I’m saddle shopping, as my old saddle doesn’t fit my new horse. I currently have a Tucker western type saddle. It is super comfortable, but I feel like I sit kind of high over the horse’s back. I have heard a lot about Wade saddles and how comfortable and balanced they are. However, they don’t have any seat padding. Is that going to be an issue on long trail rides? TIA.
I love my Wade saddle. It has an inlaid padded seat. They are fairly common, so if you prefer padding, I’m sure you could find one.
My friend has the same saddle without the padded seat and hers is also very comfortable. I bought mine used or I probably wouldn’t have paid the little bit extra for the seat. Now that I’ve gotten spoiled, I wouldn’t buy one without it.
I used to trail ride in my close contact saddle, but it didn’t work as well as the terrain got much tougher. The Wade was the only Western saddle that felt somewhat normal.
ranchworldads.com usually has lots of used ones. 
Thanks tuckaway!
I ride a hard seat wade tree saddle-I find them much more comfortable than most western saddles.
This is the bicycle seat- love that saddle. I hadn’t ridden in a while and sliding into it Saturday? Ahhhhh
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203112093351874&l=b1b2813d65
I know this is an older thread, but just wanted to offer my two cents. I have a Circle Y Elk Ridge (Flex2) with the Apache seat option. It’s super grippy and comfortable. It fit my horse very well and I never experienced any sore spots. I also didn’t feel “trapped” like I do in some western saddles. It felt roomy, but secure.
