Budget EDC gear that's BETTER than the popular stuff!

Currently the most popular EDC notebooks are the Rite in the Rain notebooks and the Field Notes set. The problem with the Field Notes notebooks imho is that they are pricey for what you get. They're about 3 notebooks for about $15. There are some alternatives you can get for a fraction of the price.

Items discussed:

Moleskine Cahier Journal, Soft Cover, Pocket (3.5" x 5.5") Ruled/Lined, Black, 64 Pages (Set of 3) ------------- $9

Maruman Memo notebooks (These fit in pouches better)

Rhodia notebooks

Gerber Chonk ($25)

[thelred-phlq]

Use the space pen refill, but cover the tip with a small piece of a coffee stirrer straw. That way it doesn't stain your stuff, and you can also use different color stirrers in case you have multiple refills of different colors.

[maxlvledc]

I have many multiple $100 pry tools...the $5 nite ize DoohicKey is the only one i carry daily.

[MrNb]

Heck ya for the Rhodia. Their no13 spiral bound dot pads have been my favorite for several years. I dont understand the popularity of booklet-style notebooks. They don't lay nicely on a flat surface and you have to hold them open while in-hand. Spiral bound is less friction in both use cases.

[tgonzalez]

I agree to an extent. I love my bolt action pen. Can’t give that up but the other stuff I’m good with. Been buying off brand pads & they work just fine

[fernandoalvarez]

Nice!!!
Defenitely will buy those maruman notepads

[williamyoung]

I cut down paper or thin white cardboard and carry it in a zip lock bag or Aloc sak along with tag out tags & small florescent cable ties. Works well. I have the Field notes one & the Rite in the rain ones that I hardly ever use. I like your options.

[jatrophacathartica]

Last weekend, I had a study bible with my friend, so my friend had no pen to use immediately. I gave him my fine liner; on the other hand, I used my emergency pen, a Fisher pen refill. My Fisher Space Pen refill settled in my wallet the day I purchased it. It is so convenient.

[ApplianceJunk]

I EDC in my front pocket a Portage Tactical Sized Pocket Notepad - Top Bound Notebook with Lined Paper Lies Flat in Pocket - 2.8" x 4.6" - 64 Pages. I put a few strips of wide clear shipping tape on the front and back cover to keep the cover from soaking up sweat if I sweat through my shirt. The tape also just helps make it tough overall too for EDC.

[JoyTuub]

I love my rite in the rain pen. And I like using the notebooks with it. I work outside, and like to take pretty exhaustive notes. Having a pen/paper combo that works great when wet is worth the price for me. Plus it's American made.

[SenecaSerpent]

Right on. I have tp redo my video on Field Notes alternatives once I finish revising my print your own templates. Field Notes are made in the USA which is great but the price with meh paper is tough for some folks on a budget.

[DunkelRuhrOutdoors]

I build my own field notes out of old cardboard boxes and copy paper, a field notes ( I call mine renotes) costs me around 60 cent
... and is in the format I want.

[CurlysCurated]

Generally I prefer to buy Field Notes because they employ American workers by manufacturing here. That’s worth the higher price for me.

[VHangout]

So funny about carrying the refill. I had been carrying one as an extra when that idea came to me 😂

[DigitalMoonlight]

I never leave the house without a small Rhodia dotpad and an eyedroppered Platinum Preppy with Noodler's Polar Blue ink. I've written down to -28 C with that combo when standard ballpoints are frozen. As a bonus the dotpad is perforated so I can tear off sheets cleanly and easily.

[j_crust]

Thanks for making this. EDC are very susceptible to FOMO

[Jason-pqmq]

….Paper one can use while wet will always be more expensive than regular paper. One reason Fieldnotes and Rite in the Rain have fewer pages than the comparison. Moleskin paper tends to bleed and feather with heavier inks (you prefer gel pens so you might discover those quarks). Marumon’s pads are smaller, allowing more pages and pads at a similar price point. Finally, Rhodia and Clairfontaine paper are excellent paper that can run similar price points to Fieldnotes and Rite in the Rain.

[atongs_edc]

I totally agree with you there, man. Absolutely 💯👍🏼

[PlanYourOneLife]

I tried to use a Moleskine notebook before and the paper was horrible. I like Mnemosyne notepad though. I bought a mixed pack of pocket/mini notebooks from Goulet Pens and one of them came in it.
Field Notes is one of my favorite notebooks...I love the variety of covers and designs that they have. I also use my gel and fountain pens in it with no problem.

[kummiekins]

I have a couple of the Maruman notepads, great paper for fountain pens. They’re also not so showy, you know. Simple, minimalist design, use them for work.

[WhosJmcGames]

Not hating but i feel like everyone and their dog has Field Notes. Obviously their doing something right but i feel people need to stop going with what's trendy and make your own everyday carry. Again, not hating. Just had to express this haha!