Rated 5 out of 5 by Margen Lasted my daughter all Elementary School years
I bought the bag for my daughter in Kindergarten at 5 years old and it lasted all 7 years and still has many more years to go. Still looks new. Through rain and snow...it kept everything dry and new. I just bought her the bigger backpack for high school and hopefully it will last just as long. People can't believe the bag is that old!
June 7, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by TriciaW Sturdy Backpack that can take a beating
My daughter has finally managed to go thru a full school year with ONE backpack! She usually destroys them within the first few months. I thought at the beginning I was saving money but then some years I had to buy three $20 backpacks, so $60 bucks down the drain. For a lil more than half that she made it thru the year with the same one. And It looks super good still so we will use for next year as well. Very pleased with the quality and durability of this product!
June 6, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by twilite2000 Outstanding quality!
I think I wrote a review 3 years ago when I bought one for my 13 year old daughter. I bought another 2 years ago for my 10 year old son. I must say they still look new once I've washed the dirt and grim off (just wash on delicate and air dry). I am in awe of this backpack. Nothing is ripped or broken. The zippers work seamlessly. Considering they are used by children who most often drag, and toss it around daily, everything is still prefect. It amazed me every time I opened their backpacks, how much stuff was inside. My only gripe which was my fault, I was unaware there was no outside pouch for a bottle. My daughter always carries water, my son doesn't mine. Otherwise the construction and quality material used makes this a must have backpack.
June 2, 2013
Rated 3 out of 5 by HopeHope Second Time Not a Charm
Ordered this backpack for my high school freshman. The cargo capacity is good, no complaints there. However the quality just isn't up to snuff. The carry handle on the first pack I ordered frayed to shreds within one month of use. I returned the pack and received a replacement without questions. The second pack however has a problem where the zipper continues to get stuck on the over flap material. I finally gave up when it became permanently stuck and rendered the bag unclosable and useless. I am returning this one as well.
May 4, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by PastorFun Zipper Length
We received the book pack today but were disappointed that the zipper to the main compartment does not extend the length of the book pack, making it difficult to retrieve items inside. The pack looks durable and sturdy and we love the purple plaid.
April 19, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by
EMClark 14-year-old backpack retires
I just had to have this backpack (in sky blue) when I entered middle school in 1999. 14 years later, as I leave my last law school class, this backpack is still slung over my back. It is too "well-loved" looking for use in the real world, so it will retire to my parents' cedar closet, but it is still in good, working condition. Outstanding quality product.
April 18, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by DC00000001 Wow - 13 Years of Abuse!! Great product
My daughter used this backpack for 6 years in Middle/High School, then 2 1/2 years in college. My son then used it for 3 years of High School, and 1 1/2 years of college - with my daughter's name stenciled on the front =-). To say that my son is tough on products is an understatement, and even when my daughter was using the backpack, it was completely packed with heavy college textbooks.
I rarely write reviews, but this product has a price/performance ratio that is OUTSTANDING!!
Thank you L.L.Bean, keep the quality in, and we'll keep buying your products.
April 4, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by JustGraduated Still have from 2000
I got this bag in the 6th grade and it still travels with me on trips since I no longer need a "school " bag because I've graduated from University. Everything is still in immaculate condition!
Definitely worth every penny!!
March 27, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by mntgirl Best Backpack Ever
This backpack has exceeded our expectations by miles! It has a lot of room - not only does it carry school folders back and forth, but there is room for jackets, gloves, snow pants, gym shoes. It is great. We used it this summer as a back back for day camp and it has made it through an entire school year. It is still in great shape, no tears, worn spots & zipper works smoothly. It will be used again this summer and next school year. Definitely a great investment and will get another one when this one wears out. Also - lots of fun colors to choose from!
March 23, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by CarolinaGirl35 Excellent quality!
Ordered the camo print for our active 1st grade boy, who's been through 3 backpacks (non-L.L.Bean) this year already (3rd one just fell apart Feb...started school END of August)! The quality of the L.L.Bean backpack is far superior than all other brands. Definitely worth the $! We'll see how long it lasts (just arrived in the mail today), but I can already tell, just from the way the backpack is made, this will be the last backpack we ever purchase for him! Yaaay! I did have it embroidered with his name with the athletic style lettering, which I didn't realize was blank on the inside. So that's my fault for not recognizing this prior to ordering. Next time, I will not choose athletic style lettering but a monogramming style that is completely filled in, like the block style.
March 15, 2013