Nomad's new MagSafe leather wallet finally convinced me to ditch the bifold

CNN

4 days ago

I've never been the biggest fan of MagSafe wallets. I've tried just about every model on the market, from Apple's in-house solution to the cream of the crop from Satechi. But, no matter how good they were, they never stuck around long in my everyday carry. That is, until now.
Nomad recently launched its new Leather Mag Wallet, and I have been giving it a try for the past few days. It has offered as strong a first impression as I could have hoped for, turning a product that's been a novelty into a solution so good that it's a certified must-have. That's thanks to AirTag-like features, Qi charging, room for up to four cards and a gorgeous leather exterior that all combine to make this the MagSafe wallet I've been waiting for.
Nomad Leather Mag Wallet
Nomad's first MagSafe leather wallet includes room for upwards of four credit cards and IDs. It also features a built-in item finder equipped with a rechargeable battery that refuels wirelessly with a Qi charging stand. It all comes wrapped in Nomad's usual premium leather build. Nomad is no stranger to making wallets. The company has released designs made of its premium leather for ages, but it's taken this long for Nomad to make a MagSafe wallet. Fortunately, it was well worth the wait. Equal parts form and function, the new Nomad Leather Mag Wallet is made from the same genuine Horween leather that's won me over. When CNN Underscored sought out the best iPhone 16 cases, Nomad topped the charts with its recent rendition of the Modern Leather Cover. That same editor-approved build quality is now being ported over to an accessory.
Inside the premium leather exterior is room to hold a standard four cards, but Nomad manages to sneak in room for an extra card or two — most other MagSafe Wallets from competing brands only have space for a pair of cards.
Easily the most compelling feature is the Find My support, and you can probably guess why. Around a year ago, I lost my wallet. It led to a frustrating experience, canceling my credit cards and journeying to the DMV to replace my license. Even after a night spent trying to retrace my steps to find the missing billfold, I was left with no ID and no American Express card. Once I realized Nomad was tapping the same technology that makes Apple AirTags so beloved, I was eager to get my hands on the leather wallet.
I love that the accessory allows you to monitor the live location of your wallet from an iPhone's Find My app, right alongside your keys, AirPods and other accessories. I'm also relieved that it uses a rechargeable battery that can be topped off wirelessly with any Qi or MagSafe charger. That means you can refuel the battery without having to take anything apart, unlike actual AirTags.
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Ever since Apple first introduced MagSafe in 2020 with the launch of the iPhone 12, I have searched for the best accessories that leverage the magnetic tech. I've all but settled on the best MagSafe charging stand, the Twelve South's HiRise 3 Deluxe, as well as my favorite power bank, the Anker's MagGo model, which features the technology. When it comes to wallets that snap onto the back of your iPhone, I hadn't found one worth ditching my normal wallet for.
That is, until Nomad finally packed all the functionality I could want into its Leather Mag Wallet. I've been using it for the past week, and the peace of mind is already worth the $79 price tag in my book. A good leather wallet will run you around that price to begin with, — that is, if you're shopping our top pick for the best wallets. Throw in the price of an AirTag or any of the wallet-friendly item finders designed to be as slim as a credit card, and you're looking at even more cash just to keep tabs on its location.
CNN Underscored has a team of writers and editors with many years of product testing experience as well as experience researching and recommending other buys, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when relevant to ensure we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. Senior deals editor Rikka Altland has personally been reviewing all kinds of electronics and home goods for nearly a decade.