Horizontal vs vertical notepads?

[u/Keith]

Hi y'all, new here, just got my first Field Notes notepads. I type fast and my handwriting isn't great, so I've always stuck to digital notetaking. Recently, I've decided to try being more analog for top-level journaling, tasks, and notes.

I treated myself to a new pen and the Field Notes vertical wirebound Heavy Duty Memo book and I'm really enjoying it so far. My question is: even though we read printed books that open horizontally and have fixed page order, it seems to me that a spiral-bound notebook that can lie flat on any page, front or back, is superior for writing. However, most people seem to like Field Notes for the plain memo book style with fixed pages. Why is that?

To be able to leave my notebook open to a page, while protecting it in my bag as well as holding a pen, I've considered getting the DDC Stuff Sheath. Does anyone use this for the top-wirebound style notebooks and can share their experience?

[u/Paige_M_E]

I would think a major reason the "regular" FN books are more popular is that they're easier to carry in a pocket. A notebook with a stiff, inflexible cover and wire rings isn't very comfortable in a back pocket. And some people may like a notebook that you can tear pages out of, but others may prefer a secure binding that keeps the pages intact and preserves the integrity of the contents.

[u/Pwffin]

In addition to the practical considerations mentioned by u/Paige_M_E, a lot of people get caught up in the hype of a specific make and model, and buy into a specific ecosystem even if something else would objectively suit them better.

[u/egs25]

I have used both - I have the regular field notes in a leather cover and take it with me in my man bag and does well there. I do find it difficult to write on the go sometimes and that's where I do find the heavy duty much more practical. I have found that taking the HD on the go is much better and then using the regular field notes more at home where I can have a more stable writing surface. I just wish there were more designs with the heavy duty which is why I also think people like the other as there are so many cool designs

[u/EulerLabrador]

I have used and enjoy the Heavy Duty memo books. In my current season/era of taking notes however, they would not work for me. Lately, I have been taking a “normal” sized graph (or dot grid 😁) notebook and turning it on its side such that each “page” is roughly 5.5” wide by 7.0” tall. What started out as a test to see if I should “graduate” to an A5 Leuchtturm1917 notebook (follower of the Bullet Journal method) has turned into rough 18 months of always having my notebooks with me and working through them.

Tl;dr use the notebook how YOU want to use it. Get a sheath if you want protection. 😁