Gear review: The Lochby Mini-Field Journal

Anyone who knows me also knows I'm a sucker for stationery, so I wanted to share my latest find – the Lochby Mini Field Journal!

This little beauty has been a permanent fixture on my desk since it arrived in early December last year.

It's a modular system, similar to a Traveler's notebook, that holds up to four easily swappable Field Notes-sized pocketbooks.

Your notebooks are kept safe by a rigid, water-resistant, waxed canvas cover that has already begun to patina nicely from daily use.

Open it up, and you can see how the notebooks slide in there, along with two ribbon bookmarks to help you keep your place...

...and plenty of pockets on both the inside and the back too.

I've got a ruler, some emergency cash, and a reminder of my word for 2026 up front...

... and a spare coffee sleeve in the back in case I forget my reusable cup and need a caffeine hit on the go.

The spine features a heavy-duty carrying handle (which, I must admit, I don't use that much) and a snug pen loop (which I do!)

Everything is held together by an adjustable clasp, which can be tightened or loosened depending on how much stuff you've crammed in there!

As you'll see, the system does get a little bulky when you've got all the books in there, meaning your pocket notebooks aren't exactly pocket-friendly anymore. As mine usually gets thrown in a bag, it's not a problem.

I just pull out the notebook I'll need and pop it in a thinner sleeve if I'm not going to have a bag with me (although then I miss the nice sturdy backing board when I'm trying to write on the hoof!)

My only other con was that adjusting the bands that hold the books in place was tricky at first, but I soon got the hang of it with a little trial and error.

All in all, I'm sold. It feels great, looks fantastic, and comes in at around 35 quid depending on where you buy it, which doesn't break the bank, especially for something I use every day.

Which is probably why I've now shelled out for the larger A5 notebook version, as well!

But more on that another time!

If you're juggling ideas, notes, or projects across the day, this kind of setup makes life a lot easier – and carrying a notebook (or four) means I don't reach for my phone half as much as I used to, which is definitely a win!

If you have any questions or comments about the Mini-Field Journal, please drop them in the comments. Happy to answer anything about this or the other gear I use. Oh, and this was something I bought with my own hard-earned cash! No sponsorship or affiliate deals involved – just one of my favourite daily tools!