Field Notes Expedition — A Waterproof Outdoor Memo Book That Survives Water and Tearing
If the Field Notes Original Kraft is the "sentimental pocket notebook," the Expedition is its outdoor sibling. It's made from waterproof, tear-resistant synthetic paper that keeps working even when it gets rained on, dunked in water, or when you deliberately try to tear it. I wanted to feature it because it's perfect for anyone who refuses to give up handwritten notes in environments where paper easily gets wet — camping, hiking, fishing.
📊 Quick Info
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Field Notes (USA) |
| Price | $27.99 (Coupang price, 3-pack set) |
| Set contents | 3 waterproof memo books, 48 pages each |
| Material | Waterproof, tear-resistant synthetic paper (both pages and cover) + dot-graph layout |
| Size | 3.5" × 5.5" pocket size, made in USA |
| One-line verdict | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ An outdoor waterproof memo book you can actually use wet |
✨ Three-Line Summary
- 👍 Best feature: Keeps your writing intact even soaked in water, rain, or sweat, plus tear-resistant durability
- 👎 Downside: Pricier than the Original Kraft, and the synthetic paper has a distinct feel (different from writing with a pencil)
- 🎯 Best for: Outdoor users doing camping, hiking, fishing, or anything on the water where paper easily gets wet
📸 Product Look
Orange front cover paired with a waterproof black back cover printed with topographic map lines. A set of three 48-page memo books, made in the USA.
A demo of writing with a ballpoint pen under running water. This is the core of what makes the Expedition special.
The interior pages use a subtle dot-graph layout. Even when wet, the ink sits on top without bleeding or smearing.
🔍 Why I'm Interested
Writes even when wet, survives tearing
The core of the Expedition is its waterproof, tear-resistant synthetic paper. Regular paper turns soggy and rips the moment it touches water, but this one lets you write even underwater and resists tearing even when you pull at it by hand. It's a materials-based solution to the age-old outdoor note-taking problem of "once the paper's wet, you're done."
Still pocket-sized, still Field Notes at heart
Despite adding waterproof functionality, it keeps the 3.5×5.5-inch pocket form factor and Field Notes' signature understated design. It's built for rough environments but doesn't feel clunky — it still has that back-pocket EDC feel.
Ideal for camping, hiking, fishing, and marine use
It really shows its value in situations where paper tends to get wet — rainy treks, fishing by the water, sweaty summer hikes. In moments when your phone struggles with rain or you can't operate a touchscreen with gloves on, a waterproof notebook turns out to be surprisingly reliable.
Versatility of the dot-graph layout
The interior pages use a dot-graph layout, which works well for everything from free sketching to lists to plotting coordinates. It's not as rigid as a full grid, but not as bare as blank pages — a good middle ground for outdoor note-taking.
🤔 What Gives Me Pause
More expensive than the Original
Because of the waterproof synthetic paper, it's noticeably pricier than the Original Kraft (around $12.95 for a 3-pack). If you're not going to be in a wet environment, there's not much reason to reach for the waterproof version. It really comes down to "when and where will you actually use it."
The synthetic paper feel
Since it's synthetic rather than regular paper, the scratchy feel of a pencil or pen against the page is different. If you value that classic paper texture, this might not be to your taste (it pairs well with ballpoint or all-weather pens).
Overkill for indoor-only use
If you only need it for a desk or office setting where waterproofing isn't necessary, the Expedition is overkill. In that case, the Original Kraft is the better choice both in feel and price.
📋 Product Features (Subjective Rating)
- Waterproofing & durability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (writes underwater, tear-resistant)
- Portability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (pocket size)
- Outdoor practicality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value for money: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (premium price for waterproofing)
🛒 Before You Buy
✅ Recommended for
- Outdoor users doing camping, hiking, fishing, or marine activities where paper easily gets wet
- Anyone who wants to keep taking handwritten notes despite rain, sweat, or water
- Anyone who wants both the Field Notes feel and waterproof functionality
❌ Not recommended for
- Those who mainly work indoors or in an office and don't need waterproofing (→ go with the Original Kraft)
- Those who value the writing feel of regular paper
- Those for whom a cheap waterproof memo pad is already enough
🎯 Final Verdict
The Field Notes Expedition solves the long-standing outdoor note-taking limitation of "once the paper's wet, you're done" through waterproof, tear-resistant synthetic paper. You can write on it under running water, yet it still keeps the pocket size and understated Field Notes charm intact. For anyone who takes handwritten notes in rough environments like camping, hiking, or fishing, it delivers real value.
Once you factor in that it costs more than the Original and the synthetic paper feels different to write on, it's still a solid pick for those moments when you need "a notebook you can use somewhere wet" — there aren't many real alternatives. Keep the Original Kraft for indoor use, and reach for the Expedition when you're heading out into rough conditions. Split it that way, and it makes perfect sense.
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