2022 Notebook Set Up

From the outside, it doesn’t seem like much.

Plain leather cover with an elastic band around it to hold the inserts together.

Simple in design yet gives off an impression that it was handcrafted with the finest materials.

If you’re not looking closely, it is easy to miss the embossed branding on the bottom left corner at the back of the cover.

I went with the passport size notebook for its smaller form factor which could easily fit into my daily carry – the AER City Sling 2.

On top of the blank notebook insert that comes with the starter kit, I also added a zipper pouch, a weekly diary refill and my existing Field Notes Expedition notebook.

Being able to incorporate the Field Notes notebook into the Traveler’s Company system was what finally convinced me to drop Rm200 on a new setup.

I’ve tried different notebook brands before but none that feels as harmonious on hand as this.

Maybe it’s the rough-cut leather, or the high quality Japanese paper.

Either way, I can’t wait to scuff it up and watch the colour and texture change over time.

There’s something comforting and familiar about an overused notebook.

I still have this one from 2014.