• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Modest Man

  • .
  • Start Here
  • Blog
  • About
  • Outfit Ideas
  • Free Stuff
Home / Blog / Everyday Carry

5 Small Pocket Notebooks for Your EDC

Published on December 12, 2022 by Ryan Hallstrom · Everyday Carry May contain affiliate links (what's this?)

Carrying a pocket notebook helps you to be prepared for when inspiration strikes. Here are our best EDC pocket notebook options.

Table of Contents

  • Quick Take
  • Why Carry a Pocket Notebook?
  • How to Choose a Pocket Notebook
  • 5 Small Pocket Notebooks for Your EDC
  • Final Thoughts
Best Pocket Notebooks for Your EDC
This cashier journal is another great pocket notebook option from Moleskine.

A pocket notebook is a tool that you can carry every day to help you stay focused and be at the top of your game. In this article, we’ll discuss why you should carry a pocket notebook, how to choose the best pocket notebook for you, and we’ll share our favorite pocket notebooks.

Quick Take

Short on time? Here are our top choices for the best small pocket notebooks for your everyday carry: 

Our Pick
Rhodia Side Staplebound Pocket Notebook
Rhodia Side Staplebound Pocket Notebook
$15.00

This notebook is well constructed and has fantastic paper. What’s not to like? Rhodia Side Staplebound Pocket Notebook is the best notebook for fountain pen users.

Buy Now
02/15/2023 04:54 pm GMT
Also Great
Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Top-Spiral Notebook
Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Top-Spiral Notebook
$18.84

Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Top-Spiral Notebook is the toughest pocket notebook there is. Did we mention that it’s waterproof? Rite in the Rain is the best pocket notebook for outdoor use.

Buy Now
02/15/2023 04:59 pm GMT

Keep reading for our other recommended options…

Why Carry a Pocket Notebook?

In today’s digital age, why would anyone want to carry a pocket notebook? 

While you certainly can use your phone’s notes app for jotting down (tapping out) your thoughts, there is something freeing about putting pen to paper. Many people, myself included, find it easier to express their thoughts through the tactile experience of physically writing. 

Let’s face it, sometimes it’s impractical to pull out your phone, enter your password, and scroll through your apps, just to type out a quick note. If you need to record information quickly, it’s likely that it will be faster to write in a notebook than it will be to enter into your phone.

Also, if you’re on a phone call and want to take notes, it can be tricky to do on your smartphone. Another advantage of using paper is that you can quickly create sketches, charts, and bullet point lists, whereas on a phone formatting can be cumbersome.  

If you’re looking to take a break from technology but find it hard to leave your phone behind, a pocket notebook might help.

With a pocket notebook, you can navigate with handwritten directions instead of GPS, take a distraction-free walk and record your thoughts, or run to the store to get groceries — all without your phone.  

Whether you are a fountain pen aficionado, an outdoorsman that isn’t afraid of getting dirty, or a college student on a tight budget, there is a pocket notebook that can fit your needs. 

How to Choose a Pocket Notebook

Consider your environment and what you are going to use your pocket notebook for. A scientist that spends his days in a lab will probably have different notebook preferences from a farmer who works in the fields. 

Choosing the wrong pocket notebook will lead to a poor writing experience and, potentially, the loss of your notes. The wrong notebook can also create unsightly bulges in your pockets, leave ink on your clothes, and, as a result, contribute to a poor first impression.

Here are some things to consider when you’re buying a pocket notebook. 

Size

How large do you want your notebook to be? Most pocket notebooks are about 3 inches wide and 5 inches tall. For most people 48 to 80 pages is a good range for page count. Obviously, the larger the notebook, the less practical it will be to carry.

Construction 

Notebook construction refers to how well the notebook is built. 

Look for flexible, water-resistant covers. A well-constructed cover will protect your valuable notes and will help make the notebook comfortable to carry.

Check the binding. If the notebook has sewn bindings, open to the middle of the book to the centerfold. You should be able to see stitching down the crease of the page.

Loose threads or sloppy stitching are signs that the notebook was poorly bound. Beware, you risk losing pages from bad bindings. 

Check staple-bound or spiral-bound notebooks to make sure that there are no loose pages. 

Paper

You may think “paper is paper,” but there are so many different types of paper — each best suited for a particular purpose.

Paper weight, texture, finish — don’t get overwhelmed by all the details. What really matters is that the paper works for you. 

Experiment with different papers. If you’re buying in a brick-and-mortar store, bring your writing implement of choice with you and ask the associate if you can test the last page of a notebook.

They usually don’t mind. You’ll quickly be able to tell whether or not you like the paper. If you are ordering online, consider reading a few paper reviews (yes that’s a thing). 

People that prefer to write with fountain pens or rollerballs need to pay special attention to paper quality. With these pens, low-quality paper can lead to ink feathering (absorbing too quickly and spreading out) or ink bleeding through the page.

Realize that your choice of ink matters just as much as the paper. Some inks are much more prone to bleed than others. Before buying a notebook you can search online to see if it is fountain pen friendly. 

Rulings

Pocket notebooks come with many different paper rulings. This refers to the structure of the page. Here are the most common rulings:

Notebook Rulings

Lined ruled is best for people who use their pocket notebooks for journaling or jotting down ideas.

Square grids are great for solving math problems and keeping quantitative information organized.

Dot grids are for those who want some structure without cluttering the space on the page. 

Blank pages work well for artists who like to sketch on the go. 

5 Small Pocket Notebooks for Your EDC

Here are 5 pocket notebooks for your everyday carry in no particular order.

Rhodia Side Staplebound Pocket Notebook

There is a reason that among paper snobs Rhodia’s stock is the gold standard.

Rhodia Side Staplebound Pocket Size Notebook
Rhodia Side Staplebound Pocket Notebook

This is the best paper for fountain pen users. Ink glides across the page without feathering or bleeding through. 

Rhodia offers a wide array of notebook sizes, rulings, and bindings.

Pros: 

  • Outstanding paper quality 
  • Durable cover 

Cons: 

  • Paper may be too smooth for some writers 
  • Rollerball and fountain pen ink may take a while to dry

I’ve found that their thinner side-bound pocket notebooks are preferable for everyday carry to their thicker, top-bound notepads 

Moleskine Volant Notebook, Extra Small

At 2.5 x 4 inches, these are some of the smallest pocket notebooks out there.

Moleskine Volant Notebook 1
Moleskine Volant Notebook

While the notebook is well constructed, the paper quality isn’t anything to write home about.

Pros: 

  • Solid construction 
  • Small size 

Cons: 

  • Poor paper quality 
  • Expensive

If you’re looking for something small and durable and aren’t worried about ink feathering or bleeding through, this notebook is a great option. 

Walmart Pen + Gear Mini Composition Book

While obviously not as well built as some of the more expensive options, at just 88 cents for a three-pack, these notebooks offer incredible value for the price. 

Walmart Pen Gear Mini Composition Book
Walmart Pen + Gear Mini Composition Book

That said, they aren’t the most durable pocket notebooks on the market. After going through 3 of these notebooks I’ve had three pages fall out. 

Surprisingly, even when writing with roller balls and wet fountain pens I have not experienced any severe bleeding through the page. The paper, while not of the highest quality, is adequate for the average user. 

Pros: 

  • Incredibly low price 
  • Fountain pen friendly

Cons: 

  • Not very durable
  • Flimsy cardboard covers

These notebooks are great for those on a tight budget. 

Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Top-Spiral Notebook

Rite in the Rain waterproof notebooks were originally designed for lumbermen in the Pacific Northwest to more easily keep tallies of their logs in Washington’s famously wet climate.

Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Notebook
Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Top-Spiral Notebook

Rite in the Rain is probably the most durable pocket notebook on the market.

As a test, I soaked a piece of Rite in the Rain paper in a bowl of water for over a half an hour. Not only did the paper retain its strength and form, I could still easily read what I had written.

If you’re looking for a pocket notebook for outdoor use, Rite in the Rain is the best option. 

Pros: 

  • Extremely durable 
  • Waterproof 
  • Recyclable (Unlike most other waterproof papers)

Cons:

  • Not designed for gel pens, fountain pens, or highlighters. 

Pro Tip: When writing in wet conditions opt for a pencil or an all-weather pen.

Field Notes

It’s not a coincidence that this brand has a cult following.

Field Notebook
Field Notebook

The folks at Field Notes are constantly trying new notebook sizes, rulings, designer covers, and paper types.

Thousands of people eagerly await the quarterly editions of their notebooks.

Pros:

  • Options galore

Cons: 

  • Unpredictable paper quality

If you’re someone who likes innovation and testing new products Field Notes is the pocket notebook brand for you. 

Final Thoughts

Most people could benefit from carrying a pocket notebook. It is a valuable tool for recording things on the go — be it your next big business idea, notes from an important phone conversation, or simply a reminder to pick up eggs at the store.  

There are many options when it comes to pocket notebooks. Try different notebooks and see what works best for you! 

Questions? Comments? Leave them below!

Everyday Carry Buying Guides, Notebooks

Related Posts

Best key organizers
13 Best Key Organizers for 2023: KeySmart, Keybar, Orbitkey, Jibbon & More
Cross Classic Century Lustrous Chrome Ballpoint Pen Model Number 3502
10 Best EDC Pens to Carry in 2023
Valtcan
Top 11 Best Carabiners for Keys [2023 Guide]
Best keychain flashlights
Top 9 Best Keychain Flashlights You Can Buy [2023 Guide]

About Ryan Hallstrom

TMM's Senior Editor, Ryan Hallstrom is from Horseheads, NY, the only town in America named in honor of military packhorses. When he’s not writing about menswear, Ryan enjoys reading, whittling, running, and perfecting his penmanship.

Background: In 2021, Ryan graduated from Brigham Young University where he majored in American Studies and Russian. Before completing his schooling, he had a wide range of job titles including finish carpenter, usher, elevator operator (yes, that’s a real job), landscaper, tour guide, and more.

In January 2022, Ryan began working full-time as The Modest Man’s Senior Editor. In this role, he not only edits all articles prior to publication but also is a frequent contributor to the blog. He enjoys crafting in-depth product reviews (often testing items in extreme environments), helpful self-improvement articles, and detailed clothing guides.

His interest in men’s style stems from the examples of men in his family:

“Growing up, a lot of the men I looked up to dressed well. My dad is always clean-shaven and makes sure that he looks presentable before heading out the door, and my grandfather, who owned and operated a dairy farm, usually wore work pants with a sharp crease and a button-up work shirt.”

However, it wasn’t until the end of high school that Ryan began to care about how he looked. Gradually, over the next few years, he started to dress better and learn about style. “Finding clothes that fit helped me to become more confident. I find that when I try to dress well, I feel better.”

Expertise: Ryan has loved writing since an early age, and in college began contributing to and editing for university publications. After college, he began freelance writing and editing. He’s written from blogs and magazines such as Real Men Real Style, Life in the Finger Lakes, and Gentleman Within.

An avid traveler who spends plenty of time outdoors, Ryan appreciates clothes, footwear and accessories that can take a beating. His reviews often include long-term, thorough testing in extreme weather conditions.

Ryan has also spent more time in a suit and tie than most guys, so he's well qualified to write about classic menswear, business casual and formalwear.

More Articles by This Author

Facebook LinkedIn

Join the Club

Never miss a post, plus grab this free guide (instant download). No spam. Ever.

Subscribe Now

Reader Interactions

Ask Me Anything Cancel reply

Got questions? Want to share your opinion? Comment below!

Primary Sidebar

Join the Club

Never miss a post, plus grab this free guide (instant download).

No spam. Ever.

Subscribe Now

Top 5 Favorites for Fall & Winter 2022

  1. Thursday Boots Captain – still the best Goodyear-welted boot under $200 (full review here) 🥾
  2. Matte for Men SPF Lotion – because you should be using moisturizer with SPF
  3. Darn Tough Wool Socks – possibly the best boot socks you can buy 🧦
  4. Hamilton Khaki Mechanical – perfect everyday mechanical watch under $500 (Amazon/Jomashop)
  5. Flint & Tinder Waxed Jacket – great fit, perfect weight for fall 👍🏼

Trending Articles

Men over 40 style

How to Dress Well In Your 40s and 50s (and Beyond)

Fashion brands for short men

Where to Buy Clothes for Short Men (2022 Guide)

Seiko 5 SNK805

31 Great Watches For Small Wrists (Updated for 2023)

Best Business Casual Shoes for Men

Top 8 Best Business Casual Shoes for Men (2023 Guide)

Business casual outfits

The Complete Guide to Business Casual Style for Men

Topics

  • Clothing & Style
  • Outfit Ideas
  • Fitness
  • Product Reviews
  • Dating & Confidence
  • Grooming
  • Men of Modest Height
  • Income Reports

Footer

The Modest Man logo

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Home • Blog • Resources • Contact • Advertise

 

Privacy Policy & Affiliate Disclosure • Terms & Conditions

 

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 

Copyright © 2023 The Modest Man (Registered Trademark)