Can I solve this problem without duct tape?

June 9, 2015 11:27 AM

I want one thing that will carry my keys, ID, and phone. I haven't yet found one that meets my requirements.

I have a need to carry my keys around my workplace, because I use them to get in and out of some doors. I also need to carry my work ID around, because it gets me in and out of other doors. I like to carry my phone around, for accessing email and general time-wasting purposes. Most of my clothes do not have suitable pockets, and I refuse to carry my bag around the building because oh come on.

Currently, I have this thing, which holds my ID and my keys. If I could find something very, very close in size and function to this that would also hold my phone in an easily-accessible manner, that would be ideal. I happen to have this sport wallet, and if it just had a ring attached to it that would hold my keys, it would be a perfect key-phone-carrying thing. Alas, I do not wish to duct tape it to the key thingy I already own.

I need the keys hanging out, not tucked away in a zippered part, because often I need to open doors one-handed while juggling other objects and trying to get the keys out in those circumstances is difficult. Not willing to split my keys up into separate work and home rings, either, as I do not trust my ability not to lose them that way.

Does such a thing exist? (Or have I identified a niche in the market ripe for exploiting?)

posted by telophase to Shopping (12 answers total)

It exists in the women's accessories section of Target for sure.
posted by discopolo at 11:29 AM on June 9, 2015

My search term was Phone Wallet. Here's something. Anything with a little hole for a strap could have a small key ring or hook put into it to attach your keys. Here's another one found with the term Phone Clutch. You can pick up tons of key ring and accessories wherever they cut keys. They're sure to have a small ring or hook you can put where the wrist straps are.
posted by Crystalinne at 11:34 AM on June 9, 2015

I have a cell phone case from this etsy seller that I love. My cards work through the front of the case so I don't have to remove them to scan into the building or on transportation, and it's got a nice key ring and hook attached. It's not perfect as a full wallet because it just has the sleeve, but I use it for that anyway.
posted by brainmouse at 11:36 AM on June 9, 2015 [1 favorite]

I was able to attach a strap to my phone's case, and there's a similar wrist-strap on my keys. I can carry my wallet and have keys and phone on my wrist.
posted by theora55 at 11:39 AM on June 9, 2015

I happen to have this sport wallet, and if it just had a ring attached to it that would hold my keys, it would be a perfect key-phone-carrying thing. Alas, I do not wish to duct tape it to the key thingy I already own.
Go to a shoe repair place and ask them to sew a fabric tab to the wallet that holds a key ring or a D ring that you attach to a key ring. It shouldn't cost much and would be a quick job.
posted by soelo at 11:47 AM on June 9, 2015 [6 favorites]

Seconding soelo's excellent advice.
posted by sarajane at 12:33 PM on June 9, 2015

I have a Michael Kors Jet Set tech wallet with an internal pocket large enough for my phone and D-ring for a wristlet attachment, to which one could easily attach a key ring instead. It's also made out of saffiano leather so super durable and easy to keep clean.
posted by ista at 12:35 PM on June 9, 2015

There are phone wallets. The problem is none of them would have a key chain because nobody wants the keys near keychains (and get scratched up).

Purely hypothetically speaking, you can probably make one by

Taking a regular "phone wallet"

Add a transparently outside ID window with a "stick-on" or some glue.

Find a place where you can punch a hole and add a snap grommet, to the phone wallet. You may need to locate a shoe cobbler, if there's still one around. Takes them a few minutes.

Snap your keychain through the ring grommet. Voila.
posted by kschang at 12:55 PM on June 9, 2015

http://www.amazon.com/Grommet-Eyelet-Setting-Pliers-Grommets/dp/B0047AKK0Y/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1433888187&sr=8-5&keywords=grommet+kits
posted by mismatchedsock at 3:18 PM on June 9, 2015 [1 favorite]

The Crabby Wallet is like what you have now, but with an additional elastic loop that can accommodate a cell phone.
posted by Rash at 7:30 PM on June 13, 2015

I have the Crabby Wallet. The "elastic loop" is only meant to keep credit cards and whatnot in the CW itself. I doubt it will even accommodate an iPhone 4. It's so small, I switched to EZGo wallet instead. It barely accommodates like 4-5 cards, and won't fit any cash.
posted by kschang at 3:17 AM on June 15, 2015

Response by poster: Coming back to this several months later in case anyone else is looking for a similar doodad because I finally found something I like at MochiThings: an iPhone flip case. They've got several others in different configs and for different phones, too.
posted by telophase at 9:26 PM on November 7, 2015