I paid $85 earlier this year for a replacement B-17 through Amazon and just bought another for $91 and had a $3 shipping charge tacked onto that.

If you're lucky like me, a B-17 fits me right out of the box. I don't find the initial firmness uncomfortable at all. They do mold to you in time but if you're agonizing from the get go you most likely need to make some fine adjustments or you bought the wrong version for your butt.

I live in the high desert and rain is not much of an issue but if you choose to ride a leather saddle where you're likely in the rain then take all necessary measures to protect your saddle and not ride it when soaked.