Reviews > Books > Blank Journals and Writing Implements > Nomad Journals Waterproof Trail Journal > Test Report by Brett Haydin

NOMAD ADVENTURE JOURNALS WATERPROOF WRITING JOURNAL
TEST SERIES BY BRETT HAYDIN

TESTER INFORMATION

I started backpacking in Wisconsin as a youth, being involved in the Boy Scouts programs. As a young adult, I worked at a summer camp leading backpacking, canoeing and mountain biking trips. I now generally take short weekend or day trips in rough, mountainous terrain, although I have extensive experience in the upper Midwest as well. I take one or two longer trips each year, where I typically carry about 40 lb (18 kg). I prefer to be prepared and comfortable, but I have taken lightweight trips as well.

INITIAL REPORT

PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Nomad Adventure Journals
Year of Manufacture: 2009
Manufacturer's Website: www.nomadjournals.com
MSRP: US $8.50
Listed Weight: NA
Measured Weight: 2.3 oz (65 g)
Listed Dimensions: 4 x 5 in (10.2 x 12.7 cm)
Measured Dimensions: 3.75 x 5 in (9.5 x 12.7 cm)

Other details provided by manufacturer:

• Lined for easy writing
  
• 120 lined pages
  
• Covers and pages constructed using recycled plastic

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS

The Nomad Adventure Journals Waterproof Writing Journal, hereafter referred to as the "journal," comes with a simple cardboard hang tag that has perforations to fit the spiral bound top. It includes the manufacturer's logo and mentions this is one journal in a series of waterproof products. The journal has a sturdy, green plastic cover for the front and back of the journal which I hope will provide protection for the pages once I have the journal stowed away in my backpack!

The journal really is small and definitely packable! I have been looking for a small notepad to make notes on while I am out in the backcountry and this one, at least initially, meets my expectations. There are 81 lined pages in the journal, which differs from the website. It states there are 120. The journal is also a tiny bit narrower than advertised as well. While it isn't much at 0.25 in (0.6 cm), there is a clear difference.

According to the manufacturer, the paper is made from "post consumer recycled plastic." It feels similar to paper but I find I can grip it a little better than regular paper. I definitely appreciate that this product has helped divert plastic from the landfill!

READING THE INSTRUCTIONS

The manufacturer states that ballpoint pens and pencils will yield the best results.

TRYING IT OUT

Note the difference when wet

My first concern about the journal was what types of writing utensils would work best. I tried a ballpoint pen, gel pen, sharpie marker and a #2 pencil. When the pages are dry, the ink goes on great with every stroke of every utensil!

Next, I ran the page under water for approximately 30 seconds to see if any ink or lead would run off. I found that only the gel pen ink washed away. However, enough of the ink remains that I can clearly read the line.

While the pages were still wet, I took the opportunity to repeat the above experiment. As shown in the photo to the right, the pencil performs the best. While the ballpoint writes well, there is a little smudge that shows and the ink is a little lighter. The sharpie marker is more or less readable, but I believe the moisture affects the marker, not the paper in this case. The gel pen is practically worthless when the pages are wet.

The manufacturer also states that the pages are tear proof. I made a halfhearted attempt to tear the paper, but it proved to be resistant. I think that I could probably tear it, but I hate to do that before I have a chance to abuse, er, test it in the field!

SUMMARY

So far I am very pleased with the Nomad Adventure Journals Waterproof Writing Journal. The convenient size and ease of use make this a handy little journal to carry around from my initial impressions. I hope that over the next four months I will be able to test the journal to its limit!

I would like to thank Nomad Adventure Journals and the monitors at BackpackGearTest for allowing me to be a part of this test series. Please check back in two months time to see how the journal is holding up!

Reviews > Books > Blank Journals and Writing Implements > Nomad Journals Waterproof Trail Journal > Test Report by Brett Haydin