying and discounts
You can buy the Trayvax Element either from the official Trayvax store or Amazon.
Between the two, I recommend the Trayvax store, as you can get 5% off the price by using my coupon code tray5vax at checkout, or 15% off for orders over $600 if you use the coupon code pizzaslice15.
If you choose to buy it from Amazon, you can find the process a bit challenging because different styles of the wallet are on different links, but you can find the one you like without too much trouble. From the official store, you have an option of engraving the wallet for an additional 8$ and a delay in the shipping of up to 5 days.
Price and value for money
The price will depend on where you buy the wallet from, but you will usually find it in the price range of 70-80$. This is not a budget wallet, but Trayvax offers good quality and cool features for that price, which makes this product one of the best wallets under $100.
Shipping
Standard shipping will typically take 5-10 business days.
It can be delayed a few days due to increased demand during the holidays, but it should take no longer than 3 weeks. If you want it at your door sooner, there is the option of Priority Shipping, which will take no longer than 5 business days.
You will get free shipping no matter where you order it from.
For more shipping information visit Trayvax’s shipping policy webpage.
Customer support
You can reach the customer support team through several channels, but for the fastest response, it’s best to email them at [email protected].
Contact information is displayed on the Trayvax contact page.
Warranty
Trayvax is very confident in their wallets, so they give you a 65-year warranty, which is basically the same as a lifetime warranty.
You can find more information on what a 65-year warranty covers at Trayvax’s warranty policy page.
Returns and refunds
If you are not 100% satisfied with the product, you can return it within 30 days of delivery, as long as it is not damaged.
After you return the product, you can get your money back in up to 5 business days. Return policy is different if you purchase it from Amazon, so be sure to check both before buying the product.
Check out the return policy of Trayvax to find out the latest details.
The Trayvax brand
The Trayvax brand was founded by Mark King in 2013. Since then the company is continuously growing.
Mark started by making the products all by himself, and now he has 25+ employees, making several hundred wallets a day, all handmade in the USA.
As stated on their official website: “Mark set out to create a product that would cut down on plastic bag waste. What began as a reusable plastic bag carrier became, through many prototypes and revisions, something completely new to the world: the Trayvax wallet.”
Where are Trayvax wallets made?
All Trayvax wallets are made in the USA.
Basics
Trayvax Element is a simple, elegant, and fashionable minimalist wallets for men. You can wear it with any type of clothing.
It is especially handy for people who like hiking and mountain climbing.
How to use
The wallet is simple to use, it only has 2 slots, one for cash and the other one for cards, which emphasizes the whole point of owning a minimalist wallet.
The grommet is not like something you are used to, it doesn’t snap when you open or close it but it attaches very well and holds everything in place. When you try to open it, it gives you a feeling of a well-thought-out process for effortless daily use.
In addition, you have a bottle opener that does the job well. Also, you have an attachment point to help you hook it on anything you like.
On the inside, it has a money clip that holds your cash in but it has to be folded twice to fit in.
You should be extremely careful when you place your cards inside the wallet and you should follow the instructions because if you put them in the wrong way you will damage your chip. Your chip should not be exposed or put under the safety closure because it might get damaged.
Before you start using the wallet, you should soak it in lukewarm water, then take it out of the water, place all of the cards you intend to use inside it, and let the leather stretch and dry out. That way, the leather will expand and properly fit all of your cards.
Still, be very careful when soaking your wallet in warm water because that’s how most people mess their wallets up.
Watch the video for a detailed description:
Unboxing
The wallet comes in a nice black box. You have to slide it from the bottom to open it and you will find your wallet inside.
The wallet is not wrapped in a protective covering, which means there is a possibility of it being damaged during shipping. However, this is usually not the case.
User experience
Most of the users read the instructions and never damage their wallets, which makes them fall in love with it.
Some users make mistakes when they purchase the wallet. The most common one is that they don’t put it in warm water and place all of the cards that they will use so the leather can adjust to it, and afterward, they find it a bit small and they complain that they cannot put their cards in it.
Also, some users put it in hot water and they end up damaging the color.
User manual
The package comes with a small yet detailed user manual that explains all of the wallet’s uses.
Aesthetics and design
At a first glance, the wallet looks very classy. You can wear it with any type of clothing.
The wallet itself is not the tiniest one out there, but it’s still very compact. Most of its thickness comes from the premium leather that the manufacturers are very proud of.
Colors
The Trayvax Element wallet comes in 4 different leather colors and 2 metal plate colors.
The leather comes in:
- Tobacco brown
- Steel grey
- Mississippi mud
- Stealth black
The metal plate comes in black and raw stainless steel color.
Clothing style fit
This wallet is very stylish and pretty much anyone can wear it. However, in my opinion, it will be the best fit for motorcyclists and mountain climbers.
Also, people who love to wear leather will love it because it will match their outfits quite well.
Features
The Trayvax Element wallet is very simple, but it fulfills its purpose very well.
The metal plate is wrapped in leather and is used for storing cards and cash.
There are some smaller or thinner wallets out there. It mostly depends on your own preferences, but if you want a mid-sized minimalist wallet then this can be your choice.
Weight, size, dimensions
When it comes to dimensions for minimalist wallets, Trayvax is right in the middle. It is a bit thicker than some minimalist wallets because of the leather.
Its dimensions are:
- Length: 4.5 in / 11.4 cm
- Width: 2.8 in / 7.1 cm
- Thickness: 0.5 in / 1.27 cm
The wallet weighs 5 oz / 141 g, which is heavier than the average minimalist wallet weighs around 2.5-3 ounces.
RFID blocking
The Trayvax Element wallet equipped with its stainless steel frame and oil-tanned leather measures around 80% in RFID resistance.
Is the Trayvax Element TSA-approved?
Trayvax claims that all of their wallets abide by the TSA rules and regulations. Some TSA agents may want to take a closer look, but Trayvax wallets are generally travel-friendly and you should pass the security with ease.
Top-grain leather
The difference between top-grain and genuine leather is huge. Trayvax Element is made out of top-grain leather that provides the customer with a sense of exclusiveness and quality.
When you make leather, you separate it into different layers. The first layer is called full-grain leather, the best part that can come of leather. After leather processing, we get top-grain leather, which is smooth and uniform, the best type of leather that you can come across. This is the type of leather that Trayvax wallets are made of.
These two types of leather are used to make the highest quality products.
Genuine leather, on the other hand, is among the lowest grades of leather, it is commonly overlayed with glue or paint to provide a uniform appeal.
Be careful of the type of leather when you purchase a wallet.
Bottle opener
At the top of the wallet, you have a bottle opener that can come in handy when you want to quickly open a bottle of beer or soda.
Attachment point
If you want to carry your wallet outside of your pocket, you have a nice attachment point through which you can put a carabiner or a rope and attach it however you like.
MIL-SPEC paracord
A paracord that passes military specifications is called MIL-SPEC paracord.
This specification is outlined in a document named “Mil-C-5040”. Various qualities of approved military nylon cordage such as strength, elasticity, color, and construction can be found in this document.
Often wallets start to break around the binding points, but with this paracord binding, you can rest assured that this wallet won’t lose its composure.
How many cards can the Trayvax Element wallet hold?
The manufacturer claims that the Trayvax Element can hold from 3 to 10 cards but when you start to approach the bigger number the wallet becomes very thick and you have to stretch the leather a bit to fit the cards.
How much cash can the Trayvax Element wallet hold?
The Trayvax Element can hold between 1 and 5 folded bills. The advantage of this wallet compared to some other minimalist wallets is that it doesn’t matter what kind of bills you put in it – euros, yen, dollars, it can fit them all without a problem.
Is the Trayvax Element wallet waterproof?
The leather of the Trayvax Element is water-resistant, but you cannot say that the wallet will be waterproof because it is open on the sides and water can easily slide in and soak your cash and cards.
Build quality
The build quality of this wallet is great, and most people are pretty satisfied. It won’t rust, it won’t break, and it is a lifetime wallet that you can pass on to other generations.
Durability and lifespan
The materials are built to last a lifetime, but some people have found an issue with the secure closure. They say that after some time it becomes loose, but that is probably because of overstuffing the wallet with more than the recommended cards and cash bills.
Materials
The following materials are used in the Trayvax Element wallet:
- Top-grain Horween leather
- Stainless steel
Known issues and problems
There are not that many issues with this wallet, except that it can’t fit many cards. Some people have found that over time, the secure closure becomes loose.
The wallet is fine with 6-7 cards, but if you want to fit 10 or more it becomes a problem.
Most people haven’t had any issues with the closure mechanism.
The main issues were not based on the wallet itself, but on the delayed shipping, or even no shipping at all in some cases. Some customers have not received the product for a few months, but after contacting customer service, they have received a full refund. Bear in mind that this is a rare case and there have been no shipping problems when people have ordered through Amazon.
Trayvax Element wallet vs Flipside 4
Based on my opinion with beautiful leather colors, the Traywax Element wallet is quite stylish.
It comes with a lifetime warranty so you can be sure it will not fall apart in just a few months. It’s meant to last a very long time.
Compared to the Flipside 4, it has some cool features, including the bottle opener and the attachment point.
However, it is more expensive and a bit heavier.
The biggest difference is how you want to look when you take out your wallet. Trayvax is made from leather which generally gives you the feeling of a more conventional wallet, so make it your choice if that’s the effect you’re trying to achieve.
On the other hand, the Flipside 4 can be considered to belong in the tactical wallets category, and it can fit more cards. It is fully closed and can provide better RFID blocking, but it has an opening mechanism that will probably break after a couple of years, and that’s why it comes with only two years of warranty. Flipside 4 is cheaper and is the go-to choice if you are on a more limited budget.
If the Flipside 4 sounds like a better option for your needs, make sure to check out my detailed Flipside 4 review.
What owners are saying about the Trayvax Element
The feedback will depend on which site you are purchasing the wallet from, but most customer ratings (well above 80%) are 5-star ratings. Owners are really satisfied with the product and the sellers don’t promise anything that the wallet is not made for. Everything works as expected, so naturally, people are truly satisfied because of that.
Some people also described that they are getting compliments about the wallet whenever they pull it out.
Who shouldn’t buy the Trayvax Element wallet?
If you need to carry more than 8 cards, this wallet will be a tight fit and you will not be satisfied, in which case I recommend seeing my guide on the best wallets with big card capacity.
Also, if you are a person who likes to carry a lot of cash, you have to be aware that you cannot fit more than a few bills, and if you need that feature, I recommend checking out my guide on the best wallets for cash.
Budget-oriented people might find this wallet expensive.
The wallet has reasonable size and dimensions, which means it’s not the smallest wallet out there. See my guide on the best slim wallets if you need something smaller.
While the wallet has the RFID-blocking feature, the protection it provides is not the strongest, which is why you may want to check out my guide on the best RFID-blocking wallets.
Finally, keep in mind that minimalist wallets are often not that great for accessing the cards at the bottom. Even though this wallet gives you a solid opportunity to access the cards from the top or the middle, reaching the bottom cards may be difficult at times. You should put your most used cards at the top for the easiest access.
Who should buy the Trayvax Element wallet?
This wallet is one of the best-looking minimalist wallets you can find. Its nice colors, texture, compactness, and the fact that you can engrave it yourself, make it an interesting present.
It all sums up to a great wallet and people love it.
If you are a minimalist person, that only carries a few cards and cash, and you want a useful and great-looking wallet, then you should not think for a moment, just go right ahead and buy it. You will almost certainly not be disappointed.
Where to buy the Trayvax Element from?
Trayvax Element Specifications
| Type | minimalist |
| Max n. of cards | 10 |
| RFID blocking? | yes |
| TSA compliant? | yes |
| Materials used | stainless steel, top-grain leather |
| Height | 4.5 in / 11.4 cm |
| Width | 2.8 in / 7.1 cm |
| Depth | 0.5 in / 1.27 cm |
| Weight | 5 oz / 141 g |
| Features | bottle opener, RFID blocking, attachment hole, mil-spec paracord |
| Water resistance | some |
| Warranty | 65-year heirloom |
| Return period | 30 days |
