Tempered Trail Esco Wallet: The Updated Version of a Modern Favorite

Introduction

The Tempered Trail Esco wallet was one of the biggest surprises of last year, and the brand has now released an updated version that refines the original design in some meaningful ways. If you liked the original, the new Esco keeps everything that made it great while smoothing out the aesthetics and improving one key functional detail. Here is what you need to know before buying.

Key Features of the Esco Wallet

The Esco is a vertical-style wallet with a top flap held together by a brass snap. It has three total pockets that can hold up to eight cards and up to 15 bills unfolded. The wallet is hand cut from 4 oz Balassi Carlo Pueblo vegetable-tan leather and hand stitched with thick Ritza Tiger thread, and it is made in the USA.

Dimensions come in at 3.28 x 3.94 inches with a thickness of 0.50 inches at the thickest point, and it weighs just 2.1 oz (58 g). You can choose from 14 different leather colors and 16 different thread colors, with up to three leather colors per wallet, so customization options are genuinely extensive.

What Changed in the Updated Version

The most visible change is on the front flap: the original had angular cuts, while the updated version uses smooth curved lines. Side by side, the new version simply looks nicer and more refined. The brass snap is relatively unchanged and still feels like a high-quality component.

On the back, the quick-access card pocket also changed shape. The original had angled cuts, while the updated version uses one big angle cut. Aesthetically this looks better, but it does expose more of your card. That trade-off actually improves function: the card is much quicker and easier to pull out and put back. If you do not like seeing that much of your card exposed, this pocket may not appeal to you.

Inside, the two versions are almost identical. The cash pocket with its pull tab looks unchanged, and the updated version drops the interior stamp from the original. The stitch lines on the new version follow the angled path of the new cuts. The updated Esco pairs a bordo flap with a red main body and a cognac interior in the tested configuration, finished with tan thread and clean hand saddle stitching throughout. The leather is one of the standouts: Balassi Carlo Pueblo smells fantastic and ranks among the best vegetable-tan leathers around.

Card and Cash Capacity

For testing, the wallet was loaded with eight cards and five bills: seven cards in the inside pocket with the pull tab, five bills unfolded in the cash compartment, and one card in the quick-access pocket on the back.

The pull tab remains highly functional. Pull it out, use the fan method, and choose whatever card you want. Leaving bills unfolded is a plus for many people, though if you prefer, folding bills in half and tucking them behind works well to keep them out of the way when you open the wallet.

Buying Advice

Functionally, the updated Esco works the same as the original, but it looks and feels noticeably cleaner and more refined. The big angled cut on the back pocket makes quick card access faster than ever, which is a genuine improvement for everyday use.

At around $85, it sits at a fair price for fully handmade, USA-made leather goods with this level of customization. Because Tempered Trail hand makes everything, stock can sell out and turnaround takes a little time, so it is worth checking the website regularly for a restock.

Conclusion

Tempered Trail took one of the standout wallets of 2023 and made it better. Cleaner curved lines, a more practical quick-access pocket, extensive color customization, and the same excellent vegetable-tan leather make the updated Esco an easy recommendation for anyone who wants a compact, well-made vertical wallet.