I purchased this pack for my son when he started kindergarten. Six years later this pack hardly shows any wear and tear. I recommend buying darker colors (to hide the dirt) because this thing is going to last you a long time!
I first bought an L.L. Bean book pack when I was in middle school in the early 90s, the deluxe. I had one through all middle school, and got a new one for high school simply because I wanted a different color. Both bags held up wonderfully!! I just received the second original book pack I've bought for my daughter, who is in second grade. I bought the first one when she was in pre-k and it still looks great, but she wanted a new pattern this year. This book pack is the perfect size for elementary school and withstands years of abuse, being thrown around the bus, slammed down in classrooms, toted back and forth to school and Girl Scouts and gymnastics, it's awesome! We bought the matching lunchbox this time so I am excited to see how well that works!
We were so excited for this backpack to arrive and when it did, we *could not believe* how incredibly uncomfortable the straps felt! The straps hit too high and actually rub up against your neck rather than rest on your shoulders. The straps themselves are far too rough and stiff making the bag very uncomfortable to carry. We have been very happy with all of our purchases at LL Bean over the years. This purchase; however, was a big disappointment.
These back packs are awesome! I am in Canada (Ontario) and I have continued to spend the little extra on duties/exchange rate to buy these back packs for my kids (now age 5 and 8).
For the first time ever I had an issue with my 8 year olds back pack and I just finished having a live chat with a customer service rep. I bought the pack in May 2014 and here it is June 30, 2015 and the seam has come loose from fabric just above the front zipper.
Karl, the online chat customer service rep, was awesome and returning this backpack was not an issue even 13 months after the fact (AND it was monogrammed too). I can order another and use the return paperwork in the new shipment to return the damaged pack for a full refund on product and duties.
These bags are awesome as I said and stand up to everything. Product AND service is worth it! Sizes are convenient too for what the kids need to bring back and forth to school at that age.
