Best Mountain Bike Saddles 2024

Best Mountain Bike Saddles 2024: Top-rated mountain bike saddles and our buying guide.

Choose a mountain bike saddle that ensures comfort on long rides and minimizes the risk of sores and pain.

Finding the right mountain bike saddle can be challenging due to individual anatomy and varied riding styles.

There’s no universal solution for saddle shape and fit.

To find what suits you best, try different saddles. If that’s not possible, we’ve rigorously tested top options to help you in a competitive market.

Explore our guide to the best MTB saddles for women and a comprehensive list.

Check our mountain bike saddle buying guide for insights on selecting the right one.

Our Favorite Best Mountain Bike Saddle

Here is our selection for the Best Mountain Bike Saddle of 2024

• WTB Volt
• Ergon SM Enduro Men
• SDG Components Bel-Air V3
• SDG-Bel-Air-V3-Steel
• Prologo Kappa Space T2.0

List of Best Mountain Bike Saddles 2024

WTB Silverado Steel

The WTB Silverado saddle is sturdy and affordable. It comes with a textured upper for a better grip, robust bumpers, and a flexing base in specific areas.

Despite the thin padding, it offers support and comfort through cutouts in the shell. The flat side-to-side profile evenly distributes weight, while the slightly hammock-like front-to-back shape ensures stability.

There’s ample room to move around, and the deep fenders add comfort when gripping the saddle with your thighs.

It’s essential to note that the Silverado is not exceptionally lightweight, and the decompression channel doesn’t have significant depth.

WTB Silverado Steel Feature Summary

• Weight: 306g
• Width: 135, 142mm
• Length: 280mm
• Gender: Unisex

Advantages and disadvantages of WTB Silverado Steel

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Ergon SM Enduro Men

This saddle’s flat side-to-side profile directs weight to your sit bones, avoiding pressure on the softer tissues of your perineum, ensuring comfort during extended rides.

The nose doesn’t appear overly long, and the well-padded wing edges benefit your thighs.

The decompression channel is not only effective but also features a drainage hole, preventing water accumulation during wet rides. It comes in two widths to accommodate various body shapes.

While the SM Enduro is somewhat heavy, in wet conditions, we observed that the cover material can be a bit slippery under shorts.

Ergon SM Enduro Men Feature Summary

• Weight: 284g
• Width: 135, 148mm
• Length: 266mm
• Gender: Men

Advantages and disadvantages of Ergon SM Enduro Men

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SDG Bel-Air V3 Steel

The rear rollover in the Bel-Air V3 prevents sliding during intense pushes and contributes to a hammock-style fore-aft profile, offering a sensation of sitting “on” the saddle rather than just on it.

There might be some pressure during long climbs; we tilted the nose down to alleviate it.

The decompression channel, aided by a cutout in the hull, proves effective. Although the padding isn’t as firm as some, it provides a comfortable and supportive experience, even on extended journeys.

The wings grip your thighs securely and are reinforced with Kevlar for durability.

In comparison to similar saddles, the Bel-Air V3 is somewhat heavy.

SDG Bel-Air V3 Steel Feature Summary

• Weight: 319g
• Width: 140mm
• Length: 260mm
• Gender: Unisex

Advantages and disadvantages of SDG Bel-Air V3 Steel

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Prologo Kappa Space T2.0

The Kappa Space T2.0 provides robust support, featuring firm padding at the rear that gradually decreases in density towards the nose.

A deep center channel with a cutout in the middle reduces pressure on sensitive areas, and the wide rear of the saddle offers ample cushioning.

Our tester noted that the side-to-side curved profile applied more pressure to his perineum compared to other models we tried.

The angular “wings” aren’t the most comfortable for gripping with the thighs on technical terrain, and the pronounced edges of the channel allow a significant amount of spray to pass through.

Prologo Kappa Space T2.0 Feature Summary

• Weight: 276g
• Width: 147mm
• Length: 273mm
• Gender: Unisex

Advantages and disadvantages of Prologo Kappa Space T2.0

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Mountain Bike Seats Buying Guide

Mountain bike saddles come in various shapes and sizes, designed for different riding styles and the contours of your anatomy.

Choosing a saddle, like all bike contact points, depends on personal preference.

Here, we outline the criteria to help you find the mountain bike saddle that suits you best.

MTB Seats Adjustment

When picking a mountain bike saddle, focus on optimal comfort by directing pressure onto the seat bones and away from sensitive tissues.

Buying a saddle poses a challenge because it’s hard to know if it fits without riding in it. Many manufacturers offer trial saddles for testing various shapes at participating cycle shops.

For the right fit, consider a professional bike fitting. Bike fitters provide a range of saddles, some equipped to measure your sit bones.

Width is crucial—ensure you rest on your seat bones. Short nose saddles anchor you in a single position on your sit bones.

Mountain bike saddles typically have a concave shape, slightly rising at the rear for back support and to prevent sliding on steep climbs.

They often feature sides tapering towards the bottom, creating more space between the saddle edge and your thigh to minimize chafing risks.

Modern mountain bike saddles are less static, thanks to widespread dropper post use. Most trail and enduro saddles prioritize climbing comfort as they don’t hinder descents.

How Much Padding Does The Mountain Bike Saddle Have?

While it may seem logical that more padding means more comfort, it’s often not the case.

Excessive padding can cause chafing by restricting movements, and thick padding on the seat bones can shift your weight forward off the saddle.

Shape matters more than padding; hence, full carbon saddles can be comfortable despite a solid exterior.

The saddle’s shape contributes to compliance, and many brands add flexibility to their designs to avoid excessive padding.

Rail material also affects comfort, with hollow tubes reducing weight and improving flexibility.

While some riders prefer padding, it’s not uncommon to see downhill riders using minimal or no padding, especially since they only sit on the saddle while waiting in queues for ski lifts.

Robustness and Solidity

Saddles have four main parts: the rails, the shell, the padding, and the cover. Each part must withstand the challenges of mountain biking.

While no component is entirely impact-proof, high-quality saddles feature robust coverings to protect against scratches and sturdy metal rails to endure impacts from both you and the ground.

Some cross-country riders prioritize lightness over toughness. Many choose a carbon road bike saddle to complement the recumbent riding position of top cross-country mountain bikes.

Is it a Good Idea to Buy a Saddle With a Relief Channel?

Certain mountain bike seats feature elevated channels or cutouts in the center, and in some cases, they extend throughout the entire saddle.

These relief channels and cutouts aim to alleviate pressure buildup on your perineum, a common source of discomfort during rides.

The design helps mitigate the risk of groin pain by enabling you to tilt your pelvis forward and open your hip angle more.

What Is The Difference Between Mountain Bike Saddles And Road Bike Saddles?

The primary distinction between mountain bike saddles and road bike saddles lies in their shapes tailored to the riding positions of different disciplines.

Road bike saddles are typically flatter than mountain bike saddles, accommodating the lower, more aerodynamic position adopted by road cyclists.

Mountain bike saddles generally have more curvature than road saddles to provide additional back support.

In terms of weight, mountain bike saddles are generally heavier than road saddles. The necessity for increased durability leads to more robust designs utilizing heavier materials.