Choosing a work tote for a Dubai commute

Between a car park at 45°C and an office at 19°C, a work bag has a harder job in Dubai than almost anywhere else. Three things matter more than the label.

A base you can put down. Metal feet and a reinforced base are the difference between a bag that lasts three years and one that wears through at the corners in one.

A laptop compartment that is actually padded. A slip pocket is not a sleeve. If the laptop touches the base when you set the bag down, the bag is not doing its job.

Straps that sit under a shoulder bag strap. Flat, wide straps stay put under a coat and over a shirt. Rolled handles look better and slide off.

If you carry a laptop every day, buy for the base and the straps and let the colour be the last decision, not the first.