Best All-Weather Pens and Notebooks for camping in 2021

best all-weather stationery

If you are an outdoor enthusiast, it is quite possible that you would have faced the urge to write something or mark a spot on the map in inclement weather such as rain or snow. Also after a day’s hike, you may be looking to scribble down your something lying upside down in the tent. Normal stationery – pens and notebooks, even if high-end, may not be suitable for such situations. What you need is a reliable all-weather pen and notebook!

All-weather stationery items are specifically designed pens, pencils, notebooks and papers which can be used to write clearly, legibly and easily in inclement weather conditions and with minimal gravity support. Such products are uniquely designed, ultralight, extremely durable and a must have for an avid outdoorsman.

In this article, we will look at some of the best all-weather pens and notebooks available in the market. We will list out waterproof and weatherproof writing instruments, notebooks, and papers which you can buy online. We will also look at some of the factors to consider while buying such items and share our top picks. So read on to find out which are the best all-weather notebooks and pens to carry with you.

If you are looking for something more tactical, check out our article on the best tactical pens. Most of these pens use all-weather refills and also also act as a tactical defense tool.

Best All-Weather pens and pencils list

Some of the best all weather pens and pencils available in the market are listed below:
PictureProductDimensions and WeightFeatures
Fisher 400B Space Bullet Space Pen3.8” x 0.3” x 0.3”
0.7 oz.
- A hugely popular, the original zero- gravity, all-weather pen that can work in extreme weather conditions.
- Because of its small size it can fit in the purse, wallet or pocket easily.
- The pen has a 1.1 mm tip and comes in all metal chrome or matte finish.


Rite in the Rain All Weather Tactical Pen5.8” x 0.2” x 0.6”
0.6 oz.
- An ultralight, full sized all weather pen that can work even on wet paper and upside down.
- Because of its standard clip design, it can fit in the pocket like any other pen.
- The pen has a fine 0.9 mm tip.


Fisher Space Pen ST Space-Tec Pen5.3" x 0.5" x 0.5"
0.8 oz.
- This retractable refill tec-pen counterpart of the bullet pen has all the features of the Fisher bullet pen.
- Has a standard clip design, making it suitable for carrying in pocket.
- Comes in black as well as blue ink.
Rite In The Rain Trekker Pen4" x 0.4" x 0.5"
0.5 oz.
- Another all-weather pen, designed specifically for hiking and backpacking.
- Features a sturdy metal barrel with a rubber grip.
- Comes with a ring to attach the pen to a keyring or belt.
- Because of its small size it can fit in the pocket easily.


Fisher Original Astronaut Space Pen5.1" x 0.4" x 0.4"
2.0 oz.
- High-end space pen with an all-metal chrome plated body. Lifetime warranty.
- Elegant, sleek look, with a top button to open and side button to retract the 0.7 mm. refill.
- Has a pocket clip for easy carry.
- Comes in a heavy-duty gift box having an astronaut sleeve.
Rite In The Rain/ J L Darling All Weather Mechanical Pencil5.1” x 0.3” x 0.4”
0.3 oz.
- This ultralight full length mechanical, all-weather pencil is virtually the only all-weather pencil that you would ever need.
- It comes with 1.1 mm lead which can work on extreme angles and in all weather conditions.
- 3 additional erasers are included with the pencil in the pack.

Best All-Weather Writing Notebooks

Some of the best all weather notebooks are listed below:
PictureProductSheet Size and WeightFeatures
Rite In The Rain All Weather Tactical Pocket Notebooks5” x 3”
1.9 oz. each
- A set of three pocket, all-weather notebooks with 50 sheets each.
- Genuine made in USA, weatherproof product featuring a recycled waterproof coated cover.
- The notebook can be recycled like other paper products.


Cosmos Orange Tactical Waterproof All-weather Notebook7” x 5”
3.5 oz. each
- A smartly designed all weather spiral notebook with 50 tear away waterproof sheets.
- The notebooks feature a weatherproof PVC cover and wired spiral.
- Comes in set of 2 and 3 notebooks.
GloryFire All Weather Waterproof Notebooks5.0” x 3.0”
2.4 oz. each
- A set of five all weather memo pad each with 48 sheets.
- The notebooks are made in USA and printed using synthetic paper with a impact-resistant, Wire-O binding.
- Feature a PVC plastic cover that material creates a tough but flexible outer shell.
MALEDEN All Weather Spiral Notebook4.2” x 3”
1.1 oz. each
- A set of three weatherproof memo pocket notebooks with 40 sheets in each notebook.
- The front and back cover is made of waterproof polyethylene protecting the A-line paper sheets.
- The paper features a coated smooth finish for easy writing.
Rite in the Rain Soft Cover Weatherproof Notebook5.1" x 0.4" x 0.4"
2.0 oz.
- A soft-cover notebook with 56 weatherproof, archival-grade sheets. Soft field-flex cover.
- Works with all-weather pens as well as pencils. Also works with ball-point pens when dry.
- 100% recyclable.

Best All-Weather Printer/Copier Papers

Some of the best weatherproof printer/copier papers are listed below:
PictureProductSheet Size and ThicknessFeatures
Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Laser Printer Paper14” x 8.5”
5mm.
- Laser printer/copier paper for weatherproof printing on both sides.
- Each sheet of paper is fully recyclable
- Works with all standard laser printers and copiers, but not suitable for inkjet printers.


TerraSlate Waterproof Laser Printer/Copy Paper11” x 8.5”
4.7 mm.
- A ream of letter sized waterproof papers for use with standard laser printers and copiers.
- Waterproof, tear-proof and grease-proof synthetic paper.
iGage Weatherproof Paper11” x 8.5”
10 mm.
- Most laser and some inkjet printer friendly waterproof paper for outdoor, marine, and field use.
-Works with standard pens and markers, but not suitable for pencils.
Inkjet Teslin Synthetic Paper11” x 8.5”
10 mm.
-Teslin coated inkjet printer paper that is water proof and tear proof.
- Works with markers and pens.
- Laser printer/copier friendly options are also available from the same manufacturer.

What is an all-weather stationery and why do you need it?

As the name suggests, all-weather stationery is a collection of pens, pencils, notebooks and papers that can be used in inclement weather conditions. Most of the all-weather stationery items have a unique design that makes them suitable for use in rain or snow and with minimal gravity support.

All-weather pens have pressurized ink cartridges that provide a spill-proof flow of ink while writing. All weather notebooks have special coatings and fibers to allow the pages to stay together and not change shape or texture when exposed to rain, dampness, or snow. Similarly, all-weather papers allow outdoor enthusiasts to print topographical maps, field details etc. on a highly durable, weatherproof and tearproof paper.

These all-weather stationery items can serve quite a few purposes in your outdoor trip. You can print maps, mark your route or just write your journal during your hiking or backpacking trip.

In the next section, we will look at the factors to consider before picking the best all weather pens or notebooks for your needs and share our top picks.

How to pick the best all-weather pens, notebooks and paper for yourself?

Picking the best all-weather pen, notebook or paper is not as challenging as other items as this domain is dominated by a few manufacturers only – Rite In the Rain in all categories and Fisher in pens. The major challenge is picking up the right combination as per your needs. Some of the major common factors to consider while picking the best all-weather pens and notebooks are listed below:

  • Size and Weight of stationery items
  • Eco-friendliness of stationery items
  • Miscellaneous considerations

Size and Weight of stationery items

The size and weight of the stationery items are an important consideration if you are going to carry it in your pocket during your backpacking or camping trip. Pens such as Fisher ST Space-Tec Pen  are ultralight and feature clips for carrying them in pocket. Similarly, memo notebooks such as Rite In The Rain Pocket Notebooks feature lightweight covers, spirals and memo sized sheets, making them suitable for carrying during backpacking or hiking. Printer and copier papers have standard Letter or A4 size and can be folded to fit in the pocket.

Eco-friendliness of stationery items

In this age of environmental awareness, the eco-friendliness of all-weather stationery items is an important consideration. Most of the all-weather stationery listed in this article is made in the USA, so the manufacturing processes and green credentials of these items are strong. Even the covers of tactical notebooks such as the GloryFire Notebooks  are made from high quality recycled PVC plastic. However, since the all-weather stationery paper needs to be synthetically coated for weather proofing and durability, the notebook pages are not made from recycled paper. Nevertheless, the papers in notebooks such as the Rite In The Rain Pocket Notebooks are wood-coated and hence recyclable and eco-friendly.

Miscellaneous considerations

In addition to the factors listed above, there are some miscellaneous considerations depending upon the type of stationery.

For pens and pencils, one of the considerations is the tip diameter. The Fisher 400B Space Bullet Space Pen has a medium sized tip of 1.1 mm. For people who prefer finer tip while writing, the Rite in the Rain All Weather Pen has a fine 0.9 mm tip. Another consideration is the pen clip. All pens listed above except the Fisher 400B Space Bullet Space Pen come with a clip (clip is available as accessory for the Bullet space pen), allowing them to be clipped in the pocket. Last but not the least, the body finish and grip of the pen is an important factor. The all metallic body of Fisher 400B Space Bullet Space Pen and Rite in the Rain All Weather Pen makes them extremely durable and virtually buy-it-for-life (BIFL) products.

For notebooks, the paper finish is an important consideration. The Rite In The Rain All-Weather Tactical Pocket Notebooks have a coated paper finish and offer hassle free writing for both pens and pencils.  Another factor worth considering is the durability of the paper. Most of the notebooks listed above are certified archival-safe notebooks, meaning that the writings can last a lifetime.

Finally, for printer paper, the major consideration is whether they are suitable for use with Laser type printers and copiers such as Rite in the Rain Laser Printer Paper or they can be used with Inkjet printers only such as the BrainstormIDSupply.com Inkjet Teslin Synthetic Paper . Since both categories have different type of coating, they cannot be used interchangeably. Another consideration is the paper thickness. Lesser the thickness, easier it is to fold and carry. The TerraSlate Laser Printer/Copy Paper is only 4.7 mm thick, making it suitable for folding in the pocket.

Which are the best All-Weather Pens and Notebooks and what our picks are?

Fisher 400B Space Bullet Space Pen – Editor’s choice for best all-weather pen

Fisher 400B Space Bullet Space Pen - Matte Black

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NOTE: You can also get an engraved/personalized Fisher Space Pen, if you are looking for such an option.

The original space pen, Fisher Bullet space pen has undoubtedly been the most popular all-weather pen over the years.

The latest Fisher 400B Space Bullet space pen features an all-metal body, which is as durable as the body of any tactical pen. The pen comes in the traditional matte and the sleek chrome finish and is often commended for its unique aesthetic looks.

The space pen has a small size, making is suitable to carry in purses, wallets, and pockets. Though the pen does not come with a clip, Fisher does have gold, matte and chrome clips available as an add-on. Because of its small size, the pen works best when the cap is posted on the back while writing.

The Fisher space pen can write in any weather conditions and extreme temperatures ranging from -300F to 2500F. The pen works flawlessly at different writing angles and with zero gravity support. In addition, because of hermetically sealed refills, the pen can withstand long periods (even years) of non-usage.

The only drawback with the Fisher 400B Bullet pen is that it features a medium sized 1.1 mm tungsten carbide tip. As a result, you can see some skips while writing. But considering its purpose and ability to work in any situation, this should not be a major issue.

For its tradition, quality, and durability, the Fisher 400B Space Bullet space pen is Editor’s choice for the best all-weather pen. If you are an outdoorsman or just a stationery lover, you should definitely have this weatherproof pen in your collection.

Pros
  • Extremely durable and well-designed, all-weather pen considered an aesthetic master piece.
  • Small enough to carry in pocket, purse or wallet.
  • Works in all inclement weather conditions and with zero gravity support.
  • Can withstand long periods of non-usage.
Cons
  • The pen comes without a clip, though clip is available as add on.
  • Medium-sized pen tip can cause some variations and skips while writing.

Rite In The Rain All Weather Tactical Pocket Notebooks – Editor’s choice for best all-weather notebooks

Rite In The Rain All Weather Tactical Pocket Notebooks, 3

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Since the 1920’s, Rite in the Rain (RiR) has been a leading manufacturer of all-weather stationery items. The Rite in the Rain tactical notebook set contains three memo sized notebooks with 50 sheets each. The cover of the notebook is stiffly flexible yellow plastic made with recycled materials.

Each page is A-lined and is made with special water-based coating allowing it to stay together and not change shape or texture when exposed to rain, dampness, or immersed in water. We did see the paper crumbling a little when immersed in water, however, the writings were well preserved.

Each notebook sheet is an archival quality paper, meaning your writing can last the lifetime.

For all these reasons, the Rite In The Rain All-Weather Tactical Pocket Notebooks is the Editor’s choice for best all-weather notebooks. Such notebooks are available in multiple sizes and designs and you can pick the best option for your needs.

Pros
  • A well designed, pocket friendly product made in the US with strong eco-friendly practices to reduce environmental footprint.
  • Recyclable paper, suitable for use with all-weather pens and all types of graphite pencils.
  • Archival quality, meaning your writing can last a lifetime even in inclement weather conditions.
  • Also available as part of Fisher Space All Weather Tactical Notebook Kit
Cons
  • Because of coating requirements, the paper is not made from recycled products.
  • When immersed in water, the page crumpled a little, but such is the case with all other products.

Rite in the Rain Laser Printer Paper – Editor’s choice for best all-weather printer

Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Copier Paper, 8 1/2

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If you are in the market for an all-weather waterproof printer paper, then look no further than the Rite in the Rain (RiR) Laser Printer paper. This hugely popular weatherproof, tear-proof laser printer paper is suitable for printing or copying tactical information such as topographical maps, trail directions, and instructions.

Each sheet of letter sized ream is around 5 mm thick and suitable for printing on both sides. Though not suitable for inkjet printers (inkjet versions are available from other manufacturers), the paper absorbs the ink almost immediately and ensures it remains on the paper for a long time.

Though the paper is not made of recycled products, it is fully recyclable as the waterproof coating is wood-based and fully biodegradable.

For its superior quality and durability, the Rite in the Rain (RiR) Laser Printer paper is Editor’s choice for best all-weather printer paper. If you are looking for a weatherproof paper to print maps or any other content, you should consider the RiR Laser Printer paper.

Pros
  • 5mm thick paper is suitable for all weather printing on both sides.
  • The weatherproof, tear-proof paper is type 20 bond paper.
  • Completely recyclable paper with wood-based waterproof coating.
Cons
  • Only suitable for laser printers/copiers and not inkjet printers

All-Weather Stationery kits

Rite in the Rain Weatherproof Tactical Field Kit: Tan CORDURA Fabric Cover, 4 5/8

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Many a times you would like to have your all-weather stationery neatly organized in a kit. There are quite a few kits available in the market with bestselling all-weather stationery items – Rite in the Rain and Fisher Space Pens and Rite in the Rain notebooks. These kits make excellent gift items.

If you are interested in getting one, you can consider the following options:

For some more options, you can also checkout the Rite in the Rain All-Weather Covers and Pouches Collection.

All-weather pen refills

The most common accessories associated with all-weather pens are refills. It is advisable to stick to recommended refills. Some of these options are listed below:

If you are looking for a clip for your Fisher bullet space pen, you can check out Fisher Space Pen Clips, which come in matte, chrome or gold finish.

Finally, if you want to waterproof already printed maps and charts then look no further than the Nikwax Map Proof which can help you coat your paper with a biodegradable waterproof coating.

Final thoughts on the best all-weather pens and notebooks

Whether you are someone who often works in all-weather conditions or an outdoor enthusiast, you would have faced the urge to scribble something, write your journal or mark your route on a map. For such rigorous adventures, you need a reliable writing instrument – an all-weather pen, pencil and/or notebook. But picking the best all-weather pen or notebook can sometimes be a challenge

In this post, we looked at some of the of the best all-weather pens and notebooks available in the market. We looked at all types of all-weather stationery items – pens, pencils, notebooks and even printer papers that can be used to write in inclement weather conditions, and with or without any gravity support. Such items are a must to carry for outdoor enthusiasts who love to scribble their notes during outdoor excursions.

We hope you found this article useful and it would help you in picking the best all-weather pen or notebook for your needs. Do let us know how you found this article and if you would want us to consider anything else.

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