Posts filed under Doughnut

Doughnut Pen Case Review

Doughnut Pen Case

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter. And check out her latest book, Out of Water, now available where books are sold!)

The Doughnut Pen Case is a simple concept perfectly executed. Overall it's a very plain case--just a long fabric box with a zip closure--no bells or whistles. Sometimes that's exactly what you need.

The case is made out of a 400D nylon that is water-resistant and has a lovely shine to it. This one is a nice charcoal and olive green, though there are teals and mustards available as well. It has a metal zip tab with plastic zipper teeth, and a knotted paracord pull attached. The inside is lined with a more lightweight nylon fabric, and all the seams are enclosed in bias tape, so there are no cut edges or threads dangling inside. There is one brand tag on the front of the case.

Doughnut Pen Case

The simple silhouette of this case disguises a surprising capacity. While it's too short to hold some lengthy pencils, it can hold a ton of pens. Not literally a ton, but a whopping 37 gel pens fit into this baby. I probably could have fit a few more, but this was as many as it could hold while still feeling relaxed while zipping it up. It didn't feel stuffed.

The water-resistant material makes this perfect for carrying painting supplies like water brushes or anything that might get a little leaky. It will contain the mess to the case, which is washable, and protect the other items in your bag.

As a simple zip pouch, it has thousands of potential uses beyond the stationery sphere. It would be perfect for crochet or knitting notions, for camping utensils, as a small packing cube. It could even fit a mini travel umbrella, a kid's leaky sippy cup ... All sorts of things.

It's not inexpensive for a zip pouch, coming in at $19.50 at JetPens. It's about what you'd pay for a similar pouch from Tom Bihn or Topo Designs, which are arguably a tier above this one in construction and materials. But this pouch is easily just one step down from those elites, whereas most pen pouches are leagues behind. I'd say it's very slightly overpriced, but not unfairly expensive.

My kids usually end up claiming all the pen cases I review, but this one I'm keeping. In fact, it's going straight into my suitcase for my upcoming trip. I think it's the perfect size to contain my travel blanket, or maybe it will hold my stash of granola bars, or my makeup, or... Gotta love a simple zip pouch.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)


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Doughnut Pen Case
Posted on October 20, 2022 and filed under Doughnut, Pen Case.

Doughnut Seattle Fanny Pack Giveaway

Doughnut Seattle Fanny Pack Giveaway

A fanny pack giveaway on a pen blog? Well, I know many of you are bag geeks like myself, and JetPens recently brought in a batch of fanny packs from Hong Kong bag maker Doughnut. We have reviewed their backpacks in the past, so I thought why not fanny packs? They look perfect for travel (pen shows anyone?) so I grabbed the Seattle model, in Light grey and Navy for giveaway this week. Read the rules below and enter away!

Posted on July 5, 2022 and filed under Doughnut, Giveaways.

Doughnut Macaroon Mini Backpack Review

Doughnut Macaroon Mini Backpack

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter. And check out her latest book, Out of Water, now available where books are sold!)

I love backpacks, and Doughnut makes some great ones. I've used a full-size Macaroon for several years, and my husband never leaves the house without the Denver Messenger Bag. They're practical and hardy. And it's widely accepted that Macaroon Mini Backpacks make excellent hands-free purses that balance the weight of your gear on your back. A mini Doughnut is, therefore, a wonderful thing.

Doughnut Macaroon Mini Backpack
Doughnut Macaroon Mini Backpack

The backpack has one main compartment that has a padded sleeve on the back wall for a tablet or e-reader, with one Velcro pocket, a zipper pocket, and two slip pockets on the inside front wall. There are two elastic side pockets on the interior that are big enough for a slim water bottle or pencil case. On the outside, there are also two side pockets, but they are impractically narrow. They aren't big enough for a water bottle, phone, or umbrella. I haven't found a good use for these pockets yet. On the front of the bag is a snap-closure gusseted pocket that is perfect for a phone, keys, etc. The layout as a whole is perfect for a purse or commuter bag.

Doughnut Macaroon Mini Backpack

The material is a textured waterproof twill, and the snap straps are real leather. It comes in a wide variety of fun colorways and all of them look fantastic. It was difficult to select just one! But I settled on this Nature Pale Hazy x Lichen, as it combined the pale blue and green that I like. I am a bit concerned about the beige color showing dirt quickly, but after a few excursions it still looks great.

And by excursions, I mean I took this commuter bag hiking in the winter woods, because I'm me. It's hard to be my backpack.

Doughnut Macaroon Mini Backpack

I always carry a backpack when I go out hiking, but for quicker walks, a smaller bag is much preferred. And quicker walks are necessary in Wisconsin in January. This wee backpack was the perfect size to hold my wallet, phone, wee first aid kit, EDC, water, keys, phone, and camera gear. Everything I need for a chilly jaunt. The straps were comfortable and adjusted enough to fit over my puffiest coat.

Winter Deer

I also used it as a purse running errands and going about my day for a bit, and it worked well for that, too. Sometimes a bit too small, though. I can't fit my A5 planner, mittens, big water bottle, and regular stuff all at the same time, but maybe once spring arrives and the mittens leave the equation, it will work better. It's not a bad thing that a small bag forces me to edit my carrying decisions--sometimes that's exactly what I need.

The Doughnut Macaroon Mini Backpacks are either $65 or $69, depending on the color you select. Either is a great deal. I've seen plenty of backpacks that cost quite a lot more that are not nearly as nice as these. I like these enough that I should not be allowed anywhere near the product page, frankly, but if you're in need of a backpack, mini or otherwise, you should definitely check these out at JetPens.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)


Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!

Posted on February 3, 2022 and filed under Doughnut, Backpack.