The Almighty Wallet: Homers since the 14th century has used wallets to carry all kinds of stuff. Granted, back then they were called knapsacks (we call them laptop bags these days). With the invention of paper currency in the 1600’s, billfolds became popular.
With the insatiable appetite for wads of currency preferable in rolled form, consumers embraced credit cards in a convenient stackable form. Wallets have become a staple for holiday gift giving and have changed little over the years, with the notable exception of the velcro wallet.
The nice folks at ALL-ETT have designed a clever way to handle the bulk riding shotgun on the gluteus maximus. Billed as the “World’s Thinnest Wallet” there are six different wallets to fit your needs.
“My doctor grabbed me by the wallet and said, “Cough!”
– Henny Youngman
Seriously, paying for medical care may be related to carrying around a wad of credit cards. Trouble is, all of that plastic stashed in a thick leather wallet can cause lower back pain. How so? For men, sitting down with a thick wallet in a back trouser pocket can damage key nerves. Also removing a thick wallet and losing it only spreads the pain directly to the brain.
There’s a medical term for it – hip-pocket syndrome or wallet neuropathy.
As for lack of lack of cash, that’s a different kind of pain that calls for Excedrin.
The ALL-ETT designers engineered a paper-thin billfold design using ripstop nylon “spinnaker cloth.” The edges are crisp folded and stitched for extra strength. Unlike leather wallets, the water resistant spinnaker cloth breathes, eliminating the damp sticky characteristics of leather wallets.
Thin as rice paper wallets, the All-Ett Billfold uses a side-by-side pocket design that eliminates the layering of leather to create pockets for articles such as business cards, receipts, credit cards, currency and pictures.
The spinnaker cloth flexes enough to tightly hold up to eight credit cards in each pocket. Assuming one would never carry thirty-two credit cards (!), there’s plenty of room for business cards held neatly in place without the dogged ear dents in the corners.
The pockets are deep, allowing currency and receipts to be safely tucked away. Also there is no tongue necessary to hold the bills in place; the snugness of the material holds everything securely in place.
Women will enjoy the efficiency of the All-ETT design. Here is Mrs. WonderDawg’s version of a before and after:
Obviously the bulk is gone. Look at all of this stuff! A drivers license, ATM and credit cards, store discount cards, insurance cards, membership cards, business cards, receipts, cash and a cute origami dollar bill.
The design allows the billfold to be slipped into a side pocket of any purse or handbag.
The only downside for women may be lack of a change pouch. Then again, having a zippered change pouch simply bulks up the wallet. Saying “keep the change” eliminates the hassle; toss it instead into a tip jar at the local Starbucks.
Geared for the Absolute Minimalist, the European Model has two pockets for up to ten cards and one pocket for currency. I like the comfort level; at 3 3/4? x 3? x 1/32? (empty & closed), the wallet lays flat and is lightweight. I can carry the ETT-ALL in my front trouser pocket or in my breast pocket in my suit for easy access while eliminating any pickpocket threats.
Because of the thinness of the European Model, I’ve hardly noticed any discomfort with it in my front pocket while sitting all day. Also, I don’t have to worry about misplacing my wallet, especially when I’m driving. Because of the previous wallet’s thickness, I use to place it on my speedometer dashboard, only to forget. The next morning, I would stress out searching for my wallet.
While a spinnaker cloth facing material may not be appealing to some because of the crackly / crinkly sound, ALL-ETT produces an Executive version with a fine grain Italian leather face and the ALL-ETT logo embossed on the front. The wallet is still thin with the spinnaker cloth construction inside, but retains the classic leather look outside.
Other versions include an ALL-ETT Traveler that features a large pocket for a passport. Last, there is a Card Case, which is designed to hold business cards and credit cards. It has two pockets and can contain 6 credit cards or 20 business cards.
My wife uses this version to carry a driver’s license, one credit card and cash when we attend a football game or a night out when carrying a handbag is a hassle.
My friend Nicholas has been raving about his ALL-ETT wallet for almost two years now. Examining his wallet, the spinnaker cloth material has held up well, which is a testament to the quality and durability of the wallet.
Enclosed in every wallet is a 10% off coupon for a next order within 90 days. Since wallets are traditional Christmas gifts for men, the ALL-ETT is a great alternative to the old tired leather version. Give the cows an extra break this year and pick up a version for the lady in your life. Vegans will appreciate your thoughtfulness as well with the spinnaker cloth versions.
The ALL-ETT wallets are available direct from the manufacturer.
MRSP:
Original – $19.95
Executive Leather – $29.95
European – $14.95
European Leather – $24.95
Traveller – $19.95
Traveller Leather – $34.95
Card Case – $5.00
Leather Card Case – $11.95
What I Like: The thinness and quality of the materials used. Eliminating the bump on the rump. NO VELCRO!
What Needs Improvement: Other than eliminating credit card debt, the ALL-ETT wallets need no improvement.
11 Responses to “Down with hip-pocket syndrome: The ALL-ETT Wallet REVIEW”
Wayne Schulz
Nov 14th, 2007 at 9:34 am
Great review – I’m looking at their site right now. Have been trying to solve my wallet bulge for years..
Wayne Schulz
Nov 14th, 2007 at 9:39 am
These things must be light — shipping was only $2.05.
They also have a sale on purple colored wallets. Purchase one original at normal price and you can buy a purple colored wallet at 50% off. I passed on that offer but those in love with purple may like it.
dalej
Nov 14th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
They send them USPS in an envelope that feels like it’s empty! I’ve had the Classic for around two years now and it looks like new. Wallet butt is officially an endangered species.
Bjenk Ellefsen
Nov 14th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
I love wallet reviews! I never seem to find the right one! I find them too thick and I hate putting one in my jeans back pockets.
I am seriously going to look at that one.
Great review Kerry! However, invention of currency in the 1600s?
What about the Lydian and Shang dynasty coins and the Greek and Romans’?
Coinage as a medium for currency goes way back to the 600s BC and currency as a principle to mediate exchanges based on a unit of account is even older.
I’m not criticizing, I just thought I would mention it and nag you a little!
Kerry Woo
Nov 14th, 2007 at 8:23 pm
Hi Bjenk,
Thanks for stopping by – you’re right on the coinage part. I meant “paper currency” in the West. Supposively, paper currency was introduced by the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1690.
I found this neat article: on the Origins of Money and of Banking.
dalej and Wayne, I have enjoyed my use of the ALL-ETT wallets. They need to make a thin wallet belt!
Bjenk Ellefsen
Nov 14th, 2007 at 9:27 pm
Hi Kerry!
Yeah, I suspected it had something to do with the advent of paper money, I couldn’t resist teasing you, sorry!
Thanks for the great article! I will read it today in my coffee break!
I’m a sucker for all things historical.
The ALL-ETT really looks like a nice wallet. I am serious when I say that I have not yet found a good enough one to use. My wallet is in my bag and when I don’t have a bag I just slip a credit and debit cards in my pocket. Definitely not a good solution.
Christopher Spera
Nov 15th, 2007 at 11:05 am
tried to post a comment on this yesterday, but it doesn’t seem to have posted…
These look reallly awesome. I’ve got a huge billfold that I’ve been carrying around for years and it would be nice to have something that would carry most of the stuff without all the bulk.
Great Review!!
Wayne Schulz
Nov 19th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Mine came in today — holy cow is this thing thin. I’m going to use it for the week and I’ll report back. So far I like it.
The last 6 months I’ve been taking my wallet out while in the car because it’s gotten so bulky.
More later after I’ve used this for a week.
Very cool that this wallet came in an envelope — you’d NEVER know there was a wallet in there…
Judie Lipsett
Nov 20th, 2007 at 11:39 am
I just received this comment via a Facebook email from Wallace Matsen, which he gave me permission to post:
judie
i got the wallet and when i first saw it i was thinking… this is not anything i want … but i unwrapped it and took everything from my bulging wallet and put it in the ett … wow!!! it is terrific … and i will not give it back
himself ( irish for the head of the house )
Wayne Schulz
Dec 3rd, 2007 at 3:48 pm
I’ve been using my wallet for well over a week now. I take it out of my pocked and show just about everyone how amazingly thin it is.
They include a coupon inside the wallet (for a % off your next purchase) that looks like a $10 bill — and I mistakenly went to spend it. Good thing I wasn’t thrown in jail for counterfeiting…
This just might be my best purchase of all of 2007…
All-Ett European Wallet Reviews – Dogpile Web Search
Pingback on Jan 18th, 2008 at 9:16 am