A good synthetic is probably a bit softer. It will probably never "break in" and work the same way from day one till whenever you decide to stop using it. Boar brushes are very stiff to begin with, but soften up after a few months of use, the ends of the hairs split and the become softer, but the base of hair knot will remain quite stiff. Both types of brushes don't really "bloom" the same way a badger does when it's wet.