Best Mountain Bike Seats

You might have a top-class, carbon mountain bike, but if the seat causes you a pain in the back, then it is all in vain. Comfort is the number one priority when looking for the best mountain bike seat, followed by high-quality craftsmanship and features that allow you to adjust it to the trail conditions.

No matter if it is for the cross country ride, downhill, or a technical trail, the mountain bike saddle should provide pressure relief, comfort and match your body anatomy. Shortly said, your mountain bike saddle is one of the most optimized points of contact between your body and the bike, so go for maximum comfort and performance. 

We scoured the market to find the best mountain bike saddles for a vast array of mountain bikes. We've selected the best men and women's offers, but to find the right saddle is a personal matter, so dive in and get the best saddle choice for your riding style

Terry Fly Carbon Mountain Bicycle Saddle

Terry has been long on the market, boasting premium quality, and advanced performance. Focused on delivering maximum comfort and support, the Terry Fly Carbon Saddle has been ergonomically designed to match specific male sit bones.

The futuristic, slim profile will surely get your attention, particularly the hexagon matrix design on the waterproof black leather with the center cutout. The relief channel offers better compression and more air-flow.

Yet, what most of the riders will find exceptionally impressive is the 201g weight thanks to the carbon rails that are 10mm high and 7mm wide. The multi-density, injection-molded foam ensures comfort throughout the flat top, making it a perfect choice for most MTB riders. The rear section is a bit stiffer so that you get more power while ascending or dealing with demanding trails. 

Pros

• Waterproof leather
• Multi-density foam
  
• Central, cutout zone
  
• Carbon rails
  
• Lightweight (201g)

Cons

• Might be too stiff for some riders
  
  

ISM PR 3.0 Saddle

If you are looking for a saddle with the highest padding level, then ISM’s PR 3.0 is an attractive offer. The unstandardized, nose-less design relieves the pressure on the sit bone area, alleviates genital numbness, and ensures maximum blood flow. 

The PR 3.0 Saddle is an excellent choice for both men and women, as it allows customization and adjustability to fit a wide range of body shapes and sizes. The cutout section is slightly lower than the rear area, and it helps you with excessive sweating. The rear section is wider, so with its 145mm width and 235mm length, the saddle is larger than what you might expect from a standard mountain bike saddle.

Comfort-wise, it comes with the proprietary 60-series foam and gel padding. The synthetic leather cover material is well stitched, and it boasts high durability. The steel STD rails are sturdy; however, they make the saddle heavier than our first model. 

Pros

• Foam and gel padding
  
• Wider rear end (145 mm)
  
• Steel rails
  
• Synthetic leather cover
  
• Nose-less design with a cutout

Cons

• Heavier than most MTB saddles

Terry Butterfly Century Bike Saddle

Female mountain riders often have difficulty finding the right mountain bike saddle as most MTB bikes come with a stock saddle that features mostly unisex design. And this is where Terry Butterfly Century steps in as this saddle has been made with female mountain bikers in mind. 

Women riders will find the larger foam cutout particularly comfortable for the delicate women’s parts. It delivers enhanced breathability and provides impressive pressure relief. For maximum durability, the cover is made from Fibra-Tek microfiber material with a Poron XRD vibration-absorbing layer. A thin layer of gel softens the top while the key pressure points feature sculpted foam.

The titanium alloy rails (Ti-136) are an excellent addition to the quality craftsmanship, as titanium is lightweight but extra strong. The overall craftsmanship makes this bike seat perfect for aerodynamic riding positions and even longer rides and bike races.

Pros

• Engineered for women riders
  
• Large foam cutout
  
• A thin layer of gel on the top
  
• Shock-absorbing material between the base and the foam layers
  
• Weighs only 268g
  
• 262 mm long and 152 mm wide
  
• Return policy 

Cons

• You need to be very careful with the setup.

Selle Italia Women’s Diva Gel Superflow

If you go through the Diva Gel Superflow features, you’ll notice that it doesn’t differ much from our best Women’s mountain bike saddle. It comes in two sizes to match women with different sit bone width (135 and 152), and thanks to the titanium rails (Ti 316), both versions are relatively lightweight, weighing 275g and 285g adequately. 

Since the Diva Gel Superflow has been designed for a female MTB rider’s needs, it comes with an anatomic cutout combined with strategically positioned silicone gel layers. Designed like this, it offers flexibility at the nose section and more vibration dampening during bumpy sections of the trail. Additionally, there’s a shock-absorbing system that is located between the rails and the shell. 

For maximum durability, the cover is made from Fibra-Tek microfiber material. It is enhanced with additional padding on critical areas for optimal wear and tear protection. 

Pros

• Anatomic cutout
• Lightweight, two sizes to choose from
• Extra padding and silicone gel layers
• Titanium layers
• Fibra-Tek microfiber cover
• Two-year warranty

Cons

• A bit firmer 

TOSEEK Bike Seat

If you’re after a good bang for your buck, then this TOSEEK model will please your biking needs and your pocket. The carbon fiber T800 rails make this saddle weigh only 140g, putting it in the same class as the high-end ones. 

The textured PU leather surface comes with EVA padding on targeted zones, reducing numbness, and irritation while at the same time increases the blood flow. The cutout section supports the sit bones and increases the airflows and excessive sweating. The shock-absorbing system positioned above the rails adds to its overall comfort. 

The narrower oval structure that is 145mm wide and 275 long makes it suitable for technical trails, downhill, and even cross country rides. Bear in mind, though, that it is a firmer saddle, so you might need some time in case you plan it for longer rides.

Pros

• Easy to install and fits most Seatpost clams
  
• EVA padding and PU leather cover
  
• Oval carbon rails
  
• Lightweight (140 g)
  
• Size: 275mm x 145mm

Cons

• It’s on the firmer end.

Serfas RX Cruiser Bicycle Saddle - CR-RXL

For those of you who prefer wider bike seats suitable even in urban environments, the Serfas RX series offer advances comfort. The CR-RXL model has been designed to provide optimal support to the sit bone area while completely disrupting the contact with the soft tissue. 

That’s made possible thanks to the patented I.C.S. Infinite Comfort System that ensures outstanding performance, even on long rides. The complete anatomical cutout almost entirely detaches the two sections, and it is excellent for extra airflow. The Dual Density technology has scientifically provided increased padding on the rear area, making it higher than the front, nose-less part.

While it is a common understanding that MTB bikes need a narrower seat, mostly if you ride professional trails or go downhill, this one is mostly designed for recreational, upright bikers. The rear elastomer suspension is effective in dumping vibrations, while the anatomical shape won’t cause thighs rubbing and discomfort. 

Pros

• Rear elastomer suspension
  
• Dual-density base
  
• Extra rear padding
  
• Deep groove design
  
• Size: 210mm wide, 277mm long

Cons

• Not very suitable for aggressive mountain biking.

What is the difference in MTB seats?

You might know that there’s a world of differences between the mountain bike saddles and the road ones, but there’s a world of differences in MTB saddles as well. Generally speaking, mountain bike riders prefer flatter saddles, especially convenient for those that use a dropper post since such a saddle will allow you to slide off the saddle and back.

However, the best mountain bike saddle will largely depend on your biking style. 

Narrow saddles would be an excellent fit if you race. They allow more freedom of movement during the race and they position their weight on the forward section.

Medium-sized mountain bike saddles are good for trekking and biking on rough terrains as these riders often shift their weight to the back when going downhill or forward when climbing. Most of these saddles come with gel padding, cutouts, downward nose, and flat rear sections to slide back easily.

Wide saddles are commonly found in road bikes, however, some MTB bikes can be fitted with a wider-sized saddle if a comfortable saddle is what you are looking for. The amount of padding on these saddles is larger and their weight is bigger than the standard MTB bikes. Causal riders who want to blend their mountain riding experience with urban practicality can take the advantage of these saddles

Is there a difference between men and women’s MTB saddles?

The shortest answer is:” Yes, there is!”. As their bodies, the pelvic area and the sit bones differ, thus will the saddles. Plus, the genital area has its own saying among the saddle designers, trying to create saddles that tackle the soft parts adequately. 

On the flip side, not all men and women are the same, and this is why many leading companies are trying to create unisex designs. When choosing the best MTB saddle, the custom-fit rule applies first here. This means it is up to you to decide what works the best, so stick to your preferences.