I received this back pack in Red today and while the pack is good as expected and the fabric color is nice, the straps are NOT grey as pictured - more of an olive green. I am not happy it about it, as I think it looks ridiculous! However, my boys have been excitedly waiting for their backpacks, so I will take them home and see what they think. If they don't like them then I'm shipping them back.
I just don't know what would possess LL Bean to put olive green straps on a red backpack!
Daughter has used it for 6 months now. Its holding up good. I got the Monogram for a personal touch, looks great. My only concern is I wish the bottom of the bag were more "reinforced" and maybe a darker color. (I got the pink, it would be nice if the bottom were gray so it wouldn't show dirt so much.) Overall its a great bag, I will be buying another one in the fall for my younger daughter to start Kindergarden also.
After just Kindergarten and part of First grade, my daughters backpack developed small holes/slits in the bottom. (I noticed even the matching lunchbox was starting to have similar slits in the fabric.) She is young and therefore doesn't carry much in her bag. I was disappointed the pack didn't last her longer. I know some kids use their bags for many years before upgrading to a larger size or different style. I simply returned the pack and LL Bean sent me another. We've since upgraded to the critter backpack because it has a reinforced bottom, but this size suits my preschooler well. Thanks LL Bean for your "guaranteed to last" promise and replacing the pack for us! You rock : )
