I like to get the view-type binders with the one finger open and close mechanism. Plenty of color choices and several blogs have created free printables for personalizing the covers. I also prefer the heavier duty binders because they last longer.

Here's what I'd *like* to buy: Binders for my kids that don't fall apart halfway through the year.

I hate goes-to-landfill purchases. And yet, each year, we contribute many broken binders (purchased at office supply stores for a fortune in the hope that this time we are getting a binder that will last). The binders are not abused (i.e. used as baseball bases), but they are put in and taken out of backpacks several times a day. I don't think we've ever had a single one last a year. Not one! Not even the Avery heavy duty $10 binders! Not in a combined 20 years of schooling!

Typical failure is the front or back starts to rip off at the seam (leading to the entire back or front ripping off). If anyone has a great suggestion for me/us, I'd sure like to hear it.

I was just getting ready to buy binders for my recipes and other clippings. Then it occurred to be that maybe getting it onto the computer might be better so I started typing in my recipes. Am still on the fence about this. It seems like having everything digital and searchable will be easier. So for those of you keeping paper, how did you decide on that instead of digital.

@MCross- this sounds like the rings of your binders stay structurally sound- why not make your own? Some fabric around a sturdy cardboard filler, and glue the ring spine in.

Adais--it would be hard to overstate how uncrafty I am, but I appreciate your suggestion. I'm not sure that fabric will be tougher than thick plastic (but I could be wrong). Anyhow, I'll look for instructions. Thank you.

Interesting. I'd be curious to learn more about how design-minded people use binders and other filing systems to wrangle all the paper. It's the future, I shouldn't even have to use paper anymore!

@jlwmid I keep most recipes online in pinterest or Mastercook. Printed off for new recipe trial day. If it's a success, it goes into the TNT binder and into Mastercook , if it's not already there. Otherwise, it is deleted from the computer holding spot to prevent another failed meal.

@Katy did. Recipe blogs come and go, go down, etc. Hard drives also fail. I want the visual hardcopy to remind me. I like keeping magazine clippings in a binder.

@MCross Dad mentioned recently that new binders were hard to get during WWII. They would take the metal hardware from an old one, pay x mount to someone in wood shop to attach the hardware to a set of 3 hinged boards to create a sturdy new binder. He said they were really heavy, but they survived the entire war and a bit after. I remember in college when it dawned on me I didn't need a binder for every class, just a binder for 2 days of the week. Less wear on book bag, me, and the binders. I do remember every single teacher from grade 7 and up specifying folder or binder, number of dividers, labels on dividers, colors of folder/binder/dividers, and so on. That gets stupidly pricey very fast and you could only use each folder/binder for that specific class and section.

I love the staples binders. I have used the same 1/2" binder for grades (I am a teacher) for many years now. The rings don't get open or closed a lot, but it is constantly being open, closed, moved, put in bags, etc. If you need a binder for hard, regular use I would recommend them.

MonW--you are right--one of my kids in middle school has 7 classes and 9 binders. Seriously. So the binders have to be strong but still not too heavy (not all 9 are used every day, but some days the backpack is immense). I saw an online tutorial for a metal binder, but a) me make a metal binder? haha and b) too heavy.

LRP--I have bought the Staples binders (rarely 1/2-inch; usually thicker are required by the teachers) and they, too, have failed. Perhaps being stored in a boy's backpack is rougher than I think, but overall my kids are not tough on stuff. I do appreciate you adding your comment.

My personal favorite are the D-ring binders. I hate that my papers would tear and the papers wouldn't sit nicely in the standard round ring. And I always got the ones with the sleeves on the cover so that I could insert my own cover art for the spine and front.

@mcross Try the Staples better binder linked to in the post. I have one I've been using for 5+ years now.

@MCross
I think I'd be discussing it all with those teachers. I could see maybe a year of the "get good organizing habits established". However, no one method works for every single student in every school. Too much of that is purely for the benefit of the teacher and not the student. I remember one unfortunate classmate was "made an example of" because the pockets and brads folder was the wrong shade of the required yellow. Different store, and better price, meant off-shades of colors.
I'd worry about the sheer weight of any bag forced to carry 9 notebooks, plus the reading materials in an awkward load.
My issue back then was book bags that barely survived a semester. Two backpacks a year for four years got pricey.

This post might be too late but...I solved plastic cover rips by 3M spray glueing canvas or denim fabric to all my covers and they have lasted years..the ring open/close mechanism fails before the covers come apart, which is never. Other cheaper spray glues such as Elmer's won't do the trick. hMh