Tested by No matter how great your bike is, if it doesn’t pass the comfort test, it will be one joyless ride after another. A large part of comfort is determined by the saddle that supports your sit bones. Too narrow a saddle and there will be excessive pressure on your sit bones. Too wide a saddle and you'll be resting on the edge of the center channel where there is minimal padding, and with chafing a possible unpleasant result. (Below, we share some guidance on how to measure your sit bone width so you can determine the right size saddle).
To put it simply, saddles are an extremely personal choice, and choosing the best one for you will come down to body morphology, riding style, position on the bike, and padding preferences.
Best Bike Saddles
- Best Pressure-Relief Bike Saddle: Selle Royal Respiro Athletic
- Maximum Relief Road Bike Saddle: Prologo Dimension Tirox
- Most Affordable Bike Saddle: Planet A.R.S. Classic
- Most Affordable Mountain Bike Saddle: WTB Speed Steel
- Best Value All Discipline Bike Saddle: Selle Italia Model X Green Superflow
What to Consider in a Bike Saddle
What’s New in Bike Saddles
These days, manufacturers are rethinking saddle shape and using 3D printing to optimize comfort. While it's becoming more common, 3D printing is still relegated to the highest end of the marketplace. Many 3D-printed bike saddles currently available for purchase are exorbitantly expensive, however, a few companies are offering more reasonably priced models like the Specialized Power Expert with Mirror ($200). This saddle combines a traditional smooth cover with 3D printed padding under the sit bones
With an untold number of possibilities for shape, density, and zone-specific cushioning, 3D printing looks like it will be a game-changing innovation that will forever change bicycle saddles.
Additionally, the trend toward short-nosed performance saddles, which originated with riders looking to optimize soft-tissue comfort while leaning forward on aero bars, is now reaching the mainstream.
Why go short? Reducing the saddle length up front means you can ride the drop portion of your bar for longer periods. But the newest saddles aren’t just short; they’re also wider up front, allowing riders to shift forward without compromising power.
Why You Should Trust Us
Bicycling has been vetting and reviewing bikes, gear, and accessories for more than 50 years. Recommendations are based on the extensive work of the test team, which includes Deputy Editor Tara Seplavy, Senior Test Editor Matt Phillips, Test Editor Dan Chabonov, and Maintenance Editor Gabe Ortiz. Together, they have more than 60 years of ride-testing experience and insight that they bring to every recommendation they make.
For the bike saddles chosen here, Matt Phillips determined the final recommendations based on his comprehensive test experiences, knowledge of the brands, and extensive industry background.
Additional research and reporting was handled by Chris Pino, who has put in his fair share of saddle time during 10-plus years of cycling. Pino has experienced all sorts of saddle shapes and sizes across just about every type of terrain out there. From multi-day bikepacking trips and XC MTB racing to high-intensity twilight criteriums, and 200-kilometer road rides, he’s learned—sometimes the hard way—what makes a good saddle and what to avoid. Although finding the perfect saddle is different for everyone, his hope is that the selections below and the guidance offered help you make the best choice possible.
How We Evaluate Bike Saddles
Over the years, the Bicycling gear team and staff have tested many bike saddles. In fact, a survey asking everyone in the office for their favorites elicited about as many opinions as the number of people who responded.
As mentioned earlier, saddle fit is completely personal, so we also factored in user reviews to back up our recommendations, and to get as much additional feedback as possible. For models not tested, they are often quite similar to bike seats that we have had personal experience with, so we carefully review and vet any of those options before recommending.
For each contender in this roundup, we considered riding style, weight, design and materials, performance, and cost. Here are the best bike saddles for road racers, commuters, mountain bikers, and more.
Our Full Bike Saddle Reviews
Pros
- Plenty of padding
- Generous cutout
Cons
- Heavy
Key Specs
| Width | 159 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 429 g |
| Rails | Titanox |
Ideal for shorter rides on bikes that put you in an upright position, the Respiro has a center groove that takes weight off your soft tissue and offers plenty of padding where it redistributes that pressure (your sit bones).
The channel down the midline of the seat also allows for airflow through the area to keep your nether regions from getting too sweaty. The Titanox seat rails are strong and lightweight, and the padded, cutaway design is suitable for both genders.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Dimension series offered at several build levels with budget-minded and exotic materials
Cons
- Only available in one width
Key Specs
| Width | 143 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 202 g |
| Rails | Tirox |
The Dimension is just 245 millimeters long—about 35 millimeters shorter than Prologo’s other road saddles—to produce less pressure. It’s also a bit wider at 143 millimeters (Prologo’s standard road saddle is about 134 millimeters wide).
Further pressure relief is provided by the cutout shell (PAS, Perineal Area System, in Prologo terminology). The rear of the saddle, where the rider’s sit bones rest, belongs to Prologo’s “Semi-Round” category. Unsurprisingly, this falls between Prologo’s more curved “round” tail shape and its “flat” shape. Dual-density padding resides under the microfiber cover.
While Prologo does make a women’s-specific line of saddles, according to the company, due to the saddle’s shape and features, the Dimension is considered appropriate for both men’s and women’s anatomies.
Pros
- Men’s and women’s options
Cons
- Subpar material quality
Key Specs
| Width | 165 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 407 g (M), 381 g (W) |
| Rails | Steel |
An affordable comfort saddle with firm foam padding and a pronounced relief channel, Planet Bike’s A.R.S. (Anatomic Relief Saddle) is an upgrade for many budget bikes. The seat keeps riders’ sit bones from feeling bruised and gives the nether regions plenty of breathing room.
The cover doesn’t feel as cushy as those on saddles that are four times the price, but it does have abrasion-resistant patches to prevent excessive wear. The saddle shape isn’t just for cruising either. Riders felt like they could move around when they wanted to stand for a climb.
Pros
- Wide range of uses
Cons
- No cutout
Key Specs
| Width | 145 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 379 g |
| Rails | Steel |
With all the out-of-saddle riding that happens on trails both uphill and down, a budget saddle might be all you need to have an awesome ride. This all-around, off-road saddle is definitely that, but it’s also designed to be supportive when you’re seated, so it's a solid choice for gravel grinding as well as singletrack shredding.
Unlike other more expensive saddles, the Speed Steel is available in only one size: medium. The steel rails damp chatter providing a smoother ride through rough lines. A slight center depression redistributes pressure from soft tissue to sit bones.
Pros
- Outstanding value for the money
- Able to be recycled
Cons
- A bit heavy
Key Specs
| Width | 145 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 315 g |
| Rails | Carbon-iron steel alloy |
The Model X Green Superflow blew us away. This $67 saddle rides like a saddle that should cost four times as much. The comfort, build quality, and overall feel of the saddle is unmatched at this price point.
On the bike, it felt immediately comfortable with its short nose, 145-millimeter width, and generous relief cutout. It checks all the boxes for a modern short-nose road saddle with a cutout. The padding was supportive yet minimal, and combined with a decent amount of flex in the shell, it is a saddle we vouch for on those spirited and longer road rides. The only downside: this saddle is a bit heavy.
Pros
- Wide range of applicable uses
Cons
- Uncomfortable for riders who move around a lot during a ride
Key Specs
| Width | 130 mm, 143 mm, 155 mm, or 168 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 229 g (in 143-mm width) |
| Rails | Titanium |
The Power Arc Expert has a short nose, a wide tail, and a center cutout. This shape is said to enhance blood flow and relieve pressure on sensitive areas. We couldn’t test blood flow to determine the veracity of that claim, but our testers can confirm the saddle was comfortable while riding road, gravel, and mountain bike trails.
Minimal padding provided a firm pedaling platform that felt extremely efficient but not uncomfortable. However, this saddle, and others like it, work best for riders who don't like to shift around a lot while seated. Cyclists who prefer to move around on the saddle may want an option other than this. The Power Expert comes in three widths: 143, 155, and 168 millimeters.
Pros
- Works with wide range of body shapes
- Supremely comfortable
Cons
Key Specs
| Width | 143 mm or 155 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 190 g and 198 g |
| Rails | Carbon |
Specialized utilized the latest in 3D printing technology, which it calls Mirror, to upgrade its S-Works Romin EVO. The Romin not only boasts a 26 percent reduction in sit-bone pressure, but also features the company’s body geometry cutout for increased blood flow.
The sum of all this tech is a supremely comfortable saddle that should work for a wide range of anatomies. Mirror technology also allows Specialized to tune the saddle in a way not feasible with a standard foam or gel saddle. The result is precise, firm support exactly where you need it, balanced by soft cushion in areas that don’t require as much support. Our test team is excited for this technology as it trickles down into more affordable saddles, like the new Specialized Power Pro with Mirror.
Pros
- Designed to last a long time
- Gets better with time
Cons
- Leather requires some maintenance
- Long break in period
Key Specs
| Width | 175 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 520 g |
| Rails | Steel |
The Brooks B17 has been around for more than 100 years It’s designed to wear in slowly over a few months—like all leather—but once it does, you’ll have a nearly custom-fit saddle that will last you for the long haul (the company offers a 10-year warranty).
The strong, durable steel rails help dampen road vibrations, and the wide rear and narrow nose offer the right dimensions for well-supported, unencumbered pedaling. Ladies, check out the B17 Short.
Pros
- Mimic technology creates a more comfortable ride
- Works for men and women
Cons
- Heavier than competing saddles at this price point
Key Specs
| Width | 143 mm, 155 mm, or 168 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 213 g, 214 g, and 216 g |
| Rails | Titanium |
Short for biomimicry, Specialized’s Mimic technology is engineered to reduce pressure while supporting soft tissue. Bottom line: This saddle conforms to a woman’s anatomy to promote a more comfortable ride. The company deploys Mimic on many of its saddles, and adding it the Power series has earned praise from many testers—both women and men.
Specialized filled the Power’s cutout with a flexible thermoplastic elastomer (TPU) “hammock” to prevent tissue from pushing through the opening and swelling (a painful problem for some women). The company also incorporated three different foam densities: firm under the sit bones, memory cushion down the center, and soft on the nose, to provide better pressure distribution.
The Power saddles with Mimic feature an updated shape with tapered wings to minimize thigh rubbing—good news for those who experience saddle pain on their rides. At the very least, Mimic provides one more option for riders who are seeking more comfort.
Editors’ Note: This popular saddle can be hard to find and is frequently on backorder at many retailers. We recommend being patient and checking several retailers, such as Competitive Cyclist, Mike’s Bikes, and Specialized’s website. You could also consider similar models like the Power Comp with Mimic.
Pros
- Works with large range of anatomies
Cons
- Wide rear of saddle might be too wide for some
Key Specs
| Width | 143 mm or 155 mm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 285 g and 295 g |
| Rails | Chromoly |
Ergon has a long history of producing great MTB saddles, and the SM Sport Gel for women is no different. The women’s-specific shape offers comfort in all MTB disciplines. It features strategically placed gel inlays and a large cutout for pressure relief exactly where it's needed.
The flatter rear of the saddle allows for a large range of movement and seating positions while still remaining supportive. The SM Sport line was designed by women for women, and it shows. Our testers reported forgetting they were even sitting on a saddle—one of the highest compliments a saddle can have.
Expert Q&A
Our Experts, Chris Pino and Matt Phillips, Give Guidance on Cut-Outs, Price, Padding, and More.
Chris Pino is a former photographer turned woodworker who discovered his love of cycling after buying a commuter bike shortly after moving to New York City—that commuting turned into all day rides and eventually into competitive cyclocross and crit racing; nowadays, Chris enjoys long, bad-idea bike rides with his friends and all things bike tech. You can follow along on Instagram at @chrispino.
A gear editor for his entire career, Matt’s journey to becoming a leading cycling tech journalist started in 1995, and he’s been at it ever since; likely riding more cycling equipment than anyone on the planet along the way. Previous to his time with Bicycling, Matt worked in bike shops as a service manager, mechanic, and sales person. Based in Durango, Colorado, he enjoys riding and testing any and all kinds of bikes, so you’re just as likely to see him on a road bike dressed in Lycra at a Tuesday night worlds ride as you are to find him dressed in a full face helmet and pads riding a bike park on an enduro bike. He doesn’t race often, but he’s game for anything; having entered road races, criteriums, trials competitions, dual slalom, downhill races, enduros, stage races, short track, time trials, and gran fondos. Next up on his to-do list: a multi day bikepacking trip, and an e-bike race.
