We do a review of the Vaultskin City and Manhattan wallets, giving them a final score, then compare them along the way. Fully baked out in silly RFID, these slim, bifold wallet offerings provide for both tall and short currency options. For how much they cost you’d expect a little more.
(if you want to see all the features and how many cards and cash it can hold, please watch the video)
In the past, we have reviewed the Vaultskin Chelsea and Notting Hill wallets, and in this review, we will be looking at two more Vaultskin wallets, the City and Manhattan. There is one big distinction between the two wallets, and that is not the orientation of the wallet openings.
Both wallets come in similar boxes. The City is a vertical bi-fold wallet, it comes enveloped with tissue paper and styrofoam, and comes with a thank you card. The Manhattan is a horizontal bi-fold that comes in similar packaging, similar piece of special styrofoam and thank you card. We got them both in cognac, but they do come in seven other colors.
The City’s external features encompass a billfold pocket where cash goes, and this is designed to hold any currency height. It also has two external card slots, they are a little thin and slim, but can hold cards for quick access and that is why we have there a little notch on the side. The interior has got four additional slots.
The Manhattan exterior has but one feature being an external card slot that holds a capacity of one to two cards. While there are four card slots more on the interior that can accommodate one to two cards each plua a billfold pocket. The wallet has nothing else by way of secret or hidden or compartments.
When we compare the difference between the two it comes down to the features, such as how cash is handled, whether it is folded or not. With the Manhattan, you do not need to fold cash, as it just goes in fully, but with the City, because it is vertical and because it is not very long, you do have to fold your cash once to be able to get it into this billfold pocket. In addition, the City can intake one additional card slot compared to the Manhattan. If you think the real difference is the hidden card slots on the City versus the Manhattan, well, that is not it, so keep reading to find out more. The City measures 3.03 x 3.86 x 0.39″ and weighs 38 grams or 1.34 ounces. Whereas, the Manhattan measures 4.09 x 2.99 x 0.39 and weighs 38 grams or 1.34 ounces, the exact same weight as the City. From a pricing perspective, the City is priced at $55 and the Manhattan at $55 as well. The City is only available on their website, currently, but you can get the Manhattan on Amazon, where it actually costs less money than their website, which is where I pulled the price. The differences between these two are pretty interesting. They are of the same size, so it is only the position of how they open, either vertical or horizontal. That is the difference in functionality. You will notice that, after all, the big difference is that it comes down to how you carry and what you like in your wallet, for example, whether you like to fold your cash or not.
Both wallets are designed in the United Kingdom and made in China and they are made from a chrome tanned Italian leather. It does feel pretty good to the touch, but it is thin. This is a thinner leather, which is due to the cut of the leather and incorporates a lot of RFID material, which is everywhere and compensates for missing leather while trying to provide features. It has a leather topper everywhere including in the back, where leather ends, RFID material begins. The edges are rolled because it is essentially the leather that comes in and rolls before it gets sewn on both sides. That provides a better idea for stretch points or stress points, so it prevents that from happening, and if it starts to wear out, well, it wears out on a double leather edge instead of on just a raw edge. The sewing is done by machine, and all the stress points are provided for with some extra sewing.
Yet, the small threat of RFID theft does not justify all the lost leather in wallets and the inconvenience of not having tap pay available. Several wallet manufacturers provide the ability where you have RFID protection on the interior, but on external slots, you can use it for tap, which is something that I like.
With these wallets, you should not go beyond five to seven cards maximum, and maybe five to six notes. Do watch the video for additional information on the card and cash insertion test. The company does recommend up to nine cards in each, but that will come at the expense of cash. Although they are designed differently to appeal to those who might like a vertical versus horizontal presentation, they are virtually the same, but the main reason we have two wallets is currency dimensions. The City is built to handle taller currencies, like the GBP, EUR, and YEN, while the shorter currencies like US dollars and about every other currency work with both, but specifically with the Manhattan. Due to that, you can only purchase the Manhattan on Amazon in the United States, with the City available from their website.
For the final score of the City and the Manhattan, both wallets came out with the same final score. Three for quality, as they provide nothing amazing or impressive, they are of common materials and construction. Price scores a two because they are very overpriced for what you get compared to others that are built in the same way. Features score a three, besides the slip card slots on the city, all features had to be expected and there is nothing interesting or unique there. Usability scores a three since there are no issues with usage. Finally, perception scores a three due to the false skin, which has been around for several years, but I have heard issues regarding support. In conclusion, the wallets provide some good and some bad aspects. That gives them a final score of 28 out of 50.
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Description: CITY was designed to be practical foremost. Its lightness and multiple array of pockets for cards show that. Made for ALL currencies, regardless of height such as EUR, GBP and YEN. |
Description: The MANHATTAN minimalist front pocket wallet is made of luxurious top grain genuine Italian leather, which is both soft and durable, ensuring a sophisticated feel and look. |
Description: Zipper wallets are the best because you can put anything in it and close it up. The Vaultskin Notting Hill wallet is perfect with exterior pockets and quality materials. |
Description: Designed in London, Vaultskin’s product lines use top-grain leather, mixed with RFID material. The Chelsea wallet is slim, with 3 slots for a mix of cards and cash. |
CITY was designed to be practical foremost. Its lightness and multiple array of pockets for cards show that. Made for ALL currencies, regardless of height such as EUR, GBP and YEN.
The MANHATTAN minimalist front pocket wallet is made of luxurious top grain genuine Italian leather, which is both soft and durable, ensuring a sophisticated feel and look.
Zipper wallets are the best because you can put anything in it and close it up. The Vaultskin Notting Hill wallet is perfect with exterior pockets and quality materials.
Designed in London, Vaultskin’s product lines use top-grain leather, mixed with RFID material. The Chelsea wallet is slim, with 3 slots for a mix of cards and cash.
