ADD1D Explorer Wallet S Review

Until recently, I hadn’t come across ADD1D, as they are a relatively new brand on the scene. Their founding was motivated by a desire to create efficient and effective travel gear, with an everyday carry appeal that could withstand both extreme weather and the many challenges of travelling abroad.

ADD1D first found success on Kickstarter with the successful funding of their innovative anti-theft backpack back in 2021. Since then, they have continued to innovate, expanding their range to include other items, which brings us to today’s focus: the Explorer Wallet S. Let’s take a deep dive into this wallet and see what it has to offer.

Nice, clean and attractive layout.

Look & Design: An Attractive Bifold with Unique Dual Material

Looks can be deceiving, and the Explorer Wallet is the perfect example of that idea in practice. Designed in the classic bifold style, the Explorer Wallet uses a combination of two materials. On the outside, it features a unique fabric known as X-Pac. To me, this material feels similar to nylon, but with a distinctive crosshatched pattern across its surface thanks to the construction of X-Pac itself.

But what exactly is X-Pac, and what advantages does it offer? In short, it’s a high-performance fabric known for being lightweight, durable, and 100% waterproof. X-Pac is widely used in a variety of gear across different industries, including products from brands such as Aer, Alpaka, and Peak Designs.

Opening the wallet reveals the internal material, which is made from a type of leather. I’m not exactly sure what specific leather the Explorer Wallet uses, but from experience, it seems to sit at the mid end of the quality spectrum. Having handled many wallets over the years, the interior has a distinct shine typical of PU leather, which would align with ADD1D’s product description stating it is made from ‘vegan leather’.

X-PAC is used in a variety of different products like this bag from the X-PAC website.

My issue with this wallet is that the internal leather undermines the benefits of the external X-PAC material. There’s a reason why other brands, like Pioneer or Hawbuck, when using a high-performance material like X-PAC, choose to make the entire wallet from it rather than mixing it with leather, as ADD1D have done. X-PAC is supposed to make the wallet more durable, more water-resistant, and lighter. But because the interior is lined with leather – a material that is less durable, not water-resistant, and heavier – these advantages are mostly cancelled out.

That said, I can understand why ADD1D may have made this choice. At the end of the day, leather has its own advantages, and with the number of features the Explorer Wallet packs in (more on that later), it might not have been practical to make the entire wallet from X-Pac. The leather also adds extra rigidity, which I personally appreciate, nobody likes a weak, floppy wallet.

Essentially, what I’m saying is that while the Explorer Wallet might not be as durable as something like the Pioneer Wallet, it feels like it belongs in its own category. The unique way ADD1D has combined these materials gives it a distinct character - and honestly, I really like it. It takes the best of both materials and crafts it into something beauiful, and functional.

Everything has it’s place and nothing looks too cluttered. Great design.

Functionality & Utility: Crammed full of unique features

In my oppnion where the Exploer really shines is in the functionality and its capacility for a wide range of different features and its ability to store some pretty unique things when on the omve. And when i say this wallet is unique for this i really mean unique. I’ve come across wallets in the past that may have one or maybe two of these features, but never all of them togather, all laid out perfectly in a way that doesn’t comprmise ease of use and/or the actual size of the wallet.

Speaking of size, the Exploer S Wallet is a really decent size (88mm x 20mm x 104mm) a mid-sized bifold not too small as to comprise functinality but not overly massive as to cause the good old buldgy pocket issue many men suffer with.

Opening the Explorer wallet and the first unique aspect of the wallet, and the first thing you’ll probably notice, is a small-sized ballpoint pen sitting directly in the middle of the bifold. It truely is an ingenious way of storing a pen as as you fold the bifold it perfectly wraps around the pen creating not addtional bulk.

The pen itself is also good quality, made entirely form a lightweight metal, and a good size, obiously on the smaller size, but this doesn’t effect how easily it is to use it with average sized hands. Obiously i can’t speak to those with giant hands (sorry guys).

The Hidden Coin Slot

Pull Out flap for SD, SIM & Removal Tool

The next stand out feature is located tucked away inside the exploer’s full-width cash slot. A small tab of leather can be pulled outside to revel 3 addtional tiny slots designed for storing a sim card, micro sd card and a sim remorval tool. This feature itself quickly confirms and reinforces the ADD1D’s design phiolophy clearly targeting trvalers who may need these sorts of items on the go.

A spare MicroSD for your travel camera, or swapping out sims based on the coutnry your traveling in. Very useful and again a very clever way of impelnting this into the wallet without compromising on space. If i had one negative on this, is that taking the flap out can be a bit tricky and many times doing so causes the Nano SIM card to fall out.

The finaly highly unique feature of this wallet is its avility to store coins. A feature i’ve only really ever come across on the infamous Bellroy Note Sleeve, a hidden pocket internally on the right handside of the full-width card slot, and protected by a flap of leather revels a place to securely store any coins you may have or even slightly larger items like a key if you’d must. A great feature again, although go easy on he amount of coins you chose to store as this is one feature that will add girth/depth to the wallet making it larger and heavier.

The Explorer S Pen: Much bigger than you would think.

Utility and Practicality: How well does the Explorer S Wallet hold up in daily use?

Since recieveing the Explorer S Wallet i took it on holiday with me for a weekend away. So how well does this walle work in practice? Honestly, exceedingly well. The wallet just works well together and i still can’t understand how a wallet that has so many features was able to stay at such a smaller and compact size. Honestly it wouldnt be amiss to describe this wallet as a Tardis and it defintaly seems bigger and the inside without comparising size or bulk.

It’s probably still too early to say at this point, as i’ve not had chance to use the wallet long term but at the moment the in terms of quality of materials, wear and tear the Exploer wallet is prooving itself very durable and i’ve come across any issues yet with frayed thread, degrading leather or scuffs and scarches.

I put this down to the outer material (X-PAC) as disucssed earlier almost forming a protected shueld on the outside, like a shell, and aiding to the wallets overall durbality. I will continue using the wallet for a few more months and update this review futher down the line as to how well it holds up.

Final Verdict: Is the Explorer S Wallet any good?

Overall my impressions of the Explorer S Wallet is very positive and i’ve enjoyed my time using this wallet. From a functionality perspective it can’t be faulted and does an amazing job of provuding some of the most unique storage features for odd items that i can think off.

For many, these features may seem a little redudant, but remember that the founding princapls of AD1DD is around creating innovative everyday carry items made for tavelers - this is who i see would most benefit from this wallet, alonside photograhpers, who can benefit from the SD Card storage capaibilites.

The wallet just works and is the perfect blend of attractive, functional and size where its not too small, not too large and doesn’t go over the top with anything just giving what you want in a clean, effective and innovative way. Overall, i think the Explorer S Wallet by AD1DD is a fanatsic little wallet and think its price tag of just $50.00 is increadibly great value for money.

Many wallets in the same category are far more expensive and cnosidering the quality, and feature rich abilites of this wallet I think its a great fit for travelers and non-travelers alike. For more information check the wallet out at AD1DD’s offical website using the link below.