Topic

Best material to make a wallet

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PostedJan 24, 2010 at 7:13 am

I'm looking into making a light weight wallet, so here's the question what is the most durable YET light weight material for this project. And cost really isn't that big of an issue at the moment.

A Wilson BPL Member
PostedJan 24, 2010 at 8:07 am

Wallets are made of leather for a reason: it's very durable. A good leather wallet can last for decades of daily abuse.

For occasional use hiking, or traveling, however, I've made a silnylon wallet and am quite happy. It's almost waterproof, weighs next to nothing, and helps me keep organized when I commute to other countries (something I do weekly). Making it myself allowed me to custom size it for exactly what I need, which was determined by the size of my passport. It's not the most durable, but the slickness actually helps it out quite a bit. I don't expect it to last forever, but it only took about an hour to make.

If it's only for hiking, well, anything will do. A rubber band around your cards and cash is about as light as it gets.

PostedJan 24, 2010 at 8:35 am

Andrew, I was thinking of something like silnylon.

I don't need something thats going to last forever, I just need something to carry my bills, drivers license, and maybe a credit card or two, that's kind of waterproof. Where do you get your supply from?

Bill Fornshell BPL Member
PostedJan 24, 2010 at 10:28 am

Duct Tape:

Duct Tape Wallet

OR Cuben Scrap

If you do a really good job Ryan may re-design it to weigh 2 pounds and add it to his growing line of Super Heavy Gear (SHG).

Dale Wambaugh BPL Member
PostedJan 24, 2010 at 11:07 am

I use a rubber band for driver's license, debit card, medical insurance and a little cash.

A Wilson BPL Member
PostedJan 24, 2010 at 12:35 pm

I made mine of scraps from a tarp project.

It's water resistant, and doesn't sog-up with body sweat when I wear it in a money belt. But forget about waterproofing it, there are to many seems in too small a place. Plus putting sealer on it would be like putting grip strips on a slide.

Forget waterproofing if its for backpacking; all currency is made of very high-quality, basically water resistant paper. It may absorb some water, but otherwise it will remain perfectly fine. If you insist, a sandwich bag (or if you're obsessive, and alosak) will work just fine.

Roger Caffin BPL Member
PostedJan 24, 2010 at 12:52 pm

> my bills, drivers license, and maybe a credit card or two, that's kind of waterproof.

AFAIK bills, credit cards and drivers licences are all made of plastic these days. You don't need 'waterproof'. A simple silnylon bag slightly larger than the CC is enough. That's what I use, anyhow.

Cheers

PostedJan 24, 2010 at 12:59 pm

I have the same as Roger, a simple silnylon sleeve just thick enough to hold a license, bank/credit cards, and a couple of bills. It shows no signs of wear after two years of daily use.

PostedJan 24, 2010 at 5:16 pm

Has anyone ever sewn currency bills together?

Maybe make a wallet out of money.

Just a thought.

Could actually be worth more as a wallet.

Hmmm, maybe a new pack or shelter made from money.

Roger Caffin BPL Member
PostedJan 24, 2010 at 7:02 pm

> Hmmm, maybe a new pack or shelter made from money.

Try Cuben fabric?

Cheers

Jared Dilg BPL Member
PostedJan 24, 2010 at 10:24 pm

"I know this isn't MYOG, but I have this wallet. .49 oz empty. They also make all spinnaker ones that are even lighter."

I've had that exact wallet for less than a year and all the corners have worn through from daily use. Well at least I now have a template to make some replacements..

Roger Caffin BPL Member
PostedJan 25, 2010 at 1:47 am

> I have this wallet. .49 oz empty.

An empty walker wallet … Sad :-)

Cheers

PostedJan 25, 2010 at 2:21 am

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I usually use this to be my wallet since it's light, strong and waterproof. It weighs only about 3 gram, 0.1 oz. Besids, I might bring some other ones to store stuffs such as lighter, battery, cotton swabs etc..

Tom Caldwell BPL Member
PostedJan 25, 2010 at 5:46 am

"Maybe make a wallet out of money."

How about some Zimbabwean currency? You could have a wallet that cost a billion, and it would probably be cleaner than an American bill.

PostedJan 25, 2010 at 6:06 am

My duct tape wallet has lasted surprisingly long. I think that I've been using it for 2 or three years, but it is due for replacement. I think that when I get the chance, I'll make one out of silnylon scraps that I have using the pattern for the duct tape version.

j emery BPL Member
PostedJan 27, 2010 at 8:29 am

I picked up a swimers wallet on promo at Wallgreens. Paper pad, golf pencil, and pockets for cash and cards for free. 78 grams wt.

PostedJan 27, 2010 at 3:33 pm

Material: Tyvek (barrier material used to wrap houses with)

I can't take credit for this, as the other day I was searching for the same topic and came across this:

http://www.dynomighty.com/product_detail.php?Explorer-Mighty-Wallet%E2%84%A2&d=mighty+wallets+DY-502

they make these out of tyvek, but would be simple enough to get hold of actual the material yourself and sew a wallet together with. seems to be a great solution to a durable and ultra-light wallet.

Viewing 25 posts - 1 through 25 (of 26 total)
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