Cash Strap vs. Money Clip: What’s the Difference?

Cash Strap vs. Money Clip: What’s the Difference?

The decision to invest in a minimalist wallet was easy. Who wouldn’t want a slim, durable, RFID-blocking wallet? But now that the time has come to choose between a cash strap or a money clip, you’re not so sure. 

Luckily, you can’t go wrong when choosing between the two. While cash straps are an incredibly low-profile option, money clips are stronger and offer a more classic aesthetic. 

But if you happen to be indecisive, or you just want to learn more about the difference between the two, keep scrolling to read our cash strap vs. money clip comparison. 

What Is a Cash Strap? 

A cash strap is an elastic band that wraps around the backside of a minimalist wallet. It’s designed to securely hold as few or as many bills as you need without worrying they’ll slide around or slip out. 

Not only is the elastic tight enough to ensure you won’t lose any bills, but at GeoGrit, we’ve lined our cash strap with silicone to double down on making sure your money stays right where it needs to.

One of the main benefits of choosing a cash strap wallet is its slim design. A cash strap is the most low-profile option for holding bills, lying almost flush with the wallet when it’s not holding money. It’s easily the best choice for those who don’t always carry cash and is also a great option for anyone looking for the slimmest design possible (no matter how much money you carry around). 

And while our GeoGrit cash strap is surprisingly durable, in the case that you manage to overstretch it, cut it half, or accidentally melt it over a campfire, it’s pretty easy to replace with a brand new one that should last for a ridiculously long time (so long as you learned your lesson on fire safety!). 

Cash Strap on a GeoGrit Wallet

What Is a Money Clip? 

Money clips are a classic choice for carrying cash. Though they may not be quite as low-profile as the cash strap, they are tougher. 


Money clips have been around since the early 1900s. At GeoGrit, we’ve simply added this tried and true design to a wallet. Our money clip is forged with ultra-strong spring steel, which has been used to make things like swords and saw blades (so yeah, it’s tough). The best money clip is thin and lightweight yet incredibly sturdy. 

While money clips are slightly raised off the wallet, making them a bit thicker than their cash strap cousin, they’re still designed to be as minimalistic as possible. 

Not only are money clip wallets the toughest cash-carrying option, but they’ve got aesthetic appeal as well, giving your slim wallet a classic yet durable look and feel. 

Money Clip on a GeoGrit Wallet

How to Use a Money Clip or Cash Strap

If you’re wondering exactly how to use a money clip or a cash strap, you’re not alone. And even if you think you’ve got the hang of it, you may be surprised to learn there are a few tricks to make it even easier. 

The first thing to note is that cash straps and money clips are essentially used the same way. Simply put, you need to fold your bills and slide them securely into your money clip or underneath your cash strap. The strap’s silicone lining should hold your cash in place, while the money clip’s tight metal grip will secure your bills. 

There are a few tricks you should know if you want to optimize your minimalist cash-carrying experience. 

The first tip is to stack your bills in order with larger bills on the bottom. Whether you choose to fold your stack of bills all together or fold them individually and place them one on top of the other, make sure your smaller bills are facing out. 

Having your small bills on the outside makes it more convenient to grab them when making smaller, everyday purchases. It also works as a security measure since you don’t want to flaunt your larger bills in front of potential pickpocketers. 

If you’re wondering about the best way to fold your bills, we’ve got tips for that too. 

To fold your money as tightly as possible, place your bill on a flat surface, fold it in half lengthwise, and then fold it in half again. The idea is to fold your bills into quarters so they fit on your wallet while also laying as flat as possible. 

Generic Image - Geogrit wallet with cash laying down on top of a phone

Which Is More Secure? 

Perhaps even more important than a slim profile is knowing your cash will be secure when you strap or clip it to your wallet. 

Whether you typically carry $2 around in case you want a soda or you’re the type who carries enough to pay cash for a refrigerator, you want to trust that when you put your money in your wallet, it won’t be lost. 

The good news is that both cash straps and money clips are equally secure. So either way, you won’t have to worry about whether your money is safely pinned down or not. 

Money clips have been around since the early 1900s for a reason. They’re easy to slip money into but require some finesse to get it back out, so you never have to worry about your bills falling out by accident. 

On the other hand, while a strip of elastic may not look very secure, cash straps are made from impressively tight elastic that work just as well as money clips. Here at GeoGrit, we line our cash straps with silicone to ensure your money won’t budge once you’ve strapped it down. 

Which Is More Durable? 

Both cash straps and money clips are incredibly durable when made right. At GeoGrit, our cash strap is made from an incredibly strong elastic material designed to hold up for years and years without stretching out or breaking. 

But it’s hard to compete with metal and screws. Our money clip is made with ultra-strong spring steel, making it one of the strongest money clips on the market. It’s also incredibly springy (in case you didn’t get that from the name), so it’s very difficult to bend or snap.

And if that isn’t enough, all our products are backed by a lifetime guarantee. At the end of the day, if you somehow manage to wear out either of these options, you can send it back and we’ll make it right. 

Generic Image. -  Geogrit Wallet laying on grass

Which Is the Most Slim? 

Sleekness is a very important factor in the cash strap vs. money clip debate. While both are ultra-slim, we have to admit the cash strap comes out ahead in this area. 

While still incredibly low-profile, money clip wallets take up slightly more room than their alternatives simply because the clip is raised off of the wallet by a few millimeters. Most people who choose the money clip don’t find that it makes enough of a difference to be a dealbreaker, but if to you, every millimeter counts, the cash strap is the way to go.

A cash strap wallet is easily the most minimal wallet you’ll ever use as the strap is nearly flush with the wallet itself. While durable, the elastic we use for our wallets is also nice and thin and is hardly noticeable on the wallet if there’s no cash in it. 

To sum it up, the cash strap is the most low profile option available, though the money clip is only a few millimeters more. Either way, if you carry cash consistently, it will likely end up being about the same. 

Summary

You really can’t go wrong when it comes to a cash strap vs. money clip. While both are great options, the one you choose should depend on your lifestyle and personal preferences. 

Whether you opt for the super slim cash strap or the classic steel money clip, you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing your bills will stay securely in place no matter what.

If you’re looking for a durable, RFID-blocking, minimalist wallet, check out our selection here. All of our products are designed, manufactured, and shipped in America and are backed by our 30-day risk-free trial and lifetime guarantee. To learn more about GeoGrit, read our story here.
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