How do H wallets hold up with daily use?

[mcmug17]

For those who have H epsom wallets that are being used daily, what are your thoughts?

If I were to get an H wallet, it would be the Bearn compact. It fits my lifestyle. The Contance is too big and forget about the Kelly, I know I'll eventually cut those straps. The Bearn compact in the right color has never been easy to come by anyway and I've only been casually waiting for one to show up in front of me.

My current wallet is an LV Mat Elise. You can already guess how old it is based on the material, but it still looks fantastic! I had no intention to retire it at all. Absolutely love the compartment layout. Had I known LV would discontinue this style, I would have bought another one as backup. But I'm open to moving on to a new style after 16/17 years, and also not holding any hopes that the Elise style will return at some point. I do not switch wallets on a regular basis. I'm not particularly nice to my wallet, though I don't think I abuse it either. It gets thrown into purses with keys, it gets squashed by things, I put coins in it, I stab it with my nails (not intentionally of course).

Going back to a few months ago, I stopped by H in Tokyo. There was a black gold BC on display! I almost bought it. Then the SA and I had a little chat, and she told me this wallet would not hold up as strong as the LV "because the LV has plastic coating". Maybe she was referring to the monogram canvas? I was under the impression that Mat is leather. Treated leather, sure, but not plastic covered, right? Also knowing that I'd be in Paris shortly, I left and wanted to reconsider.

So there I was in FSH. To my surprise they had plenty of BCs in different colors. I took it as a sign that I should buy one. When the SA took out the etain gris with rghw, I lost it. Forget about getting the color black for being practical, and forget about the possibility of durability issues, it came home with me.

Yes, I love my new Bearn compact very much. But I'm tempted to hold it up against my LV wallet. Is it going to look reasonably good after 10 years of "normal" use? Am I setting myself up for disappointment? If you think I'm crazy for wanting a wallet to last this long, well, I'm really, really, really lazy.

 

[dianagrace]

My Bearn is Blue Jean Epsom and 14 years old. I have used it almost everyday since I got it. I have tried other wallets but the Bearn is just perfection for me. It is starting looking a little shabby right now to be honest. I really should send it to the spa but I don't really like my other wallets all that much. I buy them, carry them for a couple of days and then switch back to the Bearn. I think if it was a darker color it would probably look better. It is not falling apart and all my cards, cash and coins still fit. I am not ashamed to pull it out of my bag.

 

[mcmug17]

My Bearn is Blue Jean Epsom and 14 years old. I have used it almost everyday since I got it. I have tried other wallets but the Bearn is just perfection for me. It is starting looking a little shabby right now to be honest. I really should send it to the spa but I don't really like my other wallets all that much. I buy them, carry them for a couple of days and then switch back to the Bearn. I think if it was a darker color it would probably look better. It is not falling apart and all my cards, cash and coins still fit. I am not ashamed to pull it out of my bag.

Thanks. I feel better now. I guess what really irked me was when that Japanese SA was so serious when she said the Bearn is not going to hold up like the LVs do. "Hermes is leather, LV is plastic coated, of course it's not going to last as long". Knowing that I can send it to the spa also gives me comfort. Luxury can be fixed.

 

[azukitea]

While I do not like bags in epsom, for SLGs I have no hesitation with epsom. It is a very hardy, care free and durable leather. It holds its shape well, when compared to its counterparts in evercolor, chevre etc

My friiend has a bearn wallet in chevre, bought at same sort of time as mine, and it really does not hold its shape well, especially the corners. I know many others may prefer it in other leather types, but personally I would pick epsom for Bearn wallet, unless you prefer the "relaxed" look as it ages, when it is used over time.

My Bearn is about 3 years old and I have used it daily and it still looks like new!

 

[shopaholicious]

Would love to see a picture of your LV Mat!

I would recommend using a separate pouch or key holder for the keys to minimize friction with other SLG. Or have a purse organizer so each is in its own compartment.

 

[happy27]

I don’t have one yet and wondering the same thing.
There was someone on YouTube who mentioned that her bearn wallet lasts 10 years and still going strong....that’s more than enough for me!
I personally find the compact a bit too square and was wondering if I should get the long version

 

[gris.etain]

i think somehow the SA is correct. LV wallet is more sturdy than H wallet because LV is made from durable, water-resistant coated canvas while H is made from leather. I have both and I use my LV as my everyday workhorse and somehow it's still looking new, unscratched no matter how many times I've dropped it on the floor. I dropped my H epsom wallet once in the subway and there is a small dent in the corner. but it only noticeable if inspecting closer.

 

[Serva1]

I have 5 Bearn cardcases/mini wallets all except one in epsom. I really like epsom in slgs! The leather feels in the beginning very stiff and dry though. The shine of chevre is nicer, which could make you choose chevre in a boutique.

I bought my latest Bearn in January and started using it this month. The strap was first very tight but now slides smoothly under the H. My oldest (6 yrs) epsom cardcase is soft, shinier and feels good to touch. I’m looking forward to the way epsom ages. I only use my chevre Bearn with my matching SO chevre B30, a bag I mainly carry in summer. In this way I hope it will stay pristine. The black epsom wallets are my workhorses. Enclosed a pic of my oldest black phw and the new black rghw.

If I would buy only one Bearn compact wallet it would be black epsom.

 

[Daosabao]

My epsom and chèvre wallets have shown wear much more than my Chanel caviar wallets. I was devastated with the first dent and then scratch on my chèvre compact bearn, and was very upset when even my sturdy Epsom got ‘card prints’ on the inside, and scuffs on the outside. I consider myself a careful user but I don’t particularly baby my stuffs.

I have contemplated sending them to spa but I know that with wear, the inevitable will happen again.

But they are still beautiful and I’ve to remind myself yes they are expensive things but they are meant to be used, so bumps, dents and scratches are hard to avoid. I still think my wallets are beautiful though.

 

[bagidiotic]

i think somehow the SA is correct. LV wallet is more sturdy than H wallet because LV is made from durable, water-resistant coated canvas while H is made from leather. I have both and I use my LV as my everyday workhorse and somehow it's still looking new, unscratched no matter how many times I've dropped it on the floor. I dropped my H epsom wallet once in the subway and there is a small dent in the corner. but it only noticeable if inspecting closer.

Yes perhaps lv will be more durable
However h leathers have the magical qualities that will age gracefully with characters
I preferred to the latter

 

[fabuleux]

For those who have H epsom wallets that are being used daily, what are your thoughts?

If I were to get an H wallet, it would be the Bearn compact. It fits my lifestyle. The Contance is too big and forget about the Kelly, I know I'll eventually cut those straps. The Bearn compact in the right color has never been easy to come by anyway and I've only been casually waiting for one to show up in front of me.

My current wallet is an LV Mat Elise. You can already guess how old it is based on the material, but it still looks fantastic! I had no intention to retire it at all. Absolutely love the compartment layout. Had I known LV would discontinue this style, I would have bought another one as backup. But I'm open to moving on to a new style after 16/17 years, and also not holding any hopes that the Elise style will return at some point. I do not switch wallets on a regular basis. I'm not particularly nice to my wallet, though I don't think I abuse it either. It gets thrown into purses with keys, it gets squashed by things, I put coins in it, I stab it with my nails (not intentionally of course).

Going back to a few months ago, I stopped by H in Tokyo. There was a black gold BC on display! I almost bought it. Then the SA and I had a little chat, and she told me this wallet would not hold up as strong as the LV "because the LV has plastic coating". Maybe she was referring to the monogram canvas? I was under the impression that Mat is leather. Treated leather, sure, but not plastic covered, right? Also knowing that I'd be in Paris shortly, I left and wanted to reconsider.

So there I was in FSH. To my surprise they had plenty of BCs in different colors. I took it as a sign that I should buy one. When the SA took out the etain gris with rghw, I lost it. Forget about getting the color black for being practical, and forget about the possibility of durability issues, it came home with me.

Yes, I love my new Bearn compact very much. But I'm tempted to hold it up against my LV wallet. Is it going to look reasonably good after 10 years of "normal" use? Am I setting myself up for disappointment? If you think I'm crazy for wanting a wallet to last this long, well, I'm really, really, really lazy.

Just to clarify, Louis Vuitton’s Monogram Mat collection was indeed coated leather (and not canvas). The coating is quite heavy, which renders these pieces virtually indestructible. It is the “mat” equivalent to the Monogram Vernis (patent leather). There were other collections with similar leather treatments like Monogram Glacé.

 

[ladysarah]

I haven’t been a long term user to be really useful here, but I had mine for about a year and love love — every time I use it - makes me smile. I enjoy paying for things. It Epsom silk n. It does get dirty in light colours but so easy to clean.

 

[Liberté]

So it's not really fruitful to do a brand to brand comparison saying LV wallets are more durable than Hermes wallets when both of the brands use different materials within their assortment of SLG. Different materials will age differently and wear and tear will show up in different ways and the branding isn't the most important factor.

Monogram canvas and other coated canvases are of course very durable and will last a long time without falling apart, but the print could rub off eventually and that can't be refurbished.

Epsom is an embossed leather. If the embossed layer is worn down, it'll show up as an irregularity and won't refurbish that well even if another layer of color can be applied to mask wear and tear.
Several LV leathers like epi are both embossed and in the case of epi heavily coated with plastic material. They are very, very resistant, but once the coating has worn down there's nothing you can do to make it look better. Depending on the material used they will also have a different reaction to cold and heat than natural leathers. Baiscally they might get stiffer like coated canvas.

I personally think Barenia is the most sturdy and hardy leather hermes offers for wallets and it can be kept beautiful for decades. A wallet in that kind of saddle leather whether it's by Hermes or LV will hold up longer looking beautiful than any of the above mentioned materials with very little care. You'd have to forego bright colors and accept patina though. Much more could be said about this topic I guess, maybe do a search about the different leathers andhow they react. Epsom and chevre are more scratch resistant than say on barenia, but scratches will blend in on barenia and eventually disappear but not on epsom.

 

[mcmug17]

Would love to see a picture of your LV Mat!

I would recommend using a separate pouch or key holder for the keys to minimize friction with other SLG. Or have a purse organizer so each is in its own compartment.

 

[mcmug17]

I have 5 Bearn cardcases/mini wallets all except one in epsom. I really like epsom in slgs! The leather feels in the beginning very stiff and dry though. The shine of chevre is nicer, which could make you choose chevre in a boutique.

I bought my latest Bearn in January and started using it this month. The strap was first very tight but now slides smoothly under the H. My oldest (6 yrs) epsom cardcase is soft, shinier and feels good to touch. I’m looking forward to the way epsom ages. I only use my chevre Bearn with my matching SO chevre B30, a bag I mainly carry in summer. In this way I hope it will stay pristine. The black epsom wallets are my workhorses. Enclosed a pic of my oldest black phw and the new black rghw.

If I would buy only one Bearn compact wallet it would be black epsom.
View attachment 4432318

Thank you very much for the photo reference!! I really appreciate it. I assume the one on the right is the 6 yo? It looks fantastic!!!