I am extremely happy with my unpadded Brooks leather saddle, so I am biased.

But I had a rotten saddle once that I used for years with a gel cover. The cover really did help. Once I discovered the Terry Sport (not made anymore) I never went back to gel of any kind.

It just depends on what works for you, so try whatever you find.

Someone once mentioned a TE'er saddle exchange for the saddles gathering dust in everone's basements and closets. Did anything ever come of that?