L.L.Bean Critter Pack

The L.L.Bean Critter Pack is designed for children ages 7 and up, so it offers more space than many kids' backpacks. With 1,500 cubic inches of space and multiple pockets -- including two zippered side pockets -- the L.L.Bean Critter Pack gets high marks for organization and convenience. This backpack comes in six colors, each with its own embroidered "critter," but several parents wish that L.L.Bean offered more colors to appeal to girls. Of the six, only the light pink butterfly design looks like it was designed for a girl. In addition, a few reviewers note that the lighter colors can look dingy after several years of use. Still, it's rare that a kids' backpack will even last for several years, and many parents say you can expect this backpack to last for multiple school years. For younger kids (between the ages of 4 and 7), the L.L.Bean Junior Original Back Pack (*Est. $25) also gets good reviews. This pack has a smaller capacity, but reviews indicate it's just as durable as the L.L.Bean Critter Pack. Both book bags are backed with L.L.Bean's satisfaction guarantee, which allows you to return any product at any time if you are not completely satisfied.

The best feedback on the L.L.Bean Critter Pack comes from user reviews on the L.L.Bean website. Normally we're skeptical of owner-written reviews on manufacturer sites, but the reviews do display some balance even though they're positive overall. The L.L.Bean Critter Pack is also reviewed in an older Good Housekeeping test, but that article is no longer available on the website.