Customer Reviews L.L.Bean Stowaway Ultralight Day Pack

This is a great lightweight backpack, but there is absolutely no way to fold it up to stow it in the stow pocket. The reviewer who said he did it must be a genius. Is there some reason LLBean can't give us a video demo to give a small idea of how to fold it to cram it in that pocket? I bought it for a trip and am wondering whether or not to pack it, but I'd like to have it for day use as planned. Will have to just pack it flat in my suitcase.

There are no outside zipped pockets on this. There is only 1 inside. This makes it very inconvenient to use since anything you want quickly can only be accessed by opening up the top and then the inside zipper compartment.

Side pockets are a bit too short, water bottles kept falling out so we had to put them inside the backpack.

I like the light weight of it, but I'm a short person (5ft.) and it's a bit long for me. It also "crinkles" a lot which is a little annoying.

I bought this because it supposedly can fold up into its own pouch. There are no directions. Had to find out on YouTube. Theoretically it should work, but it is about as simple as replacing a newborn back into the womb. Hoping for the best, but so far not impressed.

Good lightweight backpack but the water bottle holders are too shallow, and my water bottle falls out regularly. I was disappointed because I thought I was buying a good lightweight backpack that I could use to carry my water bottle on walks and hikes.

Nicely made but oddly shaped. I returned it. For some reason, didn't get a refund but got a store credit. Wasn't pleased about that.

This little backpack is well constructed, but it doesn't really collapse down small enough to pack away in luggage as a day pack for trips. I have had others that I prefer. If I need a small pack, it is usually as a part of a longer trip and I need to pack it until I can use it. This is not as good as other for this purpose. It is a nice little pack and very cofortable, but not quite what I was looking for.

I've owned the L.L.Bean Stowaway Pack for years and love it, and so I purchased this Ultralight pack by mistake believing I was buying the regular Stowaway Pack. The biggest issue with this Ultralight pack are the side pockets - the back portion is shallow, and there is no elasticity to them, so everything from water bottles to hand wipe packets ends up falling out. Took this around Disney for a week and while the lightweight feature was great, the lack of extra storage pockets and the baggy side pockets made the bag a bit of a pain. Will be ordering the other bag which is much better for our next trip.

I purchased an earlier version of this pack several years ago and the water bottle pockets started ripping on the first or second time I used them. So I'm wondering how well the water bottle pockets hold up on the newer version.

Way too small even as a day pack I'm 5'3 125lbs athletic build and just trying to get to outer side pocket in my case for water bottle was nearly impossible Also there are no outer pockets with zippers

This is a nice backpack. The stowaway part, not so nice. I had to watch a you tube video to see if it really could be done. It was a struggle. Not the best design for a packable pack. Hopefully the person I bought it for won't find it so onerous.

The mesh pouches on each side are big and loose. A tighter elastic at the top would secure a water bottle better. I also find the chest buckle to be tiny and difficult to unlatch. Not a good choice.

The pack is light weight, which is why I bought it. I do not like the shape of the bottom, which is somewhat square. If the bag is not stuffed full, the bottom tends to fold in and rub on my back. Not a big deal, but I consider it a design flaw.

The quality seems good. I was hoping it was a little smaller as I use this more as an everyday bag. The shape is weird and feels upside down. It's big on top and smaller at the bottom. It is awkward to open with a big wide opening at the top. I am happy their is zippered pouch inside for smaller things.

The material is lightweight. It is not waterproof. Found out the hard way.

This was a replacement of the stowaway backpack I bought some seven years ago. This one is light weight and an easy every day backpack - BUT the opening is smaller. The zippers don't go down as far so it's harder to pack. Also there no outside pockets for the little things. My water bottles fall from the bottle holders because they're too short. The colors are pretty and I like it but the old design was much better.

Loved the bag but my water bottle kept falling out of the side pockets. They weren't deep enough and the elastic wasn't tight enough.

Love LL Bean but I missed Th top doesn't have a zipper, has a fold down top like a wet bag instead. And no small outer pocket. It's a bit too fussy for how I intended to use it. Gorgeous and well made though. Great 2 water holders on the side.

I bought this day pack for shorter hikes, and it fits the bill for that. However, it seems almost a little too light and flimsy. For example: if you only put a water on one side, then it will definitely be lop sided. Also, I wish it had a firm bottom liner in it. It's ok, but I thought it would be a little sturdier.

I gave it two stars because it is light. However, you cannot hold even a small water bottle in the side pocket. My water bottle fell several times. once it's somewhat hurt me. I was forced to put the bottle in the main compartment. It was not a large water bottle. 16 ounces. However, because L.L. Bean is great they did accept a return even after I used it. But this needs a redesign. Holding a water bottle is my primary use of a day pack. I'm going to buy another.

appears to be a good quality item,holds a lot of lightweight gear

Quite small. I should have paid better attention room to the dimensions. I loved the idea of this packable pack but it is really too small and narrow to fit much. The style and quality are great though. I just wish it was larger.

Just got this one day ago. If I wasn't leaving on my trip in three days, I would've returned it. It is a pain to insert in the so-called "pocket". There were no instructions, not even pictures, which at the very least I expected.

Lots of room and light BUT. not enough compartments so it is like a big black hole! Had to return,