I originally bought this bag in 2009 in a darker brown color; I'm now buying it again four years later because it's ridiculously practical and I haven't found anything this good elsewhere!
Pros: It fits a LOT and the material is flexible enough to allow stuffing. The plethora of pockets makes it amazing to organize things so you can grab what you need, when you need it. It has kept my items dry in wet weather and holds up to a lot of abuse.
Cons: Honestly, I'm slightly disappointed this bag did not last longer. It's been used daily for years (as a school bag) and has carried a fair amount of weight at times, but nothing ridiculous. Even so, some holes have developed in the canvas. Furthermore, the stitching of the outer back pocket has come apart, revealing the inner lining. There has also been some discoloration of the bag, which I assume is due to water.
That said, while the cons give it four stars, I love this bag enough to buy another one. The lack of a laptop slot does not bother me (I have a case for my computer and I feel padded areas just take up space). The price is decent for what you get: if you're looking for a roomy messenger bag, definitely give this one a chance!
Although I use this every day, I wish for two things. 1. The side pockets are not quite big enough for a water bottle, and 2. There is no protected internal pocket for an iPad.
Again, however, I do like it and use it every day as my man purse and it is breaking in just fine.
A little light in color but color is not an issue for me. Well made, as all LL Bean products seem to be. Traveling to Great Britain next Spring on a pilgrimage from London to the Holy Isle of Lindisfarne and this bag is perfect for day trips.
This is a great Messinger Bag . My Lap Top fits in it perfectly and I also have room for my Nook Reader. My wife calls it my " Man Purse" but I don't mind. When she drags me along with her shopping I just grab my " Man Purse " loaded with my survival equipment and look for a place in the Mall that has YFi and I am set for the long afternoon ahead. The bag also has a number of pockets to store AC cords and other accessories in case she runs up on a sale and feels an obligation to try on even more" Cute Outfits " in her size.
