Moxie Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Dd needs a backpack and the ones at Target are the same price as LL Bean. How is the quality?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ann.without.an.e Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Better than any I've seen. I still have mine from High school. I got my kids theirs and had their names monogrammed on them as a diaper bag when they were little and all four are still great. We've used them for classes, hikes, etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saddlemomma Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 We will only buy LL Bean backpacks. They last for YEARS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I bought dds backpacks for Saturday School at Walmart when they were in 1st grade. They were completely trashed after 1 year. So in 2nd grade I got them LL Bean Backpacks. They've complained that they're still having to use them going into 11th grade - 'cause they still look like new! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 My ds has had his LL Bean backpack for eight years, and it's in great shape. He uses it almost every day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Very good. And if it falls apart LL bean will replace it. If it is 'normal wear' (like hole in the knee of your jeans) then they won't replace. But if it is a broken zipper or something like that, they will replace it. I have returned a couple things over the years and Bean has always been very easy to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wapiti Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I think they're not quite what they used to be. About similar in quality to Jansport IMO. Still, Bean is where I buy backpacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readinmom Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 They will be on sale soon...we bought dd's two years ago in mid-August. It looks brand new! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 LL Bean wins in our family. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I talk to the trees Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 We still have the LL Bean backpack dh bought in 1990, but I can't tell you if the quality is the same as it was then, because we haven't had to buy one since! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandylubug Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 They are the best!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 We've bought LL Bean and Land's End backpacks. Honestly, my kids have destroyed both after one year. I tried to get the LL Bean backpack straps repaired, but they said they didn't repair them. They did offer to replace it, but it seemed ridiculous to replace an entire backpack over a strap that should be an easy fix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 My ds rips right through their outdoorsy pants, so I'd be scared of them. Got all of mine Eddie Bauer backpacks. Nary a problem, and they will replace them free if there is any issue for life. They will be on sale soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 LLBean is awesome. I've never had a backpack wear out. They have the best return policy too. Send it back anytime. I've seen people claim a zipper broke after 27 years and send it back for a new one. I got one of the little ones for my oldest in preschool. That pack was used continuously until last year (14 years). It still is in good condition--it's just too small for my youngest's needs now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura in CA Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I see we're not the only ones! My son picked out a bright yellow LLBean backpack when he was in preschool and we had his name monogrammed on it. Well, now that he's 17, he's not so crazy about using it in public LOL; he doesn't use it for college classes, but he still takes it when traveling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfunnybunch Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I bought LL Bean backpacks for my boys nine years ago. They still look brand new. They don't use them daily, but they take them to sleepovers, nature hikes, swimming, etc. Cat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alessandra Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Another LL Bean fan. My kids loaded them with books and gear. They still look new after years of use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeacherZee Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I love mine. Well worth the money. And I have a friend who swears by them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Not about LLBean, never bought one. But I will say that I bought dd's backpack in 5th grade at Target. She still has it, still uses it and she's a rising sophomore in college. Sure you can say she homeschools, but a year of private school, 6 years of co-op, a year of dual enrollment and a year of college. I've offered to buy her a new one and she always says no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 I bought a backpack last year -- one at Aldi and one a cheapy version. The Aldi one looks perfect, while the other is shredded! Aldi's backpacks will be on sale for $6 or $7 or something as of the first full week of August and I plan to buy another one. They have a 10 year warranty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaConquest Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 Another enthusiastic vote for LL Bean! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moxie Posted July 31, 2014 Author Share Posted July 31, 2014 I bought a backpack last year -- one at Aldi and one a cheapy version. The Aldi one looks perfect, while the other is shredded! Aldi's backpacks will be on sale for $6 or $7 or something as of the first full week of August and I plan to buy another one. They have a 10 year warranty. Considering I have 3 kids who would love a new backpack, I do believe I will give these a looksee!! And, yes, they are the 'special buy' Aug. 6th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 My kids carry small LL Bean backpacks through second grade, and then get large ones for third and up. My oldest got a new one for college, but his old one is still good. He needed one he could carry his laptop across campus in. They all also have LL Bean duffle bags that have been going strong for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anacharsis Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 L.L. Bean no longer uses the same manufacturer they used to use -- they switched to an overseas manufacturer to lower the price. I don't know if that has changed the quality, but the original manufacturer, Caribou Mountaineering, is still in business and still making packs in the U.S.A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Considering I have 3 kids who would love a new backpack, I do believe I will give these a looksee!! And, yes, they are the 'special buy' Aug. 6th. Did you manage to get over there and find any?? I sent my husband to Aldi yesterday to get one -- I wasn't sure if they were on sale earlier in the week but I forgot all about them! Anyway he got the last remaining girly backpack. It showed a 2 year warranty but looks the same, stylewise, as my son's, which, as I recall, had a 10 year warranty; I haven't compared them side by side for quality, but I spent about the same at Five Below (which I've been calling "Five and Under," whatever!) and it felt apart. But that was the second backpack of hers that fell apart inside, so I am hoping this one lasts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 We purchased 2 a smaller ones for traveling with my boys when they were young and they held up great for years. This was 15 years ago, I trust that the quality is the same. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moxie Posted August 7, 2014 Author Share Posted August 7, 2014 Yep, I stopped in shortly after they opened and got 3 new backpacks. Since my kids won't use them daily, I'm sure they will last at least the year. Thanks for mentioning them!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weaver_67579 Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 Only LL Bean here Oldest DD just got a new one last year since the one she got for Kindergarten got too small to hold all of her books for coop. Now littlest dd has it... They are very sturdy and last very well. I also have thrown them in the wash a number of times and they washed beautifully with no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 My kid used several other brands that all ripped prior to the end of the school year. One even ripped after 3 days of use despite being a better name brand and looking rather sturdy! LLBean we bought for last school year and it is still going strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FairProspects Posted August 7, 2014 Share Posted August 7, 2014 L.L. Bean no longer uses the same manufacturer they used to use -- they switched to an overseas manufacturer to lower the price. I don't know if that has changed the quality, but the original manufacturer, Caribou Mountaineering, is still in business and still making packs in the U.S.A. I bought 2 L.L. Bean backpacks from this new manufacturer last year. One has already had the straps rip, the other is fine. L.L. Bean did replace the backpack, so their customer service is excellent, but I'm no longer confident about the quality. :( That said, few stores have customer service that will replace items anymore, so it is still worth it to me to get the L.L. Bean backpacks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammyw Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 We need a new backpack this year also. DD11 is going to attend a charter school for 1.5 days a week, and she will need to take her lunch both days. I'm just not sure what to get. I've been pondering it too much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrub Jay Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 LL Bean's quality is fantastic and so is their customer service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoCandJ Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 I still have my Eastsport bag from college round 1. That was 12 years ago, I bought it at Walmart. It's current use is a diaper bag, I also used it for dd1 :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73349 Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Both L.L. Bean and Lands End will replace something if you are ever dissatisfied. I did send my backpack back to L.L. Bean when a zipper broke after a few years, and they took care of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumblesmama Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 All of our backpacks, campus bags, gym bags, lunch bags, etc are from L.L. Bean. DD's first pack of her own is two years old and looks new. I have three from 1990-1994 that I use regularly and still in very good to excellent shape. I think 20yrs is a good run, and still going, so definitely worth the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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