At the risk of giving spoilers, we’re super stoked for our very first Trayvax wallet review: the Trayvax Original 2.0 metal wallet.
Why are we so excited? This Trayvax wallet skirts traditional wallet designs in a tight, minimalist package designed for durability and functionality. But let’s not give away too much!
So, here’s how this is going to work! Below, we’re going to what sets all Trayvax metal wallets apart from ordinary wallets. Then we’ll move onto our comprehensive review of the Trayvax Original 2.0 wallet.
Let’s get to it!
Table of Contents
Click on any of the links below to jump to the desired section!
- First, What Is a Trayvax Wallet?
- Onto Our Trayvax Original 2.0 Wallet Review!
- Trayvax Wallet FAQs
- Our Verdict
First, What Is a Trayvax Wallet?
Okay, so you’re probably thinking, “what’s wrong with my current wallet?”
Well, if you’re talking about the bulging leather monster that barely fits in your pocket—you know, the one that’s stuffed full of 48 different credit cards, 17 $1 bills, enough change to buy absolutely nothing, and an attached two-car garage—you can probably guess where we’re going with this…
Trayvax saw a problem and wanted to fix it!
Trayvax Say Their Wallets Are Designed for Minimalism (and We Agree!)
Going back to the “48 different credit cards,” we have a simple question: how many of those do you use on a daily basis? How many have you used over the past week, month, or year?
Remember, if you’re an EDC nerd like us, your everyday carry is what you always use!
So, Trayvax tackles this problem head-on with their minimalist wallets. The Original 2.0 still holds 15 credit cards (or gift cards, IDs, etc.) and has room for around 5 cash bills (we’ll come back to this). In our experience, this is more than enough space for daily use.
For those who don’t love the small bill capacity, we’ll ask this: how much do you really use cash nowadays? We were a little skeptical of this ourselves, but it quickly became apparent that A) we barely use cash, and B) when we do, the wallet’s capacity works.
Where Are Trayvax Wallets Made? Where Is Trayvax Located?
Trayvax wallets are handmade in the United States. Even better, the company sources all their materials from the United States, too.
This is all part of the company’s mission to create at least “5,000 American jobs that support 5,000 families.” It’s an honorable goal and one that seems attainable given the quality of their products.
Onto Our Trayvax Original 2.0 Wallet Review!
Backstory aside, let’s breakdown this Trayvax wallet!
Below we’re going to talk about all the most important features of the Original 2.0 metal wallet before answering a few FAQs. If there’s anything you think we missed, be sure to let us know in the comments!
Build Quality and Materials: 5/5
Trayvax says this slim wallet is “designed to be more durable than its owner,” which feels like a backhanded compliment, but we’ll let it slide since this everyday carry piece is so durable.
Right out of the box, we were impressed with the craftsmanship of the Original 2.0 wallet. The backplate is made of high-quality stainless steel that’s secured to an aircraft-grade aluminum front plate by MIL-SPEC-grade paracord. We’ve dropped, thrown (eh, don’t ask), and scratched the crap out of this wallet and it still looks brand new after months of daily use.
If you purchase the black or OD version, the finish is anodized and super resilient. And speaking of resilience, Trayvax’s whole schtick is that their products are made to last. In fact, Trayvax is super transparent about the lifespan of their products (see the warranty section below).
One more thing: we hinted at this before, but the Original 2.0 wallet is 100% handmade.
The company even includes a small card in the box explaining who made your wallet! It’s a nice touch from a company that seems to legitimately care about its workers.
Bonus: the build quality of Trayvax’s wallets also shows in their other products. If you want a great example, check out our Trayvax belt reviews!
Design and Features: 5/5
Sturdiness isn’t enough. The best wallet needs to offer solid features too, and the Original 2.0 wallet does just that.
This Trayvax wallet has an integrated bottle opener (because everything needs a bottle opener, right?), a pry bar that we fully tested (solid!), RFID protection, a built-in money clip, and a card slot.
After three months of heavy-duty, everyday carry use, the only blemish is some very light chipping on the pry bar that was fully done by yours truly: we loosened a particularly nasty screw from an old skill saw and it left a tiny mark on the anodized finish—but it worked, and the wallet still looks great otherwise.
Finally:
- There are two different points where you can attach a lanyard or keychain if you so wish.
- A built-in ID window allows you to see your ID and/or slide through cards at will.
- The money clip can store between five and (maybe) 15 bills depending on how you store them. That said, we recommend following Trayvax’s advice and sticking with 5 or so.
Ease of Use & Adjustments: 4.75/5
A lot of people look at Trayvax wallets and are like, “how the heck do I sort through my cards?”
As it turns out, it’s actually super user-friendly! It might be slightly off-putting to manually sort through your cards at first, but after just a couple of tries, it feels natural.
The built-in ID hole allows you to slide each card quickly, allowing you to pull out the card you need. Sliding a card back into place is similarly easy too. Plus, everything’s secured with a metal “security clasp” that you simply hook over the backplate.
We’ve found that the entire process is quicker than sorting through a traditional wallet and can be done with one hand after some quick practice. Now, that might not sound like a big deal, but if you often have your hands full (like with kids), having a free hand can be significant.
Anyway, if we had to name one thing about the wallet that we don’t absolutely love, it’s that adjusting it can involve some trial and error. It’s not hard, but it can be a little tedious to adjust the paracord if you go from 5 cards to 15, etc.
That said, once you’re set, this slim wallet just feels so good. And speaking of feeling good, Trayvax designed the wallet with ergonomics in mind. Finger grooves along the bottom of the wallet make it comfortable to hold. It’s not a necessary feature, but it’s a great touch (pun intended, sorry) and speaks to Trayvax’s attention to detail.
Style: 5/5
Trayvax calls their Original 2.0 a “multi-functional tactical wallet.”
Is it a reach? Who cares, this wallet is flipping cool! We liked the classic OD finish. The black finish option is sleek and sexy. And the silvery gray option may appeal to those who want something a little flashier (literally).
Style-wise, it feels like a little piece of armor, which is as cool as it is functional.
All in all, the Original 2.0 Trayvax wallet looks and feels amazing, which is saying something (considering how mundane a wallet is).
Durability and Wear & Tear: 5/5
We’ve touched on this before, but so far, nothing in our experience with this Trayvax wallet has suggested that it’s poorly designed or fragile. If we feel differently in the future, we’ll be sure to update this article!
Warranty: 5/5
The Original 2.0 metal wallet is covered by Trayvax’s 65-year heirloom warranty. The policy is pretty comprehensive as far as manufacturer’s defects go (under normal usage). If the paracord starts to fray, for example, the damage is covered.
As of yet, we haven’t had to test Trayvax’s warranty ourselves though.
Cost: $$
While there are cheaper EDC or minimalist wallets out there, the Original 2.0 wallet only costs about $40. Considering you may never have to buy a wallet again, that’s a fantastic value in our book.
Community Reviews: Exceptional
Outside of a handful of buyers who didn’t love Trayvax’s commitment to minimalist everyday carry, the Original 2.0 wallet earned rave reviews everywhere we looked! It just speaks to the quality of this wallet.
Everyday Carry Score: 5/5
A minimalist design that maximizes functionality makes this wallet a top EDC choice.
Sidenote: if you’re looking for a solid and relatively versatile EDC knife, check out our Victorinox Spartan review!
Trayvax Wallet FAQs
Before we wrap up, let’s answer a few lingering questions.
Does the Trayvax Branding Get “in the Way”?
The Trayvax logo is faintly visible on the front plate, as is a “Made in USA” stamp, but it doesn’t look out of place or tacky. Plus, while we’re not normally “brand people”, the logo on the front looks good and feels earned.
Is the Trayvax Original 2.0 Wallet Good for Camping?
Absolutely! It’s easy to forget that wallets are important to take on camping trips (like to Carrizo Plain National Monument!), especially if you find yourself in an emergency.
The Trayvax Original 2.0 wallet performs admirably in the field!
Is it TSA Approved?
Yep!
Our Verdict: The Trayvax Original 2.0 Metal Wallet Is One of the Best Wallets Around and a Fantastic Addition to Your Everyday Carry Kit!
There’s not much to dislike about the Trayvax Original 2.0 metal wallet. It performs as advertised, comes at a reasonable price, and ought to last decades!
As Trayvax says, this is…
A metal wallet built to be handed down.
-Trayvax
And with that, we’ll end it here! If you think we missed something or have any questions at all, be sure to let us know in the comments or on our social media pages!
In the Future, We Plan on Reviewing More Trayvax Wallets…
For example:
If you own any of these wallets, let us know your thoughts and we’ll feature them in future reviews (with credit!).
The operators of Renegade Camping may receive a commission for purchases made through links on our site. But that doesn’t mean we’re shilling random crap! We thoroughly research and/or own all the products we review on our website. We want to build unshakeable trust with our readers, and that means offering honest, transparent reviews and guides. Cheers!
– The Renegade Camping & EDC team
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