LOCHBY® Field Journal | Planner Cover | Water Resistant Waxed Canvas | Pen Loop | Included Tomoe River Notebook | Perfect for Travel, Art, Bullet Journal

As a person who loves journaling, taking notes, and writing in general the Lochby Field Journal completes every category I wanted in a journal case. This particular model will hold 2 A5 journals and secure them in with elastic bands so you don't have to worry about any of your notebooks falling out. Made from canvas coated with a protective water resistant wax, it feels very nice in my hands and is the perfect size for my hands to hold, and has a nice texture that canvas provides and I have no doubts that the Lochby Field Journal is sure to last for years to come. As my every day carry field journal I really appreciate the multiple storage pockets it has so I can store my fountain pens, mechanical pencils, and any other item I would usually carry in my pocket for journaling or note taking. For around $70 this heirloom quality field journal is in my opinion an heirloom quality item that will last for years and years, a fantastic value. I recommend the Lochby Field Journal for anyone who loves to write and sketch and also wants to be able to carry their notebooks and writing instruments wherever they go.

I will absolutely start off by admitting I almost never buy the more expensive name brand stuff, because generally speaking, I don't often find they are worth the extra price. In most cases you're paying for the name, and nothing else. I fully expected this to be the same thing. Honestly though, I will say that this is one of the rare instances where I am happy paying a bit extra here, because compared to other pocket sized notebooks and covers I've purchased, some very clearly lochby knockoffs, this feels extremely well made and thoughtful. The cover is sturdy, there are plenty of pockets, the clasp is lightweight but secure. There is space for 4 pocket sized notebooks, and it has 2 bookmarks. So there's lot's of storage, and plenty of organization. The pen loop is decent - might be a little loose for normal pens, but my fountain pen holds snuggly in it just fine. Can you get a decent pocket notebook/cover for 20-30? Absolutely. But for me after having this out in the field with me constantly for work, this feels sturdier and has proven itself to be extremely rugged, so to me that's worth spending a bit extra.

Update, with new pics: I loved this thing so much, that I bought the bigger field sketchbook, and another one of these pocket journals in black (as of the time of this writing, is only available on the Lochby website). The second pocket journal, in black, fit these thick sketchbooks much better. It’s just a slightly looser fit, so didn’t need to stretch much to fit Stillman & Brin sketchbooks. It is still a very snug fit, but just fits better. I am not sure if it’s only the black ones that are looser, or the new batch are all looser, or just manufacturing tolerance differences. One thing that I did not mention in the original feedback, was how it fit other sketchbooks. Look at the pics, comparing sketchbook sizes. It fits Stillman & Brin Delta, Nova, and Gamma well. Like I’ve mentioned before, the brown pocket journal needed a bit of stretching, but because these are softcovers, there is some give. The Moleskine pocket sketchbooks however, comes in hardcovers, and although they can fit… it’s really too tight of a fit IMHO. Moleskines are slightly larger, see pics, and has hardcover so doesn’t bend. I have a hard time getting the zipper over the corner. The way the pages and cover are cut, they are slightly less rounded on the corners, and that also plays into how tight it fits. It may stretch over time to fit better, but I am going to keep using the Stillman & Brins on these. Look at the pics, the sizes are almost the same, but the fit is very different. I love having a zipper that protects the sketchbook, and not worrying about just tossing it around. I wish the larger Lochby field sketchbook had zippers! I also love the ultra portable size, it’s probably about the smallest size you’d want a sketchbook to be. It makes it hard to make excuses to be lazy, since it can always be with you :) It also makes me downsize the pens and markers, only to the bare essentials that fits on it, instead of my bad habit of carrying 50 pens and only using 5. With the amount of people here finding this “helpful”, I guess I am not the only obsessive artist looking for the perfect minimalist art rig. Hopefully Lochby is listening and can cater to us artists more! Original review: I tried a few different similar products, all for intent of using it for small art sketchbook. This was by far the best, I was skeptical because it costs much higher than others, but the quality shows when you have it in hand. Before purchasing, I was worried about if it will fit a thicker sketchbook. It fits a Stillman & Birn Nova softcover, which is rather thick, see pics. It was a VERY tight fit a first, but stretched without problems and loosened up in a few days. I also am using a one side to hold a bunch of pens and markers that also stretched over time. I could fit more on the other side, but decided to keep it thinner by just using one side for pens. Zipper feels strong and good quality, I like having it to keep the sketchbook protected a bit. I also found a thin book light to complete my ultra portable sketchbook. Again, I am packing this way over what it was meant for, and it did look like a guppy at first, but stretched pretty quickly, and now it looks like it was made for it. It fits in my cargo shorts pockets, and jacket pockets easily. I could fit in my regular front pants pocket, but it feels a little too tight. So if you’re wondering if this fits thicker sketchbooks, it will stretch! It is an awesome product, great design and quality, and well worth the price. A+++++ couldn’t be happier!

​If you’re looking for a rugged, pocketable alternative to standard leather covers, the Lochby Pocket Journal is a top-tier contender. It is built like a tank and designed specifically for those who need their notes to survive more than just a desk job. ​Rugged Durability ​The first thing you notice is the waxed canvas. It’s water-resistant and develops a great patina over time. Unlike leather, which can be precious about scratches, this journal looks better the more you beat it up. The aircraft-grade aluminum hook closure is a standout feature—it’s much more secure than a simple elastic band and won't snap or lose its stretch over years of use. ​Capacity & Versatility ​The "magic number" for this journal is three. It comfortably holds three pocket-sized (3.5" x 5.5") refills, such as: ​Lochby’s own Tomoe River paper refills. ​Field Notes. ​Moleskine Cashier journals. ​The internal elastic system makes it easy to swap them out. You can have one for your daily to-do list, one for sketching, and one for long-form journaling, all in one compact package. ​Key Features ​Pen Loop: It has an elastic pen loop that actually fits beefier pens, not just slim pencils. ​Hidden Pockets: There are small sleeves inside for tucking away business cards, receipts, or a bit of emergency cash. ​Rugged Aesthetics: It has a distinct "outdoorsy" or tactical feel that sets it apart from more corporate stationery

This product is rightly advertised for its utility and ruggedness. Well made and well designed but definitely expensive. Although it is Mini Field Journal but cannot be called pocket size. It can fit in side pockets of cargo trousers but not in back pocket of jeans. Everything about it is truly stated however it was delivered late than it was stated while ordering. Overall a worthy product

Very versatile. High quality product love being able to carry several different notebooks as it am usually working on multiple projects. Zipper is high quality. Loved the quality so much I now own 3 lochby journals in different sizes.

This is a great journal! I use it for my job as a field engineer. It fits inside my jacket pocket and pants pocket just great! I like how rugged it looks and how convenient it is.

Nice size with useful pouches. Purchased January 2025 and already worn out from daily carry in a front pocket. Will probably purchase another one though.