Rated 5 out of 5 by Subtlesip Excellent Pack
I had been wanting a pack since my last outing which required a mile hike down a bluff in to get to a great stream in SE MN. After researching for a week or so, I decided to order this pack. I am very impressed not only with the quality of the pack but L.L. Beans customer service. I used my new pack a couple of times before realizing it was missing the higher loop on the bigger pocket. I asked customer service, via live chat, about the missing loop and they said it must have been a manufacturer's defect. The shipped me a new one on UPS Express with a return label and said I could use the old one until I received this one. Awesome customer service.
The pack has room for everything you will need on the stream. You could fit one HUGE fly box in each removable pockets along with leaders, licenses and any other gizmo you would want. I kept my phone and a small handheld video camera in there as well. It was raining when I took the pack out and it withstood the rain very well. It started pouring on us and while the pack is not fully waterproof it is water repellent to the point where the water drips right off (so does the beer that I carried in the chest pocket.)
This pack does not need ANY instructions. If you know how to unbuckle things and buckle them back together the side pockets detach and attach in 4 easy steps and then zip together.
This pack is recommended to anyone looking for a day pack. It fits a lot and has the added bonus of the moveable pockets to form a chest pack which sits high and tight and out of the way.
L.L. Bean, thank you for your quality products and great customer service. You can bet you will be receiving a good portion of my income in the future.
June 7, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by wildlifecowboy nice pack
I have used the pack now several times on the river and has so far met expectations. The pack is comfortable and sturdy. It could have a little more storage in the front but its enough. The rod storage compartment is nice for really long hikes in.
May 15, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by TroutLegend Slick System
Love the pack so far. Wear this pack and you had better be a good angler or everyone will know you just a poser with a gear addiction.
Holds the biggest fly boxes and has attachments for nippers and forceps. Worth it.
May 8, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by bittenfatten Well thought out pack
Versatile, quality made, and holds everything you need for a day of fishing. Easy to use and easy to convert. Money well spent.
May 8, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by Mom6X Great for getting to the Honey Hole!
I gave this pack to my 30-something son the fly fisherman. I was very impressed by the sturdy construction and the design. I bought him the long pack since he's 6'3" and has very broad shoulders. It fits him well. He plans to use it mostly on kayak trips. His only disappointment is that it's not waterproof but only water repellent.
March 27, 2013
Rated 5 out of 5 by JustRelaxin A comfortable pack which does just I want
This is a very nice looking pack, plenty of options for storing things needed on a day trip. I also like the "transformer" feature which allows for converting from a day pack to a functional fishing pack.
One thing it could have used is some instructions though, I found myself having to go back to the LLBean video to figure out pocket positioning, I had to hunt for the stowed straps needed to make the
Conversion. Once accomplished it will be EZ from here on out, just
A little frustrating that first time.
March 27, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5 by ScottP Good, but complicated
As the other reviewer said, there is no option to use this as only a chest pack. For me, this is not an issue. I wanted a way to carry some extra gear (lunch, jacket, etc) on the water and still have the front pockets and such that a typical vest provides. This fits that bill perfectly.
The Good:
The overall quality seems pretty good. The zippers might be an issue down the road, but upon initial inspection everything seems tight, tough, and well attached.
I'm surprised at the capacity of this pack. There are four zippered compartments - at least two of which are big enough for a jacket and lunch. There is also an open compartment that I suspect is actually intended for a jacket or rain gear, but would also work well for one or two of the clear, plastic style tackle boxes.
The pictures of the side/check packs don't show it, but there is a small pocket inside the main pocket to secure tippet spools. The line can come through the little hole in the front, but the spool won't flop around inside the pocket.
There are also two water bottle holders on the side, and a variety of attachment points for various things.
The Bad:
I'm a bit embarrassed to admit this, but I could benefit from documentation of some sort. There was clearly a lot of thought put into the specific placement of buckles, straps, and pockets on this pack. Unfortunately, the intended purpose for all of these is not clear to me.
Overall:
I like LL Bean, and tend to look here first for things I want. For the price, I can't imagine a lighter pack with more capacity or flexibility. Hopefully, more information about how to best use this pack will become available. I can't believe I need it, but I do.
If you're looking to spend a day on (or in) the river, this pack should be able to carry everything you need.
March 22, 2013
Rated 3 out of 5 by ScoutLeaderHoward Beautifully made Day Pack but not two packs in one
This is NOT two packs in one as advertised, but a very fine Day Pack with two movable side pockets which can be relocated onto the shoulder straps of the pack. If one uses the side pockets which are designed to accommodate fly-fishing applications, one still is 'stuck' with carrying the entire load of the Day Pack whilst one is fishing. The basic Day Pack cannot be removed whenever one wishes to use the pack as a fishing vest. The only fishing vest feature is the relocation of small pockets onto the shoulder straps. I believe that the Emerger Fishing Pack is a better choice coupled with a waist-belt type, small pouch, for the gear while one is on the water. I have used the Escape Packs for this application and have given them as gifts to my Boy Scouts in a few different Troops. L.L. Bean packs are well-made overall. Thank you for the opportunity to respond.
March 15, 2013