I've had mine pushing on for five years, worn them in mud all winter (riding not yard work but leave them on for basic stuff so they've been treated hard!) and they still look smart enough to compete in (after de-mudding!).
I have a pair - very narrow in the calf (I do have wide calves but I ordered the extra wide fitting and they are still tight!) and mine are not softening up, but then again they have only been worn 4 or 5 times as I use mine for competing only so that's probably my own fault!
They look great on though (after 5 minutes of struggling to get each one zipped up!) and once they are fastened properly you hardly notice you are wearing them. So overall I'd give them a good review but just be careful with width and perhaps try wearing them A LOT to help soften them up.
Just dug out where I bought mine from - Discount Equestrian, still selling them for £89.99 so even cheaper than Derby House and you wont have to wait an eternity for them to be delivered!