When Bellroy sent me a new Note Sleeve to review, I was ready to give it a fresh perspective. But lucky for you, I’ve been using the exact same model - Blue Steel - for a while now, so what you're getting here is a more seasoned, real-world review.
Back in the summer of 2014, while sitting in my office in Times City, Hanoi, I stumbled across Bellroy’s website during one of my online product research sessions. I was instantly drawn in by their sharp product descriptions and catchy slogan, "Slim your wallet."
Before I knew it, I had scoured their entire collection, and the Note Sleeve stood out. Now, up until this point, I had been rocking a basic Guess wallet for about four years, without giving much thought to wallets. But something about Bellroy’s pitch just clicked. I was skeptical - because, let’s face it, sellers always talk big - but this time, they had me hooked.
Bellroy's Introduction Video for the Note Sleeve: Simple Yet Effective
However, the $89.95 price tag gave me pause. It took another six months - and the excuse of needing a wedding gift for myself - before I pulled the trigger. After some nerve-wracking weeks of waiting for delivery, questioning whether the Note Sleeve would live up to the hype, I finally got my hands on it.
And let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
I'm a sucker for well-presented products, and Bellroy nailed it with their packaging.
There it was - the Note Sleeve, carefully wrapped in parchment paper, with the intoxicating scent of fresh leather.
The wallet’s size felt just right, with the leather smooth to the touch and the Blue Steel color striking a nice balance from the usual black or brown options. For those who care, mine was made in India - always a plus for those who prefer items crafted outside of China.
The stitching was immaculate, sturdy, with no loose threads. I appreciated that, aside from two white stitches along the edges, the rest matched the leather, showing Bellroy's attention to detail.
Their subtle owl logo appears only in a few places inside the wallet, with just a small "Bellroy" mark outside. I like that. Not everyone wants to flaunt giant logos on their gear - the quality of the item should speak for itself.
After eight months of heavy use - often shoved into my back pocket, tossed around on hard surfaces, and enduring the rough treatment of my motorbike rides - it’s still holding up great. The leather has aged beautifully, developing that rugged, lived-in look unique to premium leather goods. While some users have reported issues with the leather fading over time, mine still looks solid.
The cowhide leather used is tanned naturally, without chemicals. I even took the wallet to a leather shop in Hanoi, and they confirmed it’s good-quality stuff, built to last.
On the left is a freshly unboxed Note Sleeve, while on the right is mine after eight months of wear and tear. You can see how the leather gains character with age.
The Note Sleeve is compact but spacious enough if you carry several cards and a bit of cash. According to Bellroy, it can hold up to 11 cards, plus cash and even coins. I’ve never maxed it out, but with 4 cards, 10 business cards, and around 20 bills, it holds up just fine without feeling bulky.
That said, if you’re expecting it to magically slim down everything you carry, you might be overestimating the “slim your wallet” feature. The wallet’s thickness will ultimately depend on what you stuff into it. Bellroy has cut down on excess leather and added fabric dividers to keep it slim, but don’t expect it to rival ultra-thin minimalist wallets. Still, compared to poorly designed wallets or thick, handmade leather ones, the Note Sleeve holds a significant advantage.
Comparing its thickness to my old Ted Baker wallet - with a similar load of cards and cash - the Note Sleeve wins in the slim department.
Inside, the Note Sleeve has multiple card slots. Two vertical slots on the left hold one card each, while the horizontal slot on the right comfortably fits three. This is where you should keep your most frequently used cards like your ID or driver’s license. The main slot behind the vertical slots can hold four more cards and features a pull tab for easy access. It’s a nice touch, though not entirely necessary - you can easily grab your cards by hand.
There are also two auxiliary slots, where I stash business cards. One slot has a flap - great for storing discreet items like a condom. Another small slot on the outside right corner is designed to hold a nano SIM, which is handy for frequent travelers who need to swap SIMs. I’ve seen too many friends lose those tiny cards when switching between phones on trips.
The "hidden" slot with a leather flap.
Additional slot for 2-3 ATM cards.
Nano SIM slot.
The cash compartment is fairly standard, although it could be more functional with a divider for separating large and small bills. That would have been a nice touch for someone like me who likes keeping things organized.
One thing it doesn’t have? A transparent slot for photos. While I don’t carry photos, some people might find that feature useful.
Despite being loaded up, the wallet still feels comfortable to carry.
Using a Bellroy wallet is like using Google Search - it looks simple at first, but the more you explore, the more clever features you discover. As someone who used to work in User Experience, I have a deep appreciation for this kind of subtle sophistication.
The Note Sleeve is stylish enough to feel good pulling it out, unique enough to stand out from the crowd, and functional enough to keep up with my lifestyle. Bellroy’s “slim your carrying” philosophy is definitely worth experiencing, even if it comes at a higher price point.
D.H
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