not so, the proof is in distance riding, and my 6000+ mi/yr says it's so
It only takes a few minutes hanging around groups of cyclists to hear tales of need to try another new saddle, diaper, chaffing cream.
There's an entire industry built up around support for ill effects of padded saddles.
Every cross-multiple-states supported distance ride stops in any bike shop in every town for people to buy a different new saddle, diaper, chaffing cream.
People who ride distance on Brooks saddles can wear their canvas shorts, because they're not sitting on a (soggy) blanket that moves to press against every soft tissue that you're actually not sitting on - - even (especially) gel is a huge heat reservoir.
What makes Brooks work is cooling - your sweat evaporates so chaffing is never an issue, and the saddle only supports your sit-bones - it doesn't touch anywhere else, and even deflects away from your soft tissue.
All my Brooks saddles are completely invisible, and interestingly, my narrow Swallows are the most invisible of all
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on my more upright bikes, B17
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the whole break-in rumor is wild-ass internet extrapolation from people who have picked the wrong model for their riding position, and/or improperly adjusted the saddle position and horn angle
(B17 is the Wrong saddle for a drop-bar road bike, try a Swallow, Pro, B17N, Swift)
Brooks hammock leather saddles are a 120-y-o design that was never broken
they're even lighter than modern saddles when you add a pound of diaper and sweat