Brooks Proofide Leather Care

Yes, it is highly recommended. Applying Proofide helps soften the leather, which significantly eases the break-in process and helps the saddle mold to your shape more quickly.

For a new saddle, apply it every few months during the break-in period. Once the saddle is broken in, an application every six months is generally sufficient to keep the leather supple and protected.

Proofide provides a degree of water resistance, often referred to as shower-proofing. While it helps protect the leather from light rain and moisture, it does not make the saddle completely waterproof.

Brooks specifically recommends using only Proofide. Other leather oils or conditioners can be too aggressive, potentially softening the leather too much and causing it to lose its structural integrity or shape.

Apply a small amount to the top of the leather and leave it until it is dry, then buff it off with a soft cloth. You can also apply it to the underside of the saddle, but it is not strictly necessary to buff that side off.