Is There Such a Thing as a Back Pocket Wallet?

There was a time, not too long ago, where wallets were associated with being in the back pocket. Carrying your wallet in your front pocket was considered a fashion taboo. So wallets were carried in the back pocket or suit jacket, and front pockets were typically only for card holders and other small items. There are many reasons that people preferred their back pockets:

• It did not create a strange looking bulge in the front of their pants.
• It made room for other items that cannot be comfortably in a back pocket, like keys.
• It was more comfortable for walking and running.

Things have changed a bit since then. Some people still keep their wallets in their back pocket but it is now far more likely that you keep your wallet in your front pocket. 

The primary reason for this societal change is health. Back pocket wallets are proven to cause back pain, among other challenges, as they throw the spine out of alignment. In addition, it makes wallets much easier to steal and also increases the likelihood of the wallet falling out of the pocket.

Still, some people still store wallets in their back pockets, and others prefer it. That brings up the question:

• Can you have a back pocket wallet?
• Are there any wallets made for back pockets?
• Should you ever have a back pocket wallet?

Let’s try our best to answer those questions.

The Future of Back Pocket Wallets

To be clear, the science on back pocket wallets does not appear to be controversial. Most experts agree that a wallet in your back pocket increases the risk of back pain when you sit down, and of course if you’re constantly moving your wallet to your front pocket when you sit down, you may as well keep it there.

As a result, back pocket wallets can never be truly recommended, as they are not ideal for your long term physical wellness. But, if you absolutely insist on a back pocket wallet, there are ways that you may be able to make it work:

• Use Nylon – We make ultra-thin, premium, soft leather wallets, but leather will always be ticker than nylon. Nylon wallets are as soft as fabric, so – if it is in side of your back pocket – it will bend with you when you sit down and presumably be less likely to throw your back out of alignment.
• Keep Only Cash or 1 or 2 Cards – If you’re going to safely use a back pocket wallet, you want as little in there as possible. Cash can also bend with you, so cash in a back pocket nylon wallet may work. One or two cards also should not throw your back out of as much alignment.
• Make it Small – Your back health is one reason not to have a back pocket wallet. Theft is another. Any wallet in a back pocket needs to be small enough to fit without being easy to grab or too visible. You need something like a sport wallet or card wallet rather than a trifold, hybrid, or other larger wallet styles.

It is not possible to recommend a back pocket wallet, but if you’re going to have one, you may be able to get away with it if you get a wallet that is nylon, thin, small, and you make sure not to carry too many items in it.

Why Not a Front Pocket Wallet?

With that in mind, those same exact benefits that make something a back pocket wallet also make it a more comfortable, very thin, easy to use front pocket wallet that you can hold into without the bulge. It may make just as much sense to consider putting those types of wallets in your front pocket first and seeing if you’re more comfortable with it before maneuvering it to the back pocket.

Either way, while there is technically no such thing as a wallet made for back pockets, there are ways you might be able to make it work. Still, if you’re going to make those sacrifices, you also may want to give the front pocket a try again and see if it is more comfortable this time around.