L.L. Bean or Land's End? Who has the better bookbag?

[edk35]

I don't know about Land's End but I do know about LL Bean and their book bags are great. Also, no matter how old it is, if the zipper breaks, etc. you send it back and they will send you another, no questions asked. Can't go wrong with LL Bean

Yep same for their lunch boxes too.

 

[tinytink]

There should be a pocket in the back to tuck the straps into when you are not using them.

 

[Xcited4Disney]

Thanks again for the reviews!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

For those who have the LL Bean rolling backpack, do the straps drag when it's being rolled? Is there a place for them to be stored? Must you adjust the straps to a shorter position to roll? TIA.

Yes, the straps do drag. You need to unclip them and store them in a pocket on the back of the backpack. I can be sort of annoying to have to tuck them in, the click them back on when they kids get to school, but still well worth the money.

I don't know about your school- but in 6th grade our kids go to middle school. The wheeled backpacks will not fit in any of the lockers-never mind the Made fun of factor.

Where I live we don't have middle school, just grammar school straight through 8th grade. My daughter also goes to a small Catholic school, so no lockers, just a closet in homeroom to store their belongings in. Her school also does not approve of rolling backpacks, but my daughter knows when she's in school she needs to carry it. I'm sorry, and I don't mean to seem like I'm above the rules, but when you send kids home with 25 lbs of books (yes, we weighed it one night and this was in 4th grade), I will not make my child carry that anymore than is absolutely necessary. She can wheel it from the house to the car, the car to school, but once inside she knows she needs to carry it.

 

[ameraumi]

I was going to mention that you should make sure rolling backpacks will be allowed first. Our school system will not allow them as there is not room to store them in the lockers - any grades.

That said, DS had both brands of rolling pack packs years ago (went to a different school) and neither one held up great. Both got holes in them, but not as quickly as the cheaper store bought ones.

That said, we have now gone with the LE Collegiate backpacks and have not been disappointed.

 

[mamalle]

rolling backpacks are not allowed at my kids school. I actually used potterybarnkids last year for dd's lunchbox and backpack. Both held up well and were monogrammed. I liked the fact they attached so there were no issues at the end of the day in regards to forgetting her lunchbox..

 

[Xcited4Disney]

Where I live we don't have middle school, just grammar school straight through 8th grade. My daughter also goes to a small Catholic school, so no lockers, just a closet in homeroom to store their belongings in. Her school also does not approve of rolling backpacks, but my daughter knows when she's in school she needs to carry it. I'm sorry, and I don't mean to seem like I'm above the rules, but when you send kids home with 25 lbs of books (yes, we weighed it one night and this was in 4th grade), I will not make my child carry that anymore than is absolutely necessary. She can wheel it from the house to the car, the car to school, but once inside she knows she needs to carry it.

Same here. My daughter also attends Catholic school, which goes up to 8th grade. They are allowed rolling back packs but cannot roll them on school grounds for safety issues so she knows she must carry it in the building. That's only to and from class (morning and dismissal).

The amount of books she would bring home and their weight last year in 3rd grade was ridiculous and my baby has a small frame. She actually tipped over one day trying to hoist it onto her back! I had to run and buy her the rolling one.

 

[edk35]

Same here. My daughter also attends Catholic school, which goes up to 8th grade. They are allowed rolling back packs but cannot roll them on school grounds for safety issues so she knows she must carry it in the building. That's only to and from class (morning and dismissal).

The amount of books she would bring home and their weight last year in 3rd grade was ridiculous and my baby has a small frame. She actually tipped over one day trying to hoist it onto her back! I had to run and buy her the rolling one.

Wait til they are in middle and high school. MYdd who will be a Sr. this year...I am surprised she doesn't have back problems. They don't have enough lockers so she totes her backpack all day.

 

[Xcited4Disney]

Wait til they are in middle and high school. MYdd who will be a Sr. this year...I am surprised she doesn't have back problems. They don't have enough lockers so she totes her backpack all day.

Just great *groaning*

 

[edk35]

Just great *groaning*

The text books are huge..especially in high school. The nice thing with my kids schools...in middle and high....they will give them books to keep at home for some subjects. Of course they have tons of binders and such too to tote around.

 

[christianne]

In addition to bookbags, my kids are big campers and we've purchased multiple daypacks/backpacks and framed backpacks from both over the years.
I would have to agree that the quality is very similiar...both will replace them at anytime if there's is a problem or they break. My DS was using my LL Bean from high school (!!) and the zipper broke & they mailed a brand new one, no questions asked. Personally, I like the Land's End padding on shoulder's better (it's my park bag when we leave tomorrow) but LL Bean is terrific too.

 

[edk35]

In addition to bookbags, my kids are big campers and we've purchased multiple daypacks/backpacks and framed backpacks from both over the years.
I would have to agree that the quality is very similiar...both will replace them at anytime if there's is a problem or they break. My DS was using my LL Bean from high school (!!) and the zipper broke & they mailed a brand new one, no questions asked. Personally, I like the Land's End padding on shoulder's better (it's my park bag when we leave tomorrow) but LL Bean is terrific too.

Have fun your trip. Where are you staying and for how long? We leave in 8 days. Can't wait.

 

[KirstenB]

Gosh I should have added a poll! lol!
Thanks for this info. It seems that I may go ahead and order the one from LLBean.

Now, does anyone have any codes?

Hi, I don't have codes, but if you apply for the LLBean Visa Card, it's benefits include:

Free shipping
Free return shipping
Free monogramming (which I love, esp for backpacks)

The free shipping has saved me a fortune over the years. LL Bean just switched Visa card issuers, but I think you can apply online.

 

[luvwishes]

I bought my son a backpack from LLBean when he first started school and it has held up great. He's going to be in the third grade so it has lasted a long time as far as backpacks go...he will probably be carrying it again this school year. I hated to buy a new one from Wal-Mart or Target every school year so I splurged and I'm glad I did.

 

[edk35]

my son will be in 4th grade and he was sooooooooooo rough on his backpack...but his LL Bean made it through those three years. I did chunk it when we got out of school in June but not because it was falling apart...just thought he might want a larger one for 4th grade.

 

[Xcited4Disney]

Hi, I don't have codes, but if you apply for the LLBean Visa Card, it's benefits include:

Free shipping
Free return shipping
Free monogramming (which I love, esp for backpacks)

The free shipping has saved me a fortune over the years. LL Bean just switched Visa card issuers, but I think you can apply online.

I actually found a free shipping code thanks to some helpful Dis'ers who replied in my other thread.

I'd like to thank everyone again in helping me choose!
This is the bag I ordered in the print she picked, monogrammed of course:

 

[Xcited4Disney]

I bought my son a backpack from LLBean when he first started school and it has held up great. He's going to be in the third grade so it has lasted a long time as far as backpacks go...he will probably be carrying it again this school year. I hated to buy a new one from Wal-Mart or Target every school year so I splurged and I'm glad I did.

That's good to hear.

 

[jlima]

I have this bag for DS8; very trendy at his school.

http://zuca.com/zuca_sport/index.html