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Jimi: The Wallet for People Who Hate Wallets

September 29, 2005

The Jimi, according to the manufacturer’s web site, is “the wallet for people who hate wallets.” At first that seems like a strange way to describe a consumer product, but in this case it makes perfect sense. I’ve always been turned off by those huge wallets you see in department stores—the big leather ones that have room for your check book, 50 credit cards, change, money, receipts, lipstick, keys, loose change, and address book. They’re bulky, heavy, and just plain ugly, which is why I ended up with a money clip a while back, with nothing more than my driver’s license, two credit cards, and a $20 for emergencies. But what happens if something slips out of the clip?

I kept looking for something better, and finally stumbled across it when I found the Jimi. This product is unlike any other I’ve ever seen, and at first glance looks like a plastic rectangle. It measures 4.25 inches long, just over 2.5 inches wide, and half an inch thick. The surface is completely smooth, with nothing more than a lanyard/key ring hole and a couple of raised dots close to the top. Press on those dots to open up the Jimi, and at that point you realize just how cool this little thing really is. The unit separates into two sections and holds a surprising amount of stuff, considering its small size. The side with the top attached to it holds four credit cards, while the side with the round protuberance holds one card and up to three folded dollar bills. That means you can carry your license, insurance card, and three credit cards, or any combination thereof. For some people that may not seem like nearly enough space, but for minimalists (or those who can be trained/converted!) that’s really all you need for every day. The packaging makes a special point that you shouldn’t try to overload the Jimi, though I found that I could sneak in a couple of receipts and a movie ticket stub.

The level of detail and and thought that went into the design are exceptional. On the clip side, if you look carefully you’ll see that you can actually remove that portion from the Jimi for those times that you want to travel extra light, carrying only your ID and some cash. On the slot side, you can see that you don’t have to worry about all of the cards slipping out when you open the Jimi, because the flap/lid bends to just the right place to block the cards from doing so. The sides “click” together when you close the Jimi, so that you can be sure that you’re closing it right. And the lanyard hole on the top corner of the Jimi is large enough to accommodate the end of a lanyard or wrist strap or even a key ring, if you wish to attach your keys to the Jimi. The unit is even water resistant!

I’ve lived with the Jimi for a couple of weeks now and I can safely say that I will never go back to a money clip. My cards and cash are much more secure, and the Jimi is even easier to carry. If I don’t have any pockets in what I’m wearing, I can just dangle the Jimi from a lanyard around my neck, and clip on my keys as well. If I do happen to be carrying a purse or gear bag, the bright color of the Jimi ensures that it will always be easy to spot inside a dark bag. It also makes life easier, since I don’t have to pull out my ID to show it to sales clerks and the like— I just faced my driver’s license out, and it’s clearly visible through the Jimi’s translucent plastic housing. And I can’t begin to count the number of compliments and inquiries I’ve received during the review period; everyone who sees it asks where they can get one for themselves.

The Jimi is available in your choice of six colors: blue, purple, green, orange, gray, and clear. Please note that all of the colors are translucent, so you can see what’s inside the Jimi, and that the purple is a bit on the pinkish side, so most guys won’t find that one particularly appealing. Orange is a great color to pick, since it’s the brightest of all of them. I wish that there were more options available, such as yellow and opaque versions of red, navy blue, and black. The price is quite reasonable at $14.95, and you can get an optional neck lanyard for $6.25. The Jimi is available in a small but growing number of stores, or you can order direct at the Jimi online store. The site is also worth visiting to get a cool flash demo of exactly how the Jimi works.