Customer Reviews L.L.Bean Nor'Easter Tote Bag

I bought two in different colors intending to return the one I liked least. I liked them so much I kept them both. They are study, I sometimes carry 12 to 15 pounds of " stuff", no problem. The eaxwd bottom helps keep them clean and looking nice, I have the olive and the cream. The top of the cream is showing so e scuffs after a uear and it's a bit difficult to spot clean, so if you're like me and less than meticulous with your things, you might opt for a darker color. One problem. It has only 1 very small zipper pocket with a couple of even smaller slide in pockets attached to zipper pocket. They won't even hold my large phone. Another large slide in pocket on the side and even better, a snap out divider would greatly improve the utility of this bag. The cavernous interior is a plus in that it holds a Lot. But things can get so jumbled up and difficult to locate I've had to empty the entire bag on a regular basis to find what I'm looking for. I use smaller bags to organize my things but even the bags can get lost in the wide open space. A divider that could snap in and out and a couple of large side pockets and this sturdy, attractive bag would be 5 stars all day long.

Two things influenced my decision to purchase this - the first was the reported size and the second was the photo of the color I chose. Neither were what I expected. First, the bag really isn't 15" wide - it's gapes open to the full 21". So what I thought would be slightly larger than a legal pad is about twice the size and it's just massive. Not a bad thing if you want an enormous bag, but I wanted a reasonably-sized tote for work. The second disappointment was the color - I went by the photograph on the website which showed a kind of light but warm beige upper with a darker warm mocha bottom and straps. What I got was a very dark overall, army-looking bag. The main color that I see is not mushroom, but olive. The contrast between the lighter upper color and the bottom green is not nearly as high as the image indicates. I wanted warm brown, I got green. Even though I plan to return this because of the size and color, I think it's a nice quality.

Nice for travel but wish it had more interior pockets. Also an exterior pocket for a water bottle would be convenient.

It's a beautiful bag, but the size is ginormous! I was hoping to use it as an everyday tote to carry back-and-forth to work, but it looks like I should be heading out-of-town for days on end. I will keep it because I got it monogrammed, but it was a definite shock opening the package tonight.

Too big, wish it was smaller for everyday use. I should have ordered smaller.

A bit larger than I realized, but needed it to keep all luggage as carry on. Nice large area for tablet, phone and all chargers. Enough space to hold my day trip bag. Even able to pack One set emergency clothes.

This was very large. I wasn't expecting it to be so big but nice. Also I thought the snap tab at the top was removable. It's not. I had to slide it down the handle so I could hold it.

I like the tote. I was expecting it to be a tad bit smaller but it works for overnight stuff. It compliments my leather handled canvas purse bag. The tote is strong, durable & the colors don't get as dirty as lighter ones.

Nice bag love that it zips has shoulder strap and short handles too. Just what I was looking for to put under airline seat, lets me be hands free going through airport while pulling my on board flight piece. Also roomy. It's a bit heavier than I expected before packing due to materials used but it should be durable. Looks nice and holds a lot!

Good bag. Larger than I thought from the pictures. Very sturdy material. I like the strap for crossbody and the fact it zips closed. The inside is the same material which is fine, I would personally prefer a less corse material for the inside. But if you toss dirty shoes inside it will be easier to clean! Can be used as a weekend bag, it's pretty spacious. I use for a work bag to carry everything including the laptop.

I really like the design and style of this bag. The gray bag is beautiful and the perfect color for work. I was shocked by how big this is and can't believe there's a "large" version. This is really a weekend travel bag, not a tote for work. I'd love it if Bean made the same exact version- top zipper and crossbody strap in a traditional tote size.

Even though I measured before I purchased, this bag is NOT the same size as the traditional Bean totes. The Med is about the size of the Bean Large tote. However, it holds ALL of my "Grab 'n' Go" art stuffpaper, pens, my watercolor pallet as we as my pens, markers and pencils. All the things a smaller bag would not hold. However, while it keeps all my art stuff together, it isn't easy to lug aroundthus the 4 stars instead of 5. Nevertheless, it IS sturdy and the burgundy and blue colors don't show possible markings.

This is the perfect bag! It is more of a gray blue rather than a true gray is my only complaint

This bag is beautiful, but too big and too heavy for me. I will sadly be returning it.

I like the bag. I was trying to find a one similar in size to the one I was replacing. It's just a little bigger than I thought. However, it does fit my medium size purse, my tablet in the laptop bag and shoes along with a few small things like my sunglasses, phone, ipod. It fits in my passenger seat that I do buckle up when driving to work. I had my initials embroidered into the bag and that looks really good.

Looks good, about to try it out next week to a trip to Hawaii

Wish it had the little exterior pocket, but otherwise an awesome bag. Fits a ton of stuff!

I haven't used it yet but the quality is great. I love that it has handles and a cross body strap. I also love that it's really roomy BUT I wish it was just a touch smaller. I'm 5'6" average frame, and feel that it's about half my body size when I hold it! And it's technically too big as a personal item for flying, which was one of my use cases (I'm going to carry it anyways and see if I get away with it. I think as long as I don't pack it full, it will be fine, but I wish it was "official" to be safe)

Lovely tote bag, but we returned it because it was too large for our needs.

I first thought the bag would be too big, but once I started packing and using it during my trip, it was great to have such a roomy totebag. Best feature is the zip-top, but I would have liked a couple more inner pockets, or larger ones.

Just arrived and seems to be well made. Certainly big enough for all my pool gear. But it's surprisingly bigger than advertised. I measure the top (W) at 20", not 15 1/2. And there is no key clip next to the inside zipper, just a loop for you to install your own carabiner.

I purchased the tote in the dark gray color and love it! It is very spacious and what I would consider a 3 day weekender bag because there is that much room! A couple of small pockets inside and one zipped interior pocket. Love that you can carry with the tote handles or the longer shoulder strap. Would have loved one or two exterior pockets which would have made this bag a 5 star bag. Regardless it is a great tote, well made and looks great!

Love this bag! Would like a better scotch guard / stain guard to stay clean but love the bag overall

I love this bag, sadly it was too big for my intended use of a daily carry. It doesn't come in Medium only Regular.

I thought it would be the same size as the one that I bought years ago. But they made it bigger than what I wanted it for. The size that they made into the one that I wanted does not have the strap for easy carrying. Therefore I returned it.