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If you liked the Ekster Cardholder Pro but want a sleeker solution, the Wallet Pro is for you. It offers everything the metal solution does and adds slots for extra cards in beautiful Vacchetta leather.
Perhaps I was a bit too hasty when I said I’d never use a leather wallet again in our Ekster Cardholder Pro review. Before Ekster, I was gifted a slim Bellroy wallet, and before that, a Nomad one. I loved them both—especially the Bellroy model. So for the past few months, I’ve switched back to a leather wallet, though not a standard one, opting instead for the latest release from the company.
Meet the newest $129 Ekster Wallet Pro, which features its signature cardholder mechanism in a slim profile, all wrapped in plush leather. More specifically, it combines Italian leather, a snap closure, an expandable strap, and the company’s patented aluminum card ejection mechanism. After over two months of daily use, let’s talk about how it’s been and how it compares to its metal brethren.
So before we dive into the ins and outs of the Wallet Pro, let’s start with the outside. The wallet arrives in seven color options: tan, brown, black, navy, flame red, volt, and green. The green option is the only color that uses AppleSkin, which is the company’s vegan leather alternative made of apple waste, such as peels and cores. I got the tan option, crafted from Italian Vachetta leather—a full-grain, vegetable-tanned cowhide or calfskin. Fun fact: this is the same type of leather used in luxury handbags, including those from Louis Vuitton. As with most genuine leather, it will patina over time (age, stain, and darken). I’ve only seen a small number of scuffs and small scratches.
The wallet weighs 0.2 lbs before any cash and cards come into play and measures one inch thick when closed, 4.4 inches tall, and 2.9 inches long. It’s noticeable not as slim as the Cardholder Pro, though relatively lightweight, even with seven cards within its holder, five in its expandable strap, and an Ekster Tracker card in the exterior slot. It also includes RFID protection to help guard against card info theft. And as with other Ekster wallets, you can add accessories if you need more room. You can pick up the company’s coin pouch for additional space for change or the tool card. Unfortunately, the cash clip backplate accessory won’t work on this wallet.
The card ejection mechanism works as well as the day I unboxed it, just like the Cardholder Pro. The spring-loaded trigger is built from recycled aluminum and is a tank-like build. The only resistance you’ll get when using it is if you overstuff the card area with too many cards. Ekster says the Wallet Pro can hold up to 14 cards total, but recommends 9, including up to 7 in the cardholder, depending on the thickness. Like the Cardholder Pro, it’s equipped with an elastic strap to add additional cards and cash. It’s essentially a bi-fold wallet that’s held together with a snap button closure.
However, unlike other bi-fold wallets, you can access your cards via the ejection trigger without the need to open your wallet. I carried three debit cards, two credit cards, and two gift cards in the cardholder area; my library card, two insurance cards, and two Dave & Buster’s game cards within the expandable strap area; my driver’s license behind the cardholder area; cash in the expandable area; and an Ekster tracking card in the exterior slot.
Speaking of which, the newest $40 Ekster Tracker Card is as thin as a credit card at 0.8 mm thick, works with both Apple’s Find My and Google’s Find Hub networks, has a Bluetooth range of up to 300 ft, is IP68-rated, and has a rechargeable 10-month battery life.
Now let’s talk about that price. Dropping $129 on a leather wallet in this economy is nothing to sneeze at. However, if you’re interested, you can use our promo code or our dedicated link to save some $ on one. After the discount, you can score one for $103 before taxes, which can make the price a little more digestible. It’s also worth noting that Ekster offers a 100-day return window combined with a lifetime warranty, which covers manufacturing defects, but not general wear and tear.
The newest Wallet Pro is made from luxurious leather and packed with the familiar specs from Ekster we know and love: a lightweight, slim profile, fast card access, and expandable options. While I still enjoy the Cardholder Pro, I actually wind up preferring the Wallet Pro, as I can fit more into this option. It keeps the leather wallet aesthetic that others and I may be used to. And it does so by providing adequate card and cash storage without feeling the need to sacrifice items to be minimal.
