[ryanmcbride]

Brand marketing and good design. Moleskines look cool, Rhodia and Clairfontaine have mostly spiral bound journals, which don't look as cool. The paper might be higher quality, but I don't imagine most users actually care that much.

I've been using Moleskine for years and the paper hasn't bothered me at all. I might just be a pleb though.

[Vexs]

Same here, moleskine notebooks just hold up better in general, vs rohdia where by the time I've filled it up half the pages have fallen out. The paper is of good enough quality that it doesn't matter too much, and I use a fountain pen.

[lambdaelite]

Moleskine paper is notorious for feathering and bleeding when used with fountain pens, even fairly dry writers. I've actually had better luck with a no-name bound book from Office Depot than I have had with Moleskines.

[LyndsySimon]

+1.

My favorite notebook right now is a Rhodia No 18 dot pad. Staple bound is far superior to wire.