As a professional product reviewer who has tested thousands of paper goods and daily planners over my 10+ year career, Field Notes notebooks stand out from the pack. Known for their vintage styling and American manufacturing pedigree, these pocket-sized books have earned a cult following among writers, artists and outdoor adventurers.
But are they worth the hype? Do Field Notes deliver on durability, functionality and aesthetics? I decided to put Field Notes to the test across three months of journaling, sketching and task planning to find out.
This exhaustive guide contains my hands-on evaluation across Field Notes‘ key strengths and limitations. By documenting my first-hand experience and supplementing with detailed comparative analysis, I aim to help readers determine if Field Notes are the right fit for their needs and budget.
Let‘s kick things off by looking at the story behind this beloved notebook brand.
Overview of Field Notes Notebooks
Pros
- High quality paper and construction
- Hundreds of styles with beautiful retro cover designs
- Made in USA with eco-conscious materials
- Ideal 3.5 x 5.5 inch size for portability
- Affordable prices from $10 – $15 per 3-pack
Cons
- Not suitable for extended writing sessions
- Pages can rip if abused without a cover
- Collaboration books sell out quickly
Best For
- Jotting down short spurts of ideas while on the go
- Capturing thoughts, memories or sketches without devices
- Those needing a rugged, pocket-sized notebook for work or travel
Company Background
- Founded in 2007 by Jim Coudal and Aaron Draplin
- Inspired by early 20th century agricultural work notebooks
- Notebooks manufactured in Chicago headquarters
- 130+ notebook varieties across standard, limited and special editions
Evaluating Field Notes‘ Form, Functionality and Format
As the saying goes, the devil is in the details when evaluating a notebook‘s quality. Let‘s zoom in on Field Notes‘ composition, construction and configuration options to determine durability.
Paper Quality and Composition
The foundation of any great notebook is top-notch paper that can handle a variety of writing instruments. Field Notes sources thick 60# paper stock featuring an off-white natural color. While not the brightest white, the paper tone is easy on the eyes. Field Notes relies on paper made in the USA when feasible, primarily from mills in Wisconsin.
I tested pencils, ballpoint pens, markers and fountain pens on a range of Field Notes paper types. Their standard paper performed admirably with minimal bleeding even from broad calligraphy nibs. Mechanical pencil lovers will rejoice at the smooth glide and cushiony feel.
Meanwhile the Expedition Edition with synthetic Spectra paper laughs in the face of moisture and tears. I dripped water droplets and tugged hard with no adverse impacts. Field Notes clearly sources excellent materials for specialty runs.
Cover Durability
Beyond paper quality, the cover plays a crucial role in a notebook‘s survivability, especially when on the go. Standard Field Notes rely on a thicker bound 24 pt card stock wrap similar to a paperback novel. It‘s durable enough for every day use but tends to scuff over time without a protective cover.
Higher priced special editions offer upgraded covers like book cloth binding or even water/tear-proof coated materials borrowed from outdoor equipment. I field tested the Expedition edition during a camping trip and the cover emerged unscathed from being crunched under gear.
Binding Method
The spine and binding determine how well a notebook can lie flat and resist page tear out. Field Notes notebooks use a mixed media saddle stitch binding secured by two staples. Both the paper and heavy card stock covers get firmly bound together.
Throughout testing I never experienced issues with pages loosening or falling out even when throwing Field Notes haphazardly into bags. Those two staples are no joke!
Size Variety
One signature aspect of Field Notes is their adherence to compact 3.5 x 5.5 inch notebook dimensions inspired by agricultural field work journals. They maximize pages through clever formatting choices.
However many professionals may find small notebooks frustrating. For expanded use cases Field Notes offers medium 5.5 x 8.5 inch lab notebooks and 6 x 9 inch flip reporter‘s pads. They provide more spacious writing real estate while retaining portability.
I grew to appreciate the condensed Field Notes format for brief journaling sessions under 10 minutes. Yet writers should be aware these perform best as quick project scratch pads versus manuscript drafting.
Diverse Notebook Internals Beyond Blank Pages
Field Notes notebooks shine thanks to clever paper formats to suit different needs:
- Dot grid – Ideal for bullet journaling and sketching
- Lined – Classic ruled lines work for any writing task
- Graph – Gridded for data plotting or math concepts
- Ledger – For bookkeeping, finances or accounting
- Storytelling – Colorful prompts to spark creative writing
I especially enjoyed the storytelling conceptual theme that stretched my imagination through whimsical visualized narratives. Field Notes takes paper beyond the blank page with smart templates.
Special editions also offer calendars, planners and informational journal topics for extended utility.
Testing Field Notes In Real-World Situations
As a writer and outdoor activity junky, I tested Field Notes utility for nature journaling, daily planning and work projects over a three month evaluation period. Here is how they held up in key areas:
| Use Case | Result |
|---|---|
| Daily Task Lists |
|
| Hiking Nature Journal |
|
| Freelance Client Notes |
|
The sweet spot for Field Notes utility seems to center on short duration portable uses where easy stowage matters. They performed admirably well as daily task or grocery helpers thanks to slim dimensions. Hikers or extreme users should shell out for upgraded waterproof editions.
Writers and business professionals may still prefer full size notebooks like Moleskines for unconstrained drafting sessions. But Field Notes pack impressive functionality into small packages, especially for transportation and basic idea capture.
Comparative Analysis: How Do Competitors Stack Up?
Field Notes dominates mindshare thanks to smart branding and beautiful designs. But how do they compare to popular notebook rivals like Moleskine and Baronfig across key evaluation criteria?
I pitted Field Notes versus two category leaders on paper quality, cover durability, pricing and aesthetics. Here is an inside look at how they measure up:
| Criteria | Field Notes | Moleskine | Baronfig |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper Quality | 60# thicker stock | Slightly thinner | Brightest white |
| Cover Durability | Tougher card stock wrap | More prone to scuffing | Most professional |
| Pricing | $9.95 for 3-pack | $19.95 for single | $16 for single |
| # of Styles | 130+ designs | Classic and trendy | Minimalist |
Based on my evaluation across benchmarks:
- Field Notes offers the best value thanks to affordability and breadth of often limited designs
- Baronfig ranked highest across aesthetics and cover durability given its office appeal
- Moleskine delivers on premium paper thickness and writing texture
Depending on buyer priorities around budget versus quality, each brand holds merit. Yet paired with smart collaborations and American manufacturing, Field Notes brings added flair.
Unlocking Field Notes Potential: Creative Use Cases Beyond Basic Note Taking
While most consumers turn to Field Notes for short spurts of journaling or task lists, their versatility can stretch much further. Thanks to weatherproof durable papers and stubby shape, specialty editions equip professionals with data gathering in diverse environments.
Here are five creative ways to move beyond basic Field Notes usage:
Scientific Field Work – Botanists utilize water/tear proof expedition notebooks to record plant species observations with pencils or markers that won‘t run if wet. Geologists likewise collect mineral samples or classifications safely even if the book gets buried in dirt!
Site Planning – Architects and engineers need measurement precision on the job. Grid or graph editions provide ideal plotting paper to sketch build specifications down to the inch. No need to worry about raindrops smearing the ink!
Emergency Response – Disaster response crews require reliability when coordinating supplies, responders and site access data. Field Notes makes documenting the unpredictable easier, especially paired with Fisher refillable space pens able to write upside down or underground!
Creative Therapy – Counselors incorporate Field Notes into journaling exercises to spark self discovery, goal clarity and stress relief through written reflections. Patients appreciate the retro styling versus clinical looking counterparts.
Gifts & Favors – Field Notes make cherished gifts for creative professionals to store travel inspiration, recipe experiments or conference insights. Brands can order wholesale Field Notes to include as creative attendee or employee appreciation gestures.
The compact durability and aesthetic design contain nearly unlimited potential. Field Notes empower capturing ideas wherever work takes you unimpeded by device dependence or harsh elements.
Final Verdict: Field Notes Deliver on Form, Function and Flair
After three months of real-world testing, I award Field Notes notebooks my professional "Approved" seal given their stellar performance enabling portable notetaking and ideation. They may not replace full-sized journals for long-form writing. But the retro styling, American manufacturing ethos and quality paper justify the brand‘s cult following.
Field Notes "Just Work" when quick documentation is mission critical despite unpredictable settings from construction sites to national parks. They feel nostalgic in the hand, prompting a creative spark neglected by digital devices. I secure my Field Notes expedition edition alongside emergency space pens and protein bars in my go bag.
While no product is flawless, Field Notes nail delivering inspiration you can hold with charming construction combined with practical templates for organization above and beyond blank pages. They fuel footnote journeys of pursueing passions and possibility wherever the open road leads thanks to weatherproof durability.
I award Field Notes notebooks my highest recommendation as daily drivers for short-form notetaking or long-term keepsakes showcasing the highlights of well lived adventures. May your Field Notes one day wind up in a museum chronicling the next Great American Novel or Scientific Theory! But for now, stop reading and start writing…
