The world is gradually moving towards a cashless society, and bulky bifold wallets of the past are no longer needed. Slim and streamlined metal wallets are becoming increasingly popular, and the Ridge wallet leads the way. This pioneering slim wallets for men has proven to be the most popular option for storing debit cards and credit cards safely and securely.
However, whenever a product becomes as successful as the Ridge wallet, copycats are guaranteed to follow. And, sure enough, many unscrupulous companies and retailers have started to create knockoffs of the Ridge wallet to sell on sites like Amazon and eBay. They may look similar, but they can’t hope to compete with the real thing for quality and durability.
Unfortunately, some of these knockoffs are convincing enough to confuse consumers, and many people have been tricked into buying them. But the purchasers often end up disappointed, realizing that their cheap imitation doesn’t have the same high-quality materials or RFID protection that The Ridge is known for.
This guide is here to help with that, taking an in-depth look at copycat cardholders and how to spot them.
Ridge Wallet: An Overview
The Ridge Wallet story starts back in 2013. Back then, at a time when so many people were still struggling with bulky leather wallets, overflowing with credit and business cards, the father-son team of Daniel and Paul Kane decided to do something different. They knew that there had to be a better way, and they got to work designing a slimmer, sleeker wallet for everyday carry.
The Kanes crafted something fresh and original, a sleek, minimalist wallet for the 21st century. With easy access to cards and a handy cash strap for bills, the Ridge wallet argues that chunky leather wallets are no longer needed. And millions of people agreed. When the Kanes shared their designs on Kickstarter, their campaign received huge investment and attention.
From there, the Ridge brand went from strength to strength, with a successful launch and more than two million units sold. It’s regarded as the best wallet for the modern era, and despite its small size, the Ridge wallet is no pushover. It’s made from some of the finest quality materials available, like aerospace-grade aluminum, carbon fiber, and medical stainless steel.
In addition, while traditional wallets fail to provide protection against new technological threats, the Ridge wallet comes complete with industry-leading RFID blocking to safeguard your finances and identity. Plus, there are many different colors and designs to choose from when buying a real The Ridge wallet.
Naturally, such a high-quality metal wallet costs more than a simple money clip or knockoff, but its exceptional durability and lifetime warranty justifies the Ridge wallet’s price tag.
Common Characteristics of Counterfeit Ridge Wallets
Counterfeiting is big business, and many famous brands have fallen victim to copycats and knockoffs. Designer handbags. Luxury watches. Fancy footwear. They’re all copied and faked on a regular basis, with the imitations sold at a fraction of the typical retail price. This causes major problems, not just for the brands themselves but also for consumers worldwide.
The Ridge wallet is no exception. Just like fancy shoes and bags, it’s a highly desirable product. That makes it a prime target for knockoff manufacturers, using poor-quality materials to make something that looks like the Ridge wallet but is nowhere close to it in terms of strength and build quality.
Sadly, some customers are still fooled. They see something that is being marketed as a real The Ridge wallet, in a box that looks like The Ridge’s official packaging, and so they go ahead and buy it. But, instead of a high-grade carbon fiber with state-of-the-art RFID blocking wallet, they end up with a flimsy slim wallet that simply can’t compete.
Fortunately, there are some clear differences between fakes and real The Ridge wallets. The more you know about how the imitations are made, the easier it is to tell them apart. Let’s now take a look at some of the key areas in which copies differ from the genuine article.
Material and Craftsmanship
One of the biggest differences between a real The Ridge metal wallet and a fake is the materials used to make each one. The Ridge prides itself on its use of only the finest, high-quality materials for every card wallet it makes and sells. The materials used are of the absolute best standards, including:
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Aluminum: Anodized 6061 aerospace-grade aluminum wallet for peerless protection and durability.
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Titanium: TA2-grade titanium, used in fighter jets, capable of withstanding wild weather and temperatures.
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Carbon Fiber: Exceptionally light and strong, with The Ridge’s own scratch-resistant, matte finish.
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Forged Carbon: Made of carbon fiber and epoxy resin and distinguished for its one-of-a-kind aesthetics.
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Stainless Steel: Medical-grade 304 stainless steel, treated with The Ridge’s own unique chemical etching technique to create a Damascus-style aesthetic.
In short, The Ridge makes no compromises when it comes to high-quality materials. Whether you want a carbon fiber wallet, gunmetal, or aluminum, you’ll always get this brand's premium products with industry-leading build quality.
The same cannot be said for the phonies. Fake wallet manufacturers swap out high-quality materials for cheaper, weaker alternatives, like basic steel, aluminum, or even plastic. That’s why they’re able to sell them so cheaply. It’s also why they’re significantly weaker than the real thing and won’t last anywhere near as long.
Packaging and Branding
Packaging is something else that The Ridge takes seriously. The company always takes great care to seal every metal wallet into its own branded box, with appropriate padding and packaging to ensure that it arrives safely at its destination. The packaging is decorated with The Ridge logos and imagery, and each wallet comes with a booklet detailing its features.
Again, this is something that a lot of copycats and knockoff makers overlook. Rather than wasting time and money replicating The Ridge’s packaging to perfection, they stuff their fake wallets into simpler boxes and bags to ship them around the world. This can lead to damage en route, and some wallets arrive with nicks and dents before they’ve even been used once.
Even when counterfeiters attempt to recreate the Ridge wallet packaging, they often fail in little detail. For example, they might not utilize the same font or logo design or include the typical booklet and branding materials that come with a real The Ridge product.
Online Shopping: Risks and Red Flags
Online shopping makes it so much easier to find the products you want, including a carbon fiber wallet or cardholder. Unfortunately, it also makes it much simpler for scammers to operate. They can trick consumers with fake images and false descriptions of their products, while also switching between sites and marketplaces to avoid detection.
If you want to buy the Ridge wallet online, watch out for clear warning signs and red flags that may indicate a fraudulent seller, including:
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Suspicious prices: The Ridge wallet can cost anywhere from $75 to $195 on average. This is due to the high-quality materials used in its design. If you see a listing for a wallet that looks like The Ridge wallet at a much lower price, it’s likely to be a fake.
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Bad or no reviews: It’s always a smart idea to scan through the reviews of each seller on a site like Amazon or eBay before you buy from them. Scammers will often have negative feedback and poor average ratings, or they might have no reviews at all.
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No contact details: To avoid any legal action against them, scammers and fake sellers often hide their contact details. They won’t make it easy for you to get in touch with them, and they might seem evasive or vague if you send them a message or ask for more photos.
To avoid any of these risks when shopping for official The Ridge products, like a metal front pocket wallet or AirTag Carbon Case, it’s always best to buy either from the brand itself or from trusted retailers. Avoid shady reseller websites or sellers who seem untrustworthy.
Tips for Verifying a Ridge Wallet’s Authenticity
If you want to be sure whether a The Ridge wallet is real or fake, simply go through the following checklist:
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Check the retailer: The Ridge wallets are sold through trusted, official retailer partners, like Nordstrom, Scheels, and Buckle, along with other smaller stores. Check your retailer’s history and reviews to find out if they have a good track record of selling real products.
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Inspect the material: Take a close look at your The Ridge wallet. Real metal wallets are made from high-quality materials, giving them a distinctive look and feel. The screws should be tight, and the wallet should feel strong and solid in the hands, with no notable weaknesses, damages, or looseness.
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Review the packaging: Check the packaging, too, as this is often poorly and hurriedly made to imitate the real thing without much attention to detail. Inspect the Ridge logo to look for any oddities and verify that your metal wallet has its own booklet with the official The Ridge branding.
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Compare the price: If a retailer seems to be selling a real The Ridge wallet for a very low price, check it against the official prices on the brand’s website. If the price is similar or just a little cheaper, it’s likely a genuine article, but if the wallet is far cheaper than it should be, it’s most likely a copy.
How to Report Counterfeit Ridge Wallets
If you think you’ve found a retailer or seller with counterfeit The Ridge wallets, it’s important to report them. Reporting knockoffs helps to stop the copycat manufacturers in their tracks, reducing the number of fakes on the market and making it safer for everyone else to buy authentic, official products.
Different sites and platforms have their own reporting systems. Amazon, for example, has a “Report a Violation” tool that users can use to inform the company about suspected fakes. On other platforms, if you’re not sure what to do, it’s best to get in touch with the customer service department, explain the situation, and ask for their help.
You can also contact The Ridge directly. Our customer service team will be able to help you verify whether or not your wallet is real, and we’ll be able to take the next necessary steps if you let us know about a suspected counterfeit seller.
The Real Deal: Ensuring Your Ridge Wallet is Authentic
With its minimalist design and high-quality construction, it’s no surprise that the Ridge wallet has been a popular target for imitators. But none of those fakes can match the real thing for quality, durability, and long-lasting protection. To avoid disappointment, always buy a real The Ridge wallet, rather than a cheap knockoff.
Check out our full wallet range and place your order for a real The Ridge product.
FAQs
How can you tell if a Ridge Wallet is real?
There are a few different tips to try. Check the material to look for The Ridge’s famous high-quality construction, and inspect the branding for any inconsistencies.
Are Ridge wallets trackable?
Not all of them. However, The Ridge does offer the option to add a trackable AirTag to your wallet so you won’t have to worry about losing it.
What is the warranty on a Ridge Wallet?
The Ridge offers lifetime warranties on all wallets, so your purchase will be protected forever.
How do you clean a Ridge Wallet?
Soaking your The Ridge wallet in some warm soapy water is a good way to get rid of any stains. Use a mild detergent for best results.
Evan Grimm is a practical writer, blogger, editor, and knowledgeable up-and-coming authority in the outdoor realm. His best-known content is published on Bowhunting.com, The Alaska Frontier, and Exodus Outdoor Gear. He and his family reside in central Alaska, where daily common sense and practicality are necessary. His commercial pilot and aircraft technician certifications make him focus on what is relevant and solidly provable. You will find him writing or proving more content. https://www.evangrimmwriter.com
