What kind of notebooks do y’all use for hiking?

Just curious, what kind of notebooks do you guys carry when you’re out hiking for navigation? I usually keep a small B7 notebook for sketching out trail ideas, checking coordinates, and keeping track of routes. I’m more of a backcountry hiker, so I don’t usually stick to the beaten path.

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I just use my phone, honestly. No need for paper when I’ve got GPS and apps that do it all. Less weight, more tech. :wink:

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I keep it old-school like you,. I pack a waterproof notebook (Rite in the Rain) in case the weather gets bad. I’ve had too many soaked pages in the past to risk anything else dude😂

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Do they actually work? I hike a lot in rainy weather so that could really be helpful.

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Oh, they work. I dropped mine in a stream once, and the notes were still readable. Highly recommend if you’re in wet weather often.

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I have this Field Notes memo book. It’s small and fits in my jacket, mainly use it to write down quick details—like trail markers or ideas for next hikes. I tried using a phone but I just like the feel of writing stuff out. Maybe I’m just nostalgic. :billed_cap:

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Man, I ditched paper long time ago. My phone does all the heavy lifting with AllTrails, and honestly, I don’t see the need for a notebook unless it’s for journaling or something.

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I think notebooks are cool and all, but if you’re really looking to go light, why not try one of thosec You can use them for jotting quick notes on bearings, then wipe it clean and reuse and only use paper if you need to keep a permanent record.

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Yeah, I get the phone thing for sure, but I’ve had my phone die on a hike before—kind of makes me nervous to rely on it fully, especially off-trail. Have you ever had a GPS fail?

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I can now see why you’d want a backup though, especially if you’re out there off-trail. Maybe I should start carrying a tiny notebook too… just in case? :sweat_smile:

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I use a laminated map with notes scribbled on it using a grease pencil. No tech, no pages to rip or get soggy and it looks kinda hardcore, lol. :sunglasses:

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Grease pencil?! Now that’s interesting. I’d feel like an explorer out there, haha. Does the pencil ever rub off on accident?

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Only if you rub it a lot, but honestly it stays pretty solid. And it’s reusable, just like the whiteboard idea.

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Dang, you’re like Indiana Jones with that grease pencil! :smile: Guess that works if you’re avoiding tech altogether. I’d probably forget to wipe it clean though, lol.