Bellroy Note Sleeve Designers Edition – Review

Men’s wallet that is slim, well made and cool looking

The wallet that I have been using as my main wallet until recently was the Bellroy Note Sleeve Designers Edition.

02 Bellroy Note Sleeve

The Note Sleeve is one of Bellroy’s main models.
It may have been one of the first models that they released.

The Designers Edition is a special version that uses better materials than Bellroy’s regular line.

I remember roaming around Tokyo station looking specifically for this model and finally finding it in a shop inside the station.

Today, I’ll be reviewing the Bellroy Note Sleeve Designers Edition, touching on what I like and don’t like about it!

 

Simple introduction of the Bellroy Note Sleeve Designers Edition

Bellroy has established itself in the area of slim wallets.

And I give them credit for that because I have enjoyed their products such as the Travel Wallet and Card Pocket.

bellroy Travel Wallet and Passport Sleeve (a review)

bellroy card pocket review – a small wallet that actually works!

The Card Pocket, in particular, I really liked that wallet cause it was compact but could still hold coins.

The search for a new wallet began as I was floating the idea of using wallets that don’t need bill folding (which the Card Pocket did).

The criteria were that it had to be slim and minimal in its design, good looking, and high quality.

In my view, the Designers Edition checked all the boxes.

The Bellroy Note Sleeve Designers Edition is shaped almost like a square, measuring in at 102mm x 92mm.

Bellroy claims that it will fit 4−11 cards, which it probably could, but that would make the wallet very bulky.

Still, it will hold around eight cards without destroying the form factor, which is quite impressive.

03 Bellroy Note Sleeve with cards

It becomes very convenient when you can fit eight cards right?

There is one card slot on the left, two on the right, two in the bill pocket, where you can put in cards that you frequently use.

05 Bellroy Note Sleeve open

There is also a section where you can put a stack of cards into.

This section comes with a pull tab that you can pull which makes the cards come out.

It’ a nice trick, but the cards are fairly accessible without the tab so for me personally, I could have gone without the tab.

Japanese bills are bigger than US ones, but the still fit in the wallet, no problem.

The 10,000 yen bill is a little tight but still fits.

Bellroy claims that it fits ”coins”, but I think this is a little bit of a stretch.

Even if you were able to fit coins into one of the slots, it’s still going to be very hard to get them out, making it unfeasible for everyday use.

This was a little disappointing at first to be honest.

It really helps when you can carry small change that you received during the day in your small wallet.

 

Things that I like about the Bellroy Note Sleeve Designers Edition

04 Bellroy Note Sleeve flat

  • Slim and compact (good work Bellroy)
  • Isolated card slots for easy access
  • Not having to fold bills
  • Leather feels very nice
  • Very well designed and easy to use
  • Feels high quality
  • The owl logo is cute, adds a nice touch

 

What I don’t like about the Bellroy Note Sleeve Designers Edition

Nothing much but if I were to point out one thing, it would be that it won’t fit coins.

I was happy with the Bellroy Note Sleeve Designers Edition, but I don’t use it anymore.

I’m currently using a wallet that is harder to use than the Bellroy Note Sleeve Designers Edition.

I know, it wasn’t the most rational decision, and I’ll introduce that wallet some other time.

Anyhow, I would recommend the Bellroy Note Sleeve Designers Edition if you:

  • Want a wallet that is slim and compact
  • Don’t wanna fold bills
  • Wanna carry a decent amount of cards
  • Want a wallet that feels good and looks high quality
  • Don’t plan on carrying coins

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