I love this bag so much more than I expected to. I bought it in preparation for a weekend trip, and planned not to use it much outside of that. I find myself using it all the time. I'm a college student, and it's the easiest thing to take home for the weekend or to a friend's for a sleepover. I got the large zip-top, and I love that I can throw everything in, zip and go, and not have to worry about it. It's more than enough room for a weekend away, even for an over-packer. It's more stiff than I imagined, which I love because it sits up on its own and I feel like it's safe to tote around. I've had it for over a year and I'm not at all worried about the condition.I would buy again and again.
I've owned and used various versions of LL Bean Boat and Tote bags for 30 years.
They are immensely useful for 1) organiizing camping and hiking gear in a car; 2) carrying food, jackets, etc. for picnics, outdoor concerts, etc.; and 3) a shopping bags. They're virtually indestructible and as they become worn and soiled just rotate them from "city" use to "camp" use.
This review is a plug for the CUSTOM Boat and Totes.
For a bit more money LL Bean will make up a Tote in whatever size and feature combination you like PLUS a wide variety of color combinations and options (open top v. zip top; long straps v. short straps. etc).
I just received a GORGEOUS large size Tote with the bad itself in a medium dark Cedar Green canvas with the straps/handles in a lighter shade of green and with an accessory pocket on the side where I can put small items. The color combination is terrific and won't, I hope, show dirt so much as the standard off-white Totes.
Yeh, the Custom Totes are a bit pricier but that's what it takes to get a Tote that is "just right" for one's taste and needs.
This tote works very well for packing for the day at daycare. I was packing up a traditional diaper bag, only to find it never fit and was spilling out, or I needed to pack an extra bag. This bag fits extra clothes, cloth diapers and accessories, and extra burp cloths, etc. It's also great for when we go out for the day and need to have back-ups for our back-up items for the little one! Some interior pockets would be nice, but I know they would take away from how much I can fit in there. Overall, recommended.
