Sheesh, ya know, all this tech talk about saddles gives me a headache. I've been ridin' bikes since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, and I ain't never needed no fancy brand to tell me what's comfy.
When it comes to pickin' a saddle, it's all about findin' what feels right for yer ****, not what's hottest on the market. I've seen riders drop serious coin on a Selle Italia or Fizik, only to swap it out a few rides later 'cause it felt like sittin' on a brick.
Don't get me wrong, weight reduction and ergonomics can be important, but they ain't everything. I've seen some of these "top contenders" fall apart after just a season or two, so durability should be on yer list too.
As fer emerging brands and technologies, I reckon it's all hype. I mean, sure, there might be some fancy new materials or designs out there, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it, I always say. At the end of the day, it's the rider, not the saddle, that makes the difference. So go ahead, take these "experts" with a grain of salt and find what works for you. After all, it's just a seat, not rocket science.