I carried the Open Seas Leather Houbei wallet for over 6 weeks and it was as easy to enjoy as it was to carry. The quick access slot is the best feature backed up by an excellent cash wrap feature.
(if you want to see all the features and how many cards and cash it can hold, please watch the video)
Since the prior review of the Das Offene Meer Houbei wallet, the company has renamed itself to Open Seas Leather, which is the translation of the German name Das Offene Meer.
Probably many are not familiar with this wallet, therefore, this wallet was test driven for almost a month and a half. From a feature perspective, the wallet has a flap on the front. This is to maintain security for the contents that are inside. On the back, the wallet has a quick access card slot. This is the most practical position for the card slot and should be in every wallet.
The wallet interior has two card slots and in the back has a larger space for archive cards or cash. The cash placed in this wallet works fine, whether by folding and inserting, or by using a cash wrap which, in practice, is more functional.
When it comes to currencies that can fit in the Open Seas Leather Houbei, Yen seems to be a problem, as it runs into the folded leather further down on the interior. The larger Euro notes are also problematic. However, taking these notes out of the picture, because they are not commonly used, all the remaining Euro notes work just fine, as with all the other currencies in that range.
The company recommends the insertion of seven to eight cards and up to 20 slips of cash. If cash is used frequently, then managing it as a wrap, as mentioned before, would be a great option. Of course, folding it once before putting it in the wallet is a little bit of a fiddle, but, if cash isn’t used often, then it prevents interfering with card usage. The wallet can accommodate eight to ten cards as well as other IDs, insurance, discount, and loyalty cards.
When it comes to the Open Seas Leather Houbei wallet merits, as mentioned, the external slot is the practical feature to this wallet. Most users have one to three cards which they use more than 90 % of the time. Another detail is the flap in the front that doesn’t get in the way and allows smooth access to the cards in the front pockets. Getting cards in and out with this flap is very usable by simply grabbing it and flipping it open. The cards in the front can be placed by order of most accessed, while the back slot is suitable for archive cards, loyalty cards and such. In addition to the wallet features, it fits nicely in the pocket as well, because it is a little wider. Thanks to its size, cards feel more distributed and allows the wallet to conform to the body and it accommodates all currencies.
This is a great wallet, no matter what, as long as the capacity and the feature set meet your needs and your desired aesthetic.
Cash wrap wallet with unique design and full-grain veg tanned leather. Das Offen Meer makes this a perfect wallet for cash carriers.