Lands' End Kids ClassMate XL backpack Review

A classic American retailer since 1963, Lands’ End is known for a few things: Basic, comfortable clothes, dependable and durable swimsuits, and backpacks. If you grew up in the ‘80s or ‘90s, you knew someone—if not many someones—who had a Lands’ End backpack.

But the brand has gone through many ups and downs since then, including an acquisition by Sears and a brief foray into that brand’s department stores, an IPO, and a 2016 scandal around a photo of Gloria Steinem that appeared in one of the brand’s catalogs.

So how has all of that affected Lands’ End backpack quality, and do the brand’s book bags still reign supreme?

We decided to put one to the test, snagging the Kids ClassMate XL Backpack for about $60 online.

We subjected this Lands’ End backpack to a battery of tests, including endless zipper pulls and a myriad of different book configurations. In the end, it did pretty well! Here’s what we thought about the Lands’ End Kids ClassMate XL Backpack.

About the Lands’ End Kids ClassMate XL Backpack

A fairly sizable backpack, the ClassMate XL Backpack measures 19 inches high by 12.5 inches wide. That means it’ll look huge on littles—the brand says it’s best for middle schoolers and older, provided they’re 4’6” and above—but it also means it should hold a substantial amount of books.

There are three zippered main compartments—one big, a smaller one for pencils and such, and one that’s kind of in the middle—plus an interior folder pocket which could, in theory, be used to hold a laptop or tablet.

The backpack has a padded back and sturdy, soft straps as well as an adjustable chest strap that helps keep the weight of what’s in the bag well-distributed around the body.

There are two sturdy mesh water bottle pockets—one on each side—and a little bit of reflective trim on the backpack’s exterior for when your kids (or you) are walking home at night.

It’s made of 100% polyester but doesn’t feel cheap or chintzy. The backpack is also customizable, with the brand offering custom monograms starting at just $6.

What we like

It's pretty durable

There’s a lot to like about the Lands’ End Kids ClassMate XL backpack. While I wasn’t able to put it through a full year’s worth of book-lugging and being thrown around on a school bus, it stood up well to the tests I did put it through.

I was able to zip all three zippers hundreds of times with only minor snags, and the backpack wasn’t outlandishly heavy for me (admittedly, an adult) to carry on my back when it was fully loaded with books.

My five-year-old twins thought it was too heavy when it was fully loaded, but honestly, they would think any stuffed backpack was too heavy.

It has a fantastic design

Speaking of my kids: For my son, who’s going to use it in school, it was love at first sight. He’s put it on every day since it arrived and has even started stocking it with various supplies he’s convinced he’ll need for school.

He’s able to open the zippers himself and click and unclick the chest strap, which is nice, and while it’s a little big on him, it’s not so huge that he’s kicking it when he walks or dragging it on the ground.

If anything, it’s a blessing that it’s a little too big because that means that, durability permitting, he’ll be able to use it for years to come, making that $60 a pretty solid investment.

We also liked how soft the shoulder straps and back are, and how big the back’s pockets are. As someone whose Jansport backpacks growing up always just had two pockets—one of which was barely big enough to hold a box of markers—I appreciate this backpack’s storage options.

It also comes in a range of both solid colors and patterns, meaning that my kids could pick the bag they wanted and that it (hopefully) won’t be the same bag that everyone else in their class also has.

What we don’t like

The interior storage options aren't well thought out

My main quibble with the ClassMate XL backpack is a bit of a technicality, but it matters. When I first opened the bag, I said, “Oh, wow, it has space for a laptop or tablet. That’s cool for a kids’ bag.”

However, upon further inspection, testing, and a glance at the bag’s online listing, I discovered that it’s actually technically an “interior folder pocket,” which is nice to have for a kids’ bag but not ideal if you’re looking to lug a laptop around. It’s also too wide and thin to really be an effective laptop pocket, so if that’s a big concern for you, then maybe you should check out the Lands’ End TechPack, instead.

Also, while the side water bottle compartments are big enough to hold all of my kids’ water bottles, I couldn’t fit a Nalgene or Stanley in there comfortably. Again, that shouldn’t be a huge problem considering this is a child’s backpack, but if your kid just loves to drink water, maybe consider using two small to medium sized bottles instead of one large one.

What size Lands’ End backpack should I get for a kindergartener?

Most parents will probably think the ClassMate XL is just too big for a kindergarten student. You can definitely make the case that kindergarteners only really bring home folders, art, and a lunchbox anyway. Plus, if you’re looking for a backpack that really fits your five- or six-year-old’s frame, you’ll be better served with a small or medium ClassMate backpack.

The smaller sizes come in all the same fun colors and patterns, and they’re just as durable, supportive and stylish.

On the website, Lands’ End lists size guidelines based on your kid’s height; small is best for kids under four feet, medium is for kids taller than four feet, and so on. If you’re in doubt about what size to buy, a glance at that chart should set your mind at ease.

Are Lands’ End backpacks guaranteed?

While Lands’ End was famous for years for having a no-questions-asked lifetime guarantee, that has pretty much gone the way of the dinosaurs now.

Instead, the brand offers a generous policy, saying, “If you’re not satisfied with any item, simply return it to us at any time.”

If it’s been less than 90 days since you purchased the item, you can choose to receive same-style merchandise or a refund. If it’s beyond 90 days, or if you don’t have proof of your purchase, you’ll get Lands’ End store credit. The value of the item you return can also vary a little if, say, you bought it at full price but returned it a year later when it’s on clearance, so just try and keep those receipts.

Also, while monograms and custom embroidery make a backpack look super cool, they also make it final sale, so keep that in mind when you’re ordering.

Lands’ End has partnered with Happy Returns to make all returns fairly seamless, as well. There is a $6.95 charge for return shipping, but if you choose to take the value of your return in store credit rather than a cash or credit card reimbursement, the company waives the fee.

Are Lands’ End backpacks machine washable?

They are, with some caveats.

Lands’ End says its backpacks should be placed in a mesh washing bag before entering the washing machine, where you’ll want to use a cold water cycle.

You’ll need to lay the bag flat to dry—no machine drying, please—so you’ll want to plan ahead if (or when) your kid comes home with a backpack full of spilled juice or smashed up candy.

Should you buy a Lands’ End Kids ClassMate XL Backpack?

Yes! They’re comfortable and durable

All things considered, I’d definitely buy a Lands’ End Kids ClassMate backpack again—perhaps next year, for my daughter.

They’re durable and cute, they have great storage, and my kids seem totally comfortable when carrying them around.

In fact, my son found the ClassMate backpack so comfortable he even wore it when he was sitting on the couch watching TV, so if that’s not a ringing endorsement, I don’t know what is.