Zipper Binder, 2 Inch 3-Ring Binder with Round Rings, Expansion Panel and 5-Tab Expanding File, 580 Sheet Capacity, Black (29052IT8)

2nd binder I have purchased. The first one last around 4 years. I was really impressed, especially for a teen boy. Got it as a 7th grader and this year the zipper finally gave out. Decided to go with another to last him the rest of high school.

*“A sturdy, low‑profile organizer that actually stays closed in a backpack and makes my school‑year paperwork painless.”* --- ## Why I Bought It I’m a sophomore in a high‑school that uses a mix of paper handouts, loose‑leaf assignments, and occasional project packets. My previous “plastic comb” binders kept popping open in my locker, and the cheap zip‑top notebooks I tried to use for loose papers would split after a few weeks. The Five Star Zipper Binder promised a **durable metal zipper, reinforced rings, and a slim profile**—exactly what I needed for a full semester of documents without adding bulk to my backpack. --- ## First Impressions & Build Quality | Feature | What I Noticed | |---------|----------------| | **Cover material** | 100 % polyester with a matte finish; feels tough but not overly stiff. | | **Zipper** | Heavy‑duty metal coil, 2‑inch opening, smooth glide. No snagging after the first few uses. | | **Rings** | Two 2‑ring metal loops (1‑inch diameter) that snap shut with a firm click. The rings stay aligned even when the binder is full. | | **Pocket layout** | Three interior pockets (two 9 × 12 in, one 9 × 6 in) with a reinforced bottom. The front pocket has a small pen‑holder loop. | | **Label window** | Clear, UV‑resistant sleeve on the front cover for a name‑plate or printable label. | | **Weight** | Approximately 7 oz (200 g) – light enough for a backpack but feels solid in the hand. | The binder arrives in a compact, recyclable box with a single sheet of quick‑start instructions. No extra “plastic wrap” or flimsy cardboard inserts—just the binder, a small metal keyring for the zipper pull, and a label sticker. --- ## How It Performs in Real‑World Use | Situation | What Happened | Verdict | |-----------|---------------|---------| | **Every‑day class handouts** | I slide loose sheets into the 9 × 12 pockets, zip it up, and toss it into my backpack. The zipper never catches on other items. | **A+** – No more lost papers. | | **Heavy project packets (up to 30 pages)** | The metal rings hold the stack without bending; the binder stays flat when placed on a desk. | **A** – Sturdy enough for thicker bundles. | | **Locker storage (stacked with other binders)** | The slim 1‑inch profile lets me fit three of these side‑by‑side, unlike the bulkier 1.5‑inch comb binders. | **A** – Space‑saving. | | **Travel to the library** | The zip closure stays sealed even when the bag is turned upside‑down. No papers slip out. | **A** – Reliable seal. | | **Durability after 4 months** | The zipper teeth show no wear, the rings still snap shut tightly, and the cover shows only a faint scuff on the bottom edge. | **A‑** – Still looks new. | --- ## Pros 1. **Heavy‑Duty Metal Zipper** – Smooth operation, no plastic breakage, and a secure lock that stays closed in a backpack. 2. **Reinforced Metal Rings** – Snap‑tight closure prevents rings from opening accidentally; they hold up to 30‑35 pages per pocket without bending. 3. **Slim, Low‑Profile Design** – Only 1 inch thick, perfect for stacking in lockers or backpacks. 4. **Three Interior Pockets** – Keeps loose worksheets, handouts, and smaller items (e.g., worksheets, receipts) organized. 5. **Label Window** – Easy to personalize with a printed name tag; the clear sleeve resists yellowing. 6. **Affordable Quality** – Priced around **\$9–\$11** on Amazon, it outperforms many higher‑priced “premium” binders. --- ## Cons | Issue | Why It Might Matter | |-------|---------------------| | **No built‑in pen loop** – The front pocket has a small slit but not a dedicated clip. Users who need a permanent pen holder may have to add a separate accessory. | | **Limited color options** – Currently only black (and a few seasonal colors on the Five Star site). Schools with strict color codes may want a navy or gray version. | | **Zipper pull is a simple metal ring** – Some users prefer a larger pull tab for easier one‑handed opening; a tiny fabric tab could be a nice upgrade. | | **Rings are fixed at 1 inch** – If you need to store larger paper (legal size) you’ll need a bigger binder; however, the 9 × 12 pockets still accommodate legal‑size sheets folded. | --- ## Who Should Buy This | User Type | Reason to Choose | |-----------|------------------| | **High‑school & college students** | Keeps handouts, assignments, and project packets organized without adding bulk. | | **Teachers & tutors** | Easy to carry lesson plans, worksheets, and grading rubrics; the zip keeps everything together during transport. | | **Office workers** | Great for temporary project files, receipts, or travel documents that need a secure, portable holder. | | **Parents & homeschoolers** | Ideal for organizing curriculum packets, worksheets, and progress reports. | | **Travelers** | Perfect for storing itineraries, boarding passes, and travel paperwork in a compact, zip‑sealed package. | --- ## Tips for Getting the Most Out of It 1. **Label early** – Insert a printed name tag in the front window before the binder gets crowded; it saves time when you need to locate it in a stack. 2. **Use the small front pocket for “quick‑grab” items** – Receipts, a spare pen, or a small calculator. The pocket’s reinforced bottom prevents tearing. 3. **Don’t overload the rings** – While the metal loops can hold 30‑35 pages, stuffing them beyond that can cause the rings to lose their snap‑tightness over time. 4. **Clean the zipper with a dry cloth** after each semester to remove dust; a quick swipe with a silicone‑based lubricant (e.g., “Zipper Rescue”) will keep it gliding smoothly for years. 5. **Add a fabric pull tab** – If you prefer a larger zipper pull, simply thread a small piece of fabric or a key‑ring through the existing metal ring for a custom handle. --- ## Bottom Line The **Five Star Zipper Binder** delivers on its promise of durability, organization, and a low‑profile design at a price that makes sense for students, teachers, and anyone who needs a reliable paper carrier. The metal zipper and reinforced rings set it apart from the cheap plastic‑comb alternatives that often fail mid‑semester. With only minor cosmetic tweaks (larger pull tab, pen loop) it would be a perfect 5‑star product. **Would I buy it again?** Absolutely—especially for a new school year or to replace a worn‑out binder. *Rating: 4.5/5 stars.*

I've had various Five-Star binders throughout my life. I could have sworn that they were developed by Mead but I'm not sure if they are. The last time I used these types of binders was when I went to college, I've been out of college for nearly a decade, however, I constantly find use for items that I may be done using, I use binders to hold my card collections. If you are looking for a well-made binder to protect your cards, then you will like this product. The product has a very strong front and back cover, it feels like it can take a beating for days on end. The 2-inch rings feel nice and solid; I haven't had any issues with the rings not aligning at all. This type of binder has built in folders for easy organizing, for those who are needing to keep their paperwork nicely organized. When it comes to functionality, this binder has a total of two pockets that can be zipped. The size of this binder is perfect for those who are collecting cards or going to school. If you need to close your binder, the zipper does an awesome job, I haven't had any issues with them at all so far. One addition to these binders that I never had when I was in school was that these binders now come with a carrying handle, having a carrying handle really helps with the functionality. If I had this type of binder when I went to school in the 1980's and 1990's I would have really appreciated the handle to hold my binder. Overall, I give this binder 5 stars because I've had literally no issues with the "Five-Star" brand binders every time I bought them.

Worked well and lasted about one school year. Started to rip after a while but worked fine still. Fit all the tings nesesary for school and was great. Zipper never broke which was a great quality.

Very sturdy construction. It takes a beating everyday on the 45 min bus rides and during the school day. It holds a lot and is easy to carry. Great for middle school!

This is a great binder for new middle schooler, the functionality is great, has traditional binder features and has an ideal built in organization and is a durable brand to protect the binder and homework, great value for money. I can officially say my middle schooler has not "lost" any of his homework after having this binder. Would recommend for other school aged kids (moms). One note on the size, it is a tight fit in the backpack but it fits.

This is a piece of TRASH! Ease of use is terrible. Functionality is terrible. Very difficult to zip in order to close after it is opened! And also added to that difficulty when attempting to zip and close the opened binder, the lowest (the bottom) ring of the 3 rings, is so near the bottom edge of the paper in the binder and so near to the bottom of the binder, that the paper gets caught and “locked” into the small square metal apparatus at the very end of the zipper. That caught and locked in first page of paper can only be removed by tearing the paper. This binder is going in the trash!

Roomy, lots of compartments

Maciza

a1

De muy buena calidad altamente recomendable.

Bought it for my son and he said it’s a great binder