Best bike saddles 2024 — get more comfortable on your ride

Best overall saddle: Fabric Scoop Race Shallow — Buy Now for £40.00 from Evans

The Fabric Scoop Race Shallow is a well-made, supremely comfortable saddle, with a non-slip surface and shock-absorbing titanium rails, and comes at an excellent price.

The Scoop has been around a fair few years now and has a well-deserved reputation for being a very comfortable saddle for smashing out the miles. This titanium-railed version continues the theme, impressing with its levels of comfort, build quality and value.

The titanium rails gave a slightly sprung effect, so that any potholes or rough surfaces felt slightly damped. 

Our reviewer also really like the non-slip surface formed by the Fabric logo. When you pick a position, you stay stuck to it – to move backwards and forwards you have to rise up and move, rather than slide. We found it really good for seated climbing. On descents, or fast cornering too – as long as a small patch of your posterior is on the saddle – you stay in position.

Read our review of the Fabric Scoop Race Shallow
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Best budget saddle: Fabric Cell Elite Radius Saddle — Buy Now for £29.99 from Wiggle

Tester Matt writes: “Despite their prevalence, gel and foam saddles do have their drawbacks. Foam can compress to a point where it provides almost no cushioning at all. And for all the support that gel is supposed to provide, it can sneak into places you really don't want it to cause other problems. In theory, any air-filled saddle could do the same. But Fabric's Cell Elite Radius is not some sort of seat-shaped balloon; instead, it uses collapsible pyramid air cell technology to provide impressive air-sprung comfort.

“Fabric says this saddle is designed for more upright riding, and there's little to complain about when cruising with your head up. Support is really quite incredible. I did my first test ride on the Cell Elite wearing just jeans and comfort was superb.

“The reason for this, Fabric says, is because, 'the air-tight seal stops the saddle compressing completely, so you never feel those painful pressure points found on traditional seats.' I'd have to concur. I experienced no discomfort, with my seated weight distributed nicely across the saddle width and length, particularly when sitting upright in cruise mode. The air cells are tightly regulated, so you won't find unwanted cushioning going walkabout like gel, and they don't compress to rigidity like foam.”

Read our review of the Fabric Cell Elite Radius Saddle
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Best women's saddle: Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow — Buy Now for £85.40 from Tredz

The Selle Italia Lady has long been a go-to saddle for bike shops helping solve women's bike comfort problems and still represents arguably the best combination of features, though as you'll see below it has considerably more competition than when it first appeared.

The key is the large, pressure-relieving cut-out down the centre of the hull. That's the feature Selle Italia designates as 'Flow' in all saddles with it, because the idea is it lets blood flow easily to the soft tissues that get squashed by most saddles.

Under the synthetic leather cover there's gel padding for support, and the Lady Gel Flow is available in two widths: 135mm and 160mm so using Selle Italia's idmatch system you should be able to get one that fits your sit-bone spacing.

As mentioned above, check out our women's saddles buyer's guide for more recommendations.

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Best leisure saddle: Selle Royal Float Athletic — Buy Now for £22.70 from HollandBikeShop

The Selle Royal Float Athletic uses memory foam cushioning to offer a really well-supported and comfortable ride. While it won't necessarily be lusted over by fast road riders, for anybody who wants a little extra luxury, it's very good.

The problem with highly padded saddles is that you can't always legislate for where that padding goes, and it can end up restricting movement and even cause chafing. In truth, probably the best thing you can do to improve comfort is to buy good padded shorts and spend a sensible and regular amount of time in the saddle to build up your tolerance.

However, Selle Royal thinks it also has another answer. Its Float range of saddles uses Slow Fit memory foam which moulds itself to adapt to the shape of the body's contact points. This, Selle Royal says, "creates more uniform pressure distribution while maintaining effective support". This 'Athletic' model is the most svelte of the Float range (although, svelte-ness is all relative).

The Float Athletic's on-road performance is very good. The memory foam cushioning works a treat and offers a very comfortable base without ever feeling overtly soft or squidgy. Support is good across the width of the saddle and even the pressure-relieving channel does its job.

Read our review of the Selle Royal Float Athletic
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Best leather saddle: Spa Cycles Aire — Buy Now for £58 from Spa Cycles

If the three-figure price of a Brooks Swift is a bit rich for your blood, this very similar own-brand seat from Harrogate touring specialist Spa Cycles is a very acceptable substitute. It's made from thick Australian leather with shiny chromed steel rails; very handsome.

Our tester found it comfortable even for 15-hour rides. For hard-core randonneurs on a budget or leather saddle virgins who want to try one without breaking the bank the Aire is just about perfect.

Read our review of the Spa Cycles Aire

Best money-no-object saddle: Specialized S-Works Romin EVO — Buy Now for £229.50 from Cycle Store

The Specialized S-Works Romin EVO saddle is brilliant for riders with a low, aero riding position. This, the top-end model, shaves weight and also gives the stiffest pedalling platform of the range. The finish is very clean too – it's an easy saddle to recommend.

Tester Liam writes: “What you're getting from the Romin is a relatively long saddle, with a central cutout Specialized says helps maintain blood flow. The shape flows down from the rear and falls away at the nose. The idea is the saddle supports you when you're in an aero tuck, with your torso nice and low. My personal experience is that it does this very well. When racing, the saddle helps me to stay planted as I chew the bars, trying desperately to avoid getting dropped.

“The Specialized S-Works Romin EVO saddle is a high-performance perch I find exceptionally comfortable because it works best if you adopt a low, stretched riding position. It's well made and supports me perfectly in that racy riding position – just as it's designed to do.”

Read our review of the Specialized S-Works Romin EVO
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Bontrager Aeolus Comp — Buy Now for £49.00 from Triton Cycles

The Bontrager Aeolus Comp is a unisex shorty saddle with a large cutout that's designed to take the pressure off soft tissues in an aero position – which it does very well. It's comfortable for both long road rides and short, intense turbo sessions thanks to its well judged level of padding and flexible shell. As the entry-level Aeolus saddle in a range of three, the price is competitively low.

Shorty or 'boost' saddles are increasingly popular because they make holding an aero position more comfortable by eliminating the traditional longer nose that can put pressure on soft tissues for both men and women. The penalty, however, is that they have to be set up exactly right because shuffle space is reduced. In addition, because you're more 'locked' in position they have to fit your sit bones more precisely.

The Aeolus Comp's shape looks simple but it's very effective. The sit bones are well supported on flat sections either side of the cutout, while the nose, which is wider than the noses of other shorty saddles such as the Selle Itala SLR Boost Superflow, lets you perch on it in a stem-chewing situation in more comfort than Selle Italia's SLR shape does, maximising available space. And the semicircle of padding at the tip, which closes off the cutout channel, cleverly stops you from sliding too far forward.

Read our review of the Bontrager Aeolus Comp
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Giant Fleet SL — Buy Now for £70.00 from Transition Cycles

Giant's Fleet SL saddle is a very good choice for occasional racers looking for more comfort when riding in an aero position. The saddle features firm padding but there's a little flex in the base along with a large central cutout, and I found it to be very comfortable, especially as the miles ticked up. The weight is good, but the price is a little higher than the competition.

Tester Liam writes: "I favour a rather long and low bike setup, so I find these types of saddles to be very comfortable; when shunted forward, they place more of the supportive rear part of the saddle under me. The Fleet SL does this really well and I've really liked my time spent on it.

"My testing has included as much variation in types of riding as possible, from flat-out efforts to lazy spins through the lanes. I've fitted this to my race bikes and also popped it on my cyclo-cross bike to test out a slightly more upright position. It was comfortable on both types, so I wouldn't pigeon-hole this saddle for race bikes only."

Read our review of the Giant Fleet SL
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Brooks Cambium C17 — Buy Now for £99 from Spa Cycles

What do you get if you combine the classic Brooks 'hammock' saddle design with thoroughly modern materials? You get the supremely comfortable Cambium C17. It's not the lightest saddle around, but if you value comfort over weight, then the Brooks Cambium C17 should be on your list of saddles you must try, and soon.

Read our review of the Brooks Cambium C17
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Astute Skylite Pilarga SR saddle — Buy Now for £203.28 from Amazon

Tester Stu writes: “Astute's Skylite Pilarga SR saddle may look on the pricey side, but with its twin bases, shock absorbers, memory foam and carbon fibre rails, you're getting a lot of engineering from this Italian handmade saddle. Add to the fact it's one of the most comfortable saddles I've every ridden and all of a sudden that cost is looking value for money in terms of smiles per miles.

“The main comfort comes from the twin base. Two thin layers of nylon, the upper one reinforced with carbon, create a hull that flexes in between the stiff, one-piece carbon fibre rails, therefore absorbing road imperfections and impacts. It can be a bit disconcerting at first, as you kind of feel like you're floating in the middle of the saddle rather like a hammock, but you soon adapt. The movement is subtle, mind, it's not like you're bouncing off down the road.

“Overall, I love the Astute Pilarga. It looks classy and offers a ride that is truly forgettable, which is something you want in a saddle. The details and finish really help to justify the cost, and being one of your main contact points it's worth spending out on something that suits.

Read our review of the Astute Skylite Pilarga SR saddle

Fizik Antares Versus Evo R3 Adaptive — Buy Now for £249.99 from Velosport

Blending 3D-print technology with a tried and tested shape yields a lightweight and comfortable performance saddle. The Fizik Antares Versus Evo R3 Adaptive saddle is expensive, yes, but for those who like the Antares shape, the high-tech construction has some real benefits.

Tester Leon writes: “I was initially sceptical about messing the construction of such a vital part of your bike’s fit, but, now that I've covered some real miles on the Antares Versus Evo R3 Adaptive, and really deliberated over my opinion of it, I'll admit it: I'm a fan.

“The construction allows for more cushioning to be engineered into the bits that you are in contact with. The honeycomb-like structure includes the outer layer that you can see, plus the airspace underneath it, which takes the place of more traditional saddle fillers. I can really appreciate just how much more give there is in the new model compared to my old Antares. That doesn't mean it feels like a sofa, but it's able to mould and depress really effectively when it needs to, and in all the key directions too.”

A step up to carbon fibre rails lops a claimed 42g off the weight and adds £50 to the price.

Read our review of the Fizik Antares Versus Evo R3 Adaptive
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Fabric Line Race Shallow — Buy Now for £47.99 - £49.99 from Wiggle

The Fabric Line Race Shallow saddle is a bit of a classic. Though it's been around for a few years now, it's still one of the best all-round performing saddles out there: comfortable on long rides, suitable for a range of riding styles, with subtle styling that looks great on any bike.

What you're getting here is a reasonably lightweight saddle with titanium rails for £75 RRP, which actually isn't a huge amount of money when you look around at what else offers the same – and a full-length pressure relief channel.

Most importantly, it's really very comfy. Okay, saddle comfort is personal, but I never thought I could be swayed away from the Charge Spoon saddle that I've been perched on for the last 15 years – it just seemed to suit me for some reason – but this is just as lovely a place to rest my backside, if not even more so. Despite there being quite a minimal level of padding, the combination of flexy titanium rails and the channel along the centre did a great job of cushioning me nicely.

Read our review of the Fabric Line Race Shallow
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Fabric Line Shallow Elite — Buy Now for £34.99 from Wiggle

Proof that you don't have to spend a fortune to get a comfortable saddle, for just £45 this is a super-comfortable performance saddle with pressure-relieving channel.

It's based on Charge's popular Scoop but the foam padding is partitioned down the middle. The unique construction method means Fabric has been able to retain a full base, so you're protected from road spray (many saddles have a hole) and no reinforcement is needed of the foam padding, which means it can be lighter.

The link above goes to the 134mm-wide version. It's also available in 142mm width.

Read our review of the Fabric Line Elite

Fabric Scoop Elite Shallow — Buy Now for £36.64 from LordGun Cycles

The Fabric Scoop Elite Shallow is a chromoly-railed saddle with three shapes to suit riding style. The shallow style here is a very comfortable, well constructed saddle which bench marks what a decent saddle should be.

Sat on chromoly steel rails, this 142mm wide, 282mm long saddle uses a plastic base that gives a really good amount of flex for comfort. It never feels too flexy, either.

The soft foam padding gets a waterproof covering that's smooth and easy to move on, but not so smooth you slide around while pedalling hard. It's also easy to clean.

It may not be the lightest thing out there at a claimed 266g, but for the price you probably won't mind – the Fabric Scoop Elite Shallow is an excellent saddle for most riders, offering a great blend of comfort, ruggedness and performance.

Read our review of the Fabric Scoop Elite Shallow
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Fabric Scoop Elite Gel — Buy Now for £35.00 from Chain Reaction Cycles

Charge describes the Fabric Scoop Gel as a 'comfort' design, and it ticks all the boxes: it's comfortable, well made, attractive and a fair price.

It's aimed at leisure, commuter and off-road riders who adopt an upright position, so has large gel inserts covering the three pressure points – the nose and wings – plus a V-shaped central channel to alleviate pressure on your bits. It's a unisex design, as are all Fabric saddles, but is particularly suited to women with wider sit bones.

Fabric Line-S Race Flat — Buy Now for £47.99 - £59.99 from Chain Reaction Cycles

Fabric's Line-S Race Flat saddle will appeal to performance-focused riders looking for a stable, supportive design for fast riding – the Flat in the name means flat-out. Its stumpy length and wide, slightly-sloped rear encourage an efficient fixed position, while the full-length channel relieves pressure. Mostly, it works extremely well, but the angular channel sides can occasionally irritate and there's no real wiggle-room to ease pressure on long rides.

I have always used long-nosed saddles and had, until now, never got on with shorter, wider ones. I've been pleasantly surprised by the Line-S, though. The full-length channel means I can get into a low position, stay there and experience no soft tissue discomfort from pressure.

I managed rides of up to 2.5 hours at a tempo pace and the saddle stayed comfortable throughout, fixed though I was in position. This position allowed me to put down power efficiently and effectively.

Saddle adjustment is critical too, but no matter what I did, anything longer than 2.5hrs and I was wanting to shuffle about a bit more. The shape doesn't really allow it, though.

Read our review of the Fabric Line-S Race Flat
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Selle San Marco Concor Racing saddle — Buy Now for £59.99 from Hargroves Cycles

A classic design from the late 1970s, the Selle San Marco Concor Racing is a firm, light, racing-orientated saddle. The original had a rounded, slim profile. The present incarnation has taken the design further by using state of the art materials and developing the saddle over two years to produce what Selle San Marco hope will be another winner.

Tester Cavan writes: “In terms of performance it hits all the spots, in the right way. There was some initial discomfort as the saddle moulded to its new position. The wings are not intrusive but on those early rides it was enough to force me out of the saddle more than I normally would. However after some regular commuting with the occasional evening or weekend ride I felt it was time for a proper test.

“What better way to prove your saddle is suitable than with an all day ride. The prospect of jumping out of the saddle did not appeal on a ride of this length. My fears were unfounded. There is enough flex on the wings for my thighs to find an accommodating position and when you need to exert additional power the hull is firm enough to allow you to do so.”

Read our review of the Selle San Marco Concor Racing saddle
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Rido R-Lt — Buy Now for £68.50 from SJS Cycles

The Rido R-Lt saddle is a reasonably lightweight performance choice that's built specifically to avoid numbness. This is a brilliant saddle. It does what Rido claim with regards to comfort plus the shape and fit are spot on. It is low profile enough to be taken seriously as a race saddle and at only 230g it isn't going to add any unnecessary weight to your race bike.

Read our review of the Rido R-Lt
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Astute Star Lite VT — Buy Now for £67.18 from Amazon

The Astute Star Lite is a superbly made saddle that offers a high level of comfort, especially when you're in a low and aggressive riding position.

The carbon fibre-reinforced nylon shell has a cutaway centre to reduce pressure on the perineum – as you'll find on many other saddles – and on top of that you get tri-density memory foam padding.

The padding towards the back of the saddle is quite firm to support your sit bones, and more squashy at the front to cosset your soft tissue. It immediately moulds to your body shape to provide a load of comfort without any areas of high pressure. The cover is made from Italian microfibre that's easily wiped clean after a wet ride.

Read our review of the Astute Star Lite VT

Repente Quasar — Buy Now for £70.95 from Cicli Mattio

The Repente Quasar saddle is light, very comfortable (given its lack of padding) and its flat profile is perfect for racier riding. Given its spec and the fact it's handmade in Italy, it's very competitively priced against the competition. It's only available in one width, mind.

Tester Hollis writes: “If you like to ride hard and fast, with your saddle high and handlebar low, then you're probably the type of rider who is interested in a flat saddle. Flat is good for more aggressive riding, where you don't have to worry too much about padding thickness because most of your weight is going to be on the front end anyway.

”That's precisely the kind of setup I employ on my rides – partly because I like to ride fast, and partly because I am long legged and need the seatpost pretty high anyway. Repente's Quasar is well suited to this kind of riding, but unlike some racier saddles, which can be stiff and uncompromising, it's actually very comfortable – good enough, even, for endurance riding.

“Overall, this is a fabulous saddle for the money and one I would happily recommend. There are plenty of good saddles at a lower price point, but the Repente Quasar can't be beaten when it comes to price per gram; you'll have to pay a lot more to get close to its 170g mark. That it's also very comfortable for even long rides, good looking, and has the cachet of being handmade in Italy, is all the more reason to buy one.”

Read our review of the Repente Quasar
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Selle San Marco Mantra Open-Fit Dynamic Saddle — Buy Now for £56.05 from Vélozone

The Selle San Marco Mantra Dynamic Open-fit saddle is the sensibly priced kid brother to the Mantra Superleggera we tested previously. It's reasonably comfortable and still a competitive weight, but it's definitely a firm, performance-orientated saddle, not a comfy-as-a-couch seat for upright cruising.

If you like a firm, flat saddle, then the Mantra Dynamic is for you. It has a stiff, fibreglass-reinforced hull topped with a thin layer of closed-cell foam and a pressure-relieving gap down the middle, all of which comes together in a saddle that's very much a platform for going fast.

Tester John writes: “I adapted to the Mantra in a few rides, even though it's very different from my usual Fizik Aliante and Brooks Cambium saddles, so even if you don't usually like this sort of thing, you might find the Mantra is a pleasant surprise after all. If your riding is about going fast, it's a seat you should definitely try.”

Read our review of the Selle San Marco Mantra Open-Fit Dynamic Saddle
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Fizik Aliante R3 Regular saddle — Buy Now for £82.50 from Merlin Cycles

The Fizik Aliante R3 Regular is a medium-width, scoop-shaped saddle that's firmer than some previous Aliante models, and is therefore best suited to hard efforts. If you want a saddle for sitting up and cruising, this isn't it, but if you're in a hurry, it's definitely one to consider.

Tester John writes: “The Aliante R3 Regular is definitely a bit firmer than the Aliante Gamma that's been one of my go-to saddles for the last few years. I initially fitted it to my turbo-training bike, and took a while to get used to it. Periods of low-power riding in my first couple of sessions were uncomfortable after a few minutes, though higher intensity was fine. I got used to it after a few sessions, though.

“I switched the Aliante R3 to road-riding duties and found it comfortable, though I'd still generally prefer something a shade softer like the Gamma or even Brooks Cambium. Just as it was more comfortable when I was going hard on the trainer, so pushing harder on the pedals took enough weight off my bum that the Aliante R3's shape and support could do its job.

”If you like a firm, dipped saddle, you'll probably get on well with the Aliante R3, and should definitely consider it if you're in the market for a new seat.”

Read our review of the Fizik Aliante R3 Regular saddle
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Prologo Scratch 2 Tirox — Buy Now for £84.12 from Amazon

The Prologo Scratch 2 134 Tirox provides excellent comfort straight out of the box, and that doesn't change whether out on a five-hour road ride or a jaunt on the gravel. It has a curved shape from front to rear, dipping in the middle, and this really works. The upwardly swooping tail end gives something to push against should you want to whack the power out, but for the rest of the time the narrow nose and rounded edges offer plenty of clearance for hip rotation during the pedalling motion.

Read our review of the Prologo Scratch 2 Tirox
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Specialized Power Arc Expert — Buy Now for £97.74 from Cyclestore

The Specialized Power Arc Expert saddle is a comfortable and accommodating seat that's capable of keeping you supported over even really long distances without trouble. With a pressure-relief cutout and available in two different widths to suit your body, this really can keep you riding all day without discomfort.

Read our review of the Specialized Power Arc Expert
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Astute Star Lite VT saddle — Buy Now for £99.95 from Amazon

The Astute Star Lite is a superbly made saddle that offers a high level of comfort, especially when you're in a low and aggressive riding position.

The build quality here is exceptional. Even when viewed from underneath (granted, you're unlikely to do that often!) the Star Lite looks superb with no ragged edges, staples or stray adhesive to spoil the appearance. The carbon fibre-reinforced nylon shell has a cutaway centre to reduce pressure on the perineum – as you'll find on many other saddles – and on top of that you get tri-density memory foam padding.

The padding towards the back of the saddle is quite firm to support your sit bones, and more squashy at the front to cosset your soft tissue. It immediately moulds to your body shape to provide a load of comfort without any areas of high pressure. The Astute Star Lite is an excellent saddle. It's beautifully made from high-quality materials and delivers plenty of comfort. The price might make you think twice but you can't argue with the performance.

Read our review of the Astute Star Lite VT saddle

Specialized Power Expert Saddle — Buy Now for £97.00 from Tredz

The Specialized Power Expert saddle provides reliable comfort and support even on all-day rides. Available in a range of widths to accommodate different sit bones, and with a cutout to relieve pressure, it's one you really can ride for hours without any issues.

Tester Ian writes: “I tested the two very similar Body Geometry saddles at the same time. While the Power Arc Expert is intended for people who like to be able to move around in their seat while riding, this Power Expert saddle is for people who like to stay in one optimal position. At the risk of repeating myself, you might want to ask yourself how you ride, and whether being able to move back and forth in the saddle matters to you – do you like being able to shift back and forth to engage different muscles, for example, or to drop down onto aerobars?

“The difference in shape that facilitates these different riding patterns is subtle, but definitely alters how the saddles feel. Having tried both, I can say that the two models work as advertised thanks to squarer, blunter edges and surfaces on this model and more rounded edges and surfaces on the Arc.”

Read our review of the Specialized Power Expert Saddle
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Cycles Berthoud Soulor — Buy Now for £134 from Spa Cycles

The Cycles Berthoud Soulor leather saddle is beautifully made and well worth the relatively modest time it takes to bed in because, once moulded, it's like it was custom made for your backside.

The Soulor is the sportiest saddle in the Cycles Berthoud range. Brooks' Swallow is probably its closest comparator, although the Soulor is slightly narrower. It comes in four different finishes, all with stainless steel rails. There's also a titanium-railed sibling, the Galibier, if you can justify the extra £30-odd.

The Soulor is a vegetable-tanned, pre-softened cow-hide saddle, which is joined to the steel rails via Torx bolts. Theoretically, this means it can be stripped and rebuilt, say in the event of damaging or seeking to upgrade the rails.

It took about 200 miles of riding and treating to break in after which it was nigh-on formed to tester Shaun's shape, so only felt in the most positive sense.

Read our review of the Cycles Berthoud Soulor

SQLab 612 Ergowave Active Carbon Saddle — Buy Now for £156.16 from Amazon

The SQLab 612 Ergowave Active Carbon Saddle is expensive but packed with pressure-relieving, customisable tech. If you have challenges getting comfortable or regularly swap between aerodynamic and general riding, it could be the one saddle you need.

The 612’s visibly distinct feature is the 'Adjustable Active Technology' at the back of the saddle, in the form of three differently coloured rubber inserts that you plug in, to adjust the amount of movement the saddle has when pedalling. Going from soft to hard, you get up to 7 degrees of tilt in the pelvis as you pedal, mimicking how your pelvis rocks when walking.

The ability to tune the saddle based on your ride duration, purpose (all-out speed vs slow and steady), your weight and general comfort preference make the 612 Active a good option to consider in your search for the perfect perch. This is a very good choice for faster riders seeking the ability to tune their saddle to the type of riding they do.

Read our review of the SQLab 612 Ergowave Active Carbon Saddle