Bellroy Hide & Seek Wallet Review

The Hide & Seek wallet, by Bellroy, is a great example of craftsmanship and design. The wallet hosts a range of features all within a slim contact appearance that greatly reduces the size of a typical bi-fold but retains its look and feel. I first decided to purchase the Hide & Seek wallet after looking to test how modern-day bi-folds performed against more of the innovative wallets we see today. Whether that’s, technology-infused smart wallets or ultra-minimalist wallets people still seem to gravitate towards bi-folds so it was my duty to see if wallets like the Hide and Seek can keep up interns of quality and functionality. 

Bellroy is a brand I’ve talked a lot about in the past as they were one of the first brands I stumbled across when starting out reviewing wallets. Bellroy would classify themself as a premium wallet manufacturer that uses premium materials - with a focus on environmental & sustainability when it comes to the materials they use and manufacturing process. 

‘Traditional in appearance, progressive in features. The Hide & Seek is for those who want more out of their wallet while remaining true to existing aesthetics. Holding all of the money and cards you could need, it helps separate items you use more often from those that are important but needed less. The unique hidden flap means large bills can be concealed from view, while the flat pack storage section helps stack away cards in a secure location’.

Look & Design

Quality is the first thing to mention. I’ve owned many Bellroy wallets in the past and the Hide & Seek continues to match the high quality and standards Bellroy offers. From perfect stitching to premium quality leather I’m always impressed with the craftsmanship and can guarantee you won’t have any trouble with quality with Bellory and the Hide and Seek wallet. The leather used is a premium cowhide tanned under gold-rated leatherworking environmental standards. This again is a great indication of a quality product and on inspection, I can’t fault the premium and durability of the leather. 

One thing I’ve always admired about Bellroy is the huge range of color options available. This isn’t anything different from the Hide & Seek wallet. With 9 different color variations available (blue, green, orange, black, brown to name a few) it’s a nice touch to have the options to choose a color that best meets your individual style.

The size of the Hide and Seek comes in at 115mm x 95mm. For me, this is large enough that it doesn’t classify as a minimalist wallet but classified as a halfway hybrid being much smaller than most bi-fold wallets on the market today. I think the size is one of the best things about the wallet. Being an in-between size (not too big or too small) provides the option to slim down your daily carry without compromising functionality. 

es in 2 size variations meant to provide the opportunity for people from different countries to choose the wallet that best fits their countries banknotes. The two options include the ‘HI’ which fits bill taller than 74mm (think GDP or EURO) or the smaller ‘LO’ which would better fit smaller bills such as the Dollar. This is a fantastic feature apparent across the entire Bellroy brand. As someone from a country will quite large banknotes i’m often disappointed by the lack of acknowledgment for international sales as my bills rarely fit certain wallets ‘american’ wallets.

Functionality & Utility 

The Hide & Seek continues its excellence with its range of features. The Bellroy holds between 5 - 12 cards and a good array of banknotes. I found the best range of cards around 6 with any more after this adding unnecessary and noticeable bulk about the wallet. For a wallet of this size, the features are great and provide something for everyone. 

Another nice feature is RFID protection is included as standard. RFID is a technology that helps provide your bank cards from crime and people using contactless technology to swipe and steal your money. We have a full article on this here, but this type of crime is on the rise so it’s nice Bellroy offers it as standard without any additional costs. 

Notes are stored in a typical long flat bill section that can hold around a large number of notes. This area also has 2 additional pockets here. The first, being an additional area to hold any credit/debit cards (for quicker access) and the concealed coin pouch. This coin area is roomy for around 5 - 8 coins (depending on their size) and doesn’t add much bulk to the wallet. It also is protected by a flap of leather which prevents coins from spoiling out. 

Price Tag

The Hide & Seek isn’t the cheapest wallet on the market coming in at  $90 (or £75.00). This wallet is priced to reflect the quality of the wallet along with the probably increased costs due to the sustainability of the materials. I personally don’t think this is an unfair price and based on the wallet as a whole is a decent price for a great wallet.

There is also a more expensive version of the Hide & Seek named the Designers Edition. This wallet comes in at a hefty $185 (£160). The difference between this and the standard Hide & Seek is the distinctive and higher quality leather used. It’s hard to say if this jump in price is worth the cost (mainly because I’ve not tried the Designers Edition) but it’s a nice option to have for people wanting a more refined look and feel.

Final Verdict 

Great all around wallet for people who want premium quality in the famous and traditional bi-fold style. The materials are great quality and the functionality is one of the best in a bifold I’ve come across in a while. The Hide & Seek is also backed by Bellroy’s 3-year warranty. This protects your wallet against any defects in the materials and workmanship from the date of purchase and provides some nice piece of mind that the quality you receive is going to be nothing short of superior. 

For more information on the Bellroy Hide & Seek wallet - and to check out the other wallets in the Bellroy range - click the link below.