newestor Refillable Leather Journal Travelers Notebook – 8.5 x 4.5 Travel Diary with 5 Inserts + Pen Holder and Binder Clip, Standard Size, Brown

Beautiful and functional
This is a gorgeous traveler’s style notebook and takes standard size refills. The pen looks cheap but writes beautifully. It came packaged well with 3 notebook inserts, plastic sleeve to hold items and a cardboard insert to hold items. There was an extra strap provided for an additional notebook (I used it for a calendar book). It is lovely to look at and it is clear the leather will soften and take on character. It is too big for a standard size purse but perfect for a tote and/or backpack. The notebooks have the right thickness for fountain pens but not too thick to be unwieldy. I love it.

Worth every penny!
I want to start off by saying this was SO worth the money. Especially compared to a Mirdori which is 40 dollars for the cover. It arrived beautifully packaged, just like a midori with a cotton cover bag. The leather is thick, and beautiful. The inside is raw leather which is something I was looking for. The accessories that came with it were wonderful additions and I very much like the pen holder and bronze clip. The band that holds the journal closed has a wide leather attachment to spread out the pressure. It came with three inserts, a grid, lined and open insert. I used all three. It also came with a cardboard like insert folder, and a plastic zipper pocket . Things I thought I would have to buy separately and was pleased to find out I did not. There are some cons, the leather gets scratched or blemished easily. However I like that aspect and feel it adds character to the journal. The other con being I wish they offered dotted inserts, as I prefer those to any other. The pen that came with it writes as well as my zebra but is a bit scratchy so if you dont like scratchy pens use you’re own. Finally, I think the leather cover could of been cut a smidge longer, at the inserts are level with the top. But those are just my nitpicks! I’m so happy I purchased this journal over a Midori. It saved me so much money and will last me just as long, I think! Highly recommend!

The smaller one’s features are a bit nicer
I picked this up because I already have two of the standard version (with the single inside band) and they’re both getting a bit chunky. I had five inserts in one, four in the other which worked, but was a bit fussy when I was trying to take one out or rearrange them.This version has four inside bands which is nice in some ways. It means that I can have four inserts that are easily removed and rearranged when I don’t want to try writing on a stack of three inserts + jump bands. Unfortunately, it also means a knot in the middle where the bands connect instead of the nice, flat metal crimp things (like on a nice hair tie) that are on the regular version. I am not a fan of the knot. It gets in the way and means that writing in that insert is basically impossible. It’s why I’ve never bought the official TC brand journal.There is also the issue of overhang. It doesn’t bother me, but with four inserts there is a significant amount of leather overhang. Probably a good half inch. The upside is that that means there’s plenty of room to add more inserts if you’re a “must carry around 8 different kinds of paper at all times” kind of person.The leather itself isn’t the most amazing or anything, but it’ll do. You’re not going to get top quality leather at this price. It ages nicely and holds up to a decent beating which is about what you can expect for how much it costs.I will say that the TC inserts are better. Pricier, but Midori paper is just so wonderfully nice to write on. If you’re a ballpoint or gel pen user, you’re not likely to notice. For the fountain pen users, spend the money on higher quality paper.The included accessories are all fine enough. The pen holder actually matches the cover which surprised me because at this price point they almost never do. Jump band is on the thicker side, you can find thinner ones from other sellers on here if that’s what you prefer (I do) and you want more than 4 inserts. Everything else is perfectly average. Nice enough if you’re gifting the set to someone who wants an all-in-one kit, but most people will probably have their own set ups they prefer.

This kit is all you need when starting of with this type of journaling! I needed an alternative for the Travelers Company ones because they are so expensive and found this one right at the beginning of my journaling journey and I am beyond satisfied with it! It comes in a nice box and the letter is nice and thick!

As most others have said, the paper quality is excellent and is good with many pen and paint types. I’ve added a fourth book to mine (on an elastic hung round the back of one of the books), Which I use for scribbled brainstorming lists. Cut down from a standard A5 book (they are the right height, just too wide) it was a Sea Salt notebook given to me as gift last Christmas; although a pretty cover, the paper in that is nowhere near as good. However, there are other A5 books out there that are a lot easier to find than this narrow size so that’s where I’ll look when I need some good quality refills.Yes, the cover does mark but this doesn’t bother me. I have recently treated it with a leather restorer and that soaked in and covered all the marks so this might be an option for those who don’t like the scuffs. I’ve had it for 6 months so just feeding the leather twice a year doesn’t seems too onerous a tasks. The leather is tough and fully protects the contents but is flexible at the same time.The original pen was lovely but I wasn’t able to find refills that fitted it so instead I now use a waterproof fine liner pen, and this is a good substitute.The plastic pockets are just the right size for small Post-Its, a folding ruler, some postage stamps and some pretty paperclips. Although I have included them in the notebook, I haven’t used the carboard pockets yet and if I want to make a criticism it is the the little bit of double sided tape closing the bottom of these packets doesn’t stay tightly stuck. Truly, that is the only thing I can find wrong with the whole notebook. I am so glad I didn’t spend out on one of the expensive ‘named’ versions.