Ekster Pro Wallet Review
Exploring Ekster’s latest flagship – is the Pro Wallet worth the hype?
Ekster is a brand I've raved about for quite some time and have always admired their commitment to craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability. Since their humble days as a wallet brand they’ve, like many brands in a similar position, transited to more of an EDC company now not only producing wallets (which is still probably their best seller) but also other items such as backpacks, tech cases and other miscellaneous travel items. In this review we’re going to take a closer look at Ekster’s latest wallet release - The Ekster Pro Wallet. I’ll take a closer look at how it stacks up against the original, whether it truly lives up to the hype, and—most importantly—if it’s worth spending the extra money on, or if you’re better off sticking with the tried-and-tested original. In this article I'll refer to the Ekster Wallet as the original Ekster.
It’s been a while since Ekster introduced a new wallet to their range, and this one’s a big deal. Anytime a brand releases a wallet that’s supposedly ‘better’ than their most popular model, in this case, the original Ekster Wallet (also known as the Parliament Wallet) - they run the risk of alienating both loyal customers and future buyers.
Why? Because if you release something that outshines what was once your flagship product, a few things can happen: (a) people who bought the original might feel annoyed that they no longer own the ‘best’ wallet, and (b) the new release can highlight the flaws or compromises in the original, making it seem outdated or inferior.
A look back at the Original Ekster Wallet
Ekster wallet because, at the end of the day, these are very much the same wallet in terms of design and functionality and the improvements made by the Ekster Pro are subtle. My original Ekster wallet review was glowing and I’ve been a huge fan of the Ekster product range. It might be best to read up on our original review of the Ekster Wallet first, as it’ll be this review which covers my overall opinion on that wallet. But i’ll also include a quick summary below:
Design & Functionality: Ekster have never not exceeded in their innovative and unique designs. They have a really cool brand ethos combining traditional leather aesthetics shown through the rich array of leather colours they choose through to the modern utilisation of functionality with their pop up mechanisms. Compared to other brands Ekster are in the top 25% when it comes to quality, design and the overall look and feel of their wallets range.
Functionality & Utility: The main functionality of the Ekster Pro Wallet comes from it’s utilisation of the pop up mechanism that stores cards and allows for easy access through the push of a button. This is the one constant with Ekster and their wallet range with no wallet on their range not having this pop up feature. As per the popularity of this style of wallet the pop up wallet is one of the most popular wallets of the last decade and I wouldn’t be surprised to see sales of this style of wallet surpass the classic bi fold at some point in the future.
Unique to this wallet the pop up mechanism is wrapped in leather providing additional card slots outside of the mechanism itself. This is 2 in the leather bi fold section and one on the reverse side. The whole thing is wrapped in an elastic strap which is designed for storage of bills and banknotes to be folded and tucked underneath. It works well although I personally enjoy storing my cash in one of the leather card slots.
What Makes the Ekster Pro different?
When comparing images of the original Ekster Wallet and the Pro, it’s surprisingly difficult to spot any differences. Looks do matter, and in my opinion, it’s a tough sell for Ekster to convince people why they should pay more for the Ekster Pro version when, visually, they look almost identical.
The real difference between the two wallets comes down to one word – quality. Quality is what separates them, and in my opinion, it’s the main reason you’d choose one over the other. If you’re looking for the best quality possible the Ekster Pro wallet is your man.
First, there’s the leather. Ekster crafted the Ekster Pro Wallet using Italian Vachetta leather – a full-grain, vegetable-tanned leather that’s mainly produced in Tuscany. It’s best known as the leather of choice for designer brands like Louis Vuitton. From the moment you hold the Pro Wallet, the difference is stark.
The Vachetta leather is wonderful – softer to the touch, with a silkier, shinier appearance and a natural grain that promises to age beautifully over time. You also get a look at the reverse side of the leather – basically suede – which is a nice touch and a reminder that you’re carrying a wallet made from natural, quality material.
The Pro is also available in two exclusive colours: a bold Flare Red and a vibrant Cobalt Blue. Not for me personally, but I’m sure someone out there will love them. On the flip side, the original Ekster Wallet isn’t what I would call poor quality – far from it – but it simply doesn’t hold up once you’ve experienced the Ekster Pro. This surprised me. It’s one of those situations where, if I’d never held the Pro Wallet, I wouldn’t have had such a now negative opinion of the original. The leather on the original feels stiff, dull, scratchy, and rugged to the touch.
Ekster says the original is made from Premium LWG-certified hides – which, while ethically sourced (a big plus), don’t have the same luxurious feel as the Vachetta leather of the Pro.
Pro Wallet
Original Ekster
The other major difference between the Ekster Pro Wallet and the original Ekster is the pop-up mechanism. In fact, Ekster might be the first brand in the world to use a metal pop-up system (I could be wrong, but it’s something I’ve personally never come across before).
Does having a metal mechanism make a difference? Surprisingly, yes. One of the most unexpected upgrades of the Pro is just how much smoother and more satisfying the card ejection feels. Cards flow out more evenly and with less effort compared to the original. It also has the most satisfying click when you push the button – and if you’re a fidgeter like me, you’ll find yourself clicking it over and over again without even realising.
Another thing to note is the Pro has a slightly larger capacity than the original Ekster Wallet. Thanks to the larger mechanism, the Pro can hold up to 14 cards, compared to 12 in the original. It’s not a massive difference, but it’s worth mentioning, especially as it does increase the depth of the wallet from 1.1cm (original) to 1.55cm (Pro). Again, not a huge jump – but every millimetre counts when it comes to pocket space.
The different in pop-up mechsim can’t be seen but it definatly can be heard.
Along with all these upgrades, we also need to talk about the new cash clip backplate – an optional add-on that’s exclusive to the Pro Wallet.
Here’s a funny story: when I first ordered the Pro, I genuinely didn’t realise the cash clip wasn’t already included in the price. Considering you’re already paying extra for the Ekster Pro, it felt a little cheeky that Ekster was trying to squeeze even more money out of me.
That said, it was my mistake for not reading the product description properly. At the time of writing, I haven’t gone back and purchased the cash clip yet, but I plan to pick one up soon to complete the setup.
Let’s talk price: Is the Pro worth the extra money?
The final point I want to cover is, in my opinion, the most important - the price. While the Original Ekster wallet comes in at $99.00, the Pro version retails for $129.00, an extra $30 or 30% extra in costs. Going into this review, I didn’t think I was going to like the Pro and certainly didn’t expect to believe it was worth the extra cost. But things change.
The quality of the Pro, in my opinion, is noticeably better than the original Ekster. In fact, it left me wondering why the original wasn’t built like this from the start. The Pro feels like what the original should have been, and although I think it’s fantastic, as I mentioned earlier, introducing a “better” version runs the risk of devaluing the original wallet.
Suddenly, millions of people who own the original Ekster wallet are left with a product that now feels like a lesser version of what they thought was top of the line. And considering the original already carried a hefty $99.00 price tag, a significant investment for most, it’s not surprising if some customers could feel a little short-changed (this is entirely speculation).
That said, whatever I think of Ekster’s business decision, the Pro itself is excellent. It’s a genuine step up in quality and craftsmanship. Is it worth the extra $30? That’s not for me to decide. All I can say is that it’s a better wallet, and if Ekster’s goal was to create a superior version, they’ve absolutely succeeded. If you’re looking for more information on the Ekster Wallet our handy comparison table below might be able to help. If not, check out the official product page for the Pro Wallet using the link below.
Our Verdict: TL;DR