September 23, 2021

The Future of the Clear Organizer Wallet

40 comments
The Future of the Clear Organizer Wallet

Folks had asked us to film a new video showing off the features and use of the Clear Organizer Wallet (COW) — we filmed this reel before the COW was restocked on 8/30 and sold out same day, which caught us by surprise. 

But there's two videos below: first up is the video you asked us to make. Second is a video that shows off two new potential versions of the Clear Organizer Wallet. You see, we're totally out of the brown suede material to make the dividers as we did in the last batch, and we're now looking at two different options: Texon or Black microsuede. 

We want your feedback on the two options — which would you prefer and why? — so be sure to share it in the comments. 

 

So, to recap from the beginning: after we retired our Clear Organizer Wallet, many of you asked us to offer another production run. We did, and it sold out quickly. Since it'd be annoying of us not to offer another run (not everyone was able to have a COW, man) we're going to make more, but here's the thing: we're out of the brown synthetic suede that we used to make the dividers of the last batch. The good news is that we have two other options, but the bad news is we can't decide which we like best: it's 50/50 here amongst the crew. 

First option is: Texon. Texon is the material used to make the accessory strap holders on The Guide's Pack and Guide's Edition Syniks, Synapses. It's a stiff, durable, high quality faux leather/felt. Those of us who prefer the Texon dividers prefer them because they are stiff: it's easier to thumb through the dividers, and the wallet overall is stiffer and has more structure. 

Second option is: Black Microsuede. Also a high-quality faux material, this suede is perhaps just a little softer than the previous synthetic suedes used for the COW. Those of us here at TB who prefer this option like it because of the softness: this version of the COW is much more comfortable carried in pants pockets.

Based on the video and our descriptions above, which option would you prefer and why? Note: while this isn't a poll or vote (we gather feedback from many online spaces, as well as crew, friends, and family in-person) we will consider the feedback shared as we decide which material to use on the next run of COWs!

40 comments

Joy - September 24, 2021

I would love a COW that is big enough for a passport. I have one with the suede type dividers but would buy one with the Texon (because you know I pretty much buy everything…)

Vicki - September 24, 2021

Turning the COW into a COPH (passport holder) would be great.

K - September 24, 2021

An enthusiastic vote for microsuede here (of any color).

Texon sounds nice in theory to me, until you have to sit down. Women’s clothing pockets are overly small and terrible across the board already, so one of the reasons I’ve relied on COWs for 14+ years now is because they’re flexible and therefore, frankly, more woman-friendly: They’re not so stiff that they pop out of (universally lousy) women’s pockets; they’re flexible enough to still be comfortable while sitting for long periods, especially if you’re curvy/hippy (and/or dealing with squirming entities in your lap); and therefore make it possible not to have to drag around a purse or bag all the time. All features traditionally stiff wallets don’t have, which is why I could never use them.

Carrying a credit or bank card alone already creates structure, so adding Texon seems more likely to me to be more uncomfortable and higher risk of continually popping out of women’s (again, universally lousy) pockets, like trying to carry a passport in your front pocket — which I’ve done, and is both really uncomfortable and at much higher risk of getting lost. 

I’ve also rarely (maybe once or twice?) in all these years had trouble retrieving and replacing what I need from the COW without even having to remove the COW from my pocket, which is the other primary feature I’ve relied on heavily as a city-dweller and traveler. So while I get the attraction, using Texon, for me personally, would downgrade the features that make and distinguish the COW from all the other wallets out there for me, without adding sufficient improvement.

Maui Chad - October 1, 2021

Tom Bing ‘I BEG OF YOU’… to please bring back the (COW) !!!
My old one is getting a little worn down!
I also vote for the (TEXON) dividers, the ridged Texon section(s) will make it much easier to find your cards, the ‘Suede’ dividers were a little too flimsy, that it made it a little difficult to pull a card out from between the suede dividers.
I appreciate all you do, I’m a huge fan of all your products. I just got my Camo print Truck the other day and it is truely an awesome tote bag!

Mahalo from Maui

Maui Chad - September 24, 2021

Tom Bing ‘I BEG OF YOU’… to please bring back the (COW) !!!
My old one is getting a little worn down!
I also vote for the (TEXON) dividers, the ridged Texon section(s) will make it much easier to find your cards, the ‘Suede’ dividers were a little too flimsy, that it made it a little difficult to pull a card out from between the suede dividers.
I appreciate all you do, I’m a huge fan of all your products. I just got my Camo print Truck the other day and it is truely an awesome tote bag!

Mahalo from Maui
———
TOM BIHN replied:
Definitely bringing back the COW, and it’s looking like we’ll offer it in both Texon and Black microsuede, so you’ll have that Texon option! Glad you’re liking your Truck — it’s something special in the Camo for sure.

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