I love BOTH bags...but I think that if you/we knew how the leather was, then the question would be easier to answer. IMO, the stiffer leathers don't work as well with the Nikki off the bat (even if they do soften up somewhat), but they can work with the MAM (again, even if they soften up) -- I thinking of a leather/color like persimmon in particular. The MAM/MAB just seems more structurally suited to the stiffer leather OR the soft leather. Finding this out might help you make your decision.