Leather works fine, so do many of the high quality vinyls.  Most of them are made for boating so they have crack resistance that exceeds leather.  UltraLeather is probably the best material out there for durability, fading, cracking, etc.  You don't have to go black, but you should stay pretty dark to keep the reflections down.  I have a dark gray glareshield and it works fine.  I like the two-tone idea though.

 

Mike Easley

Colorado Springs