Ridge Wallet Review: The Best Way To Protect Yourself From Theft?
In this Ridge Wallet review, apart from the other minimalistic features and benefits of the product, I have detailed how new technology has enabled thieves to skim cards from distance and how Ridge stops them in their tracks.
This article is more than 2 years old
Being an electrical engineer and a wireless security enthusiast, I can assure you that the thieves these days have gotten a lot smarter. As a result, everyone needs to know how to secure their assets against theft. The Ridge Wallet claims to be a solution to digital theft, but it is really? We have the answer in our full review of the Ridge Wallet.
In this Ridge Wallet review, apart from the other minimalistic features and benefits of the product, I have detailed how new technology has enabled thieves to skim cards from distance and how Ridge stops them in their tracks.
One of the most common ways of extracting information from the debit cards is through the ATM machines. However, that requires very close contact with the skimming machine. So what is the hype around the Ridge wallet RFID blocking? Let’s explain things as simply as possible.
WHAT IS RFID THEFT?
You must have seen people placing their cards on small scanners installed on door locks. As soon as the card is placed over the scanner, the door opens itself and the person moves in. But that is just an employee card, can the information from money cards be stolen in the same way? Yes, and it is happening all around you.
Thieves are not stealing the information through physical contact anymore, rather they are using sophisticated wireless transmitters that steal the data from credit and debit cards from distance up to 10 feet, right while it’s sitting your wallet. Unless that is, you have protection.
The problem with wireless RFID transmitters is that they have a very small range and within that small range only a few points transfer enough energy to the card antenna that can transmit the information back to the RFID Stealing unit.
Thieves these days have increased the region of transmission from the base RFID transmitting unit. This is done by making an array of transmitting antennas that create many regions of constructive interference resulting in a wide range of operate-able area.
Thieves install these arrays of antennas secretly in crowded areas. The common modulation techniques being used in the cards help them easily pick up the information from people passing by those points. This means without your knowledge, important information from the card is skimmed from 5-10 feet away.
HOW RIDGE WALLETS STOP RFID THEFT
You can place up to 12 cards inside a Ridge sealed wallet. Typical wallets are made up of leather but they are not electromagnetically sealed. The communication between cards and machines is done through electromagnetic waves which can penetrate a normal wallet.
Ridge wallet forms a barrier between the incoming electromagnetic waves and the card through its shield. So the hidden antennas transmitting stealing waves are reflected back by the Ridge wallet without touching the sensitive cards inside.
MINIMALISTIC DESIGN
Apart from materials, the design of the wallets has not changed significantly in a long time. Ridge wallet is a fresh breather, and the makers have put in a lot of effort to change the design of a standard wallet altogether.
When all cards are placed inside, it feels as if the Ridge wallet is a deck of cards in a case. It looks cool too. I was not sure if it could really can hold up to 12 cards, but to my surprise it easily holds them all firmly.
With all those cards inside you might think they’d be hard to get back out again, but this is where Ridge Wallet takes a big leap. The circular indentation in the wallet’s case allows pushing the card up by around 20% from the case. A little pinch on the lower part of the case allows the case to open up and cards become like leaves of an open book.
Yes, you can tuck in a new card just easily. From experience, I’ve learned it is easier to push in the card from the outer edge. Pushing a card in the middle of the existing cards will be difficult and can damage your cards.
USING CASH IN YOUR RIDGE WALLET
A wallet is incomplete without some bills inside it. Money can be attached to the outside of the casing with the metallic clip or an elastic band that can hold the money in place.
You have to fold the bill two times to make sure that they fit that in. The metallic clip, however, can become irritating inside the pocket and an elastic band would be more comfortable.
IT COMES WITH A SCREWDRIVER
When you open the box of a Ridge Wallet it contains a two-piece screwdriver. Those two parts can be joined together to open or close the small screws on the body of the wallet. Ridge did this to give owners customization options.
You can open the wallet with the screwdriver and change the paper clip to the elastic band, as another way to hold your cash. It is a matter of personal preference and my recommendation would be to order the elastic band unit. It’s worth it.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE RIDGE WALLET
As it is with my smartphone screen, I am not a fan of the fingerprints left on the body of the wallet. Smudging to clean them is not what you expect from such a refined design.
Another problem is the weight of the Ridge wallet. Yes the design is minimalistic and the body of the wallet is quite strong, but that adds into the weight of the wallet. It can be as heavy as any other good leather wallet out there. That is not innovation and improving weight could have been part of this wallet.
Finally, it’s sometimes annoying to have to fold all your dollar bills twice I love cash in my wallet and folding them twice and then unfolding them twice again to pay somebody can be annoying.
Verdict: The Ridge Wallet Review
Same design but a different brand name, that how the wallets have been sold for decades. The minimalistic design of the Ridge Wallet is a sign of relief in a saturated world of wallets. Apart from that, RFID theft protection is a showstopper and a critical feature that everyone needs in their pocket.
The Ridge wallet has some shortcomings but so do all the wallets out there. The product’s strong, robust design is an indication that the Ridge wallet is a long term investment worth making.
