I too struggled on my first road bike with saddles. Then after I got my bike fit my bike shop buddy said you have the wrong width saddle. I then purchased the size he suggested and it was an immediate difference. it took me maybe 4-6 rides to really get used to the saddle but its been super good now for 3 years. No discomfort at all. I did buy a higher end saddle but it more the correct size than anything.
Also I learned the hard way that too much padding isn't necessarily a good thing