I’d start by treating comfort as a full-body and all-weather experience, not just a question of “hard or soft.” Wood and metal urban outdoor furniture can both be comfortable, but they fail in different ways. The best comparison is to sit on real pieces at different times of day, in the clothes you’d normally wear, and notice how each one treats your body, your skin, and your patience.
First, compare surface temperature. Metal conducts heat and cold much more aggressively than wood. In direct summer sun, a dark metal bench can become uncomfortably hot; in winter shade, it can feel icy even through jeans. Wood is usually more thermally neutral, though dark wood in full sun can still warm up. Test this with your hand and then by sitting for a few minutes. Pay attention to armrests and backrests too, because bare skin often touches those areas first.
Second, look at ergonomics before material. A beautifully made wood bench with the wrong seat height or a harsh back angle will be less comfortable than a well-shaped metal bench. Check seat height, seat depth, back angle, armrest height, edge radius, and slat or perforation spacing. Metal can be molded into supportive curves; wood often relies on slats and contoured profiles. Sit in a normal posture, then lean back, cross your legs if that’s how you’d use it, and see whether pressure points appear.
Third, notice hardness and give. Wood is generally rigid, and metal is rigid too, though some metal benches have slight flex or spring. Thin wood slats may flex a little, while thick timber feels solid. Neither material is inherently plush, so for long stays, cushions or curved ergonomic shaping matter more than the base material. Metal with perforations or mesh can feel cooler and more breathable, but it can also create pressure lines if the pattern is too sharp or widely spaced.
Fourth, judge weather behavior and maintenance. Metal may rust, chip, or become slippery when wet if the coating fails; wood may splinter, crack, swell, or fade. Smooth, sealed wood is kinder to bare legs than rough timber, and powder-coated metal with rounded edges is much more comfortable than raw or damaged metal. In rainy or humid cities, check drainage, slat gaps, and whether water pools on the seat.
Finally, do a long-sit test. Give each piece at least ten to fifteen minutes. Shift positions, rest your arms, lean back, and notice heat, cold, pressure, noise, and vibration. If you can, test at midday, late afternoon, and in shade. For urban outdoor furniture, comfort is a mix of surface feel, body support, climate, and how the piece ages. My rule of thumb: wood often feels more forgiving at first touch, while metal can be equally comfortable if it is well shaped, well coated, and paired with the right cushioning.