Customer Reviews L.L.Bean 42 L Comfort Carry Portable Locker

The capacity is good, but the quality was not. The strap tore when my daughter was picking it up. She had only had the backpack for less than two weeks. It is very frustrating when you spend so much on a backpack and it rips so quickly.

The handle on top broke on the first day of school

I had an LLBean backpack all through my college years and used it for travel in the years after. It lasted well beyond 10 years. My younger son is tough on backpacks so I decided to spend the money on something I knew would last him through the school year and beyond. He loves this backpack and all the storage. Today he came home from school, less than one month into the school year, and the right strap is ripping away from the backpack already. I was able to process a return and order another so we'll see if the next one holds up better. I really hope it does because we really do love LLBean backpacks. Yes, you do have to send the original item back to get a refund which is a hassle, but I'll put in the effort to see if we can get better results with a replacement.

My daughters carried her backpack for one year of 8th grade and the strap is coming off. I pad the money for a quality backpack hoping to get years of wear, and I am facing with replacement after 1 school year. We were very pleased with the size of the bag.

straps are already ripping which is really disappointing.

I bought my second pack from LL bean about a year ago. A couple of flaws to point out: 1) the front pouch has no zipper. I can't tell you how many times I have bent or leaned over and materials fall out. Airports are the worse or sliding the pack under the seat in front on board a plane. (2) inside the large zipper pouches there are only a couple smaller zipper pouches that I can't really use and aren't that convenient. I really don't like to complain but I was disappointed with the design of this one. The older version I had was great. Maybe I'll just retire this one from every day use and select another to take its place, LL bean brand of course.

odd pockets, poor construction, too expensive for the quality

The stitching on the straps has started to come undone after only two weeks of use at school. This is not the quality that one used to see from LL Bean - quite disappointed. The design is good and the bag itself is quite roomy, but for stitching to come out so quickly is inexcusable

Waist buckle broke after first day of use by middle schooler.

We have always had L.L. Bean backpacks however, my high school student's backpack has the straps ripping from the backpack. The rest of the pack looks great. I took it to the store to be repaired or replaced and was declined. So disappointed.

Really spacious for our daughter who has to carry everything all day. However, 4 days into school and the shoulder strap is already pulling/tearing out from the bookbag. For the price, we were expecting better quality.

I have been an LLBean customer since the 1980s. Before recently purchasing the 42L backpack, I used the same LL Bean Turbo Transit pack since 1999. I purchased the 42L because the old Turbo Transit was wearing out. I have been using the 42L for about 2 weeks, and really dislike its functionality in comparison to the Turbo Transit. While the 42L is better for carrying a computer, books and 8.5x11 items, it does not offer the same exterior pockets that were great for carrying personal needs items like medications, sunglasses, etc. It has no hook for keys. Nor does it have the lower storage space for something wet, a pair of shoes, or a rain jacket or sweater. I had to buy an LLBean lunch "box" to carry my personal items in the 42L.I would not recommend this pack to anyone except a high school student. Would love to return it and find something more suited to my needs.

The shoulder straps didn't make it through 6 months of high school before they started pulling apart from the stitching at the top of the backpack. Definitely not the LL Bean quality I remember from back in the day. I would still recommend it as long as it is used lightly.

Not the true craftsmanship that LL Bean is known for. Had the bag 3 days and the handle on top has already ripped. The bags are out of stock till June so i can't get a replacement. This bag replaced another LL Bean bag that I had had for 8 years and a family member had for years prior and it finally gave out.

The backpack is too tall and the compartments are not deep enough to allow for more than one book. It does not seem that the capacity is 42L. The Super Deluxe book bag is a much better school backpack.

I leveled up from my little backpack when decided to go to nursing school. I like the size and design, but it started coming apart within weeks of beginning classes. The top handle was broken before the end of the first semester. I would expect that from a cheap backpack, but not when I paid over $100.

The design of this bag is great, lots of pockets etc. However, the top carry strap has broken twice. The first time it broke after about 8 weeks of use, replaced and then the new backpack strap broke after 4 weeks. This is being used by my 11yo daughter - some notebooks, gym clothes etc. nothing too heavy. Really disappointed because we're a multi-generation LL Bean family but this has me looking elsewhere for a new bag.

Generally LOVE LL Bean products but this bag has started to tear at both straps within a month of use. Other than this quality issue, the size and pockets are perfect for my son.

I purchased this bag for work. I carry an older work issued 15.6" laptop and charger, misc folders with paperwork, misc office supplies, my lunch, 1 liter water bottle, and my purse. I specifically purchased this bag because of the large capacity and the large laptop compartment. There are much better designed bags in the LL Bean line up so don't consider this bag unless you really need the 42 liter capacity. Before the bag ripped, I was already disatisfied because the shoulder straps were positioned badly and constantly falling off my shoulders. I also disliked the vertical zipper on the front pocket. Stuff was constantly falling out of the pocket. The horizontal zippers on the regular book bags are much better. The final deal breaker is that both a shoulder strap seam and a pocket seam ripped after one year of use. Usually LL Bean bags last for years.

It fit everything but my daughter has had it 3 weeks and it has already ripped in 3 place will be sending back for replacement. For the amount of money I spent it should of held up alot better than it has. Rethink this purchase.

My daughter's backpack ripped after 2 months of use.

ZERO school books, just a 3-ring binder and a chrome book, plus an umbrella and 500ml water bottle, gentle use and the carrying handle ripped off at day 12 of school. LLBean wouldn't send us another because we were outside the 30 day return period (purchased in July, bag failed in August). School didn't start until the 11th, so we're talking less than 2 weeks use. They wouldn't refund us until our refund was received by them. I have older LLBean bags that are still going after 5 years! The quality has gone down and the customer service was disappointing.

I love the size of this book bag. But the second time it was used, the top strap that you can pick the bag up with came apart and can't be used anymore. I would return it but I paid to have it monogrammed. Disappointing!

I still have my LL Bean backpack from high school and it is still in one piece. . My son has had his for less than 1 month and the strap is fraying on one side and the handle is fraying on both sides. He is 11, so his stuff is heavy, but not not that heavy. Nothing like the textbooks we used to cram into those bean backpacks. Very disappointed.

This is the first negative review I have ever written for an LL Bean produce. I have never hated a backpack as much as I hate this one. I will probably get rid of it soon. I purchased this backpack to replace a similar Jansport one that is not quite large enough. I had very specific requirements in that I required a separate and padded compartment large enough for a 15" laptop, bottle pocket large enough for a 750ml camelbak bottle, and large capacity. This backpack meets those requirements but falls short in all other design features. This backpack is up to LL Bean usual quality standards with respect to workmanship and materials, but it is otherwise a terrible backpack. First the good: laptop compartment is well designed, and there are two bottle pockets. Now the flaws: 1. The shoulder straps are too widely spaced and are perpetually falling off my shoulders. I can not even walk 50' without having to use the sternum strap. Even with the sternum strap the shoulder straps are uncomfortable 1. Backpack is very tippy - it constantly falls over onto the front unlike other LL Bean Packs 3. Bottle pockets are too shallow and bottles constantly fall out when the pack tips over 4. The small front zipper pocket is vertical rather than horizontal and stuff falls out while you are fishing around in it. 5. No key clip 5. Open stash pocket on the front is not vented and therefore not useful for rain geer yet isn't really big enough for anything else. It lacks elasticity which does make it more durable. However that means that the only adjustment is by using the side tension straps which alter then alter the main compartment 6. Few internal pockets for small items and pencil pockets are too narrow for many brands of pens. 7. Sunglasses / phone pocket on the top is not padded or line. LL Bean makes many very good back packs and my family owns several. I absolutely do NOT recommend this particulary pack though.