This is a detailed review of the Trayvax Original 2.0 wallet, one of the most popular tactical, minimalist, smart wallets ever designed.
Trayvax Original 2.0 Wallet Review
The Trayvax Original 2.0 can hold around 5-10 cash bills and up to 15 cards, but its capacity will be adjustable thanks to the military standard paracord that goes through both of the plates. The wallet also includes a bottle opener, a pry bar, and has RFID blocking (although the latter may not be always reliable). The wallet weighs just 2.4 oz / 68 grams and has very small dimensions.
Why buy the Trayvax Original 2.0 wallet?
The Trayvax Original 2.0 is almost the universal tactical wallet. It has quite a lot of advantages over other tactical wallets that make it the best choice in this category, particularly its adjustable capacity, light weight, slim dimensions, and a solid level of quality for a budget price. This wallet will be especially useful and attractive for outdoorsy people.
Buying and discounts
The Trayvax Original 2.0 is available through the official Trayvax store or Amazon.
I recommend buying through Trayvax because of the possibly better price and free shipping, but also because you can get 5% off the price by applying my coupon code tray5vax at checkout, or even 15% off if your order is above $600 with the code pizzaslice15.
Still, make sure to check the Amazon listing as well, as they can often provide some great deals at times.
Price
The price of the Trayvax Original 2.0, when ordering through their website, is usually $34.99. The price on Amazon will probably be somewhere closer to $40.99. However, since shipping costs around $5 with Trayvax, the prices will end up being mostly the same.
For that price, this wallet is simply amazing value for money, and is definitely one of the best wallets under $50.
Shipping time and price
Shipping will usually be free if you order through Amazon.
If you order one wallet through Trayvax, you may have to pay a shipping fee of around $4.99, but since the wallet will probably be cheaper on Trayvax than on Amazon, the final cost will end up being pretty much the same. Also, Trayvax offer free shipping on orders above $59, so if you order two wallets, you will still get free shipping and save a few dollars.
Standard shipping will take 3 to 7 business days, but you can get the wallet shipped to you in 2 to 4 business days through expedited shipping.
You can find out the exact details on the Trayvax shipping policy page.
Customer support
You can reach the Trayvax customer support team through one of the following options:
- their dedicated customer support phone number, available on the Trayvax contact page
- their customer support email: [email protected]
- the chatbot on their website
- their various social media profiles
They will provide support Monday to Friday, 9 am – 3 pm PT.
Warranty policy
Trayvax stand behind their products fully, and that’s why the Trayvax Original 2.0 has a 65-year warranty on it. It is very likely that if you find this wallet useful, you will not have to buy another wallet ever again.
Keep in mind, however, that the warranty does not cover damage caused by normal wear and tear, improper care, surface-level wear, accident, loss, misuse, theft, neglect, or the natural breakdown of materials over time.
Return and refund policies
In case you are not satisfied with this product, you will have 30 days to return it, both when ordering through Trayvax or through Amazon.
While this is not specified, it’s a good idea to keep the original packaging of the wallet, as you may be denied a refund without it. Also, the wallet should be in the same condition in which you received it.
Brand
Trayvax was started way back in 2013 by entrepreneur Mark King. Today, the brand has grown to quite a large extent, and the Trayvax team includes more than two dozen people working on not just creating high-quality wallets, but other useful accessories such as belts, key chains, gear, etc.
Trayvax Original 2.0 Basics
In my opinion, the main benefits of the Trayvax Original 2.0 are its simplicity, portability, and ease of use. Out of all the tactical wallets I’ve seen, this one is easily one of the simplest ones to get used to.
How to use the Trayvax Original 2.0?
The main feature of this wallet is the ability to tighten or loosen the paracord, which is woven through the entire wallet like shoestrings on a shoe. That way, the wallet can fit exactly the number of cards you need it to fit.
The way the wallet closes is kind of interesting. The paracord has two ends, one with the slack, and the other one with a little metal tube on it. The metal tube goes over the clasp on the other side, and that ensures the wallet stays tightly closed.
To take out the cards, you can push them through the opening of the wallet. The easiest way is to spread them out like playing cards and pick the one you need. However, you can also use the opening hole to simply shuffle through all of the cards until finding the one you need and push it out to the top.
Another way you can use the wallet is to put a card that you use very frequently on the top of the clasp. The downside here is that the card is only held by the corners of the paracord and is not between the plates. While the chances of it falling out are still small, the cards that are inside of the wallet will definitely be more secure.
Unboxing
The product arrives in a simple, transparent zip-lock bag. The packaging is not at the same level of quality as with some other premium wallets, and that’s why damage on delivery, while unlikely, is still possible. Anyway, the package still gets the job done.
The package will include:
- the wallet
- the Trayvax card (you can scan the QR code to see more about the wallet)
- the instructions manual
User experience
You will fall in love with the Trayvax Original 2.0 almost immediately. The wallet will seamlessly fit into your life, is easy to hold because of its finger-fitting design, and will quickly replace any old wallet you’ve had previously.
When I first replaced my old wallet with a lightweight one, I quickly discovered that I really didn’t need most of the garbage I was carrying around. I’d say this is one of the biggest advantages that the Trayvax Original 2.0 will bring to your life. Taking out your cards, paying, using any keycards or ID cards, will all become a much less frustrating part of your day.
User manual
The user manual is a simple illustrated card with a few basic instructions on how to use the wallet. As you might expect, the manual is not that important, as the wallet is very simple to use. Still, scan through it quickly, as it might include some information that’s specific to the wallet’s version.
Aesthetics and design
The Trayvax Original 2.0 has a futuristic, almost sci-fi design that will cater to the modern man.
Look and feel
The wallet feels like the indestructible gadget that the Terminator would have on himself.
On a serious note, the wallet has a very premium feel to it, that is immediately noticeable right on the touch, and even though its price doesn’t suggest it, it feels like one of the most luxurious wallets out there. The wallet has no sharp edges, which further adds to its vibe of elegance and utility.
Colors
The wallet comes in several color options:
- black
- grey
- blue (the manufacturer says blue, although this looks more like turquoise)
- OD green
- G10
All of the color choices are very low-profile and will easily match most of the other colors of your other items.
Clothing style fit
While style is usually subjective, I would mostly recommend this wallet to my friends who are into the outdoor lifestyle, and not so much to my classier friends. Both the design and the color choices would be perfect for military urban style types of guys. Still, the wallet looks very smooth in general, so I wouldn’t hesitate to bring it with me no matter what style of clothing I’m wearing.
Features
This seemingly small and simple item is surprisingly full of innovative features. Just when you think you’ve exhausted all of its uses, another one pops up.
Weight and size
The Trayvax Original 2.0 is a truly lightweight, minimalist wallet. You will probably not even notice carrying it most of the time.
It weighs just 2.4 oz / 68 g, which is three times as light as the average iPhone.
The dimensions of the wallet are also very small:
- width: 4.1 in / 10.4 cm
- height: 2.6 in / 6.6 cm
- depth: 0.5 in / 1.2 cm (although it can be more if you fill up the wallet with the most cards it can fit)
Paracord and clasp
The military-standard paracord is the glue that holds the entire wallet together. This small piece of rope is a lot stronger than it might seem at first, and it goes through all of the 10 holes in the wallet’s frame.
One of the key features the paracord provides is the ability to adjust the wallet’s capacity. This feature is not often found in other tactical wallets, which are usually much more rigid and less adaptable to your needs.
The paracord is also used to “lock” the wallet, by simply putting it over the clasp on the plate.
Pry bar
One of the most interesting tactical features of the wallet is the pry bar, which is simply an extension of the steel plate.
Of course, this will not be nearly at the same level as a dedicated tool, but it can still be quite useful in emergencies.
Attachment hole
The wallet’s frame also has a hole on one of the edges. You can put a keychain or a carabiner or another attachment item through it, which can be very useful for both accessibility and to make theft less likely. I’ve rarely seen this feature in higher-quality wallets, so I must say I appreciate it quite a lot.
Hole for ID card
One of the plates has a very convenient hole in it, which enables you to quickly show a part of the card that’s on the top of the stack (which can be the card’s chip in the case of a payment or a key card).
The hole is also very useful for quickly shuffling through all of the cards without getting all of them out.
Bottle opener
As with most tactical wallets today, the Trayvax Original 2.0 wouldn’t be complete without a bottle opener. Obviously, this is another feature that will likely not be the most useful one out there, but it can still get the job done in an emergency.
RFID blocking
This is one of the biggest points of contention around this wallet.
While it does advertise itself as an RFID blocking wallet, a few users have reported that this feature doesn’t always work.
And, to be fair, the wallet does have plenty of holes in its frame, so if you’re worried about thieves using card readers to charge your cards, I suggest putting your most sensitive payment cards as close to the aluminum plate as possible, have other cards between them and the steel plate (which has more holes in it), and also, make sure that none of the chips of the payment cards are visible through some of the wallet’s holes.
How many cards can the Trayvax Original 2.0 hold?
Officially, the Trayvax Original 2.0 can hold up to 15 cards, making it one of the biggest card-capacity wallets available. However, this limit can be pushed even further, and unofficially, the wallet can hold 18, or even 20 cards. Keep in mind that carrying 12 cards or more already makes the wallet kind of impractical.
How many cash bills can the Trayvax Original 2.0 hold?
The official specifications of the Trayvax Original 2.0 suggest that the wallet can hold up to 5 cash bills folded two times. Unofficially, however, the wallet can easily hold up to 10 bills. One thing you should keep in mind here is that if you only have one or two cash bills, the chances of them falling out are greater, and in this case, I recommend simply putting your cash inside of the wallet, together with your cards.
Is the Trayvax Original 2.0 TSA-compliant?
The Trayvax Original 2.0 is TSA-compliant, and you will not have any trouble taking it on the plane with you. The wallet is still a metal object, however, and you should take it out when passing through the metal detectors.
Cleaning
Keeping the wallet clean can’t be any easier. You can easily clean it without disassembling it, although you may do so if you wish to do a more thorough job. Check out my guide on how to clean your wallet for detailed instructions.
Waterproofing
The paracord will not be damaged by water, as well as the stainless steel plate. Keep in mind, however, that aluminum can sometimes corrode, and even though it is highly unlikely, I suggest drying off the wallet if it comes into contact with water.
Obviously, the items you keep inside of the wallet will not be protected against water at all.
Build quality
Basically, the wallet only has 3 parts – the two plates and the paracord. With so few moving parts, all of them well designed and well integrated together, the product ends up being very sturdy and reliable.
Lifespan and durability
It’s practically impossible for the wallet to break. That’s probably the main reason why Trayvax are so confident in their product and offer a 65-year heirloom warranty. If I were a betting man, I’d bet this wallet lasts you a lifetime.
Materials used
The Trayvax Original 2.0 is one of the best aluminum wallets currently available. The main material of the wallet’s front plate is anodized aircraft-grade aluminum, while the back plate is from stainless steel. For reference, the front plate is the one with the color and has the card hole in it, while the back plate is black and has the cash clip and bottle opener.
The paracord handle is made by military standards.
Problems and issues
There’s very little doubt today that the Trayvax Original 2.0 is an excellent wallet. However, like all other popular products, this wallet is not without issues, even though there are only a handful of real complaints about it.
Probably the major issue with this wallet is its hypothetical difficulty to access, although this has only been reported by one person (out of more than 430 reviews).
One design flaw in the wallet that I found particularly noteworthy is that if you use the clip to hang the wallet on your belt, the wallet is actually turned upside down. It is probably unlikely that the wallet will get undone, but if it does, your cards may fall out. You should also be aware that this isn’t exactly a proper way to use the wallet (although I guess some people still use it like this). This has only been reported by one owner as well.
Since I usually wear tighter clothing and pants, one pet peeve of mine is for metal wallets such as this one can sometimes cause discomfort, or even some mild stabbing. Fortunately, the Trayvax Original 2.0 has very smooth edges and is very small in dimensions, so you’ll probably not even notice it while wearing it on you. Only a handful of people have reported otherwise.
Finally, probably the most critical issue with this wallet is the unreliability of the RFID blocking feature. A few independent users have tested this with card readers of their own, and some of them report that in certain cases, there is a possibility for a card reader to still read a chip from your card. In my opinion, this is the biggest flaw of this wallet, and if I were to choose one dealbreaker about this product, it might be the semi-correct reporting about this feature.
Trayvax Original 2.0 vs Dango D01 Dapper
The main advantages of the Trayvax Original 2.0 include the ability to adjust the wallet’s capacity, as well as its inherently bigger capacity (the Dango D01 Dapper can barely hold 12 cards), and the price, as the Trayvax is more than two times cheaper than the Dango.
The Dango D01 Dapper, however, will have better RFID blocking features, it will be more contained and better sealed, and for most people, it will probably have a more premium look. Also, the cash band of the Dango will be better for holding cash than the clip of the Trayvax. If those features sound like something you might need, take a look at my detailed Dango D01 Dapper review.
Reviews and ratings
The Trayvax Original 2.0 is one of the most popular tactical wallets ever made.
The product has almost 6500 starling reviews on the brand’s site at the time of writing. Even more importantly, it has more than 430 reviews on Amazon, with an averaging rating of 4.7 stars, which is very difficult for any consumer product to achieve.
In my estimate, this wallet has easily sold well over a hundred thousand units, and the jury is in – it is simply a brilliant tactical, lightweight wallet.
Who should not buy the Trayvax Original 2.0?
While the Trayvax Original 2.0 is a great wallet overall, there are a few categories of people I wouldn’t recommend it to.
One group of people that will find this wallet pretty much useless is anyone that needs to carry a ton of items in their wallet. Honestly, I think this is the way of the past, as most modern people today only really use a few cards, and barely even carry cash with them. Still, if you’re more old-school and need to carry a lot of stuff in your wallet, you will want to check out my guide on the best wallets for carrying cash. On a similar note, the wallet isn’t really made for coins, and if you find yourself constantly using them, see my guide on the best wallets for coins.
Also, as we mentioned, the RFID blocking feature of this wallet has been proven to be unreliable in some cases, so if that’s one of your priorities, you may want to see another wallet that has a better implementation of RFID blocking (such as the Dango D01 Dapper, for example).
If you’re used to carrying your wallet on your belt, you should know that this will not be an ideal option for you as well. When carrying this wallet that way, the opening side ends up facing down, and the risk of your cards falling out, while still small, is increased.
Finally, while I love almost everything about this wallet, the one thing I have some doubts about is the cash clip. It is not as secure as I would like it to be, it doesn’t really allow you to carry a larger number of bills, but at the same time, carrying just one or two bills can be problematic, as the clip is not really that tight.
If none of those issues sound like a dealbreaker to you, you will probably enjoy the Trayvax Original 2.0 a lot.
Who should buy the Trayvax Original 2.0?
In general, the Trayvax Original is very versatile, and a lot of people will find it very appealing.
To put it simply, if you only need to carry a few cards and some cash, this wallet will be everything you ever need. Unlike most other minimalist wallets for men, however, the Trayvax Original 2.0 is adjustable thanks to the interwoven paracord, and you can personalize it to fit your needs perfectly, no matter if you carry 2 or 15 cards.
Also, if you’re not carrying a lot of cash on you, you will find that a wallet like this has been missing from your life.
One of the best outdoors wallets, this item is almost made for the urban or the outdoorsy type of guy. If any of those labels apply to you, you will probably fall in love with this neat, efficient little piece of gear.
If you’re one of those people that are looking to buy a product for the last time (which is my favorite type of people), then you will also find the Trayvax Original 2.0 to be an excellent pick. The product has a 65-year heirloom warranty, and if you buy it, you can rest assured that you won’t have to buy another wallet, ever.
In summary, anyone looking for a practical, efficient, minimalist, adjustable, lightweight wallet, that will not show in your pocket, and will also come with a bunch of other cool tactical features, will find the Trayvax Original 2.0 to be a perfect match.
Where to buy the Trayvax Original 2.0 from?
Trayvax Original 2.0 Specifications
| Type | minimalist |
| Max n. of cards | 15 / 20 |
| RFID blocking? | yes |
| TSA compliant? | yes |
| Materials used | 6061 aerospace-grade CNC’d anodized aluminum, stainless steel, military standard paracord |
| Height | 2.6 in / 6.6 cm |
| Width | 4.1 in / 10.4 cm |
| Depth | 0.5 in / 1.2 cm |
| Weight | 2.4 oz / 68 g |
| Features | adjustable depth, pry bar, bottle opener, RFID blocking, card hole |
| Water resistance | some |
| Warranty | 65 year heirloom |
| Return period | 30 days |
