The Andar Pilot Wallet Review

On the surface, the Andar Pilot looks nothing more than a glorified cardholder. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find its hidden functionality. Its spring-loaded cascading cards mechanism is nothing to be laughed at. This, in a nutshell, provides the perfect way to easily access any cards you may have, and present them in an easy to manage accessible way. As its main selling point does this unique take on the traditional wallet provide enough function and substance to become your next wallet? 

I’m a big fan of the Andar brand, I’m not going to lie about that. In fact, one of the first wallets I ever reviewed (and one of my top picks) is the infamous Andar Apollo Wallet, probably the most popular wallets in their range. Andar was first established in 2015 and have gone on to create a range of wallets, and other leather goods, that continuously strive for innovation and quality. There’s no doubt that they provide some of the most affordable yet creative wallets on the market and for that, I commend then. 

Look & Design

The Andar Pilot has a distinct look, unlike other wallets. This can be attributed to the fact it’s less of a wallet and more of a cardholder in its style or design, made from metal and wrapped in leather material.  Think of wallets like the Thin King or the Esker Range and you’ll be close. The Andar Pilots Full Grain Leather and thin profile make it a very attractive wallet to the eye and even more so in the pocket with its seamless providing a streamlined carry experience. 

The size of the Pilot is also worth mentioning. Although it’s not as small as many wallets on the market (Measures 4 17/32” x 2 ½” x 17/32”), the Pilot is very thin and its study design makes it very noticeable in the pocket. I’d classify this size as what I call a ‘hybrid’ wallet. This means the wallet is slightly larger than a typical minimalist wallet yet doesn’t suffer from a lack of functionality. A between wallet for someone who wants the best of both worlds. 

Finally, the Andar Pilot has a unique Split color design with a smaller proportion at the bottom always grey and the top half being the color of your choice. It’s a nice design decision and gives the wallet a more unique look and higher class feel. The range of colors to choose from is also very nice taking a very muted, traditional pallet including camel tan, black, brown, and olive.

Functionality & Utility 

Unlike most cascading card wallets that use a pull lever to release the cards for use, the Andar Pilot does things a little differently. Instead of a lever mechanism, the wallet uses a cog-style mechanism that you have to turn or spin to gradually release your credit/debit cards (maximum capacity between 1 – 6 cards). Although it took me a little time to get used to the uniqueness of this, it actually ended up being quite pleasant and easy to use. Is it better than the traditional lever? I Can’t possibly say, but at the very least the two are on par with each other. 

On the reverse side of the wallet is also an invoiced money clip (made from stainless steel). You can also choose the minimal version of the wallet that doesn’t include a money clip. This is a great option for people who don’t carry much, or any physical cash on that and want something that can better fit in the pocket. This clip option costs an additional $5.00 which is well worth the price in my opinion. 

Finally, the Pilot comes with RFID Protection as standard with each and every wallet. This means that you can have peace of mind that you won’t be subject to any sort of contactless theft when out and about. We have a pretty in-depth article that looks into whether or not RFID is even necessary, so if you’re interested click here for more information. 

Final Verdict

The Andar Pilot creeps into the higher price tag bracket coming in at $65 – $75 depending on whether you choose the money clip version or go with the cheaper minimal wallet. Honestly, the wallet is of great value for money. I love the unique aesthetics, the premium quality materials, and the cogwheel patented design is unique and functional. Andar is also a fantastic brand (I’ve reviewed a lot of their wallets over the years) and never fail to have great customer service and warranty. 

Overall, the Pilot wallet by Andar is one of the best wallets to be released this year. It is a fantastic take on the cascading style of wallet and does so in an affordable and attractive manner. For more information on the Andar Pilot Wallet check out the Andar official website by clicking the link below.