Customer Reviews L.L.Bean Kids Super Deluxe Bookpack (Little Kids/Big Kids)

I purchased this book bag for my daughter when she was in high school. She just called me and was really upset that the interior plastic was starting to fall apart. I told her to buy another one and she said she needed me to do it for sentimental reasons. SO. I just purchased the exact bag that I bought 30+ years ago even to the detail of the monogram and color. LL BEAN sets the high bar for a back pack!

Holds everything that I need for school and marching band without any of the seams stretching or breaking. The color is vibrant, and the zippers are staying together and functioning well. All the different pouches work wonderfully with how I like to organize things, and none of them seem over full even with everything extra I carry. (And the monogram is super clear, no loose stitching!)

I have ordered 3 of these bags. 2 for my daughter and one for my son. Extremely durable. Great space, my kids are able to comfortably fit all of their school items and extracurricular activities in the bag as well. However, I did have to return 2. The scrap began to unravel on one and the handle broke on another. Customer service was great! They sent new bags out immediately and I returned the defective ones. Overall this is the best back pack.

Our 4th LLBean back pack .. they are sturdy & strong & our kids keep different colors for different activities....one backpack is even 10 years old, used daily,& still going strong!

This is the third super deluxe backpack that I have ordered for my children for school. They hold up well to hanging by the loop on a hook at school and being tossed on the floor when my kids return home. I highly recommend this book bag.

My first LLBean backpack purchase.This backpack is recommended for ages 12 and up but my son is 12,very husky,and very tall and this bag is still so huge on him! I was afraid I would have to send it back but my son actually loves the extra space. We have the straps as tight as they will go too and the back still is huge and hangs on him but the backpacks we bought in the past from regular stores barely fit his 3 ring binder,reading books,jacket and sometimes extra credit projects or teacher request items(candy,handy wipes,etc) that he would have to carry with his hands. Like I said,he loves the extra room and space so I won't be returning this bag.The reason I chose LLBean is because a friend loves this company due to the warranty this company has. She had to send one of her daughters backpack back to LLBean and within the same week,she received a brand new backpack. Although the deluxe is super huge on my hefty,tall 12yr old,I know this company and this bag will last him years to come. He also loves the added touch of personalized monogram I paid extra for. I only put his innitals on his bag for child safety so strangers won't know his first name. Yes it's pricy but so well worth it knowing a company "has our backs" for years to come

This backpack is awesome. Unfortunately, I had to retire my favorite OG L.L.Bean backpack because while it could fit pretty much all of my textbooks and notebooks, the lack of padding on the straps was killing my shoulders and back. The padding on this backpack is very comfortable and breathable even in warm weather, and the various pockets are great for stashing necessities. The water bottle pockets fit my 32oz. thermos perfectly. I was a little sad over the lack of fun prints, but the mint green color is very pretty and I've gotten a few compliments on it. I also opted for a monogram this time and it looks so nice.

** sorry about the crowdedness, formatting issues ** ||General Impression: This is a phenomenal bag. Many of you are probably scoping reviews of this to compare it to its JS counterpart. Bottom line, this bag is better. A bit more expensive, but you're getting so much more out of this bag, namely the lifetime guarantee, that isn't a hoax. It is, I will admit, very similar to its counterpart, so wait until the other one breaks, then get this. I have found the online description online to be quite poorly done, a 5-star bag, with a 3-star website description.|| ||Response to LLBean's descriptions: [in brackets] Construction: -- Packs made of weatherproof, 420-denier ripstop nylon. [Sure it is. Weatherproof, not so much, but it will suffice in non-extreme weather conditions. The added bonus with this is that the inside is a bit rubbery, which will help with weatherproof-ness and general durability. No rouge rulers sticking through the fabric.] -- Pack bottom made of 840-denier nylon. [Yes, it is also appears to be a double layer construction so there's added abrasion resistance etc. It also provides a nice two-tone contrast. The best part of this however, is that the interior bottom is almost a tarpaulin-like finish. Very nicely done.] Padded back panel and lumbar support for all day comfort. [Not quite what it is made out to be. Sure there is some open cell foam padding, but nothing fancy. It certainly isn't the padding of a TNF pack, but TNF over does it and makes the bag unnecessarily heavy and uncomfortable. Lumbar support?! Yeah, no, not really. The hip strap buckle does feed into the back panel. Doing so provides some natural lumbar support, but no, not otherwise.] -- Padded, adjustable, ergonomically curved straps. [Sure, but it is no more ergonomic than the JS counterpart, probably even a little less. Strap length is adjustable, it definitely is on the shorter side, which I find to be good so we don't have any backpack saggers. The biggest hit is that it DOES NOT have a sternum strap. Abysmal, a 40L pack without a sternum strap? Albeit the JS counterpart doesn't have it either, but still it is necessity for both of them. Also, that little 2000's phone pouch, very few will actually use that. It also has stretchy straps on them which seem to be good for a hydration reservoir, except for there is no port to go out of the bag for it.] -- Heavy-duty zippers for years of use. [Yes yes yes! YKK zippers always nice to have. I wish that the zipper pulls had reflective accents, but you can't have everything. Zippers seem like the first thing to go on most packs, but I don't see that being the case here.] -- Waist belt for a more secure fit that tucks away when not in use. [I don't use it, it's uncomfortable and awkward. I do tuck it away to add lumbar support.] -- Haul loop on top of bag. [Seems flimsy and rather thin given the potential weight of the bag, The old school packs had handle things. Bring them back. Also mounting the handle on the top side of the bag, rather than at the shoulder straps would allow for a more balanced, less-awkward carry.] ||Additional Features: -- Dual main compartments with an organizer panel to keep things handy. [This is probably the least highlighted part of the pack. There are two main compartments. That's pretty clear. In the larger of the two, the one closer to your back, there are what I would like to call dividers, NOT an organizer panel (that's in the smaller section of the pack). There is one divider on the side closer to the other main compartment and a laptop sleeve with a divider on the side closest to your back. These are great dividers. My only gripe is the quality. This is the only part of the bag, that to me lacks quality. My laptop sleeve needs to be fleece-lined and it needs to be somewhat snug. The one in this bag is boxy, it doesn't stretch from one side to another, but rather it is "built out" of the back panel. It is big enough to hold a science textbook, but laptops are getting smaller these days. Make it more snug and fleece-lined. And if you're gonna keep it this big, put a fastener strap on it so it doesn't sag and things get caught on it going into the bag. The JS counterpart does not have this feature and this is a big organizational advantage. Side note: the dividers do not go to the bottom of the pack so what you put in them should be a bit more protected.] -- Fleece-lined interior stash pocket. [Yes, well done. (Put that same fleece in the laptop compartment!) It is nicely positioned at the top. A 4.7" iPhone with a case fits well, not sure about plus size phone. If you put too much into it it makes the top of the bag sag a bit, but that's not too big of a deal. It can sometimes get in the way of the divider pocket, but it's not too much of a deal. -- Two side-mesh water bottle pockets. [Two, not one! Has trouble holding larger/taller bottles, but not the end of the world. I usually put a water bottle in one side and then student ID card in the other. Easy to access. Mesh is significantly more durable than JS counterpart and the elastic at the top keeps items in better. Additionally, the pockets are gusseted so the little items don't take up space in the interior of the pack.] Integrated audio cord port. [An old school tradition. I don't use it, but some might. It decreases weatherproof-ness, but that's not too big of a deal. I might seal it from the inside. My question would be why the fleece-lined pocket and the audio cord port aren't in the same compartment.] -- 3M Scotchlite reflective piping on front and straps for 360 degree visibility. [Nice and simple, add more though. On the shoulder straps (both padded and adjustment), on the zipper pulls etc.] -- Designed for ages 13 and up. [Definitely a big pack. Best for upper middle school and up.] -- Imported. [Make it in USA? I'd be even more of a fan.]|| ||Additional Comments: -- Boxy -- good: because that's the shape of most books now. not so good: it can feel a bit too boxy, but fortunately the pack, when more empty seems to wrap around better -- accessory compartment -- nice, tons of pockets. the organization in the main part of this accessory compartment is quality and better than JS. I wish that the outer two would have been gusseted. The outer two take up the space of the main accessory compartment. I think JS has a leg up on this gusset-ing feature. (see pictures) -- writing utensil storage -- it would be very easy to add a horizontal drop pocket on the pack, just like the JS counterpart. There are two pencil slots in the accessory compartment. (1) I have more than two pens, and I don't need them separated. (I keep spares here.) (2) I don't want to reach all the way to the ground to get my pencils. When the pack is open it kind of flops down, so getting pencils from that pocket requires more than just bending down. --this pack packs a punch. It is not very heavy considering how much it can do.|| ||3 changes I'd like to see: -- Suspension: the shoulder straps, back panel, hip straps, (lack of) sternum strap needs updating. We know enough about chiropractic health, it needs updating, especially considering the size of the pack. -- Interior Organization: The quality of the interior organization and writing utensil organization is lacking. See above. -- Compression: the last and most important is that this pack needs side compression straps. when it is empty it flops around.|| After reading this, it seems like a critical review, however, only the best of the best can take on constructive critiques. I 10/10 recommend. If they update the pack, I'd want to get one, but I don't this one will have worn out yet. I could only do two photos. If possible, I'll try to get a part tow posted.. see another post for more..?

This isn't the kind of backpack you'd go hiking with, but my husband uses it as his carryon bag when we travel. Spacious, not too large, and he loves the water bottle pockets on this model and the special soft pocket inside the main compartment. Durable construction and good materials, reinforced bottom. LLBean guarantee. Buy with confidence. Monogram looks sharp.

I am a mom of four returning to college after many years out. I knew I needed a backpack with plenty of room to pack all my books and laptop. I had bought my older girls Vera Bradley backpacks some 2-3 years ago because that's what they had wanted and when my quest for a backpack began I asked them if they liked theirs. Even though they seemed to be happy with their choice they said there wasn't enough room or organization, and my oldest daughter said hers was already starting to rip. Then I remembered a girl from high school who carried a LLBean backpack that said it was the best. I got on the website and searched for the perfect one. But I still wasn't sure (I'm kind of picky lol) so I went to my local bookstore who carries Jansport (also a super popular backpack company) but I still wasn't crazy about any of them. So I went back to my saved cart on LLBean's website and ordered my Super Deluxe Backpack in Night (they only had two color options when I ordered) with my initials monogrammed. Very fast process. I love my backpack!!! So much space and pockets to stay organized. The only thing is I wish I had held out a little longer to get the purple :0. (I did email customer service and they said they would exchange it for me and monogram the new one) So I am debating this...

My son, who is 15 and a high school freshman, loves this backpack, It's sturdy, lightweight, comfortable and large enough to hold all his essentials, including his jacket. Like all LLBean products, it's well made and backed by great customer service. Highly recommended.

This is a great backpack. There are many pockets for all for your stuff. The material seems to hold up well. While I have not the need, seems like it will hold up in rainy weather. I like the guarantee.

All I expected and more. Enough room for binders, etc., sturdy and great quality. Monogram looks good. This is the fourth or fifth back pack I've ordered from LL. Never disappointed in LL Bean!

This backpack holds a lot. I just travelled by plane with it and it was able to fit under the seat in front of me. I like having the 2 side pockets for water bottles. I also like the thick padded straps and the airy mesh-like back which helps reduce sweating. I like the way it looks, especially with my free monogram.

Excellent quality book bag. Customer Service at LL Bean is the best.... The bag arrived quickly with no extra time for the monogram.

My daughter used/abused the previous version of this backpack for four years before the zipper broke. LLBean replaced it with a new one, all I had to pay for was the price to return the broken one. This is a strong, sturdy backpack that holds up against serious abuse. 5 stars!

My 11-year old son loves this backpack! He had been carrying his 3-year old Jansport before this one, but 6th grade dictated that he get something roomier. The L.L. Bean Super Deluxe did the trick. It holds all his binders and supplies and is comfy for him to carry. Monogramming provided a unique touch. With all that, plus a guarantee, how can you go wrong?

I recently bought this backpack in black for my daughter, who is currently in middle school but will be in high school next year. I love the platinum monogram on the black bag. My daughter loves the backpack and will be able to use it through high school and maybe even college. The capacity is great; it isn't even halfway full yet, and she comes home with homework every night. I like the waist strap (she uses it) that helps distribute the load from just the shoulders. She looks forward to using it, and says she would definitely recommend this to anyone who would want to buy it for themselves or their child.

It's made well and has nice padding. Zippers seem to work well and plenty of compartments. I have a 7th grader so this thing better last until he graduates for over $60. Price seems a little high but I know if it breaks, I can return for new. You pay for what you get!

This was my first llbean product i purchased for my daughter and i am definitely impressed! I researched this product a ton before i bought it. I read reveiws online and watched reveiws on youtube as well! I decided to go with this bag because of its size! It is amazing for middle and high school students it has amply storage for binders lunch bags and so much more. As she is high school ap student this definitely serves her needs. My only complaints are that the monogram i got was fairly small and that then need to have some cute patterns like some of their other bags buy overall this is a great purchase the quality is amazing!

This backpack is exactly what my daughter wanted for High School. Big volume and sensible pockets. Well made. Great color and monogram.

I have always known L.L. Bean to have excellent quality.. This backpack is perfect! Has so many handy pockets, love the color and monogram! I recommend this style backpack to any college student like myself!

Great backpack. This is my second one. I wanted something fresh and new for college. Besides it has room for my laptop and all of my other supplies. It comes with a guarantee. It will last a long time.

Do no hesitate to purchase an L.L. Bean backpack. I have two sons. One is now 19 and the other is 16 years old. I have bought these backpacks for my boys for most of their school career. After having bought and become very disappointed with lower priced backpacks that did not hold up for even one entire school year, I decided to try the L L Bean backpacks. I have never turned back or been disappointed with that choice. They are durable and have deep pockets and plenty of compartments to be organized. Not to mention the forever guarantee. I returned one that lasted 3 school years because the strap broke off. L L Bean held to their policy and sent me a new backpack and it was delivered within 48 hours. When I returned the broken backpack, I was surprised to receive a small package from L L Bean a few days later. Inside I found my son's flash drive that he had overlooked when he cleaned out the old backpack. This very important flash drive contained many of my son's school assignments. Thank you L L Bean for going above and beyond with your excellent customer service. I will recommend this backpack and L. L. Bean to everyone who is willing to listen.

Barely a year old and the straps are coming unstitched where it meets the top of the bag.