Pin Backs Compared: Rubber, Locking, and Magnetic Clasps
By Sanshee, Collect Joy™ | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: Comparisons
Compare rubber, locking, and magnetic pin backs on grip, security, and comfort. Learn which clasp keeps your enamel pins safe and when to swap them.
Quick answer
For everyday wear, locking pin backs are the most secure and are worth the extra second to attach. Rubber backs work fine for light use but can loosen over time. Magnetic clasps are the easiest to put on and take off, but they hold less firmly on thick fabric. If you keep losing pins, switch to locking backs first.
How each pin back actually holds
Rubber backs rely on friction: the rubber grips the pin post, so grip fades as the rubber stretches or the post gets polished by repeated use. Locking backs use a small grub screw or spring mechanism that clamps the post, so they stay put even when you brush against a bag strap or jacket. Magnetic clasps use two magnets — one on the front, one on the back — and hold by magnetic force rather than gripping the post. That makes them the fastest to attach, but they can slide on thick denim or loose knits where the fabric shifts.
When each type makes sense
Rubber backs are fine for pins that live on a display board or a lanyard you rarely move. Locking backs are the practical choice for jackets, bags, and anything that gets bumped. Magnetic clasps suit pins you change often or wear on thinner shirts where you want a clean look and no fumbling. None of these are permanent: if a back stops holding, replacing it is cheaper than replacing the pin.
Fit and fabric matter more than the back alone
A locking back on a short pin post can be hard to thread; a magnetic clasp on a thick wool coat may not clamp through the layers. Check the pin post length and the fabric thickness before you commit. If you swap backs often, keep a small mix on hand so you can match the back to the outfit rather than forcing one type to do everything.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Rubber backs: Cheap and simple, but grip fades with use and they can pop off when snagged. Best for display boards or pins you rarely wear.
- Locking backs: Most secure hold, but you need to align the screw or spring and they add a little bulk. Best for jackets, bags, and daily wear.
- Magnetic clasps: Fastest to attach and remove, but can slide on thick fabric and may not hold a heavy pin. Best for thin shirts and pins you change often.
Pins in the catalog and what their backs mean for you
- Coffee Talk - Green Tea Latte Soft Enamel Pin: Coffee Talk - Green Tea Latte Soft Enamel Pin is a soft enamel pin with a ceremonial grade matcha theme. Soft enamel pins have recessed color areas, so a locking back helps keep the pin sitting flat and secure on a bag or jacket.
- Sanshee - Purrrfect Omurice Pin: Sanshee - Purrrfect Omurice Pin is a Sanshee Originals pin about perfect omurice. If you wear this on a daily bag, a locking back prevents the pin from rotating or dropping when you set the bag down.
- Sanshee - Coffin Juicebox Pin: Sanshee - Coffin Juicebox Pin is approximately 1.5 inch by 1.5 inch. A larger pin has more leverage against the back, so a locking or magnetic clasp will feel more stable than a rubber back.
Which pin back should you choose?
Choose this if
- You wear pins on jackets, bags, or lanyards that get bumped
- You have lost pins before and want a more secure hold
- You change pins often and want the easiest on/off
Skip this if
- You only display pins on a board and never wear them
- You want a permanent fix without ever checking the back
- You wear pins on very thick fabric where magnets may not hold
