The Wallet Shoppe
It’s the Ridge Wallet vs the rest! In this showdown we compare the Ridge to the other top metal wallet players: Dango, Trayvax, and (bonus!) Machine Era.
There are three main players in the world of metal wallets. Ridge, Dango, and Trayvax have all made a name for themselves in the everyday carry space, and they’re built very differently.
While all different and unique in their own way, they all share the same passion for quality craftsmanship and slim carry.
We’re looking at all three: their history, features, functionality, and where each falls short.
Plus: we have a bonus comparison, read on for our Ridge Wallet vs Machine Era review down below!
The Ridge Wallet
The story of Ridge goes back to 2013, when father-and-son team Daniel and Paul Kane took their prototype to Kickstarter with a new (better) way to carry.
What they came up with became the template a lot of other slim wallets now copy: two plates, cards held between them under elastic tension, and folded cash riding on the outside.
The Ridge Wallet (Overview)
The design is simple, but genius. Every Ridge wallet has two plates, these plates are held together by a high-quality elastic (which is also replaceable). Push the stack out through the thumb notch, then fan it to pick a card. It does take a bit of getting used to, especially if you are coming from a more traditional wallet, but once you make the transition you’ll be hooked.
More on that below, but Ridge comes in two basic forms (and a ton of colors and finishes)… the cash-strap and the money clip.
The Ridge Wallet — Money Clip Version
The Ridge Wallet — Cash Strap Version
The Matte Olive cash-strap model is shown above. The strap sits flatter than a projecting clip; choose the attachment you prefer handling when you pay.
The Dango Wallet
Dango started in 2015, when Charlie Carroll and Thuan Tran, both out of the phone-case business, set up shop in the Bay Area. Their first hit wasn’t even a wallet: it was a hook, Thuan’s student design project, which sold out on Etsy before going to Kickstarter. The wallets came next.
These guys are the real deal. Their production is spot-on and their goods are unique and fun.
The D01 Dapper and T01 Tactical are virtually the same wallet, except the T01 comes with the MT02, a credit-card-sized multitool that slots into the body. It takes up card space, and it has to come out before you fly with a carry-on.
One of the things that we really like about Dango is the way they marry the industrial/tactical design of metal with the hand-craftsmanship of leather (or their non-leather DTEX). These aren’t simply two flat plates like a Ridge. The frame, pockets and silicone band each do a separate job.
The D01 Dapper Bifold adds three exterior pockets. Its stated capacity rises to 17 cards, with a larger leather wrap. That is the model in the card below, rather than the single-pocket D01 used in our size table.
The Trayvax Wallet
Mark King started Trayvax in 2013.
Strangely enough, this little wallet brand was born out of his attempt at creating a reusable plastic bag carrier… i.e., it hangs from the belt loop, etc.
Anyway, that particular project never made it off the ground, but he loved the machined design, and it turned into a wallet instead.
It’s definitely not your traditional wallet, but that was never the goal. Trayvax is perfect for the outdoor enthusiast or traveler, someone who wants to travel light and needs their “stuff” to fill more than one role. After using the original Trayvax for some time, we can safely say it does.
The linked Original 2.0 uses an aluminum front plate, stainless-steel backplate, adjustable paracord and security clasp. It has a money/pocket clip, bottle opener and pry bar. The older Original used a Velcro cash band; the 2.0 does not.
Ridge vs. Dango vs. Trayvax
Ok, so which wallet is best? Which one is right for you? Well, only you can truly decide that, but what we want to do below is give you a detailed comparison of the various features of each. Our preferences are below, alongside linked owner experiences.
Size & Weight
| Model | Empty weight | Footprint | Card capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ridge aluminum | About 2 oz | 3.39 × 2.13 inches | Up to 12 |
| Dango D01 single-pocket | 2.5 oz | 4.375 × 2.625 inches | Up to 12 |
| Dango T01 with tool | 3.5 oz | 4.375 × 2.625 inches | Up to 12, fewer with tool |
| Trayvax Original 2.0 | 2.4 oz | 4.125 × 2.625 inches | Up to 15 |
Ridge’s empty thickness is 0.24 inches; the Original 2.0 is 0.48 inches. Loaded thickness grows with your cards and cash. Sources: Ridge, D01, T01, and Trayvax. Titanium Ridge models weigh differently from aluminum.
Materials: Ridge
The Ridge Wallet is built out of “layers”, held together with small screws. That makes it completely modular, so you can change it around to your liking (although most people don’t).
The outermost layer is what you see and feel: aluminum, titanium or carbon fiber, among other finishes. The elastic is the part that wears, and like the plates and the cash attachment, it can be replaced. Go easy on the screws when you do.
*Hint: the cash strap and money clip swap over, so you can own one of each and change your mind.
Ridge owner zawShwa reported nearly two years with the elastic still working, while the cash strap had begun pilling. They also found ten cards too thick and reduced their load to five.
Materials: Dango
The D01 and T01 use an anodized 6061 aluminum frame and silicone band. Leather or DTEX pockets attach with stainless-steel screws; the T01 adds the steel multitool.
One thing we noticed: Dango is not as easy to take apart as Ridge. You can do it, but the bolts are much snugger, which we’d count as a good thing.
The silicone band is our least favorite part of the wallet. It’s so much less “giving” than Ridge’s elastic that getting cards in and out takes more effort. Both bands are replaceable.
Dango owner Clay S. liked the D01’s compact shape and secure card-and-cash carry. If separating cards matters more than the smallest footprint, the bifold’s extra pockets are the more relevant upgrade.
Materials: Trayvax
You’ll start to notice a theme with these metal wallets… they’re all modular. Trayvax is no different, and it’s the most “tactical” looking of the three.
On the Original 2.0, the steel backplate is the strong side and carries the clip and bottle opener, while the aluminum front plate is the bit with the color. Paracord and a clasp hold the stack together, and you cinch the cord to the number of cards you carry.
We spent our time with the older Original, which had a hook-and-loop cash band instead of the 2.0’s clasp. We can’t emphasize enough how tough that elastic was; it showed no signs of wear after several months. It did need a few cards to tighten up, though. With one or two cards the wallet felt a bit loose, but it settled in at five or six.
Trayvax’s support replies on the Original 2.0 page confirm that replacement paracord includes the clasp. They also explain that the discontinued Original 1.0’s elastic/Velcro components are no longer stocked. Check parts availability if you are buying an older used wallet.
Colors, colors, colors…
Obviously all three of these brands experiment with colors and limited editions. Ridge has the widest choice of plate finishes. Dango mixes and matches leather and frame colors. Trayvax does anodized aluminum and G10. The ranges change often, so their own sites have the current options.
Wallet Functionality
Ok, so we’ve discussed what the wallets look and feel like. But — how well do they function?
When we think of functionality pertaining to wallets, we’re really looking at two things. How much stuff can it carry (cards/cash/etc..)? How easy is it to get to?
The table above gives the makers’ maximums. We’re not saying the wallets can’t function at those numbers, but the best real-world experience for us was two to ten cards in the Ridge, two to eight in the Dango, and five or more in the old Trayvax Original.
These wallets (or any new wallet) are different, and in our opinion that’s a good thing. Different can simplify your life. It does take time, though. We’re so used to our traditional leather bifolds that these small, metal contraptions may seem weird at first. In our experience, after 3-4 days you’ll get used to it, and after 3-4 weeks you’ll wonder how you ever used anything else.
Below we’ve ranked them on “ease of use”. Honestly, we’re nitpicking a bit here, but here’s what we found after several weeks with each:
- Ridge - Definitely the easiest of the bunch to get used to… simplest to use.
- Trayvax (Original) - Little bit more of a learning curve, but intuitive after a few days.
- Dango - Cards are a bit more difficult to get in and out initially, but you do get used to it.
Whichever you try, practise pulling a card from the middle of the stack, not just the front one.
Not Just Wallets Anymore…
Each of these brands has also branched out into the world of “carry” with other items. Obviously these guys are still known as “wallet” brands, but Ridge, Dango and Trayvax have all come up with some pretty cool carry items to support their main line. Let’s take a quick look below.
Ridge has developed a phone case for the iPhone crowd, and it pairs with the MagSafe wallet they sell separately, so the cards ride on the back of the phone rather than in the case itself.
The current generation is a dual-layer design — a TPU bumper for drop protection with machined aluminum buttons, which is about as close as a phone case gets to looking like a Ridge wallet.
The Ridge iPhone Case
This one’s the iPhone 17 Pro version, so pick your own model on the listing.
Ridge also makes bags now. The Packable Backpack is a 15L foldable daypack that stuffs down small enough to live inside a bigger bag until you need it. It’s a travel-and-hiking piece rather than a commuter bag — there’s no dedicated laptop compartment.
The Ridge Packable Backpack
They’ve certainly chosen to branch out rather than doubling down on wallets.
OK, its time to move on to the awards!
And The Award(s) Go To…
You’re not going to find a bad wallet among this group. Still, we wanted to hand out some awards.
Most Colors & Styles: Ridge Wallet Titanium
The Ridge is the OG of the slim metal wallet world, with the widest range of colors and styles of the three. Titanium costs more than aluminum, and you’re paying for the look and feel more than anything else.
Best Tactical Hybrid: Dango T01 Tactical EDC Wallet
The perfect hybrid for those who want a tactical wallet with a minimalist approach — the credit-card multitool slots into the wallet body rather than riding loose in a pocket.
Most Attitude: Trayvax Original 2.0
This wallet is going to get noticed. A full-on tactical wallet that packs a lot of attitude into a small, lightweight package.
Just Ridge vs Trayvax?
If it’s down to those two, it comes down to what you want your wallet to do. The Ridge is the slim one: the smaller footprint (3.39 × 2.13 × 0.24 inches against the Trayvax’s 4.125 × 2.625 × 0.48), and you just push and fan your cards, no clasp to undo. The Trayvax Original 2.0 is pocket gear: adjustable paracord, a money clip, a bottle opener and a pry bar built into the steel backplate, and room for up to 15 cards.
Both have replaceable wear parts (elastic for the Ridge, paracord and clasp for the Trayvax). Trayvax backs its wallets with a 65-year heirloom warranty, which is hard to argue with. Ridge’s warranty depends on when and where you bought it.
If you’re interested in something similar to the Ridge, but at a different price point, we covered some inexpensive alternatives to the Ridge here.
Before you go though, there’s one other wallet we’d like to cover…
[BONUS] Ridge Wallet vs. Machine Era
Another option we like is the Ti5 Wallet by Machine Era. It’s a great wallet to put up against the Ridge, mostly because it weighs next to nothing.
Dimensions and Weight
Compared to the Ridge, this is a lot lighter, weighing in at just 0.6 ounces. The length and width are comparable to the Ridge at 3.4 × 2.25 × 0.28 inches, but it only takes seven cards.
Color
The current Ti5 is hand-finished, uncoated Grade 5 titanium: the bare metal look, no black coating.
Durability
Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) is the workhorse of titanium alloys, and the body is the rigid part. The elastic band holding your cards and cash against it is the bit that will wear first, as with any wallet like this.
Overall functionality
The rear thumb slot pushes out your cards and, as a bonus, opens bottles. It’s a simple setup, just with room for fewer cards than the Ridge.
Flaws
In our opinion, the only real point where the Ridge loses to the Ti5 is weight. The aluminum Ridge is over three times heavier, so if you want the lightest metal wallet going, that could be your deciding factor. The Ti5 has no RFID blocking, which might matter to some, though it’s not clear how big a deal that really is.
Final Verdict
Our vote still goes to Ridge for capacity and the choice of cash attachments. The extra weight is a tradeoff — there’s got to be a pun there somewhere — while the Ti5 makes sense if you want the lightest of these titanium designs.
Before You Go …
If you’re set on titanium specifically, our titanium wallet guide shortlist covers the picks worth the upcharge over aluminum.
Side note: We’ve been asked about TSA approval for Trayvax wallets a few times, so we wrote up a whole article on it. Check it out if you have any concerns about taking your favorite wallet through security: Are Trayvax Wallets TSA-compliant?
