Customer Reviews L.L.Bean Continental Rucksack

Does ,very well.

The Continental Ruck fits well, is comfortable and is an excellent entry level option. A few things I would recommend to the LLB design team: larger (fatter) side and front pockets. I am a woman with hands on the small side, and I had trouble getting things in the pockets. The pocket lids also make it hard to open up the pockets to get to what's inside. The clips on the pockets are also too small. The side pockets do fit a 32oz Nalgene bottle (however it's a small struggle), so to everyone that claims the pockets don't fit those bottles, you can stop saying that. Also, adding length to the straps at the bottom of the bag is a HUGE MUST. Otherwise, what's the point. Just stop adding them or put some D rings so people can modify the pack to their own liking. This pack is a five star pack for it's overall design, however I removed one star due to the issues I mentioned above, but most importantly because my pack had a gross stain on its top side the size of half a nickel. Ew. I would still recommend it to a friend. It's comfortable to wear and that means a lot.

Nice backpack. Perfect for a day hike. However, I don't follow the logic behind the side pocket design. They should have stuck to the original design. The straps on the bottom could have been longer. Alternatively, a pair of extensions can be provided that can be used for larger sleeping bags.

Exactly what I was looking for! Made walking around Disney much better with the kids and all their stuff.

A bit more flashy than I expected. Time will tell on durability.

Love the look of the backpack and it carries everything I need for a long weekend or for a day trip. Easy access to all pocket is convenient when shopping at a fall fair. Love the backpack and glad I made the purchase.

The pack is very roomy. What I don't like is that the buckles are hard to open sometimes. I would have liked more zippers

Tried it on in store, knew I needed to have it. I've hiked extensively with this pack as a light weight backpacking option the last year and a half. Since that time, I've hiked the 100 mile wilderness with it. Took me 4 days to finish and it carried all my gear and food. Also took it hiking long distances and overnight throughout the whites and green mountains. With that said here are my pros and cons; Pros: durable nylon shell (I sprayed mine with a DWR, makes a nice difference) 2.3 lbs, lightweight. Large main compartment. Hip belt and chest strap allows for a lil extra load. I have a friend who wax coated his. Cons/wishes: wish there was more room for exterior pockets. Wish the hip belt was a little more thick, an extra lb is worth it for this pack. Lacks straps to hook things on Overall, for the price, I say definitely get. It's stylish, I'm always getting compliments out in the woods, forces you to pack better which I like. Unless you have all ultralight gear that packs down small, this will not be a comfortable winter backpacking option for anything over 18lbs. Pulls down on one shoulder pretty good after that weight.

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.

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.

To the folks at LL Bean. In the interest of maintaining Leon's now tarnished reputation. People will gladly pay good hard earned money for great long lasting quality. I own one of these ruck sacks. I bought it in the 1990's. IT goes on hunting and fishing trips with me. Only the plastic clips have been replaced. Find better material. Use larger thread diameter and triple stitching. Give us something we and Leon can be proud to own and manufacture. You've lost your way in pursuit of the mighty dollar.