Sketch Wallets Review: Notebook Wallets That Deserve a Wider Audience

Introduction

Sketch Wallets is a small company making exactly what its name suggests: wallets built around a notebook. They were designed for artists who want to sketch on the go, complete with the brand’s own textured notebooks. But here is the interesting part: they also work remarkably well as a productivity tool. If you like keeping a notebook on you at all times and want a wallet, cards, cash, and a pen in the same pocket, these deserve a serious look.

The pricing is genuinely surprising, with none of the wallets going beyond about $40, and some costing considerably less. The notebooks themselves are also a highlight, with a pleasant texture and more pages than you might expect. The main caveat: the brand markets almost exclusively to artists, a niche audience that tends to be very particular, and that has kept these wallets under the radar for the much wider productivity crowd. That is a missed opportunity, because in some cases these designs are better than dedicated notebook wallets made for productivity users.

Sketch Wallets Small: Wallet First, Notebook Second

The smallest wallet in the lineup is a compact bifold designed around the notebook itself, with the notebook as the core and the wallet functions wrapped around it. You get three card slots, all RFID blocking, plus a spot for the notebook. Once the notebook is removed, that slot works for extra cards too, and business cards fit without any issues.

Cash storage is a pleasant surprise. The bill compartment may not look bifold-friendly at first glance, but American bills fit perfectly, and the height leaves room for taller currencies of similar length. That is a detail many slimmer designs skip, and it gives the wallet a bit more body, which many people will appreciate.

The weak point is the pen. The elastic slot is too short for most pens; only very short compact pens, ideally with a clip such as a mini expanse-style pen, stand a chance of staying put. Without a clip, a pencil tends to fall out because the elastic does not bind particularly well. Great for a quick sketch, less useful as a daily note-taking rig.

Sketch Wallets Mid: The Sweet Spot

The mid-size version is about the same height as the small one but significantly wider, and it is arguably the favorite of the lineup. It comes with a specialized sketchbook, all the books include a handy little clip, and the notebooks are noticeably stacked with plenty of pages.

Card storage improves considerably: horizontal slots allow for many more cards than the small version’s vertical arrangement. The cash spot is even better. There is generous space on both sides and plenty of height, meaning it fits nearly every paper currency imaginable. If you travel somewhere like Europe, this makes a very practical companion. The red color option is a standout, with a slightly softer fabric than the black version.

Like the small model, it keeps the same limited pen slot, which is the main flaw. But with RFID blocking, roomy cash storage, and a proper notebook, this hits a very appealing balance at a fair price.

Sketch Wallets Large: The Best of the Bunch

The largest variation solves nearly every flaw of the smaller models. It holds a standard field-notes-style 3.5 x 5 inch notebook, and it is a chunky one, loaded with pages. The paper quality deserves its own praise: the texture and thickness of these notebooks are genuinely nice, so the appeal is not just the wallet itself.

In the middle sits a full-size pen compartment. Even an oversized twin-tip pen fits all the way in, which means almost anything will. There is also an additional slot handy for a flash drive, a key, or a small pencil, plus a whole row of vertical card slots. The hidden trick is a cash spot at the top with the same length as the mid-size version, so most currencies still fit. The one critique: the depth could be greater to accommodate even taller bills like the red one manages.

This is one of the better notebook wallet designs around, and the likely reason you have not heard of it is that the brand caters primarily to artists rather than the wider productivity market. It is a bit big for everyday pocket carry for some people, but as a travel wallet it shines: a passport fits in the notebook slot, and with RFID blocking it doubles as a passport cover.

Everyday Carry and Travel Use

Choosing between the three comes down to how you carry. The small is a true minimalist wallet with a bonus sketch pad. The mid is the balanced pick, especially for travelers who deal with multiple currencies. The large is the full notebook-and-pen system, better suited to a bag, a desk, or travel than a tight front pocket.

For anyone who already carries a pocket notebook, the large version in particular removes an entire item from your bag by merging wallet, notebook, pen, and passport storage into one object. At these prices, the barrier to trying one is low.

Buying Advice

If you want the least compromise on function, the large version is the strongest overall design. If you want something you can genuinely pocket daily while still carrying a notebook, the mid is the sweet spot, and the red fabric is worth a look. The small works best for artists who mostly want a sketchbook wallet and carry very compact pens. In all cases, check pen compatibility before buying if a pen loop matters to you, and remember every version keeps your cards RFID protected.

Conclusion

Sketch Wallets makes three well-built, thoughtfully priced notebook wallets that deserve far more attention than their artist-focused marketing has earned them. Between the textured notebooks, RFID blocking, currency-friendly cash slots, and a full-size pen compartment on the large model, there is a lot to like here. If you carry a notebook, a wallet, and a pen, this hidden gem is worth a close look.