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

I have been ordering backpacks from LLBean for over ten years. I haven't ordered many as they hold well and only order new ones to accommodate more space (and a water pocket). However, this backpack does not seem to be made of the same quality as the other styles. My 16 year old did not have enough space for his books in the deluxe backpack, so we upgraded to this one, the largest. After just 10 days, the strap is already ripping at the top part of the stitching. I am so disappointed. It was a lot of money and expected more.

Nice bag. Way overpriced. LL Bean has become too expensive. There are better options out there for the price.

This backpack is extremely well made and I appreciated the comfort it would have provided my son on the days he needs to transport a lot of gear to and from school/activities. It's one fatal flaw made me return it to the store- those darn compression straps that MUST be closed at all times or else the front panel flaps open. This means they must be unbuckled every single time you want to unzip the bag! This is a terrible feature on a backpack designed for a full time student. What an inconvenience. An old fashioned stuff it mesh panel that does not interfere with zipper function would make this bag so much more convenient to use, and up to a perfect 10.0. Too bad. Otherwise it was all we were looking for.

For the price, this should not happen. Other than that, the bag was great, but not worth it if bag cant stay on shoulder

The shoulder strap started ripping after the first week, it has gotten worse ever since. I added some stitches to slow it down and that helped.

I purchased this backpack for my 6th grader on 9/2/24. He loves it: the color the size and the comfort of the straps. He only carries it to school. The back strap that connects to the pack it coming apart. As you can see, this wasn't cheap and based on the reviews I as hoping to get quite a few years out of this. His $50 Jansport lasted 10 years with far more use. Pretty disappointed.

I bought this backpack in the teal color. It's a beautiful color! The compartment layout is great with several large compartments good for various functions. It's also very comfortable. Unfortunately, after just 6 weeks of use for a school bookbag, the straps are detaching from the bag. I expected more from an LL Bean bag at this price point.

We bought this bag for my older son before he started his sophomore year. The idea was to have a roomy and sturdy bag that would fit his laptop and other supplies. The bag certainly had enough room to for his laptop, several binders and his other supplies. But the quality is disappointing. One of the straps began to rip towards the 2nd half of the year. I was hoping this was an exception and was considering buying a similar bag for my younger one but now I'm seeing other reviews citing the same problems. Considering the price tag, I wish the company would stand behind the quality

As a mom I was so excited about this bag for my high schooler. It could fit everything he needs, hence its name "portable locker". We purchased this expecting typical llbean quality - anticipating it to be a high school through college bag. He didn't make it through his freshman year without the straps beginning to tear at the seams. We were pretty disappointed at this flaw in construction that has ruined an otherwise great bag. I had not read the other reviews, but now I see that this is a common problem. We are returning our bag. I'm hoping L.L. Bean has fixed this problem!

Overall, I like the backpack. It has plenty of room and good compartments. But, as others have noted, the straps started ripping away from the backpack within a few months with only light to normal use. Sending back to LLBean in order to hopefully receive a replacement. Not the quality I expect from LLBean or for the price tag.

I bought this at the beginning of the school year for my son. They don't have lockers and carry their things with them all day. I hoped it would last him a few years. Unfortunately it is ripping out at the seams on the straps, the hanger, and along the bottom. It did not make it through one year of school.

I am not impressed with this backpack. We bought this for our son for his freshman year in high school. We returned it back in October because he somehow managed to almost rip the shoulder strap completely out. We replaced it with the same thing, thinking it was a fluke. It is now March, and we are getting ready to return it once again for the same issue. He carries a laptop, a few notebooks and folders and folders and his lunch. The only assumption I have is that it's a design flaw. I had an LLBean backpack all through school and it lasted years hauling books around before laptops were really around.

Like all ll bean products since they got rid of their life time Warranty this didn't hold up. For reference I have had my ll bean back pack for 20 years, i bought this one for my son and it didn't even last 3. The stuff itching that holds the straps let go and the buckles broke. So disappointing at the current quality of LL bean products.

A little bummed the side pockets that hold a water bottle etc., have gotten flimsy and over stretched quickly. Most of the time my 4 yr olds drink falls out anymore. For reference we use the backpack daily to and from preschool. Class folder, change of emergency clothes, snack and juice bottle are all that go in it. Probably won't buy again sadly; such a fan of LLBean usually.

I purchased this backpack in August for my high school sophomore. Over the past 20 years I have purchased LL Bean backpacks for my kids school backpacks, and have found that they are good quality and were able to get several years use out of each one. Unfortunately, I have found that the quality of the LL Bean backpacks is not what it was in the past. After only two months of use the shoulder strap has already ripped. Very dissatisfied with the quality of this pack. I contacted customer service over the phone and I was told that I could send the bag back to them and they would decide if a replacement would be offered. I think I may just find a new backpack somewhere else.

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.

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.

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!

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.