We have had these barstools for a couple of years now and they look as new as the day they arrived. We have two of these and two metal tractor seat stools at our bar and the kids fight over the padded ones (these).  The padding in the seat has held up very well, I can't tell at all if they have flattened out any. Very comfortable and love that they are adjustable height.  Friends and family of all ages / heights / weights have sat on these and comment on how comfortable they are. We will be buying more to replace the tractor seats.