The right bike seat for you will suit your riding style, body type, and budget.
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Cycling is a great way to explore, exercise, or simply get around day to day. However, as many sore bums can attest to, not every bike seat is created equal. If you’re experiencing numbness, pain, or discomfort, it might be time to upgrade for a smoother ride.
Bike seats are designed for different types of riding, body shapes, and budgets. We tried out 24 to choose the best of the best for every need. After assembling the seat and inspecting the construction and materials, we took them for a series of test spins. Each bike seat was evaluated for comfort, stability, durability, and value. The winners below stood out for extra attributes like weatherproof hardiness, not requiring a break-in period, and catering to specific body types.
This seat boasts weatherproof durability, ample flex, and comfort for use across varied terrain.
The steel rails aren’t the most lightweight option.
Since 1866, Brooks has been crafting quality saddles fit for any type of rider and ready to withstand the notoriously wet English weather. The Brooks England Cambium All-weather Bike Seat earned perfect scores across all our test categories, thus earning our best overall pick. Brooks’ Cambium line is made from natural rubber that’s been vulcanized, plus organic cotton canvas and a structural textile, adding resistance and eliminating the need for a break-in period.
After five months of using this bike seat, we loved how it formed to our shape and followed our movement to deliver comfort and support. Waterproof and weatherproof nylon is used to encase the exterior, making this a long-lasting bike seat with year-round functionality. The carved version of the Cambium All-weather features a cutout for pressure relief in sensitive areas. The saddle bag loops on the fiberglass back plate come in handy for bikepacking or commuting. With all these attributes, we recommend this seat for any type of riding.
The Details: 0.98 pounds | 11.14 x 5.51 x 2.05 inches | Road, gravel cycling style | Nylon
This saddle offers body-molding comfort and a timeless design.
The seat top on this Brooks model is made with cotton.
The Brooks England Cambium C-17 Saddle has many of the same attributes and features as the aforementioned All-weather Bike Seat. A key difference, not so shockingly, is that this version lacks the same level of weather protection. The Cambium C17 uses organic cotton canvas for the seat top, which still claims waterproofing capabilities. The All-weather Bike Seat also has the advantage on price, though we think that both seats are worth the money. Aside from those distinctions, the Cambium C17 excels at performance, thanks to the vulcanized rubber that responds and moves with cyclists. After five months of using this bike seat, we love the texture of the saddle, which actually keeps you from sliding around on the seat and helps to prevent any soreness. It’s also effective at absorbing shocks from the road.
The Details: 0.9 pounds | 11.1 x 6.4 x 2 inches | Road, gravel cycling style | Cotton and steel
The saddle is anatomically designed for women’s comfort and performance and we love its stability and durability.
It has a thicker nose than some race-oriented saddles.
Specifically developed for women cyclists, the Selle Italia Diva Gel Superflow Saddle delivers lasting support and pressure relief in a race-ready design. The seat top is fitted with a lightweight gel layer that cushions the sit bones and provides shock absorption while riding on rougher roads. It also features a sizable anatomical cutout in the center of the saddle to shift weight to the sit bones and alleviate pressure and chafing in sensitive soft tissue areas. After using this seat for five months, it is still firm, but has enough cushioning to keep comfortable even on for long rides.
The SuperFlow cutout, combined with the titanium rails and nylon base, keep the saddle’s weight to a minimum. The nylon base affords some flex but stays firm for excellent power transfer while pedaling. The seat’s stability was a standout quality for us. While mountain biking, the seat was exactly where you would need it to be for stability and riders won't felt like they will slide around. It’s also worth noting that the Diva Gel Superflow comes in two widths: 135 or 152 millimeters.
The Details: 0.6 pounds | 10.6 x 5.3 inches (S3); 10.6 x 6 inches (L3) | Road, touring, mountain cycling style | Fibra-tek
This saddle is designed for ergonomic support while tackling tough terrain.
With its dense foam and gel padding, it’s geared more toward comfort than race-level performance and efficiency.
When crafting the SM Sport Gel Saddle, Ergon drew upon feedback and testing from the ladies of the Ergon Factory Rider Team to enhance the design. The resulting women’s-specific saddle incorporates anatomical features for top-notch comfort and freedom of movement for technical riding. After regularly using this seat on a mountain bike for five months, we loved that it is not too slippery, but still supportive. The saddle has a wide, flat platform in the rear to support the sit bones and surrounding soft tissue. It’s also fitted with a forward-oriented relief channel to mitigate pressure and numbness in the perineum area. Orthopedic foam padding on the seat top provides cushion across the saddle, while gel padding along the sides and center contours to the body and smooths out angles. The saddle is wrapped in a nylon microfiber shell with anti-friction side flanks to protect the thighs when pedaling or changing stances. The SM Sport Gel Saddle performed well for us across riding positions during road and single-track rides alike.
The Details: 0.6 pounds | 13.8 x 7.5 x 3.9 inches | Mountain biking cycling style | Synthetic and steel
This saddle reduces pressure and enhances movement for lasting comfort on long and technical rides.
It’s not the most budget-friendly saddle.
Made for mountain biking and touring, the Ergon SMC Core Saddle provides plush padding and support that moves with riders. The saddle uses Ergon’s Core 3D and TwinShell technology to create a multi-layered design, which includes a responsive BASF Infinergy elastomer foam layer between two nylon composite shells. This allows the SMC Core to shift side to side to support pelvic movement while pedaling, reducing back strain and pressure on the sit bones. The added flexibility also comes in handy when whipping down single track trails. We were impressed by the seat’s stability, even on tough terrain and tactical trails. The SMC Core is equipped with a pressure relief channel in two different widths to prevent numbness in the genital area and accommodate a wide range of body types.
The Details: 1.1 pounds | 13 x 9.5 x 5 inches | Mountain biking, touring cycling style | Synthetic and aluminum
After five months of use, this saddle impressed us with its durable materials and solid comfort.
The relief channel can accumulate debris, especially for enduro riders and mountain bikers.
The Ergon SM Enduro Comp Saddle offers a level of performance and comfort to match the demands of enduro riding. It’s constructed with a nylon composite shell, microfiber cover, and an AirCell orthopedic foam for enhanced pressure distribution. The perimeter of the seat is equipped with 360-degree edge padding to deliver cushion when standing or leaning into a corner on fast-paced enduro rides. A sizable relief channel spans most of the saddle, reducing pressure and numbness for the male anatomy. For superior freedom of movement, the SM Enduro Comp features a flat V-shaped design and sloping rear so riders can quickly switch positions. The seat is substantial enough to boost power transfer without being bulky. We’re fans of the cool, sleek design, which also includes chromoly steel rails that come in black or an oil-slick finish.
The Details: 0.5 pounds | 13.4 x 7.7 x 2.3 inches | Mountain biking cycling style | Synthetic and steel
With its plush padding and relief channel, this seat is extremely comfortable.
The weight and bulky design are geared more toward casual riding.
If padding is top of mind, look no further than the Serfas EG-8000E Cruiser E-gel Saddle. The seat’s E-gel layer delivers thick, soft padding that molds to the shape of the rider. After five months of rides with this seat, we love that it is both durable and comfortable. It’s meant to perform like a second skin, similar to chamois in padded bike shorts, to reduce friction while pedaling and changing positions. For added comfort, the EG-8000 Cruiser has a mid-saddle cutout for pressure relief and ventilation. The elastomer suspension system absorbs vibrations and unexpected shocks during rides. The seat’s noteworthy features are rounded out with steel rails and a waterproof Soflex cover.
The Details: 1.8 pounds | 12 x 9 x 4 inches | Road cycling style | Soflex and steel
This seat has excellent ventilation and padded comfort at an entry-level price.
The seat cover material can stick to clothing, hindering movement on more intense rides.
The Wittkop Bike Seat was a standout for its smooth ride, padding, and contoured design. The unisex seat is equipped with a memory foam layer that molds to the rider’s sit bones for quality support. Wittkop applied its innovative five-zone concept to the seat design, which includes ergonomic elements geared toward comfort, reducing friction, pressure relief, ventilation, and sit bone support. The relief channel and enhanced airflow system reduce sweating — a major plus when commuting to work or school. Welded seams and waterproof construction give the Wittkop Bike Seat year-round durability. Riders can choose from three seat styles depending on their needs: city, touring, and mountain bike.
The Details: 1.3 pounds | 10 x 3.2 inches long; width: 8.5 inches (city), 6.7 inches (touring), 5.4 inches (mountain) | City, touring, or mountain cycling style | Foam
This well-cushioned seat offers a nearly universal fit and an integrated light for safety.
The plastic materials used under the seat raise durability concerns.
The Giddy Up Memory Foam Waterproof Bike Seat earned our best value pick for its quality comfort and useful features at a bargain price point. The seat top has memory foam that conforms to the rider’s body for optimal sit bone support and comfort. Beneath the seat, an elastomer suspension system dulls bumps and vibrations from the road. The seat design achieves a happy medium between a sleek performance seat and a bulkier cruiser model, making it a user-friendly and versatile option. After using this seat for five months, we found it to be comfortable, but not too cushy — a good structure between rigid and cushioned. We appreciated the rear bike light, especially for morning and evening commutes in the dark. The battery-powered LED light has three different modes that are easily adjusted by a small switch under the back of the seat. The Giddy Up Bike seat comes with an adapter and mounting tools, allowing it to fit road or stationary bikes alike.
The Details: 2.1 pounds | 11 x 8.4 x 4.3 inches | Road cycling style | Faux leather and memory foam
The wider design better distributes weight for a more comfortable bottom.
It’s the heaviest seat on this list.
The YLG Oversized Comfort Bike Seat lives up to its name, delivering a wide-set seat with premium memory foam and gel padding. The seat top has an extra-wide arc design that fits the hips while enhancing power transfer to the pedals. It’s rigged with a dual spring rubber ball suspension system to absorb shocks and vibrations. The wide seat is well-suited for upright riding styles, such as a beach cruiser or other recreational models, and more leisurely occasions like bike tours.
The Details: 3.6 pounds | 15 x 13 x 7.1 inches | Road, gravel cycling style | Leather, foam, and PVC
We liked these three bike seats during testing — just not enough to put them on our final list. However, they’re worth considering if you’re still weighing options.
Prologo Dimension Tirox Road Saddle: We liked the grippy seat cover and sit bone support afforded by the wider design, but the high price tag reduced the value score.
Bontrager Verse Comp Bike Saddle: We were fans of the cushioned support and stability, but the slick seat top caused sliding on tougher terrain.
WTB Volt Gel Chromoly Saddle: We appreciated the lightweight design and quality construction but felt the padding was a bit firm to make the list.
The T+L team tested 24 bike seats on different terrain over the span of five months. We began by assembling and mounting the bike seat according to the manufacturer instructions, making note of overall difficulty, need for specialized tools, and ability to be installed on different types of bikes.
After assessing the material quality and construction, we completed a series of one-hour (or more) rides for each seat. We evaluated performance on flat pavement, paved inclines, and off-road trails to determine the appropriate uses for each seat. After the test rides, bike seats were scored from one to five for key attributes, including comfort, stability, durability, and value.
Cyclists should consider the duration, intensity, and terrain they’ll be riding on when selecting a bike seat. Nathan Allen, Outdoor Gear Editor at TripSavvy, notes that “cyclists who are riding more are going to want something that’s lightweight and streamlined, while those going out for a casual ride will want comfort.”
In other words, more padding may be suitable for recreational riders and commuters, while distance cyclists often prefer a sleeker seat for greater power transfer. Mountain bikers likely want to prioritize durability and shock absorption when browsing bike seats.
A saddle should be wide enough to support your rear without obstructing your ability to pedal. “The best bike seat is the one that fits you properly and keeps you riding confidently and comfortably,” says Ben Cooley, owner of Bicycle Sport, a bike shop in Charlotte, North Carolina.
If you can’t give a saddle a test run, measuring your sit bones — the lower part of your pelvis that absorbs your weight when you sit — can help find the right size bike seat. Once you have an idea of your ideal width, consult the technical specs of any bike seat to ensure it’s a good fit.
Soft, thick padding may sound the most comfortable at face value. But during prolonged sitting, softer padding increases pressure on the sit bones and delicate nerves rather than distributing body weight more evenly. This can create pressure points and reduce the power riders can derive from the seat.
To get some extra cushioning, riders can also wear padded bike shorts for a more ergonomic fit.
Any bike seat should be positioned at a height that allows you to achieve full extension while pedaling. If your knee is still bent when the pedal is at its lowest point, it needs to be raised. Conversely, you should lower the seat if you find yourself overextending while pedaling.
Most bike seats can be easily interchanged with different bicycles. Check the bars beneath the seat, known as saddle rails, to see if the width matches up with the seat post. Older models and higher-end road bikes are less likely to match the standard 44-millimeter width.
Bike seats often come with manufacturer instructions for installation. Generally, you’ll start by removing the old seat from the seat post by unscrewing the bolts in the clamp, located on the bottom of the saddle. You may need to lift and turn the top clamp to fully remove the saddle. Once off, ensure it's rid of debris and dust before adding the new seat. To install, place the rails of the new seat on the seat post. It may be helpful to grease the underside of bolts to reduce creaking before attaching the new seat. Finally, reposition the clamp over the rails and tighten the screws.
Checking that your bike seat is the right height and investing in quality padded bike shorts are good first steps to improving comfort. Adjusting your riding style and sitting position to put more weight on the pedals and lean forward can make a seat hurt less, too. Often, the generic seat that comes with a bike isn’t the best fit and merits replacing with a more comfortable model.
Kevin Brouillard is a contributing writer at T+L, specializing in outdoor gear and apparel. His work has been published in TripSavvy, Jetsetter, and Oyster, and he served in the Peace Corps in Cambodia for two years. Kevin used his cycling experience and testing insights conducted by Travel + Leisure testers to curate this list of the most comfortable bike seats. He also interviewed Nathan Allen, Outdoor Gear Editor at TripSavvy, and Ben Cooley, owner of Bicycle Sport in Charlotte, North Carolina.
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