L.L. Bean backpacks?

[sherry7]

My DD (age 4) will be starting pre-K this fall, and she needs a backpack since she'll be riding a bus. After prior poor experiences with Walmart, Kmart, Target, etc backpacks, I'm more than willing to pay the $25-$30 to get her an L.L. Bean backpack that will last more than one school year.

I'm looking on the L.L. Bean website, and I'm debating on what size to order. She's already a tall girl, at 43" high. I'd like to get a size that can last her for pre-K, kindergarten, and maybe even 1st and 2nd grade. My choices are:
*Junior Original - 14.5"H x 11"W x 6"D"
*Original - 16"H x 13"W x 7.25"D

She needs one that will fit an insulated lunch bag, folders, etc. I'm not sure what else a little kid would be carrying, lol. Does anyone have personal experience with these backpacks? What size should I order? I'd love to visit an L.L. Bean store to try them on her, but the closest one is 90 minutes away.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I would get the original, unless you think it would be too big/long for her. My nephew had the Junior one and needed a bigger one by the time he got to first grade.

 

[misse336]

I got both of my boys an original size LL Bean backpack when they started kindergarten. My oldest son will be taking it to 4th grade this upcoming school year. The original size was a little bit large on them in kindergarten, but fit well after that and my boys were/are on the taller/larger size (oldest one started K a week after he turned 6 and youngest was 5.5 when he started K). I'm not sure that I would want to try the original for a 4 year old because it will probably be pretty large on her, but the junior will almost definitely not last you till 2nd grade based on those measurements. The original one fits their lunch bag, take home folders, and library books easily and ds1 has brought home text books in it. I don't have any personal experiences with the junior size.

Since the closest store is so far away, maybe you could see if any of your friends, coworkers or siblings children have either of these backpacks and try them on your daughter? They are really popular around here and it wouldn't be too hard to find someone with one. If that doesn't work, maybe you could measure the ones in a WM/Target/KMart to find the one closest to the LL Bean sizes and have your daughter try them on that way?

 

[leebee]

LLBean offers free shipping, and has a very, very liberal return policy (basically, you can return anything, whenever, for a full refund). You could order both sizes of backpack, decide which one you like best, and either mail the other one back or just take it back to the store the next time you are in the area.

Just FB my boss; she says her three girls (who were in K, 4th, and 6th grades this past year) all have regular sized Bean backpacks.

 

[Happyjen27]

For that height I would say get the original.

My pair got the Junior for Nursery school at age 3. They lasted 4 years, as they just finished 1st grade with them. By 2nd grade they will need the original, so I just bought the next size up for next year.

The original seems ENORMOUS!! But, I have wee little ones even at age 7 they are rail thin and short, so that's probably why they seem so big.

Since you've got a tall girl, the original will probably take her through to the end of 5th grade.

 

[clh2]

When my DD went to Kindergarten - they were requested to NOT get the junior sized backpacks.

The projects that came home would not have fit in a junior sized backpack.

 

[sherry7]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'm going to order the original size for her. It's on sale for $26.96 right now, plus I got a $10 off code on a catalog they mailed me. Can't beat that price...the matching lunch box will probably end up costing me more, lol.

I have an LL Bean Visa, so I get monogramming for free. I'm debating on whether to do her first name, or just initials.

 

[misse336]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'm going to order the original size for her. It's on sale for $26.96 right now, plus I got a $10 off code on a catalog they mailed me. Can't beat that price...the matching lunch box will probably end up costing me more, lol.

I have an LL Bean Visa, so I get monogramming for free. I'm debating on whether to do her first name, or just initials.

I wanted to get my ds1's first name since it was only 4 letters. My dh, who teaches in a MS, told me that while it was cute in kindergarten it wouldn't be cute in a few years and advised me to do the initials. He said that he has 6th graders who still have their original LL Bean backpack. Since ds1 is planning on using that same backpack in fourth grade this upcoming year (it is in excellent condition still - yeah for LL Bean quality) I am glad that I did not get his name on it because I'm not sure if he would still use it in fourth grade with his name on it?

Now I'm off to look at the LL Bean sales.

 

[sherry7]

I wanted to get my ds1's first name since it was only 4 letters. My dh, who teaches in a MS, told me that while it was cute in kindergarten it wouldn't be cute in a few years and advised me to do the initials. He said that he has 6th graders who still have their original LL Bean backpack. Since ds1 is planning on using that same backpack in fourth grade this upcoming year (it is in excellent condition still - yeah for LL Bean quality) I am glad that I did not get his name on it because I'm not sure if he would still use it in fourth grade with his name on it?

Now I'm off to look at the LL Bean sales.

Good point, and I suppose it's better from a security standpoint as well. If you've gotten a LL Bean catalog lately, look on it for a $10 off code. I just discovered that I have 2 of them, so I'm going to place 2 different orders for the backpack and lunch bag.

 

[mrssmith06]

anyone have a good promo code for LL bean right now???
I wanted to buy DD one last week but of course she wanted the monogramming too and even with the sale price it was still nearly $40 in the end so I cancelled it.

 

[blessedby3]

I was just looking to order my DD6 a backpack from LL Bean the other day. Hadn't placed the order yet, so if anyone has a $10 off code they aren't going to use, could you pm me the code?

I threw away a bunch of magazines when we came back from Disney last week (without even looking through them!). I had 2 weeks worth of mail to go through and didn't want to fool with them. I should have paid closer attention

 

[GraysMom]

I would just do initials. Anything with her name obviously on it makes it easier for a predator to call her by name and possibly gain her trust easier than someone who just calls out 'hey girl' or whatever.

I didn't do any initials on DS's LL Bean original size backpack, but I did put his first and last name as well as my cell phone number on the inside with permanent marker.

 

[powelweb]

FWIW, we ordered the one with rolling wheels that DD ( then 7 and going into grade 3) could pull behind her or use as a traditional backpack over the shoulders with the straps depending on how much stuff she had to bring home.

I amazed at the books she was expected to carry on a daily basis, but since we travel a lot, this has also doubled as her travel carry on, too.

Bag is still in great shape 2 years later, but as she now transitions to middle school, we're not sure if it will fit into the locker sizes there.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

If you live in an area with snow, get the larger one. Here the kids go out for recess in the snow and bring snow pants and boots to school.

As for a promo code, LL Bean usually has a code over holiday weekends. I am keeping my fingers crossed for one next weekend.

 

[pookadoo77]

My sons had the critter pack backpacks. They used these from k to 3rd and the other 4th grade. I liked these because the drink /mesh pockets on sides. Good luck!

 

[blessedby3]

I hadn't checked my mail yesterday and when I went out to the box today…the only thing in there was an LLBean catalog with a $10 code on it!!! No need for anyone to PM me a code now Thanks, though and thanks for the heads up about it. Going to order now

 

[sherry7]

I hadn't checked my mail yesterday and when I went out to the box today…the only thing in there was an LLBean catalog with a $10 code on it!!! No need for anyone to PM me a code now Thanks, though and thanks for the heads up about it. Going to order now

Great timing!

I couldn't order my daughter's backpack and lunchbox yet, because I can't find my darned LL Bean Visa (and you get free monogramming with it). I haven't used it in at least a couple of years, so it's probably in an old purse. I had to call and request a new card, which will hopefully arrive before my coupon expires.

 

[blessedby3]

Great timing!

I couldn't order my daughter's backpack and lunchbox yet, because I can't find my darned LL Bean Visa (and you get free monogramming with it). I haven't used it in at least a couple of years, so it's probably in an old purse. I had to call and request a new card, which will hopefully arrive before my coupon expires.

Could they not look up the info and process it for you?

 

[sherry7]

Could they not look up the info and process it for you?

Good idea, but too late now. They already cancelled the old card, and are sending out a new one. I checked my coupon though, and I have a couple of weeks until it expires, so I ought to have time.

 

[mguilford1]

anyone have a good promo code for LL bean right now???
I wanted to buy DD one last week but of course she wanted the monogramming too and even with the sale price it was still nearly $40 in the end so I cancelled it.

Call the number on the catalog and tell them that you want to apply for an LL Bean Visa. I use to work at Bean's Call Center and they will transfer you to the right person. You get free monograming with the card and earn free LL Bean Cash. If you dont want to apply get someone you know with a card to order it for you and just give them the cash. Also sometimes you can call and ask them about a code. If it is a general public code they can honor it on your order. They cant do that though if it went out to specific people.