I have four of the open top boat totes in extra large and they are perfect for my needs! I use them to transport my laundry on wash day and they couldn't be better. They are sturdy, well-made and hold a lot of laundry.
The review link is going to the zip-top bag review page, but this review is for the regular XL open top Boat & Tote.
This bag is huge and just what I wanted! (Well, excepting a pocket.) I ordered it to keep all my crochet yarn in, but it would make a wonderful family beach bag that would hold several large beach towels with room to spare for other items. It also would hold probably more than you'd want to tote around as a big shopping bag. Dimensions given are for when the bag is in a box shape. If the top is flattened together front to back, it is more like 26" across the top, so it's very large. The bag's base is 19" wide which gives it a lot of capacity. The canvas is a nice weight and it easily stands alone. The snapdragon color is not as purple, which I'd have preferred, as it appeared on my screen, but is more of an orchid color. I added the single large heirloom monogram, and it's an appropriate size, 3", for the bag. The thread color doesn't match exactly, but it's OK. I chose the regular length handles, which are 10" drop on the XL bag and long enough for shoulder carry if the bag isn't stuffed.
As other reviews have mentioned, one thing that I really wish this bag had is an inside and/or outside pocket, handy for so many uses. LLB's competitor's bag has pockets and a key clip. But, their bag's base is not as wide, and they don't offer a choice of handle lengths, so it's a trade-off. As with this order, LLB's always-free shipping and free returns, free monogramming, and merchandise credits for their Visa holders often win out. #Otherwise, the pockets would've won!# Unless pockets are important for your uses, this bag is a total winner.
I ordered the open, long-handled, small boat and tote bag for taking to the fitness center. It came today and will be just perfect. It is much heavier than I anticipated, and will be perfect for carrying my water, towel, wallet, and car keys. The long handles make it ideal for carrying over my shoulder. The monogram matches the color of the straps perfectly--cobalt blue. I read where some did not think the monogram matched the straps. Not true with mine. I ordered it on Thursday and it was delivered today, Wednesday, even allowing for the extra time for monogram. Thanks again LLBean for a great product! I game it 5 stars, but on the preview only saw four.
Bag is excellent, lots of room. I ordered a green color that isn't what I expected--it's not the 'green' I expected. No big deal, I'm not that affected by it, just looks different on the computer than it does in person.
