Customer Reviews L.L.Bean Kids Kids Bean’s Explorer Backpack Color-Blocked III

It's a fine backpack, but just too big for my use. Also, colors were a little dull, and I though it was on sale but it wasn't!

the straps are stiff. i have carried a backback since 2011 when i began having touble with my neck from carrying a purse on my shoulder. the maker of original backpack no longer makes it so i went with this one. it will do...not my favorite...not my least either

Bought this for my son and only got 4 months out of it before the handle at the top started ripping. It looked like the strap was going to follow as well. The associate at the store did agree to replace the backpack, but said she was doing me a favor because rips like that only happen with abuse. I came here to reorder since they no longer have the color my son had and decided to read the reviews. I now see we aren't the only ones having this problem. Could be my son but this isn't his first backpack. The last one was Puma from Marshall's and lasted through summer camp for 2 seasons, 2 school years and two rounds of pre-k. Even if it is my son the back pack isn't as durable as others making it only 4 months. Three stars because they did honor to replace it.

Overall I really like the backpack for my kid. It fits well and has the right amount of pockets for all the things he needs for school. The only downside of the backpack is the letters are already peeling off the side. This started only 1 month into using the backpack daily.

Good but nothing like the old ones. Smaller than imagined despite the dimensions listed. Quality of material much less than that of the others I ordered for my kids years past.

I am so disappointed that this is the first 9 weeks of school and the strap is beginning to fray. I researched so many backpacks and chose this one for my first grader because I wanted something durable. I love the design and pockets but this is unacceptable. My daughter wants to continue carrying it but I don't know if it will hold up another 9 weeks. I would love to have it replaced and be able to write a more positive review.

A little small for a backpack with a laptop slot but it's above average

Backpack was much smaller than we thought, but very nice backpack

I love the size and pockets that this backpack provides but the mesh pockets are terrible. With a water bottle they make the backpack tip and also they are not very durable. There are holes in both of my boys backpacks in the mesh pockets. I was hoping these would last more than one year but it doesn't seem like we will even make it to one year.

We LOVE LL Bean backpacks. However, this one is different. The straps were not as padded and the orange was too bright. We will stick w the original bags...

I purchased this backpack for my 5th grade daughter. The bag is cute and well made but it was much smaller than we thought it would be. We kept looking at all the pictures with the models with the bags on their backs and thought this would be fine, but when it arrived it was much smaller than we thought. My daughter is average height for a 10 year old and I feel like her backpack load is probably average to below average but the bag just didn't have enough room.

When this arrived was disappointed. It was extremely small and wasn't the color expected either. I was glad it could be returned easily.

This backpack is so much smaller than I expected. My older elementary aged child carries one 2inch binder every day to and from school and that's all that fits in there. They can barely squeeze awater bottle in the side pockets. Luckly, the lunchbox can snap to the front. I would say this backpack is more for a kindergartener and I'm currently in the process of replacing this one.

This item was purchased for Grandson and only been used for less than a week and thread are raveling around zipper pull

I do really like this bag. I bought one for each of my 2 kiddos. It's a great size, good organization, and looks great! Unfortunately, less than 6 weeks into the school year, I'm having the same issue as some previous reviewers in that the water bottle pockets on both sides of one of the bags are separating from the nylon. I reached out to support this morning and they were very helpful and are sending me a replacement. However, I do worry about the longevity of the replacement and of the other bag that we have here. Hopefully the replacement holds up longer, and we don't have issues on the other one, but time will tell.

Nice backpack but both of the side water bottle pockets are ripping within a few weeks of use.

Great looking, nicely made, very small. The description reads that it is for a certain age group, but it is small for my 8 year old. The side pockets are not deep at all, they do not fit the water bottles that my kids use. Maybe a 12 oz water bottle.but nothing larger. I would say I'm disappointed that it didn't meet our expectations.

Not same ll bean quality i am use to getting. Wished i ordered a different one

The backpack part of this bag is fine but the mesh side pockets are not strong enough for kids use - halfway through the school year and they are already torn through. A backpack should stay intact for at least a school year at this price.

As a lifelong user of LL Bean book bags, through my schooling and even through adulthood for travel, I was excited that this year my children were at the size for an LL Bean book bag. Unfortunately that excitement quickly dissipated when my oldest's strap started to unravel from the pack after 3.5 months of use. This was a gift purchased for my child from my mother (a Bean cardholder), who called LL Bean about the faulty stitching and to get a replacement. To her, and my surprise, we were told to send the book bag back for them to inspect then make a decision if they should replace. However, school is in session. I ask you, LL Bean, what are we to do during the interim as a book bag for school? The logic does not make sense. Clearly this is a known issue as other reviews have the same complaint, yet my child either has to be without a book bag or I have to spend money on another while we wait for this to be made right. This is extremely disappointing. 2 stars given because my child loves this book bag. If it weren't for that I would give 0 stars for faulty stitching and illogical resolution.

Let me start by saying I'm a huge fan of LLBean backpacks. I've had two LLBean deluxe backpacks that are 30 and 33 years old and still going strong. Naturally I wanted to get my son an LLBean backpack for starting kindergarten and that would last a few years of elementary school. He chose this explorer backpack for the colors. I love the padded straps, laptop divider in the main compartment, and two water bottle holders. The buckle section on the outside lets him throw his jacket in easily. The downside is that the fabric on the strap is coming apart at the seam after 4 months of regular use. I can't fix it. I expected better from an LLBean backpack. I'm grateful for LLBean's one year warranty. However, I have to pay to ship it back since I can't find the original bag and return slip. I also have to wait for the company to inspect it and then ship out a new one, which could take a month. I don't live near one of their stores. I'm just disappointed that my son will have to be without his backpack for a month. I'll make my old one work, though it will be big on his 44 inch frame. Buyer beware with this backpack and keep your receipts/shipping documents. In retrospect, I would have gone with one of the regular Bean backpacks like the original bookpack.

The shoulder strap started to tear where it is sewn to the top of the bag. After one use. Does not bode well.

After only 3 months of use by a kindergartner the handle is tearing off. Seems like the newer version of this packsack is prone to early failures around the handle/shoulder straps. Working the exchange process, which is not what it used to be. Hopefully replacement is better than first 1.

I loved this backpack - until I wore it. Within 15 minutes, the front of my armpits were hurting because the padded shoulder strap was too stiff. I had to tie string around this part of the strap to pinch it (so I could wear it for the rest of my trip). The materials & workmanship are great -EXCEPT for the shoulder straps! PLEASE modify your design! If the padding in the strap wasn't so stiff, the strap could bend rather than cutting into the body.

This could be a fine pack in terms of pockets and organization, but the back straps are really stiff and have little padding. Feels cheaply made for the price.