Double Oak Essentials Releases the Mod Wallet
A leather and aluminum pop-up wallet with swappable Mod Plates and MagSafe compatibility. Starting at $69.95.
I only recently came across Double Oak Essentials when reviewing their Bifold Wallet, and the brand has quickly become one of my favorites in the space. They have a knack for combining leather aesthetics with modern pop-up functionality in a way that very few brands pull off without one compromising the other. Their latest release, the Mod Wallet, continues in that direction and adds something I have been seeing more of lately: modularity.
The modular wallet trend is genuinely picking up momentum right now. I have just finished reviewing the Ekster MagSafe Wallet, which operates on a similar premise of swappable attachments expanding the wallet’s functionality. The Mod Wallet enters that same conversation and I am already curious to put the two side by side.
How the Mod System Works
The Mod Wallet is built around Double Oak Essentials’ aluminum pop-up cardholder with an automatic locking mechanism and a cowhide leather face on the front. The back of the wallet is MagSafe compatible out of the box, attaching securely to any MagSafe iPhone via magnetic connection. So far, familiar territory.
What makes the Mod Wallet different is the addition of Mod Plates, removable panels that attach to either side of the wallet using Nano Tape, a micro-suction material that holds securely without leaving any adhesive residue. The plate can be removed by pulling from the bottom corner, cleaned, and reapplied as needed.
Two plate options are available. The Card Mod Plate adds four additional card slots. The Cash and Card Mod Plate adds four card slots and room for up to eight bills folded twice, or a combination of the two. It is a straightforward system that meaningfully expands what the wallet can carry without permanently changing its form.
The MagSafe Trade-Off
Worth noting clearly: attaching a Mod Plate to the back of the wallet nullifies the MagSafe compatibility on that side. The wallet cannot magnetically attach to an iPhone if a plate is occupying the rear. On the all-aluminum version, attaching the Mod Plate to the front instead preserves MagSafe on the back, which gives you a bit more flexibility. On the leather face version, you are choosing between MagSafe and the expanded storage. It is a reasonable trade-off given the design, but something to factor in before deciding which configuration suits you.
Capacity and Materials
The base wallet holds up to seven flat cards in the pop-up chamber, with a compression clip front pocket for an additional four cards and cash. Add a Mod Plate and total card capacity reaches eleven, with the Cash and Card Plate version also accommodating up to eight bills.
Materials are 7075 aluminum for the mechanism and top-grain Crazy Horse leather for the face, the latter being a treated full-grain hide known for its rugged, vintage appearance and patina development over time. It is the same quality tier I praised in the Bifold Wallet review, and it remains one of the more distinctive material choices in this category.
The Mod Wallet starts at $69.95. I will be getting one in hand to compare it directly against the Ekster MagSafe Wallet, so a full hands-on review and comparison will follow. Full details and purchasing options are available on the Double Oak Essentials official website using the link below.
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