Ekster Parliament AirTag Wallet 2023 Review

Functional and Findable AirTag Minimalist Wallet.

I have recently focused on those items that I truly need on a daily basis (EDC/everyday carry items).  Like purses, backpacks, and car trunks, we tend to fill available space with stuff.  This may be one of the reasons that cargo pockets on pants/shorts have become synonymous with Dad Bod/Dad gear. To try to remove/limit items, I have transitioned my loyalty/reward cards to my iPhone Keychain/wallet feature, removed receipts, carried less cash, and generally made an effort to carry less. 

For example, I previously moved from a standard leather wallet to the Big Skinny Wallet because the empty leather wallet was thicker than a fully loaded Big Skinny.  The size, nylon material, and convenience placed the Big Skinny into favorite status over the last five years.  Unfortunately, my natural tendency to carry/store things has overcome the benefits of the wallet; it has assumed unreasonable thickness due to the available storage space.  Thus, I have adopted a weekly routine/habit of adding/removing items to try to thin them out.  

I know I am not alone in the fear of misplacing a wallet.  Early in our marriage, my wife and I attended the San Diego County Fair in Del Mar, California.  We met with a vendor, purchased some edible pine nuts, and walked away happy.  Unfortunately, her wallet was left on the table.  Even though we quickly realized the mistake, the wallet disappeared in mere moments.  With so many essential items within a wallet, we loved when Tile trackers entered the market. 

Even though we added another item into the mix, it helped to reduce the problem mentioned above.  We added the Tile trackers to our key rings, bags, and several other items that we wanted to track.  When Apple AirTags were released in April 2021, the technology and interconnectivity with the Apple ecosystem created a natural transition toward the new trackers.  Despite the quality/benefit of the AirTags, I could not easily add the device to my Big Skinny wallet.  Luckily, Ekster provides a solution to both problems above with the Parliament AirTag Wallet line. 

Unboxing

The Ekster Parliament AirTag wallet arrived in a classy 3 inches wide by 4 13/16 inches tall by 1 1/8 inches thick matte black box. Bathed in mystique and allure, the glossy EKSTER name, E shield logo, and Rotterdam/New York names surrounded two magpies with crossed tails.  For those interested in symbolism and superstition, the magpie has been honored, revered, and feared throughout history.  As a bird that mates for life, a pair of magpies currently represents luck, love, and prosperity. It is no wonder that one of the best everyday carry wallet companies should use a symbol/design that Kingsman or even Bruce Wayne would adopt.

I removed the box lid, the internal branded Ekster tissue paper, and the sleek 2.5-ounce wallet (3.1-ounce total weight with the cardboard card inserts and foam air tag insert).  I was impressed with the rich leather smell and the artisan-level craftsmanship of the smooth leather surface, the etched E shield logo along the lower right of the cover, and the intricate stitching.  The 2 1/2 inches wide by 4 3/8 inches tall by 3/4 inches thick wallet had an 11/16 inches wide by 9/16 inches tall cutout along the lower edge of the spine, which contained the card eject trigger/button. 

When depressed, the internal mechanism will eject and fan out the internal cards.  The rear panel provided a 1 1/2 inches diameter dome-shaped leather pocket for an AirTag and a 3 9/16 inches wide by 1 15/16 inches tall flat pocket.  You can add/remove the AirTag through the internal pocket behind the tapered AirTag ring.  With the AirTag installed, you can place your Ekster Multi-Tool Card (review coming soon) or extra credit card into the back pocket.  Thanks to the tapered design, the AirTag should not readily fall out.  

If you open the wallet and place it face down, the design will assume an upside down “U” shape measuring 5 1/2 inches wide by 4 3/8 inches tall and having a 1 3/4 inches wide by 5/8 inches tall cutout at the bottom.  The inner flap displayed the etched EKSTER name along the lower flap and provided two pockets, a 3 9/16 inches wide by 1 13/16 inches tall front panel, and a 2 3/16 inches tall rear pocket.  The main body of the wallet provided a 1 inches thick elastic retention money clip, with a 1-by-1 inch square stitched/etched leather E-shield accent.  I found that I could add a card into each of the front slots, plus two to three folded bills into the retention strap before any reduciton in the ability to close properly. 

Testing/Features

The main card/ejection pocket will hold 5-6 cards depending on the size of the raised surface numbers.  To eject the internally stored cards, simply press the trigger along the bottom.  I liked the curvature of the trigger button and the easy-press mechanism. Additionally, I found that I could grip the wallet with my hand and utilize my pinky or ring finger to activate the trigger/button.  Once the button was pressed, the cards fanned out with the rear cards ejecting farther than the closer cards.  You can strategically place more important cards near the back for easier access or you can push those cards that you do not want back into the wallet.  Lastly, you can remove all of the cards and then reinsert those that you do not need at the moment.  

Before adding cards to the wallet, I removed the six cardboard card placeholders. The cards provided information about the company giveaways (@eksterwallets), feedback guarantee, affiliate information (sign up EKSTER.com/affiliate), QR code for 10% off discount (can enter RPG-OWE-ERC at checkout), “OUR STORY” information, and a QR code user manual (ekster.com/usermanual). 

Each of the 0.1-ounce black cardstock cards provided a vibrant white font/text/imagery upon a matte-black surface.  The rear surfaces of the cards provided an FSC (www.FSC.org) recycled logo attesting to the recycled nature of the cards.  I liked the QR code instruction manual method, the focus on recycled products, and the environmental consideration.  Lastly, the included cards did a great job of demonstrating the mechanism/technology of the wallet.

Summary

With so many items vying for a seat at the EDC table, the EKSTER AirTag wallet has moved into the lead.  The integrated Apple ecosystem paired nicely with the wallet and felt like a design feature instead of an add-on, afterthought, or accessory.  The wallet provides a valid and functional solution to the need to store/carry fewer items, and the ability to find a misplaced wallet.  On a day-to-day basis, I likely do not need more than my license, a few credit cards, and a few bills. Overall, the quality Ekster craftsmanship/design paired nicely with the minimalistic nature of the wallet.

Learn more about the Parliament Wallet and follow Ekster on Facebook and Twitter.