10 Best Road Bike Saddles in 2022


Everyone is different so it makes sense that bike saddle manufacturers create different models to suit each unique rider. The top road bike saddles are designed for comfort and ease of use where you’re able to place your weight on the sit-bones and they’re well integrated into your lower back.

This helps with pressure relief on the soft tissue areas. A poorly made saddle can turn your riding sessions into a real nightmare which is why it’s important to find a well-designed and well-made bike saddle that’s actually designed with your health, performance, and comfort in mind.

Top Rated Road Bike Saddles

Through rigorous testing, we’ve compiled a list of good men’s road bike saddles.

We’ve taken into account different factors while compiling this list, including performance, construction as well as size and shape variety. Read on for more.

1. Selle Royal Men’s Respiro Road Bicycle Saddle

This versatile bike saddle from Selle Royal is designed for male riders and although it’s pricier than other models, as you’ll see in the following paragraphs, it’s well worth the price.

Like most other high-quality saddles it has a mesh-covered hollow center to improve ventilation. However, unlike other models, the dip extends all the way to the back of the saddle to help achieve air circulation all the way to the back, which is a game-changer. Not only that, but Selle went the extra mile by incorporating a cooling gel cover into the saddle to prevent it from heating up during warm weather conditions.

This saddle also has thick padding made from the tridimensional gel that’s designed to protect your bones and keep you nice and comfy for those long rides. The saddle is also quite elastic, which means you get to enjoy considerable bounce over rugged terrain.

Pros
  • Comes in different varieties with different nose and width length
  • Tridimensional gel padding
  • The seat is covered with cooling gel to avoid the build-up of heat
  • Features a ventilation channel for improved air circulation
  • One of the best road bike saddles for long rides
Cons
  • It’s quite pricey
  • Tridimensional gel makes for a rather firm seat

2. OUTERDO Bike Saddle Mountain Bike Seat

This affordable OUTERDO mountain bike seat is an upgrade from the standard bike saddle in that it provides an ergonomic design complete with a long nose that makes it easier to navigate through the bars when going up or down any type of terrain.

The seat also offers a unique narrow design that fits perfectly under your bike shorts chamois. This increases the comfort factor and all without adding extraneous padding.

This saddle also comes with other fantastic features, including shock-dampener-equipped rails. These are designed to soften the ride when going through rougher terrain for longer periods of time.

Pros
  • Features a narrow design that fits snugly beneath the chamois
  • Hollow section offers ventilation and prevents chafing
  • Rails are surrounded by dual shock dampening features
  • Extended nose makes it easier to climb onto the bike and get off of it as well
  • One of the best road bike saddles for men
Cons
  • Not a lot of cushioning on this one

3. Pioneeryao Bike Seat

The Pioneeryao bike seat is known for durability and comfort. It’s also quite swanky, featuring a faux leather cover which means it can last for many years to come, and it’s also water-resistant. You can definitely ride in this saddle for several hours without feeling chafed or pinched.

It’s also padded with high-density foam for added comfort which is not as elastic as gel. It’s definitely an acquired experience, especially if you’ve never used something similar before, but you can easily get used to it and it’ll definitely get rid of the pain.

This saddle has an interesting shape with a short nose and a wide behind. This is to improve comfort while sitting and going through different types of terrain.

Pros
  • It comes with multiple ventilation features including a center divot
  • Has a comfortable base with a wide behind
  • Made from sturdy synthetic leather cover
  • Padded with high-density foam for maximum comfort
Cons
  • It doesn’t offer a lot of shock absorption
  • The short nose wasn’t designed for going up and down hills

4. Planet Bike Men’s A.R.S. Road Bike Saddles

This saddle is specially made with unique features that are both eco-friendly and ergonomic. This is one of the most comfortable on this list as it’s made to offer optimal back support.

This is perfect for health-conscious users with specs that are made with your lower back in mind. You definitely won’t have to worry about booking chiropractor visits when riding your bike with this saddle.

In addition to advanced back support, the most comfortable road saddle is made from special padding that’s designed to help with weight distribution and optimal comfort. Basically, you get to enjoy the best quality, eco-friendly padding with this one.

Pros
  • Comes with steel rails
  • Covered with Lycra and abrasion-resistant material on the sides
  • The full-length center has a small dip cut out to facilitate anatomic relief
  • Padded with foam for maximum support
Cons
  • It’s not the most comfortable saddle

5. SGODDE Comfortable Bike Seat

This unisex budget road bike saddle for men from SGODDE offers unique gel padding which is made from a synthetic fatty gel that’s highly elastic.

This provides you with perfect compression so your bones don’t suffer while sitting on the saddle. This makes for better shock absorption but sometimes at the price of reduced pedaling efficiency. It will definitely increase the bounce while pedaling.

The saddle’s hollow center is complemented by a long nose that offers optimal ventilation. The nose and back also feature reflective striping for added pizzazz. Not only that, but these strips are designed to help you remain visible in low light conditions such as in the early evening or early morning.

Pros
  • The hollow center offers added ventilation to prevent chafing
  • Comes with reflective striping for better visibility
  • Padded with synthetic fatty gel
  • Added elasticity assists with shock absorption and pressure reduction
Cons
  • It’s really heavy
  • It can be too much to handle for inexperienced bikers

6. ISM PR 3.0 Saddle Black

Next on our list of the best lightest road bike saddles for long rides is the ISM PR 3.0. It features an ergonomic design, a wide back, and extra padding.

It’s perfect for recreational bikers which is evident from its noseless split-fit shape. It’ll definitely keep the pressure off your bones and lower back.

The ISM PR 3.0 is padded with 60-series foam and gel as well as a 145mm wide rear section. It has a length of 235mm and sits on steel rails. This means it’s heavier than most but it’s definitely more comfortable than a lot of other ones.

Pros
  • Features an ergonomic design
  • Lots of padding for comfort
  • Perfect for professional and recreational riders alike
  • Worth the money
Cons
  • It’s weighty
  • Not the prettiest option on the catalog

7. Brooks England Cambium All Weather Bike Seat

In 1878, a leather goods maker named Jon Boultbee Brooks lost his horse to old age, which meant he had to rely on bikes to travel to work and other run errands. This is the point when he realized that bike saddles aren’t made equal nor are they made for comfort.

That’s why he decided to make his own unique design and that’s how Brooks England came to life. Since then, the company has been making top-quality bike saddles from only the best leather material and the Cambium C17 is no exception.

This one is constructed from vulcanized rubber which is known for its ability to combat seat vibration as you ride through rocky terrain, and it’s suitable for use in any weather condition.

Pros
  • Weighs a sturdy 450grams
  • Backplate is reinforced with fiberglass and cut out loops to attach accessories
  • The waterproof top is not only easy to maintain but is incredibly flexible
  • It’s constructed from a combination of vulcanized natural rubber
  • Covered with weatherproof and waterproof nylon
Cons
  • It’s quite flimsy

8. Selle ITALIA Diva Gel Flow Bicycle Saddle

This top-quality saddle from Selle Italia is specifically designed for women and has a characteristic lightweight construction.

It’s covered with leather for extra comfort and has beautiful feminine styling that’s hard to ignore, and yet it’s not too flashy.

The center features a large cut for better air circulation and blood flow, while the wide width means that you’ll enjoy a comfortable ride. It could use a narrower profile for the pro rider but it’s perfect for recreational bikers.

Pros
  • Weighs 265 grams with a 7mm Vanox tube rail
  • Comes with a premium shock absorption system
  • It’s covered with breathable, chic, full-grain leather
  • Designed for women using high-end materials
Cons
  • Quickly wears off

9. Prologo Dimension Space T4.0

When testing this bike seat from Progolo Dimension, our correspondents all had the same thing to say; this thing better make it to the list of the best road bicycle saddles on the market! It’s a comfortable road bike saddle, lightweight, and features a short-nose design that offers increased performance.

It’s padded in all the right places and even offers a cutout with anatomic relief with a unique shape that allows you to enjoy a smooth ride through relatively uncomfortable terrain. This best saddle for a road bike is certainly perfect for fast riders and road racers. It’s also a very lightweight road bike saddle and is constructed from high-quality materials.

However, its lightweight construction takes away from its versatility and it tends to sacrifice performance for comfort, especially when riding casually or in an upright position.

Pros
  • Offers an anatomic relief channel
  • The most comfortable saddle for road bike
  • Lightweight
Cons
  • The design is too specific to be versatile

10. Fizik Aliante Gamma Bicycle Saddle

Like most Fizik Aliante gear, this bike saddle is on the pricey side but it’s one of the best road cycling saddles after all. Trust us, we don’t take this statement lightly. This saddle is built differently. It has a lightweight body weighing just 250 grams and it has a straight center with no apparent contours. It features very little padding in the form of high-density foam which is placed on the top part.

This saddle is basically built for comfort and performance alike and is made to fit the curves of your body perfectly by avoiding the buildup of pressure on certain parts, which is that usually causes pain and discomfort on long rides.

However, this isn’t the airiest saddle compared to all the others. But, the fact that it doesn’t have a lot of padding makes it ideal for use on long journeys. That’s because there isn’t much material to cause sweating or chafing and its narrow design means that it’s able to keep your thighs apart effortlessly.

Pros
  • Nice and lightweight
  • Has long stiff nose which makes it easier to ascend and descend heights
  • Designed to prevent moisture build-up and chafing
  • Ergonomic design works with your body’s unique contours
Cons
  • It’s quite pricey
  • Doesn’t offer a lot of ventilation
  • It’s not that versatile and certainly not built for everyone

How to Pick the Best Road Bike Saddle for Comfort

If you’re going to buy a saddle for your road bike under 2000, then you have to consider the following factors:

Shape

Usually, rigidly shaped riders who need to stay on an upright position require a flat saddle. This makes it easier to enjoy a consistent feel no matter the type of terrain you’re traversing through.

Another popular road cycling saddle shape that you should consider is a bit more curvaceous with wavy sides to enable better flexibility. It’s perfect for riders who tend to maintain a rigid formation while on the saddle and it’s perfect for maintaining correct cycling posture.

Padding

Most riders prefer moderate amounts of padding because thick padding tends to put pressure on soft tissue areas whereas lightly padded areas make it easier for your bones to sink into the saddle itself.

With that said, it’s always a good idea to make some kind of choice between the two otherwise you’ll get stuck with a hard saddle.

Width

Your bottom should fit perfectly on the bike road saddle seat so that you experience perfect body weight alignment. The goal is to ensure that you actually plonk your sit bones onto the seat instead of the surrounding soft tissues. To achieve this, the saddle should be the right shape and width.

A lot of bike shops offer memory foam to help you figure out what the width of your bones is so you can find the perfect seat. If, for some reason, they don’t have these at your favorite shop, then you can always achieve the same purpose using some cardboard.

Shell

The shell is what determines the saddle’s shape and bounce. Different manufacturers design them differently with varying length and width dimensions.

Carbon shells are the most popular version because they’re lightweight but durable. However, these qualities make them both sought-after and pricier than other options.

Cutout

A large variety of saddles for budget road bikes come with cutouts to relieve pressure and protect you from soft tissue damage.

This kind of feature is the ideal way to prevent chafing and it works by getting rid of the material that would otherwise put pressure on your undercarriage.

However, this cutout area is not always popular and some riders find it unsettling as the channel’s edge tends to dig into sensitive areas of the body.

Cover

A lot of modern saddles are made from synthetic materials but there are certain models that are constructed from genuine leather but they tend to be pricey as well.

The most important thing is to ensure that they’re well-made and don’t have panels and seams that end up chafing. Just make sure the seat cover is super durable and you’ll be fine.

Safety Features

A lot of bike upgrades such as bike saddles nowadays come with incredible safety features that are designed to cover two elements.

The first one is to absorb shock and this is typically built into the saddle design. This makes it easier to make it through the bumps on the road while protecting your bottom.

The second aspect of it is quite simple and involves maintaining a simple design that’s focused on practical functionality instead of stylish flash. This often includes simple things like reflective materials that can come in handy when riding in low light conditions.

Conclusion

Well, there you have it! That’s our list of the top bicycle saddles and the factors you should look out for. If we were to pick a particular option, it would be the Selle Royal Men’s Respiro Road Bicycle Saddle.

It’s ergonomically designed with shock-absorbing rails, a long nose, and a narrow seat design to facilitate comfortable riding. Although it doesn’t have a lot of cushioning, it offers the perfect middle ground.

Shailen Vandeyar

A proud Indian origin Kiwi who loves to plant trees and play with my pet bunny when not out doing about every kind of biking and experiencing the occasional tumble. Ready to share the ride with you.

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