Customer Reviews L.L.Bean Kids Bean’s Explorer Backpack Print III

Size is perfect for small child to use for school in the next school year. Love the ll bean quality and really good price. Would definitely recommend.

I have had the same LL Bean original bookpack, which is circa Christmas 1984. While it is still going strong, I was looking to buy something with some back padding for days when I need to carry around more than the usual. For a backpack to last that long even despite years worth of library books, international travel, summers spent on adventures in the woods, swim meets, biking everywhere, being used as home plate, and even being accidentally run over in the driveway once, without more damage than a pin sized hole in the bottom, I knew I would be coming back to Bean. I went to the local Bean store and tried on every backpack in stock. I am very hard to fit, as my back is several inches shorter than it should be according to my height, but I still need to cart around a LOT of stuff. (Hurrah, grad school & teaching job...) This was the ONLY one which fit me, while also being large enough to fit all of the stuff I bring with me on a regular basis. Laptop, lunch, clunky old binder, a book or two, papers to grade, homework folder, glasses, water bottle, pen case, and assorted stuff fits without a problem. Old Trapper-Keeper fits just fine with room to spare. The front stash pocket is excellent for a light layer/scarf, hat, and gloves/lunch bag and with the clip at the top, I don't have to worry about anything falling out. It is also possible to clip a lunch bag onto the front of the bag without having to take up space within the bag itself, which is really nice after library trips... It is REALLY hard for me to find a backpack which doesn't cause me back pain from ill fit and lack of support, but this one works perfectly. The straps and back are comfortably padded and divide the weight evenly, even without a sternum strap. The little zipper pocket at the top of the main compartment works really well for an ipod/phone/glasses case to prevent them from being crushed by larger items and the organiser panel in the second compartment is practical and does not impinge on the other compartment when fully packed unlike most packs. I can only think of two ways to improve on this bag: First, the water bottle pockets, while capable of fitting a regular 24oz water bottle could stand to be a bit deeper, so that it would be harder for anything to fall out. I haven't had any problems with mine, but I think taller bottles would slide out whenever bending over. Second, and most importantly, THERE REALLY NEED TO BE MORE COLOURS!! No, really LL Bean, there are some kids, parents, (and 'big kids') who prefer colours over trendy patterns, which are often grown out of well before the bag is worn out. I ended up getting the neon shark print, but was disappointed about the lack of more versatile colour options. I know there was a grey/red option last year, but it was sold out and quite honestly, I have never really liked red. It would be nice if you would start offering this one in more colours and/or more versatile prints, like camo or stripes, which would grow with a child, since I can easily see this bag lasting through middle or even high school and very few older kids would still be happy with the options available. Personally, I am hoping for some better options this coming fall (Like the grey/red one from last year, but with different colours such as grey/green grey/orange, or grey/blue?) and will happily buy another if it happens, even though I am sure I will not technically need a new one. This thing is built like a tank. Until then, I will resign myself to the sharks. Good thing I like them and my students think it's kind of funny.

The pros:Seem durable, appropriate size for incoming 1st and 3rd grader, nice outer pocket they could hold wet towel or snow pants. The cons: Would like to see option to roll up excess strap length so that it doesn't get caught in school bus doors (safety issue.) Alao would like to see a wider variety or prints, especially since backpack could last many years.

My 6-year-old son exclaimed, "I don't just like this backpack, I love it!" when he opened up the shark print pack. I purchased them for him and my daughter after their backpacks from a competitor broke after less than three years. I appreciate the numerous pockets (especially the outside front pocket that could hold wet snow pants or a towel.) My only suggestion would be to create some way to store the excess backpack strap length so that's it doesn't catch in school bus doors, which can be a major safety hazard. The Deluxe Original Backpack was too large for my children overall, but this one fit well. Would like to see a few more print options, especially ones that could last through middle school.

I bought this bag for my first grade son and ended up returning it. The quality was high, but after fitting 2 folders, a reading book, pencil case, lunch box, winter snow gear, change of clothes for gym, and all the other random things 6 year old boys stuff in their bags, the bag was way too small. I have ordered a larger LL Bean bag in hopes it will be a better fit.

The top of on of the shoulder straps has started to rip at the seem where it connects to the back pack.. I need to actually reach out and figure how to exchange.

This is our 3rd LLBean and it's a wonderful backpack but not happy that it's having issues already. Just like Kim from Maine mentioned on 9/1/21, the reflective lettering is peeling off! Ours is from one week of summer camp. Very minimal use. She was in class 3 hours a day! We've never had quality issues with LLBean and this pack cost more with inflation. LLBean customer service was quick to help and will send a new one so it won't be a hassle since school starts in 2 days and we can't be without it. I hope next pack is better or we might need a different style or something else. Very disappointed but know that this company stands behind their product and will make it right.

This is one of the few products that are worth the price. Most other products are very poor quality for a lot of money

This backpack is a great size and I like the easily accessible front pocket. What I don't like are the terrible side mesh pockets. There are holes in both of my boys backpacks from their water bottles. They are not durable at all. I haven't had these for a year. Pretty disappointing.

I love so much about the bag from the colors to being the right size for my 5 year old. I am just disappointed that after two days of school the reflective letters on the side are starting to come off.

This backpack is a great size for kids K-8. The construction is sturdy and the pockets/pouches are handy but there are a couple design flaws. The biggest one is the mesh water bottle pouches. The mesh does not extend to the bottom of the backpack so when a full water bottle is placed on one side, the backpack falls over. Super annoying. The other issue is that it should have a chest strap/clip to hold the shoulder straps together so they don't slide off - this is probably only an issue for smaller kids.

I ordered this bag for my 4th grader. After a month of use, the straps on the back are ripping away from the bag itself. Really disappointing.

Bought this book bag to be a diaper bag for my 9 month old. We love the pattern but unfortunately it wasn't available to exchange. I guess I will just eat the money and send it to a shoe shop to be repaired. We have always used LL Bean so to have this happen 3 weeks after purchasing isn't good. This bag is only used to carry bottles and diapers.

AWFUL! My daughter used the backpack for 9 days and the shoulder strap and hanging strap are frayed and ripping off. My daughter is heartbroken! Not worth the $60

Very small for kids backpack! Side pockets are not deep enough to hold a full size water bottle