ZCLIP Le Mans money clip: not just for Dads

I get it, guys. You don’t visit Mommy Gearest too often.

OK, maybe since I started doing man-friendlier reviews like Weber barbecues, you’ve started to stop by. I promise that I’m not trying to exclude you, but you know what they say: write what you know. I know baby and kid stuff. I know girly stuff. Man stuff isn’t so much my specialty.

So while I’ve put his thoughts into complete sentences, this review was dictated by Big B who received a Le Mans ZCLIP money clip to test out. The first thing Big B is telling me to do is to cut to the chase. So let’s dive in.

THE GOOD

My husband carries around cards he doesn’t really need. In fact, when it comes to wallets, I prefer to keep it basic: driver’s license, health cards, debit card, credit card. Big B, on the other hand, carries rewards cards that he rarely uses, the contact card for the alarm company to which we no longer subscribe, our video rental membership (which we haven’t used since we got Netflix) and Lord knows what else. He’s delighted that the ZCLIP Le Mans can hold as many useless cards as he ever wants to carry. Plus dolla, dolla billz, yo. (For the record, he never uttered those last words.)

He likes the way it looks – it’s manly. (Incidentally, the company tells me many women use it as well; it could be considered unisex, I guess. But if you’re into girly, pretty things like I am, this is probably not the look you’re going for.)

It’s also rugged. In the nearly 11 years that Big B and I have been together, I’ve bought him at least four money clips and two wallets. He’s bought his own on top of that. Within weeks, most of them have broken or look really worn. Aside from being awfully clumsy (at 6’6″, his argument is that the world is not built for him), he works in a trade and gets super-dirty on the job. His wallets and money clips take a beating – quickly. After using this daily – in all normal situations and environments – since March, I can’t believe how new it still looks. Both pieces. There’s a bit of pilling on the edges of the wallet insert, but that’s it.

Every time Big B pulls out the ZCLIP at work or when he’s with friends, they’re intrigued. When he shows them the two components that make up the Le Mans style, he assures me they’re all wowed. He’s convinced they’re all running to buy one directly following each conversation.

My hubs loves the Le Mans’ versatility. It comes with one carbon fibre money clip that wraps around your choice of two wallet inserts. One is leather and one is a woven fabric (called “Ballistic”). Big B is currently using the fabric one, but also likes to use just the money clip component without even without the insert, which is when he goes old-skool and just sticks some money and his most important cards in it.

RFID. No – that’s neither a rapper nor a disease. It stands for Radio Frequency Identification.  You know those chips in your credit cards and other ID? Well, that stores all of your personal and financial information. And those jerky identity thieves can build or buy scanners to lift that information without you being any the wiser. It’s called wireless identity theft. The card could be in your pocket or in a bag, but as long as they’re within 6 to 10 feet of you, they can steal your life away. Carbon fibre helps block RFID scanners.

The ZCLIP’s carbon fibre (carbon fiber if you’re in the USA!) money clip works with as little as one bill.

I asked Big B about the ZCLIP’s price – after all, the Le Mans is not inexpensive at $150. He assures me it’s worth every penny while reminding me that you get two card inserts in the set, which should double its longevity. He’s feeling pretty confident that the money clip would have broken by now if it was going to. Considering the first money clip I ever bought for him was a $90 designer brand and lasted six weeks (and did not come with inserts – just the clip), I’m inclined to agree. If $150 is too much sticker shock, you could also consider ZCLIP’s less pricey but similar style, the Sebring.

All of its clip/wallet combos come with a pretty decent warranty.

Finally, the ZCLIP Le Mans fits perfectly in both Big B’s front and back pants pockets. Apparently, this is important to note.

THE GAFFE

Not all of the time, but enough times to make note of it, when Big B slides his wallet into the clip, he finds that it sticks a touch at the third row of card slots. He nearly tried to take this comment back because he says it’s no big deal. But you know me – I have to include it.

THE GEARS

4.5/5

So…where can you get it?

• Directly from ZCLIP online (they happily ship to Canada!)