Real leather will wear and patina if used daily. It won't look the same as it did new, but it won't look bad, usually, if you don't mind some wear.

Bonded leather is the innermost layer of the dermis (hide) with plastic and paint on it. You can't even call this leather in some countries. It often peels.

If you could get the chairs done in a good contract vinyl it would be very durable. That's what you're sitting on in most restaurants with "leather" seating. But people have a bias against this now and I am not sure why.

Fabric might be the most durable and cleanable.

Thanks palimpsest, that's very helpful. I am not against vinyl at all, if they look good and are comfortable - that's what the Crate & Barrel chair that I posted is - the Cora. Based on your answer, I'm thinking real leather isn't the best idea, especially since the chairs we like are quite expensive - a compromise makes sense.

No to bonded leather. That stuff is just awful. My hairdresser has four parson's chairs covered in bonded leather that were all purchased at the same time (several years ago). They are all in a horrible state. They need to be disposed of imo.

Our sofa is burnished leather, it already has patina and I love the look so I would go with real leather or the contract vinyl that Pal mentioned.

I think bonded leather is a poor choice for dining chair seat (as in, that's what I have and it doesn't look good after 9 years and two kids).

My first choice is a non-padded seat, but second choice I'd go with vinyl, sounds easy to maintain! LOVE orange :-)

Well, I think we'll scotch the idea of bonded leather! I looked up contract vinyl online and there's tons of choices for yardage - now I just have to find a chair and an upholsterer!