The Bellroy Elements Sleeve came from a simple realisation: I was carrying a wallet designed for a life I no longer had.
My old wallet had space for cash, coins, loyalty cards, business cards and various other things that rarely left the house. As cash disappeared from everyday life, so did most of the contents. What remained was a handful of cards and a driving licence, none of which required a traditional wallet.
Bellroy makes a range of slim wallets for a card-based life. I wanted something as small as possible, particularly for spending time outdoors, and the Elements Sleeve fitted the bill.
It is made from full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather with a water-resistant finish. That doesn't mean waterproof, but it does mean the leather isn't going to immediately absorb a splash or a wet pocket. It has a good tactile feel, more functional than luxury, with enough grip to stay where you put it.
The design is deliberately simple. A flap covers the main card while a pull-tab reveals the others. Pull it out to access the cards, push them back in and the sleeve closes again. It holds up to six cards and also has a small key stash, although I've never found much use for that.
The biggest advantage is simply its size. At around 10 × 7.4 cm, it disappears into a front trouser pocket and doesn't require thinking about. I've used it extensively without a single problem. The only criticism is that the main flap can be slightly awkward to close, which is hardly a serious objection.
The Elements Sleeve has replaced the traditional wallet completely. For a life increasingly conducted with a handful of cards rather than a pocket full of receipts and coins, there isn't much more wallet you need.