High Adventure in the Great Outdoors - Bellroy
When it comes to what is commonly being labelled as “Everyday Carry Essentials”, there is no shortage of self-proclaimed premium brands that look the part, however, when put to the test, most of them do not lend themselves to go the distance.
Bellroy has established itself firmly as a premium brand when it comes to both style and quality of crafted wallets, bags, and travel accessories. Travelling quite a bit, it was only a matter of time until I felt the urge to road-test their products for myself.
With its origins in Australian as a start-up that incarnated a decade ago, it has evolved to become a global brand and expanded its portfolio to include pretty much everything you would need to either carry or protect your gear in style.
Once you hold one of Bellroy’s products in your hands, it proves hard to not be impressed by the craftmanship, design and attention to detail as a far as the manufacturing and the materials are concerned. It definitely is a brand that does not merely look but also feels nice – something I cannot really claim for a lot of other brands.
A staple of Bellroy’s portfolio is their slim note sleeve wallet, the collection of which evolved to include a range of designer editions. As the name suggests, it is a slim variant of a wallet, however, one that is cleverly designed with details galore (e.g. quick access card slots and pull-tab section) that helps to fit your essentials in without making you look like the hunchback of Notre Dame when carrying it in your back pocket.
The fact that quality materials are used, bodes well in the light of longevity and what I like about Bellroy’s products is that with the patina that time, tear and wear leaves on them, it adds another idiosyncratic dimension and personalised touch.
The accompanying toiletry follows the same patterns in terms of looking small but holding all of my toiletries. I love both the spill-resistant lining and the magnetic sleeves to help keep things compartmentalised. Another lasting slim, well-designed accessory to hold and organize it all.
Having a Travel Folio might sound grandiose to the occasional traveller, but once customs and check ins become a regular occurrence in your life, especially if you have to carry multiple passports, boarding passes, cash, cards, hotel keys, notes, et cetera, one learns to appreciate having a good, versatile one that keeps it all together. Bellroy’s RFID one comes with a neat le little notebook and pen it came, tucked in as well.
The fact that Bellroy’s gear is made from sustainably produced fabric and environmentally certified leather and back by extensive warranties, makes it a worthwhile investment and it makes me curious if their back related products hold up equally.
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image from company website
