Customer Reviews L.L.Bean Boat and Tote Medium

Love this bag so much but can't replace my old one because the specs aren't available: long handle, side pocket, open top

Re-ordered our tote because our old one finally gave out after years of getting us to and from the beach. Customer service was great! Got us to order the X-tra Large with longer handles. Makes it much easier to sling over the shoulder! But, the inside pockets, key strap/clip and outside pocket are no longer a part of the tote design. Pretty disappointing. Without the pockets, things get lost inside and hard to locate. Had to resort to buying smaller travel cases to hold wallets, phones, pens, keys and suntan lotion separately. Maybe, they had to strip out the tote design/functions to keep the price down?

I have purchased many boat totes over the years. They are very well made and I love them. But--they are not of the same quality as they were 5 years ago. The canvas is not as thick. The bag is shorter in height. It does seem that the quality of the items that II Bean is selling have declined over the past 5 years. I now only buy Beans boots and the totes. Now the quality of the totes has declined.

I purchased this bag as a gift for a friend because I love the bag I purchased many years ago and I still enjoy using my bag. I was disappointed as the size is smaller than the small bags were in the past. My bag is the perfect size for carrying business files etc. I don't think I will purchase this size again.

I have purchased LL Bean bags for years, making them my "go to" bags for myself and for gifts. My purpose this time is to get a tote like the one in my picture below, which is an open top, medium tote with customizable colors and a FRONT POCKET! I saw LLB's response to another stating that the front pocket could be on specialty bags, but I couldn't locate those on your site. The bag I have is very sturdy and I'm not sure if these newer bags are of the same caliber as my current bag. I bought this bag several years ago and it has held up so well that I wanted to purchase more for gifts. But after reading the comments for the only bag I could find that would compare to the one I have, I've decided not to purchase at this time - until they bring back the customized colors, sturdy weight, and the front pocket!!! PLEASE!!! I stated in review that I would recommend this bag - but without having purchased a recent bag, I said I would recommend - but I am basing that opinion on the old style bag that I currently own in the picture. I'm not giving up on LLB, I'm just waiting for the great bag of the past to make a comeback! LL Bean has always presented a great product. I hope you listen to your loyal customers and bring back what works!!!

I am very disappointed because I left the boat bag in my boat with dry towels and it mildewed in the cabinet. Don't leave it in your boat It will mildew.

Wow, that canvas is stiff! Industrial grade. Definitely will keep its structure. I would say the quality of the bag is okay. Slight fraying on one side and loose threads. It is the perfect bag and handle size and stands up on its own, just what I was looking for, so I will be keeping it.

A little disappointed in construction of bag. Didn't remember the seams showing like this bag is constructed. Also miss the outside pocket as this bag does not have an outside pocket.

The large was much bigger than I expected. I even measured it to make sure I hadn't been sent an XL by mistake. It turned out the measurement is for the base of the bag and does not account for the several inches it flares out beyond that. I then ordered a medium, thinking it would work, but it's too small. Now I have two monogrammed bags that I can't use for the intended purpose.

The bag itself is very well made; the color is perfect and for these reasons I would recommended it; however, the bag is huge. I debated whether to order a medium or large size, and ultimately I ordered a large which was a mistake. It measures almost 2 feet across and 17 inches high and is much too large for what I planned to use it for. I bought it on sale because the color was discontinued, I cannot get the color I want in the smaller size as it is sold out. I am disappointed mainly because LL Bean has always been true to size and the measurements are not even close. Unfortunately, bigger is not always better.

This is nothing more than a big canvas bucket bag. Zipper is stuck open. I would have to force it to close, it's stuck on threads. Had I not had it monogrammed I would send it back. I would not purchase it as a gift nor recommend it to friends or family. It's the first purchase from LLB that I regret.

The bag doesn't carry my books as expected. They stand upright instead of resting on the binding. The bag is sturdy and attractive, but doesn't hold as much as my old bag. I may have ordered the wrong size.

I ordered the XL bag to replace an old bag I used for the beach. As much as I love this bag, the dimensions are way off. The XL actually measures 27 inches wide and 16 inches high. The description states 17"H x 19"W. This bag is way too big for my needs. LLBean needs to be more accurate with their sizing descriptions on their website.

The Boat & Tote classic tote bag that I ordered (I chose red) is really great except for one thing: I misjudged the size. I chose LARGE but I should have selected the next size down. It's hard to judge the sizes from the website.

The tote that arrived was much larger than I thought. I was purchasing based on the description in the catalog

Embroidery may be off center when getting customizations.

It was honestly way larger than photos show. I was a bit disappointed :(((

Disappointed with quality, opened up the tote and realized a lot of the threading wasn't done well. A lot of loose ends, frayed edges. Seemed like the quality control may have been off.

I really wanted this bag in all white and was thrilled that it was now available. Sadly, the large is too large and I gave it to my granddaughter. I would be unable to lift it if it was fully packed. I will order a medium size with my next llbean order.

Purchased a few personalized totes pre-pandemic for gifts, for use as grocery totes. More sturdy than the plastic- like ones I'm stores. However, though the three I purchased recently is made of the same sturdy heavy duty canvas, I think the stitching is not heavy enough and are too large to hold up if anything as heavy as groceries are placed in them. They would be ok for beach or picnic supplies, but there needs to be extra bar-tacking at the bottom corners. Not complete satisfied with the recent totes.

Very beautiful bag and I love the quality but disappointed with the size it's too big cannot use it was looking smaller at the pictures on the website :(

The item was not completely sewn. Too bad they are currently sold out because this was going to be a Christmas gift. I can't even exchange it and get a replacement until late January.

I bought this to replace an old one of the same size. The new bag has no pockets at all. The old one had 1 on the outside and 4 on the inside, as well as a key attachment. The outside seams look raw and unfinished. Very disappointing product.

Disappointed. I've had a Boat and Tote for years. All I've custom colored and I absolutely loved them! No longer can you custom color the tote AND the front pocket is no longer there. Bring the front pocket back! The tote, regardless of size is a big, empty void. That's ok because you can put so much inside, it's terrific! The front pocket was a perfect place for keys, little items, loose change, my yacht club key card, etc. Now, with the pocket not there, the tote is just a constant search for keys, little items, loose change and my yacht club key card. I have to say it's disappointing. I'd have to recommend another tote from another maker. That makes me sad because I loved these totes. Please bring the front pocket back!

This is my 3rd large tote bag I've orgered over the years. Imagine my disappointment when this one arrived with NO pockets!! My older one which is still in use has BOTH inside and outside pockets. I can't remember if the other had one or two, but I DO remember it definitely had an outside pocket. Hence, I'm seriously considering returning it and finding one elsewhere WITH POCKETS!!