Rite in the RainWeatherproof Side Spiral Notebook, 8.5" x 11", Yellow Cover, Universal Page Pattern (No. 373-MX)

I had high expectations for this notebook given it’s a $15+ spiral notebook. I was really impressed by this paper! I like being outdoors and sometimes study nursing stuff by the pool/hot tub, so this has been an awesome solution for me. I have just ONE drawback and the rest are positive. I’ve also included writing samples, test results, troubleshooting tips, and other recommendations that will hopefully help you get the most out of this product.PROS: 1) Definitely water resistant (“waterproof”); 2) Works with a number of different pens and all HB #2 pencils; 3) Works with classic Sharpie markers, including the “ultra fine point” variant; 4) If the paper is able to absorb the ink, it will stay and not smudge even if it gets wet. It really works; 5) Perfect if you work in an all-weather environment, are a first responder, engineer out in the field, or like studying/writing outdoors or while in the hot tub like me! 6) This paper comes in multiple sizes, formats, and colors to meet your needs. 7) Paper is thick and durable; 8) Ink does not bleed through (99% success with a Sharpie). 9) If you’re a medical professional or are in nursing school, this is the PERFECT companion to the waterproof pocket-sized F.A. Davis Nursing Pocket Notes or Nurse’s Clinical Pocket Guide sets! You can literally study and work just about anywhere I can think of with this notebook. It saves me a lot of stress because I can still study or write while outdoors and even by the water without any worries.NEUTRAL: Has a waxy, toothy surface, but is very writable. Some pens will show up darker than others due to the surface (see recommendations below) but once you figure out what writing tools work for you, it’s great. You get used to the texture and off-white paper color pretty quickly and even learn to like it. The texture and humidity wave comments are just a heads-up to those who might be put off by those details. Be sure to look at the two photos.CONS: The paper is water-resistant but the pages will warp or become wavy (see photo) if they get wet or are exposed to high humidity for a while. I circled where you can see it most. The effects on this page are from an hour at the edge of a hot tub without being dropped in the water. Still better than regular paper! The only other notable thing is the cost is high for a notebook, but it’s worth it in many cases.WRITING TOOLS/PENS, SHARPIE & PENCILS:• TESTED & RECOMMENDED: Zebra F-701, Bic Crystal, Bic Ulra, R.S.V.P., Paper Mate Inkjoy, Pilot G2, Pilot Precise V5, those BIC 4-color retractable pens work great, Fisher Space Pens, Rite in the Rain pens, and just about any ballpoint or rollerball pen should work.• PENCILS: All HB pencils work, some brands more than others. Both wood and mechanical pencils work. Using 0.5, 0.7, and 0.9mm lead felt surprisingly smooth! Probably something to do with the paper texture. Lead greater than 0.9mm also works well, of course. Just make sure you don’t need to erase because there will be a smudge or leftover marking.• COLORED PENCILS: If you want to use colored lead or a colored pencil, make sure it’s a brand that doesn’t add wax or something to the pigment. An example is Rose Art colored pencils, many cheaper brands, and even red erasable marking pencils you can sometimes find in drafting sections of stores. These have a waxy look and feel, which doesn’t work well with this paper’s texture at all. I recommend Prismacolor colored pencils and any quality brand mechanical pencil lead.• PERMANENT MARKERS: Standard, traditional Sharpies of all sizes and colors work. I used a black “Ultra Fine Point” Sharpie in the above image. They do not bleed through on this paper for the most part. Like 99% success rate with no bleeding through.• DOES NOT WORK: Sharpie Pen (non-permanent), Pentel Rolling Writer, and Pigma Micron fine liner markers, and Copic (or similar art markers) markers did not work. Most of these inks beaded up on top of the paper and soaked through minimally if at all. Easily smudged. I included some of these in the sample photo. As far as highlighters are concerned, the paper won’t absorb their ink at all. It appears that water-based and many alcohol-based markers don’t work on this paper. I also read that many felt tip and gel pens don’t work, either. My only luck so far has been standard Sharpie permanent markers.• TROUBLESHOOTING TIP: I found that sometimes the pens need a little adjustment before writing on this waxy paper. If they don’t write initially, I’ll start them off on a piece of “normal” paper, then transition to the waterproof paper. That fixes it 100% unless it’s low on ink. If you want to try a particular pen, be sure to test on a very small area first because this paper is expensive.TESTING: Tested while using it in a hot tub, in light rain, and with a bottle of water leaking beside it. Worked perfectly and keeps everything intact as long as you’re ok with a little wave on the edges (see photo). Tested it with hand sanitizer and it held up. Only comment regarding that is the alcohol strips away some of the waxy surface just barely. No visually noticeable change. Holds up fine to being wiped off with water. I have yet to test it with alcohol wipes or something similar to see how it holds up in the event something gross gets on the paper that requires sanitation (ya know...like if you work in an air med helicopter or ambulance).Overall, this is a great waterproof solution for those who would benefit. Highly recommended if you’re considering it. You will have to try out different writing tools to figure out what works and feels best to you, so be patient. Some of the inks absorb or dry faster than others, so that’s good to be aware of as well. Again, test first! Also don’t forget the tip about starting a pen on regular paper to sort of warm it up. Hope this helps!

Gift for daughter using in marsh/wetland areas. Works great. Fun and Useful. Goes great with the pens that write in the rain as well.

My son loves these products. I’m not in the military and don’t see the need of them.

Used this for notes as an Aircraft Mechanic while working on light/heavy aircraft. I've gotten my notebook showered in jet fuel and Skydrol and can still read my inspection notes. Skydrol is pretty nasty stuff so I thought that would have done this notebook in, but a quick wipe and I was ready to write again.

I needed thicker, more durable notebook paper. This paper is perfect. Can't explain it, but it makes you write better. Paired w a good writing utensil, makes writing enjoyable. There needs to be perforations to remove sheets, or it would be 5 stars. Great product.

Bought for my boss. I work in construction and use the smaller version on site to take notes and draw diagrams and plans. As I work outside, it’s good to have a notebook that doesn’t need to be sheltered in acclimate weather. When my boss saw mine, he immediately asked me to get him this larger one.

I love this particular product (but really all RIR notebooks) and would never choose any other brand for my needs.I use ours as a record book out in the barn, for tracking livestock lineage. During lambing season, the notebook actually stays in the barn for months at a time. It’s always damp and dirty working with livestock outside, but I can rest assured my records won’t be jeopardized by outdoor hazards.In the past, we have tried other products to document on and they absorb moisture and cause all kinds of issues long term. That’s not even a worry in my mind with this notebook.Do yourself a favor and spend the extra money, these are worth it!Loyal customer for life!

As a field geologist, I am constantly writing notes and drawing diagrams in unpredictable weather. This makes buying Rite In The Rain products a necessity for my profession. Buy the Rite In The Rain pen (link below) for the ultimate in security when you're taking notes outside. The pen is really the key to the notebook because normal ball point pens can run and pencils can easily smudge.This book is the size of a normal notebook you might buy at your local school supply stores.Spend the money, get Rite In The Rain + The pencilhttps://www.amazon.com/Rite-Rain-All-Weather-Durable-Clicker/dp/B013HBL318/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=rite+in+rain+pen&qid=1627669717&sr=8-3