Leather
		
		
				
				
		
			
				
					I'm for the leather padded mirror covers.  I, too am a pretty good with a sewing machine. I can try to work with some fabrics to get patern.  This has to be do-able.  
As far as off roading and still keeping it nice..... well let me tell
 ya...  The first dent was hard.  The first scratch was hard.  When I drove it down the side of a rock wall... it was hard.  When we had to replace the first tire from sidewall damage... it was hard.  When I watch my dear hubby take a sawzall to the cladding... it was hard.  It still looks awesome washed up on Mondays. 
I too can totally understand the ones that want to keep the no scratch look.  Its just a few of us like the "well seasoned 4wheeler" look.
				
			 
			
		 
			
				
			
			
				 Improve the desert.... plant a Sierra Club Member!