With the rise of cashless payments, the occasions when we need to use cash have dwindled considerably, but that doesn't mean we no longer need cash at all.
It's fine when I'm carrying a bag—I can just pull my wallet out of it—but the problem arises when I'm out and about empty-handed. At lunchtime or when running out to the store, I don't want to carry a bag, so I slip my wallet into my pants pocket. However, my main wallet is made of leather, which is a bit heavy.
I wanted a way to carry cash around more easily and lightly. In short, I wanted a lightweight, compact wallet.
So, I'd been feeling a bit unsettled about this for the past year or so, but I've finally found it: my ideal wallet. It's The North Face's 'Hazy Wallet' ($29.99 / ¥4,290).
▲▲On the left is my main leather wallet, and on the right is the 'Hazy Wallet'. The sizes are roughly the same width, but the weight is in a completely different league.
Of course, it's not just about being light; ease of use is a must. In that respect, the 'Hazy Wallet' checked almost every box I had in mind.
Lightweight (approx. 25g / 0.9 oz)
Can hold bills folded in half (folding them in quarters is a pain)
Easy to get coins out
Since getting this, going out without a bag has become so much easier. I no longer find myself wondering, 'I'm taking my wallet—do I need to bring a bag too?'
■ Above all, it’s easy to get coins in and out
▲ 9cm (H) × 9.5cm (W), weight approx. 25g / 0.9 oz
It's made from 100-denier ripstop nylon—thin, light, and highly tear-resistant. The zip has a loop that's easy to hook your finger onto, which comes in handy when pulling it out of your pocket.
And the interior is very simple.
And the interior is very simple.
▲Two card pockets on the back
▲Bills can be placed in the center. Since they fit when folded in half, it's easy to pull out just one at a time.
Having held this 'Hazy Wallet' in my hands, the feature that impressed me most is the coin compartment. It's incredibly easy to use. Finding the coins you need is a breeze, and there's no fumbling when taking them out or putting them in. This is something I probably wouldn't have appreciated without actually holding it. Seriously, it's really well done.
The reason it's so easy to get coins in and out comes down to the wallet's structure.
The zip on the main compartment runs down to about the middle of the side, and this is actually the key feature.
If you open it fully and press firmly around where the zip starts and ends, the front side (the side with the internal coin pocket) opens wide. The back side doesn't open as widely, since it holds cards.
This makes it much easier to get your coins in and out. What's more, this coin pocket is only half as deep as it is tall. That's right, it's shallow—and that's exactly why it's so easy to use. It's really well thought out.
Incidentally, the lower part of the front side is a mesh pocket. The top half is the inner coin pocket, and the bottom half is the outer pocket, so even if you put coins and small items in both, it doesn't get bulky.
That said, this mesh pocket has a small flap and a zip, so getting things in and out is a bit of a hassle. And honestly, it's so small I haven't been able to figure out what to put in it. I thought about putting my tap-to-pay card in there, but it didn't fit…
▲There's a loop on the back corner so you can attach a carabiner or clip.
It's on the thicker side, and compared to the ultra-slim "micro wallets" that were trendy for a while, the dimensions aren't exactly compact.
But ultimately, ease of use is what matters most in a wallet. There's no point in chasing the smallest possible size if you end up fumbling when trying to get your bills or coins out. This wallet strikes the right balance while still being lightweight and durable. That's what you'd expect from The North Face.
▲ It fits easily into a back pocket. It's slightly thicker than a smartphone, so it bulges the pocket a little—but that's within acceptable limits.
▲Fits perfectly in the front pocket too.
Since getting the 'Hazy Wallet', I've started keeping almost all my cash in it. When I go out with a large bag for work or similar, I put my cards, ID, and receipts in my main leather wallet, and keep cash, one debit card, and one credit card in the 'Hazy Wallet'. I carry both in my bag, but I've found myself reaching for the 'Hazy Wallet' more often.
▲ The perfect size that fits comfortably in your hand.
I used to think carrying two wallets would be a hassle, but when they're just sitting in my bag, it's really not that big a deal.
Until quite recently, carrying cash was the norm—but I've realized that situations where I actually need to use cash have decreased a lot. There are often days when I don't touch cash at all. But every now and then, I do need it. When that happens, it's great to be able to grab it quickly and carry it around with ease.
I feel like I've finally found my ideal cash wallet.
Hazy Wallet
・Weighing about 25g and measuring H9 × W9.5 cm—small enough to fit in your palm—yet equipped with 10-plus card slots, a coin-spill-prevention design, a zippered pocket, and a carabiner-compatible loop.
・A 4-pocket, 4-section layout packs full functionality into a compact form.
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