L.L.Bean Original Book Pack (20 L) review 2027

What problem does the L.L.Bean Original Book Pack solve?

The Book Pack did nothing flashy and nothing wrong: it carried, it lasted and it kept the rain out, for $40. Our 7-year-old chose it every morning of the second week. That is the whole case for a school backpack, and it is why this pack finished first of the seven kids' backpacks we tested.

It suits elementary school, year after year. The 20 L body takes a tablet sleeve, a bottle pocket, a front pocket, a name tag and reflective trim, and the 600-denier polyester shell with its water-resistant coating shrugged off our shower test with the paper inside still dry. Both children rated the strap padding highest of the packs they wore.

How did it score in our tests?

We scored the Book Pack across five criteria for a total of 8.9 out of 10.

• Durability — 28/30. We measured fabric denier and ran an abrasion test, zip cycles, seam and strap anchoring, and a water-resistance shower test. The base showed no wear after abrasion and the zips ran smoothly after 500 cycles.
• Comfort & fit — 22/25. We looked at strap padding and adjustment range, the back panel, the chest strap and how the 8 lb load sat on each child. The Original has no chest strap; the Deluxe adds one.
• Organisation — 12/15. We checked the tablet sleeve, bottle pocket, front pocket, name tag and reflective trim. The layout is simple, and the bottle pocket is snug for large bottles.
• Warranty — 8/10. We weighed the length of cover and how the maker honours it. L.L.Bean backs the pack with a one-year satisfaction guarantee.
• Value — 19/20. We set the price against expected years of use. At $39.95, the maths favours the buyer.

Where the Book Pack stood out

Durability was the strongest result. After the abrasion test there was no wear on the base, and the zips still ran smoothly after 500 cycles. In the shower test the paper inside stayed dry.

Comfort held up too: both children rated the strap padding highest, and the 8 lb load sat well on each of them. The pack also comes with monogramming and 30 colours, so a child can pick a pack that is theirs rather than one that looks like everyone else's.

Parts, materials and build

The specification sheet is short and specific.

• Capacity: 20 L
• Ages: 6–11 (grades 1–5)
• Weight: 15 oz
• Fabric: 600D polyester, water-resistant coating
• Laptop / tablet sleeve: Tablet sleeve
• Chest strap: No (on Deluxe)
• Warranty: 1 year satisfaction guarantee
• Personalisation: Monogram $8

There is no laptop sleeve on this model, only a tablet sleeve, and the chest strap is reserved for the Deluxe version.

How it compares with rival kids' backpacks

The Lands' End ClassMate scored 8.5 at $49.95, with a 19 L body for ages 6–12, a 17 oz weight, 600D water-resistant polyester, a laptop sleeve on the Large, a chest strap, an unconditional Guaranteed. Period. warranty and embroidery at $10. It gives you a chest strap and a stronger guarantee for more money.

The Osprey Daylite Jr also scored 8.5, at $50. It is a 10 L pack for ages 4–8, weighs 9 oz, uses 210D recycled nylon, has a hydration sleeve rather than a laptop sleeve, includes a chest strap, carries Osprey's All Mighty Guarantee and offers no personalisation. It is lighter and smaller, and it is built for younger children.

The JanSport SuperBreak scored 8.3 at $40. It holds 25 L, is aimed at ages 9+ (grades 4 to adult), weighs 12 oz, uses 600D polyester, has no laptop sleeve on this model (the SuperBreak Plus has one), no chest strap, a lifetime warranty and no personalisation. It carries more for the same money, but it is aimed at older children.

Where the Book Pack falls short

Organisation is the weak point: the layout is simple, and there is no chest strap on the Original. The Deluxe adds one, but you pay for that version instead.

Two practical annoyances came out of testing. The pack is sold direct, not on Amazon, so you order from L.L.Bean rather than through the marketplace you may already use. And the water-bottle pocket is snug for large bottles.

Is the L.L.Bean Original Book Pack good value?

At $39.95 it earned 19 out of 20 on value, the highest single score in our breakdown. The one-year satisfaction guarantee is shorter than the lifetime cover on the JanSport SuperBreak and the Osprey Daylite Jr, and shorter than the unconditional Guaranteed. Period. promise from Lands' End, but the pack itself held up in the abrasion, zip-cycle and shower tests.

Who should buy the L.L.Bean Original Book Pack?

It is right for elementary school, year after year. If you have a child aged 6–11 in grades 1–5, want a 20 L pack that stays dry and survives the walk to school, and would rather spend $39.95 than $50 or more, this is the one our testers reached for. If you need a chest strap, look at the Deluxe; if you need a laptop sleeve, look elsewhere in the range.