Introducing the Jimi: An Exercise in Simplicity
Jimi wallets are exercises in design simplicity.
They're manufactured in the U.S. using 100% recycled and recyclable Polypropylene, and interior components are made using similarly recycled/recyclable Polycarbonate plastic. They're available in eight different colors, and fold open using a simple clasp mechanism. One half of the wallet offers storage for a license and/or credit cards, which can be slid in and out using your thumb; expect enough storage space for a total of four thick cards. The other side of the wallet holds a removable clip for cash or business card storage. Depending on your money folding technique, don't expect to store more than 3-7 bills of cash, depending on how many cards are inside-- after all, the wallet itself is only 9/16th of an inch thick.
While the standard Jimi wallet is splashproof, the JimiX has an opening that attaches to an external clip, enabling the wallet to clipped to a belt (if you're not a wallet-in-the-front-pocket type of person.)
The Jimi is priced at $14.95, and the JimiX runs $15.95.
Jimi in the Real World
At 4 1/4" tall and 2 5/8" wide, the Jimi wallet is small enough to be held in the palm of your hand and stored in your front pants pocket. The good thing about its size is that it doesn't get in the way. The downside, though, is that it forces you to be highly selective about what you carry; I've figured out that the bare minimum I need is a driver's license, an ATM card, a credit card, a AAA card, and some cash.
It's important not to overstuff the Jimi (and to fold cash carefully so it doesn't get in the way of the wallet's edges), otherwise it has a tendency to pop open. When its not overfilled, the Jimi does a great job of storing the essential items you'll need while riding.
The only thing keeping the Jimi wallet from perfection is the fact that the closure mechanism doesn't always feel absolutely solid, which is primarily a function of the thickness and hardness of the plastic used in its construction, and the surface area of the tab that latches it shut. While it works better when it's not holding too much stuff, the wallet sometimes feels like it could snap shut with a bit more solidity. Considering its price point, though, the Jimi does what it's supposed to do very well.
The Jimi: Wrap Up
Other than the minor shortcoming of its sometimes insubstantial feeling closure mechanism, the Jimi is quite possibly the best biker wallet for the money; I've used one for several months now, and it has held up quite well in spite of lots of abuse (Jimi's website claims that the Polypropylene hinge can sustain over a million open/close cycles.) For less than $20, you get a compact, efficient, well designed product that enables you to carry only what you need in a minimum of space.
To learn more about Jimi wallets, go to thejimi.com, where you can also find media memory cases and iPod Nano cases.
