Walmart has re-released their famous Exceed A5 Numbered-Pages Simulated-Leather Journals, but under the Pen & Gear brand. With years off shelves and now a new brand name, I wanted to compare the two and see if the quality still holds up. Sharing those comparisons (with photos) below!

TLDR: I am pleased to state that the Pen & Gear A5 Numbered-Pages Simulated-Leather Journals are a solid recreation of the Exceed A5 Numbered-Pages Simulated-Leather Journals. I appreciate the Pen & Gear journal’s sleeker look, but I will miss the Exceed journal’s paper color because it is less transparent. I give Pen & Gear’s version a 4.75/5 vs Exceed’s 5/5. My Exceed was roughly $10 (many years ago), and the Pen & Gear was exactly $12.75 at my Walmart.

Before We Start: Pen & Gear offers both dot-grid and lined journals, just as Exceed did, but my store only had one left so I am comparing a dot-grid Exceed to a lined Pen & Gear.…