review – Although I am a Gadgeteer and love technology, gadgets and gadgets. I still really like analog tools and products. Case in point – notebook/journal cover. I love them. I even make my own for myself and my family. The latest leather notebook cover I’ve been using is from Walklo. They sent me their passport/A6 journal cover and their leather travel wallet. Let’s check.
What is it?
Walklo is an Indonesian leather company that manufactures and sells hand-stitched leather bags, walletand journal coverpassport, etc.
Leather Traveler Wallet Design and Features
The Walklo leather travel wallet is available in espresso or tan and is made from 100% cowhide. From the pictures, you might think the cover is crusty/hard. I am happy to report that it is not. It’s actually soft and supple.
The lid has a strap and button closure that I don’t usually like because a lot of times, I find this closure difficult to…close. Fortunately, that’s not the case with this cover. It’s easy to slide the leather tab/strap over the brass buttons. There’s also a leather loop that the strap slides off, so you don’t even have to use the buttons if you don’t want to.
This wallet has an extra pocket on the back with another strap/loop closure. You can use this pocket to store documents and other flat items.
I really appreciate the craftsmanship of this wallet. Hand stitched to perfection. It’s important to note that hand-stitched leather is better than machine-stitched holsters, as hand-stitched wallets won’t fall apart even if the thread breaks.
Open the Walklo Leather Traveler’s Wallet to find lots of slots/storage. There are 2 secretary pockets on the left side, as well as a pen loop and another loop to hold wired earbuds (if you’re still using them). Then on the right, you can use the main slot for cash or other long documents. There is also a panel with 6 card slots. Behind that panel is another secretary pocket.
Here I show the larger secretary pocket on the left.
Then there are the smaller secretary pockets.
This is the secretary bag on the right.
I didn’t have access to my passport, so I replaced it with a Field Notes notebook. I also showed the pen ring and card slot filled.
The Walklo Leather Travel Wallet is a bit bulky when closed, but feels great in your hand.
Passport/A6 Magazine Cover Design and Features
If you want something a little smaller, the Walklo Passport / A6 Laptop Sleeve is a great option. Like the leather travel wallet, the Passport/A6 case is also available in espresso and tan. Like the traveler wallet, the leather is soft.
The stitching contrasts with the leather color, and as mentioned, these covers are hand-stitched.
This cover does not use button and label style closures, but only one label. But the label design is something I’ve never seen before. It’s a double tab that makes opening the lid very easy.
Inside the cover, there is a folio pocket on the left side with a sewn pen loop and four pockets. There are two card slots and two very narrow slots, which confused me at first. I had to go back to the product pages on the Walklo website to see how they were used. You can use them to store memory cards and USB sticks.
The Walklo Passport/A6 journal cover pairs perfectly with 3.5 x 5.5 inch pocket notebooks like Field Notes.
Regarding the pen ring, my Pilot Juice Up gel pen fits it, but it fits nicely.
The pen ring does create a bump under the notebook, which is noticeable if you use a thin pocket notebook like mine, but if you have a small hardcover pocket notebook like the Moleskine, you probably won’t notice it.
Here, the lid is closed and secured. I like the size of the cover, even with a pen in the circle, it doesn’t get in the way or make the cover feel too bulky when closed.
Both covers can scratch easily, but don’t let that scare you. If the scratches are not deep, you can rub them a few times with your fingers and the scratches will disappear. If not, that’s not a problem either, because that’s just giving the cover character. The battle scars are good, not bad 🙂
what do I like
- soft leather
- perfect stitch
- rugged
- lots of pockets
what would i change
final thoughts
This is my first experience with a Walklo leather product and I have to say I am impressed. The design and craftsmanship are really nice. The only thing I miss is the leather smell. For some reason, the cover that was sent to me had almost no smell. That’s not really something to complain about though 😉
price: $60 for passport/A6 cover, $80 for leather travel wallet
where to buy: Walklow
source: Samples for this review provided by Walklow.
