When you're mountain biking, you're going to be racking up the hours you spend in your saddle. That's why choosing from the best MTB saddles is a smart move!
Getting yourself a comfortable saddle is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your ride!
But what makes a good MTB saddle?
Let's find out!
What Are Mountain Bike Saddles & How Have Saddles Evolved?
Mountain bike saddles are saddles that are specifically designed for mountain biking. Although I probably didn't need to tell you that, did I?
Depending on the area of mountain biking you like, will alter what is the best MTB saddle for you.
The saddle itself hasn't changed hugely. It isn't unrecognizably different from what it first started out as. However, the science and technology behind saddles have developed.
This has led to riders having a huge choice and something for everyone!
Over the years saddles have been the cause of lots of problems; numbness, boils, chaffing, infections, the list honestly goes on!
So as the way we ride changed, saddles changed with it.
Narrow Saddles
People started to race their mountain bike and it became apparent that a narrow saddle works better for this style.
An aggressive race position means that you end up placing your weight onto your hands and your feet. Your saddle takes less of the weight.
The narrow design also accounts for the fact that you are likely to be peddling quickly, spinning a lot and you don't want a saddle to interfere with your movement.
Wider Saddles
For the more casual mountain bike rides, you don't need that aggressive position and so a wider saddle with more padding makes sense. The Brooks Cambium is a great example of this.
The number of women choosing to cycle has also increased. As we all know, men and women are built differently so gender-specific saddles were born.
Whilst there are big differences in their designs, it's worth pointing out that some male riders have found ladies saddles to be perfect for them and vice versa so don't rule anything out!
A woman-specific saddle tends to allow for the fact that a woman's pelvis is usually wider than a man's. The design of a woman's saddle is often shorter and wider as a result.
So the basics of the saddle design have remained the same. Although there has been a significant advancement in how they work to fit people so as to reduce the chance of injury and allowing you to go further on your mountain bike!
How To Choose The Right MTB Saddle - What To Consider
Alright, the first place you should start when you're considering a new mountain bike saddle is, "what's wrong with your current one?".
Think about where it hurts, whether it rubs anywhere, do you get any pressure points?
Considering these points means you'll be able to think about what will be the best mountain bike saddles for you to choose from.
1. Types
Different types of mountain biking call for different types of saddles.
For cross country fans an MTB saddle that has a flatter profile with minimal padding could be the perfect option.
However, if you intend a long time in the saddle then you need to consider pressure and how best to relieve that and that is where cut-outs become an important thing to consider.
Riders who just want to ride might prefer to choose something in the middle, more padding is a popular choice. One thing to keep in mind is that more padding doesn't always make for a better ride!
2. Padding
Let's address the padding debate right now.
It's natural to think that more padding will provide more comfort. However, what can happen is that you end up chaffing - for those who haven't experienced a good chaff, I can tell you, it's very painful and best avoided.
Padding on bike saddles will even out your weight across the surface.
Finding the right level of padding is a personal thing but what I can tell you is that much to my surprise, I prefer a saddle with little padding and it's incredibly comfortable, even on long rides!
3. Rails
The rails on a mountain bike saddle can be made from different materials, each with pros and cons.
Steel rails are strong but they tend to be the heaviest option, though inexpensive.
Titanium rails will be more expensive than their steel counterparts but they are lighter.
Carbon fiber, providing the lightest option as they are hollow. Carbon fiber also provides the most flex and a lot of riders find this to be the most comfortable.
4. Shape & Size
Getting the correct shape and size mountain bike saddle is the ultimate goal. An uncomfortable saddle will make for an unpleasant ride.
Length
Longer nose saddles are popular as they offer a lot of flexibility, you can move around on them a lot.
Want to move closer to the front for a climb? No problem.
Shorter saddles will provide you with an upright position, although this is changing as they are becoming sportier.
A shorter nose means that you can tuck down further and not experience rub on your thighs.
Width
You will be surprised how much a millimeter in width can make!
Manufactures of bike saddles will have a range of different widths to be able to meet the needs of different sit bones.
Getting the correct width for your saddle is vital.
Too wide and you won't be able to move freely and you may experience rubbing.
Too narrow and you may not get enough support on your sit bones - this is unpleasant!
Shape
On first appearance cut-outs might seem unnecessary. Speaking as a cut-out convert - they aren't. They can be the difference between an unhappy ride and sheer saddle bliss.
Having the right cut-out can relieve the pressure in sensitive places. Where the cut-out is placed is very personal, sit bones and weight distribution varies from person to person.
Profile
With 'profile' we're talking about how the saddle is shaped. Some are very flat, some can be rounded and others can be convex.
If you're after a race type MTB saddle then consider saddles that are flatter and have minimal padding.
Again, one person's comfortable saddle may not be perfect for another.
5. Chassis
The chassis of mountain bike saddles are often overlooked when buying saddles but the chassis is what gives the saddle its shape so it's pretty important!
What you want to aim for with a chassis is the one that will give you the most comfort. This usually means what had the most flexibility.
The greater the flexibility, the more able it will be at absorbing shocks.
More shock resistance also means that you won't need as much paddle on top and that's a good thing!
6. Other Factors
Do remember that when you change your saddle, it's worth checking your saddle height.
It may be that this needs to change too. Getting the correct saddle height is almost as important as finding the right saddle.
If your saddle is too high, this can lead to chaffing, but the saddle itself could be perfect for you.
Having a great saddle is all well and good but what you need to consider is what you're wearing. A good pair of cycling shorts can change your ride completely so be sure to invest in a pair if you haven't already.
One final thing, don't try out a new saddle whilst wearing jeans!
Our Top 6 MTB Saddles
1. SDG Radar
Comfort is the name of the game for this mountain bike saddle. Ideal for a full day of hitting the trails.
SDG took elements from their best selling models and brought them into one design. The result?
This winning mountain bike saddle!
It's a pretty perfect saddle for so many different riders and provides the ultimate comfort for a lot of different styles of riding.
There are plenty of features to ensure maximum comfort and quality.
Padding on this saddle is fantastic and there to ensure the pressure is distributed evenly.
If you're a fan of aggressive riding positions (slammed stem, anyone?), then the SDG will allow you the movement needed to achieve that.
Even when tackling those steep climbs as the nose is slightly wider and gives you that extra support when you need to shift to the front of the saddle.
Numbness on a bike is awful, it takes the pleasure out of a ride - or it does for me anyway! Having an undercut and a pronounced center can help to relieve that pressure.
Weight: 230g | Size: 270mm x 138mm
Pros
Cons
Based on looks alone, this is one of the best mountain bike saddles.
It's smooth, sleek, and has a minimal finish.
Fabric crafted this saddle using a three-part binding system. This means that it's totally waterproof, with no stitching or staples.
The result aside from its beautiful looks? The Fabric Scoop is a doddle to clean.
The Fabric Scoop is one of the best mountain bike saddles if you are after a sport type saddle.
Due to the style of the Fabric Scoop, the rider is able to move into several different positions and still be comfortable. This is a real plus for a lot of riders!
While there are other models out there, the Fabric Scoop seems to strike a superb balance between comfort and flexibility - meaning not a huge amount of foam padding.
Weight: 310g | Size: 278mm x 142mm
Pros
Cons
Do you know the old saying, "if it isn't broken, don't fix it?".
Well PRO is keeping the saying alive with this saddle, it looks old school and quite charming.
It's not just about looks though, this saddle is meant to do the job and it does just that. It doesn't look dramatic, there are no extreme shapes.
The magic of this saddle happens below.
The base of this saddle is reinforced with carbon, making it lightweight and, importantly, flexible.
There is a large cut-out in the center of the saddle, relieving the pressure.
This particular saddle is one of the best MTB saddles for big guys as it provides an excellent amount of comfort due to the cut-outs and the rails have been designed to be suspended within the base. This makes for a spring effect - you guessed it, comfort!!
Another reason why it provides one of the best mountain bike seats for big guys is it comes in two different sizes, making finding the right saddle much simpler.
Weight: 234g | Size: 281mm x 142mm
Pros
Cons
The WTB Volt is one of the most popular MTB saddles available. It offers fantastic variety, with a choice of different rails.
Cromoly, steel, titanium, and carbon rails are all possible with this model.
The WTB Volt saddle itself has a gel insert, with regular padding. Regular might be an understatement if I'm being honest, it's quite thick!
Nicely thick though and this saddle can give you the comfort you want when you're climbing a hill, thanks to that padding.
With some bike saddles, you have to work hard to find a comfortable place, this isn't the case with the WTB Volt. It seems comfortable at all times.
Thanks to its superb quality underneath, you get a sense that you're buying a top-quality product...and you are!
When it comes to the best MTB saddles for long rides, this one fits the bill. It's comfortable, almost no matter how you sit on it. That's quite an achievement for a saddle.
Weight: 316g | Size: 245mm x 145mm
Pros
Cons
Enduro rider? This one's for you!
It's hard not to notice the cutaway all down the center of the saddle, that's going to be ideal for taking away the pressure on those long days.
The foam padding around this cutaway provides a fantastic amount of support. Looking at the image, you wouldn't expect the level of support you get but support is what this MTB saddle is about.
A further design feature to improve the support of this saddle is the shape, it's quite flat. This gives you a lot to sit on so your weight can disperse and you'll get even more support!
Whilst you don't get deep shoulders on the Ergon saddle, which are useful when you need to climb a hill. What you do get is a kick up at the tail of the saddle. This design means that your sit bones stay right where they should.
Hills? No problem with the Ergon!
What will appeal to enduro riders is that you will still feel comfortable in this saddle even after four or five hours of riding and that's why it's one of the best mountain bike saddles for enduro riders.
Weight: 232g | Size: 245mm x 145mm
Pros
Cons
Selle Italia dates back to 1897 and are dedicated saddle makers - they know their stuff!
The cut-out on this saddle is large. This is a really good feature and it keeps the air flowing and reduces any pressure you might feel.
Despite their long heritage, Selle Italia is keeping up with the times, if not, setting the trends. The look of this saddle is modern, it has so many angles to it and the nose droop is very pronounced.
Cycling products made in Italy seem to ooze class, and with a name like Selle Italia, you won't be surprised to learn that this mountain bike saddle is made in Italy!
The extra-large cut-out will be welcomed by many. It helps to keep things cool down there. You're unlikely to feel any pressure points or numbness, even after a long day in the saddle. That's pretty good going!
As for rails, you get a choice between alloy rails and titanium alloy rails. The saddle itself is light-weight so for those who are mindful about added extra weight to your bike, this could be the ideal solution.
This mountain bike saddle is certainly one for the race riders amongst us!
Weight: 215g | Size: 12.9 x 7.5 x 2.3 inches
Pros
Cons
Common Questions & Answers
1. What is the most comfortable bike saddle?
The most comfortable and best MTB saddle will depend on your needs as a rider.
Getting the right fit is important and there isn't a 'one size fits all saddle' out there. If only it was that simple!
However, cut-outs are very popular. They can increase your comfort level hugely by taking away the pressure so it's always worth considering this.
The right amount of padding is also a factor in the best mountain bike saddles for you. The instinct is to go for a saddle that has a large amount of padding but that usually causes rubbing.
With the right rails, be that alloy rails, carbon, steel, or titanium rails, they can minimize the shocks you feel and enhance your comfort levels.
Reducing the number of shock vibrations you feel goes a long way to increase the comfort of the saddle and therefore your ride.
If you are always bumping up and down, that is increasing the pressure on your body and likely to lead to an uncomfortable ride.
Different manufacturers go about this differently, Brooks Cambium features springs so as to minimize the impact. Other manufacturers do things differently - our list of top MTB saddles shows the best of the best!
2. What is the best saddle?
Very much depends on your needs!
The Fabric Scoop is perfect for the racers out there. Its design allows you to move around, while still remaining comfortable.
This allows you to move with your mountain bike to get the best out of your ride.
If you like long days in the saddle, then you can't go wrong with the Ergon Comp. It's designed especially for hours of riding and gives you the support needed.
Weight can also be a consideration for you, especially if you like to race. Adding extra weight can slow you down, after all!
The thing to consider when buying a saddle is what do you want out of it? What are your needs and how do you like to ride?
With an answer to those questions, you can begin your search. Above we've put together a list of the best mountain bike saddles, factoring different styles of riding so you may find your perfect there!
3. How do I choose a mountain bike saddle?
Firstly you want to decide what you don't like about your current saddle.
What are the niggles?
If there are any, then take this opportunity to find a new mountain bike saddle that won't have those niggles.
Then you need to think about the style of riding you do. This will impact the shape, size, and weight of the saddle you need.
After that, it all comes down to what works for your sit bones and what you find most comfortable. This bit is down to you!
4. What is the most comfortable mountain bike seat?
I think we can all agree that the best mountain bike saddles are those that are the most comfortable.
What we probably can't agree on is what is the most comfortable and best mountain bike seat.
Why? Because we're all different! We all riding differently. Our bodies are different.
What I can tell you is we have put together a list of the best mountain bike saddles and this should provide you with some inspiration!
Final Verdict
So which one takes the poll position?
Ultimately, the best MTB saddles has to go to WTB for their WTB Volt Race.
The fact you can jump on this saddle, in almost any way and you'll still feel comfortable is nothing short of genius and that's something to be marveled.