This DJIN wallet review brings to light all the creative features the Australian Koala-gear company built into this unique, minimalist wallet.
Today’s review is on the DJIN (gin) wallet from Koala-Gear. There is something to be said about packing so many features into such a small footprint, and the DJIN is a prime example. It comes packaged in a very tight dimensioned box. Packaging goes a long way in impressing the customers and providing a sense of value.
(if you want to see all the features and how many cards and cash it can hold, please watch the video)
Inside the box is a thank you card, as well as an insertable RFID card which I think is brilliant. If companies would provide this option instead of bastardizing their wallets with RFID material it would sidestep the whole problem for people who still feel like they need this unnecessary protection.
This particular wallet is leather, but it also comes in a microfiber version. The wallet looks like it has a magnetic attachment at the bottom which is just strong enough to hold it closed, a great idea to prevent it from popping open when pulling it from your pocket.
There are no usable features on the exterior of the wallet. Within the interior there is a card storage space, similar to what we see in the STOW wallet, as well as an area to fold your cash into thirds. As you look at the wallet from the top down, there is a slot where you can store keys or coins, which falls behind the card storage space. They have also included an area called “secret storage”. You gain access to it by sliding the tray up. The company recommends putting small things like SIM cards or memory cards. The space is only 50 x 25 x 3 mm, but it is an interesting feature.
As I was doing the card and cash insertion test, I noticed a distinct rattle. The sound comes from the inserted coins. Unfortunately, there is no way of getting rid of that sound. I was able to get five cards and four slips of cash inside. Having to tri-fold your cash can be quite a nuisance, especially when you try pulling any cards out. We have seen this problem in other wallets and solved in others, again like the STOW wallet. If you are a lover of cash, I am not sure this is a really great wallet for you, but the card holding capacity is fine. The company says it can hold up to ten cards or twenty slips of cash or any combination of those two…as long as they fit.
The wallet is designed in Australia and made in China. It is made from textured cowhide, top-grain leather. It is not full grain, but that is ok. On the interior, there is a 75 denier abrasion-resistant woven polyester lining with the overall frame being made from a single piece of polypropylene-injected skeleton. All of these materials give strength and durability to the wallet. Even though there is some flexibility, it will still have a lot of durability. One negative observation is the piece of stainless steel, it has some sharp edges on it, which you could catch your fingers and possibly injure yourself on if you’re not careful.
The exterior corners are all reinforced around the edges with exposed plastic instead of leather. I appreciate how the company is thinking about long term durability and longevity. Because of the rounded edges, the wallet won’t cause holes in your pockets with and I would consider this as a front pocket carry wallet.
The company offers a one year warranty with a 30 day return policy. Unfortunately, this wallet has been discontinued.
It measures 3.5 x 2.3 x 0.75” at the highest point of the slant, and weighs 46 grams.
For the final score: quality a 4, price a 3, features a 5, usability a 3 and perception a 3. That gives us a final score of 3.5 out of 5.
This wallet has been discontinued. Below is a close replacement.
Inspired by Japanese culture, where wallets are designed to hold cash, cards and coins.
