Deck Boxes: Where to draw (haha) the line
Every avid card gamer knows that to protect their high value cards, they're gonna need more than top of the line card sleeves to ensure quality is maintained. That's where the humble deck box comes in. Often an overlooked piece of the card master's arsenal, deck boxes come in all shapes and sizes and offer high quality protection from the outside world. Today I'm going to be reviewing a few of the deck boxes that we carry in our store, and offering the pros and cons to each.
People often worry when you pay for so-called 'budget' items, that you skimp on quality, and in the case of the eclipse deck box but Ultra Pro, it really isn't the case. For the price of around $5.50 AUD, you get a deck box that has surprising amounts of durability and security. With a self-locking lid, the eclipse is able to store cards through bumpy rides and harsh travels. However, the eclipse has an intense break in period, where the box is too secure for its own good, and makes it hard for owners to easily access their cards due to the rigidity of the plasticine lid.
Next we have an option for those looking to use their deck box both as a baseball and as a safe storage for their important cards. Of all the deck boxes I'm reviewing this one is the one I'd trust to last through a zombie apocalypse with. With a water resistant pleather outer layer, and mag-lock sealing, you'd be hard pressed to ruin the cards inside. This box also comes with a 2-piece combination, meaning that accessing your cards is very easy. One downside to this system of security is the fiddly nature of the lock, as it becomes a little hit or miss to open the box quickly if you're in a rush.
For all those who want to support environmentally safe card gaming, we have the Boulder, now in an environmentally friendly case! This piece comes in many colours all with recyclable dyes, and is made of 97% recyclable materials. As for the quality, the eco-friendly tag does not take away from the durability, and you can expect the standard boulder level quality in this deck box as well. One downside to this box is the lack of soft inner lining, meaning your cards could get slightly dented with too much rattling around inside the box. Otherwise, this is a great option for those wanting a mix of quality and budget friendliness.
Now, in my humble opinion, the best of the best has been saved for last, as now we get to talk about Ultimate Guard's magnum opus of deck boxes, the Sidewinder Xenoskin. Coming in at a modest $21.99, the value this box brings is quite incredible. The 'Xenoskin' outer covering ensures your cards, and the box itself, remain free from spillage, light scratches and the general wear and tear of the card game world. Along with this comes the soft fabric inner liner, which protects naked cards and sleeved ones alike. With an easy to use flip tray and magnetic seal, I truly struggle to find a fault with this deck box. Sadly though, I must contradict this with the slight downfall is the lack of compatibility with larger box holders, as these boxes are specifically designed to be used within an Ultimate guard deck box holder, and can ruin the layout of other holders.
There you have it! The Cardtastic team's review of some of our great deck boxes that we carry in store. Make sure to come in and have a bit more of a chat if you are looking for more guidance, as I am sure we can find the perfect deck box for you!