L.L. Bean Bigelow Top Load Pack Review

The Bigelow Top Load Day Pack from LL Bean has to be, at least for me, the best day pack that I've ever had.  That's coming from someone who has gone through a lot of day packs over the years.

It's well made, it fits incredibly well, it's comfortable, it's easy to pack and it's all backed up by LL Bean's lifetime warranty.  It is pretty much everything you'd want in a day pack.

The pack itself features about 2,000 cubic inches of storage space along with a number of different pockets and pouches for your gear.  Two of the handiest pouches are the mesh ones on either side of the bottom of the pack.  This lets you slip in your water bottles where they are easily accessible.  There's even a small compartment on the bottom of the pack that holds a rain fly to cover it with should the weather conditions turn nasty while you are hiking.  All of this comes in a package that weighs in at just under 4 pounds.

Every strap that rests against your body is fully padded.  This is one of the reasons the pack is so comfortable.  You have padded shoulder straps and the waist strap is padded so that it provides extra support for the pack while remaining comfortable.

I've been hiking (and skiing in the winter) with this pack for the last year and I have to say that it's just been great.  I don't have the sore shoulders or back that I have had with other packs because the Bigelow really does have a solid, but comfortable waist strap that can help hold the load on your waist instead of just your shoulders.  In addition, I've found the pack great as an all around daypack.  I can pack everything I need, even on cold weather ski trips.  Not only that, but on an overnight camping trip, I've been able to pack up everything I need in the pack so I don't have to use my larger backpacking pack.

My Take

Overall I can't say enough good things about this day pack.  I love it.  I'd suggest that if you are in the market for a day pack, you check out this pack from LL Bean.  I highly doubt you'll be disappointed.