As for keeping your Brooks waterproof...
What I do is, twice a year, I melt some beeswax and using a paintbrush, liberally coat the saddle.
Then, using a hairdryer and a cotton rag I buff out the top (but leave the underside with a fairly thick coating of the wax).
I ride year round, and my 3 y/o B-17 has been in rain/sleet/snow without a problem.