As a leather freak, but with a couple peregrines w/an insatiable taste for leather, I switched to braided gear several years back. Since they never ate the bracelets, they remain, but since Murphy lives too d*mn close to me, I do check them at least once a week during the moult and pretty much daily duing season- the exception being the lofted birds. With a little jess grease applied while feeding on the fist, most of my bracelets go 2-3 years before I can't stand it and change them all out, for peace of mind. If the leather is good to begin with, it doesn't just suddenly fail. There are often inconsistancies in a hide, scars thin spots ect., ya just need to be on top of it when cutting your gear.
All this being said, and my love of leather set aside, I'd be interested in trying these braided bracelets out next time I'm switching/replacing gear. Which, on Brandon's prairie, is coming up quick.