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

We wanted to like this backpack but it didn't even last an entire school year. One strap came apart at the top.

Back pack straps tearing off after less than 3 months! I had to order a new back pack so my kid wouldn't have to go without a backpack and then send back the damaged one for a refund. Such a HASSLE, I'm really frustrated by this poor quality! I have had LL Bean backpacks that have lasted 4 years and these didn't even last 4 months!

Purchased for my daughter in Dec. She started using it in Jan and the handle began ripping after 4 wks of use. Called to get a replacement before it completely breaks and it isn't eligible for a replacement. Customer Service rep said it has to be returned for evaluation before issuing another backpack. Hummm, what's wrong with that process??? I mentioned that would leave her without a backpack but obviously that doesn't matter. They wouldn't accept pictures so I'm posting them here. I've used LLBean backpacks since 1990 and have purchased roughly 10 as my own children have grown. I purchased from this company due to their reputation of quality and customer service, which is now trash and exactly where this $109 6 wk old backpack will land.

I bought this backpack 1 1/2 years ago and the handle strap is breaking away just like many of similar reviews. After many complaints of the same issue, I don't understand why LLBean has not resolved this issue. Very disappointing! Unfortunately, I bought the same backpack in a different color after the fact. Not looking forward for the same issue.

I was excited when I got this backpack. It has lots of pockets and is great for staying organized. It's spacious but not cumbersome. But after having it for only a little over one week, the zipper already broke. I'm not rough on my equipment so it's disappointing that the quality is so poor.

A year and a half of carrying one laptop, 2 batteries, 1 text book, and 2 notepads. Bag isnt that heavy. Straps start to rip. Left strap worse than right. Seems like an issue with this bag.

I would love to review my backpack but it was lost at the airport and of is missing. Sorry

I just got this in the mail last week and use it this weekend to walk up the mountain during the snow storm. The straps are made of a very hard material and they dug into me as I walked. It was very uncomfortable. I like the size of the bag but it really hurts to wear it

I love LL Bean generally and have long been a customer. But I bought this backpack for my college freshman in august and by the end of October one of the shoulder straps is coming away from the backpack.

I have bought my kids the smaller versions of these backpacks for almost a decade. I have even routinely handed them down to my younger kids as one of my older children went up a size.This is the first backpack that disappoints. My teenager does not have a locker, and needed a larger backpack to hold all his binders and laptop and practice pad for his drum - so basically he needed to carry a ton of stuff in a more upright way, so it would not sag away from his back like his smaller LL bean backpack. He has used this backpack for 2 months, and the left strap has ripped almost completely off. If your child needs a bigger backpack to hold more things, this is not the one for you and will not take the place of going to a locker to swap out items during a school day. We are so bummed. We will search for a more robust larger backpack now.

My daughter started using this 8/19/2024. It's now October and both straps are starting to rip off the bag. She's a middle schooler carrying books and a tablet. You think a $100 backpack would last longer than a month. Very disappointed.

This is really disappointing to write. Between the years of 1998 and 2023, I had 2 Turbo Transit Backpacks that lasted me through college and my early work years; they were wonderful backpacks! So, after retiring my previous backpack, I ordered the Portable Locker Pack last year in June 2023. This backpack immediately started to fall apart and the lack of quality was quickly evident. The shoulder straps started to fray within months of initial use, but I could tolerate that. However, the handle ripped shortly after a year of ownership. I carried perhaps a third of the weight in this backpack than I did with my previous LL Bean book bags. I can no longer recommend LL Bean products to friends and family.

Super disappointed because this bag seemed like it had it all. It was a little hefty on its own, but when packed up for a high schooler, I received a text from my son within the first 15 minutes of his day, first use, that the bottom strap ripped clean off. It can't be reattached. This seems like a major issue considering the other one-star ratings are all saying the same thing. LLBean is sending a second backpack already but I'm skeptical it'll be any better. I'll report back.

I got this for my daughter and she used it only for three and is all broken from the back adjustable straps To my consideration is very expensive to have this kind of problems so soon.

I see some reviews which had the same problem as me the straps began to tear within the first few months of the schoolyear. My child was able to use it until the end of the year, but we decided to go with another brand for the future. It's upsetting as I purchases LL Bean bags for my daughter through elementary and middle school, but this bag was just not the same quality and care as I came to expect from the company.

Purchased this for my son last year because we had always had good luck with LLBean bags. One of the straps began ripping within the first week. He didn't want me to return it because he loved it and said he would make it work. By the end of the year the loop at the top had ripped off, but thankfully both straps stayed attached. Between this bag and the deluxe, the deluxe lasts longer. My daughter has had the deluxe for 3 years and carries a Chromebook and most of her textbooks and it is still going strong.

I bought this bag for my 7th grade son. He only used it for about 2 months and the strap ripped off completely. He doesn't even carry anything heavy like text books home so I was surprised that it ripped so quickly. By the end of the year it is rough shape and he can't even use it a second year because other parts are fraying and worn. I looked into getting a replacement but they didn't have the blue and yellow one anymore and my autistic son was not interested in changing to a different one. I was expecting it to last years and it didn't even last months.

I bought this for my daughter at the beginning of the school year. About half way through the year, one of the straps started tearing away from the bag. I went to LL Bean and they replaced it. Great. Then, close to the end of the school year, my daughter said the same thing is happening to the new backpack, so I have to replace it again. I'm so disappointed with the quality of this style. She's had other styles from LL Bean that lasted more than two years. DO NOT BUY! This style is not as durable as the other, CHEAPER styles available.

Within the first month of buying this backpack after using it about four to six times and only putting my laptop, laptop charger, and water bottle in the bag it's tearing at every seam. Very poor quality and can only hold up to about 15 pounds before disintegrating. The front pouch zipper is also very awkward. If you put your wallet, phone, car keys or something in the front pocket it makes the backpack front heavy and it won't sit up on its own without tipping forward. Would definitely recommend buying any other backpack.

My middle school daughter needed a large capacity backpack for her Chromebook and notebooks that provided back support. This was ideal. The size is MORE than ample for her things and the straps are padded and wide, giving her the shoulder and back support she needed. HOWEVER...after four months of normal use, the right shoulder straps is pulling apart at the seams where it meets the top of the backpack. This is the strap she grabs when she puts the backpack on every day. I'm stunned that it isn't holding up, and she is not rough with her things. This is typical use. Disappointed in that we were hoping to have this bag last her through next year, but we'll have to find a replacement over the summer. For this price, I was expecting something much more durable.

My son had a LLbean backpack for years that he loved. He used it for school and hiking day trips. The zipper finally broke. We upgraded in size as the pack lasted for 4? years. This pack arrived. It was spacious and great padding. But don't buy it. The first day it rained, everything (including his laptop) got wet. I went back to read the details. Only when I click on other backpacks do I see others said waterproof. Why make a fancy backpack that isn't waterproof? Even school kids will encounter rain. When I called LLBean, they said I would have to pay $6 to return. Disappointed.

This would have been a nice product but it arrived and had clearly been used. A zipper was broken, part of the strap was coming off, and there were crumbs/paper bits inside of it.

I purchased this backpack about a year and a half ago. It was spacious and very functional for a busy high school student. However, I have gone through four of these backpacks since I purchased my first. Each one either fraying at the top of the shoulder strap, or the fabric handle breaking out after less than 3 months. I don't carry anything extremely heavy or out of the ordinary for the average high school student. My previous backpack from L.L.Bean had lasted me over 8 years with no such problems. I am extremely disappointed withe quality and durability of this bag. Would not recommend.

My 9th grader started using this pack late October and the handle is already halfway ripped. This bag is supposed to hold a good amount of stuff in it so it should have a reinforced handle and straps. Unfortunately, I don't have the receipt anymore because I trusted that I wouldn't have to return or exchange the item. I just didn't expect this kind of craftsmanship from a trusted brand so I didn't keep track of the receipt. We still have the Original pack which we've used (and abused) for school and travel. That pack still looks brand new. This locker pack's quality and durability is such a disappointment.

Blackstrap coming apart at the seam after using for 1 year. Unfortunately it's just over a year so no eligible for a return! I bought this bag for my son to last through high school Now I'm hoping it lasts for another few months! I've purchased many llbean backpacks over the years and this has never happened. Disappointed in this bag.