I love this backpack except for one big thing....the handle when fully extended is too short. My son who is 7 years old and average height struggles to keep the backpack rolling as the handle is too short and it keeps "stopping" and standing up on him.
Both of my kids have this backpack. My son is going into 3rd grade and has had it since Kindergarten. The backpack is starting its fourth year but the handle is very hard to retract now. He has the royal blue one but we have not had the fading problem that others have mentioned. We're going to see if we can send it in to LL Bean for repair. They have a reputation for repairing everything!
I ordered this item for my daughter five years ago (then age 7) to use for school because she was so small she couldn't carry a backback. This was one of the best investment I ever made. The backpack rolls very easy even over grass and gravel. The pull handle is very durable, slides up and down very easily and is easy for her to manipulate. Many rolling backpacks tip from side to side easily (twist over). This backpack remains securely in the rolling position. There are many pockets to organize her necessities. She goes from school to ballet 5 days a week, and the two separate inner pockets make it easy for her to separate her ballet gear from school supplies. It is very durable and it is in as good condition today as the day I bought it!! She uses it for school, ballet, on weekends as a sleepover pack, a traveling suitcase and even used it on airplanes as an activity/snack pack. She has dragged this backpack everywhere, used and abused it, and it has held up perfectly. Recently she has been carrying it onher back (she bigger now) and says the straps are very comfortable. I also purchased the matching lunch box and it too is in excellent condition. It washes up very well and the inner plastic lining has not worn or torn. I also had her initials monogrammed on it, so while her classmates where having their backpacks taken, no-one ever attempted to take hers even when she forgot it at school! She could easily continue using this backpack today, but she needs one with a computer sleave, so I am back at LLBean to get her the best!! This is a great product!!
This is a great backback but small. I purchased for my 3rd grade daughter. She couldn't fit her lunch or computer in the backback with the books. All year she begged for a new one. Near the end, the handle broke so I guess she will have to get a new one. We loved it though, might have to get the larger size.
