Drive By :: Bellroy Carry Out

The two-in-one. An often attempted feat in the world of carry, but rarely pulled off. The flexibility of carrying a lot, then a little, is something that sparks the imagination of most Carryologists – including me.

Meet the Bellroy Carry Out. 

On one hand the Carry Out is a portfolio style wallet capable of wrangling a sizable mass of wallet material – cards, cash, coins and the like – to the point that you might even appear organized. But just when the burden of a bulky wallet and all the responsibility that comes with it becomes too much, a magnetically detachable smaller wallet affords you the freedom and simpler life of a slim wallet. Business in the front, party in the back. Much like the mullet*, the Carry Out isn’t everyone’s style, but if you can rock it, it’s pure awesomeness.

*For the record, we here at Carryology find the Carry Out more stylish than a mullet.

Who It Suits

International travelers who need a passport, some boarding passes, all major currencies and SIM cards handy while in transit but once settled in, yearn for a simple slim wallet.

People living in Asian countries will dig this too. This portfolio style is all the rage over there.

“…a magnetically detachable smaller wallet affords you the freedom and simpler life of a slim wallet.”

Domestically, someone, male or female, who appreciates being able to zip up their phone, notebook, pen, currency, coins and cards in a compact carry case during the day and then roll with a slim wallet for a night on the town.

Who It Doesn’t

A portfolio style wallet certainly isn’t everyone’s style, nor is a slim wallet. While the Carry Out as a whole can carry an arsenal of pocket fodder, the detachable wallet is limited to two cards and a few bills. You best already be a believer in a slim wallet.

At $170 USD the price tag will definitely be a turn-off for many people. And fair enough, there are countless wallets at half the price.

The Good

Ever wonder what “luxurious vegetable-tanned leather” feels like? It’s nice, really nice, and is used generously throughout the Carry Out. Complementing the leather is great hardware and tastefully contrasting stitching. It’s a sharp-looking wallet that’s very professional.

The pocketing of the Carry Out is exceptionally intuitive and accommodating. The main wallet boasts room for 12 cards, and 4 sleeves for a passport, phone and bills. There’s a zippered pocket for safe keeping, a dedicated slot for a SIM card and SIM key, and a hold for a pen. Amidst all of this the smaller wallet then offers 2 more card sleeves and more bill storage. Despite the array of slots and sleeves the storage options are spot on.

Then the physical carry out of the Carry Out. Bellroy’s use of two small magnetic clasps to secure the contrasting colored carry out means a rock solid connection when you want it to stay put but dead simple to remove with a firm pull. This magnetic means of connection works impressively well.

The Not So Good

The Carry Out is a joy to use when pleasantly full. However, it will start to push back if you load it with every receipt from the past month, photos of your extended family, and a fat stack of bills. Though Bellroy has provided a relatively generous amount of space, they’re discreetly telling you to keep it slim.

“The pocketing of the Carry Out is exceptionally intuitive and accommodating.”

Additionally, while the carry capacity of the Carry Out is impressive, the zippered design becomes rather bothersome if you find yourself needing to get at the contents frequently, such as navigating an airport. It works much better in a stow and go configuration.

“…the zippered design becomes rather bothersome if you find yourself needing to get at the contents frequently.“

Although the Carry Out is listed as For Everyday by Bellroy, after a few months working with the Carry Out I would consider this wallet as a For Travel wallet. When not traveling I found myself almost exclusively using the detachable slim wallet simply because the full wallet was too much for me when not full of a passport, boarding passes and foreign currencies. Sure, the Carry Out offers a convenient way to store these items when not needed, but at $170 USD this is an expensive storage option.

Verdict

Though boasting a wider appeal than a mullet, the Carry Out isn’t for everyone. However, if you can dig the portfolio style wallet you’ll find an exceptionally functional and innovative wallet in a luxurious package.