The term "gusset" is often heard when choosing leather products, including bags and wallets.

Many people probably have a general idea of what it means, such as "the side part of a bag or card case" or "it relates to storage capacity and whether it can stand on its own."

In leather products, the gusset plays an important role. A closer look reveals various ingenious designs by the makers, aimed at "improving usability" and "increasing storage capacity."

In this blog post, using Munekawa's products as examples, we will introduce "the gusset in leather products."

Understanding gussets might be a useful tip when choosing a wallet or card case that suits you. Please take a look.

Three Roles of the Gusset

In leather products, the gusset refers to the "part that creates width and thickness" on the side of the main body. If flat leather is simply folded in half, stress will be placed on the leather when the contents become thick. Therefore, additional leather is added to the sides to create a structure that expands when opened. This is the basic mechanism of a gusset.

Specifically, the gusset plays the following three roles:

• Creates storage capacity
  It provides ample space inside, creating room for contents. The amount that can be comfortably stored is determined by the width and depth of the gusset.
• Facilitates access
  How wide the opening is when opened and how easy it is to see the contents largely depend on the gusset's design. This is a crucial aspect in determining whether the product is "stress-free to use" for daily use.
• Maintains silhouette
  It controls the thickness and overall shape when contents are inserted and the product is closed. The gusset also supports the aesthetic appearance when placed on a desk and how it fits into a pocket.

"Storage capacity," "ease of access," and "holding contents without losing shape."
At Munekawa, we consider which of these three roles to prioritize for each product, and we re-evaluate the balance of these roles every time we design a gusset.

Gusset Innovations Seen in Munekawa Products

Here, we will use four Munekawa products as examples to introduce what kind of gusset is adopted for each and how it contributes to the user experience.

Card Case "Through" | A wide, through gusset that doesn't impede movement

Munekawa's standard card case "Through" incorporates a "through gusset," which provides a continuous width from the side of the main body to the bottom.

In business settings, it's not uncommon to exchange dozens of business cards a day. At our directly managed store, we often hear concerns that "it becomes difficult to insert and remove cards when there are more than 20." Therefore, for "Through," we made the gusset extra wide to comfortably accommodate up to 50 cards.

By incorporating a through gusset, a three-dimensional space like a box can be created according to the storage capacity. Even with a thick stack of business cards, the leather is not overly stretched, and cards can be removed smoothly without getting caught. As the leather softens and conforms with use, the gusset folds in when there is less storage, settling into a thickness that matches the storage volume.

The through gusset is key to "Through" having a compact size and simple design while still offering excellent storage capacity.

▶︎Click here for the "Through" card case product page
https://munekawa.jp/products/cac8

L-zip Wallet "Cram" | A unique structure integrating the gusset and coin purse

"I tried a mini wallet, but gave up because it was hard to see the contents." The L-zip wallet Cram was created to address such feedback, by re-examining the gusset structure. Despite its compact size, it offers ample storage for cash and cards.

Many common mini wallets feature a "sasago gusset" (a triangular folded gusset that narrows towards the bottom), but Cram adopts a design that eliminates the folded gusset on the sides and uses the central coin purse itself to function as a gusset.

One of Cram's major features is that this structure, despite being a mini wallet, is designed to "open wider." Additionally, by eliminating the conventional gusset, it has the advantage of not becoming too bulky even when banknotes and coins are stored securely.

By breaking away from conventional gusset ideas, this wallet resolves the cramped feeling unique to mini wallets.

▶︎Click here for the "Cram" L-zip wallet product page
https://munekawa.jp/products/rw2

Long Wallet with Coin Purse "Untrad" | Asymmetric gusset with different heights on left and right

The Untrad long wallet with coin purse is designed to be a long wallet where banknotes, coins, receipts, etc., are easy to see and access by re-examining the gusset structure.

The key is the asymmetrical gusset, with different heights on the left and right. Breaking away from the common design where the front and back gussets are of the same height, the deliberate displacement in height allows the wallet to open up three-dimensionally and widely the moment it's opened.

This structure, inspired by the idea of "opening wide," allows for smooth insertion and removal of cash and receipts.

While retaining the advantage of long wallets having "ample capacity," the design aims to make daily payments comfortable with the overwhelming visibility created by the asymmetrical gusset.

▶︎Click here for details on the "Untrad" long wallet with coin purse
https://munekawa.jp/products/lcow1

Slim Card Case "Meet" | Designed for ultimate slimness by reducing the gusset

In contrast to "Through," which features a large-capacity through gusset, the slim card case "Meet" deliberately reduces the gusset's bulk, achieving a thickness of just 1-1.5 cm.

This ultra-thin design is a consideration to prevent disrupting the silhouette of clothing, even when placed in a jacket's inner pocket or a slim bag. It's ideal for those who don't frequently exchange business cards and prefer to carry IC cards and about 20 business cards smartly.

While its capacity is limited due to the absence of a gusset, it features four pockets for organizing items by purpose, making it a versatile card case despite its slim profile.

▶︎Click here for the "Meet" slim card case product page https://munekawa.jp/products/cac19

Tips for Choosing Leather Goods Based on Gusset Design

To find a leather product that you can use for a long time, it's important to clarify "how you want to use it." If you're torn between products with similar sizes and designs, try paying a little attention to "the gusset's construction."

• Storage capacity and roominess
  Is there enough room (gusset width) for thick items to fit comfortably?
• Silhouette when carried
  Does it maintain a thickness that suits your carrying style (e.g., in a bag, in a suit breast pocket) when filled with contents?
• Ease of access
  How wide does it open, and is it designed not to obstruct your view?

Gussets are filled with the maker's intention of "how they want you to comfortably use this product." Understanding the ingenuity of gussets can be a small hint to determine if a product truly suits your lifestyle.

Summary

In today's blog post, we focused on the "gusset" in leather products and introduced Munekawa's products and tips for choosing leather accessories.

Although it may seem like an inconspicuous part, this small design difference greatly affects daily usability. When you're next looking for new leather accessories, please consider not only the design and size but also the "gusset innovations" behind them.

At Munekawa's direct store in Oage-cho, Osaka, you can actually insert your cards and coins and try putting them in a jacket's inner pocket to check the usability. In our online store, we provide as much detailed product information as possible, so please check every detail.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

▶︎Click here for the Munekawa online store
https://munekawa.jp/

▶︎Click here for details on Munekawa's direct store
https://munekawa.jp/pages/store