Traveler's Notebook Card Size — A Palm-Sized Leather Notebook and Wallet in One
I've always wanted a Traveler's Notebook, but the original size always felt a bit too big. This Card Size, though, is 110×75mm — small enough to fit right in your palm, and it even slips into a jeans pocket. And it's not just for holding a notebook refill — pop in a zipper case or card folder and it doubles as a card wallet or business card holder, so "one small leather notebook = a mini wallet" hit exactly the right note for my EDC taste. It's a set released for the 20th anniversary, so the contents feel nicely put together too.
📊 Quick Info
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Traveler's Company (Designphil, Japan) |
| Product | Traveler's Notebook Card Size — 20th Anniversary Set |
| Size | 110 × 75mm (the smallest size, made to fit in a palm or pocket) |
| Cover | Cowhide leather (handmade in Thailand), develops a patina the more you use it |
| Colors | Black · Brown |
| Contents | Leather cover · refill notebook · cotton zipper case · kraft card folder · connecting rubber band |
| Price | Around $95-100 (overseas retail price $98, needs confirmation) |
| One-line take | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ A notebook and card wallet in one, the smallest Traveler's Notebook you can hold in your hand |
✨ 3-Line Summary
- 👍 What draws me in: Palm-sized form factor + transforms into a notebook, card wallet, or business card case + leather that ages beautifully
- 👎 What gives me pause: The paper is small, so writing space is limited; being a 20th anniversary limited edition, stock and availability are a concern
- 🎯 Who it's for: Anyone who loves small, lightweight EDC gear and wants a single notebook that doubles as a wallet and memo pad
📸 Product Gallery
The brown cowhide cover. There's a 20th anniversary stamp on the back, and the color deepens and gains shine the more you use it
Small enough to fit right in your palm. Placed next to the Original and Passport sizes, you can see at a glance just how compact it is
A cotton case with card slots and a zippered pouch. Add this and it becomes a card wallet or coin pouch
The full set: leather cover, refill notebook, zipper case, kraft card folder, and connecting rubber band
The black colorway. Simpler and more substantial-looking than the brown — a solid, no-fuss choice for daily use
The refill notebook that goes inside. It's MD Paper, which takes fountain pen ink beautifully, so the writing feel is excellent
🔍 Why I'm Interested
The smallest size that fits in your palm
Traveler's Notebook is best known for its Original and Passport sizes, but the Card Size is even smaller than both. At 110×75mm, it fits completely in your palm and slides easily into a jeans pocket. If you want to carry a notebook without the bulk, this size is exactly right. Being small isn't a compromise here — it's the whole identity and appeal of this product.
It's a notebook, but it's also a card wallet
The most interesting part is how expandable it is. Slot in just the refill notebook and it's a mini memo pad; add the cotton zipper case and it becomes a wallet for cards and coins; add the kraft folder and it turns into a case for business cards and tickets. The connecting rubber band lets you bundle several inserts into one cover, so there's real fun in mixing and matching to fit your own needs — "half notebook, half wallet."
Leather that gets better with use
The cover is cowhide, handmade in Thailand. It starts out smooth and uniform, but as you handle it, scratches, creases, and shine build up over time, turning it into something uniquely yours. That signature Traveler's Notebook trait — leather that looks better the rougher you treat it — comes through fully even in this small Card Size.
Paper that even takes a fountain pen well
The included refill uses Traveler's Company's signature MD Paper. It's thin and light, yet fountain pen ink doesn't bleed or show through the back, so the writing feel is great whether you're using a ballpoint or a fountain pen. Even at this small size, the paper quality matches the Original, making it great for jotting quick notes or sketches without a second thought.
🤔 Things That Give Me Pause
The small paper means limited writing space
Being card-sized, there's only so much you can fit on a page. It might feel cramped if you're trying to write long journal entries or dense meeting notes. It suits short memos, quick ideas, and checklists — the kind of things you jot down in a line or two — rather than serious note-taking, for which the Original size is the better fit.
It's a 20th anniversary limited edition, so availability is a concern
This set was released as a 20th anniversary limited edition. The Card Size itself may continue on, but once this particular set sells out, it could be hard to find in this exact configuration. If you want it, it's the kind of item you need to grab while it's still in stock.
You end up buying more refills and accessories anyway
This is the fate of every Traveler's Notebook owner. Once you start filling in the zipper case, card folder, and various refills one by one, you can end up spending more on the accessories than on the cover itself. You start small, and before you know it, you find yourself running several inserts at once.
📋 Product Features (Subjective Ratings)
- Portability (size/weight): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Expandability (notebook + wallet combo): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Leather texture / ownership satisfaction: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
- Writing space: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (small, best for short notes)
🛒 Before You Buy
✅ Recommended for
- Anyone who loves small, lightweight EDC and minimalist carry
- Anyone who wants one notebook that also works as a card wallet and business card case
- Anyone who enjoys watching leather develop a patina over time
❌ Not recommended for
- Anyone who wants to fill in long entries or a dense daily journal (the Original size is a better fit)
- Anyone who doesn't want the hassle of chasing limited-edition stock or paying a premium
- Anyone wary of the ongoing cost of accumulating refills and accessories
🎯 Final Verdict
The Traveler's Notebook Card Size is, quite simply, the smallest Traveler's Notebook there is. It packs the same leather-aging charm into a palm-sized form, and the way it turns into a wallet with just a zipper case or card folder gives it real expandability. If your EDC taste leans toward small and lightweight gear, this is the kind of item that's hard not to be drawn to.
That said, keep in mind that the small paper makes it awkward for long writing, and being a 20th anniversary limited set, availability is something to watch. If you need a notebook for serious writing, the Original size is the better choice.
Still, if the concept itself — a leather notebook and mini wallet that fits right in your pocket — gets you excited, the Card Size is a wishlist item worth keeping an eye on and breaking in over time.
Source: TRAVELER'S notebook Card Size 20th Anniversary Set (official)
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