Bought for a fourth grade child. Suits the purpose except zippering/unzippering the bag can be challenging; especially when the zipper binds to the nearby fabric.
I finally decided to stop buying multiple cheap backpacks each year and really get my monies worth. I am impressed by the construction and I am sure that these backpacks (I purchased 3!) will last for years to come or at least until my kids need a bigger one. The warranty alone is worth the cost of the backpack.
This is a great book pack. We had bought a cheaper pack at a discount store, so we have a frame of reference. The rolling wheels on this pack are very quiet, the pulling operation is stable, the handle is long enough for a small adult to pull it comfortably, and the carry straps really work.
I bought these bags for my boys to replace an inexpensive one that did not last very long. You definitely get what you pay for. The materials on the LL Bean bag are very sturdy and the bottom is protected with a plastic surface. The wheels are very quiet (unlike their previous bag which you could hear a mile away). The director of their daycare really appreciated the quieter wheels! My boys have used them for several weeks now, and the bags have held up to their daily abuse so far. Believe me, not many things hold up to their abuse! They enjoy having the option of rolling it or carrying it on their back. Suggestions for future: - Add reflective material to the sides of the bag, not just on the front (one never knows from what direction a car may be approaching) - Holder for a water bottle on the outside - The material covering the zippers is stiff and sometimes makes it hard for my boys to open/close the zipper. It may be because the bags are new and the material needs to break in - I haven't noticed this as much recently.
