A new saddle should be treated with Brooks Proofide leather dressing to help assist the ‘breaking-in’ process. Proofide keeps the leather supple as it is specially formulated from natural ingredients to condition, preserve and shower proof your saddle. Proofide is the only substance that should be used to care for your Brooks Leather Saddle. Apply a little Proofide to the finished side of the leather. Allow the Proofide to permeate until dry and then polish off. Proofide should be used several times during the ‘breaking-in’ period and every 3-6 months thereafter. On bicycles not fitted with mudguards, an initial application to the underside of the saddle will be beneficial, this needs not to be polished off. The leather gets its colour during the tanning process and it is possible, therefore, that some colour residues will remain. It is recommended to polish the saddle with a soft cloth before first use.
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Q > I have a perfectly good tin of Dubbin. Would this be harmful to my Brooks saddle?
A > We recommend to use only Proofide, as we cannot know all ingredients of the different leather conditioners on the market. I guess that Dubbin could also work, if I trust what I found about it on Wikipedia, but we cannot guarantee... "Dubbin is a wax product used to soften, condition and waterproof leather. It consists of natural wax, oil and tallow".
COMMENT > I did not appreciate when ordering this item that the size of the tin of polish was only sufficient for one or may be to two applications. Very disappointed and will seek an alternative option in future. The cost of shipping was also high given the value of the purchase.
REPLY > The size of the tin is kept small because once opened some of the ingredients slowly evaporate in a few months. This does not affect the main function of the leather conditioner, but it definitely changes its smell. In the past a few people were concerned, so we decided to make the tins slightly smaller than a few years ago. Regarding the shipping cost when bought from our online shop, the amount has been lowered to €1 if bought together with another product. If bought as a single item the shipping cost varies depending on the country where it needs to be shipped.
I have a tin of Proofide that is about seven years old. It smells awfully rancid but the texture and colour are fine. Is there a reason not to use it apart from the smell? How can I prevent Proofide from turning rancid? Is it possible to refrigerate or even freeze it?
> Proofide uses tallow, a natural product that turns rancid over time. This may still be used or replaced, but in the future store in a cool, dry, place or the freezer.
q: is it recommended to use proofhide on the aged saddles? either to help break in or for general maintenance? a: yes and yes. Q > Do the aged saddles need proofide? R > Not really, but if you want to protect the saddle you can apply some to the underside. Do not put it on the top, though! Which answer is right?
actually neither, after a few years of testing, we have concluded that you do not need Proofide with this line.
I just got my Flyer and I love it! I also got Proofide. You say that during the breaking-in period you should apply several times. Assuming I ride 80-100 kilometers a week, how often is that? Every ride? Every week? I'd like to break it in as quick as possible, but I don't want to ruin the saddle, as other have mentioned. Also, after about what mileage should I expect the saddle to be "broken-in" in order to stop applying Proofide and only apply every 3-6 months? I think others could use this info. Thanks!
A> Use sparingly. It is used to protect the leather, not break it in! Every six months should suffice!
Proofide is the stuff to use. But I've a 35-ish year old B15 I really would like to put on my latest bike, it has no cracks, is in great shape, but the leather is very hard. I wonder what Brooks would recommend for this. I don't want it to crumble immediately, though I am sure that it won't last forever.
A> Give it some proofide for a few weeks after you start riding it, see if you can gradually add some suppleness.