Most guys are still carrying the same style of wallet their dad carried. Folded leather, rear pocket, sits crooked for eight hours a day, and slowly wrecks your lower back. I did it too. Then I got tired of it.
I picked up the Trayvax Contour back in 2018 after I’d had it with my old wallet falling apart every time it hit the floor. Bulky, stretched-out pockets, cards going everywhere. I’d been eyeing Trayvax for a while and liked that they’re made in the USA — actually about an hour north of me — so when it was time to replace the old one, I went straight to their top-of-the-line model. That was over seven years ago. I’m still carrying it.
That’s basically the review right there, but let me give you the details.
Setting It Up
Right out of the box you’ll need to make a decision: how many cards are you actually going to carry? The Contour uses a stud-and-flap system to keep everything locked in, and you adjust it based on your card count. They include the specific wrench to do it. Before I set mine up I went through my old wallet and cut it down to the cards I actually use. The Contour can technically hold up to 13 cards and 10 bills if you open the leather panels all the way out, but I’d push back on anyone who needs that many cards on them at all times.
Get it adjusted right from the start and you won’t have to think about it again.
Real-World Use After 7+ Years
After all my research I was pretty well sold before I even ordered it, so I’ll skip the initial excitement and tell you what I know after years of actual use.
The weight complaints I’ve seen in other reviews? Never noticed it. If your old wallet was stuffed with receipts and loyalty cards you’ll never use, the Contour is almost certainly lighter. The “uncomfortable to sit on” complaints are also a non-issue — it’s a front pocket wallet. If you’re putting it in your back pocket you’re missing the point.
Front pocket carry was my biggest concern going in. It turns out it’s a non-issue. The slim profile rides fine in a front pocket without that weird bulk that screams “I have a wallet in my pants.”
The flap and knob closure was my other concern. It looks like something that could pop open at the wrong moment. So far in seven-plus years of daily carry, it has never happened once. Get the card count adjusted right and the tension keeps it solid.
One specific thing that sealed the deal for me was Trayvax’s compatibility with credit card tools. I’ve carried a Pocket Monkey Multitool for years, and a lot of other slim wallets I looked at wouldn’t fit it cleanly. The Contour holds it perfectly.
The bottle opener built into the back plate is exactly what it sounds like — gimmicky but functional. I’ve used it. It works.
The Verdict
The Trayvax Contour runs about $175 (but is frequently on sale for ~$149. Whether that’s worth it depends on one question: do you want to buy a wallet once, or do you want to keep buying wallets?
Seven years in, mine still looks good. The leather has developed a legitimate patina and the stainless plate shows no signs of giving up. Trayvax backs it with a 65-year heirloom warranty, which should tell you something about how they think their products will hold up.
If you’re a front pocket wallet person, or you’re ready to become one, the Contour is hard to beat. If you just need something to hold a few cards, Trayvax makes less expensive models worth a look too.
Rating: 9/10
Have you made the switch to a front pocket wallet? Drop a comment and let me know what you’re carrying.
