Code 118 Wallet Reviews & Experiences : CODE 118 Stealth Wallet: RFID Blocking, Aerospace-Grade Aluminum,... How customer reviews and ratings work I wanted to try this style of wallet out. I've always had big leather bill folds in the past and man were they uncomfortable to sit on. This is almost unnoticeable. It's half the size and a quarter the thickness of what I used to use.

Click here to order from official website of Code 118 Wallet

How Good is The Code 118 Wallet?

It would be wrong for me to say that the Code 118 Wallet was doing anything new. Although it may be your first time seeing a wallet of this unique style, the so-called pop-up wallet that the Code 118 Wallet uses has been around for the best part of a decade. The likes of Ekster and Secrid are the most popular and best examples of pop-up wallets. The Code 118 Wallet was founded in 2020 and has a very noble story for its founding. Simply put, Code 118 is calling out and challenging the outdated EDC (everyday carry) and wallet community and wants to create a wallet that is both quality and affordable – very commendable. After purchasing the Code 118 Wallet I set about putting it through a series of tests, along with committing to use this wallet as my daily wallet for 6 months (starting February 2023). 

Code 118: The Buying Process

The Code 118’s website is a little bare-boned and I found myself puzzled by the lack of information available on it. As a customer in the United Kingdom, I wanted to first see how much it would cost to ship internationally (as orders are dispatched from Los Angeles, US). That information is available unless you get to the checkout. Another baffling aspect is the lack of information on Code 118’s warranty. Although they do state in multiple areas of the site they offer a ‘lifetime warranty’ this means very little or nothing without more clarity or context. Do they offer repairs or replacements for accidental damage or theft? Or is it simply a lifetime warranty on manufacturer defects? This matters and the lack of clarity is quite misleading to customers. This was a common theme throughout Code 118’s website and it made for a poor buying experience. 

Being in the UK, and with Code 118 being based in the US, I unfortunately had to wait up to 10 days to receive my order. The ordering process was very simple and was mainly down to Code 118 using Shopify which is a safe-to-use and intuitive e-commerce platform. The costs of shipping do vary based on the country you live in so please bear this in mind. If you live locally to Code 118 (USA) then shipping comes in at $5.00. For me in the UK, it cost £5.00. (5 to 10 days). Not bad all things considered.

Throughout the process of purchasing the wallet Code 118 kept me updated and provided great transparty with my purchase. I immediately received a confirmation email of my order and was updated with the appropriate tracking information when my wallet was shipped. My wallet took 8 days in total to arrive at my doorstep which, again, I was happy enough with. Overall, I was happy with the buying process, and the speed and communication provided by Code 118, I just wish their website was a little more updated in terms of basic information whether it be their warranty or information on shipping. 

Look and Design

I’m a huge fan of the look and style of the Code 118 Wallet. Although this section is ultimately subjective, the minimalist and clean look is right up my alley and this wallet perfectly encapsulates this style. It comes with a sort of industrial look, almost like it’s part of a machine, and has a high-class look that wouldn’t look out of place in a sports car. This effect is made possible thanks to the high quality and choice of materials that the Code 118 team chose when designing the wallet. Aluminum (also Titanium is available), and carbon fiber not only look the part but are lightweight and durable. 

Click here to order from official website of Code 118 Wallet

The Code 118 team also hasn’t skimped on the array of different color options either. In total, the wallet is available in 7 color offerings including Gray, Blue, and Green. They also release a variety of limit edition colors with the most recent being the Brushed Gray and Black models. So does this wallet meet your style and fashion? Well, I don’t think you can go wrong with this wallet for any style. The range of colors makes this highly versatile whatever you wear and that’s one of the fantastic selling points of this wallet.

So what are the downsides of this style of wallet? Well, the main drawback is probably down to how many of your credit/debit cards can be stored inside. Code 118 suggests that a maximum of 7 cards total can be stored inside which we found was accurate. But there is one thing you need to consider and that is how many of your cards are embossed. Embossed cards are actually slightly thicker than other cards so they take up more space inside the wallet. Although 7 is the maximum in total the wallet can only store up to 5 embossed cards. Just something to keep in mind when considering a wallet like this. They are fairly small in their capacity and you should make sure the wallet meets your needs before considering a purchase. 

Luckily The Code 118 Wallet has one more trick up its sleeve. That is the elastic strap that is wrapped around the middle of the wallet. This serves two distinct functions and helps expand the wallet functionality. The first is for additional card storage. Additional cards can be tucked under the elastic for any cards that can’t fit inside further expanding the storage. I wouldn’t store any more than 3 under this strap. This is mainly down to the fact it does increase the size of the wallet and too many would cause the wallet to bulk which makes carrying it more uncomfortable. The second is for banknote storage. It’s very uncommon in this style of wallet to have dedicated cash slots such as those in traditional leather wallets. In this case, banknotes can be folded up and, again, tucked under the strap. Not the most secure or effective way to store physical cash but it does the job and keeps the wallet at a compact small size. 

The Code 118 Vs. Competitors

As I mentioned previously, pop-up wallets are fairly commonplace in a crowded market. Because of this, to give you the most choice and a well-informed decision we wanted to put the Code 118 Wallet up against some other big players on the market. In this next section, we’re going to compare the Code 118 wallet to two of the biggest names in wallets. The Ekster Cardholder and the Secrid Slim These wallets provide a few alternatives for you to consider before you take the plunge and purchase the Code 118 Wallet. 

Ekster is a brand I’ve been familiar with since 2016. These guys first funded their innovative wallet through Kickstarter and have since gone from strength to strength realizing a wide range of wallets all utilizing the same pop-up mechanism as the Code 118 Wallet. Today I’m going to be comparing Code 118 to the Ekster Cardholder which is the equivalent in the Ekster range. 

The first thing to note is the difference in price. While the Ekster comes in at a higher price of $89.00 the Code 118 sits pretty at just $49.95. So what is the difference between the two, and is the Ekster Cardholder worth the extra $40.00? With both of them in my hands, I must admit that Ekster does feel better quality. From the brushed metal through to the elastic strap. The choice of materials just feels more premium. 

One other big difference between the two is the location of the lever that is used to activate each wallet’s pop-up mechanism. While the Code 118’s Lever protrudes from the bottom of the wallet (added to its size) Ekster has seamlessly built this into the side of the wallet keeping its size to a minimum. Not only this but the Ekster’s mechanism is a lot smoother than Code 118’s and it feels more robust to use on a daily basis. 

Overall it’s clear to me that the Ekster Cardholder is a better wallet than the Code 118 – but at what cost? I’m finding it difficult to justify the increased price of the Ekster, as, although it is better I’m not sure it’s worth that extra $40.00. This makes it hard to choose between the two. At the end of the day, it’s down to you to decide based on your individual budget. 

Click here to order from official website of Code 118 Wallet