My western saddles have been leather in the past. Now that I'm older (lots older) I can see the benefit of synthetic with it weighing less. I do like the smell and feel of leather though.

I love leather and never owned a synthetic saddle. In saying that tho we used them for the riding school horses were I worked and they were great. They were all good quality 1's not the cheaper type. They were easy to keep clean and if we were swimming the horses, handy for those who didn't want to go bareback. Very quick to wash.

We always had leather saddles until recently. My daughter wanted a dressage saddle and found a synthetic that was identical to the leather version for a lot less money. She bought it and loves it. But for shows, the leather is really best.

My daughter has a Wintec that has the changeable gullet and the cair. It is really really comfortable and it will fit a variety of horses. I find the quality to be very good and after you clean them they always look brand new again. If you show alot you probably want a leather saddle but for everyday use the Wintecs cant be beat!

Leather...I would never even consider switching to a synthetic. We do too much rough riding that a synthetic would never hold up to the abuse.

I've used both.
Synthetic is light, but you can now get super light leather saddles.
I personally feel leather is just more durable...they have some saddles that are half and half.

leather

I love leather saddles. I've ridden in a few synthetic saddles, and I hated them! It just doesn't feel right. I felt it rubbing weird on my legs and I found it over all very uncomfortable. A saddle made of a good quality leather will last you a very long time (My mom got her's over 30 years ago, it has been used heavily by both her and myself. The only wear on it is some rubbing on the fenders). I don't think that a synthetic would put up nearly as much abuse!

I like leather over synthetic because it last longer and more stronger, it's the up keep that can be a pain. Synthetic is good as I use it on trails and plain play time with my horse. Its lighter than leather but I always seem too have early wear and tear with it. But it's fixable. Leather is pricey but the quality is fine, synthetic is cheaper but so is the quality (the one I had) but I abuse it a bit so maybe that's the reason. Good luck in deciding FYI no harm in getting both. I did

I prefer leather.

leather deffanently synthetic peels when u get it wet

i like leather alot more

Have one leather one synthetic and I prefer the synthetic bum is never as sore!

I perfer leather, I have never heard much postived about synthetic.