We carry shower caps and now use while riding in rain. The Brooks covers have a short lifetime, presumably as mentioned, owing to riding on them. I generally apply a very thin layer of proofhide each year and like the honey brown rejuvenation sheen it gives. Unfortunately, this year our riding was very limited. A herniated disk caused agony. I could ride (and did) hundreds of miles, but could not walk for more than 100 m, now recovering from back surgery. The surgeon assures me I'll be on the honey brown within 2 month after surgery. Sucks getting old, but we still have our sights on the Loire valley.