Travel kit review: Bellroy Travel Wallet

Head of Sport·NZ Herald·

11 Dec, 2014 04:30 PM2 mins to read

The Bellroy Travel Wallet. Photo / Supplied

I blame the cafes and their glut of damnable loyalty cards.

If, like me, carrying your regular wallet in your trouser pocket makes it look like you're smuggling a shoebox jammed full of cash, then you might want to take a look at the Bellroy Travel Wallet.

The key to travelling light, is to pack smart they don't come much smarter than this. Your wallet is no different from your suitcase when it comes to packing smart. The BTW cleverly places card slots alongside each other, rather than on top of on another, effectively halving the depth of the wallet. Consequently, it's long and wide.

When folded, the wallet is 15cm long - which is pretty long. It's 9.4cm wide. That's pretty much the size of your passport, which fits neatly into an internal sleeve. Very clever.

Crucially, it's thin. On a recent trip to the US, the wallet sat flat in my front jean pocket with the passport inside it. No mean feat.

When you're bustling from hotel to taxi to airport, it's good to know where your valuables and essential items are stashed.

Having the wallet and passport - the two items you'll be reaching for the most during a day of travel - in one spot is a big help.

There's no coin pocket, a move which is good both for keeping the BTW compact and for boosting the fortunes of the global busker community. Some users might find that a drag.

The small (and eminently loseable) pen, tucked into the wallet's fold, means travellers can fill out the many pieces of paperwork that Customs officials love so much. Again, it means you're not digging around in your shoulder bag looking for a pen. Everything in one place. Smart.

It comes in four different colours (Midnight, Cocoa, Mocha and Slate) and they back their workmanship enough to give their products a three-year warranty. Sleek and elegant, it has had some fancy leather treatment that Bellroy reckons means it will age gracefully.