If you want a notebook that is highly dependable for excellent quality writing, moleskin is your best alternative. These notebooks are not only dependable, but they are also rustic. However, they are mostly ridiculously expensive and rare to find in the market.
If, however, you want something closely similar to a Moleskine but more affordable and accessible, there are Moleskine notebooks easily available in the market today. Here is a list of the best Moleskine and their alternatives.
Moleskine Art Sketchbook
If you have an artistic streak, this quality notebook should be your constant companion. Wherever you may be, and whatever it is you are doing as a real passionate artist, this book should always be within your easy reach.
The Moleskine Art Sketchbook comes with a thick durable cover made from a leather-like classic Moleskine. The cover is completed by an elastic notebook closure band that is suitable for holding in place projects, notes, and art. This notebook also has inner storage folders and ivory paper pages which are very ideal for writing with fountain pens.
This notebook is designed for daily journaling and writing. It comes in a range of colors. This notebook comes with deluxe quality pages which are perfectly textured for writing using different types of pens. This notebook can serve you for various purposes like traveling and personal journaling.
Pros
- It is an excellent quality notebook.
- It has a thick durable cover.
- It has an elastic closure.
- It has inner storage folders.
- It is perfect for writing with various pens.
- It has deluxe quality pages.
- It is thread-bound.
- It comes in 3 different sizes.
- It has a variety of colors.
Cons
- The paper buckles when washed.
- The ink bleeds through the paper.
Classic Soft Cover Moleskine Notebook
This Classic Moleskin Notebook is multipurpose and can be used for any form of writing be it journals, diary writing to notes taking. This notebook is perfect for whatever you dedicate it to. Because of their slim and attractive design, this notebook is mostly used by travelers and journalists for bullet writings.
Moleskine Classic Notebook comes with a durable cover that holds your writing projects and notes in place. It has an elastic closure band for keeping the pages together, and keeping the book closed when not in use. The inner storage folders come as a convenient place for storing small stationeries.
The deluxe quality pages in this one are the best to work with and are perfectly textured for writing. These pages can easily work perfectly with ballpoint pens, fountain pens, and a pencil. The manufacturers of this notebook are dedicated to nothing but the best quality productions. It is ideal for on-the-go travelers and journalists because of its slim shape.
Pros
- It has an attractive slim design.
- It has a thick durable cover.
- The elastic closure band helps to hold the pages in place.
- It has inner folders.
- It comes in different colors.
- It has a durable finish on the edges of the cover.
- The ivory paper pages are easy to write on.
- It is a high-quality notebook.
- It is versatile.
- It has a ribbon bookmark.
- The back pocket is expandable.
Cons
- The pages are very transparent.
- The quality has declined – it is not as perfect as before.
Leuchtturm 1917 Medium Hardcover Notebook
This A5 Dotted Moleskine alternative notebook has 249 numbered pages and 80gsm paper. The notebook is designed to be ink-proof. The notebook is also designed to open flat on any working surface to protect the integrity of its spine and prevent it from being damaged. This gives the artist the liberty to write and sketch from any preferred angle without compromising the flexibility of the book.
This notebook comes with an elastic closure band to keep the pages and your project in place. It also has convenient inner gusseted pockets for storing away stationaries, pens, and rulers. Page markers are also included in this notebook for marking and reminders.
For optional choices, the notebook is designed with various sizes and colors. All you need to do is to choose according to your taste. This notebook even has a blank table of the content page and 8 perforated sheets. Its quality has been consistent since 1917.
Pros
- The papers are ink-proof.
- The stitching on the notebook is of excellent quality.
- It comes with gusseted pockets.
- It opens flat on the working surface.
- The sheets are perforated.
- The sheets can be plucked without disturbing the rest.
- It comes with premium papers.
- The design is versatile.
Cons
- The dots are indecipherable under low light.
- It is not ideal for fountain pens.
Maggift Hardcover Notebook
This Moleskine alternative stands out particularly from the rest of the alternatives because its paperweight is so close to the actual Moleskine. It weighs 80gsm with 240 ruled pages. The notebook is lined 2 times on each page. This notebook is certified as environmentally friendly and recyclable.
The cover of this notebook is made from premium PU leather. The soft texture is buttery and luxurious. It is also very sturdy. The notebook also has a marker ribbon for marking the pages. It also has a convenient pen loop for hooking your pen when not in use. Aside from that, there is an internal accordion pocket.
Maggift Hardcover Notebook is available in black and brown colors. It comes in various sizes to suit the preference of an artist. Besides that, the notebook is very easy to carry and work on. It is ideal for different forms of writing. The size of the pages stands in the middle of thick and thin.
Pros
- The pages are between thick and thin.
- It is an excellent quality notebook.
- It is a great value for your money.
- The ink does not bleed through.
- It has 120 sheets.
- The lines are very distinct.
- The material is recyclable.
- It is pollution-free.
- The cover is soft and sturdy.
- The cover is made from premium PU leather.
- Its weight is close to the real moleskin weight.
Cons
- Pages tend to fall off the notebook.
- The elastic band rips off if overstretched.
- The paper is not thick.
Piccadilly Essential Medium Ruled Notebook
Piccadilly is known for its production of excellent quality notebooks. This Moleskine alternative is no exception. This exquisitely crafted notebook is designed with a graph. Choose from either ruled or not ruled. It gives you alternatives to choose from.
The 240 varied best quality off-white pages are easy to work on. The pages are also acid-free and weigh 80gsm wood-free. Perhaps this is better than Moleskine in some ways. Its paper is thicker and softer compared to the real Moleskine.
This Essential Medium Ruled Notebook has several bookmarks and many sheets to work on. The papers in this notebook are designed to avoid ink ghosting. Plus, the ink does not easily bleed through. Its feel and texture are also something else to write more about. It also has an elastic band for holding the pages together.
Pros
- Its quality is better than Moleskine.
- The ink does not bleed through.
- It is high in quality.
- It is acid-free.
- The cover is hard black.
- The binding is Smyth-sewn.
- It is affordable.
- It offers a great value for what you invest.
- It has an elastic band for holding the pages.
Cons
- It does not have a pen loop.
- It does not have gusseted inner pockets
Features To Consider In Moleskin Alternatives
- The Cover. The durability of a notebook is determined by the quality of its cover. Most of the Moleskine alternative notebooks have leather covers while some are plastic, cardboard, or even sheer fabric. Look for a professional cover that is also eye-catching.
- The Paper Weight. The paperweight will largely depend on but not limited to the kind of pen you are going to use. Ideal paperweight in this context is the one that will not allow ink to bleed through it. However, it all depends on whether the media is wet or dry.
- Toxicity Of The Sheets. Any acid-based paper is both harmful to you and the environment. An acid-based paper is also likely to change its color over time. Therefore, acid degenerates the lifetime of a paper.
- The Cost Of The Notebook– We have always said time and again that cheap is expensive. It is better and wise to spend on an expensive quality notebook than to buy a dozen notebooks at a throw-away price yet will not serve its purpose. On the other hand, there are very affordable yet excellent quality notebooks. Take Piccadilly for example. It is way cheaper than a Moleskine yet its excellent quality cannot be compared with the Moleskin itself.