If you worry about losing your wallet, you can pick up a tracker card for an extra $49. I opted for the Android version, which works with the Chipolo network to show your wallet’s last known location on a map. There is also an iOS version that works with Apple’s Find My network. Like all the best trackers, both versions allow you to ring your wallet from your phone, which is ideal when you have a train to catch, and your wallet has slipped down between the couch cushions. You can even set left-behind alerts, so you get pinged if your wallet goes out of range of your phone.
Battery life is up to six months for the iOS tracker and around three for the Android version. You can plug the iOS model in to recharge, but the Android tracker has a wee solar panel to keep it topped up. They are as thick as a couple of cards and fit snugly in the pocket on the back. I have never lost my wallet.
More Minimalist
While the Ekster Parliament is my favorite, I have tested some of Ekster’s other models. The Cardholder and Cardholder Pro ditch the leather exterior for an even sleeker finish and come in some fun colors and patterns like forged magma and carbon fiber. They retain the trigger and other features and are perfect if you prefer to travel as light as possible. I have given a couple as gifts, and my eldest uses the Ekster Cardholder and loves it.
Space is limited when you opt for a minimalist wallet like this, and there is no room for coins and only limited space for bills. But there are optional add-ons. Modular extras include a multi-tool card ($49), a cash clip backplate ($29), and a coin tray ($29). The coin tray is quite handy and can also accommodate a key, but you won’t want to add too many extras, or your wallet will bulk up.
Ultimately, the Ekster Parliament has been in my inside pocket for several years now, and it still works perfectly. I never miss my fat old wallet, and I still enjoy pulling that trigger every time I reach for my card. The tracker has also been a lifesaver a couple of times, reassuring me that I left my wallet in my other jacket and not out and about somewhere. It is a little pricey, but it might just be the last wallet you ever need to buy.