Rite in the Rain – Weatherproof notebooks and pens at Recon Company

Rite in the Rain has been manufacturing weatherproof paper since 1916. Founded in the rainforests of the Pacific Northwest of the USA, it is still manufactured in Tacoma, Washington, to this day. What began as a solution for the timber industry – where forestry workers needed paper that wouldn’t disintegrate in constant rain – is now standard issue for the US armed forces, police, fire services, surveying and geosciences worldwide. Around a third of production goes directly to the US military.

At Recon Company, we stock Rite in the Rain as part of our range of equipment for professionals. We select our range according to the same rigorous criteria that we apply to our own development projects for public authorities. When it comes to Rite in the Rain , there is simply no equivalent alternative. In over 30 years in business, we have seen nothing that works more reliably in wet, dirty and cold conditions.

Rite in the Rain Notebook and Notepad – paper that lets rain roll right off

The core product is the Rite in the Rain Notebook. The patented All-Weather paper is treated using a roll-coating process with an environmentally friendly, water-based coating. Water beads up and runs off, yet pencil and oil-based ballpoint pens still write on it. Important to note: gel pens, fountain pens and most fineliners do not work on this paper – their water-based inks either bead up or smudge because the paper cannot absorb them. If you want to be on the safe side, use a pencil or the brand’s own All-Weather pens. The paper itself survives heavy rain, sweat, mud and even a spin in the washing machine unscathed. However, this only applies to notes written in pencil or with the Rite in the Rain All-Weather pen – conventional ballpoint pen ink can fade due to heat and detergent.

The Rite in the Rain notebook range includes spiral-bound pads, bound books, Field-Flex notebooks with a flexible cover and compact pocket sizes. For field use, the 4⅝ x 7 inch and 3 x 5 inch sizes are the most common – they fit into standard leg pockets and chest flaps. Special versions with pre-printed universal grids, coordinate grids or METAR formats meet military and technical requirements without the need to carry your own templates.

Rite in the Rain Tactical Pen and All Weather Pocket Pen

A pencil works best on Rite in the Rain paper – that’s a fact. But sometimes you need a ballpoint pen. The Rite in the Rain Tactical Pen range uses ink cartridges originally developed for NASA. They write upside down, underwater, at temperatures ranging from -34 °C to +121 °C, and over grease stains, fingerprints and photographs. The ink is permanent and waterproof.

The Tactical Clicker (No. 97), with its matt black metal finish, is virtually scratch-resistant and can be operated with one hand – even whilst wearing gloves. The robust push-button has a defined pressure point that minimises accidental activation in a pocket. The Rite in the Rain All Weather Pocket Pen is the compact version for chest and pen pockets. Both models use replaceable ink cartridges in black or blue.

For users who prefer a pencil: the Rite in the Rain Pencil (No. 15) is a mechanical pencil with a 1.1 mm lead that draws clean lines even in wet conditions. Rite in the Rain Pencil refills are available separately.

Rite in the Rain C980 – Cordura protective cover for field use

If you want to protect your Rite in the Rain notebook during heavy-duty use, opt for the Rite in the Rain C980. This is a protective cover made from weatherproof Cordura fabric with a YKK zip, four pen compartments and internal pockets for cards, documents or additional materials. The cover fits all side-bound notebooks in sizes ranging from 4⅝ x 7 to 7½ inches – in other words, the most common field sizes.

Available in tan, black and MultiCam. The MultiCam version (C980M) is particularly popular with customers from the German Armed Forces and government agencies. The cover opens completely flat, so the notebook remains fully usable even when open. Closed dimensions: 5¾ x 8½ inches – flat enough for a thigh pocket, sturdy enough for a rucksack.

Why Recon Company stocks Rite in the Rain

Field notes are no trivial matter. Coordinates, position reports, sketches, patient information – if they get smudged in the rain, you’ve got a problem. Rite in the Rain has been solving this problem for over 100 years. The paper is 100 per cent recyclable, the inks are soya-based, and the coating process emits only water vapour. That might sound like green marketing, but it’s simply good engineering.

As an authorised Rite in the Rain dealer in Germany, we supply the range quickly and with expert advice. If you’re unsure which size or pen is right for your purpose, just give us a call. We know the products from our own use and from feedback from customers in the German Armed Forces, the police, the THW and the fire service.

Service and benefits at Recon Company

• Discounts for public sector organisations and their staff – available directly in the shop or on request.
• Field post delivery worldwide for emergency services personnel on overseas missions.
• Expert advice from the Recon team – by telephone, email or in person at our shop in Salzgitter.
• ISO 9001 certification for Recon Company – audited quality processes covering procurement, warehousing and order fulfilment.