Mini Field Journal Review
The waxed canvas is tough, and it feels like a kit I can carry and toss around and do whatever with. It's the one I hand to someone who is rough with gear.
It became a little bulky for everyday carry, so I moved to the Paper Republic Grand Voyageur in pocket size. I still own the LOCHBY Mini Field Journal and I'd happily take it outdoors, but it's no longer in my pocket.
Check buying optionsPros
- The waxed canvas is tough and durable, and if it gets wet you can just wipe it off.
- It carries four notebooks very comfortably, one per elastic, and it still closes.
- The elastics are very solid and hold the notebook super secure.
- The extra height protects the notebooks a little more.
- It's the one I'd recommend to someone outdoorsy or rough with their gear.
Cons
- It's bulky for everyday carry, and it's about twice as thick as my leather cover.
- It was fairly stiff when I first got it.
- In a pocket it's harder to carry than a leather cover that molds to the pocket.
Video
I Cut My Lochby Mini Field Journal. Here's What I Carry Now.
Technical Details
| Fits | 3.5 x 5.5 in Field Notes-size notebooks |
|---|---|
| Elastics | Four, one per notebook |
| Capacity I tested | Four notebooks comfortably, six if you don't mind the squeeze |
| Material | Waxed canvas over a cardboard-style cover |
| Cover thickness | About an eighth of an inch at the thickest, maybe a little more |
| Maker | LOCHBY |
Buying Options
| Seller | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon | $46.55 | Buy |
Full Review
How I used it
I used it for several months. I kept my Field Notes in it, in a cool four notebook system.
Then it became a little bulky. I decided to downsize.
How many notebooks it holds
It comes with four elastics, so it holds four notebooks very comfortably. It closes with no issues. It feels great in the hand.
You can squeeze in an extra notebook at the back and it will still close, but it's getting tight. Six notebooks is a loaded package, and I find that pretty impressive for this size.
The cover also has some extra height, which protects the notebooks a little more.
What I gave up when I switched
I moved the same four notebooks to the Paper Republic Grand Voyageur. The waxed canvas is tougher: if it gets wet, you just wipe it away, while leather needs a little more care. I lost a slight amount of durability, and I was okay losing it.
The cover is about two times as thick as the Paper Republic, so it's rougher in the hand and harder to carry in a pocket. The leather molds to the pocket, and it's not as stiff.
The thing I miss is the elastic. The LOCHBY's elastics are very solid and hold the notebook super secure. The elastics on leather covers are thinner and a little flimsier, and I wish they were thicker.
Who it's for
If I want to protect my notebooks on a trip outdoors, the waxed canvas of the LOCHBY is definitely the way to go.
It's an overall more rugged product, and I'd be totally fine taking it into the wild. Leather is a great product if your notebook lives in your bag, your pocket or on your desk.
I still use a few other LOCHBY products, like the Venture Pouch and the Journal. I'm still finding a proper use for this one. It's a fantastic product overall.
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