I just want to start off by saying I have never owned a futon but I have sat on a lot. This is probably one of the most comfy ones I sat on. I ordered "Saddle with butternut wood". It's beautiful. I love the colors.  A lot of my friends think it's real leather. It does feel similar to leather. The back of the mattress is similar to a felt. I have never put anything like this together before. The instructions were not good at all. With a background in Lego's I was able to build this thing no problem. Also this is something you need two people to put together.