Even with a flurry of unconventional wallet options now available on the market, I’ve always been a fan of the tried-and-true bifold-style design. There’s something timeless about the form factor, evoking the same sense of familiarity as, say, a mechanical watch. This is doubly true for bifold wallets made of genuine leather, which provide a warm tactility that I simply can’t get enough of.

Nomad, a well-known electronics and accessories maker based out of Santa Barbara, California, is one of several companies that offers premium leather wallets in a variety of styles. The company’s Bifold wallet, which is available in black and rustic black colorways, can be configured with a Horween Leather outer material, which is hand-tanned in Chicago, Illinois.

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For an asking price of $150, you can pick up the Nomad Bifold Wallet with ‘Find My Tracking’ added to the mix: this SKU bundles a dedicated Tracking Card unit, which can be used to locate the wallet via Apple’s Find My network if you happen to misplace it.

I’ve had the chance to carry around Nomad’s BiFold Wallet with Find My Tracking for the better part of two weeks now — here are my thoughts after outfitting the wallet with cash, payment and loyalty cards, and, of course, the star of the show: the credit card-shaped tracker itself.

Nomad’s Bifold Wallet oozes quality

Hand-tanned Horween Leather straight from Chicago

Considering Nomad’s reputation for offering high-quality consumer products, I went in expecting the Bifold Wallet with Tracking Card to look and feel suitably premium. I’m happy to report that, indeed, the product is built with exceptional fit and finish. The Horween Leather has that lovely leather smell I love so much, and the rustic brown colorway I tested out is gorgeous in person. The stitching is precise, the soft-touch interior pockets are smooth, and the unit itself is attractive-yet-understated, which suits my personal taste.

As mentioned, Nomad offers a selection of wallet styles, but this bifold design can hold up to thirteen cards in total (including the Tracking Card — more on this in a bit). There’s a single external card slot for quick access, and six slots on the inside when unfolded. I had no problem fitting my cash in the main money pocket at the top, which Nomad says can house unfolded bills up to 70mm tall.

Perhaps most compelling of all is Nomad’s promise that the wallet will develop a rugged patina over time. A patina refers to the worn-out look of aged leather, which results in a unique style that can add character to the product. Of course, I haven’t been rocking the wallet for long enough to notice the aging process, but a mix of friction, oils, scratches, and sunlight are sure to take their toll on the exterior design in the coming months.

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The included Tracking Card is clever

Wireless charging is an intuitive and convenient addition

Aside from the wallet itself, the Tracking Card is the other focal point of this leather Nomad product. The card’s footprint matches that of a standard credit card, while being approximately as thin as two cards stacked on top of one another. The tracker is nicely stylized, with subtle branding and design accents that offer a touch of personality without coming across as gaudy. There’s a small connection button on the card, as well as an LED status light that shines red or green to denote its status while charging.

Speaking of charging, the top-up process of the Nomad Tracking Card is excellent and downright clever. Despite its slender dimensions, there are inductive charging coils built in, and the unit itself is magnetic. Battery life is quoted at five months on a full charge, and it can be slapped onto any Qi or MagSafe wireless charging mat or stand. Nomad’s rechargeable setup is a lot more convenient than dealing with specialty watch batteries, and I wish more trackers took this exact same approach.

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Apple Find My Tracking is effortless

I never want to return to a non-trackable wallet lifestyle

Nomad’s Tracking Card is excellent from a charging standpoint, and it’s also robustly built with official IPX8 water and dust resistance. That being said, it’s a Bluetooth-only tracker, lacking the Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology found in AirTags, the Moto Tag, and a growing number of other tracker devices. The lack of UWB means that the Tracking Card lacks Precision Finding, but it can still be tracked in approximation from anywhere in the world. As an aside, the sound alert function only works within a range of about 150 feet (45.72 meters). Thankfully, the chirp itself is loud and discernible.

The tracking process itself relies on Apple’s Find My network, and taps into the broader ecosystem of Apple and third-party devices. Find My is well-refined at this point, and the pairing process was smooth as butter. My one complaint here is a lack of support for Google’s Find My Hub network, which is a rival ecosystem of tracker products made for the Android ecosystem. As someone who switches between phone models on a regular basis, cross compatibility would be much appreciated, though I’ll be the first to admit that my particular situation isn’t representative of the majority.

All in all, I’m impressed by the fit and finish of Nomad’s Bifold Wallet with Tracking Card, with its high-quality Horween Leather and attractive styling. The Tracking Card itself is a nice addition, and the act of plucking the Bluetooth tracker right onto my magnetic Qi charging stand never gets old. Most importantly of all, I enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing my wallet can be tracked in the unlikely event that I misplace it.

I’d love to see a revised version that adds USB connectivity and Google Find Hub compatibility for additional versatility, but even without these additions, the product is a well-considered offering that I have no problem recommending to anyone looking for a classically styled wallet with a modern twist.

This device was provided to Pocket-lint by Nomad.

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