There are all kinds of journal types. From soft and hardback leather to cloth-covered and plastic or cardboard and paperback. I personally prefer spiral-bound journals, notebooks, etc.
Why?
I think it has to do with the spiral notebooks we used back in my school days. It's familiar and low pressure. Spiral notebooks are like old friend I've spent many years with in my lifetime. And even if it has been years since I've written in a spiral notebook, the moment I pick one up, it's easy to begin writing. Sort of like the dear friends that don't require constant attention yet the moment you get together the conversation picks up where it left off. A spiral notebook is like that friend.
So what is your preferred journal type?
I like the hardback for sure. It's easier to do lap writing with a hardback.
A journal that I recently received was soft leather and malleable. It had a nice feeling to it. Made me think it would make a good travel journal.