The Big Skinny

Big Skinny is a Harvard Square company that designs ultra-thin wallets meant to cut wallet size and weight by half or more without giving up pockets. Instead of thick leather, the wallets use a proprietary nylon microfiber that is about twelve times thinner than leather, with double-edged stitching for strength and a non-slip interior with extra-wide card pockets. The range runs to more than 40 designs for men and women.

Founder Kiril Stefan Alexandrov started the company in 2005 after a long, frustrating search for a slim wallet. He spent almost two years testing dozens of designs and more than 75 materials before landing on the original sport wallet. The line now includes leather-nylon hybrids, the Super Skinny, money-clip wallets, travel wallets and passport holders, and the company designs new models based on customer suggestions.

What to Know

• Nylon wallets are rated to last four to ten years, and leather hybrids five to fifteen.
• The company calls itself small but says it aims to respond quickly to customers.
• The founder is a former MIT 50K and Stanford Global Challenge winner.
• Some models can hold more than 20 cards plus bills.