Another RUclipsr and blogger, Stationery Nerd, worked with Walmart recently to improve their Exceed notebooks. She talks about it on Instagram and her blog. These notebooks did not used to be as good.
Oh really? That's amazing! I'm glad she worked with Walmart to improve the paper quality, because I am loving it! I'll have to go check out her videos now. Thank you so much!
the artist loft notebooks at michaels for 5$ don’t bleed through as much as lechtturm, are more soft cover and are so nice too!!! that’s what i’m using right now :)
So true! I decided to get the lechtturm cuz everyone loves it. I couldn’t help but think the $5 from Michael’s didn’t bleed through as much. Oh well, live and learn I guess. I started to write in it yesterday and for $20, I don’t think it’s worth it. Maybe in time I’ll see what’s so great about it but for now I was like, “mmm, my old one from Michael’s was better”
For those in Australia, there's a VERY similar notebook at Officeworks called the Modena Ideas notebook. It's $20AUD, comes in a bunch of colours, and has identical paper (100gsm dot grid). It's SUPER nice to write on. Make sure you don't get the linen cover version though, since that has lower-quality 70gsm paper.
I just got one, and I am OBSESSED! I'm currently using the dot grid in the larger size as my health journal, but I'm yearning after that adorable pocket size! I have a new favorite notebook! Thank you so much!!!!!
GSM doesn't necessarily mean higher quality, you can still have various thicknesseses within the same GSM. This is especially true with regreds to cellulose vs cotton paper. Not to mention what kind of coating it might or might not have. All that being said though. I completely agree that exceed paper quality is nicer than moleskine, thing with moleskine is that really like some of the fancy covers (especially the harry potter one) but really imo nothing beats Tomoe River paper. Even at 68gsm is holds thick fountain pen ink better then anything else.
Yes, that's one thing I appreciate about Moleskine- their limited and special edition cover designs! They make their notebooks fun in that way! The Tomoe River paper is nice. Although I don't use a fountain pen on a regular, a few of my FP friends swear by that paper type! Just wish it wasn't so thin and crinkly feeling. When I flip through it, I have to be real careful not to fold or bend the pages during the quick process. haha! And thank you for educating me in terms of different GSM quality. I appreciate it! That's why I love this community- You learn and pick up from other passionate journalers/writers!
I'm invested in the 100gsm Exceeds. But YES! The finish on Tomoe River is my absolute favorite. It's sooooo fountain pen friendly. I even blurped out some ink from an eyedroppered pen that got too warm and it didn't leak through. Paper thickness is good, but Exceed could still improve the finish to blow everyone else away -- especially at this price point.
OMG! I was wondering when I was going to see these Exceed notebooks reviewed online. I was at my local Walmart last week when I found them. I've been buying Exceed notebooks and paper for a few years now so I know the quality is good at a low cost. Then I saw the 100 GSM notebooks and I nearly squealed right in the isle. I bought every black and white A5 dotted notebook they had on the shelves! And then a few days later, I went to another Walmart and purchased a few more! You're so right, the paper quality is so much better than Moleskine and Leuchtturm. I'm currently in my LT1917 bullet journal but as soon as I'm done, I'll be moving into the Exceed notebooks. I went back to Walmart yesterday and bought a few of the pocket/field notes size notebook with the 78 GSM and the paper holds up to fountain pen ink extremely well...no bleed-through and minimal ghosting. I'm going to have to go back to look for the B5 size which I haven't seen in my local stores yet. After seeing your review for the expanded Moleskines, I purchased one on Amazon to use as my reading journal, knowing that I wasn't going to be able to use my fountain pens on the Moleskine paper so I'm ok with that. I really do love all the extra pages!!
I picked one of the purple 100 GSM up a few weeks ago. I have thrown every pen and fountain pen I own at it and no bleed through only slight ghosting on my darkest/wettest inks. If they come out with 100gsm blank notebooks I will be in trouble because I will be using Exceed for my writing and sketching then!
My friend bought me one of these for Christmas because she knows I love journals... and let me tell you I was so impressed by the quality of the notebook so I had to look it up.. i had NO idea they we're from walmart, you really wouldn't expect it! I love it so much!
Omg thank you soooo much for this vid! I have been going back-and-forth for over a month now on what brand of journal To get from my girlfriend to start journaling. One of the brands that I was looking at was this one but wasn’t sure about the quality of the bleedthrough or ghosting Simply due to the price point. So again, thank you very much for this vid. You just helped me make my decision to buy this brand.
Wow! Thanks for sharing this! I’ve seen the Exceed brand at Walmart, but didn’t buy because I have several new, unused journals now. I’m even using the $5 Michaels journal as a teacher planner. It does not have back pocket, numbered pages, calendar, or index. I’m excited to find this deal!
What! Why didn't you tell me about these!! haha. Actually, I remember coming across this Exceed brand last year, but their paper quality was not the 100 gsm. I think this is something new they just released. So thrilled either way! Which size do you favor?
Seaweed Kisses yea the 100 gsm is new I think. I don’t have a favorite size, I would just grab my favorite color that they had which is green, yellow or black.
Ive been using these Exceeds for about two years now from Walmart. I use them for work since I needed something cheap and easy. Yes glad to see that they are getting noticed!
I’ve been using the exceed journal for over 2 years and I highly recommend them. Sadly I realized that lined or dotted grid pages don’t work for me so I switched to a squared grid Lemome but once more, if this isn’t an issue for you, GO BUY ONE NOW.
I found these a few months ago at my local Wal-Mart and switched immediately from a moleskine. I love it.. I use alot of the same pens your using and haven't had an issue with it as of yet. I am very excited that you found them and I'm looking forward to hear what you think further into it ☺
Happy to hear that you're enjoying yours, too! It seems like a few of you already knew about these wonderful notebooks. Where have I been?? Hiding under a rock?? haha. Yes, I'm dumping the Moleskine for now and moving into the Exceed asap!!
I saw these the other day at Walmart, too! They looked really good and weren’t too expensive. I couldn’t pick it up that day but if I see it again I will!
Yes! I’ve purchased these and love them, especially for the price. I love to use dark ink gel pens, and I don’t like bleed through. Love these notebooks! I’ll be waiting to see what you think after you have used them for awhile. 💖
OMG! SO glad I am still on No New Notebooks! This is great news! MUAH! I hope I can find it - and this is perfect. We like the same things for the same reasons, I realize. I love the 100 GSM and the details of the planner and bullet journal with pages! Wowza!
LOVED the video ! And super glad you found them too :) I found them a week ago and had to pickup 3 different colors of the A5 ones Bc of how reasonably priced they are and how quickly they would sell. I too started a journal before I found them lol can’t decide if I should finish it or start in a new one :) xo
I'm facing the same dilemma! To use up, or not to use up the current journal? That is the question...haha! I'm leaning more towards moving on to this Exceed! lol
These were just released last week!! I know someone who worked with them behind the scenes to help them improve their notebooks. Aren't they great?! Thanks for the review!
Yes!! I am absolutely thrilled to have come across these! At first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me when I saw the "100 gsm." But there they were! Love.
Thank you for posting this video. 100 gsm, dotted & pages numbered, wow! Someone was listening to BuJo users and they responded to offer the right product. I just bought a BuJo but I’m going to sell it and buy 2 Exceed dotted instead! I use a Pilot G-2 07 and while I’m not an artsy journaler just simple writing bleeds through most paper so the 100 gsm is perfect.
Great review Michelle! I'm going to try out the 100 GSM Exceed journal. Can't wait. I love my Staples Optiflow but it bleeds through all my journals. Hope you had a good holiday weekend!!
I use the 52 or 68 GSM so looking forward to trying the 100 GSM weight. I used a 100 GSM a couple years ago but the paper quality was not good. I think I would love a 100 GSM weight if the paper quality is good as well
Aaaaah Michelle! I don't need another notebook! But you've totally enabled me... I'm going to Walmart tomorrow. LOL. How's your expanded moleskine working out? I ordered one as soon as I saw your video. Give us an update, pretty please?!
Hello!! Yes, the Moleskine is still here....on my desk....about to be replaced now by this Exceed journal...hahaha!! I'll share a setup video soon... Keep an eye out! 😚🙏
As most of us know, higher GSM doesn't always mean better!! Would've loved to see you test a fountain pen in this journal! Also, does the paper have any type of coating, and is it smooth? Would hate to ruin all my brush pen tips!
Hi Michelle. No, there is no coating on these pages. And the only fountain pen I have to use is a Lamy Safari. (I did a quick paper test on my IG here, if you're interested: instagram.com/p/Bwis8p6AROb/
Thanks for this review of EXCEED notebooks. I’m going to purchase a couple on line before they sell out. I’ve seen a few reviews and am impressed with the quality and price.
I just purchased an Exceed notebook today. So far I’m pleased. I noticed that when I removed the closure, I saw an indentation of it on the cover...does yours have the same thing?
I'm going to check out those notebooks!! I love when there's notebooks that are exactly 100 pages because I'm a novel writer who loves to write first and second drafts by hand!!!!!! You have excited now!! Also my Aunts sent me a camel Traveler's Notebook in the standard size just like yours. I've not been able to put it down! So now I have a passport in the camel as a standard and I feel like I don't need any other journal now!!!!!!! :) Except for these ones hahaha!!! Happy Easter!!! :)
Oh yay!! So happy for you and your new Camel TN! That's wonderful! And Happy Easter to you as well! BTW, loved your TN flip-through video! Thank you so much for sharing!
I just purchased my first exceed notebook in the 5x8 and I happened to find it for $4.50 (originally $12) at my local Walmart on sale! I’m going to go back and get more! Lol 😂
okay so i bought the exceed bullet journal in 100 gsm and i want to say i like it but when i use a gel pen or crayola supertips it ghosts a little , thankfully it doesnt bleed, but ive been using the Fixion erasable gel pens and you can barley see it on the other side of the page
I love Exceed! 😍 I bought two of their extra large soft covers at Walmart. I'm not sure what size they are, though. I'm using the blue extra large Exceed currently as my bullet journal, and I'm going to use my black Exceed (also an extra large) as a bullet journal after. 🙂 I was wondering, have you ever used a notebook or journal for something, and decided to use it as something else later on? That's what happened when I decided to make my Exceed journals into bullet journals. 😅
That's great that you're enjoying these are your bullet journal! Now I'm pumped and excited to start setting mine up! And yes, I have started a journal and used it for something else later on. A perfect example of this is my Moleskine notebook. I thought it was going to be my everyday bullet journal...but now after coming across the Exceed notebooks, it's time to repurpose the Moleskine. It'll probably become a sketch/scratch pad notebook. haha!
I got the b5 dotted 100 gsm. I absolutely love this thing. It's not 'perfect.' But for me, the pros outweigh the cons. I love the paper quality. Good price. I love this thing because being a b5 size, it has Lots of space. Works for a regular notebook. Dots are not overly dark. I love that it has NO features. You just get paper in a notebook. So with no features, I don't feel like I am trying to use a journal for Math. I can number the pages the way I want them to be numbered. There is NO premade index pages-- which I never used anyway. I usually keep the index pages for a place to put sticky notes. And the paper being smooth, doesn't get the adhesive goo on it, and if you are careful, scotch tape will peal off. The paper is nice and thick so most of the standard pens that I have such as g2, uniball signo, Zebra Sarasa, bic gelocity those don't bleed at all. I have used the cheap gel pens, gelly rolls, crayola marker, and Gelly roll pens. (I don't own a sharpie, so could not try that. They smell horrible to me! ) The Only ink (that I have) that did bleed was the Gelly roll silver dust, but that ink just bleeds into everything anyway. Cons: 1. This notebook is a little bit delicate (or maybe I got a dud.) Edges of the outter pages that are held in place by glue started to come apart, but just be careful with it and it doesn't tear. 2 There is smearing because the paper is very smooth/coated. But it's not half as much smearing as with other popular journals. Just don't touch the ink. It dries pretty fast, but I think this could be a problem for lefties. I'm a rightie and I smear the ink enough.
I'm wondering that too. They're pretty much all I use in my bullet journal, so if it's no good with fountain pens - that's a deal breaker for me. I've discovered the hard way a higher GSM doesn't remotely make paper better with fountain pens.
Exceed A5 notebooks are missing a dot on their even numbered pages. Sorry. But I'm using an Exceed right now and just found out a week ago. Doesn't take away from the awesomeness of the journal though. Great for first-time bullet journaling.
My friend Pam from “Stationery Nerd” help design the Exceed journal. I am with you on the quality of moleskin pages not holding up. I am a mix media journaler/artist. For the first time I am working in a moleskin. After the first page, I realize this isn’t going well. I may need to try the Exceed or go back to my mix media journal.
@@SeaweedKisses well I started to fill it in the other day, but I think the pages are kinda thin, or it's just because my markers.But the ink is bleeding through the page, so I might try gel pens instead of markers
So, I bought one of these, and didn't use it for ages. Then I pulled it out and started using it...only to find that I can't find them any more! :( Do you know if WM has discontinued these? Thanks!
I dont buy moleskine anymore because the pages are very thin and rip easily. The only thing I like about moleskine is that there is a folder in the back which exceed has as well
I just signed up for your Patreon. You have a great catalogue. I saw these notebooks yesterday along with the pen & gear planner/journal collection. I got some of the washi petal floral peels and can confirm they work nicely and look very pretty.
I wouldn't say better than Leuchtturm and simply going by GSM doesn't quite dictate paper quality. However, for the price they are unbeatable. I wish they did more softcover.
Dang that's a great find. I'm in Australia so can't get it here. Sourcing a new journal from denik.com.. in the US. I'm coming to end of my journal in June and I can't spend $30 or $40 on a journal...I can get Rhodia here but meh...not feeling it. 🌏🐰💁
I heard that there are a lot of notebooks through Amazon that offer good paper quality for under $20. Or perhaps Etsy? You may be able to come across a few good ones there.
I purchased the expanded version from moleskin and now I want this .. ugh my husband is going to kill me .. he tells me “ how many more do you need “ My response “ all of them “ 😏
I'm pretty sure these notebooks are so cheap because the paper is cheap. Heavy paper does not equal quality paper. Quality, archival-quality paper is PH-neutral and won't degrade nearly so quickly over time. The thickness is important for certain pens, but the real quality of the paper is determined in how long it can last on a shelf before all your hard writing work dissolves into dust, and cheap notebooks go the way of cheap books. They turn brown, get brittle, and fall apart in half a century or less. Archival quality paper can last multiple centuries if cared for. Leuctturm and Rhodia aren't just expensive because of branding. They're expensive because their high-quality paper is expensive. Convenient today, trash tomorrow. That's why these are a 'bargain'. If you're gonna toss your journal when you move in a decade, it's fine, but if you plan to leave your writings for future generations, you should really invest in notebooks with archival-quality paper.
I bought the Exceed brand at Walmart and they literally fell apart. I was so disappointed. The hard cover seems to hold up a little better but I haven't used it very much because the other two soft ones I bought were so bad... I even ended up taking one back. I will not buy them again and I will pay more for the Leucthtturm and Moleskine as they are both better quality and I have never had an issue with them.
Lemome notebooks have super good paper quality but are also on the rather pricy side. I found a cheaper version of them online, simple black cover but same paper brand (the brand has some kind of technology to make the paper resistant to bleeding and stuff and the notebooks lay flat. It's calles BooQool or something like that, check it out)
Another RUclipsr and blogger, Stationery Nerd, worked with Walmart recently to improve their Exceed notebooks. She talks about it on Instagram and her blog. These notebooks did not used to be as good.
Oh really? That's amazing! I'm glad she worked with Walmart to improve the paper quality, because I am loving it! I'll have to go check out her videos now. Thank you so much!
Lol i was gonna say the same thing
For the price, they were still better than competitors. And the individual you mention kind of overblows her contribution.
the artist loft notebooks at michaels for 5$ don’t bleed through as much as lechtturm, are more soft cover and are so nice too!!! that’s what i’m using right now :)
Yes, got those are great as well! Can't beat the $5!
I love my Artist Loft Bujo but having numbered pages is a game changer.
So true! I decided to get the lechtturm cuz everyone loves it. I couldn’t help but think the $5 from Michael’s didn’t bleed through as much. Oh well, live and learn I guess. I started to write in it yesterday and for $20, I don’t think it’s worth it. Maybe in time I’ll see what’s so great about it but for now I was like, “mmm, my old one from Michael’s was better”
At my Michael's, the artist lofts are 6.99
@@purplestarlite100 Yes. They have raised the base price from 5 to 6.99. Boo! But there's always coupons!!
Moleskine paper seems to have gotten worse over the years. It's so thin now and doesn't work with my gel pens.
Planner Stuff yeah it's getting really bad now. Have moved over to Filofax notebook as the pages are also 100gsm
Yes, I'll have to agree with that. Gel pens are a no-go with the Moleskine paper.
I used to love Moleskine but with the paper quality issues I can't justify the costs.
For those in Australia, there's a VERY similar notebook at Officeworks called the Modena Ideas notebook. It's $20AUD, comes in a bunch of colours, and has identical paper (100gsm dot grid). It's SUPER nice to write on. Make sure you don't get the linen cover version though, since that has lower-quality 70gsm paper.
I just got one, and I am OBSESSED! I'm currently using the dot grid in the larger size as my health journal, but I'm yearning after that adorable pocket size! I have a new favorite notebook! Thank you so much!!!!!
GSM doesn't necessarily mean higher quality, you can still have various thicknesseses within the same GSM. This is especially true with regreds to cellulose vs cotton paper. Not to mention what kind of coating it might or might not have. All that being said though. I completely agree that exceed paper quality is nicer than moleskine, thing with moleskine is that really like some of the fancy covers (especially the harry potter one) but really imo nothing beats Tomoe River paper. Even at 68gsm is holds thick fountain pen ink better then anything else.
Yes, that's one thing I appreciate about Moleskine- their limited and special edition cover designs! They make their notebooks fun in that way! The Tomoe River paper is nice. Although I don't use a fountain pen on a regular, a few of my FP friends swear by that paper type! Just wish it wasn't so thin and crinkly feeling. When I flip through it, I have to be real careful not to fold or bend the pages during the quick process. haha! And thank you for educating me in terms of different GSM quality. I appreciate it! That's why I love this community- You learn and pick up from other passionate journalers/writers!
Was coming down here to say the same thing, but you said it better than I would have!
I'm invested in the 100gsm Exceeds. But YES! The finish on Tomoe River is my absolute favorite. It's sooooo fountain pen friendly. I even blurped out some ink from an eyedroppered pen that got too warm and it didn't leak through. Paper thickness is good, but Exceed could still improve the finish to blow everyone else away -- especially at this price point.
OMG! I was wondering when I was going to see these Exceed notebooks reviewed online. I was at my local Walmart last week when I found them. I've been buying Exceed notebooks and paper for a few years now so I know the quality is good at a low cost. Then I saw the 100 GSM notebooks and I nearly squealed right in the isle. I bought every black and white A5 dotted notebook they had on the shelves! And then a few days later, I went to another Walmart and purchased a few more! You're so right, the paper quality is so much better than Moleskine and Leuchtturm. I'm currently in my LT1917 bullet journal but as soon as I'm done, I'll be moving into the Exceed notebooks. I went back to Walmart yesterday and bought a few of the pocket/field notes size notebook with the 78 GSM and the paper holds up to fountain pen ink extremely well...no bleed-through and minimal ghosting. I'm going to have to go back to look for the B5 size which I haven't seen in my local stores yet.
After seeing your review for the expanded Moleskines, I purchased one on Amazon to use as my reading journal, knowing that I wasn't going to be able to use my fountain pens on the Moleskine paper so I'm ok with that. I really do love all the extra pages!!
I picked one of the purple 100 GSM up a few weeks ago. I have thrown every pen and fountain pen I own at it and no bleed through only slight ghosting on my darkest/wettest inks. If they come out with 100gsm blank notebooks I will be in trouble because I will be using Exceed for my writing and sketching then!
I'm so happy that they decided to keep this around even after back to school shopping time frame..I was hoarding the dotted notebooks 😂🤣
Yesss! Next time I'm out running errands, I might just pick up a few more dotted ones, too! lol!!
Exceed is a ‘brand’ of Walmart!
Oooh!! I see. Makes sense now why I never came across these journals anywhere else. Well, I'm a fan!
My friend bought me one of these for Christmas because she knows I love journals... and let me tell you I was so impressed by the quality of the notebook so I had to look it up.. i had NO idea they we're from walmart, you really wouldn't expect it! I love it so much!
Yep!! Just grabbed a lovely white one of these at Walmart for my current journal. So glad they’re getting some love!
Yes! Exceed notebooks for the win!
Omg thank you soooo much for this vid! I have been going back-and-forth for over a month now on what brand of journal To get from my girlfriend to start journaling. One of the brands that I was looking at was this one but wasn’t sure about the quality of the bleedthrough or ghosting Simply due to the price point. So again, thank you very much for this vid. You just helped me make my decision to buy this brand.
OMG. I just purchased this notebook like a week ago and love it. I got the planner too but have to wait til July to use it.
I just purchased 2 at the Walmart in my area only had 78 gems heavyweight paper. So I'm giving that a try!
I have a couple of the lined hardcover ones. They look like they will hold up well.
Wow! Thanks for sharing this! I’ve seen the Exceed brand at Walmart, but didn’t buy because I have several new, unused journals now. I’m even using the $5 Michaels journal as a teacher planner. It does not have back pocket, numbered pages, calendar, or index. I’m excited to find this deal!
I’ve been buying these notebooks at Walmart for the past three years. They’re my favorite.
What! Why didn't you tell me about these!! haha. Actually, I remember coming across this Exceed brand last year, but their paper quality was not the 100 gsm. I think this is something new they just released. So thrilled either way! Which size do you favor?
Seaweed Kisses yea the 100 gsm is new I think. I don’t have a favorite size, I would just grab my favorite color that they had which is green, yellow or black.
Ive been using these Exceeds for about two years now from Walmart. I use them for work since I needed something cheap and easy. Yes glad to see that they are getting noticed!
I’ve been using the exceed journal for over 2 years and I highly recommend them. Sadly I realized that lined or dotted grid pages don’t work for me so I switched to a squared grid Lemome but once more, if this isn’t an issue for you, GO BUY ONE NOW.
I found these a few months ago at my local Wal-Mart and switched immediately from a moleskine. I love it.. I use alot of the same pens your using and haven't had an issue with it as of yet. I am very excited that you found them and I'm looking forward to hear what you think further into it ☺
Happy to hear that you're enjoying yours, too! It seems like a few of you already knew about these wonderful notebooks. Where have I been?? Hiding under a rock?? haha. Yes, I'm dumping the Moleskine for now and moving into the Exceed asap!!
I also am recalling loving the thin gold band you have!
They also came out with a Travelers notebook sticker books stencils
I saw these the other day at Walmart, too! They looked really good and weren’t too expensive. I couldn’t pick it up that day but if I see it again I will!
Yes, you must! I'd love to know what you think!
They are really expensive in target but in Walmart is really cheap!
I love you and your video's! They are amazing! I Love notebooks!
Thank you so much! I appreciate your support and time!
Yessss I'm using the a5 bullet journal! I got the b5 one. Imma get the regular size in lined! I love them!!!
Yes! I’ve purchased these and love them, especially for the price. I love to use dark ink gel pens, and I don’t like bleed through. Love these notebooks! I’ll be waiting to see what you think after you have used them for awhile. 💖
That's right! No bleed through! I can't believe it. I'm so excited that I already started "moving in" to this journal, making myself at home..haha!
OMG! SO glad I am still on No New Notebooks! This is great news! MUAH! I hope I can find it - and this is perfect. We like the same things for the same reasons, I realize. I love the 100 GSM and the details of the planner and bullet journal with pages! Wowza!
LOVED the video ! And super glad you found them too :) I found them a week ago and had to pickup 3 different colors of the A5 ones Bc of how reasonably priced they are and how quickly they would sell. I too started a journal before I found them lol can’t decide if I should finish it or start in a new one :) xo
I'm facing the same dilemma! To use up, or not to use up the current journal? That is the question...haha! I'm leaning more towards moving on to this Exceed! lol
Seaweed Kisses me too ! 😊
I would love to have the medium one in a soft cover..
Girl you’re going to make these sell out! Cause now I’m going to buy like 10 of them thanks to you
Haha!! I need to tell the people!! These notebooks are too good not to share! 😍😃💕
Bought a blue one this evening. Thank you for the vid and the recco.
These were just released last week!! I know someone who worked with them behind the scenes to help them improve their notebooks. Aren't they great?! Thanks for the review!
Yes!! I am absolutely thrilled to have come across these! At first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me when I saw the "100 gsm." But there they were! Love.
@@SeaweedKisses Exactly! Such a great find at a great price! =)
Thank you for posting this video.
100 gsm, dotted & pages numbered, wow! Someone was listening to BuJo users and they responded to offer the right product.
I just bought a BuJo but I’m going to sell it and buy 2 Exceed dotted instead!
I use a Pilot G-2 07 and while I’m not an artsy journaler just simple writing bleeds through most paper so the 100 gsm is perfect.
Great review Michelle! I'm going to try out the 100 GSM Exceed journal. Can't wait. I love my Staples Optiflow but it bleeds through all my journals. Hope you had a good holiday weekend!!
Hi Mike! If you enjoy the Optiflow pen, this Exceed journal (100gsm) will definitely hold up to the ink. Such a great find! You have to give it a try!
Seaweed Kisses I definitely will. I'm going to stop by Walmart tomorrow and see if I can find one. This journal might be "the one". Thanks Michelle!
I use the 52 or 68 GSM so looking forward to trying the 100 GSM weight. I used a 100 GSM a couple years ago but the paper quality was not good. I think I would love a 100 GSM weight if the paper quality is good as well
Yes, give these new ones a try! You may like them!
And now I need to go to walmart. Now. :-) Thanks girl for letting us know this is out there!!
You're absolutely welcome! You know us planner/journal lovers need to lookout for eachother! This is a hidden gem worth sharing!
Aaaaah Michelle! I don't need another notebook! But you've totally enabled me... I'm going to Walmart tomorrow. LOL. How's your expanded moleskine working out? I ordered one as soon as I saw your video. Give us an update, pretty please?!
Hello!! Yes, the Moleskine is still here....on my desk....about to be replaced now by this Exceed journal...hahaha!! I'll share a setup video soon... Keep an eye out! 😚🙏
As most of us know, higher GSM doesn't always mean better!! Would've loved to see you test a fountain pen in this journal! Also, does the paper have any type of coating, and is it smooth? Would hate to ruin all my brush pen tips!
Hi Michelle. No, there is no coating on these pages. And the only fountain pen I have to use is a Lamy Safari. (I did a quick paper test on my IG here, if you're interested: instagram.com/p/Bwis8p6AROb/
Now if only they would come out with softcovers. Been loving my A5 though!
Seriously, though!!
Thanks for this review of EXCEED notebooks. I’m going to purchase a couple on line before they sell out. I’ve seen a few reviews and am impressed with the quality and price.
Excited to try one of these out. I love the Moleskine journals but that paper they use in them has gotta go.
I just purchased an Exceed notebook today. So far I’m pleased. I noticed that when I removed the closure, I saw an indentation of it on the cover...does yours have the same thing?
Great video. At my Walmart there replaced the Markings notebooks .
I saw them, I bought them, three different sizes! So excited to use them, thank youu!
I will be checking these out- thank you!!
You're welcome! I was too excited not too share these!
I have an exceed notebook!!
They are really nice!!
Just saw this. Need to get the 100gsm version soon
I can’t seem to find them in Walmart Canada which sucks
Great find- thank you!
Thank you so much for watching!
Nice find, I wouldn't expect that at Walmart
I've been using Exceed for years. Nice notebooks at a great price.
I'm going to check out those notebooks!! I love when there's notebooks that are exactly 100 pages because I'm a novel writer who loves to write first and second drafts by hand!!!!!! You have excited now!! Also my Aunts sent me a camel Traveler's Notebook in the standard size just like yours. I've not been able to put it down! So now I have a passport in the camel as a standard and I feel like I don't need any other journal now!!!!!!! :) Except for these ones hahaha!!! Happy Easter!!! :)
Oh yay!! So happy for you and your new Camel TN! That's wonderful! And Happy Easter to you as well! BTW, loved your TN flip-through video! Thank you so much for sharing!
Aww thank you so much!! And thank you for watching a video of mine!! @@SeaweedKisses
I just purchased my first exceed notebook in the 5x8 and I happened to find it for $4.50 (originally $12) at my local Walmart on sale! I’m going to go back and get more! Lol 😂
okay so i bought the exceed bullet journal in 100 gsm and i want to say i like it but when i use a gel pen or crayola supertips it ghosts a little , thankfully it doesnt bleed, but ive been using the Fixion erasable gel pens and you can barley see it on the other side of the page
Please do update us on how these hold up over time. Last time I bought a notebook from Walmart, the pages fell out😫
Oh no! Let's hope that was maybe a "defect" one. Yes, I'll keep you updated on the wear and tear as I plan on using this daily!
My Walmart is already sold out of these! They're wonderful.
They also have a planner one
I love Exceed! 😍 I bought two of their extra large soft covers at Walmart. I'm not sure what size they are, though.
I'm using the blue extra large Exceed currently as my bullet journal, and I'm going to use my black Exceed (also an extra large) as a bullet journal after. 🙂
I was wondering, have you ever used a notebook or journal for something, and decided to use it as something else later on? That's what happened when I decided to make my Exceed journals into bullet journals. 😅
That's great that you're enjoying these are your bullet journal! Now I'm pumped and excited to start setting mine up! And yes, I have started a journal and used it for something else later on. A perfect example of this is my Moleskine notebook. I thought it was going to be my everyday bullet journal...but now after coming across the Exceed notebooks, it's time to repurpose the Moleskine. It'll probably become a sketch/scratch pad notebook. haha!
They are amazing! I am using one right now
Great info. I'll give them a try. I like the colored cover options also. Thank for sharing.
I got the b5 dotted 100 gsm. I absolutely love this thing. It's not 'perfect.' But for me, the pros outweigh the cons. I love the paper quality. Good price. I love this thing because being a b5 size, it has Lots of space. Works for a regular notebook. Dots are not overly dark. I love that it has NO features. You just get paper in a notebook. So with no features, I don't feel like I am trying to use a journal for Math. I can number the pages the way I want them to be numbered. There is NO premade index pages-- which I never used anyway. I usually keep the index pages for a place to put sticky notes. And the paper being smooth, doesn't get the adhesive goo on it, and if you are careful, scotch tape will peal off. The paper is nice and thick so most of the standard pens that I have such as g2, uniball signo, Zebra Sarasa, bic gelocity those don't bleed at all. I have used the cheap gel pens, gelly rolls, crayola marker, and Gelly roll pens. (I don't own a sharpie, so could not try that. They smell horrible to me! )
The Only ink (that I have) that did bleed was the Gelly roll silver dust, but that ink just bleeds into everything anyway.
Cons:
1. This notebook is a little bit delicate (or maybe I got a dud.) Edges of the outter pages that are held in place by glue started to come apart, but just be careful with it and it doesn't tear.
2 There is smearing because the paper is very smooth/coated. But it's not half as much smearing as with other popular journals. Just don't touch the ink. It dries pretty fast, but I think this could be a problem for lefties. I'm a rightie and I smear the ink enough.
How does this notebook stack up with fountain pens?
Does anyone know how the binding on these holds up as you paste things in and it gets chunky?
Do the fountain pens work with this notebook ?
I'm wondering that too. They're pretty much all I use in my bullet journal, so if it's no good with fountain pens - that's a deal breaker for me. I've discovered the hard way a higher GSM doesn't remotely make paper better with fountain pens.
Yes, they do! :)
I bought the pocket exceed notebook but I haven’t opened it yet;)
So glad you shared this! I'm off to Walmart!!
Exceed A5 notebooks are missing a dot on their even numbered pages. Sorry. But I'm using an Exceed right now and just found out a week ago.
Doesn't take away from the awesomeness of the journal though. Great for first-time bullet journaling.
Omg I thought it was just mine
My friend Pam from “Stationery Nerd” help design the Exceed journal. I am with you on the quality of moleskin pages not holding up. I am a mix media journaler/artist. For the first time I am working in a moleskin. After the first page, I realize this isn’t going well. I may need to try the Exceed or go back to my mix media journal.
We need to thank Pam because these notebooks are great! Definitely better valued compared to other "competitors."
I've been using the dotted grid exceed notebook for 3 years now.
You definitely put me on game. Thank you!
I got one and it was awesome. I got the pocket too to do daily notes. 😁
I just bought the A5
Yaay!! I hope you enjoy using it! Let me know what you think!
@@SeaweedKisses well I started to fill it in the other day, but I think the pages are kinda thin, or it's just because my markers.But the ink is bleeding through the page, so I might try gel pens instead of markers
I've had an Exceed for awhile now for daily journaling, I had no idea it was a bargain journal lol
I dont need another notebook but i really want to get this!!!
haha! The story of our journal-loving life!
same! I have so many notebooks I should open up a notebook gallery lol
Thanks for sharing! I have been a fan of Exceed products for a while now. I’m so glad they upped their game!
Definitely upped their game! These notebooks are awesome!
Link to your rings? Thank you
The ones online say they only have 85gsm ?
So, I bought one of these, and didn't use it for ages. Then I pulled it out and started using it...only to find that I can't find them any more! :( Do you know if WM has discontinued these? Thanks!
Hello! I just purchased one the other day from my local WM. Maybe check online. I know they have them listed there. :)
@@SeaweedKisses Nope, tried that. None in Albq or here :(
*what is GSM?* Also I'dlve to see you review the moleskin smart set :)
It stands for "Grams per Square Meter" and a higher number denotes thicker paper.
@@czarinacharters1395 oh wow I didn't know there was sucha thing for measuring quality of paper!
@@czarinacharters1395 it doesn't mean thicker paper, but heavier paper, which isn't always better.
I dont buy moleskine anymore because the pages are very thin and rip easily. The only thing I like about moleskine is that there is a folder in the back which exceed has as well
I just bought one of these and I’ve been looking fir a review before I dive into using it 😂
I live in France. Can Exceed notebooks be bought online?
I've only been able to find them through the Walmart link I've listed in the description box...You could check ebay or Amazon, perhaps.
I need grid paper 🥺
Oooh, there's a design they could add! And a plain version!
I just signed up for your Patreon. You have a great catalogue. I saw these notebooks yesterday along with the pen & gear planner/journal collection. I got some of the washi petal floral peels and can confirm they work nicely and look very pretty.
Omg, thank you so much for your support on Patreon!! Wow, that means so much to me. 😭🙏🙏 I'm happy that you've enjoyed it!
I wouldn't say better than Leuchtturm and simply going by GSM doesn't quite dictate paper quality. However, for the price they are unbeatable. I wish they did more softcover.
Dang that's a great find.
I'm in Australia so can't get it here.
Sourcing a new journal from denik.com.. in the US.
I'm coming to end of my journal in June and I can't spend $30 or $40 on a journal...I can get Rhodia here but meh...not feeling it. 🌏🐰💁
I heard that there are a lot of notebooks through Amazon that offer good paper quality for under $20. Or perhaps Etsy? You may be able to come across a few good ones there.
@@SeaweedKisses oh good stuff...thanks for the tip. 😁
Todays To Do list: Off to Walmart to stock up on notebooks
😂😂🖒 Sounds like a good plan to me!
Picked up the black and the white in the A5 size still debating if I want the blue @@SeaweedKisses
Wow, that’s awesome! Shame that I don’t live in US...
Stationery Nerd on RUclips helped them increase the paper quality.
I purchased the expanded version from moleskin and now I want this .. ugh my husband is going to kill me .. he tells me “ how many more do you need “
My response “ all of them “ 😏
Im going to invent a notebook that doubles as a lunchbox!
$8.64 Just bot it.
Thank you for confirming my judgement.
keegood is a ‘brand’ of amazon also good, recomment
I’m running to Walmart this weekend. Thank you!
I'm pretty sure these notebooks are so cheap because the paper is cheap. Heavy paper does not equal quality paper. Quality, archival-quality paper is PH-neutral and won't degrade nearly so quickly over time. The thickness is important for certain pens, but the real quality of the paper is determined in how long it can last on a shelf before all your hard writing work dissolves into dust, and cheap notebooks go the way of cheap books. They turn brown, get brittle, and fall apart in half a century or less. Archival quality paper can last multiple centuries if cared for. Leuctturm and Rhodia aren't just expensive because of branding. They're expensive because their high-quality paper is expensive.
Convenient today, trash tomorrow. That's why these are a 'bargain'. If you're gonna toss your journal when you move in a decade, it's fine, but if you plan to leave your writings for future generations, you should really invest in notebooks with archival-quality paper.
I'm using one right now. Better than a moleskin. I hate to say that but it's true.
I bought the Exceed brand at Walmart and they literally fell apart. I was so disappointed. The hard cover seems to hold up a little better but I haven't used it very much because the other two soft ones I bought were so bad... I even ended up taking one back. I will not buy them again and I will pay more for the Leucthtturm and Moleskine as they are both better quality and I have never had an issue with them.
Lemome notebooks have super good paper quality but are also on the rather pricy side. I found a cheaper version of them online, simple black cover but same paper brand (the brand has some kind of technology to make the paper resistant to bleeding and stuff and the notebooks lay flat. It's calles BooQool or something like that, check it out)
Okay!! Thank you for the recommendation! I'll definitely check them out!
Moleskine paper quality has gone downhill therefore I stopped buying them also. Thanks for the review.