Customer Reviews L.L.Bean Stowaway Pack

I loved the color and size of this back pack but it has a few drawbacks when in actual use. The chest straps are useless for women because they cut right across the breasts. The external pocket access is actuated by straps that leave dangling strap left overs. The two inner pockets are difficult to reach and once they are full make items in the bottom of the pack difficult to reach. One has to constantly rearrange the order of packing according to the day's or hour's need. The back pack is strong and well constructed but poorly designed. I expected it to be lighter than a standard book bag but it is lined and with all the straps does not meet that need. I did not use the waist straps so they also were dangling modifiers.

On the plus side, this pack is extremely lightweight and holds quite a lot. It works well as a "personal item" for air travel for that reason. I like the straps, including a waist strap. On the minus side, one of the inside pockets is virtually unusable the way it is positioned underneath another inside pocket. Even worse, a small outer pocket came apart during the second week of use, and several small items ended up lost in the lining. It took a lot of effort to retrieve the items that fell through the hole in the pocket. Sadly, it will have to go back.

I loved this pack for being light but sturdy. It held a volume of items while trekked through Switzerland. Sadly, the major drawback was on rainy days. The "stuff" pocket on the outside was wonderful to stash a light jacket or sweater for easy access. BUT, when it rained, I needed to protect the pack from the elements, as water would accumulate and drip into the pocket. Since it is waterproof, there would be a substantial amount of water lodged into the compartment, requiring it to be turned inside out after every excursion.

This is a back-up pack to [the stowaway water-proof] reviewed above.

It has a very inconvenient design. Very difficult to open the main pocket because of unnecessary clips

Fairly lightweight. Did not like the two straps that interfere with the zipper opening, but I suppose that adds a bit more security while traveling. Also, the top zipper pocket is a bit too small; the straps in back are far too long, the water bottle pockets, like most are useless and the open front pocket could use a velcro closure, since anything in an open pocket can fall out.

I've had this backpack for several years and I'm now in the market of buying a new one. I'm just not fully satisfied with this. Pros: Lots of different zippers and pockets, straps are comfortable and adjust easily, cutest color combo ever (idk why more brands don't choose more fun colors!), lightweight but good capacity for day hikes, fits under an airplane seat. Cons: the worst thing is how unstructured the back is anything inside would stab into my back if I didn't put a magazine or book inside, many rips over the years since the material is not very durable first rip came within a few uses, and water bottles easily fall out of the side pockets if I bend forward. This bag holds many memories but I wouldn't purchase this again. I think it's well-priced for what it is! Packy Faithful friend, worn with love, 2020-2024.

Too many straps (ie, waste, chest) for lightweight pack. 'Stowable' is concept but not practical. No directions for using stow pocket. Found a forum where someone attempts stowing. Nicely made. Compartments laid out well.

It would be helpful if LL Bean provided instructions on how to fold it into the pack. I called for a video. They do not have one. I finally found one on You Tube. Wish printed directions were included.

The straps were very stiff and cut into my skin ... I really like the older stowaway backpacks much better. I wanted to like this one so I could replace an old one that has a rip but it was just too uncomfortable for me. Maybe it sits better on other bodies.

I bought it for my gandson, but his school doesn't allow backpacks.

I'm not sure who thinks this pack just easily folds into the pouch provided. If it has to have a Youtube video showing how to do it, then it's too much work. Someone cut corners on the size of the pouch on this thing. The pack works fine, but if you want to avoid world-class frustration don't even ATTEMPT to pack it into the neat and way-too-little pocket

This is not a gender specific pack. Didn't fit me very well. But seems like a good and lightweight pack.

Water bottles fall out of the side pockets. Older version of this basket has a draw string that can be tightened.

The back pack is not sturdy or supported at all!! I knew it was a stowaway bag but I had no idea that it would be so flimsy. Numerous times water bottles fell out because it folded up. If you aren't looking for a supportive backpack then this would be for you!! The quality was great and I liked everything else

This bag is much smaller than I anticipated and doesn't sit great on my shoulders. There's not much space and I am slightly disappointed.

Much smaller than I thought. However, it will make a great day hike bag.

Did not meet my expectations. The secondary outer compartment NEEDS to be zipper pouch! The outer pouch did nothing but sag when I put anything in it.

I bought this in anticipation of a 3-week trip. We used it about 10 times during that trip. Within a few days, I noticed that the stitching holding the webbing material on the should straps was beginning to fail. By the end of the trip there was a hole where the webbing should have been tacked down. Disappointed to see such sloppy manufacturing. Even more, I spent close to $8 in Bean Bucks on it. I got refunded the full price, but it takes a while to build up the Bean Bucks. Not sure how much more LLBean items I want to buy if quality issues continue. .

I wanted a daypack with a chest clip, and this one is surprisingly uncomfortable - right at the boobs. It doesn't adjust enough to get above or below. Sad to be returning it - liked the colors

Very light weight and looks to be pretty well made, but not substantial enough for my needs. Would benefit from a sternum strap and a waist belt to keep it from sliding around. The back padding is also extremely thin. Returned after trying it on.

Disappointed in the new style of the stowaway backpack. I purchased one six years ago and decided to get another. This one is awful. The material on the previous model had a nice nylon feel to it. This new model crinkles to the point of it being annoying and the material feels cheap. The bottom of the backpack is smaller as well. The side pockets on the previous model had a cinch cord to keep things from falling out. No such thing on this one, just elastic with cheap mesh and things fall out, especially water bottles. I understand a price change, they were $50 and now $64.99 but why cheap out on the material? Can't recommend this.

Disappointed! My 6 year old stow away day pack had more of a nylon feel to it and the water bottle pockets had cinch strings to keep things from falling out. This new one feels cheap, It makes crinkly noises to the point of bring irritating. Nothing stays in the side pockets.

It was smaller dimensions than I wanted, also thought it would be completely collapsible for air travel, thicker material than I wanted.

I've purchased two of these packs for people in the past and they are great. Pretty basic, lightweight pack for day trips and travel. I bring mine with me on every trip I go on. I was going to buy my niece one, but the color choices are a bummer. Bring back that cute purple/green/blue one. Mine is kelly green and I love it. The current colors are so drab.