SlimFold MICRO Soft Shell Review

When we tested the SlimFold Original Soft Shell, we found it to be a unique wallet with many features, but it might be too much for some travelers (we’ll get into that later). We’re curious if we like the functionality of the SlimFold MICRO Soft Shell more and whether we find the size better for travel than its bigger sibling. Let’s dive in!

The Rundown

This wallet is crafted from SlimFold’s Soft Shell material. This plastic fabric is described as a “cross between Gore-Tex and kevlar.” It’s lightweight, feels soft in your hand, and is incredibly durable for its size and weight. It has a matte finish, which isn’t loud or in your face. The material’s texture is comfortable, and it’s waterproof, too. The wallet isn’t, but the material is.

There isn’t any branding on the exterior, which we dig. We’ve found other minimalist wallets with a large logo on the front, which feels like it goes against the aesthetic. The exterior is sleek and straightforward—which goes a long way.

This wallet is a billfold, so there are two sides to work with. You know, like when you were in elementary school and had to fold your paper hamburger style. On the inside, a small SlimFold logo is on the bottom right.

Upon first glance, you’ll notice three card slots. On the right, there are two standard slots. You can fit two in each of these, which is enough for most travelers. You don’t need to bring every card in your regular wallet on vacation. We think it’s easier to find what you’re looking for because there are only two cards per slot.

On the left side, there’s one slot. The front of this one has a clean TPU window to show your ID without taking it out of the wallet. While this could be handy for bars or purchasing tobacco products and alcohol, some stores, states, and countries require you to remove your ID for further examination or scanning. Removing a card here isn’t as easy as the other slots, but it isn’t challenging. You can fit two cards here, too, which is handy.

As mentioned before, this is a billfold. Behind the first layer of card storage is a spot for cash. It’s large enough for American bills, but we’ve found that taller currency from other countries struggles here. We’ll talk about the dimensions of this wallet shortly; it’s worth measuring the currency in your country to see whether it’ll fit or not before you purchase this.

In addition to stowing cash here, there are two additional card slots, one on either side. Inside, TPU and foil-like materials give the wallet structure. You can remove them, which saves weight. After all, every milligram counts! That said, the wallet is very flimsy without them, and they serve as RFID protection if you choose that version.

SlimFold says that you can fit between eight and 12 cards here, and we’ve found that true. However, we think eight is the sweet spot, and ten is manageable. Any more than that feels like a little much—but it does work.

One last feature worth mentioning is that this wallet is designed and manufactured in the United States. This isn’t very common and explains why it’s designed with U.S. currency in mind.

Packability

If you haven’t noticed by now, this thing is tiny. The wallet’s thickness will depend on how much you have stowed inside, but it’s incredibly thin, even when maxed out.

In addition to its small footprint, it’s lightweight, too. The Soft Shell material boasts incredible durability, but that doesn’t equate to a heavy wallet, which we dig. It comes in at 0.5 ounces, or 14.2 grams. With such little mass, you’ll hardly notice it in your pocket.

In our experience testing slings, daypacks, and travel backpacks, we’ve come across numerous pockets that are a little too small for a wallet. With the SlimFold MICRO Soft Shell, that isn’t an issue. It’s skinny enough to fit almost anywhere, and we’re here for it.

Quick Comparison

As mentioned earlier, we’ve tested and reviewed the SlimFold Original Soft Shell. Despite similar materials, these two offerings are incredibly different.

The Original Soft Shell has 11 card slots. Yup, you heard us correctly. Eleven! According to SlimFold, you can fit 20 cards inside, but in our experience, it feels more comfortable with a few less than that.

Its measurements put it at 35.35 square inches compared to the MICRO Soft Shell’s 23.33. That means that the MICRO has roughly 66% of the footprint of the Original model. That’s a lot of space; however, they’re both quite small, and the Original holds many more cards.

It’s double the weight, too, but even that is only a single ounce, or 28.3 grams, so that’s not a big detractor for most travelers. However, as stated earlier, every milligram counts!

Essentially, if you are looking for an everyday carry wallet or something that can hold more cards, go with the SlimFold Original Soft Shell. If you’re trying to have a more minimalistic carry or want something to slim down your pockets while traveling, the SlimFold MICRO Soft Shell is one of the best options on the market.