Few notebooks inspire the loyalty that the Traveler's Notebook does.
Part of it is the simple but clever idea at its heart: a supple leather cover that holds slim paper refills on an elastic band, so the same cover travels with you for years while the pages inside change with your life. It is a notebook, a diary, a sketchbook and a scrapbook, all in one, and it really only gets better with age.
If you are new to the system, which might seem overwhelming, this guide walks you through the sizes, the refills and the accessories, so you can build the one that is right for you.
A quick note before we start: Bookbinders Design Australia is an official Traveler's Company Partner Shop, so everything mentioned here is something we stock, use all the time and can help you with in person. This also means that at Bookbinders Design you get to shop the exclusive collection of Traveler's Factory products and attend special events such as the iconic Stamp Caravan.
Is it Midori or Traveler's Company?
You will see both names, so the confusion is understandable. The notebook was created in Japan by Designphil, the company behind the Midori brand, and for years it was sold as the "Midori Traveler's Notebook". In 2015 it was given its own identity as Traveler's Company (often written TRAVELER'S COMPANY, or TRC). So if you have been searching for a Midori Traveler's Notebook, this is the same product, just under its own name now.
Midori still makes its own excellent paperback notebooks, like the MD range.
Regular or Passport: which size is right for you?
This is the first and most important decision, because it will and there are two sizes to choose from.
The Regular size ($104.95) is the classic. At roughly 110 x 220 mm it is tall and slim, with plenty of room to write, and it suits a desk, a bag and anyone who likes space to think. If you plan to journal, plan or sketch at any length, choose the Regular.
The Passport size ($84.95) is the compact one, around 89 x 124 mm, small enough for a jacket pocket or a small bag. It is perfect for travel, quick notes and anyone who wants to carry it everywhere without thinking about it. As the name suggests, it also happens to fit a passport beautifully.
There is no wrong answer, and plenty of people end up with both. If you are still unsure, start with the Regular, since it is the more versatile of the two.
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How the refill system works
Here is where the Traveler's Notebook becomes properly addictive. The cover is just the cover. Inside, you slot in paper refills, and swapping them is the whole point. Refills are inexpensive, usually around $6 to $9, so you can keep several on the go and change them freely.
The refills come in a range of paper types, each with a number, so you can mix and match to suit how you work. A few favourites to start with: the 001 Lined refill ($6.75) for everyday writing, the 026 Dot Grid refill ($6.75) for journaling and bullet layouts, and the 014 Kraft Paper refill ($8.45) for collage, tickets and mementos. There are also blank, grid, watercolour and lightweight paper options, as well as handy extras like pocket stickers or card files or zipper cases as you go deeper.
The one thing to remember: Regular refills fit the Regular cover, and Passport refills fit the Passport cover. Pick refills that match your size.
Browse all refills and inserts.
Using it as a diary or planner
If you want to run your year from it, Traveler's Company releases undated and dated weekly and monthly diary refills each year. They drop into the same cover, so your planner, your journal and your notes can all live in one place. Our 2027 diary and planner refills are the easy way to turn the notebook into a proper planner.
Limited Edition Refills and Customisation Sets
Every now and then, Traveler's Company will release limited edition inserts, customisation sets, stickers or accessories. If you subscribe to our newsletter (using the sign-up form in the footer of our website) you will be notified so you have plenty of time to secure yours!
The accessories that make it yours
The refills are only the beginning. A handful of small accessories transform how the notebook works, and they are what turn a simple notebook into a system you rely on.
The single most useful upgrade is a connecting rubber band ($7.60), which lets you carry two, three or more refills in one cover at once. Add a pen holder ($22.05) so your pen is always with the notebook, and a brass clip or charm ($29.70) for a bit of character. And because it deserves a good pen, the solid-brass Traveler's Company rollerball ($110.45) ages alongside the leather beautifully.
How to set up your first Traveler's Notebook
If you like a simple starting point, this combination covers most people: one cover in your chosen size (which includes a cotton bag, a blank refill, and a spare rubber band), one lined refill and one dot grid or kraft refill and and a pen holder. That is a complete, working setup for well under $150, and everything after that is yours to add over time. There is no right way to build it, which is why people love it.
Consider the notebook cover as something similar to a leather bag - it's more than a notebook and it will last for years.
Where to buy a Traveler's Notebook in Australia
As an official Traveler's Company Partner Shop, we carry the full range of covers, refills, diaries and accessories, both online and in our store at The Galleria on Little Collins Street in Melbourne. Being a Partner Shop means we also receive the limited editions and Partner Shop exclusives, so it is worth checking in. You can read more about what our Partner Shop status means here.
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Traveler's Notebook FAQs
What is the difference between Midori and Traveler's Company?
They are made by the same Japanese company. The leather refillable notebook was originally sold as the Midori Traveler's Notebook and was renamed Traveler's Company in 2015. Midori still makes its own separate notebooks, such as the MD range, but the leather-cover system is Traveler's Company.
What size Traveler's Notebook should I get, Regular or Passport?
Choose the Regular (about 110 x 220 mm) if you want room to write, journal or plan. Choose the Passport (about 89 x 124 mm) if you want something pocket sized for travel and quick notes. If in doubt, the Regular is the more versatile.
Are the refills interchangeable?
Yes, within the same size. Any Regular refill fits any Regular cover, and any Passport refill fits any Passport cover. Some are bulkier than others, depending on the paper. You can swap and rotate them as often as you like.
How do I fit more than one refill in the cover?
Use a connecting rubber band. It links extra refills to the original elastic so you can carry several at once in a single cover.
How do I care for the leather?
Very little is needed. The leather is meant to age and mark, which is part of its charm. Keep it out of prolonged wet and it will develop a lovely patina over the years. A leather balm once in a while is optional.
Ready to start yours? Explore the full Traveler's Company range and build the notebook that grows with you.
