The Traveler’s Notebook has built up a huge following of enthusiasts around the world. That’s extraordinary when you consider that, fundamentally, you could say it is simply a flap of leather with some rubber bands. So what is its great appeal? Let’s start at the beginning …
What is a Traveler’s Notebook? It’s a handcrafted genuine cowhide leather cover made by the Traveler’s Company of Japan. It uses rubber bands to hold a wide assortment of inserts and other accessories, and another band to hold the notebook closed. The notebooks come in two sizes and four colors.
The first one I bought was for my wife, Alli. We were headed overseas, and I thought she might like to journal about our travels. It turned out to be such a whirlwind trip, that she really didn’t get a chance. Some months later, with the notebook sitting unused in her desk drawer, she asked me if I’d mind her giving it to a friend who she thought would love it. Fine.
Fast forward a couple of years, and I was looking for another notebook for a particular use (more about that a bit later), and the Traveler’s Notebook came back to my mind as a perfect solution. So, I ordered another one for myself. It is now my constant companion, and I love it.
Table of Contents
1. A Brief History of the Traveler’s Notebook
The concept was born in 2005, when a Japanese company called Designphil (makers of the well-known Midori paper) displayed some products at a stationery trade fair. The company had been conducting an in-house design competition and the prototype Traveler’s Notebook was the standout idea. When revealed at the trade fair, the public response was very positive, and the line quickly went into production in Chiang Mai, Thailand, were they are still made today.
The first notebooks hit the market the following year, in 2006, and since that time they have grown in popularity, until now they have a worldwide following. People eagerly wait each year to see what new inserts and accessories will be released. Limited edition inserts and annual themes often sell out in weeks, and become highly sought after collectibles.
Originally, it was called the Midori Traveler’s Notebook, named after the paper used for the inserts. You will still hear many people referring to it by that name, but in 2015 it was officially rebranded under the name “Traveler’s Company (TRC)”.
Apart from being an elegantly simple design and a completely customizable system, the notebooks are loved for their high quality leather covers. The more you handle them, the more supple and mature the leather becomes. Over time, they absorb the natural oils in your skin giving them a beautiful patina.
2. The Traveler’s Notebook Range
They come in two different sizes, and four colors:
Sizes
The most popular size is the “Regular”. It measures 9″ x 5″, which is close to A5 size, although a little narrower in width. It accommodates inserts that provide ample space for planning, writing and drawing. It’s also a good size for some of the larger accessories, like pockets and zipper pouches. Carrying a full Regular size notebook is going to feel a bit like a pocketbook or purse.
The other size is the smaller “Passport” version. It measures 5.2″ x 3.8″. It works exactly the same as the Regular, but on a smaller scale. This is the size I have right now. It really comes down, however, to what you are using it for. I don’t use mine as a wallet (I have one of those), or to write the great American novel. I want something that stuffs easily into my pocket, and the Passport size is perfect.
Colors
Both sizes come with a choice of four colors: Black, Brown, Camel, and Blue. All of them are quite stunning, but my favorite is the camel.
Traveler’s Notebook Starter kits
When you order your notebook, it will come with the basic set up you need to get started: (1) the leather cover, (2) a spare outer elastic band, (3) a cotton case (which is handy to keep in your desk with spare accessories for your notebook), and (4) one blank MD paper notebook.
Of course, these really are the bare bones of a system, and you will probably want to order some other inserts so that you can set up your Traveler’s Notebook properly as soon as you get it. (To use more than one insert, make sure you order a set of extra bands.)
3. MD Paper
The Traveler’s Company who produce the notebooks began as a paper company, and Midori paper was their signature brand. Midori MD is a premium Japanese paper, in white or a distinctive cream color. It has a coating, but retains a texture that is very satisfying to write on. Best of all, for me, it is absolutely fountain pen friendly.
The notebooks come with a blank 32-sheet (64-page) insert. But you can also order inserts of the same paper in lined, dot grid, graph, and pre-printed planner pages. Which brings us to …
4. Traveler’s Notebook Inserts, Refills and Accessories
This is how you customize your notebook, both to your personality and to the purpose you want to use it for.
Inserts / Refills
These typically make up the bulk of the system you’ll put together, and the manufacturer recommends that you put 2 to 3 inserts in your Traveler’s Notebook. I’ve seen people squeezing in 4 plus accessories, and it’s a tight fit but possible.
In addition to the notebooks already mentioned, you can get weekly and monthly planners, letter pads, sketch books, and watercolor art books, etc. (See the tables below for a more complete list.)
Accessories
This is where you can have a lot of fun. Here’s a list of some of the accessories you can add to your notebook:
- Plastic stick-on pockets
- Kraft paper folders
- Message cards
- Stickers
- Cotton zipper cases
- Page tabs
- Pen holders
- Brass clips
- and more
You can even get storage binders to archive and protect up to 5 of your used refills.
These basic refills and accessories are always available, and so they have a standardized numbering system. It makes re-ordering very convenient. You get to know the numbers of the items that you use regularly.
Table of Regular Size Refills
| # | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 001 | Lined Notebook | 6.5mm rule, 80gsm, 32 sheets |
| 002 | Grid Notebook | 5.5mm grid, 80gsm, 32 sheets |
| 003 | Blank Notebook | 80gsm, 32 sheets |
| 004 | Pocket Sticker | Pack of 3, clear plastic with adhesive |
| 005 | Free Diary (Daily) | Undated, day to a page (2 months), 5x5mm grid, 80gsm, 32 sheets |
| 006 | Pocket Sticker (L) | Clear plastic, 1 adhesive pocket |
| 007 | Card File | Clear plastic, 12 business card pockets |
| 008 | Zipper Case | Clear plastic, 1 x zipper pocket, 2 flat pockets |
| 010 | Double Sided Stickers | 3 sheets x 56 stickers (total 168) |
| 011 | Refill Binder | Hardcover, takes up to 5 refills |
| 012 | Sketch Paper Notebook | 156gsm, 24 sheets, perforated |
| 013 | Lightweight Paper Notebook | Blank, 52gsm (Tomoe River), 64 sheets |
| 014 | Kraft Paper Notebook | Blank, 65gsm, 32 sheets |
| 017 | Free Diary (monthly) | Undated, month to double page (14 months), 80gsm, 24 sheets |
| 018 | Free Diary (weekly vertical) | Undated, week to double page (6 months), 80gsm, 32 sheets |
| 019 | Free Diary (weekly + memo) | Undated, week to double page (6 months), 80gsm, 32 sheets |
| 020 | Kraft Paper Folder | File folder, 2 pockets |
| 021 | Connecting Rubber Bands | Qty 4 |
| 022 | Sticky Notes | 8 blocks x 30 notes (total 240), clear plastic backing |
| 023 | Film Pocket Sticker | Clear plastic with adhesive, 6 sheets of 3 (total 18) |
| 025 | Blank Notebook (cream) | 80gsm, 32 sheets |
| 026 | Dot Grid Notebook | 5x5mm grid, 80gsm, 32 sheets |
| 027 | Watercolor Paper | 12 sheets, perforated |
| 028 | Kraft Card File | Kraft paper & clear plastic, 60 business card pockets |
| 029 | Threefold File | Clear plastic, 2 compartments, holds A4 sheets |
Table of Passport Size Refills
| # | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 001 | Lined Notebook | 6.5mm rule, 80gsm, 32 sheets |
| 002 | Grid Notebook | 5.5mm grid, 80gsm, 32 sheets |
| 003 | Blank Notebook | 80gsm, 32 sheets |
| 004 | Zipper Case | Clear plastic, 1 x zipper pocket, 2 flat pockets |
| 005 | Lightweight Paper Notebook | Blank, 52gsm, 40 sheets, perforated |
| 006 | Free Diary (monthly) | Undated, month to double page (14 months), 80gsm, 24 sheets |
| 007 | Free Diary (weekly) | Undated, week to double page (6 months), 80gsm, 32 sheets |
| 008 | Sketch Paper Notebook | 156gsm, 16 sheets |
| 009 | Kraft Paper Notebook | 65gsm, 32 sheets |
| 010 | Kraft Paper Folder | File folder, 2 pockets |
| 011 | Connecting Rubber Bands | Qty 4 |
| 013 | Blank Notebook (cream) | 80gsm, 32 sheets |
| 014 | Dot Grid Notebook | 5x5mm grid, 80gsm, 32 sheets |
| 015 | Watercolor Paper | 10 sheets, perforated |
| 016 | Refill Binder | Hardcover, takes up to 5 refills |
Table of Accessories (fit both sizes)
| # | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 009 | Repair Kit | 8 x elastic bands (various colors), 2 x page marker strings, 1 x tin clasp |
| 016 | Pen Holder | 1 pack, leather and metal, choose black, brown, camel or blue |
| 030 | Brass Clip | 1 pack, gold color, TRC logo |
In addition to the basic refills and accessories, every year sees new “limited edition” items …
“B-sides and Rarities”
Vinyl records (“those were the days”) had two sides — the A-side and the B-side. The B-sides weren’t the “hit” song release; they were thought of as extra tracks. So, sometimes the artist would use them to experiment with new ideas. Every now and then a B-side track would take off and become even more popular than the A-side.
Over the years, the Traveler’s Company have released inserts for their notebooks that were more unusual or “experimental”. Some of them have been a huge hit, and so later they are re-released under the name “B-sides and Rarities”.
Annual themes and limited sets
Every year, a special theme is announced, and accessories are released to go with the dated planners. For example, the theme for 2022 was inspired by “Movies and Soundtracks”. In 2021, it was “Books”. In 2020, it was “Travel Tools”.
SO, as you can see, the range of add-ons produced by the Traveler’s Company is quite extensive. But if they don’t have just exactly what you’d like to put in your notebook, there are also many online sellers producing additional options to fit them.
5. Uses For Your Traveler’s Notebook Cover
Because it is so customizable, people use these notebooks for a wide variety of purposes.
Journal
As the name implies, the Traveler’s Notebook was originally marketed as a travel journal, and journaling is probably still the most popular usage. Whatever style of journal you like to keep, you can adapt these for it. They go anywhere, and you can build them with plenty of “pockets” for keepsakes you pick up along the way.
Sketchbook
Many artists use a Traveler’s Notebook, and fill it with the extremely good quality sketch paper inserts. This is a thicker paper, ideally suited to a range of art pencils, ink, and even charcoal. There’s also a watercolor insert, which is thicker again, and textured especially for watercolors. I’m not an artist, but it seems to me that each page of these inserts is like a small canvas.
Notebook on the go
Some people have a far more humble use for the Notebook, to be able to capture important notes, reminders, contact information, and so on. The Passport size is particularly suited to this.
Scrapbook
Run a Google search and you’ll find lots of photos that people have posted online showing how they’ve turned their Traveler’s Notebook into amazing artistic collections. If you have a flair for scrapbooking, this is a great option.
Wallet or purse
Again, by making use of the various pockets available (stick-on and zipper types), you could just carry a Traveler’s Notebook and do away with your purse. You can easily set it up to store money and credit cards.
Day planner
Lots of people now use their Traveler’s Notebook as their day planner. You have your choice of dated or undated, daily, weekly and monthly planner inserts, which you can combine with all the other inserts and accessories to create a really useful business or personal toolkit.
How I use my Traveler’s Notebook
I was looking for a daily carry notebook that could serve as both a simple jotter to record important information on the go, and a scheduling calendar for this blog. So, I opted for the Passport size, and filled it with (1) a monthly calendar for scheduling blog posts, (2) two dot grid notebooks – one for general use, and one for blog planning, (3) a kraft paper folder, which adds two sturdy cardboard pockets inside the front and back covers, and (4) some brass tabs for marking important pages.
I also added a pen holder, in which I keep a Taccia Pinnacle Fountain Pen. I love this pen, because it’s aesthetically a perfect match for the Camel color of my Notebook, and also because its fine (Japanese) nib allows me to write very small and maximize the space on my notebook pages.
TIP: Along with my fountain pen, I added one more thing. I cut a piece of blotting paper down to the size of my Notebook pages, and put a brass tab on the top edge. Whenever I write, I quickly move the blotting paper to that page before closing my Notebook, and that way I never end up with smudged writing. (Read my post about blotting paper.)
You can see a gallery of several photos of my Traveler’s Notebook at the top of this post.
6. Some Pros and Cons
So, let me talk about a few of the things I like and don’t like about Traveler’s Notebooks. I’ve tried to include a lot of information in this post, and in doing so I’m sure you can pick up that I am a fan. But I’ll do my best to be very objective here:
Pros
- High quality leather.
- Good value over the long term – a Traveler’s Notebook should last you a lifetime.
- Extremely customizable.
Cons
- The initial outlay is expensive. The cover alone is $50 (Regular) or $40 (Passport), and by the time you add several inserts and some accessories you can expect to spend $80 to $90 to set it up.
- It doesn’t lay flat very easily. So if that’s very important to you, you should take it into consideration before buying one.
Overall, I highly recommend the Traveler’s Notebook.
7. Setting Up a Traveler’s Notebook
The inserts are held in place by a system of rubber bands. Unless you’ve seen it up close, you might wonder how well that could work. I suspected that it might feel insecure or “sloppy”. It doesn’t. The system works amazingly well.
You can actually use any rubber bands that are about the right size, but I recommend you buy a pack from the Traveler’s Company, because they are the perfect size and shape.
When you receive your Traveler’s Notebook, it comes with complete instructions for how to secure 2 or 3 inserts. The process is slightly different depending on the number of inserts. But the instructions are easy to follow, and once you know how it works for 2 or 3 inserts, you can easily figure out how to add more correctly.
8. Caring for Your Leather Notebook Cover
As already mentioned, the high quality cowhide leather used for Traveler’s Notebooks generally ages and patinas beautifully. Its color deepens and any scratches become less noticeable (and even add to its character).
All of this is a natural process of time and handling, and you don’t really need to do any maintenance. You may, however, choose to help the process along by applying a good quality leather cream. The manufacturer recommends a German product called Renapur, which is available quite inexpensively on the Traveler’s Company USA website. If you use a different brand, it’s a good idea to test it on a small area on the back of your cover first.
If the leather gets very wet, the best thing to do is absorb the excess water with a clean cloth, and then dry it out somewhere away from direct sunlight.
9. Traveler’s Notebook Alternatives
If you just search “traveler’s notebook” online, you’ll discover a lot of other versions now available that are made by other manufacturers. When the original Traveler’s Notebook was still being called the Midori notebook, someone coined the term “fauxdori” for the knock-offs, and that nickname has stuck.
What are we to say about these other alternatives on the market?
Well, there’s a lot of variation, so it’s hard to generalize. Some are not even leather at all, and that may be attractive to some people. You may not like the look of leather, and prefer one of these.
If you do want a leather cover, however, be aware that the quality varies a lot by manufacturer. You can save a few dollars by buying a cheaper brand, but you might end up with a much inferior product. Do your homework and make an informed choice.
Personally, I would rather go for the original Traveler’s Company brand, because I know exactly what I’m getting. The only alternative I might consider is Galen Leather. This is a high quality leather goods manufacturer based in Instanbul, Turkey, who have put their own spin in the Traveler’s Notebook. They look amazing, and Galen are a well-respected brand in their own right. (I have no affiliation with them).
10. Where Can You Get One?
[Note: For full disclosure, the only source below who I am affiliated with in any way is Amazon.]
If you’re looking to buy a genuine Traveler’s Company Notebook, there are several sources.
Traveler’s Company USA
This is fairly new, but the company has now opened an online presence in the USA, so you can buy direct. I’ve heard some great stories about their shipping and customer service, so it’s a good option.
Their website also lists physical stores around the US and the world that are authorized sellers or “partner shops”. It’s great if you can get to one and “browse”!
JetPens
This is actually where I bought mine from. They carry good stock of the entire line, and JetPens have excellent customer service. You’ll pay pretty close to the same list prices as buying directly from the manufacturer.
Amazon
You may be able to find some good deals at the online giant, and if you’re interested in looking at non-genuine versions, you’ll find a lot to choose from.
I recommend that if you want to place one single order for the cover, inserts and accessories, you might be better to go with either TRC or JetPens, but if you don’t mind shopping around for the different pieces, do check out what Amazon has.
eBay
You can find Traveler’s Notebooks on eBay too, although not necessarily any cheaper for items in new condition. If you are willing to “adopt” a pre-loved cover, however, you might be able to score a good deal on one.
Still Want to Know More?
The wonderful people at Yoseka Stationery in New York City (a great shop to visit if you’re in town) have put together the best video that I’ve seen to give you a real feel for the Traveler’s Notebook phenomenon. If you have 50 minutes to spare, I encourage you to watch it all the way through …
I’ve read a lot of good things about Traveler’s Notebooks. I may get one someday when I can justify spending that much. So it’ll probably be a while. But it’s a really good article and breakdown of the sum into all its parts.