Gyes is a Taiwanese leather furniture manufacturer who came out with a line of bike saddles a few years ago. They make seats under their own name, and a handful of others, including Velo Orange and Cardiff. Their saddles are frequently reinforced with a cloth netting on the underside. Supposedly, the netting also serves to keep the saddle dry in bad weather. I find the leather a bit more pliable than Brooks saddles. Many find them slightly more comfortable, and easier to break in.
Not sure of the long term wear on Gyes saddles. Being fairly new on the market, I don't know anyone who has owned one for more than a couple years. The Gyes saddles I see in use are still in fairly good shape. I would guess they don't hold up quite as well as Brooks, but they aren't bad seats by any stretch. Slightly worse than a Brooks, slightly better than a Persons?
Prices on Gyes made seats are pretty good. Generally they run 25% cheaper than a comparable Brooks saddle. Occasionally even less.
