I got a new saddle and it came with Leather latigo straps. I have to stop a few times and tighten my saddle. My saddle i had before i had Nylon straps on. I'm trying to figure out if the leather stays tight or it loosens up while your riding? I know my horse probably relaxes and i need to tighten for that reason but i'm having to stop a couple more times. What do you usually ride in? 

Nylon, because I'm in South Georgia where it's super humid and sticky and trying to cinch up with leather is difficult because it sticks to itself. LOL 

I'm aware of the benefits of leather's stretching and being more expansive for the horse, but it just is too hard for me in this climate.

Leather will give but at some point new leather quits giving so much.  I prefer leather because it does have some give to it.  Depending on the horse and fit of the saddle I might do the off strap with leather and the other nylon.  The horse I am riding now is fitted so well saddle wise I use leather straps and alpaca cinch which gives a good bit.

Leather. Leather. Leather. Always good leather. And I'm in Louisiana. Leather. 

I prefer leather and good quality. Sometimes I use a leather off billet and a nylon tie strap. If the leather gets sticky- clean it, oil it then baby powder it up!

I prefer nylon. I have always found leather hard to tighten. And then there's having to clean and oil it. 

Leather all the way!

I was told years ago to either use leather cinches if you use a girth with no stretch.  Otherwise you have zero give and will make a horses back sore.  New leather cinches are going to stretch a little so always tighten your cinch before you go up the alley.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts.

Merry Christmas!

I learned that you can and should mix materials, i.e., I have a leather off billet, mohair cinch, and nylon latigo. That keeps flexibility and breathability but lets me tighten with nylon, which for me is easier.

I use both, a few of my saddles have nylon latigo's and a few have the leather, I like both as long as they are good quality and not junk.

I prefer leather latigos on both sides, I dont really like billets.

I have always used leather over nylon and only because I used to work for a tack store in town for a lot of years and one of the things I noticed the most is that nylon products, as well as plenty of other fabric-based products are made overseas. Good leather products are still made in the states by hand and tend to have a longer life.

I am old school. Leather for me from M L Leddy in Fort Worth on every saddle. Both sides. The slight stretch it provides once broken in seems to be more comfortable for the horse. Never a problem, and leather does not get hard like nylon does as it ages as long as it's maintained. But, I have seen neglected leather ones crack and then break. If you don't keep track of your rig, nylon may be a better choice.

I prefer leather.  If you use nylon then use a mohair cinch so you have some give.  Don't use nylon Latigos and off billets with neoprene/ nylon cinches, there will be no give whatsoever for the horse.