The Best Road Bike Saddles of 2024

The Verse Comp ($100) saddle by Bontrager is a well-executed, comfortable saddle at a reasonable price point. The Verse does its job well, but quietly and without any surprises. Bontrager got the simple things right and that can’t always be said for saddles costing far more. 

The Verse Comp is firm but averts any obvious pressure points or harshness on rough roads. A generous central cutout relieves pressure on soft tissues and aids ventilation. The border of the cutout is nicely rounded so that it transitions into the top of the saddle upper without creating any pressure ridges.

Overall, the Verse Comp’s profile is well done, offering both fore/aft and lateral stability. There is no risk taken in the profile of the Verse Comp, and we’d expect that most people would at least find this saddle comfortable, if not perfect, for their individual anatomy and bike fit. It also comes in four widths in 10mm increments between 135 and 165 mm, so virtually everyone should be able to get the right fit.

The cover is dimpled in the rear to help riders stay planted in a powerful position. Branding on the cover and rails is minimal and almost invisible, allowing it to blend in nicely on just about any bike. The Verse Comp is somewhat heavy at a measured weight of 312 g with the Blendr mount. The difference of 140 grams between the Verse Comp and the $315 Trek RSL is approximately half a bottle of water and saves you $215. Oh, and the comfort of those two saddles is virtually identical. 

So, if weight is low on your list of priorities for the most important contact point on your bike, the Bontrager Verse Comp is an affordable option that could work just as well for you as saddles that are triple the cost. We’re also impressed that the Verse Comp includes the Blendr accessory mount, an integrated bracket for mounting taillights and saddle bags. Kudos to Bontrager for adding Blendr to this saddle that costs $100.

The Vento Argo 00 Adaptive ($400) saddle is Fizik’s answer to the Power Mirror family of saddles from Specialized and represents the best 3D-printed alternative to the Power Mirror. We tested the top-of-the-line “00” model with a carbon fiber base and rails, which results in it being quite a bit lighter than the Specialized with its titanium rails. Fizik also makes the R1 version of this saddle that retails for $100 less.

To create this saddle, Fizik partnered with a company called Carbon, which offers a “revolutionary Digital Light Synthesis technology. DLS is an additive manufacturing process which uses digital ultraviolet light projection, oxygen permeable optics, and programmable liquid resins to produce parts with excellent mechanical properties, resolution, and surface finish,” according to Fizik.

In plain English, the upper is 3-D printed, and this allows the density and, therefore, the feel of each zone of the saddle to be tuned based on the part of your anatomy with which it will be in contact. 

Fizik saddles have traditionally been a bit polarizing and difficult to pin down. More recently, however, Fizik appears to be embracing modern trends in saddle design, and doing it very well indeed, as evidenced by both Vento Argo models we tested. 

That said, the profile of the Vento Argo 00 Adaptive is aimed at riders who ride hard and it is quite firm in comparison to the Power Pro Mirror, for example. Many riders will likely prefer this feeling, as it will be more familiar and possibly more stable over the first few rides than will the Power Pro Mirror, which has a startling amount of suspension built into its 3-D printed upper.

Due to its flat fore-aft profile, the Vento Argo 00 Adaptive makes it easy to change positions in different situations. Shifting weight back while climbing or rolling forward into an aggressive tuck on descents is easy, and it remains comfortable regardless of the riding position. The carbon fiber shell and base give the saddle a ride quality that not all similarly constructed saddles in this test were able to match.

The low-frequency buzz of weathered pavement was simply absent when riding this saddle. At the same time, the stiffness of the Vento Argo 00 lent itself better to shorter, high-intensity rides, whereas the more suspended feel of the Specialized Power Mirror was preferred on longer endurance rides.

The Fizik Vento Argo 00 Adaptive is not inexpensive at the retail price of $400, nor is it exceptionally lightweight. The appeal of this saddle is that it offers a firm ride in a 3D-printed construction, with a nice ride quality thanks to its carbon base and rails. If the flat profile suits your preferences, or you tend to move around to different zones of the saddle on climbs, flats, and descents, then this is a 3D-printed saddle to check out. 

PRO is a line of cockpit components developed by Shimano aimed at bike racers looking for professional-level contact points. The Stealth line of saddles is one of PRO’s great success stories. It was one of the first road saddles to adopt a short-nose, wide cutout design intended for aggressive positions on the bike. 

As the name suggests, the PRO Stealth Team ($220) coordinates well with the “dark side” aesthetics of modern race bikes, with a gloss black on the matte black cover that puts off stealth fighter jet vibes. It’s also impressively lightweight at just 167 g in the 142 mm width, thanks to its carbon fiber-reinforced polymer base and carbon rails. Sure, there are some lighter saddles on the market, but compared to other saddles with carbon fiber rails, we found the Stealth team retained a nice amount of compliance, never feeling buzzy or overly stiff on rough pavement.  

In our experience, the PRO Stealth Team needs to be nosed down substantially for maximum comfort, to the point where it looks a bit funny on the bike. Looks aside, this nose-down position ensures excellent pelvic and low-back support without the feeling of sliding forward, even when riding in the most extreme aero positions.

And, in those aggressive positions, we found it to be remarkably comfortable, whether using the UCI-banned “puppy paws” position, deep in the drops, or with elbows well-bent and hands tucked behind the brake hoods. This is possible thanks in large part to the generous cutout that extends well into the nose of the saddle. On a test bike that has considerable saddle-to-bar drop, the comfort was apparent once it was adjusted correctly in the nosed-down position. 

If you are looking for a saddle that will allow you to ride comfortably in an aerodynamic position for extended periods and want to save some grams, check out the PRO Stealth Team. It comes in both 142 mm and 152 mm widths, as well as a “Performance” version with INOX alloy rails that can save you a little cash. PRO also makes a “Curved” version of their Stealth saddles for riders who prefer a more rounded side-to-side profile.

While any road bike saddle can be an all-road saddle if you use it while riding gravel or rough roads, the Ergon SR Allroad Pro Core Men ($160) stands out for its purpose-built all-road design. The ergonomics experts at Ergon went above and beyond to create a unique saddle that provides an impressive blend of support, shock absorption, pressure relief, and precision. Often those performance traits run counter to one another, but we feel Ergon struck a balance that is hard to achieve.

The SR Allroad Pro Core Men has a shape similar to that of most other Ergon saddles. The tip-to-tail profile is generally flat, with a slight rise towards the tail for a bit of extra support. Side to side, it slopes gently down to the edges of the wings and occupies a happy middle ground between flat and curved profiles. A generous anatomical relief cutout helps keep pressure off the perineum, and we found it to be quite effective over the course of the thousand-plus miles spent testing.

Two widths are offered that should cover most people’s needs. The S/M is 139 mm, while the M/L size we tested measures 152 mm. Regardless of width, the SR Allroad Pro Core Men comes in a moderate 262 mm length. We found this length to be great, allowing us to scoot forward on the nose when needed for steeper climbs. Overall, we found the shape to be well suited to endurance-style riding with a relatively neutral body position but had no issues with more aggressive body positions when testing during a couple of long distance gravel races either.

Beyond its comfortable and versatile shape, the SR Allroad saddle’s vibration damping and shock absorption make it great for all-road riding. By utilizing Ergon’s “CORE HD” construction and a layer of BASF Infinergy material, the SR Allroad provides a unique feel that greatly enhances comfort over rough surfaces while remaining far more supportive than expected.

Unlike cushy saddles, it retains a stable and precise feel that doesn’t shift beneath you or sap any of your pedaling energy. The vibration-damping layer is covered with orthopedic AirCell foam for a light to moderate level of cushioning and is topped with a durable, textured microfiber cover. Beneath it all is a lightweight carbon composite plate with Ergon’s mid-range TiNox rails tying it all together.

At 262 g, the SR Allroad Core Pro Men isn’t the lightest saddle around, but we feel it’s certainly respectable for the level of shock absorption it provides and its moderate price point. If you’re looking to save some grams, it also comes with carbon rails ($200), and if you looking to save some money, it comes with CroMo rails ($140), too.

If you want to enhance your comfort on your road, all-road, or gravel bike while maintaining excellent support and a precise feel, the SR Allroad Core Pro Men is an excellent option to consider. After over a thousand miles of pavement, gravel, and two long distance races, this saddle still looks brand new and performs as well as the day we got it.

The Brooks Cambium C15 Carved ($139) saddle is a leather-free redesign of the legendary B15 Swallow. The use of vulcanized natural rubber in the Cambium C15 Carved virtually eliminates the break-in period that is associated with Brooks’ leather models. Further increasing the comfort of the C15 is a “carved” cutout in the top of the saddle.

It’s important to note that since the C15 has a traditional, rounded profile, the cutout is not as noticeable in its ability to relieve pressure as some saddles with a more contemporary shape, like the Specialized Power models, for instance. Regardless of the cutout, once properly positioned, the C15 is a luxurious and supportive saddle.

The Cambium C15 is covered in a vulcanized natural rubber top that repels water and provides a nice amount of texture, helping to keep your bib shorts securely located in the perfect pedaling position. The C15 has a timeless aesthetic that will look at home on bikes from any era, thanks to its classic lines and modern, dark color scheme. Tubular stainless steel rails connect at a fiberglass plate in the rear of the saddle, where you’ll find a handsome Brooks logo as well as loops for mounting saddlebags or lights.

The construction of Cambium is intended to mimic that of Brooks’ leather models by providing shock absorption and a “hammock” type of comfort as it cradles your body weight. While the break-in period is nowhere near as long as the traditional leather, it was about halfway through the first 30-mile test ride that a little initial firmness started to yield, and the comfort of the flexible top and shell really began to shine.

Taking the C15 out on longer and longer rides only left us more impressed with its long-distance comfort. The C15 also gives very clear feedback on whether it’s positioned optimally or not and is intuitive to adjust until it is perfectly comfortable. 

Do note that at 435 g, the C15 is one of the lightest saddles Brooks has ever made, but still double the weight of most racing saddles. For context, 200 g is about the weight of a half-full water bottle and certainly worth adding to your bike if the Cambium C15 Carved keeps you comfortable hour after hour on your biggest cycling adventures. 

The Prologo Dimension Space ($139) is a short-nosed saddle that comes in two widths, 143 mm and 153 mm, for the “Space” version we tested. It’s reasonably priced with TiRox rails and even less expensive (but slightly heavier) with T4.0 rails. The 143 mm width is also sold with Nack carbon rails with a significant reduction in weight and a bump in price to $235. Similar to models like the Specialized Power Pro with Mirror, the Dimension has a short 245 mm overall length that has become more popular in recent years

Sit bone widths vary, so it’s great that Prologo offers the Dimension in both 143 mm and the wider “Space” version at 153 mm. We found the 153 mm width to be an excellent fit, with a nice, supportive platform that spreads the weight evenly between the sit bones. The pelvic support, along with the short-nosed design, made it impressively comfortable across the range of seated riding positions, whether tucked down in the drops or sitting more upright with hands on the bar tops while climbing.

Out on the road, the Prologo Dimension delivers the comfort that its design promises. On top of excellent lateral stability, the moderate level of cushioning strikes a good balance that’s comfortable for long hours in the saddle. It’s not squishy but rather a bit cushy in comparison to the less forgiving race-oriented saddles in our test. A large central cutout, dubbed “P.A.S.” or Perenial Area System by Prologo, is well executed and not at all noticeable when riding. The walls and edges of the P.A.S. transition smoothly into the top of the saddle that you can’t even tell it’s there.

It’s hard to fault with the Prologo Dimension Space. It is comfortable, easy to install, and looks like it will be able to withstand many tens of thousands of kilometers without issue. In a market where spending triple its cost doesn’t really net a massive gain in comfort or weight reduction, the Dimension Space is a great all-around saddle that stands out as a solid value.

The Ritchey Comp Cabrillo ($60) features a flat profile from nose to tail, ideal for flexible riders who like to change position along the length of the saddle to accommodate various situations, like climbing or riding in the drops.

Ritchey’s new Cabrillo saddles are the first made with Vector Wing technology, which isolates and suspends the rear saddle rail attachment points to offer natural pressure distribution to eliminate hot spots, according to Ritchey. This method of construction is catching on with a handful of brands and from my experience riding other saddles built in this way, they are all super comfortable. 

The Comp Cabrillo is an affordable saddle that uses simple but proven materials to achieve the same level of comfort as the more expensive WCS Cabrillo model ($100), with a modest increase in weight of 44 g. We actually prefer the look of the Comp to the WCS, as it’s a bit more classic and understated. Despite coming in just one width, 146 mm wide, about 1 cm narrower than this tester’s personal saddle, it still managed to keep the pelvis stable, which is critical to comfort and efficiency.

Part of achieving this feeling of stability is the result of the correct setup which proved to be relatively easy with the Cabrillo because it doesn’t have any awkward shaping or contours that may result in unwanted pressure points.

While the Comp Cabrillo is shorter than other Ritchey saddles, 260 mm is a more moderate length compared to many modern short-nosed saddles. If you’ve never ridden a short-nose saddle or tried one and didn’t like it, then the Cabrillo could be the right style for you, as it has a bit more length that many riders may get along with better.

What the Cabrillo promotes, but short-nose saddles discourage, is moving freely along the length of the saddle to adopt the most efficient position possible. The Cabrillo doesn’t lock you into one “perfect” position but instead lets you choose where you want to be. 

On rough surfaces, the Vector Wing design delivered as promised, and allowed for each side of the saddle to flex slightly in accordance with input from the road and also the pedal stroke. The result of this intelligent flex was unwavering stability and support, even with the chain slapping and the tires bouncing around. 

At $60, it’s hard to imagine, let alone find a better saddle than the Ritchey Comp Cabrillo, assuming it fits. We would love to see it offered in multiple widths in the future. While 146 mm has long been considered a medium-width, wider saddles are growing in popularity, and having options would be nice to fit more riders. Flat-profile saddles are also becoming less common, but we give kudos to Ritchey for continuing to develop saddles with this shape because it’s proven popular over time with countless riders. 

The Vento Argo R3 ($160) is Fizik’s moderately priced short-nose cutout saddle for road riding in a more aggressive aero position. With Ki:um metal rails, a polyurethane base, and EVA foam upper, it’s the more straightforward of the two Fizik saddles we had on test. At $160, it’s also less than half the cost of its 3-D printed sibling, the Vento Argo 00 Adaptive, and factoring in how well it performs, the Vento Argo R3 is a great value. 

Short-nosed saddles with cutouts are popular because they promote a more powerful forward-hinged pelvis position while relieving pressure on soft tissues that traditional saddles tend to hammer. The intended result is for riders to be able to ride in the drops, with more elbow bend and a flatter torso, for longer periods of time. However, in addition to this, the shape just seems to work well for many people. So much so that lots of new saddles have adopted this shape. 

At just $160, the Argo Vento R3 has excellent build quality. There are no rough edges or overlooked details anywhere. The branding is also minimal, and everything is black, helping this saddle coordinate with the aesthetics of today’s road bikes.

The rear portion of the saddle is swept slightly upward, which offers enhanced tailbone support, and helps the pelvis and lower back remain more stable, which feels great when climbing in the saddle. The cutout is massive and very accommodating when riding in the drops. The shape and overall support feel very well suited to its “performance racing saddle” intentions for riding in more aggressive positions.

Our only real complaint about the Vento Argo R3 is that on longer rides, the edges of the cutout became more noticeable and presented as ridges of pressure. It’s possible that these ridges may flatten over time, but we feel it is worth noting nonetheless. And, of course, saddle comfort is personal and very subjective, so this may not be an issue at all for other riders.

Regardless, the Fizik Vento Argo R3 is a reasonably priced short-nosed racing saddle that comes in 140mm and 150mm widths. It is offered in several versions with different rail materials, weights, and price points. And, thankfully, Fizik does offer a comfort guarantee, which makes it easier to try out their saddles to see if they work for you.

The Prologo Scratch M5 Space ($139) adopts the popular trend that began with the Specialized Power saddle, combining a short nose with a large cutout, dubbed “PAS” or Perenial Area System by Prologo. These two features encourage riders to hinge forward more with the pelvis to achieve a more sustainable aerodynamic position.

The Scratch M5 Space delivers on this objective while also offering a nice degree of cushioning. Soft enough to take the edge of less-than-ideal roads but firm enough to provide a stable base for seated climbing and seated efforts at high speed. 

The Scratch M5 is beautifully constructed, with a seamless bonding of the EVA foam upper to a glossy fiberglass base. The TiRox rails are polished, which lends a bit of bling to the otherwise stealthy appearance. The “Space” designation applied to this saddle simply means that it is wider at 147 mm and has a slightly softer padding.

While increased width along with added squish may not always work in concert, Prologo manages to balance them very well here. The Scratch M5 is also offered in the PAS version, which is 140 mm wide. 

Throughout testing, the Scratch M5 Space provided excellent pelvic stability, both laterally and fore/aft. The lateral stability can easily be attributed to the saddle simply having sufficient width, even though 147 mm may not qualify as “wide” these days. In terms of fore/aft stability, there are a couple of smart features added to the foam cover of the Scratch M5 Space that may be to thank. First, the rear portion of the saddle has a nice bit of texture added to help keep the pad of the bib shorts anchored in place.

Additionally, the Scratch M5 Space is segmented into three parts, a design Prologo termed MSS, or Multi-Sector System. Designed in collaboration with the Polytechnic of Milan, MSS encompasses five separate zones of foam that combine to accommodate the normal pedaling movement in both the pushing and pulling phases.

This is key to helping keep the pelvis from sliding forward during the pedal stroke. Not only does the foam density vary, but the saddle cover is also segmented into thirds, with narrow but deep channels running laterally across the saddle to delineate each zone.

With a solid all-around performance, impressive stability, and a reasonable price-to-weight ratio, there isn’t much to criticize about the Scratch M5 Space. If this saddle fits you well, the Scratch M5 Space can deliver the promised comfort and efficiency gains of a short-nose saddle to many riders and racers. It also comes in black or white, and you have the option to upgrade to Nack carbon rails for a reduction in weight and a bump in price to $195.

Incorporating Trek’s premium OCLV carbon fiber shell and rails, the RSL Bike Saddle ($315) is feather-light at 172 g in 145 mm width. The RSL features are a short nose to encourage anterior pelvic tilt and a powerful, aerodynamic riding position, while a large cutout offers pressure relief to soft tissues, which tend to get beat up by more traditional saddles.

Designed in cooperation with Lidl-Trek athletes, the new RSL (Race Shop Limited) is a firm saddle designed to meet the demands of professional racers. The padding is minimal and relatively firm, supporting powerful pedal strokes without deforming or compressing. At the same time, the carbon base takes the edge of rough roads and never feels buzzy or harsh. It comes in three widths: 135, 145, and 155 mm — so you can be sure to get the size that best suits your sit bones — and the side-to-side profile is fairly flat.

The RSL also has the Blendr accessory mount, which can hold the Bontrager Flare tail light, saddle bag, and even a small fender (called the Blendr Fendr) that prevents the rooster tail from filthy road water from hitting your tailbone. The mount is easily removable when not needed. This type of optional integration for accessories is something we wish were incorporated into more saddles. 

The branding on the RSL is minimal and everything is black, which allows it to fit into the aesthetics of many high-end race bikes on the road today, and not just Treks. There are no markings at all on the carbon fiber rails, so folks who like to know the exact measurements of everything related to the saddle may need to make some DIY markings with a permanent marker. 

If you’re looking for a lightweight, race-ready saddle with minimal branding and the option to integrate a taillight or other accessories, check out the Trek RSL Bike Saddle. At $315, it’s an expensive saddle but has the weight, performance, and features to justify that price. Trek also offers a 30-day unconditional comfort guarantee, so there is very little risk in trying the RSL.

Selle SMP saddles are a function of form solution for riders who can’t find comfort on traditional saddles. The basic premise of many Selle SMP saddles is that the pronounced curvature traces the curvature of the bottom of the human pelvis and hopefully spreads pressure more evenly across the pelvic bone and surrounding tissue.

Combining this unique shape with a massive cutout for perineal relief, the SMP range has a small but devout following of road cyclists and time trialists. The Selle SMP Dynamic ($269) is one of the brand’s more popular models — a minimally padded, highly curved saddle meant for aggressive riding and racing.

While Selle SMP’s overall shaping and abundant branding might not suit everyone’s taste, it’s impossible to deny when holding the saddle that the construction quality is world-class. These saddles are hand stitched in Italy, using a leather cover in the case of our test saddle (colorful covers are microfiber). The base is carbon-reinforced nylon, and the padding is a foamed elastomer.

The rails are titanium and continue around the back of the saddle, where they are adorned with a ribbon reminding you that the saddle is made in Italia. Three separate quality control stickers are visible in this area, along with more Italian-themed branding. 

Examining the Dynamic further, it is immediately noticeable how firm it is. It has just a thin layer of padding and relies more on its shape to provide comfort than cushioning. It’s also worth noting that Selle SMP advertises the Dynamic as being “designed for medium-large pelvises,” though at 138 mm wide, it’s relatively narrow by today’s standards.

Setup and, particularly, saddle angle are critical to optimize comfort on a saddle of this shape, and it can be a trial-and-error process to get there. Keeping a hex tool handy in your jersey pocket is recommended while you dial it in on the first couple of rides.

On steady sections riding tempo or threshold, the SMP Dynamic’s hold on the pelvis is very apparent and felt the most comfortable. The cradled shape keeps you in the sweet spot, and the generous cutout keeps the pressure off the sensitive bits. Backing off the wattage and putting more weight onto the saddle, however, the Dynamic became less comfortable due to the fact that it was a little too narrow for our tester. 

The locked-in feel also presented itself in other ways, as this saddle doesn’t allow for much body movement. Surprisingly, where this sensation was the most foreign and distracting was on twisting descents, where maneuvering the bike through turns with the hips was more challenging than with less shapely saddles.  

Still, the Selle SMP Dynamic has a cult following for a reason. If you have been unable to find comfort from the most popular saddles from the bigger brands, don’t mind the heavily branded aesthetics, and have narrower sit bones, the Dynamic might be the answer.

Selle SMP also makes a huge range of saddles in varying widths, shapes, and profiles, so there are plenty of other options to fit your body. Many fitters have Selle SMP test kits available, so you might be able to try one out before you commit.

Selle Italia has a long history of making quality saddles for all types of cycling, many of which have particularly long and confusing model names, like the Selle Italia SLR Boost TI316 Superflow ($320). At 168 g, this is a lightweight, short-length, cutout saddle from a company that is aimed at helping riders get comfortable in an aggressive riding position.

While it is impressive that a saddle this lightweight has metal rails, we found comfort to be lacking and difficulty in finding the sweet spot. Unlike many contemporary short-nose cutout saddles, the SLR Boost Superflow TI316 has a more restrictive feel, requiring the perfect setup and, even then, having some unwanted pressure points.

While quite large and pronounced, the Superflow cutout didn’t exactly deliver on the promise of perineal relief when the pelvis is tilted forward. Instead, this saddle’s shape resulted in steady pressure from both the nose and tail of the saddle simultaneously.   

That said, saddle comfort is subjective and if the shape of the SLR Boost TI316 matches up well with your anatomy, we imagine it can be a comfortable saddle. However, compared to its short-nosed, cutout competition in this test group, we found it to be a little harder to get along with. 

The SLR is also an expensive saddle at $320, although it has a build quality to match the price tag. The cover joins the base seamlessly for a refined, clean appearance, and the matte finish of the TI 316 rails looks industrial but elegant. 

If you can get a test saddle to try and like the feel, the SLR Boost TI 316 Superflow is a great option because it saves a significant amount of weight while preserving durability and seatpost compatibility by using 7×7 mm round TI 316 rails.

The Velo Prevail TT ($198) is a surprisingly comfortable road saddle, thanks to its short length and deep central channel. Very little information can be found about the design of this saddle, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t any good. Like any piece of cycling kit, a lot can be learned by simply holding and using the Velo Prevail TT. 

Out of the box, the Prevail TT has a very simple construction, with titanium rails entering a polyurethane base. The seamless cover is glued around the edges, giving it a very clean and streamlined look. While no issues with the edges peeling developed during my short test period of the Prevail TT, adhesives tend to wear down on things that are exposed to a lot of flex and lots of weather, so durability could be a potential issue in the long term. 

Aside from some basic specs and a list price, there is very little information available about the Prevaill TT saddle either on the Velo website or elsewhere. Turns out, Velo has created a very nice profile and combined it with just the right amount of density to be super comfortable in any riding position.

While there is no full cutout, there is a deep channel running through the Prevail TT that provides pressure relief to soft tissues, both aiding in comfort and avoiding potential negative consequences of spending a lot of hours in the saddle. 

It’s not a particularly sexy saddle, compared to other options in this test group, but then again, nobody can see your saddle while you’re sitting on it, riding. Given its comfort and moderate weight, we feel the Velo Prevail TT is a versatile all-around option that could work well for a lot of riders.