obligatory backpack thread- LL Bean or Lands End?

[zarapipe]

WDYT? DD will be going into K. I want something that will last until she needs something bigger- 3rd grade maybe? Needs to have a side pocket for a water bottle and durable.

Lands End- Small Classmate- www.landsend.com/products/print-classmate-small-backpack/id_269635?sku_0=::C4P

LL Bean- Kids discovery www.llbean.com/llb/shop/83528?feat=818-cprrtop

I think their quality is similar? The Lands end one is a big smaller than the LL bean one but it doesn't seem that much.

[jeaniebueller]

I would go for the bigger one. If either of those aren't full size backpacks, I would get a full sized one. DS has an LL Bean one we have used for the last 3 years and it is still holding up. In kindergarten, he often had his snowpants, shoes, hat, gloves, lunch, snack and papers in his backpack by the end of the day, so larger size was always needed.

[zeewifeandmama]

I would also go for full size. Our lands end one held up great through K! It's dirty of course but no rips, zipper is in perfect shape, and all of the pockets were really useful

[mainelyfoolish]

My DD has been using the L.L.Bean Explorer backpack since K. It's not much bigger than the Discovery; I like the folder sleeve on the inside because DD has a folder she has to carry back and forth every day and it keeps it from getting crushed.

[thebreakfastclub]

The LL Bean backpack that I bought as a college sophomore in 1994 is still holding up great, LOL. I love that thing!

[cjeanette]

We have used our Lands End for a year and they look brand new.


Just don't get a PBK. My head might explode.

[zarapipe]

So even a big one if she is only 5? The larger ones look so huge and they say for 7+.

[zarapipe]

@mrswindycity how does it look on him?

[mainelyfoolish]

Jul 2, 2015 12:50:35 GMT -5 zarapipe said:

So even a big one if she is only 5? The larger ones look so huge and they say for 7+.

The Discovery, Adventure, and Original sizes at L.L.Bean are all appropriate for an elementary school child; they aren't junior sized. Don't go crazy and buy a Super Deluxe because you think she can take it to college.

[VillainV]

Not sure about Lands End, but LLBean has an awesome repair/replacement policy on their backpacks.

[pierogigirl]

I like LLBean. Unfortunately, only some of them have water bottle holders. We just got one for next school year. Important features for us: water bottle holder, two big zippered compartments, sturdy.

Three times DS1 lost his bathing suit and towel on the bus or at school. His previous backpack only had one compartment and he would take things out and have trouble getting it back in. We found the stuff each time, but I think a second compartment will make this a non-issue.

[londoncalling]

I have a 10% off LL Bean code that's good through Monday if you need it.

ETA:  We have LL Bean backpacks in our house.  Originals.  It's what DD1 will use for K in the fall.  They've done 2 years of daily use with daycare and they are in great shape with little visible wear.

[DarcyLongfellow]

Jul 2, 2015 12:50:35 GMT -5 zarapipe said:

So even a big one if she is only 5? The larger ones look so huge and they say for 7+.

Yes, go ahead and get the big one. You won't regret it. DD1 had a small one for preschool (big enough for a letter sized folder, but barely), and it was kind of annoying.

We got her a full size LL Bean one (it's actually called the "original bookpack") for kindergarten last year, and it was fine. She's a skinny mini, but she had no trouble carrying it. And there were times we really needed that size.

I'm disappointed with how worn the fabric looks on both her backpack and lunch box (matching from LL Bean), but they are certainly in good enough shape to use for another year. But they were on sale last July, so I got both of them for $40. For that price, I don't mind replacing every couple of years.

[rootbeerfloat]

I'm getting DD the Lands End medium for K... mostly because it's what I will get DS, and then it will be equal, lol. Also, she is close to 4' tall, and since they last long, I figure it's better to err on the bigger side.

Now I need LE to have a sale, lol.

[vanillacourage]

We have a Lands End that's been used for 1.5 school years and still looks almost new.

[KKD]

I got DD1 a Lands' End small ClassMate when she started K. It was the right size for her, and it's held up great for two years. I handwash it at the end of each year, and it looks brand new. She only needed to carry a folder or two along with her lunch and sometimes library books and artwork, but it was plenty big to fit a ton of books and activities in there for our road trip last week.

I am passing it down to DD2 when she starts K this fall, and I am choosing between the medium ClassMate or FeatherLight for DD1 when she starts second grade, but I think the small would be fine for DD1 to continue using if I didn't need to get another one anyway.

[elocrates]

DS1 has a full size Lands End. It still looks great after use in K and 1st. They carry home full size folders so a small backpack wouldn't be big enough.
DS2 will be getting a full size LE backpack before starting K this fall.

[matildasun]

Both of my kids have the older model of the LL bean backpack. They are great and hold a lot.
(Older meaning a past model, not one for an older kid).