BEST MINI NOTEBOOK? Moleskine Cahier Vs. Field Notes

[@JulieloopsJAM]

Good video! I think it's important to note that Field Notes uses different types of paper in different versions of their notebooks, so their paper quality isn't all the same from book to book.

[@rebeccawilt928]

Ahh thank you for this feedback, I didn't realize that! This paper quality was excellent so I am curious how the other paper quality is with their different products.

[@forestofthings]

Moleskine Cahier is my favorite for years and years and years! Such a classic.

[@mikeakers3453]

Stitched binding, and cover thickness are indicative of the ability to stand up to being carried around every day in a pocket for months. The folder in the back is useful as opposed to cute printing on the moleskin covers. (You can actually write your personal information inside the front cover even without the pre-printed form.) The perforated sheets are also useful. I wish the Moleskine paper was a little better quality but I think the Moleskine is far superior with regard to what matters to me. Thank you for your excellent video. Incidentally, lot of couples don't talk at all after ten years. You're doing very well.

[@blackflagimages5436]

I know it's been a while since you commented, but does the cover handle the day to day in and out of a pocket wear and tear? I usually use field notes, but I get MAYBE halfway through and the covers are falling apart!

[@srdjr6760]

I prefer Field Notes. I like that they are made in the U.S. and the stuff on the inside back cover. The perforated pages of the Moleskine are a very nice feature though. Also, Moleskine has 33% more pages than Field Notes and that is nothing to sneeze at if they are the same price, but you didn't mention the price of either. That's an important factor to consider. Nice comparison!

[@karinhart489]

While I’ve used the field notes with grid for over a decade, the 3 pack of dot grid I got in past 3 months says it was printed in China. Also, I don’t like that squares made by dots are bigger than the squares in the grid field notes and the moleskin.

[@dgunn4408]

Big fan of Moleskine notebooks, always have been. I have many, and use them for all sorts of purposes. Here's a story: I work in the construction industry (waterworks utility), I carry a XL size Moleskine grid notebook on me along with an iPad to every jobsite, every day. I wrote "Field Notes" on the cover so I guess I get the best of both worlds lol. I use a grid pattern because I need to switch between handwritten notes, rough technical drawings, and crudely drawn maps in my logs, and I like things to be somewhat presentable even though I am NO artist! In any case, my absolute favourite thing about the Moleskine notebook is that pouch in the back cover because it fits a Staedtler Drawing Template. I have 3 or 4 of the pocket size ones and one of the standard sizes. These are awesome tools for drawing quick pipeline maps in the field, and there is never a reason to not have a straight edge when you can load one into the back of all your notebooks. I use the drawing template instead of a ruler because its a big square that lays flat and doesnt ever try to fall out; and it has a bunch of circles you can trace to keep things tidy in your drawings. So Moleskine gets a huge win for that back cover pocket in my mind. I also really appreciate the patina my notebook takes on over time. The ivory pages don't quite show the dirt that comes off your hands as bad as white would, and the cover material (I use the soft cover) has held up amazingly well to having a mechanical pencil clipped to it 100% of the time, and taken on/off a dozen times each day.

[@hamnhock]

Thanks for the great review👍 For the longest time I strictly used moleskine. Like you I was enamored with the binding and how classy they are. I like using fountain pens and found the moleskine paper bleeds through terribly. I have to say since I found Field Notes I am a total convert. The paper is sturdy enough that there is no bleeding with my fountain pens. I have no issues with the FN covers, I feel they are plenty sturdy enough for my use. I still have a stack of the moleskine cahier notepads and I’ll use them for something but Field Notes are my EDC and I wouldn’t be caught without them.

[@pabloplaysguitar]

Excellent video. I recently switched, as a Moleskin fan I'm blown awa by them, but field notes are my favorite now hands down. Imo "cover thickness" is insignificant to me as I don't write on them lol. What I do love about moleskine are their packaging, it's such an experience to start a new one, yet that doesn't justify the cost to me 😂 PLUS field notes are made in the USA, which means a lot to me as both a veteran and son of a Farmer

[@sonijam]

I like how the ink looks in the Field Notes. Much more bold.

[@REALDONUTPANIC]

Stumbled upon your review. Very nice. Swiched from Moleskine to Field Notes long time ago. The Paper is crucial.

[@bryansammis998]

Either is great quality but the “American made” does add a point or two in Field Notes’ favor

[@GirlGeekLovesStampin]

I love your video! Personally I go for Field Notes because I am a fountain pen user and the paper is more dependable on my different inks. Thank you again!

[@loveyaclouds]

I thought FN didnt do so well with fountain pens?

[@1488life]

I went down an abyss of journaling in field notes. Grateful to have come across you. I’ve been looking for suggestions for daily tracking that doesn’t involve stickers and washi tape. Don’t get me wrong I’m sure those are lovely but I’m in need of practical. At any rate, thank you for the video, great information that I will definitely be utilizing.

[@Flatability]

I've used the Moleskine cahiers quite a lot, but found the paper to not be so good with a fountain pen. So I'm currently using Rhodia notebooks, which have a similar form factor, but with fountain pen friendly paper. Roughly the same price too, so it's a win/win. Having said that, I prefer being able to reposition pages, so I'm currently using a ring binder that is also roughly the same size as these notebooks. Works well. Thanks for sharing.

[@TheAkashicTraveller]

The rodia's look nice, and I like their paper. But they're 7.5 x 12 cm instead of the 9 x 14 of the firld notes and moleskine. I'd proably try the travelers company notebooks next, they're fountain pen friendly, they used to use tomoe river I beleive, and they've got a leather covor system if you want that. Their passport size is pretty similar.

[@NoLieIm51]

Really hated the perforated pages on the moleskin, I was pretty rough with the pages and they all came out. Going to try the field notes next

[@calihiker7980]

I prefer moleskine. Field notes does have much better designs, but they don’t hold up well to pocket use. Moleskine also has the micro perforated pages and pocket sleeve in the back. The paper quality of field notes is usually better, but they are about $3-5 more per 3 pack

[@missphilosopher187]

Love them both! ❤

[@captainnolan5062]

It would have been nice to compare the lined vs lined (so I could see what the line spacing is between the two). This is important for some of us.

[@kan-zee]

Field notebooks I love the PENTALIC Field bullet Journals (4x6 size) ...but they boosted the prices from $15 to $30 a book ....and now I am looking at buying up these Field notes , in the future, with a leather cover. Too bad...cause the paper that Pentalic uses..is fantastic. No bleeding , no ghosting , and doesn't bend easily.

[@kevinhannon6863]

Walmart has this Pentalic notebook for under $10.00

[@PanaMaJwaaRd]

for those wondering ... "man, i have to decide between binding and constrcutions vs paper quality..... " I found small pocketbooks from "the monk manual". I think its around 100gsm and stitch binding, to me, really nice blend of both worlds without sacrifice.

[@theol1044]

The Moleskine Cahier has 64 pages, and 16 SHEETS (= 32 pages) are perforated. So the entire second half of the pages is perforated.

[@karinhart489]

Plus, the difference between 64 pages vs 48 pages is more than “a few pages” & can be significant if you are trying to be sure there is enough room in one. Also, the Moleskine goes on sale from time to time while I’ve not seen the Field Notes ever go on sale.

[@raymonddrye3205]

Great video, Rebecca! It’s so funny being that I was just wondering about this topic a few days ago 😅 you’ve helped me settle on Moleskine! Thank you ;)

[@captainnolan5062]

64 pages - 48 pages = 16 extra pages in the Moleskine. 16/48 = 33.3%. Thus, the Moleskine is 1/3 bigger than the field notes! So, for every three Moleskines you buy, you would have to buy 4 Field Notes to have the same number of pages. This makes Field Notes quite a bit more expensive per 192 pages (and thus making the Moleskine a much better value for the money). Therefore, even if they were identical in quality, the sheer volume of additional Moleskine pages would win the comparison hands down. Moleskine = $12.95/3 = $4.32 per book, $4.32 x 3 = $12.95 per 192 pages. Field Notes = $12.95/3 = $4.32 per book; 4 x $4.32 = $17.28 per 192 pages

[@bensimpson9175]

Thank you for the info. I actually like the staples even though they are a esthetically yuck...they can be easily removed and the notes rearranged at the end of the notebooks life. I loathe ghosting, so the paper of the Moleskine is a deal breaker. I wish the Field Notes had a pocket! And like you said, just a taaaaad more durable cover.

[@rebeccawilt928]

So many people have said that about the Moleskine- if they could just change the paper quality, I think that would make a big difference!

[@traceythibault4946]

I just got my first moleskine notebook and I can't wait to write in it I just wondering can I use my FRIXION pen in my moleskine notebook ?

[@1973sonvis]

Thanks for the great video! 😊👍🏻 Is it OK to like both? I always have a notebook in my pocket, but I don't care if it's Moleskine or Field Notes. Moleskine is a little cheaper and can be found in most bookstores (Norway), while Field Notes is a little more fun and a little more exotic and a little more unavailable. I use ballpoint pens, mechanical pencils and fountain pens in all my notebooks, I really don't care about bleedthrough. Come on, we're talking about pocket notebooks, who really cares about ink stains? ✒️

[@janablanco3946]

I haven’t used Field Notes, but I was so disappointed in the Moleskin paper when I got some of their little notebooks! I agree about the binding, but the paper quality would win for me. Next time I buy some I think I’m going to go with the Field Notes. Thanks for a great video!

[@rebeccawilt928]

Thanks for the comment! :) I agree, for me, paper quality is such a dealbreaker. Hope you like Field Notes, you'll have you let me know what you think after you have been using them for a bit.

[@unsocialorphan]

Have you/ he tried Dapper?

[@allenvasher5358]

I carry a small flexible ruler in the moleskine pocket

[@heatherstyers6884]

Happy Sunday ☀️!!! I love your video content. Would you do a video on hardcover spine journals options? Also, could you also list in the comment section your recommendations on hard cover spine journal options as well?

[@rebeccawilt928]

I will definitely look into this! Is this for regular journaling or bullet journaling, and what size are you looking for?

[@heatherstyers6884]

I will be using the journal to write down all of my inspirational quotes. I’m looking for a medium (5x7) or large (8x10). I’m not interested in the journal that has the spiral. Thank you 😊

[@rebeccawilt928]

@@heatherstyers6884 I will make a video on this soon! :)

[@heatherstyers6884]

Thank you Rebecca!!!!

[@merryberry423]

I love your videos!

[@rebeccawilt928]

Thank you for watching!

[@iliana.m]

I really enjoyed the comparison!! 🌟 I haven't seen a Field notes or these particular Moleskine notebooks in person but from the points you made: I think I would like a thinner cover better for this small notebook, I would enjoy the paper in the Field notes better (though I love Moleskine paper in their other products which I use frequently but for this I would like another type that doesn't bleed through), I love the staples for binding! 🤣🤣 I don't know why, I really don't like stitched binding most of the times for thin notebooks!!! 🤷🤷 Also, you can open them and mix and match the pages inside! I also Love what is written in the field notes.... And I don't like having perforated pages because then I don't feel comfortable writing in them since they don't feel permanent enough 🤣 So I think for all the points, I may like Field notes better! 😂😂🌟 Many of the "disadvantages" seems really "advantages" to me !! Hahaha!!!

[@captainbilgewater]

The Field Notes staples can get very rusty over time. I'll stick with the Cahiers.

[@althepal6989]

You forgot two important things. Price difference. Fountain pen users. Field Notes are known to not be fountain pen ideal and the Moleskin, although thinner is more fountain pen friendly.

[@RachelWrites]

I prefer the thinner paper.

[@garrettgriffin4974]

The paper quality edged out Field Notes for me. No bleedthrough/ghosting is an absolute must for me. Moleskine has bleed-through. Field Notes doesn't. Therefore, I use Field Notes.

[@bushcrafty7274]

Silvine pocket.

[@lissetsanchez5316]

Thank you for doing this life changing video, lol! In all seriousness this truly helped me stick to what works for me. #Moleskin

[@tcconnection]

That stitching in the page didn't look neat, overhang, but I haven't seen FieldNote staples look that sloppy either so either way. Field Notes has made a variety of specialty covers that the other doesn't offer though.

[@kathyfannon7563]

I've been a Moleskine fan for many years, but recently I discovered they are made in China. I'm very disappointed by that and will not continue to purchase them. I love the stitched binding as well, which is why I originally chose them over Field Notes, but next time I need more notebooks, I will buy Field Notes as they are made in the U.S.

[@Siberius-]

The much larger gap on the Field Notes is bothering me...

[@charlenestrasburg545]

What about price?

[@storytellersharonkirkclift6399]

It is pronounced mo LEH ski nee. They are my favorite field notebooks, too, so, years ago, I called the company to see how to pronounce it. Your review is great. Thanks!

[@K3zz21]

I absolutely hate Moleskine cahiers. The paper is as thin as receipts.

[@rebeccawilt928]

I get it, it's hard when everything bleeds through.

[@Alexander-bp2ht]

Spend 10 minutes of each of their websites and then come back and shoot this video.

[@mrk131324]

Ehm … Leuchtturm? Pretty much all the Japanese options? The two you showed are not even in the competition. It’s like you talk about “the best airline” and you talk about American vs. United. There is a world out there.

[@xuanaraya]

Which Japanese brands?

[@Just1Guy1000]

In all fairness, she compared the two she had experience with, not the entire market segment. That is how she titled the video this vs. that not best overall.

[@lesliespann6420]

Snark.

[@quixotik1021]

In terms of Kraft covered A6 notebooks, these are the best. I like leuchtterm but their pocket notebook leave a lot to be desired. Japanese stationary is overrated, the paper is always too thin.

[@grreeeeee]

Some of us like to be able to go into a shop and find a notebook. We don’t want to special order some nerd shit for our fountain pens that take a hundred years to dry. We want to scribble something down quickly. Chill out.

[@phillipstroll7385]

Uhm, you are lying. Why would he ask you which one is better when he's the one using the books, not you. He wouldn't. You are doing the video beverage you want to. Not because he asked you. Also, paper weight is irrelevant. Especially if it's coated / sized paper. The best paper on the planet was india / original onion skin paper. Which was super light super thin but didn't ghost / bleed / feather and held up to water.

[@charlenestrasburg545]

Yes onion skin paper is nice.

[@TheWildmanSociety]

I have no idea what this video was about. I was too distracted by your beauty...