Originally Posted by
Wildwood
I have narrow sitbones for a person 6'1" and B-17 is not my favorite Brooks. I also prefer a saddle with a cutout. Selle Anatomica is my favorite leather saddle and I like several more modern saddles. I have had 4 leather saddles modified with a cutout.
The newest Gyes leather saddles offer a model with a large cutout.
and a Brooks Professional that I had modified with a cutout.

Man, I'd
love to see a leather saddle like a Brooks or
Selle Anatomica on my bikes, but even with those cutouts, they still appear not nearly as "cut out" and w as minimal pressure on your parts as the Ergons I have on both of my gravel bikes. I'm pretty skinny and narrow, and with the Ergons I'm perched up on my sit bones,
very little pressure anywhere else, like, I never even think about it. The Ergons don't look as cool but I'm afraid to give up that comfort. And I no longer feel the need for padded cycling shorts or chamois (I wear Showers Pass Gravel shorts and high quality merino boxer briefs and can go on multi-day bikepacking trips, w never any issues, plus I stay totally dry and fresh w the merino).
All that said, one day I may just breakdown and try a Brooks, just 'cause they look so darn classy!