With the nature of lockers small sharp edges constant use the average binder just does not hold up. I bought these binders for my son last year and he loves them. I consider myself value oriented but if I have to buy the cheaper binders multiple times the value just is not there.
These binders are the best I have found. My son has been using them for school for 3 going on 4 years. They hold up through the whole school year which is a huge feat. I have handed them in for the recycle program to get money off the purchase of a new one and the only thing wrong with them is that the front plastic sleeve has been torn off from the repeated shovings into a locker but the rings still closed evenly and they weren't ripped along the binding. I used to buy the cheap flimsy ones thinking I was saving money but half-way through the school year they would be destroyed and he would need replacements which are never on sale in Jan. So even though these are more expensive I now only have to buy one rather than spending more money on two cheap ones. I highly recommend these for any student or adult who is rough on their binders. If there is a binder recycle program in your area don't wait go hand in those cheap flimsy binders and get these especially since they are guaranteed.