How long did your kid's LL Bean backpack last?

[LMN]

We have 2 in our house that are still going strong. Both were bought at the same time and are 8 years old. One was for DS and one was for DD1. They've both been passed down to DD2 but are still in great shape! Neither has little holes or tears in it as you indicated yours has. Call LL Bean. They are famous for standing behind their products and will replace it.

 

[momofbk]

Our DD got a rolling ll bean backpack and matching lunchbox at the start of 2nd grade. She is going into 6th grade this year & they're still in great shape.

 

[jenrose66]

When DS started middle school, I got him an $80 LL Bean rolling backpack. It only lasted 2 years before the wheel fell off. I had expected the backpack to last through middle school so I sent it back for a replacement.

DD has had her regular LL Bean backpack for 4 years. The bottom is full of holes at this point. I am trying to determine what the "normal" life expectancy of an LL Bean back pack is. I want to determine if this is normal wear and tear vs it didn't last as long as it should. LL Bean has a great return/replacement policy, but I know it doesn't mean I get a free replacement backpack for life. I need a frame of reference.

Please post how long your child's LL Bean backpack lasted.

I have an LL Bean Bag that I used all thru high school and college and to this day I use it as a carry on when I fly. The bag is 18 years old! Perfect condition

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

I used the same LL Bean backpack from elementary school through junior high before retiring it in favor of a see-through plastic backpack for high school. (I started high school right after the Columbine shooting; security paranoia was through the roof and they were the only bags allowed.)

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Sounds like most LL Bean backpacks last a lot longer than 4 years! I'm going to get in touch with them and send it back for a replacement. Thanks everyone!

 

[Becc1]

My boys (grades 6th and 7th) are going on year 4 with theirs and they are both still in great condition. DD is on year 2 and looks brand new. I have had one for 13 years that I have taken everywhere, it's my go to bag for the parks, kids field trips, overnight trips, you name it, it's gone with me. It's not the typical book bag that everyone has, not sure if they even sell it anymore but it's the best

 

[Arielle22]

I got my son an LL Bean backpack when he started Middle School - he used it through Middle School, High School, and College. So, it's at least 12 years old as my son is 23 now. It's still in great shape and still in use, and he's been hard on it. I wonder if it's a case of "they don't make 'em like they used to."

My DDs got LL Bean backpacks in middle school. They are in college now (8 years later) and the backpacks are still going strong. They use them as overnight bags also.

 

[misse336]

This will be the 6th year for child #1 and the 4th year for child #2 - both of them are still in great shape. Child #3 will be getting an LL Bean backpack this year as this is their first year at school. We have never had any problems with them - for the $25-$30 that I spend on them it is an investment that is well worth it as opposed to buying the cheap character ones that only last a year.

Slightly off topic, but has anyone ever put their LL Bean backpacks in the washing machine with success? The backpack that is 4 years old is red and the bottom is starting to get dirty looking. I've spot cleaned them, but would love to throw them in the washing machine for an overall clean. I don't want to ruin the backpacks though.

 

[wenrob]

This will be the 6th year for child #1 and the 4th year for child #2 - both of them are still in great shape. Child #3 will be getting an LL Bean backpack this year as this is their first year at school. We have never had any problems with them - for the $25-$30 that I spend on them it is an investment that is well worth it as opposed to buying the cheap character ones that only last a year.

Slightly off topic, but has anyone ever put their LL Bean backpacks in the washing machine with success? The backpack that is 4 years old is red and the bottom is starting to get dirty looking. I've spot cleaned them, but would love to throw them in the washing machine for an overall clean. I don't want to ruin the backpacks though.

I wash ours. I spray them with stain remover (they get dingy from the black top) and wash them with no or low spin cycle, hang to dry.

 

[suefly]

Lifetime means Lifetime. At least at L.L. Bean it does. They will replace it. At least that is my experience with them. Returned a travel alarm clock many years later. Friend called about a replacement button, got a new shirt. There was and article in the paper that they replace a mans slippers like 50 years later.

 

[NinaBella]

My kids (12 and 13) only WANT the lower end Jansport backpack. They will not carry a L.L.Bean or similar backpack. My older boys (21 and 23) were the same way starting in middle school. My son won't even carry the digital style Jansport, it has to be the very basic solid black jansport. DD also wanted black this year, usually I can get her to go with a different color. So I finally talked her into the black with the hot pink zipper and a pink monogram. We will see... I am use to kids just wanting the basics and we have spare backpacks around the house for when a strap breaks, etc. In fact, I bought DS13 two of the basic black already because he did have a strap break last year before heading to the bus.
I guess it's a regional thing where middle school kids just like what they like. We are in Tampa area and that is about all the kids carry in middle and high school here.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Both my boys got their LL Bean backpacks when they went into 5th grade. One's now going into 10th and one into 8th and both bags are in great shape!!! I goth them both on sale (last year's color or something!) and have more than gotten my money's worth already and I know they've both got a ways to go. We did the whole character bag thing when they were little and I hated spending $15 or $20 on a bag I know would only last one year--if that. Would not hesitate to get another LL Bean one--but don't think I'll need to!

 

[XtineBelle610]

I have an LL Bean bag from kindergarten that's still occasionally used as an overnight bag. It's in perfect shape--and I'm 24.

I never had an LL Bean bag break on me--I just outgrew them and needed a bigger backpack. The bag I used in college is still perfectly fine and is normally my "personal item" for airplane trips.

 

[DCbride]

Mt son and daughter got an LL Bean backpack in kindergarten, grade 5 and grade9. So from K-12 they had 3 each! At the end of middle school my son's zipper broke. We took it to the store and they gave him a new one. So technically, I only bought him 2.
My little one I bought Lands End and I wish I had stuck with ll bean

 

[Teacup53]

I got mine in 1992 and it lasted me two years of high school, 4 years of college, multiple trips to Disney and it is still in pretty good shape.

 

[bigbabyblues]

Both my boys had their LL Bean backpacks for about 5 years. They are still usable, no rips or tears, but the boys wanted something else.

DH has a higher-end LL Bean backpack that he uses for work. He has had it four or five years, and it has a rip in the seam. He abuses it, though.

 

[mrsabbott]

We are going on year three with my girls' LL Bean backpacks. They are in perfect shape with the exception of a few small stains. You can't beat their lifetime warranty but I think they are worth the money. My girls will have those, hopefully, through high school.

 

[cel_disney]

We have several in our house....I have been using the same one since 1996 almost daily to lug things back and forth to work including a laptop, notebooks, paper etc. I am terrible about keeping it clean - and wash it often if snacks explode everywhere in them ....it's still in great shape...I would love if it started to wear so that I could justify a new bag - but no such luck!!! My DH has been using his bag daily since 2000 - replacing a jansport backpack... My DS has an LLBean for school - it's entering its 4th year, and he uses a larger jansport from target for summer camp. Both are still in pretty good shape and hold up to the washing etc. one of the straps is weakening a bit on the LL Bean one which makes sense when you see how he Carries it! We have an LLBean store near us and plan to return it if it breaks this year for a replacement...We just bought DD her first for kindergarten! We will see how it lasts compared to the abuse her brother gives them!

 

[lwc]

I bought my oldest a rolling pack in 4th or 5th grade. At the end of 8th it was still in perfect condition other than a sticky zipper. We replaced the bag because she wanted a new style. We continued using the bag as an extra piece of luggage after that and at some point brought it into a Bean store to see if they could fix the zipper. They replaced the bag.

My next oldest got his bag to start 1st grade. It had a few holes at the end of this year. (Third grade) We were surprised. We had really expected the bag would last much longer.

My youngest got her bag to start preschool. It is 3 years old and in perfect condition (other than being dingy, as it was/is light pink.) She is entering 2nd grade and is too small for her now.

This morning we went to our local store to get the kids new packs. We brought my son's pack with us as we were torn as to whether we should return it or call three years use good and wanted their opinion. The CS individual we spoke with felt that it should have lasted longer and she credited the cost of the old pack.

One of the reasons we are willing to pay more for LL Bean products is that we know they will stand behind them.

 

[RejoyceoverDisney]

My weigh in on LLBean back packs. I'll never buy another brand!!!
DS got his first one in 8th grade. 9th grade we got a second one because he could only go to his locker at lunch, so he used the middle school on in the morning (kept morning books in it) and then used the second one with afternoon books.
When he went off to college, both backpacks are still in great shape (I've never washed them so dirty looking) but he now was carrying a laptop so I went to Walmart and bought him a messenger bag. (can't remember brand) and before Christmas first year college the bag was falling apart. So I called the company and they sent me a new one, as I had paid $75 that made me feel better. But in the mean time, he needed a new one and I happened to be at LLBean outlet (45 minutes from me) and they had a messenger back for $35. I couldn't pass it up.
Son happily gave me the ripped (duct taped together) bag and took the LLBean bag. When the replacement from the other company came in, he never bothered to use it.

I just asked him and he said he still uses the original back pack for his books and messenger bag for his laptop. He is gradating college this year. So I guess that makes going on 8 years. The second back pack is used to store and lug his Dungeons and Dragons books to hang with his buddies.

I do want to note that I did buy the back packs at the outlet stores also. One of them had someone's initials on it that didn't match my sons, so I took a seam ripper and took some of the stitching off and then we used fabric paint to make a blob of shape over the letters so it just looks like a design and no one knows.

I have a cross body bag from there also. I've used in for a good 5 years. Used to be my every day bag but now I use it more when I'm going to be away and think to bring it.

I'd call them and just talk to the costumer rep. If the back pack is only two years old......at least once I would consider a replacement. Their products are made to last.