How interesting, years of riding in jeans and never a saddle damaged. But of course they are my saddles. Maybe avoiding the double seam is the key, it certainly avoids chafing to the person, so maybe the same for the saddle.
I always used to wear jodhs, but got lazy and wore chaps over jeans, now I only possess one pair of jodhs and can't see them being worn again, ever. Nowadays I only ride with western tack and jeans and chaps are just fine for mooching about.
mmm, i used to ride in jeans, until a particularly close fitting pair ripped at the butt, i was miles from home and had to tie a jumper round my waist to hide my a**e.