Choosing the best mountain bike seat can make a huge difference in comfort during long rides, helping to prevent soreness and discomfort.
Since every rider has a unique anatomy and riding style, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to saddle shape and fit. The ideal approach is to test different options to find the perfect match, but that’s not always practical. To simplify the process, we’ve put some of the top contenders through rigorous testing to guide you through the competitive market and help you find the right choice. Let’s explore with National Park Shops!
Contents
- Best Overall: Fizik Terra Aidon X5 ($113.83 on Amazon)
- Most Comfortable: WTB Volt Chromoly ($49.95 – $72.97 on Amazon)
- Best Value: Spank Oozy 220 ($84.99 on Amazon)
- Best for Light Weight: Tioga Spyder Outland ($104.98 on Amazon)
- Selle Italia Model Y ($79.97 on Amazon)
- SDG Components Bel-Air V3 ($89.99 on Amazon)
- Prologo Proxim Nembo Slide Control ($105 on Amazon)
- How We Tested
- Conclusion
Best Overall: Fizik Terra Aidon X5 ($113.83 on Amazon)
- Shell: Fiber reinforced nylon with WingFlex
- Rails: S-Alloy 7x7mm
- Weight: 262g
- Dimensions: 255x145mm
The Fizik Terra Aidon X5 is specifically engineered for electric mountain bikes, featuring a concave profile from front to back and an extended central cut-out to alleviate pressure.
During testing, we found its padding strikes an excellent balance between softness and support, ensuring comfort even on long rides. The flexible chassis enhances shock absorption, helping to smooth out bigger impacts, while the overall shape allows for seamless movement over the rear wheel.
However, in extremely muddy conditions, the cover proved to be a bit slippery. Despite this, it remains a strong contender for the best mountain bike seat, offering both comfort and durability for demanding rides.
Most Comfortable: WTB Volt Chromoly ($49.95 – $72.97 on Amazon)
- Product Dimensions: 10.43″L x 5.59″W x 2.36″H
- Material: Cromoly
- Outer Material: MicroFiber Cover
The WTB Volt Chromoly has long been a standout in WTB’s mountain bike seat lineup, offering a winning combination of comfort, durability, and affordability. Its time-tested design provides excellent support, featuring a subtly cradled shape that gently rises at the tail, medium-density padding, and a shallow anatomical groove. The “Comfort Zone” cutout in the shell helps relieve pressure in the center, making long rides more enjoyable.
Weighing in at 239g for the 135mm version we tested, the Volt Race is impressively lightweight given its price. Riders praised its versatility, noting that it performs well across various mountain biking disciplines and even holds up for road cycling.
Available in three widths -135mm, 142mm, and 150mm – the Volt accommodates different sit bone measurements, ensuring a customized fit. Given its performance and affordability, we believe this mountain bike seat is one of the best values available today.
Best Value: Spank Oozy 220 ($84.99 on Amazon)
- Product Dimensions: 12″L x 7.1″W x 2.65″H
- Material: Synthetic
- Outer Material: Foam
The Spank Oozy 220 stands out as a well-priced mountain bike seat, offering impressive comfort and thoughtful design. With a 144mm width, it caters to a broad range of sit bone sizes, making it a versatile choice for many riders. The saddle features a shallow pressure relief channel to ease strain on the perineal area, while its relatively flat side-to-side profile enhances stability. Its classic shape includes an extra-wide nose, which provides excellent support when shifting forward on steep climbs. The contoured pressure zones on the wings cradle the sit bones effectively, and the slight rise in the tail adds extra support to maintain an optimal riding position. The medium-density padding strikes a great balance, staying comfortable on rides of any length. Additionally, the synthetic cover material reduces friction and, combined with the snag-free design, allows for smooth, unrestricted movement.
However, the Oozy 220 does have some drawbacks. Weighing in at 280 grams, it’s noticeably heavier than some of its competitors, making it less ideal for riders focused on weight savings. Additionally, it is only available in a single width, which, while comfortable for our testers, may not suit everyone. Still, for those prioritizing comfort and durability, this mountain bike seat is a solid choice.
Best for Light Weight: Tioga Spyder Outland ($104.98 on Amazon)
- Material: Synthetic, Chromoly Rail
- Outer Material : Composite
- Pad Type: Gel Pad
The Tioga Spyder Outland stands out as a truly distinctive mountain bike seat, both in aesthetics and functionality. Designed to minimize weight, it features a flexible web of material suspended over a carbonite framework, effectively distributing the rider’s weight while maintaining structural integrity. This cutting-edge approach makes it the lightest saddle in our test, weighing just 202g with the included anti-slip pads and an ultra-light 178g when used without them. While its unconventional appearance might suggest otherwise, testers found the flexible webbing surprisingly comfortable, providing a suspended, cushioned feel unlike traditional saddles. On the trail, its narrow width and tapered tail allowed for effortless movement, making it a great option for technical riding.
At 125mm wide, the Spyder Outland is the narrowest mountain bike seat we tested, which may not suit all riders. However, for those with narrow sit bones or a preference for a slim profile, it offers a compelling combination of lightweight performance and unexpected comfort. While its bold design may not appeal to everyone, this saddle delivers an innovative, high-performance solution for those looking for a minimalist yet effective option.
Selle Italia Model Y ($79.97 on Amazon)
- Product Dimensions: 9.69″L x 5.59″W x 1.97″H
- Material: Plastic
- Outer Material: Greentech
The Model Y offers excellent value, featuring a compact and eco-friendly mountain bike seat crafted entirely from recycled materials.
During testing, we found it impressively comfortable, with well-positioned padding that effectively distributes weight and supports the sit bones. The thoughtful design enhances durability while maintaining comfort over extended rides.
Although relatively slim, this mountain bike seat allows for greater freedom of movement, making it a practical choice for riders who prioritize agility and control on the trails.
SDG Components Bel-Air V3 ($89.99 on Amazon)
- Product Dimensions: 15″L x 9″W x 3″H
- Material: Eva,Foam,Fiberglass,Nylon
- Outer Material: Foam
The SDG Components Bel-Air V3 is a versatile mountain bike seat that truly excels in durability. While durability isn’t always the top priority for riders choosing a mountain bike seat, it becomes crucial for those who frequently ride aggressively, transport bikes roughly, or take the occasional tumble.
With a vacuum-sealed, seamless cover and welded edges, the Bel-Air V3 proved incredibly resilient, maintaining its sleek appearance even after extensive use. Beyond its toughness, this saddle delivers outstanding comfort, whether tackling long cross-country routes or navigating technical trails. The nylon-glass base enhances power transfer with every pedal stroke, and its well-designed shape supports various pedaling positions, ideal for riders who prefer flexibility rather than being confined to a single stance.
Prologo Proxim Nembo Slide Control ($105 on Amazon)
- Material: Nylon
- Outer Material : Nylon
- Pad Type: Waterproof Pad
Engineered for gravity-focused riding, the Prologo Proxim Nembo Slide Control is a compact mountain bike seat that stays out of the way when maneuvering through challenging trails.
Our tester reported that its full-length channel, ergonomic shape, and strategically placed padding effectively prevented numbness or discomfort, even on extended rides.
When tackling steep inclines, the wide nose offers a stable and supportive platform, making it a solid choice for trail bikes as well. While a more budget-friendly version would be a welcome addition, this mountain bike seat remains a well-priced option given its performance and design.
How We Tested
Our team of testers, drawing from years of cycling expertise, conducted thorough research to evaluate the top mountain bike saddles. We dedicated hours to scouring the internet for the most highly rated and widely used models before narrowing our selection to 11 for in-depth side-by-side testing.
Each saddle underwent a meticulous analysis of its design and materials, a drag test to assess durability, and precise weighing. Most importantly, we spent extensive time riding with each model, putting them through real-world conditions, from short local loops to long backcountry adventures. To ensure accurate comparisons, saddles were frequently swapped mid-ride, and we made certain that each was tested with a fully rested seat area for a fair comfort evaluation.
For a detailed breakdown of our methodology, check out our “How We Test Mountain Bike Saddles” article.
Our evaluation process scores each mountain bike saddle across five key metrics:
- Comfort – 30% of the total score
- Performance – 20%
- Durability – 20%
- Weight – 20%
- Versatility – 10%
Conclusion
Finding the best mountain bike seat can make all the difference in your riding experience, providing the comfort and support needed for long trails and rugged terrain. The right seat reduces pressure points, enhances pedaling efficiency, and ensures you stay focused on the ride rather than discomfort.
By considering factors like material, shape, and padding, you can choose a saddle that matches your riding style and personal comfort needs.
