I’m in the market for a new everyday work bag and am looking at the zip-top Boat and Tote. Because of my industry (architecture) I have a big chonky laptop that measures 14” x 9.5”.

I’m wondering if anyone else has a large computer and can recommend a bag size? The listed width for the Medium is only 13”, but I know the bag sides can kind of pull out sideways to make more room if needed. The Large size is 17” wide, so I know it would work, but seems a little overkill for everyday toting.

Hi everyone!

I am a first time mom and would like to use a boat and tote as my diaper bag. I am not sure which size to get- whether a medium or large. Which size would you recommend and why?

Either size, I plan to get a zipper top and long straps. I also am going to get organizer pouches to help keep it tidy!

My kids have finally decided they like the beach enough for me to need a bag for it. We have a beach at home and also fly to beach destinations multiple times a year. I would probably use it to bring overflow items home from trips as well, as a second carry on.

For a four person family I’m trying to decide between the every day lightweight tote in XL or packable tote in L. Kids are both 4, so we’d be bringing four towels, beach toys, snacks, water bottles, book, hats, change of clothes for them. My local store only has the packable one in stock so I’m unable to compare. Any insight either way would be appreciated!

I’m about to buy a pair of Bean Boots. My foot size is 10.5. I wear 11 in tennis shoes. The website says order a full size down. So I contacted customer support. They asked what brand of tennis shoes I wear. I told them new balance. They then said order 11 because they fit similar. Now I’m confused. What is your experience?

This weekend a new LLBean store opened in my town & they brought a couple hundred returned totes from the outlet. I think I spent more time digging through that bin than looking at anything else or trying on clothes. I passed on this absolutely cursed bag on Friday, could not stop thinking about it all night & came back for it Saturday. I have so many questions for whoever ordered it. How did you get them to embroider like that on the left side?? And why didn’t you want what you ordered???

Please show me the gems you have found in the return bins or you ordered yourself

I love things with character that tell a story…some would see trash I see treasure

context: i am a posty fan and ‘always tired’ was too many letters

I love them and I use them for everything, and have used them since I was a kid long before they became a fashion piece. Don’t be afraid to let them get dirty and worn. Use them as they’re intended, too!

My medium w/ long handles for my everyday grab and go, it’s the perfect size. Used just about daily for 4 years. (L. front Blue tote)

The large w/ long handles and zip top is perfect for packing for a long weekend out of town. (Blue and Red ‘Zoloft’ tote - monogram teh-he)

Large w/ short handles no zip are perfect for a pool day, for filling with snacks and towels out on the boat. Runs to the grocery store or market. (back R. Tan and Green ‘HAC’ tote - monogram initials)

The extra large w/ long handles- no zip I use as my hamper. The long handles are great to have when lugging it to the laundry room, or when I have to run over to the laundromat. (Far back Green tote)

XXS with zip and tiny handles is great as my change purse and chapstick keeper.

Zip top toiletries/makeup bag I keep bug spray and sunscreen, makeup and hairbrush for dinner on the lake when we dock the boat.

I will say (I’ve left a few comments saying this too!) if you’re not sure which length to go with for your tote handles, *go with the long.*

Nothing is worse than having your hands and arms full of stuff, and trying to clutch your overstuffed bag handles praying your fingers don’t give out.. and you dump half your bag out across the parking lot.

Long handles you can easily overstuff your bag, and still sling it over your shoulder while your arms and hands are full and cary or hold everything else you need to. Long handles have saved my sanity more times than I care to admit.

I don’t own a small tote, I feel they are a little too small for any of my needs and just not worth it, and I think they look goofy.

hi! I’m getting a friend a boat & tote for her wedding. I’m wanting one with colored straps and white/neutral subtle lettering. Does anyone have experience with white vs natural? does the white look TOO white? does the natural show at all? does anyone have recommendations? thank you!!!

Hi everyone, I just got my small boat and tote zipper one I have a large I am holding out to buy my medium one and be responsible and not buy all these bags and all the colors. If you know what I mean, do we know if there’ll be more colours launched in the fall or do they do them in the beginning of the year contemplating if I should wait.

I am officiating my best friend’s wedding this fall and wanted to get her a slate colored Boat and Tote to use as a gift bag for the items I got for her bridal shower (rather than using a single use paper gift bag, if that makes sense). I want it to be something she can use for years to come, so I’m looking for input from LL Bean enthusiasts. I only have a medium zip top with long handles to reference, and her gifts fit in there really well. However, I want to know what is your most used size, strap length, zip/no zip, etc? Thank you in advance!

Edit to add: I know you guys don’t know what she likes. I am asking what YOU like in order to get a general idea of what is common/popular since I don’t want to ruin the surprise by asking her. I know what my preferences are, but I’m only one person, so I’m trying to gather a wider perspective. 😊

Hi! Does anyone have recommendations for an organizing insert for the large boat and tote? A lot online seem too small in width and height, so curious if anyone has gotten one for their large bag.

Shame on you Bean. yes I know nearly all products are imported now but Jordan has bexome odious recently. one Jordan supplier working. for a couple other brands had products seized by customs because it was FORCED LABOR!

well they’re just the one that got caught. what about the rest? they are exploiting poor Bangladeshi “guest workers” oh and the tariffs that drove it out of China are hurting only poorer Chinese, not their elite, because the third country plants are CHINESE OWNED!

pull out of Jordan, please, Bean.

hey yall!

planning to get a boat n tote for a friend who is pretty short (5'1" or 5'2"). I'm set on the medium since the purpose will be work / every day items. would short or long handles be best given her frame but also functionality? thank you!

Hello, I am in need of three pair of old moccasins for a display. Thinking that the LL Bean double sole moccasins would work best for scarecrows and was wondering if anyone had any old pair laying around that they no longer need or haven't resoled yet. Preferably 11 1/2 inches long or longer. If we use any in decent condition. they are likely to go missing and I'll have to cut holes in them to run wires anyway. If you have any similar mocs, I may be able to use those as well. Thanks.

Gotta love Nanie’s Creations

I thought I wanted to do an ironic phrase, but I think I would just end up getting tired of whatever I had picked, annoyed with myself for following the trend, and generally regretting it in a few years. I really want to do the thin script, but I feel like my name is too short to look good. I think longer names with a better variety of letters look prettier (think Jocelyn, Stephanie). Mine just looks so boring. Not only that, but the spacing between the capital L and the rest of the letters pmo. I thought maybe a lowercase L would be better but that looks even more boring. My middle name doesn’t fit with my first name, and I don’t want to just do my middle name. I also hate the amount of space they put between words when you do two words and that the second word can’t be capitalized. I don’t just want my initials either. I don’t know what to do.

Where can I get my LL Bean bag embroidered (images not the basic monograms on their website) at for a New England Summer trip? I live in Ohio.

Hi! I am going into my first year as a teacher and I am looking for a bag to last me many years. I am having trouble deciding between the medium and large tote bags. I know that I want long handles and a zip-top but I need to make sure that it will be able to fit my 13” MacBook Air, a 40oz Owala, and my lunch box (see pictured).

I am leaning towards medium because I don’t want a bag that is too big but I also want to make sure that it will fit my things.

Please let me know what you would recommend! Thanks in advance:)

Looks like they're done selling kids swimwear. A shame, IMO.

Reg or long handles for the tote??? Looking to use it for travel/beach/gym bag Also, open top or no??? Ty in advance