Customer Reviews L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack

I love using this bag for hiking. Holds a lot and is lightweight and comfortable. The color I wanted was back ordered until August so I got the black color and I'm pretty happy with it. It'll no doubt last me forever.

Rugged, durable.

I purchased this pack in "dark loden" for hunting and I love it, it suits my needs perfectly. It's the perfect size and has pockets for everything I need to carry. When fully loaded it is no strain on my body and I don't use the hip straps at all. The side pockets are stitched onto the pack on the sides of the pocket, and not the top and bottom of the pocket. I stitched the bottom of the pocket onto the bag so I can carry my shooting sticks and a water bottle between the pocket and the bag, making it even more versatile. I would give this backpack a 5 star rating if it came in camouflage.

I love the design and the look of this pack. But the material seems really cheap, especially the straps and buckles. I haven't had it for long so I can't say how they'll hold up. I can say that the belt strap doesn't hold at all, so it can't be tightened, and is mostly useless. Again, the pack looks great, and functions well other than what I've described. It's pretty spacious as well.

It's fine. Very bulky considering amount of storage.

I bought this pack at the beginning of high school, I wanted a stylish rustic looking backpack to lug all my textbooks and binders to and from school every day. I am now a sophomore in college, and the pack still looks pretty good. This is a very spacious pack, 33L is plenty for commuting, and small enough to be able to use this as my carry on when flying. For the most part this pack has been very durable, I have traveled via plane and car and bicycle, and the exterior of the pack has seen very little wear. There are a couple components that I think lack the rugged role that this pack takes on. The first is the smaller buckles, the buckles on the main pocket are very strong but the smaller ones are easy to crack and break. I have broken 3 of the 4 small buckles from drops, and closing locker doors on them. the other low quality part is the drawstring and cinch. the drawstring frayed and tangled within the first year, and the cinch no longer moves past a certain tightness. I am still able to pull the bag tight, but it does not always stay tight. I also would not recommend this pack for actual rucking, or any kind of backpacking for that matter. The bag has no frame and the straps are too thin for extended time under high weights. Additionally, the hip straps do not bear much of any weight, and mostly serve to keep the pack from moving around. Overall, this was a good pack to commute and travel with, it definitely has that rustic, and rugged L.L.bean style, but due to a few minor weaknesses in parts, and the lack of engineering towards weight bearing, I would probably not buy this again. The only justification I can give for buying this pack would be if you really enjoy the style and you plan on using this for a short commute or travel.

I have been hauling around the "Continental Rucksack for over a decade. Its a good design that includes (or did) ski sleeves These are useful for not just XC skis, but poles, a tripod or ice axes. My older model doesnt include strap\ps on the bottom. but it does have integrated straps on the top which as you can see in the photo, are useful for light things such as a bedroll (I carry rolled up blanket in a stuff sack). Anything more -or denser, doesn't carry well. This pack is a RUCKSACK so that means space is limited by design. I find this thing to be the perfect day pack in the mountains and its my preferred "Carry on" luggage. Its a classic design that should not be changed. Hopefully they will not lower the construction quality - which in my older version of the pack is very good.

I've been caring this pack for about 10 years. I really like it. The ski sleeves are useful for skis as well as hiking poles and camera tripods. Unfortunately L.L. Bean has chopped out the manufacture of this product to a new vendor and the quality is not what it used to be.

It's a good idea. I like this rucksack style. It's small for a camping pack and big for a day pack. It's a super tight fit to get in a 32 oz pathfinder type bottle in the outside pocket; forget about the cup, army canteen, Geo press, and 32 oz Nalgene. It's more of an everyday, book bag, carryall than a camping backpack. So, if you want an everyday backpack that doesn't look like a school bag or a tactical assault pack and you like something "in the style of" traditional outdoor gear, this might be for you. PS: I returned mine because of the side pockets were too small for my stuff.

Not bad. It seems like it was not designed by outdoors people. The bottom straps are too short to attach a blanket or bedroll. Same with the top straps. The side pockets should be large enough to fit a 1L bottle such as a nalgene or pathfinder bottle. The third outer pocket also needs to be just a little bigger. The pack is almost amazing but the outer pockets and straps are just small enough that they are not as usable as they first appear to be. It looks like it is trying to be an outdoors pack but falls short in functionality.

I HAVE 2 OF THE PRE- 2019 RUCKS. BOUGHT BOTH ON EBAY. READING THE REVIEWS, I AGREE, WHY REINVENT THE WHEEL ? MAKE IT AN OVERNIGHT, OR WEEKEND SIZED RUCK, ABOUT 45 LITERS. THIS NEW SHAPE IS GREAT FOR CARRYING BABY BOTTLES AND DIAPERS. PLUS, STAY WITH NATURAL COLORS. YOU DID YOURSELVES A DISERVICE, MAKE IT STRONGER, BETTER AND CHARGE MORE......YOU WILL GET TAKERS !

just replaced my decades-old CR with this one. I am always amazed how LLBean designers take perfectly good designs and make them worse. One of the things I loved about this pack was it's large easy opening side and front pockets. For some reason, they decided to make the covers to these pockets so tight that the opening is now narrower that the actual pocket. You can no longer easily fit into the side pockets the 1L bottles in that I carry for my dog. It looks like they tacked down the covers lower on the pocket to make them more water proof, but the openings are now so tight you have take off the pack and use both hands to fight to insert the bottles. The same problem with the front pocket: things that should easily fit into the pocket do not because the opening is so narrow. I buy from LLBean, because they make long-lasting great products, but when I want to buy it again, they have managed to make it worse. Come on guys....

the openings of the side compartment are too small to fully access pocket the shoulder strap always turns when i put on

It has all the makings of a camping backpack but falls short. It is sturdy and well constructed from the stitching, however the size is the problem. This backpack is mid-size and is more of a fit as an everyday pack than a camping/outdoor backpack. The side pockets can't even fit a nalgene bottle, the past models had bigger pockets. The side pockets are fairly useless because you can barely fit your hand to reach the bottom. That's my only real complaint is the compartment sizes.

I was surprised by how small this bag is, particularly the side pouches, which seem just large enough to hold a sig bottle (definitely not a Nalgene). It's an attractive bag, for sure, but I can't see this realistically being a bag that I would take out into the woods for a couple nights. Seems better suited for college students, to be honest. This was my first Continental rucksack purchase, which I made on the strength of several Youtube reviews and online reviews - though now in retrospect I realize that the company has clearly changed everything about the pack. Still debating whether to hold onto it as an around town bag, but it's not going to work for me otherwise.

This is the second of these packs that I have bought. The first one was a beast, able to carry substantial loads comfortably. I loved the old style pack. The new pack is a lot different from the old one. You could fit a GI style canteen in the side pockets of the old one, not this one. The lids to the three outside pockets are sewn to the top edges of the pockets limiting the opening to the pockets. Not really a fan of the new pack yet, but I am sure it will serve me well. Love the color and the fact they put a pocket on the inside of the lid that is accessible from the outside. That is the best change they made to the pack.

Two years ago I got the khaki/olive green continental rucksack and it was/is the best backpack I've ever owned and I have zero complaints for that bag. However, I recently decided to buy a second one in the orange/spruce color variation and I've gotta say that I'm slightly disappointed. The main issue between the two year gap in design include the pocket sizes: 1) The two pockets on the left and right sides of the bag are much too small. On my old bag I can fit a 32 oz. water bottle perfectly, whereas on this new design the pockets can barely fit a 16oz bottle. Additionally, I can barely squeeze my hand into the pocket to reach down to grab things inside the pocket. 2) The front tiny pocket is also much smaller than the older design. Not all the changes to the old design are bad though, here are some of the changes I appreciate: 1) The front pocket now includes mesh organizer pouches on the inside. 2) Then little felt zipper pocket previously on the inside of the bag is not built into the outside of the bag for quicker access. 3) There is now a concealed zipper pouch near the backplate of the backpack, not on the older design. 4) the backplate is a sturdier board. Overall, I think the bag looks pretty cool, although some of the design changes to the pocket sizes really limit the use cases of this bag. I was really hoping that the side pockets would be big enough to hold my unicorn dust chalk bag and a water bottle for climbing purposes, although it seems I can't really fit either. If you have tiny hands, a tiny water bottle, and tiny items to store then this bag might suit you better.

The side pockets have shrunk. Don't think you will fit your nested water bottle and cup in there. It won't fit. Barely fits a 16 ounce bottle of water. Very disappointed in that. I had to make my own straps for the side to secure my axe. Just not like the iconic old style at all. Quality still looks good, but design has been eroded.

I bought one and absolutely loved it. Best rucksack I have owned. Great quality, nice sized side pockets, useable front pocket. Comfortable to wear on long hikes. Use it all the time! Then I bought another to have as a back up, daily use bag for work. That's when everything went bad. The material of the bag changed, cheaper quality. The side pockets don't fit my hydro flask anymore. The front pocket is much smaller, the main bag in smaller. The bag isn't nearly as comfortable. LL Bean, why did you decide to go cheap when you had a winning product!? Go back to the original maker of the bag and you will have a great product again!

It's a very well constructed rucksack, but has a couple of major flaws. The side pockets and outside back pocket are not as useable as they could - and should - be. It's very difficult to get a Nalgene bottle in the side pockets, and the pass-through slot is not useable with a Nalgene, or similarly sized object in the pocket. The flaps for the pockets have been sewn down the sides a bit too far, making it difficult to put something in the pocket. In the case of the back pocket. It's impossible to insert a rigid item the width of the pocket because of the way the flaps are sewn. These are more than mere annoyances - they seriously impact the usefulness of the pack. Too bad, because otherwise, it's a very nice pack. It also would have been nice if they had included straps for the pass-through features.

I purchased this pack about a month ago after reading and watching many reviews on it. One of the main reasons for the purchase was the exterior pockets (two-side and one-front). I loved the idea that you could fit a 32 oz Nalgene bottle nested in a GSI camp cup comfortably in either of the side pockets. Unfortunately, LL Bean decided to redesign the pack in 2019 and not in a good way. The new version can barely fit a Nalgene bottle, so don't even think about nesting it in a cup. It appears that all the exterior pockets are now smaller and the straps on the exterior pockets are thinner than they used to be. The only complaint I ever heard from any reviews was in regard to the short attachment straps on the top and bottom, but they are still short, so I guess LL Bean didn't listen to their customer's concerns. In my opinion, the redesigns are good for one thing and one thing only - LL Bean's Bottom Line.

First off, I love this pack, or did. My first LL Bean rucksack would fit a GSI cup and 32oz. Nalgene bottle in the side pockets. The new version barely fits a Nalgene bottle, very tightly, and the the top closure barely covers the bottle. The straps on the outside are 3 different sizes. The bottom strap is almost useless...way to short for anything but a flat item. LL Bean staff should look at these problems and modify the next generation pack. 1- all outside straps should be the same width as the top closure strap: 1"; 2- add at least 12" length to the top and bottom lashing straps, and 3- increase the size of the side pockets to hold a nesting cup and bottle. The front pocket could be a bit bigger too. I wore my first pack out, the new version I only use occasionally. If LL Bean makes the above modifications, I will be first in line to buy another Continental pack! I would definitely be willing to pay extra for these improvements to what was a great pack

I purchased this pack based on some good online reviews, however once I received it, I was a little disappointed in the pack I got. In the reviews the pack came with straps to hold an axe or other long object on the side, mine had none! It also appears that the side pockets are somewhat smaller than generations before, I couldn't even fit a 32 oz nalgene bottle inside. The interior zipper pocket no longer exist. So if you purchase based on others reviews just be aware that the latest pack is not what you may expect! It appears that LL Bean is cutting corners and going up on price!

I bought this to be my briefcase and man-purse. It's design is highly functional and the size is perfect for me. Sorry to say after twelve months with it my initial happiness with the purchase has soured. The fabric is simply not made for daily use, and is showing lots of wear. Please friends in Freeport, spec the next batch of there with true ballistic nylon. Also the plastic lash points should be replaced with webbing or cowhide. This product does not live up to LL's legacy.

This looked nice and appeared well made but it was awkward to use. The sack design made it hard to remove items and the opening almost seemed tapered. It was very hard reaching in and retrieving anything. This held true for every opening in the bag, it was just hard to reach inside anywhere. My water bottle fit in the sides but just too annoying to make it happen. It was a two hand operation to get the water bottle in. I returned it.