As a longtime fan of Peak Design's Everyday Backpack in the 30-liter size, which has been a versatile companion on numerous conventions and weekend trips, I have confidence in the company's bag design and quality. So I jumped at the chance to try out its next foray into travel products, the Peak Design Passport Wallet.
My feelings are mixed, but if you need a simple cover for your most precious document that will withstand the rigors of international voyages, Peak's passport wallet will serve you just fine.
Retailing for $95, it's about as expensive as finer leather-bound competitors and twice the price of a simple budget passport wallet. (It's hard to believe that for three of Peak's passport wallets, I could buy my Everyday Backpack all over again.) It has drawbacks in its design that I didn't love, but it's rugged and built to last as well as slim and lightweight enough to tuck into a pants pocket. It comes in three sensibly muted colors: charcoal gray, faded maroon and forest green.
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Most passport wallets are simple bifolds large enough to fit the most important travel document, typically tucking it securely into a pocket or sleeve. Peak's product has several pockets to fit a passport, including one on the outside for quick access. You can also place it inside a right-hand pocket for a more secure hold, or stash it in a wide slot in the back -- think of the spot on a normal wallet where you store your cash -- which could also fit larger documents or papers.
The Peak Design Passport Wallet is made of Terra Shell Ultra, the company's proprietary material that's lightweight and weather-resistant. Peak Design
With the rugged neoprene-like canvas Peak used for its wallet, any of these pockets is a decent option for storing a passport to survive liquid splashes, dirt and grime (like when accidentally setting it down on a sticky table, ugh). The wallet folds closed securely with magnets, a favorite closure design from Peak that, in this case, is both easy to open and holds firmly when shut. The canvas is lightweight, and the stitching feels robust. I don't expect the wallet to fall apart anytime soon, let alone after multiple trips. It's RFID-shielded, too, to block errant card readers.
That lightweight design has downsides, though, including a lack of a zipper or other way to completely seal it. Drop the wallet in a puddle or a full bathtub for even a moment, and your passport will get wet. On the other hand, travelers who frequently have their hands full may appreciate a passport holder that they can flip open with one hand rather than struggling with a zipper at the front of an airport security line (who hasn't been there?).
What I dislike most is the lack of rigid structure in Peak's wallet, which similar products use to ensure the passport tucked inside survives pressure or bending. Without it, Peak's container feels flimsy, and its pockets billow outward, making it clear that the wallet is merely a collection of fabric straps stitched together.
The Peak Design Passport Wallet has exterior and interior pockets for two passports, along with an inner billfold to hold cash and other documents. Peak Design
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