I love Black Diamond, The In Gate and Aramas. Any of those would be great choices.
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Red Barn makes very soft bridles. Also Devoucoux, if you can find the old hunter bridles, are lovely.
Vespucci also made inexpensive bridles that were pretty soft.
I love my Black Diamond BUT it’s not floppy soft (even after oiling). It’s soft and certainly not plasticy but not super super soft.
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I’d suggest being on the lookout for an older, used Edgewood. They are very soft and come in variety of noseband configurations, including the narrower and unpadded versions. If you really want new, definitely take a look at Black Diamond Design. Her bridles are at a VERY affordable price point with quality much higher than that price point. She also will help you custom fit the bridle to mix/match pieces.
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Great news for you today! LeMieux just came out with an American hunter bridle
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I want to know when this coated leather thing became the norm too. I saw an Antares bridle with it the other day and was disgusted.
Coated leather is cheap leather covered in polyurethane to make it look better/smoother and in the case of handbags or shoes increase durability. In the case of bridles tho it cracks and wrinkles and prevents oils and conditioners being absorbed. You can’t remove it successfully without damaging the already low quality leather underneath.
It’s all a way to make a bridle look fancy but with a short life, and require you to buy a new one sooner. Much like the now common calf covered saddles that wear out in 5-10 years, big saddleries know that selling a bridle that lasts 15-20 years or a saddle that lasts 30-50 like tack of yore is no good for business.
And in fact you can now rent saddles from Devoucoux et al, so you’ll always have a fresh new one and the old ones (along with their plastic trees, gullet and flap trims, and nylon (plastic) filled stirrup leathers) wind up in landfill when they inevitably wear through because the cost to re cover them in calf or split buffalo is in no way an option when getting a new rental is cheaper.
The enshittification of products once again…
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This makes so much sense but like you, I’m disgusted 
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Though I have a dressage bridle, Solo Equine also makes nice hunter and jumper bridles. For instance:
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I ordered one of the Kieffer Ultrasoft bridles and it was really soft, cushy leather. I’m not sure if they have brown as an option but worth looking into. I suspect it wouldn’t hold up as well over time as the stiffer leathers but I didn’t have any concerns about the quality when I got it (it didn’t fit my horse so I didn’t end up keeping it).
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I love my Black Diamond bridle, Amy is fantastic to work with! We also have a Huntley and The In Gate, all are in the more expensive range but the quality of the craftsmanship and leather are superior to the lower end, coated leather strapgoods.
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Second Solo Equine. I have two dressage bridles - a snaffle and a double.- and the leather is soft to start and got softer with use without losing its body. And customer service is outstanding! Price in US dollars is $240. Stephen is in Germany at the moment, but the sales team is returning on the 12th. If you’re unsure about sizing message them; they always respond quickly.
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This feels like the OG antares bridles right out of the bag!
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Hadfields! Beautiful very dark brown and it breaks in easily and lasts forever. And they have every style imaginable. Mine was a very narrow but padded noseband.
Antares leather is gorgeous and soft, one of my favorites, but the noseband on mine was padded and not narrow. The Hadfields was a much better look on the petite hony I bought it for.
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I love Edgewood bridles and they can be had in many different sizes and styles, easy to find the narrow noseband in Edgewood but I don’t think they are as dark as the OP wants, at least mine wasn’t. Lovely soft supple leather as it ages.
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I just ordered one from Black Diamond Designs. It’s very beautiful and nice quality leather! I bought the leather treatment she sells too. It’s on my agenda for the next weekend I’m free to oil it.
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I’ve been very impressed with Tory bridles. They’re pretty plain compared to trendier brands, but the leather quality has been absolutely top notch, especially for the price.
I dabble in leatherwork and everything I’ve purchased from them feels identical to my favorite Wickett and Craig English bridle leather which is pretty pricey, so I’m even more impressed with how affordable their stuff is.
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Thank you! But I am definitely looking for that super dark chocolate brown color, so I am going to pass. But appreciate the offer! 
Thanks for all of the recommendations!! I’ve got plenty to research now, some of which are brands I’d never heard of before…so much appreciated!
I’m not familiar with their bridles but I have a fancy stitched Tory belt made of bridle leather, it’s at least 15 years old and I wear it all the time with jeans and it is surprisingly good quality for the price, I love it. Their leather halters are equally good quality at a reasonable cost.
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Late to the party sorry- I am the owner of Black Diamond Designs. A woman owned small business that strives to provide well fitting tack at reasonable prices. All my bridles are made from Sedgwick leather from one of the oldest tanneries in the UK. It’s like your favorite pair of jeans. A little stiff to start but soft and comfy after a short break in period and wears like iron. I do have a standard width bridle in a Havana color options. (Chocolate brown color). Please feel free to ask any questions or check out my website. http://blackdiamonddesignsllc.com/
Thank you for those that recommend my products. Most of my advertising is word of mouth which helps keep my price point low 
!
Most of my bridle Headstalls are $150 plus shipping and with reins $235 plus shipping
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