- In this video, a detailed look
at the Carbon fibre Aviator Wallet and Ridge Wallet.
The carbon fiber Aviator Slide Wallet
is handcrafted at their factory in Germany,
and they sent me this one for free.
I thought it would be cool to compare
with the benchmark product,
the popular Ridge Wallet,
which I last reviewed a couple of years ago,
when I showed you the Titanium Ridge Wallet.
Here, I purchased the Ridge Wallet in carbon fiber.
So, both slim wallets share similar materials,
hold a stack of credit cards,
each have a strap to hold cash bills,
and both have a coin compartment.
Let’s see if they live up to their high-ticket price tags.
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First up, let’s take a look at the outer materials
and dimensions,
starting with the carbon Aviator Slide Wallet.
Its contour is sized to closely match a credit card,
to give that minimal wallet experience.
I like the aesthetics,
the real carbon fibre has a three-dimensional
checkerboard effect.
You can’t see it good on a still image,
so let me try and demonstrate that for you on video.
It’s a smooth matt surface,
with carefully rounded edges
so it doesn’t catch or tear on your pockets.
If you want to save some money
you can checkout the aircraft grade aluminium
at around half the cost, or you can use the URL
and discount code I placed in the description below,
which is active at the time of publishing the video.
For disclosure, if you use the code or affiliate links
in the video description I may earn a small amount
from that at no extra cost to you,
that helps me make more videos.
The Carbon Fiber Ridge Wallet
is also a little bit different.
I steered away from the usual boring
carbon fibre weave.
Instead, the finish plates have a forged composite
which uses fibers mixed with resin
that are pressed into shape as it cures.
Just as strong and lightweight, but here,
the forged carbon gives this camo-like appearance.
Pretty cool.
No rounded edges however,
like we saw on the Aviator wallet.
You can also get the Ridge Wallet
Next, let’s look at the function and practicality.
Sticking with Ridge Wallet here.
You can store 1 to 12 cards.
Ridge Wallets have two aluminium inner plates
that act to block RFID signals,
so that your contactless credit cards are safe
from attempted digital theft
from card-skimming devices.
If we look close, you see there’s a tapered edge
that allows you to insert your cards more easily.
This part helps keep your cards seated tidily,
and the elastic track keeps firm pressure
to hold your cards securely.
Cards are pushed out though this cutout,
placing the ones you use the most at the top,
or the bottom of the pile.
Getting at the ones in the middle is tricky.
I’ve heard some people pinch the bottom of the wallet
to separate them a little,
but I can’t do that easily with the optional
Cavity Tray inserted,
that’s where you might store your change,
we’ll take a look at in a moment.
With the maximum 12 cards inserted
the wallet gets wobbly if you happen to have
the embossed writing all on the same side.
You have to rotate a couple of cards
so that it's better balanced.
So how does the Aviator Wallet compare?
The Aviator Slide can store 1 to 20 cards.
It also has a tapered edge here
to help the cards go in.
Again, the easiest ones to get at
would be on the top or bottom.
You can easily thumb cards forwards
with just one hand.
I can’t do that by the way with the Ridge Wallet.
Kinda awkward.
(groans) You try.
One of the features making the Aviator Wallet
feel like a much more complete product
is the pull-strap.
This gives you a second way to eject your cards,
and from here you can fan them out a little.
That’s not all,
remember I said the card capacity is up to 20 cards?
That’s because, unique to the Aviator Wallet
is its inner adjustable elastic band
and stainless steel bolt design,
which allows for adjustment.
Using the including screwdriver,
remove the stainless steel torx screws,
and remove the carbon facia.
Now you can access the acrylic glass inner frame
and make adjustments for card capacity,
so that the elastic track always has optimum
pressure on the cards.
With each bolt in the centermost position
you can store 1-7 cards.
Move one bolt outwards
for a card capacity of 4 to 12 cards,
and move both bolts outwards for 7 to 20 cards.
You’ll need to adjust the pull-strap tension too
if you’re going to place more cards in the wallet.
On the Aviatorwallet website you see a dropdown list
of what looks like different capacity wallets.
It’s the same wallet, they’re going the extra mile,
and will set it up to your preferred card capacity
at the factory before it’s shipped.
So you may not need to take your wallet apart
like this.
I would guess the elastic strap will last longer
on the Aviator, because the adjustable tension
means you’re never over-stretching it.
Let’s try 12 cards like we had in the Ridge earlier.
It doesn’t feel stressed this time.
Also, the elastic track runs across the width
of the wallet, not the length,
so you don’t get the wobbly problem
the Ridge Wallet presented.
If we add another eight cards
now we have the full 20-card maximum capacity.
One downside, is if you want your Aviator Wallet
to be RFID blocking,
you have to configure your wallet
selecting an extra-cost aluminium insert,
instead of the lightweight acrylic frame
that comes as standard.
Next let’s look at the cash straps
on the reverse of the wallets.
Here, both feature a cash strap plate.
They help distribute even pressure on the cash.
And you see the Ridge Wallet
has even got these grippy little feet
on the reverse, which is great detail.
But, I find it almost impossible to grab onto them
to pull up a little to slide my cash underneath.
You can configure your Aviator Wallet
without the metal plate,
or remove it if you don’t like it.
It’s easier to remove them
with the carbon face-plates removed.
I’ll show you on the Ridge Wallet,
then you can learn how to replace
the elastic track too.
The Ridge Wallet also come with a screwdriver,
and comes with four spare screws.
I notice some pre-applied retaining compound.
That stops them coming loose accidentally.
There’s no spares with the Aviator product
that I have,
which is not good considering the price.
In fact, das nichts points to Aviator.
Better check their’s none under here
now I’ve beaten them up about it.
Nein!
So with the carbon plates removed,
we see the two aluminium RFID blocking plates,
and you’re able to remove the elastic track now
if you ever needed to replace it.
Notice this outer loop.
The cash strap would not be present
if you ordered your Ridge Wallet, instead,
with an optional money clip.
It’s easy to remove the pesky metal cash strap plate.
You can see it's designed with a gap at each end,
which enables the strap to be pushed through.
The same applies for the Aviator Wallet.
I've reassembled my Ridge Wallet
with the buckle removed.
I think it looks better, it’s flatter,
and now I can push cash under here
much more freely.
Okay, the coin compartments.
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Turn the Aviator Wallet over, grip here, and slide.
This is you one-piece aluminium coin holder
with inclusive anti-rattle insert, nice!
Now you can fit around seven coins.
The fuzzy stuff is only on one side,
so coins can still rattle against this part.
You’ll definitely love the coin compartment
for its geek factor.
Maybe it’s good for a spare key.
I’ve been using mine
to stash some handy antiseptic wipes.
On the reverse it has a channel cutout
so that it locates and slides perfectly.
It’s designed so that you can’t put it in backwards,
and you can’t push it out the opposite side.
It’s engineered as integral part of wallet design,
and doesn’t interfere with the card eject function.
In contrast, the Ridge Wallet’s aluminium Cavity Tray
is not inclusive, but an extra-cost option.
There’s no ant-rattle protection,
and it doesn’t feel like part of the wallet. (coins rattle)
It simply slides in where your credit cards go.
When you push your cards out for selection
the Cavity Tray comes out too,
so you’ll have to be careful not to drop
the contents of the tray, tricky!
Wherever you put it, it’s not great.
I can’t remember which way up it is
if I put it in the middle of the stack.
So, facing upwards at the top or bottom
of the card stack worked better for me.
So how slim are they?
With one card inserted in each wallet
they’re about the same,
but the Aviator is rockin’ its integrated coin holder,
the Ridge isn’t, here.
If we insert the Cavity Tray
the Ridge gets quite a bit thicker.
So, here’s the key factors that stood out for me,
that separate these two wallets.
First is card capacity.
The Ridge Wallet is advertised
as holding 1 to 12 cards,
but I found it not great with 12.
And I had to take the tray out to fit the 12 cards,
otherwise I felt the elastic track
stretched a little too much.
That said, I don’t think anyone
wanting a minimalist wallet
really wants to carry 12 cards.
The Aviator is designed for 1 to 20 cards,
and without over-stretching its elastic,
due to its adjustable design.
How easy were they to use?
I found it much easier to access cards
and coins from the Aviator Wallet.
And, the Aviator’s coin holder is an integrated part
of the wallet design,
whereas the Ridge Wallet’s Cavity Tray,
to me, feels like an afterthought,
and further hinders my card access.
If you chose the Ridge Wallet,
I think you’ll like it better without the Cavity Tray,
so you can appreciate its fantastic minimalist design.
RFID blocking is standard on the Ridge Wallet,
and optional at extra cost on the Aviator.
Each are manufactured immaculately
and present a very high-end product.
Which did you like best?