The Gentleman Stationer's Guide to Top Pocket Pens (Updated 2023)

Though I’m not an “everyday carry” obsessive, I always have a pen and a notebook on me, whether I’m carrying a bag or not. Since I’m also not a fountain pen purist, more often than not my “pocket pen” is a ballpoint. There’s an ever-growing assortment of pens on the market that are advertised as appropriate for “pocket carry,” so starting about year ago I decided I’d buy or borrow a bunch of them to test out, hoping to come up with a solid “rotation” of 3 or so pens that I could keep on my person regularly. As usually turns out to be the case, the pocket pen situation is a bit more complex than I originally anticipated.  

What Makes a Great Pocket Pen 

Before I get started, it’s worth discussing what makes a pen truly “pocketable.” Size is only part of the equation - the pen needs to be relatively small, but I also regularly carry larger pens that you wouldn’t necessarily think of as “pocket-sized.” 

  1. Durability. For me, durability tops the list of attributes I look for in a pocket pen. By “durability,” I’m primarily referring to crack resistance and leak-proofing. Will the barrel break, or will the cap slip off and stain my clothes? If it’s a fountain pen, is the pen susceptible to “burping” ink as it warms from being carried in my pocket?

  2. Comfort. A pocket pen for me isn’t something that I’ll only want to write with for a few lines - I’ve found that I don’t really carry pens for that purpose. If I take the time to carry the pen with me, it needs to be something that I can deploy and use the same way as I would use a full-size pen.

  3. Price. Most of the pocket pens near the top of my list are available for well under $100. Since I’m carrying a pocket pen out and about, there’s a greater chance that I’ll lose it, so I don’t want something so expensive that I’ll hate myself if it disappears one day and can’t easily (and relatively cheaply) be replaced.

  4. Paper Compatibility. Will the pen write well on pocket notebooks and cheap paper? Can I use it to write on a mailing label? This last requirement effectively eliminates all fountain pens from my “Top 5” list, which may shock some people, since you all know how much I love my fountain pens. However I spend a LOT of time mailing stuff at the post office (mainly to you readers) so it’s become non-negotiable.

My Top 5 Pocket Pens (Not in Order of Preference).

  1. Lamy Pico. A great option from Lamy that's quickly become a favorite and has sold rapidly once we added it to our own shop. The Pico forms a small "capsule" when closed, but it expands into a full-sized ballpoint when extended - one of my favorite pen mechanisms ever. (Purchase here)

  2. Traveler’s Company Brass Ballpoint. While I prefer the ballpoint version of Traveler’s vintage-style bullet pens and pencils, you can also opt for a pencil, rollerball, or fountain pen. The ballpoint features an excellent needle-tip refill that lasts forever despite it’s small size, and the brass will develop a beautiful patina over time. (Purchase here)

  3. Fisher Space Pen (AG7/Shuttle Pens). Durable, reliable, and relatively inexpensive, the Fisher Space Pen writes anywhere, on any surface (including upside down and supposedly, even underwater (but I’ve never tested the latter). I have three or four of these, though I’ve swapped out the “medium” refill that comes with the pen in favor of the “fine.” Lately I’ve moved away from the “bullet” version in favor of the longer AG7 or the “Shuttle” pens, which I find far more comfortable and less easy to lose. (Purchase here)

  4. Caran d’Ache 849 Ballpoint. A pen that’s grown on me over the years to the point that I’ve become a Caran d’Ache retailer. the Caran d’Ache 849 is a retractable click ballpoint that comes in a wide variety of finishes and designs, ranging from the $20 standard version (which is actually my preferred choice for pocket carry) to the fancier matte black or specialty finishes. All Caran d’Ache ballpoints ship with a “Goliath” refill that lasts forever. (Purchase here)

  5. Anterique Ballpoints. Replacing the Bic Clic on this list is a line of pens I discovered this past year from Anterique Stationers. The classic “click pen” might be one of the most iconic go-anywhere pocket pens of the past 50 years, and Anterique has updated the design with dozens of colors and an excellent low-viscosity refill. Anterique also makes a brass version, available in four different colors, but note that the top part is interchangeable with any of the other standard Anterique ballpoints, allowing you to create your own custom brass combination. (Purchase here)

Honorable Mention

Most of the pens listed here are pens that I carry a lot - including in my pocket - but straddle the line between “briefcase/desk pens” and true pocket pens. Most are a bit pricier than the pens listed above. All of them would serve you well. 

  1. Schon DSGN Classic and Pocket Six. Ian Schon’s creations make the “Honorable Mention” list, as opposed to the Top 5, for no reason other than price point. If you really want to invest in a nice pocket pen, and don’t worry too much about misplacing it, you can’t go wrong with either his Classic (which takes a Fisher Space Pen refill) or the Pocket Six fountain pen, which packs a full-size No. 6 JoWo nib into an incredibly compact format. (Purchase here)

  2. Kaweco Sport. If I pocket carry a fountain pen (and occasionally, I do), the Kaweco Sport tops my list, with its combination of compact size, durability and remarkable resistance to leakage and/or burping. Kaweco also makes rollerball and ballpoint versions of the Sport. (Purchase here)

  3. Penco “Perfection” Bullet Pens. Penco is a Japanese stationery company that’s recently exploded in popularity in the U.S., and they’ve showcased an ability to release quality pens across a wide spectrum of price points. Their streamlined pocket ballpoints accept universal D1 refills, so you can further customize them with the ink of your choice. While a bit more specialized, you will also want to check out the Penco pocket drafting pens and pencils. (Purchase here)

  4. TWSBI Diamond Mini and Vac Mini. Those looking for a pocket fountain pen that is a true “miniaturization” of everything including the filling system will want to consider both the TWSBI Diamond Mini and Vac Minis. These pens are capable of serving as what I’d refer to as “pocket ink tanks,” but since they are plastic and will be holding up to 2ml of liquid ink at any given time, be conscious of what you carry with them in your pocket. (Purchase here)

  5. Lamy 2000 Ballpoint. The Lamy 2000 line of pens in general carries well in your pocket, but the ballpoint (and sometimes, the multi pen) is my preference for this type of writing. The Makrolon construction holds up well and the refill is a standard, write-anywhere ballpoint. (Purchase here)

Everyone has their own preferences, and the EDC - “Pocket Carry” culture has become so popular that there are literally dozens of pens targeting this market. I simply can’t review them all. As such, I’ve tried to distill this page down to 10 pens: my own top five followed by five “honorable mentions.” As always, this list reflects and is strongly influenced by my own personal preferences, and I encourage everyone to do as much research as they possibly can before buying, especially if the pen you are considering is on the more expensive end of the spectrum.

Disclaimer: This post contains links to the T.G.S. Curated Shop, which along with the T.G.S. Patreon Program, is the primary means of financial support for the website. As far as my store goes, I only sell pens I recommend, I don’t just recommend pens that I sell, and I stand behind all my recommendations. If you buy a pen from me and are unhappy with it, reach out and I’ll do what I can to make it right. This post does not contain paid third-party affiliate links or advertising.