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Customer Reviews for Bean's Explorer Backpack, 25L
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What customers say:
Customers praise thoughtful design, vibrant colors, and excellent organization with multiple compartments and water bottle holders, noting children love the style and ample storage for school supplies. However, many report premature strap and handle failures within weeks to months of use, with some breaking on the first day, creating frustration about long-term durability. Despite these concerns, several customers affirm material quality and remain loyal, with some using backpacks for years across multiple children. Overall, reviewers appreciate the aesthetic appeal and functionality but express disappointment that durability doesn't match the brand's reputation.
AI Generated from customer reviews.74 Reviews
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Verified Purchase
September 17, 2026
Nice backpack!
Fantastic backpack! Both my grandson’s ages 5 and 8 use them for school. Excellent quality and the backpacks hold everything they need like lunch, water bottles, etc. to get to and
Connecticut
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Verified Purchase
September 6, 2026
Love it
Used for: Travel, Casual or Every Day, Camping, Hiking
My daughter Loves it! It’s a great bag for school and also for traveling!
Charlotte, nc
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00
Verified Purchase
August 30, 2026
Decent bag
I would have given this a 5 star but the straps are too wide and stiff for a 7 year old. Otherwise it is a good bookbag for school and everything fits easily.
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00
Verified Purchase
August 30, 2026
Great bags!
We love our new LLBean book-bags. We’ve been buying them for 30 years!
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00
August 29, 2026
No more LL Bean backpacks
Used for: Casual or Every Day
I cannot buy LL Bean backpacks anymore. This is the 2nd LL bean backpack I have bought for my daughter that has broken within a year of totally normal use. I thought these were sup
Cleveland
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10
August 27, 2026
WARNING: Store Will Make Excuses!!!
Used for: Casual or Every Day
We purchased this book bag for my daughter last school year and within seven months the strap had torn off of the top of the bag. Before the beginning of the school year, we contac
Response from L.L.Bean
September 2, 2026
By L.L.Bean Customer Service Team
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We apologize for the issue you encountered. A member of our team will be in touch to help resolve this.
Boston, MA
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10
August 26, 2026
Didn’t last a whole school year
Used for: Casual or Every Day
The top handle broke within a few months of my son using this for school. Looks like this is an issue with this particular backpack.
Response from L.L.Bean
August 28, 2026
By L.L.Bean Customer Service
We're sorry to hear the top handle broke after only a few months of school use. We appreciate your feedback, and a member of our team will be reaching out to you soon.
Michigan
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10
Verified Purchase
August 25, 2026
Great product
We’ve been very happy with this backpack for our son who just started kindergarten. It is great quality and has just what he needs. Great size and overall look!
Ohio
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00
August 21, 2026
Wish it held up better
Used for: Casual or Every Day
We purchased this exact model for our older son 5 years ago and it has held up great. So much so that once it was time to buy our younger children backpacks for school, we purchase
Charlotte, NC
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40
Verified Purchase
August 8, 2026
Seems very nice!
After reading all the bad reviews about the handle coming apart, I bought this for my birding and art supplies and the handle appears to be well attached. Haven’t tested it out a l
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August 7, 2026
Handle Broke, but otherwise great
Like many have said, the top handle broke within the first few months of the school year. Previous reviews at the time didn't mention it so perhaps I got one from a bad batch. Wish
Response from L.L.Bean
August 11, 2026
By L.L.Bean Customer Service Team
We're sorry to hear about the handle on your son's Explorer Pack. A member of our team is going to reach out to assist.
Charleston, SC
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30
Verified Purchase
July 29, 2026
Great Backpack!
Used for: Casual or Every Day
My kiddo picked this out when his junior sized backpack got too small to cram all of the bigger kid stuff into it. This one fits a lot and he loves it.
Portland, Maine
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July 25, 2026
Disappointed
Used for: Casual or Every Day
Purchased this for my kindergartener in 2024 with the intention that this would be his forever school bag. We only use this bag for school and never use it for recreational use. Bo
Response from L.L.Bean
August 1, 2026
By L.L.Bean Customer Service Team
We're sorry to hear your son's Explorer Pack is not performing as expected. A member of our team will be reach out shortly to assist.
Hartford, WI
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11
July 23, 2026
Going on three years with this backpack! 🎒
Used for: Travel, Casual or Every Day, Camping
We bought the red and orange version of this backpack at least two years ago (maybe more) and it has stood the test of time. Barely any wear and tear. Primarily used as a school ba
Alexandria, VA
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10
July 17, 2026
Top loop keeps breaking x2
After the first day of school the hanger loop broke, LLBEAN was very nice and gave us a new bag. After a week the same thing happened again. I didn’t ask for a new one again. Unfor
FL
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70
July 11, 2026
Loop coming apart
There must be a quality control issue that everyone is having this same problem that the hanger loop is breaking. Why not pull the product if this issue continues? Yes you can retu
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50
June 24, 2026
Top handle broke off in less than 5 months.
Used for: Casual or Every Day
Backpack was used by a preschooler and within 2 months, the top handle started fraying. It eventually just broke off on one side. They need to go back to their old manufacturer b
Response from L.L.Bean
July 1, 2026
By Customer service team
Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear that the handle on the backpack didn't last. You can return or exchange within 1 year with proof of purchase. A member of our team will be reaching out to you.
DC
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50
Verified Purchase
May 6, 2026
School Backpack Good and Bad
I bought this backpack a month ago and within the first 2 weeks the handle ripped off from the body of the backpack. I am extremely disappointed. The backpack itself is very nice a
Upstate NY
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30
April 21, 2026
Falling apart already (like everyone else's)
Used for: Casual or Every Day
Didn't look deeply into this backpack as I assumed I would be getting L.L. Bean quality of years past. Like all the other recent reviews the top handle of this backpack is falling
Response from L.L.Bean
April 24, 2026
By L.L. Bean Customer Service
We're so sorry this happened. A member of our customer service team will be reaching out to you soon.
Dallas, TX
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60
Verified Purchase
March 11, 2026
Well-made and Built to Last
The Bean Explorer 25L backpack is really impressive. The materials feel extremely durable and the stitching and zippers are the high quality you would expect from LL Bean. It’s co
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