The Traveler’s Notebook is a blank canvas — a leather cover that holds whatever you put inside it. That sounds simple, but the sheer number of refill and insert options can be overwhelming. Between official Midori refills, third-party inserts, paper weight options, and two distinct sizes, there are hundreds of possible combinations. How do you know which ones to choose?
We’ve tested dozens of Traveler’s Notebook refills over the past three years — official Midori inserts, popular third-party options, and a few DIY solutions. This guide covers everything we’ve learned: which refills are worth buying, which paper types suit which pens, and how to build a Traveler’s Notebook setup that matches exactly how you write, plan, and journal.
Whether you just picked up your first Traveler’s Notebook or you’re a veteran looking to refresh your insert lineup, this guide will help you navigate the refill landscape with confidence.
Understanding Traveler’s Notebook Sizes
Before diving into specific refills, you need to know which size you’re working with. Traveler’s Notebooks come in two primary sizes, and refills are not interchangeable between them.
Regular Size
- Dimensions: 4.3 x 8.3 inches (110 x 210mm)
- Best for: Journaling, planning, sketching, daily writing
- Page feel: Spacious — enough room for full sentences, layouts, and detailed entries
- Carry style: Fits in a large jacket pocket, bag, or backpack
The Regular size is the original Traveler’s Notebook format and remains the most popular. It offers enough page width for comfortable writing and is the size most third-party insert makers target first.
Passport Size
- Dimensions: 3.5 x 5 inches (89 x 124mm)
- Best for: On-the-go notes, travel logging, wallet-style carry, minimal planning
- Page feel: Compact — requires concise writing or small handwriting
- Carry style: Fits in a back pocket or small purse
The Passport size is ideal for quick capture and portability. It’s popular among travelers (naturally), minimalists, and anyone who wants a notebook they can carry absolutely everywhere. The trade-off is limited writing space per page.
Which Size Should You Choose?
If you plan to use your Traveler’s Notebook as a primary journal or planner, go with Regular. The extra page width makes a meaningful difference for daily writing. If you want a secondary notebook for quick notes, travel logs, or pocket carry, the Passport size excels. Many dedicated Traveler’s Notebook users own both sizes and use them for different purposes.
Official Midori Refills: The Complete Lineup
Midori (now Designphil) makes the original Traveler’s Notebook and produces a comprehensive line of official refills. These are the gold standard — consistent quality, perfect sizing, and reliable paper. Here’s what’s available:
Blank (Refill 003)
The blank refill is the most popular insert and the one that ships with new Traveler’s Notebooks. It uses Midori’s MD Paper (a cream-colored, fountain-pen-friendly paper at approximately 64gsm) and provides 64 pages of unlined writing space.
Best for: Free-form journaling, sketching, mixed media, calligraphy practice, and anyone who finds lines restrictive.
Paper quality: Excellent. MD Paper handles fountain pens, gel pens, ballpoints, and fine-tip markers with minimal ghosting and virtually no bleed-through. The cream tone reduces eye strain compared to bright white paper. For a deep dive into this paper, see our Midori MD Notebook review.
Lined (Refill 001)
The lined refill uses the same MD Paper with 7mm ruled lines — a standard spacing that works for most handwriting sizes. It contains 64 pages.
Best for: Daily journaling, letter writing, meeting notes, and anyone who prefers the structure of ruled lines for straight, consistent writing.
Paper quality: Identical to the blank refill. The lines are printed in a subtle gray that guides without dominating the page.
Grid (Refill 002)
The grid refill features a 5mm grid pattern on the same cream MD Paper. It contains 64 pages and is a favorite among bullet journalers and planners.
Best for: Bullet journaling, planning layouts, sketching with precision, graph work, and anyone who wants both horizontal and vertical guidance.
Paper quality: Same excellent MD Paper. The 5mm grid is printed in light gray — visible enough to guide your writing but subtle enough to fade into the background visually.
Lightweight Paper (Refill 013)
This is where things get interesting. The Lightweight Paper refill uses a thinner paper stock (approximately 52gsm) that allows for 128 pages — double the page count of standard refills — in roughly the same thickness. It comes in blank format.
Best for: Extended travel journaling, high-volume writing, anyone who fills notebooks quickly, and users who want to maximize pages per insert.
Paper quality: Good but noticeably different from standard MD Paper. The thinner stock means more ghosting with wet pens and potential bleed-through with broad fountain pen nibs or heavy marker application. Fine gel pens and ballpoints perform well. Think of it as a trade-off: twice the pages, but you need to be more selective with your writing instruments.
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Kraft Paper (Refill 014)
The Kraft paper refill provides 64 pages of unlined brown kraft paper. It’s stiffer and more textured than standard MD Paper.
Best for: Scrapbooking, collage work, ticket and ephemera collection, mixed media projects, and anyone who wants a raw, tactile writing surface.
Paper quality: Different character from MD Paper. The kraft stock is more absorbent, which means ink spreads slightly more and dries faster. Gel pens and markers show up beautifully against the brown background. Fountain pens work but with more feathering than on MD Paper.
Watercolor Paper (Refill 015)
A specialty refill with heavyweight watercolor paper — thick, textured sheets designed for wet media. It contains fewer pages (16 pages) due to the paper thickness.
Best for: Watercolor painting, ink wash, wet media experiments, and artists who want a portable watercolor sketchbook.
Paper quality: Proper watercolor paper that handles water and wet media without buckling or warping (within reason — it’s a notebook, not a watercolor block). Not ideal for regular writing due to the textured surface.
Other Official Inserts
Midori also produces functional inserts that aren’t traditional writing refills:
- Monthly Diary (Refill 017): Monthly calendar spreads for planning
- Weekly Diary (Refill 019): Weekly layouts with time slots
- Zipper Case (Refill 004): A clear vinyl pouch for cards, cash, and small items
- Card File (Refill 007): Business card/photo holder
- Connecting Rubber Bands (Refill 021): Extra elastic bands to hold more inserts
- Pen Holder (Refill 016): Brass or leather pen clips
The connecting rubber bands are particularly important if you plan to carry more than two inserts. The standard Traveler’s Notebook comes with one elastic band, which comfortably holds one or two refills. Adding a third or fourth refill requires additional bands.
Popular Third-Party Inserts
The Traveler’s Notebook’s open-format design has spawned a thriving ecosystem of third-party insert makers. Some offer comparable quality to Midori at lower prices; others provide paper types, formats, and layouts that Midori doesn’t make. Here are the standout options we’ve tested:
Tomoe River Paper Inserts
Several third-party makers produce Traveler’s Notebook inserts using Tomoe River paper (now manufactured by Sanzen), the gold standard for fountain pen users. Tomoe River’s ultra-smooth, 52gsm sheet resists feathering and bleeding while showcasing ink sheen and shading beautifully.
Why choose Tomoe River: If you write primarily with fountain pens, Tomoe River inserts are a significant upgrade over standard MD Paper for ink performance. The paper shows off the unique properties of inks like Pilot Iroshizuku — their shading, sheen, and color depth — in ways that regular paper cannot.
Trade-offs: Tomoe River paper has longer dry times (ink sits on the surface longer) and a distinctive crinkly feel when written on. Some people love the texture; others find it distracting.
Dot Grid Inserts
Midori doesn’t make an official dot grid refill, which is surprising given dot grid’s popularity among bullet journalers. Third-party makers have filled this gap. Dot grid provides the spatial reference of a grid without the visual noise of full grid lines — many journalers find it the perfect middle ground between blank and grid.
Recommended for: Bullet journaling, planner layouts, hand lettering, and anyone who wants subtle page structure.
Kraft and Specialty Paper Inserts
Third-party makers offer kraft, black, and colored paper inserts that expand creative possibilities beyond Midori’s lineup. Black paper inserts paired with white or metallic gel pens create striking visual effects. Colored paper inserts add variety to mixed-media journals.
Pre-Formatted Planner Inserts
If you want to use your Traveler’s Notebook as a planner, several makers produce weekly, daily, and monthly planner inserts with various layouts. These range from simple dated calendars to elaborate time-blocking formats. The advantage over Midori’s own diary inserts is variety — you can find layouts that match your specific planning style.
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Paper Quality: What Actually Matters
Paper quality is the single most important factor in choosing Traveler’s Notebook refills. Here’s what to evaluate:
Weight (GSM)
Paper weight, measured in grams per square meter (gsm), determines thickness and, to a large degree, how paper handles ink.
- 45-52gsm (Lightweight/Tomoe River): Thin, allows more pages per insert, but ghosting and potential bleed-through increase. Best with fine pens and well-behaved inks.
- 52-68gsm (Standard/MD Paper range): The sweet spot for most users. Handles a wide range of pens with manageable ghosting and minimal bleed.
- 75gsm+ (Heavyweight): Thicker stock with excellent bleed resistance but fewer pages per insert. Less common in TN format.
Fountain Pen Friendliness
If you use fountain pens, paper friendliness is non-negotiable. Look for:
- Minimal feathering: Ink lines stay crisp without fuzzy edges
- No bleed-through: Ink doesn’t soak through to the reverse side
- Low ghosting: Only slight shadow visible on the reverse side
- Shading display: Paper shows the natural light-to-dark variation of fountain pen inks
- Reasonable dry time: Ink doesn’t take excessively long to dry
Official Midori MD Paper scores well on all these criteria. Tomoe River paper scores highest on shading display and bleed resistance but has the longest dry times. Kokuyo’s paper (found in some third-party inserts) is also excellent for fountain pens — see our Kokuyo Campus Notebook review for details.
Gel Pen and Ballpoint Performance
Most gel pens and ballpoints work well on virtually any Traveler’s Notebook paper. The main variable is dry time — thinner, coated papers (like Tomoe River) take longer to dry with gel ink, while more absorbent papers (like kraft) dry almost instantly. If gel pens are your primary tool, MD Paper and standard third-party papers offer the best balance of writing quality and dry time.
Color and Texture
Midori’s MD Paper has a warm cream tone that’s easy on the eyes and photographs well. Some third-party inserts use bright white paper, which offers higher contrast but can feel harsher during extended writing sessions. Paper texture ranges from silky smooth (Tomoe River) to slightly toothy (MD Paper) to textured (kraft and watercolor papers). Your preference here is genuinely personal — there’s no objectively “better” option.
How to Choose: Building Your Insert Setup
The beauty of the Traveler’s Notebook is that you’re not locked into one configuration. You can mix and match inserts to create a custom notebook that matches exactly how you use it. Here are the most popular setups:
Setup 1: The Journaler (2 inserts)
- Insert 1: Blank or lined MD Paper — your daily journal
- Insert 2: Grid or dot grid — for lists, trackers, and structured content
This is the most common setup and works beautifully for daily journaling. The blank/lined insert handles free-form writing, while the grid insert provides structure when you need it.
Setup 2: The Planner (2-3 inserts)
- Insert 1: Monthly diary refill — month-at-a-glance planning
- Insert 2: Weekly diary or dot grid — weekly breakdowns and task lists
- Insert 3 (optional): Blank — meeting notes, brainstorming, overflow
This setup turns the Traveler’s Notebook into a functional planner. If you’re coming from a Hobonichi Techo or similar dedicated planner, this three-insert setup provides comparable planning functionality in a more flexible, customizable format.
Setup 3: The Traveler (2-3 inserts)
- Insert 1: Lightweight paper blank — maximum pages for travel journaling
- Insert 2: Kraft paper — for collecting tickets, receipts, and ephemera
- Insert 3 (optional): Zipper case — for storing cash, cards, and small flat items
The classic travel setup. The lightweight paper insert gives you 128 pages to fill with observations and memories, while the kraft paper insert serves as a scrapbook for physical mementos.
Setup 4: The Artist (2 inserts)
- Insert 1: Blank MD Paper — for pen and ink sketching
- Insert 2: Watercolor paper — for painting and wet media
A focused creative setup. The MD Paper handles ink work beautifully, while the watercolor insert provides a proper surface for painting when inspiration strikes.
Setup 5: The Fountain Pen Enthusiast (1-2 inserts)
- Insert 1: Tomoe River paper insert — the best surface for showcasing fountain pen ink
- Insert 2 (optional): Blank MD Paper — for when you want faster dry times
If fountain pens are your passion, a Tomoe River insert is essential. The paper’s ability to display ink shading, sheen, and color depth is unmatched. Pair it with a standard MD Paper insert for situations where quick-drying ink is more practical.
Sizing and Fit: Getting the Right Refill
Measuring Your Notebook
If you’re unsure which size Traveler’s Notebook you have, measure the cover:
- Regular: Cover is approximately 4.9 x 8.7 inches (125 x 220mm)
- Passport: Cover is approximately 4 x 5.5 inches (100 x 140mm)
The inserts themselves are slightly smaller than the cover — they sit inside with a small margin on each side.
Third-Party Sizing Issues
Most reputable third-party makers produce inserts that match official Midori dimensions precisely. However, budget options from lesser-known brands occasionally run slightly too large or too small. A refill that’s even 2-3mm off in width can feel wrong — too wide and it catches on the cover edges; too narrow and it shifts around inside the leather.
Our advice: Stick with official Midori refills or established third-party makers with strong reviews. The few dollars you save on off-brand inserts aren’t worth the frustration of poor fit.
How Many Inserts Can You Carry?
- 1 insert: Slim, clean look. The leather wraps tightly around a single refill.
- 2 inserts: The standard carry. Comfortable thickness, easy to flip between books.
- 3 inserts: The practical maximum for most users. The leather stretches slightly to accommodate, and the notebook feels full but functional.
- 4+ inserts: Possible but bulky. You’ll need extra connecting bands, and the notebook won’t close as neatly. We’ve found that going above three inserts usually means you should consider a second Traveler’s Notebook instead.
Maintaining Your Refills
When to Replace
Standard 64-page refills last most users 1-3 months depending on writing volume. Lightweight 128-page refills can last 2-6 months. There’s no wrong time to start a new refill — some people fill every page before switching; others start fresh when the mood strikes.
Archiving Completed Refills
One of the Traveler’s Notebook’s underrated advantages is that completed refills are thin, stackable, and easy to archive. We store finished inserts in simple labeled envelopes organized by date. Over time, this creates a satisfying chronological library of your writing.
Caring for the Leather Cover
The leather cover is a lifetime piece — but the refills are consumable. When switching inserts, it’s a good opportunity to condition the leather. A light application of leather conditioner (or even natural hand oils from regular use) keeps the cover supple and develops the patina that Traveler’s Notebook owners prize.
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Our Top Refill Recommendations
After years of testing, here are the refills we reach for most often:
- Official Midori Blank (003) — The default for good reason. Excellent paper, perfect sizing, versatile for any use.
- Official Midori Lightweight (013) — Our travel go-to. Double the pages means fewer mid-trip refill swaps.
- Tomoe River third-party blank — Essential for fountain pen users who want maximum ink performance.
- Official Midori Grid (002) — Perfect companion insert for structured content alongside a blank journal insert.
- Official Midori Kraft (014) — The best option for ephemera collection, scrapbooking, and mixed-media work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Regular size refills in a Passport size Traveler’s Notebook?
No. The two sizes are not interchangeable. Regular refills are significantly taller and wider than Passport refills. Make sure you’re buying the correct size — product listings usually specify “Regular” or “Passport” clearly.
How do I attach multiple refills to my Traveler’s Notebook?
The Traveler’s Notebook comes with one elastic band threaded through the spine. This band can hold one or two inserts (loop one on each side of the band). For a third insert, you’ll need Midori’s connecting rubber band accessory (Refill 021), which threads through the same spine channel and provides additional attachment points.
Are third-party inserts as good as official Midori refills?
It depends on the maker. The best third-party inserts — particularly those using Tomoe River paper or high-quality fountain-pen-friendly stock — are genuinely excellent and sometimes superior to Midori for specific use cases. Budget third-party inserts can be disappointing, with poor sizing, thin paper, and inconsistent quality. We recommend reading reviews and buying from established makers.
What’s the best refill for fountain pens?
For pure ink performance, Tomoe River paper inserts are the best. They resist feathering and bleeding while showcasing shading and sheen. For a good all-around option that works well with fountain pens and other writing tools, the official Midori blank refill (003) with MD Paper is excellent — it handles fine to medium fountain pen nibs with minimal issues. Avoid the Lightweight refill (013) with broad or wet fountain pens.
Do Traveler’s Notebook refills work with the Jibun Techo or Hobonichi?
No. Traveler’s Notebook refills are a proprietary size designed specifically for the TN leather cover. They don’t fit in Hobonichi covers, Jibun Techo covers, or other planner systems. Similarly, Hobonichi and Jibun Techo refills don’t fit in a Traveler’s Notebook.
How often should I replace my refills?
Whenever you fill one up. There’s no set schedule — it depends entirely on how much you write. Daily journalers might go through a standard 64-page refill in 4-6 weeks. Occasional writers might stretch one for several months. The Lightweight 128-page refill is ideal if you write frequently and don’t want to change inserts often.
Can I make my own Traveler’s Notebook inserts?
Absolutely. DIY inserts are part of the Traveler’s Notebook culture. You’ll need paper cut to the correct dimensions (4.3 x 8.3 inches for Regular, 3.5 x 5 inches for Passport), folded in half, and stapled along the spine. This lets you use any paper you prefer — printer paper, specialty paper, or even paper from other notebooks. The DIY approach is especially popular for creating custom planner layouts.
Is the Passport size too small for daily journaling?
It depends on your handwriting and journaling style. If you write in short bursts — quick observations, one-paragraph entries, bullet points — the Passport size works well. If you write long-form entries that fill entire pages, the Passport will feel restrictive, and you’ll burn through refills quickly. For primary daily journaling, we recommend the Regular size.
Final Thoughts
The Traveler’s Notebook refill system is one of the most flexible notebook platforms available. Unlike fixed-format planners and bound notebooks, it lets you build exactly the setup you need and change it whenever your needs evolve. A journaling-focused setup today can become a planning-focused setup tomorrow with nothing more than a refill swap.
Start with one or two official Midori refills to establish your baseline. Once you know how you use your Traveler’s Notebook, explore third-party options for specialized paper types or formats that Midori doesn’t offer. And don’t be afraid to experiment — at roughly $5-7 per refill, trying a new insert is one of stationery’s more affordable experiments.
For more on the Traveler’s Notebook ecosystem, see our Traveler’s Notebook setup guide and our comparison of the Hobonichi vs. Traveler’s Notebook.