Leather-bound or high quality notebooks are sought after for their durability, elegance, and tactile experience. Utilizing a high-quality notebook can significantly elevate the journaling experience, creating a more intimate and tactile connection between the writer and their thoughts. Superior paper quality ensures that each pen stroke glides effortlessly, without the worry of bleed-through or feathering, preserving the clarity and beauty of the written word. A well-crafted, durable binding allows the notebook to lay flat or withstand frequent use, making the act of writing more comfortable and uninterrupted.

The aesthetic appeal of a finely-made journal can inspire regular writing, serving not just as a repository for memories and reflections, but also as a cherished personal artifact, enhancing the emotional and sensory engagement of journaling.

In this article, I will give you the ten best notebook brands and I will review the top 3 products for journaling (with prices ranging from $ to $$).

FIND OUT why you should seriously consider journaling: The Ultimate Guide to CBT Journaling | Everything You Need To Know

Part 1. 10 Best Notebooks Brands for Journaling

1. Moleskine

Known for their iconic notebooks, they offer a range of leather notebooks in their premium collections.

Recommendation: Classic Notebook – Known for its simple design and cream-colored pages, this notebook is great for everyday journaling. Price: $$ → Get it on Amazon

2. Leuchtturm1917

This German brand offers well-crafted notebooks with details like table of contents, numbered pages, and more. They have leather options in their lineup.

Recommendation: 120G Special Edition – With numbered pages and a table of contents, it’s perfect for those who like to index or reference previous entries. Price: $$ → Get it on Amazon

3. Amazon Basics Classic Notebook

A straightforward and dependable option for everyday writing, note-taking and journalling. With a minimalist design, this notebook offers ruled pages enclosed within a sturdy cover.

Recommendation: For those seeking a no-frills, reliable notebook for journalling without breaking the bank, the Amazon Basics Classic Notebook is an excellent choice. Its simplicity paired with its functional design ensures it caters to a wide range of writing needs, making it an ideal pick for students, professionals, and casual writers alike. Price: $ → Get it on Amazon

4. Rustico

They produce high-quality, rugged leather journals and notebooks made in the USA.

Recommendation: Leather Journal for Women or Men – Handmade with top-grain leather and rough-cut pages, it provides a rustic experience. Price: $$ → Get it on Amazon

5. Smythson

An upscale British brand known for their luxury leather goods and stationery.

Recommendation: Portobello Notebook in Panama – Ultra-luxe, this journal offers gilt-edged pages and the brand’s signature blue Featherweight paper. → Get it on Official Website

6. Rite in the Rain

While they’re best known for their all-weather notebooks, they also offer leather covers that can transform their notebooks into elegant journals.

Recommendation: Weatherproof Spiral Notebook Kit– If you’re a fan of outdoor journaling, this all-weather notebook ensures your entries stay safe even in the rain. Price: $$ → Get it on Amazon

7. Jenni Bick Custom Journals

Crafts unique, handbound notebooks that blend artisanal techniques with personal customization to create beautifully individual writing experiences.

Recommendation: The Novelist Leather Journal – Handcrafted and made with Italian leather, this wrap journal offers a personal touch with various customization options. Price: $$ → Get it on Official Website

8. Midori

This Japanese brand offers the Traveler’s Notebook, which has a cult following and is known for its leather cover and customizable inserts.

Recommendation: Traveler’s Notebook – Highly customizable, the leather cover ages beautifully, and you can swap in and out various notebook refills. → Get it on Amazon

9. Baron Fig

They’ve collaborated with leather artisans to craft covers for their Confidant notebooks.

Recommendation: Grow Daily Jurnal – The combination of their flagship notebook with a hardcover provides a perfect journaling experience. Price $$ → Get it on Amazon

10. Papier Plume

A company that crafts beautiful leather-bound journals, often with a more vintage or classic aesthetic.

Recommendation: Handcrafted Leather Journal: Old World Spine – This is for those who appreciate the touch of handcrafted paper and a classic leather binding. → Get it on Official Website

Part 2. Notebook Reviews with Pros and Cons

1. Moleskine Classic Notebook

→ Get it on Amazon

The Moleskine Classic Notebook, Large (5 x 8.25″) with a soft cover, is an emblem of timeless elegance and practicality. Boasting 193 pages of premium ruled paper, this notebook ensures a seamless writing experience, complemented by its pliable yet resilient cover. Enhancing its utility, the notebook features an expandable inner pocket, a satin ribbon bookmark, and a secure elastic closure, making it an essential companion for capturing thoughts, ideas, and daily musings with style and sophistication.

Pros:

1. Portability: The large yet compact size of this notebook is perfect for both stationary desk use and on-the-go jotting. It fits easily into most bags, making it a travel-friendly option.
2. Durability: The soft cover is sturdy and provides decent protection to the pages within, ensuring longevity of the notebook.
3. Elastic Closure: The notebook’s elastic band keeps it securely closed, which is great for maintaining the integrity of the pages, especially when it’s tossed into a bag or backpack.
4. Expandable Pocket: The back pocket is a useful feature, allowing users to store loose notes, receipts, or other small paper items.
5. Quality Paper: The paper quality is generally good, allowing for smooth writing without much bleed-through, especially when using ballpoint or gel pens.
6. Bookmarks: The ribbon bookmark is a small but appreciated feature, allowing users to easily pick up where they left off.

Cons:

1. Price Point: Compared to other notebooks in the market, Moleskine’s offerings tend to be on the pricier side.
2. Paper and Fountain Pens: While the paper is of good quality, it might not always stand up well to wet inks like those from fountain pens. There can be some feathering or bleed-through.
3. Binding Strength: Over time and with heavy use, the binding can show signs of wear and potentially loosen.
4. Limited Customization: The ruled/lined version is great for general writing, but for those looking for more flexibility (like grid or dot grid patterns), they would need to look at other Moleskine offerings.

Overall conclusion:

The Moleskine Classic Notebook with a soft cover stands true to the brand’s legacy of producing quality, elegant notebooks. Its iconic design combined with its practicality makes it a favorite among writers, students, and professionals alike. While it may have its drawbacks in terms of price and suitability for all writing instruments, it remains a solid choice for those who appreciate a combination of style and function in their stationery. → Get it on Amazon.

2. The Leuchtturm1917 Special Edition

→ Get it on Amazon

The Leuchtturm1917 – 120G Special Edition – Medium A5 Ruled Hardcover Notebook embodies precision German engineering paired with classic aesthetics. Encased in a sleek black hardcover, this A5 journal boasts 203 consecutively numbered pages crafted from a luxurious 120gsm paper, rendering it a cut above its counterparts. Designed for the discerning writer, this notebook offers a perfect fusion of function, form, and unparalleled paper quality.

Pros:

1. Paper Quality: The 120gsm paper is thicker than most standard journals, making it less prone to ink bleed-through and providing a plush writing surface.
2. Numbered Pages: The consecutive numbering aids in easy referencing, organization, and indexing.
3. Hardcover Durability: Its robust hardcover ensures protection of the content and longevity of the notebook.
4. Elastic Closure & Bookmark: Added functionalities like an elastic band and a ribbon bookmark boost convenience and utility.
5. Expandable Pocket: A pocket at the back is handy for storing notes, receipts, or other ephemeral items.

Cons:

1. Price Point: Given its superior quality, it tends to be pricier than other standard journals in the market.
2. Weight: The 120gsm paper, while luxurious, does add to the overall weight, making it slightly heavier to carry around.
3. Ink Drying Time: Thicker paper might slightly increase the drying time for certain inks.

Overall conclusion:

The Leuchtturm1917 – 120G Special Edition Medium A5 Notebook stands out as an exemplar of quality and thoughtful design in the realm of journaling. While it might be an investment compared to other options, the tangible benefits of its high-caliber paper and the meticulous attention to detail justify its stature. Ideal for both everyday writers and aficionados of premium stationery, this notebook promises an unparalleled journaling experience, where every written word feels treasured. → Get it on Amazon

3. Amazon Basics Classic Notebook

→ Get it on Amazon

The Amazon Basics Classic Notebook, adorned in a timeless black hardcover, stands as a practical and versatile companion for writers of all kinds. Sized at 5 x 8.25 inches, its compact design does not compromise on space, offering 240 pages of consistently line-ruled paper that beckons ideas, notes, and musings. This notebook, while modest in appearance, offers robust functionality and durability, seamlessly fitting into both professional and personal worlds.

Pros:

1. Affordability: Priced competitively, it offers good value for its quality.
2. Hardcover Durability: The sturdy black hardcover ensures protection of the content and longevity of use.
3. Optimal Size: The dimensions make it portable enough for travel yet spacious enough for comprehensive writing.
4. Standardized Layout: The consistent line-ruled format allows for neatness and structure in note-taking.
5. Binding: With its sewn binding, the notebook is designed to lie flat for ease of writing.

Cons:

1. Paper Thickness: Some users might find the paper not thick enough to prevent certain inks from bleeding through.
2. Lack of Additional Features: Unlike some other notebooks, it doesn’t offer extras like elastic closures, bookmarks, or expandable pockets.
3. Generic Design: The simplistic design, while practical, might not appeal to those seeking a more unique or aesthetically pleasing journal.

Overall Conclusion:

The Amazon Basics Classic Notebook emerges as a practical choice for those who prioritize functionality and affordability. While it might lack some of the bells and whistles of higher-end journals, its core purpose—to provide a reliable space for writing—is achieved commendably. Ideal for students, professionals, and anyone in need of a solid, everyday writing tool, this notebook demonstrates that sometimes, basics are all you need. → Get it on Amazon

Concluding thoughts

A high-quality notebook doesn’t just facilitate the act of journaling but enhances it, transforming each writing session into a cherished ritual. The tactile sensation of superior paper, the aesthetic pleasure of a well-crafted cover, and the reliability of a durable binding collectively contribute to a deeper, more satisfying engagement with one’s thoughts and emotions. This enriched experience can significantly impact mental health by fostering a sense of mindfulness and facilitating introspection.

The allure of a beautiful notebook often serves as a motivation in itself, encouraging individuals to regularly document their experiences, feelings, and aspirations. Over time, this habitual introspection, supported by the tactile pleasure of a premium journal, can become a therapeutic anchor, promoting emotional clarity and well-being.