Those leather saddles are designed to fit to the rider and last forever. It's thick leather stretched over a steel frame. There's a break-in period of about 100 miles, and then it just fits you forever.
The leather breathes, so you don't sweat as much, but the shock absorbtion is much better. If I hit a big bump, I'll feel it in my wrists but the rest of my body just bounces in the saddle.
They don't like getting wet though. If I have to leave it outside in the rain I'll put a bag over it.

