How do you know if saddle is worn out?

If your trusty saddle *looks* just fine, how do you know if it is worn out? My Sella Italia Trans Am Ldy looks like it always did, but I swear it seems a little more "flexy" in the middle section causing me to "sink" a bit. I have 7000 miles on this saddle with no irritation, saddle sores, etc. I do wonder what a Terry Butterfly would be like, but if you don't have a LBS that carries lots of saddles to try how can you ever be sure? I know mine is "good enough", but how do I find out if something is even better. For example, if I got the Ti Terry Butterfly, it comes in both a gel and non-gel version. Why might someone choose one over the other, especially since I can't see them without placing an order?

You can try the Terry saddles risk free with TE's generous, 90 day, return/exchange policy. I'm pretty sure that this 90 day policy applies only to the Terry saddles and not the other saddles offered on TE's website, though.

According to my Specialized dealer, saddles do wear out and "hammock" over time. Stinks that they are just another wear item, but I did notice a firmer saddle again when I bought a new Toupe.

I've used a Terry saddle for a while now that has a cut out. I've had to replace it at about 4,000 mile mark every time. I could tell when it was time because I would suddenly start to have chafing and discomfort. I talked to Susan at TE about it once and she reported the same experience. Cutout saddles often break down more quickly than others, and it will vary from brand to brand and model to model. It sounds like you've gotten a good life out of your current saddle, but unless it's hurting you or you otherwise don't feel it's supporting you, then I wouldn't necessarily feel compelled to replace it.

As for the difference in Terry saddles, I can't say for sure. I would presume that gel saddles offer more cushion in targeted areas, which may or may not be a good thing for all riders. I would also assume that the more cushion a saddle has, the more quickly it will break down as that cushion becomes compressed over time. My Terry saddle of choice--the Butterfly Tri Gel--is no longer in production. It's time I find a new model I guess.

Is it the saddle the gives you a sore butt or is it just have to get use to riding?