It's not easy for a man to get away with carrying a zipper wallet without threatening his masculinity. That's why few men carry one. And that's why few brands make them. And even among those brands that make them, even fewer make them well.

When choosing a zipper wallet, pay special attention to the zipper and the compartments. Choose a metal zipper, one that's made of brass or aluminum. Not only is it durable, it also has excellent sliding performance that allows it to negotiate the turns well. And that's very important because the last thing you want is to struggle to open your wallet.

Also, to avoid looking like you're carrying a ladies' wallet, always go for a simple design. Simple to me means that there should be no additional compartments other than the compartment that the zipper opens up to. I don't use a coin case so I always have a preference for zipper wallets that just have credit card slots.

Some of my favorite zipper wallets are:

Among the recent additions to Montblanc's leather collection is a men's zipper wallet that's already flying off the shelf. And it's really no surprise, given that this well-constructed wallet is priced attractively at $235.00.

And it's not just about the price. This zipper wallet is actually what a regular guy can imagine himself using. And let's face it. Most of us are regular guys. We may be attracted to a funky Jean Paul Gaultier or an attention-grabbing Commes des Garcon. But many of us end up paying for a wallet that we can imagine ourselves using every single day. And therein lies the appeal of the Montblanc Meisterstuck zipper wallet.

Buy the Montblanc Meisterstuck zipper wallet at Mensfolio.com for $199.00.

Bonia 8CC square zip-around wallet

Zipper wallets that are squarish tend to look more masculine and that is the appeal of this zip-around wallet by Bonia. The fullgrain calfskin also ages well over time and the brown stitching adds an interesting detail.

Buy it online for $80 at Mensfolio.com.

Bottega Veneta Ziparound Wallet

I have been raving about the ziparound wallet by Bottega Veneta in my Christmas wish list and I'm gonna rave about it again.

Bottega's trademark intrecciato is an ideal material for making a zipper wallet because the soft nappa leather reduces the rigidity caused by having a zipper round the wallet. And what better time than now to be seen carrying one of the hottest brands in the luxury market?

Buy it online for $420 at Bottega Veneta.

Mulberry Zip Round Wallet

If you're seriously concerned that your masculinity will be undermined when others spot you carrying a "ladies' wallet", you should really consider this zip round wallet by Mulberry. Its Darwin leather has such a rugged and natural feel that I can even picture a cowboy carrying this.

The wallet opens to reveal four credit card slots and a coin compartment. It is available in black or oak. I would definitely go for Oak if I were you.

Buy it online for 150 quids at Mulberry.

dunhillon Cricket Wallet With Zip

dunhillon Cricket is my favorite collection by dunhill. The signature cream double stitch is inspired by the original dunhillon cricket ball. The leather is soft and supple, and as I've mentioned earlier, is ideal for making zipper wallets.

What I find interesting is that the interior coin compartment also has a zip closure, making this an "all-zip" wallet. I like the idea but it also makes retrieving the coins more difficult than a conventional coin compartment with a snap closure.

dunhillon Cricket used to be available only in red. However in recent years dunhill has expanded the collection and it's now available in black and tan too.

Buy it online for $290 at dunhill.

Louis Vuitton Zip Wallet

The zip wallet by Louis Vuitton is fashioned in such a way that the zipper is hidden from view. Taiga isn't exactly my favorite leather by Louis Vuitton but I do like the fact that the wallet is scratch-resistant. And as with all Louis Vuitton products, this zip wallet is extremely well-made and has a very defined and masculine shape.

Buy it online for $485 at eLUXURY.