I’ve recently began keeping a journal after a long hiatus. Writing again has prompted me to become a little bit obsessed with notebooks, pens, drawing pencils and other accessories. I recently reviewed the Quiver Moleskine Pen holder and today I want to show you a really nice leather Moleskine cover from Saddleback Leather Company.
Available in small and medium sizes, for the 3.5 x 5.5 inch and 5.25 x 8.25 Moleskine notebooks. These covers are made of 4-5 oz. (2.0 – 2.2 mm) thick chrome tanned leather, in your choice of Black, Tobacco, Chestnut, and Dark Coffee. I was sent the small size in Tobacco.
The exterior of the cover has a soft matte finish and interior of the cover is lined in pigskin, which is extremely tough and durable. The front cover sleeve and back cover band are sewn with marine gauge thread. There’s no need to worry that this Moleskine cover will fall apart – ever. It actually has a 100 year warranty.
I keep saying that this is a Moleskine cover, but it should fit any 3.5 x 5.5 inch notebook. I tested it with a Rhodia notebook and it fit perfectly.
The Saddleback Leather logo is branded into the lower corner of the front cover. You might notice the scuffs on the cover. If those types of imperfections bother you, you won’t want a this cover or any other product from the Saddleback Leather Company. It’s just the nature of their products and as you use them, you’ll scuff them up even more, which just adds to the rugged look and feel.
Once the Moleskine has been inserted into the cover, which is very easy to do, you’ll see that the elastic band can still be used to hold the notebook closed. You can wrap it around the top cover like normal or…
You can also wrap it as shown above, to provide a convenient holder for your favorite pen. Since the cover is sized slightly larger than the notebook, it hangs over the sides, creating a “shelf” for your pen. The only down side is that this will stretch the elastic so that when you remove the notebook, it might not work as well.
The cover is flexible enough to easily allow you to open and use your notebook just like you would with no cover at all.
The cover’s back strap does block access to the notebook’s back pocket though…
Tour notebook can open completely flat as shown here.
The Saddleback Moleskine Cover does add a bit of bulk, but the protection and rugged good looks that it adds to your notebook really is worth it. I love the way this cover feels in my hand. I already liked the look and feel of the small sized Moleskine and Rhodia notebooks, but adding this cover makes them look more important – even if what I write is mostly drivel. 🙂
Note: The links to Saddleback Leather Company on this page are affiliate links. If you use one of these links to make a purchase, we will earn a small percentage of the sale, so we appreciate it if you click through.
Product Information
Price: | $45.00 |
Manufacturer: | Saddleback Leather Company |
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Wow. This cover is beautiful. Saddleback creates such classy products.
The way the pen fits in there is pretty slick, I have to say! Looks to be a very well crafted product.
You mentioned the effect of scratches to Saddleback leather. I am a 25 yr leather pro and have done some testing on the Saddleback finishes. Here is an article I wrote on caring for the leather. It includes a link to a video that will show you how to get out those scratches you mentioned… http://bit.ly/akXcQx Hope it helps everyone.
@ChrisR Thanks Chris! I’m sure there will be many people that will benefit from your info and videos 🙂
Sure Julie. Nice site. Feel free to link to any of my articles whenever you reveiw leather gear if it helps your subscribers.
Looks nice, just don’t understand the open back. It wouldn’t protect the back corners at all. Seems a little pointless if it doesn’t completely cover the entire notebook.
@Jack I believe they styled the back that way to reveal that you’re using a Moleskine. So people will know you like nice things.
Very nice cover – thanks.
Does anyone know of something that will hold both a moleskine notebook and an iphone? Perhaps something more like an unzippable satchel that would open out to show the notebook, but also have a compartment holding the iphone and maybe a pen, cards, etc. ??
I high recommend to look for oberon as one of a great leather covers for devices!
http://oberondesign.com/
Their checkbook cover is my timeless love!
And thanks to Julie for this amazing blog. I fell in love and started to read blog after an article and photos about saddleback leather company briefcase review at 2007.
@Milla Yes, Oberon makes very nice covers too. Thanks for mentioning them!