Its a great binder - my kids buy them every year for school. The plastic cover does come off after months of use but the binder itself lasts. They are heavier than others we've tried and its weighty when kids are carrying 3 or 4 of them in backpacks. They are also more expensive but 'you get what you pay for' and these are worth it!
My son picked this binder out before the 7th grade started. He got four in different colors. They are more pricey but they appear to be holding up well. They are sturdy and made well. They do take up a lot of backpack space (we have four total) but they should last all school year if not longer. We are happy with this purchase.