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The best passport holders for the ultimate airport accessory
Wherever you're headed, GQ's edit of the best passport holders will make for the ultimate airport flex
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Looking for the best passport holder to protect your precious travel documents? Good call. Whether it’s the sun-soaked beaches of the Algarve or Iceland's Blue Lagoon, a holiday is never without its hiccups. But if you are going to be waiting around for a delayed flight or “misplaced” luggage, you ought to be doing it in uncompromised style. What comes before the suave carry-on case, travel cushion and long-haul 'fit? A designer passport holder to check in in style.
You don’t need us to hammer home the importance of a trusty wallet on a trip. A passport holder is all the better, offering storage for that most important travel document as well as credit cards, cash and tickets. Most commonly coming in simple bifold form, just like conventional wallets, they have been the subject of designer takes by everyone from Gucci to Louis Vuitton, each imbuing theirs with signature house motifs for major flex appeal.
Whether your still repping old-school burgundy or have updated to post-Brexit blue, our pick of the best passport holders look a damn sight nicer and will protect yours from damage (and in some cases, even identity theft) as you collect your stamps around the globe. So, without further delay, here we present our very favourites…
What are GQ's best passport holders for men?
You'll find all the passport holders worth your consideration in the gallery below, but first, here's what our editors are holding onto this season:
- Best overall passport holder: Paul Smith, farfetch.com, £190
- Best designer passport holder: Burberry, farfetch.com, £270
- Best colourful passport holder: Penguin Books, penguin.co.uk, £12.95
- Best wallflower's passport holder: Tom Ford, mrporter.com, £420
Skip to: Are passport holders a good idea? | What should I look for in a passport holder? | GQ’s guide to the best luggage in 2024
Are passport holders a good idea?
Hands up if you’ve ever got to the airport and realised you’ve forgotten your passport, boarding pass and travel card. If your hand is raised, then wipe those tears of frustration away and invest in a quality passport holder to store it safely in your bag. If your hand isn’t raised, count your blessed stars this hasn’t happened to you, but it’s still worth getting a travel passport wallet just for the added peace of mind.
While these wallets won’t guarantee your passport’s safety, it will be a useful holder to keep your travel documents, possibly a few cards and a pen, as well as space for additional tickets and boarding passes all in one place, so you can stuff it in the pocket of your suitcase and rucksack happy in the knowledge your gear is secure and in the same location.
They also offer an under-appreciated jolt of sartorial flex – we hate our new blue post-Brexit colours – with the opportunity to fully customise your travel accessories. Personalised passport covers could result in full-grain leather, bespoke detailing or simply offer a unique colour to make it easier to spot when it’s swimming in the bottom of your rucksack, and also lets others know you truly care about how you look when travelling as you flash it at check-in.
What should I look for in a passport holder?
Aside from the obvious security of holding onto your passport without damaging it, there’s not too much to consider when buying a passport holder. Inevitably your thoughts will turn to materials, designs and branding if you’re sartorially minded, but let’s get the serious bits sorted first.
These holders are ostensibly sleeves to hold your passport, so making sure it has a secure cover to clip your passport in without folding corners or damaging pages is a must. Next, you may want to find one with a snap closure to reduce the risk of it slipping out accidentally.
You should be mindful that almost every single airport customs agent in the world will remove your passport from the passport holder to assess and scan your documents. Don’t worry, it’s not an issue, but keep it in mind as you travel.
Elsewhere, top options will likely have credit card pockets, a pen holder or a slot to hold tickets or even your vaccination pass.
GQ’s guide to the best luggage in 2024
We love a quality travel accessory to flex in the airport, but you also should pay attention to the rest of your luggage to make sure you’ve got all the best gear to get you from point A to B. Luckily for you, our travel editors know exactly what you need to glide through the airport with confidence. Read on to check out our guides on the best suitcases, best cheap suitcases, the best packing cubes, best luggage brands, best laptop backpacks, the best backpack trends, and the best carry-on luggage for the easiest trips of your life.
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