More Expensive Than Worthwhile, Ultra-Pro 7MM Toploaders Are Good For Nuisance Cards!

The Good: Durable, Clear, Easy to use
The Bad: Big cards slide right out, Expensive
The Basics: Usually necessary only for those shipping extra-thick trading cards, the Ultra-Pro 3” X 4” 7mm Toploaders are a tougher sell for collectors.


When it comes to trading cards, recent years have seen the advent of thicker trading cards, which do not fit into the traditional toploaders (reviewed here!). Instead, cards like badge and costume cards require larger – thicker - protectors. While most of the thicker cards do not fit into the traditional 9-card card pages, most collectors who keep their cards in binders tend to find more inventive ways to store and display their extra-thick cards than with thicker card protectors. The gold standard for thicker cards are Ultra-Pro 3” X 4” 7mm Toploaders. Because there are so many things that can befall a trading card – given that they are generally fragile, usually cardboard, objects – having protection for extra thick trading cards is absolutely essential. Ultra-Pro 3” X 4” 7mm Toploaders provide that protection.

Ultra-Pro 3” X 4” 7mm Toploaders are solid polypropylene protectors that are clear and less firm than their thinner counterparts. Because the space inside the toploader is 7mm of space, the otherwise hard sides of the toploader have quite a bit of give to them. Sealed on three sides, the Ultra-Pro 3” X 4” 7mm Toploader accepts a card by sliding it in through the wide opening at the top of the toploader. The Ultra-Pro 3” X 4” 7mm Toploaders fit virtually any 2 1/2” by 3 1/2" trading card that would be easily evident in the unopened pack of cards – like overthick badge cards. When properly placed in the Ultra-Pro 3” X 4” 7mm Toploader, the corners of trading cards are protected and the surface of a trading card is able to resist scratches and dents as well.

Ultra-Pro 3” X 4” 7mm Toploaders are a far cry from perfect, though. Nothing short of a Lucite block will keep a trading card in absolutely mint condition and Ultra-Pro 3” X 4” 7mm Toploaders do a fair job of protecting cards. However, Ultra-Pro 3” X 4” 7mm Toploaders leave way too much room inside the toploader; in order for them to fit a thicker card, the opening is so wide and so flexible that oversized cards easily slip out.

I am a fan of one-stop solutions; a product that actually solves whatever problem it claims to on its own. Ultra-Pro 3” X 4” 7mm Toploaders require one to tape the toploader closed in order to be effective, especially when using these toploaders to ship cards. To get your card out of the toploader, simply turn it over and gently tap the bottom; your card will slide out exceptionally easily.

Ultra-Pro 3” X 4” 7mm Toploader are easy to use and are pretty much the only option for those transporting or shipping extra-thick trading cards, but they are a far cry from an exceptional product!

For trading card reviews, be sure to visit my reviews of:
2013 Star Trek Movies Star Trek Into Darkness Preview Set
2009 James Bond Archives trading cards
Star Wars Jedi Legacy trading cards

5/10

For other card product reviews, be sure to visit my Card Review Index Page for an organized listing!

© 2015 W.L. Swarts. May not be reprinted without permission.
| | |