Pants-on Review: The Kena Kai RF-Blocking Wallet

You might not be aware of it, but "swipe your credit card" technology, which still seems fairly new, is already on the way out. In its place: Contactless credit cards, which can be read by a card reader that comes within a few inches of the card, are coming soon to a checkout lane near you.

Now I'm not entirely sure what the advantage of contactless credit cards, which use a type of RFID chip to store information, have over the magnetic strip, but they certainly seem to be gaining momentum. (One report says they're faster to use.) Along with general-purpose RFID, contactless credit cards are making the reading of information without any physical contact a sober reality. (RFID is also coming to U.S. passports beginning this month; some have already been issued.)

But there's always a downside. Stories of RFID chips being read from 60 feet away or more should scare you, because it means that credit card numbers could be stolen from a guy out in the parking lot while your wallet is safely tucked in your pants. Never mind the promises of encryption on the cards, I'd rather they not get the information in the first place.

Enter Kena Kai, which is making a genius set of products for the RFID age: Wallets lined with a shielding material to prevent RFID signals from coming in or out. And no, this isn't your Incredible Hulk velcro affair, these are nice-looking wallets made from real leather and available in a variety of styles. The DataSafe Italian Leather Bi-Fold Wallet that I'm trying out is handsomely crafted, stitched (not glued), and fits well in a front pocket (which I prefer over the back). And the whole thing is lined with a golden, metallic material that handles the RF shielding (and is the same stuff the State Department is using for its new passport sleeves). I'm also hopeful this will keep my subway card from constantly becoming demagnetized...

Kena Kai offers four men's styles and two women's styles. Prices run about $30 to $60. Knowing that your credit card data can't be stolen while you're browsing the tile section at Home Depot: Priceless.