- Joined
- Jun 20, 2009
- Messages
- 13,240
The LL Bean continental canvas rucksack, the outdoor backpack for the shut-in outdoorsman.
Okay, maybe that's a bit hasty, but I'm pretty disappointed right now. A year and a half ago, I got a canvas continental rucksack. When I first got it, there were some loose threads but being new I figured there would be some loose threads and, as an outdoor pack, it didn't bother me that much. About three months ago I noticed some of the eyes around the drawstring were tearing apart, but as I'd used it a bit, I figured it was just wear and tear. Then comes today. I was packing my camping stuff up for college, and the drawstring area crumbled apart when I tried to tighten it. Then as I was packing the side pouch, it just about tore off in my hand. It's pretty well deteriorated to the point where it's useless to me. It saw some rain and snow but I expected it to be able to handle it and I always let it dry before putting it away, I keep it in the same cabinet that I use for my knives so storage is not the problem. I'd expect something sold to be used outdoors to be able to handle a little moisture. I'd like to believe that this was just a defect and is not a common problem with this pack but it's rotting away like crazy and that's not very inspiring.
What I put above is pretty similar to what I e-mailed LL Bean about this problem, we'll see if they honor their 100% guarantee (edit: they do), I don't expect much, even if they replace it, I have my doubts that the new one will be any better (Edit: I'll either get a refund or a replacement, not sure which one to go with). A shame, it's a nice design, but it looks like the people who chose the materials were out getting their nails done that day.
Here's some pictures of the craptastic pack:
The rotting around the drawstring
View attachment 228890
It's like this all the way around the pack where the drawstring is.
I just saw this while I was getting the pictures, this is where the strap connects at the bottom, it too is disintegrating.
View attachment 228891
The side pocket, where it just fell apart while I was putting a wad of cord in it.
View attachment 228892
Edit: I have a choice of a refund or a replacement, but I need a pack so, does anyone have any suggestions on a similar pack in the $120 range to look at? Or, does anyone have this one that has really used it and had a different experience with it? What I really want is something made out of this stuff:
View attachment 228895
I still have my old one from when I was in Boy Scouts, I use it for my work clothes in my trunk and despite being faded, I feel confident that it would still have a few more years of hard hiking left in it. But, my shoulders are huge now and I have trouble finding any pack that will fit me comfortably. Also, I hate frame packs, I already have one, I hate it, I've used it all of twice and was miserable both times.
Okay, maybe that's a bit hasty, but I'm pretty disappointed right now. A year and a half ago, I got a canvas continental rucksack. When I first got it, there were some loose threads but being new I figured there would be some loose threads and, as an outdoor pack, it didn't bother me that much. About three months ago I noticed some of the eyes around the drawstring were tearing apart, but as I'd used it a bit, I figured it was just wear and tear. Then comes today. I was packing my camping stuff up for college, and the drawstring area crumbled apart when I tried to tighten it. Then as I was packing the side pouch, it just about tore off in my hand. It's pretty well deteriorated to the point where it's useless to me. It saw some rain and snow but I expected it to be able to handle it and I always let it dry before putting it away, I keep it in the same cabinet that I use for my knives so storage is not the problem. I'd expect something sold to be used outdoors to be able to handle a little moisture. I'd like to believe that this was just a defect and is not a common problem with this pack but it's rotting away like crazy and that's not very inspiring.
What I put above is pretty similar to what I e-mailed LL Bean about this problem, we'll see if they honor their 100% guarantee (edit: they do), I don't expect much, even if they replace it, I have my doubts that the new one will be any better (Edit: I'll either get a refund or a replacement, not sure which one to go with). A shame, it's a nice design, but it looks like the people who chose the materials were out getting their nails done that day.
Here's some pictures of the craptastic pack:
The rotting around the drawstring
View attachment 228890
It's like this all the way around the pack where the drawstring is.
I just saw this while I was getting the pictures, this is where the strap connects at the bottom, it too is disintegrating.
View attachment 228891
The side pocket, where it just fell apart while I was putting a wad of cord in it.
View attachment 228892
Edit: I have a choice of a refund or a replacement, but I need a pack so, does anyone have any suggestions on a similar pack in the $120 range to look at? Or, does anyone have this one that has really used it and had a different experience with it? What I really want is something made out of this stuff:
View attachment 228895
I still have my old one from when I was in Boy Scouts, I use it for my work clothes in my trunk and despite being faded, I feel confident that it would still have a few more years of hard hiking left in it. But, my shoulders are huge now and I have trouble finding any pack that will fit me comfortably. Also, I hate frame packs, I already have one, I hate it, I've used it all of twice and was miserable both times.
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