Best Sleeves to Prevent Wear & Bend
General forum
Posted on Feb. 10, 2014, 8:08 p.m. by Enlightened_Jedi
Just wondering what the best quality sleeves are for your decks?
I have Ultra Pro ones right now, with the textered-ish backing (50 sleeves per pack) and they are decent and I enjoy the nice color pigments for my deck, but I am noticing a slight bend in my cards and sometimes the edges nick and rip or wear when shuffling or after long term use.
So whats the best brand? (link's please as well)
Thanks in advance everyone.
NotSoLuckyLydia says... #3
I do not like new DragonShields. The old ones are sweet, durable, last for years. Now they make them cheaper, weaker, and all around worse. KMCs are where it's at.
http://kmcsleeves.com
February 10, 2014 8:21 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #4
It's typically a debate between Dragon Shields and KMCs.
Dragon Shields come in boxes of 100 and change, so they're perfect for EDH decks. They tend to pick up dirt a bit faster.
KMCs come in packs of 80, I think, so you have enough for your 75 and some backups.
Both are super durable, and they shuffle well.
February 10, 2014 8:23 p.m.
smash10101 says... #5
KMC Mats are usually considered as the best sleeves, though they have (somewhat) recently come out with Super Mats, which are supposed to be even better. KMC Supers are also considered good.
Dragon Shields are also pretty good. They are smooth and shiny, and stiffer and a tighter fit than KMCs.
Legion makes lots of good quality art sleeves, if you want something like that. Fantasy Flight does as well.
Basically, if you want the best protection money can buy, get KMC Perfect Fit sleeves, and then put Super Mats over those. If you want the good protection and want to save some money, go with Dragon Shields.
February 10, 2014 8:24 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #6
I don't like Fantasy Flight sleeves. I've had lots of problems with peeling, especially on the matte ones.
I'll agree that Legions are good as far as art-backed sleeves.
February 10, 2014 8:28 p.m.
I have some from legion that I love. Just watch out on some of the arts, there are cases where wider spaces of lighter colors will at times show the card backs through if they are damaged or transform cards. I still think they are worth it, though, and if you pick and choose your art to avoid those wide splotches of light color, no problem.
They make me happy.
February 10, 2014 8:33 p.m.
smash10101 says... #8
Every time we have thread about sleeves you say the same thing about Fantasy Flight Epochalyptik. Always right after I say that I like them. The only problem I've ever had with them is that they occasionally get messed up in on of my boxes (totally the box's fault, does it to other kinds of sleeves too). I also have yet to have any of my Ultra Pros split, though they are starting to have peeling issues, after 8+ years of use, so I guess I must treat my sleeves super well or get super lucky or something.
February 10, 2014 8:33 p.m.
However, I don't think Legion will prevent bend. They are a bit softer than other brands. They are just fine at preventing other types of wear, though.
February 10, 2014 8:34 p.m.
Epochalyptik says... #10
I don't bring them up myself because I swear by KMC and DS. I'll respond to others' points about FF, UP, and Legion, though. I'm not calling you out, in case you think that.
I don't often have UPs split, but I also don't use them much.
FFs have peeled on me several times (half a deck was bubbled or peeled at one point). I think it may have something to do with the way the sleeves are backed; mash shuffling does not agree with them, in my experience. The backing may not be properly or fully laminated, or I might have had a bad batch, but my pack of FFs was awful.
February 10, 2014 8:39 p.m.
Darkness1835 says... #11
In my experience DragonShield has the best quality. You can shuffle those bad boys forever and not have them wear down. The sleeves I have the most of though are Ultra-Pro sleeves. They come in packs of 50 for $4, perfect for drafting in case a couple break over time, and the texture on the back is great to hold. They're VERY slippery at first, but after gathering some oils and various hand-stuff, they're solid.
February 10, 2014 8:42 p.m.
I absolutely adore my KMC Hyper matte. I double sleeve and these sleeves are just incredible.
I tried dragon shields and felt kind of meh. The work well for EDH, but I would suggest KMC's any day of the week
February 10, 2014 9:18 p.m.
I religiously used Dragon Shields but recently tried KMC and they are the best on the market. I still use all my Dragon Shield for my EDH decks, but for 75 card decks, you can't beat KMC.
February 10, 2014 9:19 p.m.
miracleHat says... #14
Check out this youtube video comparing different videos: link 1
Check out this youtube video comparing different videos part 2: link 2 part 2
Hope that helps. For people watching these videos, i suggest watching more of tolaian community college videos.
February 10, 2014 9:38 p.m.
Smith_and_Tonic says... #15
Well if you want to REALLY protect your cards, get some KMC perfect fits, and double sleeve them with either ultra pros, dragon shields, or KMC's. I double sleeve my competitive decks with dragon shields because I know they will withstand hours of games as well as repeated shuffling. Every once in a while I will mess up a dragon shield but typically, they get too scuffed up after a really long time so I replace them.
February 10, 2014 10:20 p.m.
I use Dragon Shield for standard/casual/any deck costing under $500
KMC double-sleeves for any legacy or modern (or vintage) deck that breaks the bank and is a major investment.
Ultra-Pro for draft and sealed.
I HATE Ultra Pro. I bought a 50-pack before an FNM for draft, and seven sleeves had split by the end. AND I ONLY PLAYED TWO GAMES (went 0-2)! They really annoy me quality wise, but they're cheapest, so there you go.
February 10, 2014 11:09 p.m.
unholycookies says... #17
I use ultra pro sleeves. My sleeves don't tear on me like crazy, but then again I don't go crazy on them. But if you're not just a causal player.....don't do ultra pro.
February 10, 2014 11:32 p.m.
CastleSiege says... #18
I suggest you watch the following product comparisons/reviews. They'll give you a good idea on what sleeves you should or shouldn't buy. Personally I would double sleeve your cards with KMC Perfect Fits and KMC Hyper Mattes.
Comparing Different Brands of Sleeves:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bu1h0gtu2U
Taking a Look at KMC Hyper Mattes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46Z3-VK5R5A
How to Double-Sleeve Your Cards and Why:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ2tMSQcBr0
thataddkid says... #2
Dragon Shields are my newest sleeves and I must say I'm a convert.
THE SHINE. THE FEEL. THE SMOOOOOOOOOOTHNESSSSS.
http://store.tcgplayer.com/supplies/card-sleeves?ProductName=Dragon%20Shield&partner=WWWTCG
February 10, 2014 8:17 p.m.