An Identity Theft Blocking Device That Serves As a Travel Wallet


It doesn't look like a wallet. In fact, when the publicist for HuMn Wallets sent me two, thin aluminum cards for review, I thought she had mistakenly sent the packaging without the wallet. But no, HuMn wallets are really just two thin aluminum cards held together with an elastic band or shock strap. I couldn't figure out how these pieces were supposed to form a secure wallet so I watched the videos on the company's website. (Never thought I'd have to watch an instructional video on how to use a wallet but hey, we are in a new millennium. ) The creators are travelers who wanted a lightweight wallet that wouldn't bulge when filled with cards and would protect from RIFD skimming. They came up with a sleek design that blocks RFID scanners and can be customized with different aluminum and band colors. Cool. So how does it hold up while traveling? I tucked the wallet into my travel arsenal for Jamaica to find out.



It was really helpful to be able to separate my Jamaican dollars from my American bucks. I put the different currency on opposite sides of the card. I stuffed my credit card and ID inside the band and I pushed my business cards in a corner on the outside. Everything was orderly and clearly visible with no bulge. The issue came when I tried to quickly retrieve anything. The bands are industrial strength and not easy to stretch. I felt like I had to strengthen my fingers before I could ever hope to pull out my cash or cards in under a minute. I also missed a compartment for coins but I think this is a woman thing. Guys don't like to keep change jangling in their pockets (I polled them) whereas women have lots of nooks and crannies for this in their purses.  In fact, all the guys on my trip went gaga over this stylish wallet, sliding it in and out of their pockets. Starting at $75 for the HmMn mini, I thought the price was a little steep but works out reasonably when you factor in how long aluminum holds up compared to leather. Replacing the shock straps only costs $12 .All in all, I think HuMn wallets make great travel wallets, especially with the identity protection but I believe it's more appealing to men over women. What do you think?


Comments

Andrew Graeme Gould said…
It certainly sounds like an interesting concept, Rosalind, so thanks for highlighting it here.
May 22, 2013 at 4:09 PM
Fly Girl said…
Andrew,
It is very interesting and I'm sure it's useful when travelling in high pickpocket and electronic skimming areas.
May 22, 2013 at 5:51 PM
A Cuban In London said…
Thanks for the travel tip. I will definitely research this. Normally when I go abroad I take a wallet for foreign currency and another one for pounds.

Greetings from London.
May 24, 2013 at 2:57 AM
Fly Girl said…
Cubano,two wallets sounds really cumbersome! I like wallets that can handle everything at once.
May 24, 2013 at 5:25 AM
Anonymous said…
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December 12, 2013 at 10:32 PM
Anonymous said…
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January 26, 2014 at 9:22 AM
Michelle said…
I think man or woman anything that will help keep the currency I'm carrying and credit cards I use safe is a great idea and useful. Thank you.
October 2, 2014 at 9:51 PM
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