I got caught out in a MO toad-strangler rainstorm a few years ago and feared the worst for my Brooks. Amazingly enough, it survived the storm without the tensioner bolt needing to be touched. One reason for this might have been that it is regularly treated with a dab of Proofhide on the top of the saddle. I put a thick coat of it on the bottom side when it was new. I'm going to get one of those Walmart shower caps to cover it with from now on.