Weatherproof Side Spiral Notebook, 8.5" x 11", Yellow Cover, Universal Page Pattern (No. 373-MX)

I've been using thes for years to keep track of my banking. Pricey, perhaps, but durable and very useful.

I had high expectations for this notebook given it’s a $15+ spiral notebook. I was really impressed by this paper! I like being outdoors and sometimes study nursing stuff by the pool/hot tub, so this has been an awesome solution for me. I have just ONE drawback and the rest are positive. I’ve also included writing samples, test results, troubleshooting tips, and other recommendations that will hopefully help you get the most out of this product. PROS: 1) Definitely water resistant (“waterproof”); 2) Works with a number of different pens and all HB #2 pencils; 3) Works with classic Sharpie markers, including the “ultra fine point” variant; 4) If the paper is able to absorb the ink, it will stay and not smudge even if it gets wet. It really works; 5) Perfect if you work in an all-weather environment, are a first responder, engineer out in the field, or like studying/writing outdoors or while in the hot tub like me! 6) This paper comes in multiple sizes, formats, and colors to meet your needs. 7) Paper is thick and durable; 8) Ink does not bleed through (99% success with a Sharpie). 9) If you’re a medical professional or are in nursing school, this is the PERFECT companion to the waterproof pocket-sized F.A. Davis Nursing Pocket Notes or Nurse’s Clinical Pocket Guide sets! You can literally study and work just about anywhere I can think of with this notebook. It saves me a lot of stress because I can still study or write while outdoors and even by the water without any worries. NEUTRAL: Has a waxy, toothy surface, but is very writable. Some pens will show up darker than others due to the surface (see recommendations below) but once you figure out what writing tools work for you, it’s great. You get used to the texture and off-white paper color pretty quickly and even learn to like it. The texture and humidity wave comments are just a heads-up to those who might be put off by those details. Be sure to look at the two photos. CONS: The paper is water-resistant but the pages will warp or become wavy (see photo) if they get wet or are exposed to high humidity for a while. I circled where you can see it most. The effects on this page are from an hour at the edge of a hot tub without being dropped in the water. Still better than regular paper! The only other notable thing is the cost is high for a notebook, but it’s worth it in many cases. WRITING TOOLS/PENS, SHARPIE & PENCILS: • TESTED & RECOMMENDED: Zebra F-701, Bic Crystal, Bic Ulra, R.S.V.P., Paper Mate Inkjoy, Pilot G2, Pilot Precise V5, those BIC 4-color retractable pens work great, Fisher Space Pens, Rite in the Rain pens, and just about any ballpoint or rollerball pen should work. • PENCILS: All HB pencils work, some brands more than others. Both wood and mechanical pencils work. Using 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9mm lead felt surprisingly smooth! Probably something to do with the paper texture. Lead greater than 0.9mm also works well, of course. Just make sure you don’t need to erase because there will be a smudge or leftover marking. • COLORED PENCILS: If you want to use colored lead or a colored pencil, make sure it’s a brand that doesn’t add wax or something to the pigment. An example is Rose Art colored pencils, many cheaper brands, and even red erasable marking pencils you can sometimes find in drafting sections of stores. These have a waxy look and feel, which doesn’t work well with this paper’s texture at all. I recommend Prismacolor colored pencils and any quality brand mechanical pencil lead. • PERMANENT MARKERS: Standard, traditional Sharpies of all sizes and colors work. I used a black “Ultra Fine Point” Sharpie in the above image. They do not bleed through on this paper for the most part. Like 99% success rate with no bleeding through. • DOES NOT WORK: Sharpie Pen (non-permanent), Pentel Rolling Writer, and Pigma Micron fine liner markers, and Copic (or similar art markers) markers did not work. Most of these inks beaded up on top of the paper and soaked through minimally if at all. Easily smudged. I included some of these in the sample photo. As far as highlighters are concerned, the paper won’t absorb their ink at all. It appears that water-based and many alcohol-based markers don’t work on this paper. I also read that many felt tip and gel pens don’t work, either. My only luck so far has been standard Sharpie permanent markers. • TROUBLESHOOTING TIP: I found that sometimes the pens need a little adjustment before writing on this waxy paper. If they don’t write initially, I’ll start them off on a piece of “normal” paper, then transition to the waterproof paper. That fixes it 100% unless it’s low on ink. If you want to try a particular pen, be sure to test on a very small area first because this paper is expensive. TESTING: Tested while using it in a hot tub, in light rain, and with a bottle of water leaking beside it. Worked perfectly and keeps everything intact as long as you’re ok with a little wave on the edges (see photo). Tested it with hand sanitizer and it held up. Only comment regarding that is the alcohol strips away some of the waxy surface just barely. No visually noticeable change. Holds up fine to being wiped off with water. I have yet to test it with alcohol wipes or something similar to see how it holds up in the event something gross gets on the paper that requires sanitation (ya know...like if you work in an air med helicopter or ambulance). Overall, this is a great waterproof solution for those who would benefit. Highly recommended if you’re considering it. You will have to try out different writing tools to figure out what works and feels best to you, so be patient. Some of the inks absorb or dry faster than others, so that’s good to be aware of as well. Again, test first! Also don’t forget the tip about starting a pen on regular paper to sort of warm it up. Hope this helps!

I really like this notebook. The paper is much more toothy and easy to write on than I was anticipating, especially for pencil, which is what I think you should primarily use for this notebook. If you use pens I would recommend getting a Fisher space pen. You can see that trying to erase pencil marks is not easy, and leaves behind a lot of smudges. This is okay though, and ultimately the price you are have to be willing to pay for paper that resists the elements. Overall a great notebook and well worth the high price.

These are great and will always recommend them. I use a pencil for writing but just follow their recommendations and it will be good to go.

Works as specified, great for field work for my ecology class

I needed thicker, more durable notebook paper. This paper is perfect. Can't explain it, but it makes you write better. Paired w a good writing utensil, makes writing enjoyable. There needs to be perforations to remove sheets, or it would be 5 stars. Great product.

I love that the notepad is water resistant and can be used multiple types of weather conditions great product

Gift for daughter using in marsh/wetland areas. Works great. Fun and Useful. Goes great with the pens that write in the rain as well.