Chums Surfshort Wallet

After receiving this product, I have since found the superior original version of the Chums Card Wallet with key ring and ID window (ASIN B002S6V9PO). This Surfshort replacement doesnt even come close to the quality and utility of the original. I received a few of these replacement Chums Surfshort Wallets, and none of them has a hardy (plastic?) round logo with the bird or any red color, as pictured on product pages of multiple vendors. I happen to like the original wallet with the red-footed booby bird. The originals are better than the replacement ones for many reasons. The original Chums Card Wallets: 1) are slightly larger and more expandable: They hold my license and other cards, cash, lip balm, etc. 2) are sturdier: The material is thick and similar to what is used for backpacks. The edges are all bound. 3) are more secure: The zippers stay shut and dont open on their own. The zippers also have strong cords with easy-pull tabs. 4) are cuter: They have the red-footed booby birds with red feet embroidered into the tough fabric. These replacement Surfshort Wallets: 1) are slightly smaller and have a smaller window: My entire drivers license didnt show through the window, and the wallet didnt hold as much of my stuff. 2) are flimsy: The material is thinner, and there is no binding along the edges. Im guessing my drivers license would cut through the fabric after a while. 3) are not secure. The flimsy zippers open on their own. I lost some change and maybe bills because of this. Although there is an additional open pocket with reflective material, there is nothing I would put in there due to the risk of losing it. 4) are more about product advertising and less about cuteness: Some models have a thin patch with a mono-colored booby bird (no red feet) and the CHUMS logo sticking out of his stomach. The patch on mine started to come off and ravel within the first week of use. I sewed back on what was left of it. The newest models have only the CHUMS logo and no bird. I included a photo of my "new" Chums Surfshort Wallet next to my new original Chums Card Wallet. You can see that the zipper on the replacement is opening on its own, and the top right corner of the thin logo patch has wasted away. I now use this cheap replacement wallet to attach my work ID holder and desk key.

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I mainly use this as a wallet when I travel, but is good for everyday use as well. I like that everything I carry is secure in the zippered parts. ID, Credit Cards, other cards, cash, change, room key (whether its a room card or an actual key). Heres the trick...One way that I use this differently is I replace the keyring from the nylon attachment with about 3/4 foot of paracord (not 550 - I use the the slightly smaller size to cut down on bulk) and tie it off so it is secure. Then, when Im ready to head out for the day, I take the paracord and loop-attach it around my front belt loop. I dont tie it to the belt loop, I stick the loop through then pull the wallet through the loop. That way its easy to take off if needed and you arent untying any knots. But why the heck would I do all that? When I travel I worry about pickpockets. So not only do I have my wallet in my front pocket which can be safer, I also have it attached to me so it cant easily be slipped out and removed. When using, I can get to money, ID, cards, whatever I need and it never leaves me. Hopefully I explained that well enough, but if not I can post a picture of how I do it. This wallet is also great for an amusement park. #1 the material its made out of is great for water rides. #2 if you use the trick above, you wont need to worry about it flying out of your pocket on a roller coaster.

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Standard rear pocket billfolds are bad for my back when sitting and cannot accommodate a car / house key easily. This wallet goes handily in my front pants pocket, can stay put when sitting down without discomfort and handily stores the keys of life as well. For me, this greatly simplified keeping up with my wallet as I always want to take it out of my rear pocket when driving, sitting at the office or just arriving back home. Heres what the Chum wallet holds for me when in my front pocket (and doesnt feel burdensome – in fact its barely noticeable): -2 credit cards -drivers license and insurance card -commuter card -5 to 8 greenback bills -3 entry door keys and one key-less remote for car. This wallet is not advertised as providing RFID protection, but my commuter pass card (MARTA rail & bus in Atlanta) will not register to tap in for riding, unless I put it in the window pocket of the wallet. (My leather wallet never blocked the card from reading.) The “mustard and horizon blue” color choice makes it easy to see compared to a black wallet when laying around “somewhere” in the house. The actual mustard yellow is not as neon bright as the web image led me to believe. The color looks very much like “Guldens Brown mustard”, so the text description of the color is accurate. I have the wallet tethered to a lanyard of 550 para cord that I cow hitch to a belt loop, so my wallet and keys are in my front pocket, never to stray again. I wish I had this “system” of organization in place before I recently lost my wallet! I know it my sound overblown, but this wallet has removed all fear of me losing my wallet and keys, giving me much peace of mind, as well as saving me all kinds of time since I no longer “search” the house or my office cubicle for wallet or keys not remembering where I put them down. Getting this wallet was the best use of eight and a half bucks I every spent. All I need to do now is to just keep up with my pants. Getting old is hell! (Id give it 4.5 stars if I could. Half a point off for the fabric color being duller than the online photo indicates.)

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Before I bought this wallet, I was using a binder clip I stole from my office. This is better than a binder clip or a rubber band, obviously, but its also a lot better than the new normal in front-pocket wallets that are essentially glorified rubber bands. For what I need this for, it meets all my needs and more. There are 4 separate pockets, all capable of holding cards or cash. My favorite pocket is for my "I almost never need these" cards, tucked behind the ID pocket with the clear plastic window. The only thing I think is dumb is the key chain, unless youre latching the wallet to your belt loop or something. You can just take the ring off the loop though. Bottom Line: Those glorified rubber band wallets on Kickstarter are absurd. This one has everything a person needs unless that person is crazy. For the price, buy three or four so you have them when the manufacturer retires.

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I dont like leaving a 1-star review, but this page really needs to be updated. Its not at all clear that the color you receive is random. The title of the page is currently "Chums Surfshort Wallet, Assorted Colors", and it allows you to select between one of four colors. I chose grey, but I just received blue. Based upon that and what other people have written here, it looks like your color choice doesnt matter at all, and youre just shipped a random color. Getting a random color would be totally fine if thats what the product page indicated was going to happen. The page needs to be updated to reflect what is actually being sold here: the title and description need to be changed, and the color picker should be removed. Anyway, this misrepresentation isnt the end of the world or anything (and Im assuming that it is some sort of oversight), but until its fixed people ought to be aware of whats going on.

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