GOVO T4 Badge Holder + Wallet – Aluminum

Since 2017, GOVO Products has developed top-tier everyday carry products with a emphasis on functionality, reliability and execution.

Why Buy?

I’ve been using a front pocket/minimalist wallet since 2015 . That summer I backpacked the High Sierra Trail. In preparation for the trip, I purchased a zipper pouch wallet from Z-Packs. I didn’t want to carry my normal wallet – I didn’t need to bring all of the items I carried on a daily basis and the idea of using something that was waterproof and that I could easily secure inside my pack appealed to me.

I continued to use that wallet for 18 months after that trip – until my wife bought me a leather card holder (she hated the once bright, now grimy orange pouch) for Christmas in 2017. I used the leather card holder for 2 years until I started looking for a new wallet. While I didn’t necessarily need my wallet to be waterproof, I didn’t really like the fact that the leather and cloth held moisture if it got wet. The material was also starting to breakdown, so I figured it was a good time to see what else was out there.

The ‘new style’ of minimalist wallets made out of metal, carbon fiber and other materials have become very popular amongst EDC enthusiasts. I wondered if carrying one of these new, rigid wallets would work well for me. After emailing GOVO Products, I had a GOVO T4 Badge Holder + Wallet – Aluminum on it’s way to me for some testing and evaluation.

First Impressions

I’ve been carrying the the GOVO T4 Badge Holder + Wallet – Aluminum for a couple of weeks now, in some cases, while simultaneously carrying other wallets as well. So far, I really like it and it stands out in some ways due to it’s uniqueness. Here are some thoughts:

The Good
- Price – GOVO offers it’s products in polycarbonate, aluminum and titanium versions, which allows a wide range of prices. Most should be able to find a version that fits their budget.
- My credit cards, cash and business cards stay in the wallet well, but are not hard to remove.
- I’ve been looking for different ways to keep my EDC out of my pockets. With the belt clip, GOVO’s T4 offers a secure way to do this. Cards can be removed from the wallet without removing the wallet from your belt or whatever you have clipped it to.
- The clip has a loop in it, allowing the wallet to also be attached to a lanyard, or in my case, attached to the inside my backpack while being used on the trail.
The Bad
- - Capacity – this could be considered good or bad depending on your perspective. The GOVO T4 Badge Holder + Wallet can hold 4 cards, which may or may not be enough capacity for you. One way of looking at this, which is similar to how I tend to think about backpack capacity – the more the capacity it has, the more unnecessary junk you’ll try to carry. The capacity of the GOVO Badge Holder + Wallet and my phone case together is 6 cards and 1 bill (usually a $50 or $100 bill for emergencies). This should be enough to carry what I need.
The Bottom Line
- I’m impressed and this is the best option I’ve found that helps limit how much I am carrying in my pockets.