The Wallet Shoppe
The Trove Wallet is a Kickstarter darling, and many people are in love with their cool designs. But there are other Trove Wallet Alternatives out there - read on for our round-up of great options!
The Best Trove Wallet Alternatives
All right people, you’re looking for alternatives to those cool, reversible Trove wallets. Here are our favorites. More on each one after the table, shall we?
Crabby Gear Wallet
The non-traditionalist still deserves to keep things minimal and the Crabby Gear wallet has provided just that!
It’s a stretchy elastic sleeve that holds your cards and cash securely, with no unnecessary flaps or pockets, plus a lobster-claw key chain so you can take your wallet virtually anywhere.
Owner Olivia liked its light, compact feel and reported no tearing or stretching after about a year.
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Pros: Extremely lightweight, keeps cards secure
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Cons: Elastic will stretch over time if you “over-stuff” it
Nomatic Wallet
The NOMATIC Men’s wallet allows stress-free access to all your cards while still managing to maintain a slim profile.
NOMATIC advertises room for 4–14 cards, with a leather pull tab that brings your four most-used cards forward. How much easier can it get? The small pocket provides separate storage for folded cash or a key.
The NOMATIC wallet can appeal to your classy or casual side with its convenient features and a variety of colors to choose from.
Owner Sean P. said his had been in use since 2019 and praised the extra pocket for cash and receipts.
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Pros: Quick access to four favorite cards; separate cash pocket
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Cons: A larger card stack still adds thickness; small loose items share one pocket
Recycled Firefighter Wallet
The Recycled Firefighter wallet is bound to catch anyone’s eye the next time you whip it out.
The Sergeant Fire Hose Edition uses decommissioned US fire hose, sewn with T-70 nylon thread and finished with one-inch nylon binding. It is made in the USA and sized for 4–8 cards, with folded cash held under the rear strap.
The slim design is perfect for carrying in your front pocket and gives quick access to cash with the money strap on the back. This would make a truly unique gift next Father’s day or Christmas.
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Pros: Cool concept, super lightweight
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Cons: Cash needs folding; reclaimed material means individual wallets vary in appearance
Thread Wallet
The Thread Wallet is made with durable, tight-knit elastic and a built-in keyring that allows you to attach your wallet to your keys, backpacks, lanyards, etc. The Elastic model is designed for 2–8 cards and cash. Keep at least two cards inside for a snug fit.
Measuring 2.2 x 2.75 inches, it has a unique shape and its flexibility allows the wallet to sit flat in your front or back pockets. The wallet comes with many colors that range from neutrals to eye-poppingly bright solids, to bold patterns.
The Seam!
But…
Ah, but …
There’s one issue that keeps annoying a subset of people: the wallet is stitched together with an interior seam, and that bump under your cards drives some people nuts! Others clearly don’t care at all, so it’s a personal thing.
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Pros: Small footprint, plenty of patterns, useful keyring attachment
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Cons: That seam divides people into two camps - “don’t care” and “hate it!”
If the elastic-band concept appeals to you but the seam is a dealbreaker, our Breadband alternatives include a molded silicone band without a stitched fabric seam. If you’re also exploring ejector-style wallets, our roundup of Secrid wallet alternatives compares a different way to reach your cards.
Background On Trove
Trove started making their reversible wallets/card holders back in 2014 with the first of several Kickstarter campaigns. They are now constructed in a variety of different formats, some with coin holders, some designed for carrying earbud headphones, you name it.
They come in wide variety of colors, and can even be customized (as in “build your own”). They are certainly worth a look.
However, they can be hard to get hold of in North America. Trove is based in the UK and sells through its own store, and its official distributor list still has no US or Canadian sellers, so shipping to North America costs extra. So it’s not surprising some people are on the lookout for a Trove alternative that’s easier to buy here. If that changes, we’ll post an update!
Our Favorite Trove Wallet Alternative
All of the above are great options, but there can only be one winner. Drum roll please! Our favorite is the NOMATIC: seriously tough elastic, cards and cash held snugly, and that pull tab for your four most-used cards.
In the meantime, if you want to take a look at Trove Wallets, check out this review below:
