Last updated: April 2, 2026
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Like most collectors, I started out using the paper sleeves that came with the records or cheap generic ones. They were fine back when I was only buying $2 records.
Once I started noticing new scuffs and scratches showing up that weren’t there before, I decided it was time to upgrade. I always liked the feel of the old rice paper sleeves because they created way less static. After looking around, I found the Mobile Fidelity inner sleeves and they’ve been my go-to ever since.
These sleeves are excellent. They have very little static build-up and they don’t cause scuffs or scratches on your records. The way I store mine now is simple: I keep the original paper sleeve inside the record cover, slide the record into a Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Vinyl Record Inner Sleeve, then put it back behind the cover inside the outer sleeve.
I then put the records into Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab Vinyl Record Inner Sleeves then behind the cover inside the plastic outer sleeve.
The outer sleeves I have always used are 3 mil Vinyl Record Outer Sleeves. They can be purchased many places online. I have found that the 3 mil thickness is best. 4 mil is a little thick for me. I still like to be able to see the cover clearly through the outer sleeve and 3 mil gives plenty of protection. This is of course just personal preference. Any sleeve lower than 3 mil I feel does not offer enough protection. I have had these tear many times. There are also self sealing sleeves that are very low quality out there. I do not recommend these as they offer very little protection for your cover. I have always tried to find sleeves that protect well enough that the resale value of my LP’s would not be compromised.
