I still have a boat and tote bag a friend gave me back in the 1980s and although a little worn it still has lots of life in it. I have many sizes and colors of these bags and yet I just purchased another because I'm starting a new job after 20+ years. I use the bags for everything from carrying groceries, lugging stuff up and down stairs, taking things to hobby shows. Some of my bags have the shorter handles, some longer, depending on what I'm carrying. These will definitely outlive me and I will have to provide for them in my will!
I have 2 of these bags - L and XL - and use them more than I ever thought I would when I purchased them. I have given so many as gifts as well and they are always well received.
I'm trying to come up with an excuse to buy another...
I bought 10 of these with various colors of trim as Christmas gifts, and everyone loves them. I purchased the extra large without the zipper for the couples (with last name in script) and the large for the single "girls" (monogram: first name). I didn't have to worry about fit or shipping plus they are made in the USA! Having one myself for more than 25 years, I know they are constructed to last. They are great for road trips!
Over the years, I have owned, and used totes from various sources, all without complaint. I bought my first LLBean Boat Tote at an outlet store and now the ONLY tote I buy and use is from LL Bean! I LOVE the way these bags stand upright when you put them down--other similar bags, even from reputable companies, just droop and fall over! I have used my bags to carry unbelievably heavy loads of books, I use the extra large bag to carry my pillows and computer when traveling, I lug all of my music gear--books, music stand, in my large one with the long handles slung over my shoulder, I just spot clean if needed, and carried all of our gear on a cross country 6week road trip! When they are not being used, I just fold them back up and store the smaller bags in the larger one! I do not take any real care with them and they STILL look almost brand new! I bought the travel tote for myself and my husband liked it so much, he bought one for himself. Jeans, personal items, enough for a weekend or even a long trip all fit and the zipper even works without any problem. Other bags just do not perform as well as the LL bean bags do
