I have 5 bikes, and each one has a Brooks B17 saddle. When I was young and rebellious, I scoffed at Brooks saddles as being for “Freds” or old people. But as one gets older, one (usually) gets wiser, and after getting a B17 and breaking it is, I saw the light, and was converted.

I ride about 200 miles per week, using Brooks B17 saddles, I don’t wear padded shorts, and have no issues with discomfort or numbness. I’ve done a number of centuries this year, a couple in jeans, the rest in ordinary, non-padded shorts, and my butt has had no complaints.

Brooks makes a number of different saddles, the only one which I find completely comfortable is the plain-Jane B17. I haven’t found the Imperial version to be any more comfortable, and the other models, like the Swallow, Swift, and Pro are more designed to be used with padded cycling shorts.