You just can't go wrong with these bags. Just received a large bag (monogrammed) to use as our family beach bag. Was able to fit my five year old in it, so I'm pretty sure it will hold everything we need for the beach! Last year I bought a cheap bag at a discount store that lasted only one season. I'm sure this bag will last for many seasons!
My mother gave me one of the large LL Bean Totes (open top) about 25 years ago so as to become her personal bookmobile, as I was a librarian. When I retired, I bequeathed the tote to my daughter, who is now using it to carry a small spinning wheel. It has been washed numerous times and still stands upright. The handles have started to fray but the bag is still intact.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE these bags. I own 4 of them, in various sizes for various applications. I use one of the large, open top ones with long handles for schelping my papers and texts back and forth to school. It holds so much that I rarely need to carry another bag. I currently use my zip top large bag to carry my small group stuff back and forth to church in, it's great because I can fit everythin in it that I need. I've also used it as a carry on when traveling, and it's great because it fits under the seat, but nothing will fall out beacuse it zips closed.
This is a wonderful bag that I think everyone should own.
I bought the small canvas bag with black trim for my adult daughter. She uses it as a handbag and loves it. I had her nickname put on it, very stylish. We bought it with the short handles and she does wish she had choosen the long handles.
