The side walls are a 1" thick. Its height can be adjusted from 17" to 19.5" continuously by rolling one of the two knobs. The seat is covered with 100% premium genuine leather with extra thick padding.
If you’re looking for a reasonably priced piano bench, look into this one. It’s comfortable, rugged, and stable. Even if you’re all thumbs, this is easy to put together. Simply attach each leg with a screw, using a hex wrench that comes with the bench. Some reviewers complain that this bench squeaks. I haven’t encountered this at all. If during assembly you tighten the leg screws sufficiently, you should have no problem.
You can, of course, pay more for a piano bench. If you’re constantly readjusting the height (as a piano teacher has to do), then you may need something more pricey to withstand heavy use. But if you’re a “set it and forget it” user, then this could be everything you need.