If you're reading this review, there's a good chance you've owned a Moleskine product previously. If that's the case, you get exactly what you'd expect from these Cahier journals. The paper is the same make and quality as their hard binding products and the "softback" type as well. The binding on these is a lot simpler and is similar to to a simple magazine binding (the type that uses staples in the center, not the glued type) except these are actually stitched together, which makes for something of a rustic feel. The cover is a pressed cardboard material as opposed to the typical Moleskine leather-type substance. It is durable and unlike the typical cover, you can actually write on these with typical writing instruments (pen, pencil, etc) which can be quite useful for personalizing your Moleskine. I rather like this style of cover and own both the red and the natural brown kraft. The red is a bit more muted than the red leatherette Moleskines, but it still has a very rich look. There is a flap on the inside back cover for storage, but don't expect to put a lot back there.