August Tote vs MZ Wallace Large Metro Tote Deluxe

The August Tote is a simple, lightweight canvas carryall that swallows a laptop, lunch and a water bottle and stays comfortable on the shoulder. The MZ Wallace Large Metro Tote Deluxe is the more engineered bag: eleven pockets, a detachable strap, a luggage sleeve and water-repellent recycled nylon, at roughly 2 lb. Owners of the August praise its roominess and clean look but report some leather color and texture inconsistencies and the odd chemical smell. Buy the August for a soft, unstructured everyday tote; buy the Metro Tote Deluxe if you want organization and travel features.

• Choose the August Tote if you want a lightweight, unstructured canvas tote with one big compartment, a key loop and a soft shoulder feel for workdays and market runs.
• Choose the Large Metro Tote Deluxe if you carry a 15-inch laptop and want pockets, a detachable crossbody strap and a luggage sleeve in a water-repellent bag.