Looking for awesome idea journals?
Wonderful ideas often come in like a sudden flood that catches us unprepared.
As much as we’d like to trust our ability to recall these thoughts later, chances are there’ll be details that get unintentionally omitted.
Sometimes there are so many ideas churning around in our heads that we simply need a brain dump.
An idea journal ensures that you’ll be able to keep all of those great thoughts in one place (or clear space in your head if it’s a brain dump you need). Moreover, you’ll be able to access them whenever you need them.
But with so many options available these days, it can be challenging to find the best journal for your needs.
Fortunately, we’ve done the hard work for you.
Today, we’re reviewing seven of the best journals you can use to track the great ideas that come to you throughout the day.
Hopefully our recommendations will help you make an informed decision when it comes time to buy your next journal.
Our Picks for the Best Idea Journals
Don't have time to read the entire review? Then check out this table for a quick review:
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Best Overall: KomalC Handmade Leather Journal | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Best for Artists: Leda A5 Sketchbook | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Best Value for Money: DSTELIN Soft Cover Spiral Notebook | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Best Basic Hardcover Notebook: Leuchtturm 1917 Ruled Hardcover Notebook | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Best for All-Weather Use: Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Top Spiral Notebook | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Best for Travelers: Moleskine Traveller's Journal | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
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Best for Gifting: Beechmore Ruled Notebook | CLICK HERE FOR PRICE |
Quick Tips for Choosing the Best Journal for Your Ideas
Regardless of your preference for ruled, blank, or grid pages, you’ll need a reliable journal that is available any time an idea springs up. Here are some tips to make sure that you get the right journal.
Let’s take a look at today’s journals!
7 Best Idea Journals to Track Your Great Thoughts in 2022
1. Best Overall: KomalC Handmade Leather Journal
The KomalC Handmade Leather Journal is the best overall option for recording your thoughts as they arise.
Each journal from this company has been manufactured by artisans using high-quality materials. You’ll immediately notice the careful attention to detail that went into creating your journal.
The vintage design is aesthetically pleasing and the journal’s overall quality makes it an ideal gift for both beginner and seasoned journal enthusiasts.
Top-grain buffalo leather makes this journal very durable. Furthermore, its recycled cotton paper provides the ideal writing surface for jotting down thoughts.
The paper itself is also impressive, as it can accommodate any writing tool. Even fountain pens will not bleed through the pages.
One more thing to note about this journal is the manufacturer’s dedication to customer service. When you purchase a journal, it comes with a note encouraging the buyer to contact the manufacturer for any issues they encounter with their purchase.
The journal also comes with a one-year warranty.
If you need a well-made, high-quality, giftable option, we highly recommend this journal.
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2. Best for Artists: Leda A5 Sketchbook
If your ideas usually come in visual form or if you use different art media to capture your ideas, Leda A5 Sketchbook from Leda is worth considering.
Its 130 gsm paper can accommodate pens, charcoal, markers, pencil, and watercolors. The sketchbook/journal contains 160 beige-toned pages and the paper is tear-proof.
It also lies flat, making it easy to work on the pages and making it easy to scan images.
A pocket at the back of the journal provides space for keeping loose pages and even your phone. The high-quality, protective, soft cover keeps your ideas intact. You’ll feel confident carrying this journal in all weather conditions.
This journal allows you to unleash your artistic ideas, helps you keep track of them afterwards, and keeps them safe from the elements.
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3. Best Value for Money: DSTELIN Soft Cover Spiral Notebook
If you need a compact and affordable notebook that can accommodate your awesome ideas, DSTELIN Soft Cover Spiral Notebook is the best value for your money.
This lightweight journal is ideal for keeping track of your thoughts while on the go.
It comes with unlined paper and the pages are thick enough to accommodate lists, collages, drawings, and scrapbooking.
This is also a great option for introducing children to the art of idea journaling.
This journal is the best value for money if you’re looking for a straightforward journal that does its job recording and preserving your awesome ideas.
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4. Best Basic Hardcover Notebook: Leuchtturm 1917 Ruled Hardcover Notebook
Looking for a classic hardcover journal? Leuchtturm has long been a well-recognized brand that manufactures high-quality journal notebooks.
The Leuchtturm 1917 Ruled Hardcover Notebook is a classic staple and is the perfect journal for keeping track of your ideas. There are 24 colors to choose from, and you don’t need to worry about losing your place within the notebook, as its pages are numbered. Furthermore, a cross-referencing system is included for easy retrieval of your thoughts.
This journal has 249 pages and its dot-grid layout easily accommodates your personal system for journaling. The 80 gsm paper can also accommodate most types of pens.
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5. Best for All-Weather Use: Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Top Spiral Notebook
Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Top Spiral Notebook is the best option if you’re looking for a journal you can use anytime, anywhere.
The Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Top Spiral Notebook is primarily intended for people whose professions take them out into the field in any type of terrain or weather conditions.
It is also a wonderful journal for when your ideas pop up unexpectedly.
This journal’s cover is made with Polydura material, which provides a tough outer shell that protects the notes within. Not only is it designed to withstand water, it also repels sweat, mud, and grease. And its small size makes it portable and easy to store in your pocket.
Regardless of the weather, having this notebook ensures that you’ll have somewhere to jot down your greatest ideas.
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6. Best for Travelers: Moleskine Traveller's Journal
Moleskine Traveller's Journal is the best choice if you’re looking for a journal in which to record your ideas as you pursue your passion for travel.
Whether you’re recording life-changing insights or a straightforward to-do list while you’re on the road, this is the journal you want to reach for.
This journal is crafted with a hard cover to protect what you’ve written within. It also comes with a couple of ribbon bookmarks and tabbed pages to provide ease in accessing your notes.
The journal contains 400 pages of 70 gsm acid-free paper.
Accompanying themed stickers make it possible to customize your entries.
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7. Best for Gifting: Beechmore Ruled Notebook
Looking for a journal to give as a gift to a loved one? You might want to consider Beechmore Ruled Notebook.
The Beechmore Ruled Notebook provides a luxurious journal writing experience and is handcrafted from vegan leather.
Its 120 gsm paper provides a smooth writing surface and accommodates most writing implements, including fountain pens. It contains 160 ruled pages, which is sufficient for many weeks of journaling.
There are six available colors and the journal comes with an elastic closure and a color-coordinated ribbon bookmark that adds elegance to its overall appearance.
This is the perfect giftable journal. It comes packaged with tissue paper and an elegant box.
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Final Thoughts on Idea Journals
There you have it—our in-depth review of the best journals to keep track of your life-changing ideas.
The idea journals featured today are the best in their respective categories. Overall, today’s best choice is the KomalC Handmade Leather Journal. It has earned praise for its craftsmanship, durability, paper quality, and overall aesthetic design.
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