The bifold wallet has barely changed in a century, which is exactly what bothered two Fulbright scholars enough to build something better. That frustration turned into Ekster, and after looking at what the brand has built since, it's easy to see why it's become the wallet people actually talk about.
Who is Ekster?
Ekster was founded in 2015 in Amsterdam by Olivier Momma and Rick Scharnigg, who met while both on a Fulbright scholarship in the US and bonded over how outdated bifold wallets felt in a smartphone-dominated world. Along with third co-founder Richard Canneman, they launched their first product through a Kickstarter campaign, and the company has since grown into what it describes as the world's largest smart wallet brand, with more than two million customers and recognition from Forbes, WIRED, GQ, Esquire, CNET, and Business Insider.
What makes it "smart"
Ekster's wallets combine slim, RFID-blocking leather construction with genuinely useful tech: quick-access card ejection via a side trigger, built-in Apple Find My or Tile tracking to help locate a lost wallet, and even solar-charging and voice-activated tracker options on select models. This isn't tech bolted on for marketing, it solves the actual problem of losing your wallet or fumbling through a stack of cards.
Beyond the original wallet
The catalog has expanded into cardholders, the Wallet Pro built from recycled aluminum and Italian Vachetta leather, modular bag systems, power banks, and Bluetooth tracker cards. Ekster is also a Certified B Corporation, reflecting a real commitment to sustainable manufacturing rather than just a marketing badge.
Grabbing a deal right now
You can currently save 10% off your entire Ekster order using code ALPHA78268 when you shop through this Alpha Picks link, which applies the discount automatically at checkout.
Bottom line
If you're tired of digging through a bulky wallet or have lost track of it one too many times, Ekster's combination of slim design and genuinely useful tracking tech makes a strong case as your next everyday-carry upgrade. Grab the current 10% off deal through the link above while it's live.