I have been using Brooks leather bar tape for 5 years. They were running a special when I bought it with my saddle. 5 years of wear and tear and though it has developed a patina for sure, it seems to have a lot of life left. Not the softest or grippiest, for sure. If I weren't wearing gloves, I would probably go for something a little softer. That said, the Brooks seems to workwell with gloves.