I go 10 miles each way to work with headwinds and it isnt bad, actually I think that distance is just right. Just do it
so if i get the non-padded real goatskin leather chamois/merino wool shorts + some bag balm or whatever else is recommended then the padded/non-padded factor doesnt really matter? is it more about the friction or what? i still feel like i'd need some padding, but i want a cheap black classic saddle
Who even makes real chamois and merino shorts? You will know what you actually need once you do the commute a few times.