I am a long-time, loyal customer of L.L. Bean. My husband and I, both, had L.L. Bean backpacks throughout school, and we know they are made to last. So, when my daughter needed a backpack, we let her pick an Original Book Pack. She chose the Pink Flowers which is adorable; the pattern isn't too young that she will likely outgrow it anytime soon. After two years of school, it still looks brand new.
My son will be starting school in the fall, and I wanted to buy him the Original Book Pack in Mariner Blue Grid Camo. I was so disappointed to learn that it was no longer carried. Instead, I ordered the Forest Fern. I was expecting a natural-looking shade of green, however it is nearly NEON. Hopefully, my 5 year old son likes it.
I purchased this backpack for my son's first day of PreK and he just finished First Grade using the same backpack. It still looks brand new after three years and he is a typical boy so there's no doubt it has been through the ringer. The only reason he won't be carrying it next year is he's out grown the size and needs something bigger with more compartments. This will still be a go to for trips and Grandparent sleepovers. Everything from LL Bean is durable and top quality. I highly recommend this backpack.
Very very disappointed with LL Bean when it comes to their backpacks! I have one from 20 years ago and it is still going strong. The bottom of this bag is so thin a pencil could poke through it. You can hold it up to light and see through it! This is the 2nd year my now 7yr old has had it and I just had to order another one. She is not rough on her things at all but this bag couldn't hold up for two school years. The bottom is so thin it hasn't held up and now the back has a large rip in it. I will send it back along with a lunch box that is tinted green on the inside after using for one school year.
I also had purchased a larger version if this backpack and haven't let her use it for school because it is the same poor quality with the bottom and overall bag being so thin.
I just purchased the Original Bookpack Plus which has a black bottom that is a little more rugged so we will see how this holds up.
