We all know the scenario, rushing out to the office or taking the kids to school, a quick grab for all your essential stuff like your wallet in your back pocket, and off you go!
But is this seemingly innocuous activity causing you more trouble than you would first think?
In this article we’re going to take a look at whether keeping your wallet in your back pocket is an ok thing to do, whether it has the capacity to cause you health issues, as well as potential security issues and if so, how can you solve it.
So before we really delve into this important wallet topic, let’s take a look at the short answer as to why you shouldn’t cram your bifold wallet full of currency, credit cards, receipts, and all the other stuff that manages to find its way into an overstuffed wallet!
Why shouldn’t you keep your wallet in your back pocket?
Keeping an overstuffed wallet in your back pocket is not recommended. It can cause significant issues to your spine and other areas of back health. A wallet in your back pocket can also be an easier target for thieves, giving it an increased security issue if your back pocket rips and you lose your wallet.
Now we’ve looked at the brief answer as to why it’s not great to stuff your wallet in the back pocket of your jeans or pants, in order for us to understand a little better, let’s take a look at some of these problems a little more in-depth.
Let’s start by looking at why putting your wallet in your back pocket can cause health issues you may not have thought about.
Why does it affect your health to put your wallet in your back pocket?
Not only does cramming your pants or jeans pockets with a huge bulging, maxed out wallet look completely unattractive, unsightly, and overall not very pleasant to look at, but it can also contribute significantly to lower back problems.
When you put a wallet in your back pocket for hours on end, maybe sitting on it absentmindedly at the office, in the coffee shop or anywhere else you might be for that matter, this common scenario can:
● Force the pelvis and spine out of position,
● Pinch your sciatic nerve
● Significantly contribute to lower back pain
Here’s why:
● Sitting with your wallet in your back pocket will cause your pelvis to rise towards the side of your body where you keep your wallet. Crucially, in order to balance this out, your lower back will curve to match it.
● This will cause your other muscles on the opposite side to shorten and become less effective.
● In efforts to counterbalance this issue, your mid-back will curve
● This greatly decreases the efficiency of your muscles and increases the stress on your sacroiliac joint.
● The muscles on the left side of your mid-back will also shorten and can cause excruciating pain.
What other problems are there with keeping a wallet in your back pocket?
Ruins your clothes
Although a fairly low-level issue, cramming a bulging trifold or bifold wallet into your back pocket is likely to put a great deal of stress on your pocket stitching, resulting in possibly your back pocket crumbling under the stress.
This could lead to not only an unwelcome hit in your wardrobe budget but could also lead to you losing your wallet - if the pocket unexpectedly rips or tears.
This then, of course, leads us to the serious issue of security.
Security issue
It doesn't take a detective to deduce that by keeping your wallet bunched into your jeans or back pocket it’s likely to cause you massive security issues.
Firstly, it will be on show and a target for thieves. It’s easy for a wallet to work its way up from the depths of your back pocket. If it’s crammed to capacity, you might not notice the personal stuff like driver’s license, credit cards, and even more attractive to thieves, cash poking out from the top of your pocket.
This, alongside the fact you are also more likely to lose your wallet if your pocket rips are two scenarios where quickly stuffing your wallet into your back pocket can have serious security consequences.
Does it depend on the wallet type?
Obviously, if you have one of the more traditional designed bifold or trifold wallets, it can be much easier to overstuff them and fill them with a myriad of receipts, all those store cards you thought you might need, folded up cash, pictures of your cat, and any other bits and pieces.
Does it depend on how thick the wallet is?
Many of the traditional wallet designs can often be quite hefty, even without overstuffing them with all your worldly goods. So the combination of an older-designed wallet, with the capacity to overfill it, can contribute quite heavily to the strain on your back!
So what should you do instead? Read on and find out.
“Many of the traditional wallet designs can often be quite hefty...”
What can I do? Try your front pocket instead
So there are a few ways you can change the scenario. Firstly, by trying not to absentmindedly stuff your wallet into your back pocket. It’s better to keep your wallet safe in a coat pocket or inside a secure bag or briefcase, but if you really can’t get out of the pants pocket habit, it’s better to keep it in your front pocket.
This will keep your wallet in view at all times, reduce extra strain on your back, and will also heavily reduce the fact that thieves will know it's there.
“It’s better to keep your wallet safe in a coat pocket or inside a secure bag or briefcase, but if you really can’t get out of the pants pocket habit, it’s better to keep it in your front pocket.”
Try a slimmer wallet
By changing your wallet from an old-fashioned bulky bifold or trifold type, you can instantly reduce strain on your back and spine, whilst also keeping your essentials such as drivers license, credit cards, and cash safely hidden from potential thieves.
Let’s take a look at an option below, which will not only give you a sleeker look without bulky wallets peeking out of your pockets, but also inject a little style into the proceedings!
So, what is the best front pocket wallet?
Leather Original Slim Wallet
This beautifully buttery soft Nappa leather wallet can be filled to the brim with up to 20 or more store cards, and credit cards.
It’s patented and ingenious design has elevated it to ‘the world's thinnest wallet’ and is thinner than the average wallet even when crammed full!
So much space to store all your essentials, without the bulkiness of a trifold, or even a bifold.
Our super-premium leather slim wallet means your cards stay in perfect condition, stored vertically with cards stacked and not staggered as in older wallet designs.
Available in a range of colors, this beautifully made leather wallet will help to reduce strain on your back with a touch of style!
“It’s patented and ingenious design has elevated it to ‘the world's thinnest wallet’ and is thinner than the average wallet even when crammed full!”
To finish...
Don’t forget to check out our store full of beautifully stylish, slim wallets for men and women.
Handcrafted soft leather and nylon wallets designed by master craftsmen to bring a touch of elegance and style for all your wallet needs.
To learn more about the best slim wallets for any pocket you've got, check out our collectionshere!
