If you're choosing between the Emery Astrid Tote and the Maverick & Co. Manhattan Leather Tote, you're looking at two work totes with their own laptop compartment. The Manhattan is AED 761 cheaper, takes a 16-inch laptop, weighs 0.83 kg, closes with a full-width zip and is packed with pockets, including a bottle slot. The Astrid is vegetable-tanned full-grain calf leather with long shoulder straps and a 13-inch laptop compartment, and comes with a lifetime warranty, 100 days to return it and free delivery across the GCC.
We make the Astrid, so we're not neutral. Everything below comes from what each brand publishes on its UAE website, and we've included where Maverick & Co. comes out ahead.
Side by side
| Emery Astrid Tote | Maverick & Co. Manhattan Leather Tote | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (UAE) | AED 1,590 | AED 829 on sale (AED 979 full price) |
| Material | Vegetable-tanned full-grain calf, LWG-certified tanneries | "Saffiano leather" in its description; "Saffiano vegan leather" in its spec table |
| Lining | Lined interior | Recycled polyester, red |
| Laptop | 13-inch, in its own compartment | Up to 16-inch (MacBook Pro 16), padded compartment |
| Pockets | Laptop compartment, large zip compartment, 3 small inside pockets, outside slit pocket | Laptop slot, A4/tablet slot, zip pocket, mesh pocket, 2 slip pockets, 2 pen slots, bottle slot |
| Carry | Long shoulder straps | Leather top handles and a detachable shoulder strap |
| Size | Everyday tote | 41 × 39 × 13 cm, 18 L |
| Weight | 1 kg | 0.83 kg |
| Hardware | Brass zip | Polished silver hardware |
| Colours | Camel, Black | One option listed |
| Personalisation | Not offered | From AED 179 |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 12 months |
| Returns | 100 days | 30 days; you pay return shipping on change-of-mind returns |
| Delivery | Free across the GCC; 1–3 days in the UAE | Cost shown at checkout; 5–7 business days to the UAE |
Prices and terms as published on 24 October 2026. Check both sites for the latest.
Where Maverick & Co. is ahead
The Manhattan is AED 761 cheaper and takes a bigger laptop: its padded compartment fits a 16-inch MacBook Pro, against 13 inches for the Astrid. It's lighter at 0.83 kg, and Maverick & Co. gives its capacity (18 L) and size. Inside, there's a slot for A4 papers or a tablet, a mesh pocket, slip pockets for your phone and wallet, pen slots and a bottle holder that keeps water upright. A full-width zip closes the top, and you can carry it by the handles or on a detachable shoulder strap. You can add personalisation from AED 179.
Where Emery is ahead
The Astrid is vegetable-tanned full-grain calf leather from LWG-certified tanneries, with a brass zip. Full-grain keeps the hide's natural surface, so it gets better with use. Maverick & Co. calls the Manhattan's material "Saffiano leather" in its description and "Saffiano vegan leather" in its spec table. Vegan leather is a synthetic material rather than hide. If it matters to you, ask Maverick & Co. Our leather glossary explains the terms. The Astrid's long shoulder straps sit comfortably over an abaya or a suit jacket.
The terms differ too. Emery's warranty on the Astrid is lifetime, against 12 months. You have 100 days to return it, against 30. Emery delivers free across the GCC in 1–3 days in the UAE. Maverick & Co. shows the delivery cost at checkout and quotes 5–7 business days to the UAE.
Which should you choose?
Choose Maverick & Co. if you carry a 16-inch laptop, want lots of pockets and a zip top, want a lighter bag, or want to spend less.
Choose Emery if your laptop is 13 inches and you want full-grain calf leather, long shoulder straps, a lifetime warranty, 100 days to decide and free delivery in a few days.
See the Astrid Tote, or compare it with Nappa Dori's Cassidy Tote and Ryoko's tote. Check your laptop in our laptop bag size guide, or see Emery vs Maverick & Co. on briefcases.
Quick answers
Which tote fits a 16-inch laptop? The Maverick & Co. Manhattan Tote fits up to a 16-inch MacBook Pro. The Emery Astrid has a compartment for a 13-inch laptop (October 2026).
Is the Maverick & Co. Manhattan Tote real leather? Its description says "Saffiano leather"; its spec table says "Saffiano vegan leather". The Emery Astrid is vegetable-tanned full-grain calf leather (October 2026).
Which is cheaper? The Maverick & Co. Manhattan Tote is AED 829; the Emery Astrid is AED 1,590 (October 2026).
Shop by type: Leather tote bags · Laptop bags for women
