Cure for the “Butt-Brick” at The Doppler Effect

All guys who carry wallets surely have to deal with the “butt-brick,” a condition where the wallet creates an unsightly bulge in one’s back pocket. It certainly annoys me because a fat wallet is also uncomfortable and according to the BBC, a serious health risk. Not wanting to live with the butt-brick and the risks that came with it, I started searching for a solution. My search lead me to Koyono’s Slimmy wallet dubbed “The slimmest front-pocket wallet on earth.” Koyono’s brand targets

The adventurers of the urban wilderness, globetrotting jetsetters and new business thrill seekers have lifestyles that demand high-performance. These people are on their own mission in the world and must maintain a high level of effectiveness with style, ease and fun.

That being said, I instantly became fascinated with the Slimmy and after doing extensive research, I found only good things being said about this little wallet. One thing that sets the Slimmy apart from traditional bi-fold or tri-fold wallets is that the Slimmy is meant to be carried in your front pocket as opposed to your back pocket. This way, you’re not reaching for your butt every time you need your wallet or more importantly, sitting on an uneven surface resulting in damage to your spine. While some people opt for a card carrier, I liked the Slimmy because it had room for cash and other miscellaneous items.

Satisfied with what the Slimmy had to offer, I opted to purchased a Special Edition Slimmy for some extra flair. Because I ordered from Amazon, processing my order took a few extra days but shipping was quick. An added benefit from ordering off Amazon came in the form of a free magazine offer in which you can sign up for a free year subscription Lucky, Teen Vogue or GQ. The subscription is totally free, in fact the publishers don’t even get your credit card information and the subscription does not auto-renew. If you’re not a fan of any of those magazines, you can also opt for a $12 credit to your account.

As soon as I received my Slimmy, I transferred contents from my old wallet to it to see how it fared. Koyono claims the Slimmy can hold 8 cards, 5 bills and a few receipts. I was able to fit 7 cards and a decent mix of receipts and business cards with no problem. It is important to keep in mind that the Slimmy is not designed to carry all of your stuff; it forces you to reconsider what is and is not essential for your wallet which is a big part of reducing your wallet’s size. For those of you who think you’ll have a hard time dealing with the reduced payload of the Slimmy, printing yourself a card from Just One Club Card may do the trick; it allows you to consolidate up to 8 store rewards cards on to just one. With all my essentials tucked in my new Slimmy, it was the same thickness as my old bi-fold wallet when it is empty and roughly the same thickness as my 80GB iPod. The quality of the leather and the construction of the wallet are both top-notch however I do find the price tag a bit high considering how simplistic the Slimmy is.

In the short time that I’ve had it, I already know that I (and my back) will throughly enjoy using the Slimmy. The Slimmy also comes in a few varieties as well as other stylish wallets and money clips. I find Koyono’s product line very tempting (espescially the Cableyoyo) as they blend equal amounts of design and functionality.