Apparel and Gear Workout Gear Fitness Accessories The 7 Best Bike Seats for Outdoor Riding, Tested and Reviewed Say goodbye to sore buns. By Madeline Diamond Madeline Diamond Twitter Website Madeline Diamond is a former associate e-commerce editor at Dotdash Meredith, where she primarily worked on the Travel + Leisure brand. She brings a lifelong passion for travel to the role and covers all things travel gear, including luggage, fashion, and tech. She also often writes profiles, features, and trend pieces about the culture of travel. She currently is a staff editor at BuySide from WSJ. Originally from California, she now lives in Brooklyn and can often be found in her favorite park with a cappuccino in hand. Shape's editorial guidelines and Kristen Geil Kristen Geil Instagram As the Senior Fitness Editor at Shape, Kristen oversees the Fitness category and covers workout trends, exercise tips, recovery, and more. Previously, Kristen was the Chief Content Officer at aSweatLife.com, where she led content and editorial strategy. She has experience in copywriting and digital marketing, and she's an award-winning freelancer who works with B2C clients in health and wellness. Shape's editorial guidelines Updated on May 9, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews How We Tested What to Know FAQ Why Trust Shape We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shape / Marcus Millan While almost every bicycle comes with its own bike seat, not every saddle is made the same. A poorly-shaped or cushion-less seat could make for an uncomfortable ride, whether you're hitting the trail, city bike path, or even your stationary bike at home. When you're shopping for a bike seat, there are several factors you'll want to take into consideration, including your riding style, type of ride, and flexibility. "Shopping for the right bike seat isn't just about finding the softest, widest, or most cushioned," says Kevin Lau, an REI retail sales specialist. "It's important to consider how the rider will be positioned on the bike and their riding style or type of riding." If you're traversing bumpy trails, for example, you'll want more shock absorption, while riders weaving through city streets will want a flatter seat with more support to provide stability. Lau also suggests measuring your sit bones in order to find a saddle that's the right size for you. After digging into the reviews and consulting Lau, we narrowed it down to 24 bike seat options for testing. Over the course of four weeks, we tested each bike seat cushion at least three times, trying to vary our rides by terrain, length, and type. Afterward, we rated each bike seat for comfort, durability, stability, and overall value, making special notes if we felt a particular seat was best suited to a specific type of rider. From mountain biking to casual commuting, these are the seven best bike seats for your summer biking adventures. Our Top Picks Best Overall : Brooks England Cambium C17 All-Weather Saddle at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Women: Ergon Women's SM Sport Gel Bike Saddle at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Giddy Up! Bike Seat at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Beginners: Wittkop Bike Seat at Amazon Jump to Review Most Comfortable : YLG Oversized Comfort Bike Seat at Amazon Jump to Review Best Firm: WTB Volt Saddle at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Mountain Biking: Selle Italia Women's Diva Gel Superflow MTB Road Bike Saddle at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall Brooks England Cambium C17 Carved All-Weather Bike Seat 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Chainreactioncycles.com View On REI Our Ratings Comfort 5/5 Stability 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Like It: It forms to your butt over time and is versatile enough for any type of cyclist.It’s Worth Noting: The “carved” option includes a cutout to relieve pressure, while the “standard” option does not. Our top-rated bike seat was the Brooks England Cambium All-Weather Bike Seat, which earned a perfect score across every category. While other options we tested proved just as durable and comfortable as this one, the Cambium bike seat won out for being truly weatherproof, thanks to a waterproof nylon cover that can stand up to the elements. During testing, we noted that this bike seat would work well on any kind of bike, from mountain biking to road bikes. We also appreciated that it took us less than 10 minutes to install on our bikes — all the better for hitting the road faster. Brooks England boasts that this bike seat doesn’t require a “breaking in” period, thanks to a vulcanized natural rubber top that’s supple and conforms to the shape of your body. We found that to be true, but we also noticed that our rides got better and better over time as the seat molded to our specific shapes. Heads up that you can buy different sizes of this saddle depending on your riding style. Advanced riders will benefit from the C15, while riders who prefer an upright position should choose the C19. Price at time of publish: $120 Dimensions: 11.14 x 6.38 x 2.5 inches | Weight: 15.9 ounces | Inner Material: Fiberglass reinforced nylon | Outer Material: Rubber Best for Women Ergon Women's SM Sport Gel Bike Saddle 5 REI View On Amazon View On Ergonbike.shop View On REI Our Ratings Comfort 5/5 Stability 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Like It: It was designed based on long-term studies on anatomic characteristics of the female pelvis. It’s Worth Noting: The seat is more firm than padded. It may seem like a no-brainer to design bike seats for different anatomical structures, but not every brand gets it right. We were highly impressed with the thought that went into the design and engineering of the Ergon Women’s SM Sport Gel Saddle. The flat profile eliminates uncomfy pressure between the legs and helps distribute weight on the sit bones in a way that’s better suited to women. There’s a carved-out “relief channel” that helps reduce pressure, numbness, and pain — all of which can cause bike sores, FYI. The cherry on top? Anatomic gel pads for even more comfort. How to Prevent Butt Soreness and Vulvar Pain While Cycling Thanks to the intentional design of this bike seat, we were incredibly satisfied with how this bike seat performed on both hills and flat roads. We also thought it reduced road vibrations a bit, so plus one for shock absorption. However, heads up that this seat is on the firmer side; you might want padded shorts to wear with it, and we’d recommend it for performance riding over casual cruising. Price at time of publish: $100 Dimensions: 13.78 x 7.48 x 3.94 inches | Weight: 14.1 ounces | Inner Material: Gel | Outer Material: Microfiber Best Budget Giddy Up! Bike Seat with LED 5 Amazon View On Amazon Our Ratings Comfort 5/5 Stability 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Like It: It's designed to relieve pressure on the tailbone and back.It's Worth Noting: The on/off button for the LED light can be pushed accidentally when moving your bike. For under $40, the Giddy Up! bike seat impressed us, especially in terms of how comfortable it remained over 19 hours of testing. It offers plenty of cushioning, thanks to its memory foam material, and the waterproof coating added durability. We also appreciated the extra safety features — an LED light in the rear alerts other riders or cars to your presence. The bike seat comes with a waterproof cover to protect your purchase from the elements, which will ultimately make your seat more durable and long-lasting, too. We did notice that it’s easy to accidentally press the on/off button for the safety light when moving the bike. To preserve battery life, make a habit of checking your light when getting on and off the seat. Price at time of publish: $40 Dimensions: 11 x 8.35 x 4.3 inches | Weight: Not listed | Inner Material: Memory Foam | Outer Material: Foam, faux leather Best for Beginners Wittkop Waterproof Bike Seat 5 Amazon View On Amazon Our Ratings Comfort 5/5 Stability 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Like It: The bike seat is comfort-forward, thanks to five individually designed ergonomic zones.It’s Worth Noting: While mountain biking seats and racing seats are available, the city bike seat will be best for beginners. We found the Wittkop Bike Seat to be most accessible to beginner cyclists, especially the City model, which supports a more upright position and a wider seat (read; more comfortable). Plus, the design features five ergonomic zones, each individually engineered to support a specific part of your sea (sans bike sores, thanks to an advanced airflow system that increases ventilation). The materials are a combination of supportive memory foam and a waterproof exterior, making it great for all-weather rides. We’d recommend true beginners go for the City model, which has a seat width of 8.5 inches and allows for an upright, relaxed position. We found that the seat stayed smooth and tight throughout our testing. Price at time of publish: $40 Dimensions: 10 x 8.5 x 3.2 in | Weight: 1.4 pounds | Inner Material: Memory Foam | Outer Material: Foam The Best Women's Bike Helmets, According to Customer Reviews Most Comfortable YLG Oversized Comfort Bike Seat 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Our Ratings Comfort 5/5 Stability 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Like It: The wide seat features soft padding that’s both comfy and stable.It’s Worth Noting: This bike seat is meant for more casual rides. For days when you’re craving a leisurely bike ride, we recommend the YLG Oversized Comfort Bike Seat. At 13.38 inches, it’s the widest seat we tested, and that extra space means more cushion for pedaling pushing. Beyond the width, the comfort comes from the combination of memory foam and gel material, both of which naturally shape around your backside (instead of forcing you into strained positions). We also thought this bike seat felt durable and stable on the variety of surfaces we tested it on — pavement, sand, gravel, and packed dirt. Plus, it was easy to install. More advanced riders prioritizing speed over comfort would be better suited to the Brooks England Cambium All Weather Bike Seat. If you’re truly allergic to padding, we’d recommend the WTB Volt Steel Saddle. Price at time of publish: $40 Dimensions: 13.38‘’x10.63'' x 7.67” | Weight: 3.85 pounds | Inner Material: Memory foam and gel | Outer Material: PVC leather Best Firm WTB Volt Saddle 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On REI Our Ratings Comfort 4/5 Stability 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Like It: It’s both stable and lightweight.It’s Worth Noting: You might need to add padded bike shorts for comfort. For advanced cyclists who prefer a firm, streamlined seat, we recommend the WTB Volt Steel Saddle. The barely-there profile is shaped for speed and barely weighs 11 ounces, and ventilation holes provide much-needed airflow to any delicate areas. We tested this on longer bike rides of 16 and 25 miles, and each time, we felt super stable (even during hilly moments). We were also surprised that this bike seat wasn’t more expensive; the materials and shape made it feel super premium, but the price tag checks in at under $50. That said, the design of this bike seat and firm cushion makes the WTB Volt Steel Saddle a better choice for advanced cyclists used to riding at a forward angle. We’d recommend padded bike shorts too, just to further protect your legs and thighs a bit. Also, while WTB calls this a mountain biking seat, we tested it on pavement and thought it performed just as well. Price at time of publish: $48 Dimensions: 10.43 x 5.91 x 2.36 inches | Weight: 11.3 ounces | Inner Material: DNAx Padding | Outer Material: Microfiber The Best Padded Bike Shorts to Make Your Rides Way More Comfy Best for Mountain Biking Selle Italia Women's Diva Gel Superflow MTB Road Bike Saddle 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Competitivecyclist.com View On REI Our Ratings Comfort 5/5 Stability 5/5 Durability 5/5 Value 5/5 Why We Like It: Whether climbing out of the saddle or flying downhill, we felt totally stable in this seat.It’s Worth Noting: You do you, but this was designed with women in mind. If the mountains are calling you, we found the Diva Gel Superflow from Selle Italia to be the best bike seat for mountain bikes. We tested it over three trail rides with rolling hills, and each time, we felt super secure both in and out of the saddle. The seat is easy to wipe down if you happen to get mud splattered on it, and the seat felt firm with a hint of padding for comfort Like the Ergon Sport Gel Saddle, this bike seat was designed for women’s anatomy (specifically, the center cutout is designed to relieve pressure on sensitive areas and there’s more flexibility in the front of the seat). While this seat would work fine as a road bike seat, we think you get the most performance from using it for a mountain bike. Price at time of publish: $124 Dimensions: 12.5 x 7 x 1.5 inches | Weight: 10 ounces | Inner Material: Gel padding | Outer Material: Fibra-Tek The Best Hybrid Bikes You Can Ride Anywhere How We Tested To start our research on the best bike seats, Shape spoke with Kevin Lau, an REI retail sales specialist, about what to look for when shopping for a bike seat and how to find the best one for you. Then, using his recommendations and expertise, we researched the most comfortable bike seats based on their materials, dimensions, recommended usage, features, and price, which we then narrowed down to the 24 bike seats we tested for this article. To fully get in the saddle, so to speak, we tested the best bike seats for bikes over the course of four weeks, asking each tester to use each seat for at least three rides of at least one hour each. We recorded the length of each test ride, along with notes on the terrain, to determine which seats were best suited for which landscapes. We also required testers to wear the same type of bike shorts for each ride, so that we’d get a consistent analysis of the seat’s cushioning. After testing, each cyclist was asked to give detailed insights on comfort, stability, durability, and overall value of the bike seat. We also asked them to share what type of rider or terrain they’d specifically recommend this bike seat for. What to Know About Bike Seats When you're shopping for a bike seat, there are several factors you'll want to take into consideration, including your riding style, type of ride, and flexibility. "Shopping for the right bike seat isn't just about finding the softest, widest, or most cushioned," says Lau. "It's important to consider how the rider will be positioned on the bike and their riding style or type of riding." If you're traversing bumpy trails, for example, you'll want more shock absorption, while riders weaving through city streets will want a flatter seat with more support to provide stability. Lau also suggests measuring your sit bones in order to find a saddle that's the right size for you. Beyond your type of ride, also be sure to keep your posture and flexibility in mind. "Although some manufacturers may label or brand their seats by bike category, such as road, mountain, hybrid, or cruiser style, the rider's position on the bike and how they ride the bike will be more important in determining the shape of the saddle," explains Lau. For example, many performance road bike saddles are ideal when you're riding in a low position, although many riders sit upright, so a flat seat would be more comfortable. Riding Position Your preferred style of riding in the saddle will likely be the most important factor when shopping for bike seats, says Lau. "Although some manufacturers may label or brand their seats by bike category, such as road, mountain, hybrid, or cruiser style, the rider's position on the bike and how they ride the bike will be more important in determining the shape of the saddle," explains Lau. Casual, everyday riders (think: beach cruisers or low-key commuters) might prefer wider seats with more cushioning that support an upright, relaxed posture. Meanwhile, people traversing the mountains or racing for speed will want a seat with a slim profile and less padding that lets them lean forward at an angle for a more aerodynamic position. Cushioning The type of cushioning will affect the bike seat's comfort. "Gel cushioning molds to your body and provides the plushest comfort," says Lau. "Most recreational riders prefer this for its superior comfort on casual rides." You'll also find saddles with foam cushioning, which "offers a pliable feel that springs back to shape," adds Lau. Road bike riders often opt for foam because it provides more support than gel while remaining comfortable for long rides; gel is a great option for recreational riders. Some saddles have no cushioning, and instead, just have a leather or cotton cover. These seats, admittedly, can be uncomfortable for many riders, although there are some upsides. A cushion-less saddle "will break in with frequent riding and eventually mold to your weight and shape," explains Lau. Shape As far as comfort goes, the shape of your bike seat will impact your experience. "People who are less flexible tend to shift more on their saddle, so a more rounded seat could be better for them," notes Lau. However, "someone who's fairly flexible will typically be in a more stable position on the bike and can be more comfortable on a flat saddle." For riders looking for "maximum performance," Lau suggests that a "longer, narrow, curved saddle" would be the way to go. Frequently Asked Questions How high should my bike seat be? Generally, your bike seat should be at about hip-height, or 109 percent of your pants inseam, if you want an exact calculator. Here’s another way to adjust your bike seat: When you’re seated in the saddle and your foot is at the bottom of a pedal stroke, your knee should have a very slight bend to it. Alternatively, you should be able to touch your tiptoes to the ground when seated, but your foot shouldn’t be able to rest flat on the road. How do I make a bike seat more comfortable? The best way to make a bike seat more comfortable (besides buying one with more cushioning, like the YLG Oversized Comfort Bike Seat, or one that’s anatomically designed, like the Ergon Women’s SM Sport Gel Saddle) is to wear padded bike shorts. Why Trust Shape Madeline Diamond is a former associate e-commerce editor at Dotdash Meredith, where she primarily worked on the Travel + Leisure brand. She brings a lifelong passion for travel to the role and covers all things travel gear, including luggage, fashion, and tech. She also often writes profiles, features, and trend pieces about the culture of travel. She currently is a staff editor at BuySide from WSJ. Originally from California, she now lives in Brooklyn and can often be found in her favorite park with a cappuccino in hand. Kristen Geil is a senior commerce editor at Shape who primarily focuses on fitness equipment and activewear. She reviewed the methodology and insights for this article, compiling hundreds of hours of testing into the results you see here. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit