Trapper Keepers were a freakin' ripoff. The plastic rings of the Trapper wear through the holes of the individual folders. The clear plastic cover would tear and flap around. I consider the trapper keeper to be one of those silly marketing gimmicks of the 80s. They cost, what, $4-5 back then?
I had three as a kid. I had a plain one. Had one of those spilled paint designs that were popular in '87-'88. Someone also gave me a brown leather Trapper when I was in highschool. Some of its parts were made of metal, such as the rings and clip.