Smooth vs wrinkled leather seats?

[AlleyCat67]

I’m having my airplane seats redone, and the shop is asking if I want smooth leather (eg, like in the first photo) or wrinkled leather (like the second). Wrinkled looks softer but I’m wondering if it’s more of a maintenance headache. Any insights?

 

[Bell206]

Smooth. It will wear more uniformly.

 

[TCABM]

Smooth. Wears more evenly and easier to clean/condition.

 

[Jesse Saint]

Smooth looks much more modern. It also cleans and wears better.

 

[Daleandee]

So ... the wrinkled leather comes from old cows?

 

[AlleyCat67]

So ... the wrinkled leather comes from old cows?

Old and apparently very well paid

 

[schmookeeg]

I'm a vote for wrinkled looking more plush and comfortable.

I am starting to wear pretty thin on the diamond stitching on everything lately though. I think the next thing will be poofy red leather with those inset buttons from the 1960s cadillacs, to combat the sameness. My heart is ready.

 

[jbarrass]

Smooth with memory foam is my vote.

 

[Silvaire]

I vote wrinkled. I don't think there is any real benefit one way or the other, just depends on which one you like the looks of. FWIW the smooth will probably develop some subtle wrinkles over time as it stretches that might not look so great, that's probably the reason the wrinkled option exists.

 

[texasclouds]

Wrinkled looks bad to me. Smooth is fresh and nice.

 

[frfly172]

Go the smooth,

 

[asicer]

Wrinkled is a bit 1990's-ish, don't you think?

 

[WDD]

Smooth. Wrinkled looks old and worn.

Wrinkled also reminds me of

 

[cowman]

Smooth. Wrinkled looks old and worn.

Wrinkled also reminds me of

View attachment 146576

Don't knock it until you've sat in one, the seating in those old full size luxury cars was designed for comfort and they are very comfortable. At some point the automakers decided everything needed to be 'sporty' even if wasn't in any sense a sports car and we lost these mobile couches.

 

[Kenny Phillips]

I'd go with the wrinkled, if you are anywhere near my age, to match my behind.

 

[WDD]

Slight tangent that might be related:

A high quality motorcycle saddle, one that is easy to sit on for many hours is actually one that is stiff and firm. Counter intuitive, but a more plush seat is actually less comfortable.

“Monkey Butt” is the technical term for a sore tuchus BTW.

 

[AlleyCat67]

Smooth. Wrinkled looks old and worn.

Wrinkled also reminds me of

View attachment 146576

I did think of asking the shop for rich Corinthian leather, but figured they’d either heard that joke too many times, or would be too young to get it.