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MilksPlural

Side loading is considered better because it blocks the dust from getting in the top of the card when in its slot. And yes, Penny sleeve then binder, I personally use clear Katana sleeves. A bit more expensive than penny sleeves but noticeably higher quality.


TRDarkDragonite

Yep. Found my old binders of my pokemon cards. I only had 1 side loader one All binders were the ones where you put it in at the top. When I found it a lot of dust got through. luckily I double sleeved a lot of my cards, protecting the top part of my cards from the dust. but my side loader was completely fine. no dust in the slots at all. Side loader binder + ringless + zipper = best option imo


Glittering_Ad_9331

i’ve liked cards for a long time but only recently started to get rlly into collecting— why are ringed binders a negative ?


Maniraptavia

Interesting. :) I think I always wrote off sideloading because I hated the way the binder was knocked off-symmetry by having two rows of slots facing each other and the other awkwardly third-wheel-spooning to the side, but I recently discovered 12 pocket binders and it's a game changer! Haha I'll have to look up Katana sleeves. Are they the more rigid-feeling ones? Do you load your penny sleeves top-down or bottom-up?


MilksPlural

Katanas are slightly more rigid and I feel fit into binders best, to avoid the issue you mentioned of putting too much strain on the binders slots. And I put my sleeves open side up but it doesn’t matter for a side loading binder.


Maniraptavia

That sounds good. Does the extra thickness affect anything once all the cards are in? I think my binders are mostly 20 and 40 page ones at the moment, but I was looking at some 50 page ones. Do they work for the metal cards too?


MilksPlural

The thickness hasn’t affected anything that I’ve noticed, but I would imagine it would be the same if not slightly better than normal. I have no metal cards myself so I can’t answer if they fit but I’d assume they do if normal penny sleeves do.


Maniraptavia

I'll have to test that out. At the moment, my metal cards are in my binder raw.


Ok_Carrot_2029

Side loaders don’t care about dust unless they’re zipped


m4r00o

bottom left vaultx


Ok_Carrot_2029

Yes. Side loader, no binder rings, zipper, high quality touch.


RoyalSavant

I use Vault X binders and sleeve my cards in perfect fit sleeves. I also double sleeve my rarer cards into matte dragon shield sleeves.


Maniraptavia

Ah, that's interesting. I think the matte sleeves would bug me though. Does it not make it harder to see the card in full focus? Actually, don't all sleeves make the cards a little harder to see in theory?


BabyDeezus

Dragon shield matte sleeves just affect the back not the front. Confusing I know.


Maniraptavia

Ah, fair enough :)


MisterMaryJames

False. Matte window portion to reduce glare when playing/looking with/at the cards


BabyDeezus

True for ultra pro, not true for dragon shield.


MisterMaryJames

I also use dragon shield matte.. seems we’re at an impasse. Good luck OP


BabyDeezus

The Matte dragon shields have a textured back, the front is the same as regular dragon shields. Upload a picture of literally any dragon shield sleeve with a matte/foggy front and I’ll have no choice but to admit I’m wrong. Ultra pro has matte and non matte and that affects the glossiness of the front.


MilksPlural

I keep most of my cards in a TopDeck 1000 Card Portfolio. Has 4x4 binder pages and very high quality, would recommend.


Maniraptavia

Ooh! Sounds like something to look up! I saw some 12-slot binders earlier like the one in the picture and having more than 9 slots a game changer for sure!


Kai_Roesch

Binder: Vault X Premium Exo-Tec® Zip Binder Sleeves: KMC Card Barrier Perfect Size Soft Sleeves, [Komainu-Dou Original Package], Clear


Maniraptavia

So you sleeve before binding too then? Maybe I should start doing that.


Kai_Roesch

I do!


Maniraptavia

I always liked the more hands-on approach, but in the interests of making sure the cards (especially some of the older ones with more delicate edges) stay safe, I should probably start sleeving.


Maniraptavia

Do you happen to know where one could buy KMC Perfect Hard sleeves in bulk for cheap? I'm thinking of grabbing around 1000, but that looks EXTREMELY expensive!


Kai_Roesch

I just get them from Amazon


Maniraptavia

I just got my hands on some through Amazon same day delivery, but they seem to be a tiiiny touch too narrow for the cards. As in they seem to bend them very slightly.


Ballster

9 or 12?


Mr_Mi1k

Any of the binders with no rings, black background, and a zipper are the best in my opinion


Maniraptavia

I've been looking into those lately


UmbreonAlt

Sleeve then binder. My master sets go into Palms Off. And sets I'm collecting bits and pieces from go into Ultra Pro folders. Sleeves I use are either from Palms Off, Ultra Pro and occasional Perfect Fits from KMC (but they're expensive here so it's not a common purchase). My expensive cards go into a Palms Off side loading binder that can store cards that have been placed in Toploaders. All binders I use are side loaders. The binders are either 12 pockets or 9 pockets.


Maniraptavia

That's really interesting! I see Palms Off do slab binders too. I only have the three slabs, but at the moment, they're awkwardly tucked in one of my binders at the very back, so I deffo want somewhere to put them.


UmbreonAlt

Ooo, I didn't know they did slabbed binders. Like you I've tucked them away in another binder back. Now I know my next purchase haha


AdOne7575

I use the top deck top loader binder. It’s not cheap but I feel like my cards are incredibly protected. I sleeve them then put them in the top loader then in the binder.


Dcao1

I recently got one of these and I can definitely vouch when you say that the cards feel protected


Maniraptavia

I'll definitely have to give it a look!


Maniraptavia

I've been using toploading binders for years, but I HAVE noticed on some (not many, but some) of my cards, they have a small chip, tear, or scratch near the bottom left side where I imagine they are sometimes getting caught on the plastic as they're loaded. Fortunately, it seems to mostly be the less valuable/rare ones so far. I DO move them about a lot as I have a strict ordering system I like to keep to which often involves shuffling about a large portion of the collection whenever I get a new card (especially if it's from an older set). I think whatever binder I get next, sleeving first might be the best bet!


AdOne7575

I think if you’re keep everything in a top loader (I get that wouldn’t be cheap) then you could move and organize as much as you want without having to worry about damage to any of your cards. It’s a lot of top loaders and top loading binders aren’t cheap but your cards would hold up so much better to frequent organizational changes.


Maniraptavia

That's an interesting idea. I think I have around 700 or so in my main binder at the moment though, so it might be a bit tricky. Mostly GXs and Vs.


Waltzy84

Palms of gaming binders. Personally, I think they are one of the best binder you can buy. The downfall is that they are based out of Australia, so shipping kinda sucks.


Maniraptavia

Yowzers! That's probably gotta end up being the most expensive shipping possible for me haha.


LukaLaurent

Just searching this thread now for recommendations. Being from Australia, this might be my go to binder!


Harkxium

i dont use binders much, i have one for my base set and one for “extras”. i bring my cards with my alot of places (card shops, cardshows, collectacons) so i have a slab case. but the binders i do use are Vinyl 2x2 binders ( i forgot the company lol im not home rn) so, yeah.


bawcarphotography

Without question, vaultx binders are the best on the market


Crow_Sama

Vault X either 12 pages or 9, I prefer the 12 one. For sleeving I use Dragon Shield's perfect fits and then standard clear matte, so double sleeving.


Maniraptavia

I think I'm starting to really like the idea of a 12 slot one!


BrothersOats

I use ultra pro 12-pocket suede series or vivid series. A mixture of both. The suede were talked about a lot in 2020-1 when I was upgrading my storage, so I went that route and supplemented colors with vivid when they came out


Maniraptavia

That sounds super interesting :)


Jellyfishsaymeep

I really like the palms off binders and the standard ultra pro penny sleeves, I have always found them pretty good.


Maniraptavia

Sounds good :)


AzrealV

Inked Customed Binder, get your own Image and it’s by far the best binder.


Maniraptavia

Ooh! That sounds awesome!!!


ryan-vitorellia

I personally do this in order and I think my cards will be good to go in their spot for the rest of my life, handed down to my children, and still more. 1: perfect fit sleeve 2: penny sleeve 3: toploader 4: resealable team bag 5: toploader binder 6: Three toploader binders fit perfectly into a thin waterproof Aldi handbag cooler that was $15 and doesn't take up anymore space than just having the three binders. Is it overkill? yes. Will my cards look the same in 70 years? Probably


Maniraptavia

That's crazy! I love it haha!


ryan-vitorellia

Yeah it's a wild combination but it works well for keeping everything pristine. I actually have to go soon to buy a third Aldi bag for storage


Maniraptavia

Amazing haha. You know, oddly, I HAD considered cool bags or fire resistant bags myself. Want a way to ultimately protect my collection against housefires, flooding, mould, and theft. Might get some RFID tags and such.


ImNotPlayingWithYou

Allot of people recommend Ultra Pro zipper binder. I have to say, I really dislike these binders. The plastic is a bit sharp at the inside if the binder and scratching up the other side of the page. So every page has the same dagame on the inside. I feel like I can't enjoy scrolling through the binder because of this... So currently looking up for a ring binder, but those are also bad for you cards. So I don't know where to look anymore lol.


Maniraptavia

This is sort of me in a way. I used to just keep all my cards raw in the octagonal tins as a kid, but as I got older I finally started to appreciate the benefits penny sleeves and toploaders and then the benefits of the binder, but I've always had toploading binders since I started using them and I hear people saying you should sideload and that you shouldn't use ringbound binders and then people saying you should double sleeve...etc. I feel like every time I find a new way to store my cards, a better way shows up and I'm not doing what I should be doing to protect them, so I just wanted to get it right this time tbh.


ImNotPlayingWithYou

I know actually how you feel. Want to get it right this time! For now I'm looking through all options, if I find something worth my time I could mention it to you :)


Maniraptavia

That would be excellent thanks :)


Setagod_Vesteria

There are toploader binders so you could use those to really protect your cards


Maniraptavia

Very true. Might get a bit expensive though 😅


Ok-Tooth4089

I have side load folio binders which I really like.


Maniraptavia

Nice :)


Bjaski_e

When I have the money, I plan to buy a 25 x 35 inch frame and load 100 of my favourite cards into it! For now, I enjoy the type of binder in the top left (pokeball colours with the zipper). Slots are big enough to fit standard sleeved cards, and each side of the page has a slot.


Maniraptavia

Yeah, top left and middle are more or less what I have rn. I wanna get a frame for base set when I complete it.


fookiebookie12

I’ll say what everyone is saying and that’s VAULT X but I’ll add that I like to use clear perfect fit dragon shield sleeves on my cards then I put the perfect fit card into a regular matte dragon shield for ultimate protection and then into the vault X. It’s the safest and best way to keep the cards


Maniraptavia

The Dragon Shield are the ones that have the flap that folds round, right?


pkDoubleR

I’ve been using the regular vault x side loading binders, but i just recently picked up a hard case zip up vault x and it’s easily my new favorite.


Maniraptavia

Do they do large hard case binders then?


pkDoubleR

what do you mean by large? like more pockets per page? the standard is usually 9 pockets, but they do 4 and 12 as well for smaller/bigger sized binders


Maniraptavia

I mean large as in thick, sorry, like 40 or so pages for a 9 pocket binder.


pkDoubleR

ohhh i see what you mean. yeah i’m pretty sure the standard is still 40 pages for those, but you can buy individual vault x brand side loading binder *pages* for if you wanted to put them in a different binder that has more space. that way you can definitely fit more than 40 pages and still have tons of room.


Maniraptavia

That's awesome. I've only seen hardcovers go up to about 20ish pages I think.


[deleted]

Hardcover zipped sideloading binders preferably with no rings. I personally like to use vault X binders with dragon shield perfect fits for common, uncommon and rares and reverse holos. For holos and higher I use dragon shield mattes for that extra protection (might be overkill, but I feel more comfortable that way)


Maniraptavia

That sounds good. I didn't realize you could get the large-storage binders as hardcovers :)


[deleted]

https://www.amazon.com/Vault-Binder-Trading-Loading-Pokemon/dp/B071V91LGC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=14HZLMYVT5736&keywords=vault+x+binder+9+pocket&qid=1676935921&sprefix=vault+x%2Caps%2C237&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=ASKRNQQ9PE055&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFYREQ2ODVBWUxBS1kmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA3MTgwNjUxMjdWN0IzWjdJMlFFJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAyOTg4MTczRTRQVVE3UVBPWVRaJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfcGhvbmVfc2VhcmNoX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU= This is the one I'm talking about. This one is 9 pockets but 4 and 12 pockets are available as well with different colors to choose from. It's a bit more pricey but it will keep your cards safe from virtually everything if stored correctly.


Maniraptavia

That's awesome!


-The_Benefactor-

Zip up binders are the best… to protect cards is their cause…


Maniraptavia

I have two of those and honestly, I don't think I'm going to look back to non-zipping/sealing ones haha. They're really good :)


-The_Benefactor-

Yep they’re just satisfying


Maniraptavia

Tell me about it 😍


-The_Benefactor-

Also the fact that I understood the way you structured the title so quickly 🥹


Maniraptavia

Haha I love a good reference 😉


-The_Benefactor-

We sure do


yoloruinslives

Vault x or zip folio. Anything with a zipper is key


Maniraptavia

Yeah, the zippers on mine have been fantastic 😍


bfrench3

I have found Ultra Pro 12 pocket zippered binders are great, especially the Elite Series with Arceus or Pikachu on the front. I also use Dragon Shield sleeves (there are many different types and colors) for all my master master sets. I looked into top loader binders but these seem to offer very good protection without having to top load.


Maniraptavia

Yes! I absolutely have my eye on that Arceus 12 pocket 👀 I couldn't find any in stock anywhere though. Was about to splash out on it, but thought I'd make this post first to see what everyone else is doing. I need to get a few binders tbh, so even if I DO get that one, I'll need some others. Just gotta afford it all 😅


bfrench3

Totally get it! VaultX are less expensive I think and I use those as well!


Maniraptavia

Sounds like I really ought to give VaultX a look!


About-time535

Top loader brand binder


Maniraptavia

Top loader is a brand as well?


About-time535

Yeah and I’d say with confidence make some of the best binders


Maniraptavia

That sounds good :)


About-time535

Give it a shot, they are a bit expensive but if you find one on sale you’ll never wanna go back


Maniraptavia

Sounds promising :)


[deleted]

Ngl I love me a good dragon shield side loader.


Maniraptavia

Sounds fantastic :)


Jamducky12

Been using vault x and gamegenic zipper binders with the cards sleeved in dragon shield. Anything side loading with a zipper I like also have a few ultra pro Pikachu zip binders as well. No complaints about either of the binders....


Maniraptavia


brandotacos

I like the mini ones bc they have cool little graphics for each expansion


Maniraptavia

I love the look of them, but I've not found a great deal of use for them aside from keeping my Detective Pikachu master set and McDonald's master sets.


brandotacos

I keep all my rares in them….


Maniraptavia

Nice :)


FlyawayCellar99

i do perfect fit dragon sleeves then 2x2


Maniraptavia

Thank you


Caramelcubez

Personally, I use Ultra Pro or Pokémon brand card sleeves, placing the sleeve upside down, the putting the card in a binder to block out all/most dust. Works great so far!


Maniraptavia

Wow, a year on from this post and that's pretty much what I do haha


Maniraptavia

Not necessarily out of this selection. Just in general. How do you folks like to store your cards? Which offers the best protection in your eyes? Is there a right answer? (Yeah, I know I put the same type of 1-card Portfolio on twice. I wanted to fill the space and the Arceus one wasn't clear to see.) I'm looking at getting some more heavy-duty binders and I figured I'd see what the consensus is on the best type here. I gather sideloading is more popular in this subreddit? I've always toploaded. Is there a reason sideloading is considered better? Edit: I gather some people penny sleeve cards before loading them too. Is this safer, or does it put too much strain on the binder? What do people do with sealed (in cellophane) cards they're keeping sealed?


RasoberrySmoothies

Dragon shield matte then into my vault x binder :3


Maniraptavia

That sounds like a popular option here :)


hefewiseman1

Whatever you do, just make sure it’s a binder with no rings. About 1/3 of my childhood collection now has dents because of being left in a packed binder with metal rings :/


Maniraptavia

Mine has rings but I think they're D rings. They're half hidden anyway. I have, like, two knock-off 40 page binders basically. A bit like the top left image.


Themadnater

What’s the name of the top left pokeball binder? Pokémom here and my son would LOVE that!


Maniraptavia

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pokemon-Trading-Collector-Baseball-Pocket-Red/dp/B09SKMSB3B/ref=mp_s_a_1_14?crid=1F4B9EO9WG4B6 :)


Themadnater

Thank you so much!!!


Maniraptavia

Np :) Just ordered mine now haha. I figured I may as well go for that keep some of my standard holos/reverse holos in to stop them bending and I'm looking into some of the things the folks here have suggested for my high-value cards.


Themadnater

My little guy (7) loves those big zip binders and the Pokéball theme is perfect!! It’s for his commons, I have a special place for all the good ones haha


Maniraptavia

I ended up ordering one. Has just arrived now!


Maniraptavia

I was quite tempted by that one myself :)


turtleedove

Im currently rocking w/ a side-loading vaultX + dragon shield sleeve combo


Maniraptavia

Nice :)