LL Bean could not manage to center my son's name or put it on straight. We tried THREE TIMES and each time the name was crooked and not centered, so we eventually just returned it and are looking elsewhere for my son's kindergarten backpack. This was a special gift for him as he looked forward to kindergarten, so it was a great disappointment and a real hassle. I used to love LL Bean, but I'm pretty much disillusioned.
I originally purchased this book pack for my daughter to use in Kindergarten.The size was perfect for a 5yr. old. She carried it through 2nd grade and it held up perfectly! It has since been passed on to my nephews who each carried it to school for 2 years. Rough and tumble boys, I might add. To say it is durable is an understatement. Over the years I have seen parents buy novelty packs for kids; usually needing a replacement midway in the year. NOT so with a Bean pack. BTW, the pack now carries toys on car trips and to the beach. Still going strong.
I bought one of these backpacks for my son to attend preschool. Believe it or not he used it for preschool, kindergarten, and 1st grade. It is still in good shape. My son isn't exactly easy on his stuff. I think I may even send it to 2nd grade too!
ProsDurable, Great Value, Performing as Expected, perfect size, handle didn't hold up
I got this back pack for my 5 year old daughter to start Kindergarten. It was an awesome backpack! It didn't stain easily and held up the entire year and is still in great condition, EXCEPT for ONE issue. Half way through the school year the handle that we hang it with came out of the stitching on one side so we couldn't hang it. I was able to mend it but the mending didn't last long. (My sewing skills are sub par to say the least). I really loved the backpack and the lunch kit we got with it. I think they were a great value (where most parents had to get a second back pack at Christmas I only had to mend mine). My daughter really like it too. Also it was small enough to fit my daughter but big enough to fit folders etc. I was concerned since I bought online the backpack might come out too small but it was PERFECT SIZED! Just wish the handle would have held up then it would have been perfect altogether.
