In this article I’m going to feature some of the best gel road bike saddles. So if you’re looking at some added comfort to your road rides, you’re at the right place.
Roughly road bike saddles fall into three categories. The first group is non-padded saddles. I’ve never seen any other non-padded saddles than full carbon options.
The second group is the largest and consists of padded saddles. For road bike saddles, high-quality standard padded saddles never feature gel padding.
Then there’s a third group I consider extra padded road bike saddles. That group includes saddles that offer extra comfort in the form of gel padding.
Premium road bike saddles with just gel padding are few and far in between. That’s why I’m going to give you options from the entire last group, which means I’m going to give you the best saddles with extra padding, including those where the extra padding is made from gel.
If the goal is comfort, the means to achieve such a thing has been engineered beyond simply putting a couple of gel pads into your saddle. By offering an overview of saddles with a core focus on plushness I feel you’re in the best position to make the right choice for you.
So without further ado, here’s the list of the best gel road bike saddles.
Fizik Antares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive
The honor of bringing the first 3D-printed saddle to the market goes to the Fizik Antares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive. It’s a saddle with carbon rails and shell, with a 3D printed EPU 41 polymer padding that’s extremely comfortable.
Because it’s 3D printed it has an otherworldly spacious design which ensures the saddle tips the scales at just 168 grams for the small version, or 171 grams for the large one. That’s very impressive for a saddle with such padding volume.
The padding acts like memory foam and conforms to the rider’s anatomy. Since there are two halves it means that pressure is only applied to the sit bones and very specific to the respective rider.
It’s one of the most distinctive saddles money can buy, and besides the light greenish version, Fizik now also offers a black one.
It comes at two widths of 139 and 146 millimeters.
From an innovation standpoint the Fizik Antares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive is a fantastic product, that’s comfortable enough to use for long hours in the saddle. The only downside could be that the light open structure is more prone to damage and dirt lodging into the innards of the padding.
But if you like the original Antares and you really want the-latest-the-greatest for your bike, this is the saddle for you.
- Outrageous 3D-printed design you buy for its novelty
- Expensive, delicate, and hard to keep clean
Selle Italia X-LR Kit Carbonio Superflow
The Selle Italia X-LR Kit Carbonio Superflow is a stunning piece of engineering from the Italian saddle giant.
What they’ve achieved is an ultra-light, ultra-comfortable saddle that’ll honed towards aggressive riding in less than ideal road circumstances.
The regular version is a very narrow 131 millimeters, with the large version measuring a more standard 145 millimeter width. The saddle features a combination of an oval carbon rails with ceramic coating supporting a carbon composite shell weighing just 130 grams.
That feat alone is worth mentioning, but even more astounding considering that comfort is achieved by adding two layers of padding with varying densities. This added damping factor is further enhanced by a shell to rails connection that adds an extra dimension of damping. And carbon itself has natural damping effects.
The gorgeous shape has a large cut out in the center sitting in a flat-shaped saddle with a slightly dropped nose. Furthermore the saddle has edge protectors so a single crash reduces the risk of irreparable damage to this premium perch.
As far as race-ready comfort this is my top pick.
- Gorgeous piece of engineering, exquisite combination of comfort w. low weight, huge cutout, no compromise performance saddle
- Very pricey, compatible seatpost necessary
Selle Italia Novus Superflow Endurance
The Selle Italia Novus Superflow Endurance has endurance in the title, so what exactly is so different about this saddle to earn that moniker.
For starters, the two-pronged split-nosed design sitting on titanium rails is distinctive enough. It means the cut out of the saddle extends all the way to the front of the nose, reminiscent of those produced by time-trial favorite ISM.
Where you can actually sit the two shell halves not only offer extra padded support, but also a layer of gel padding to add to the overall damping qualities of the saddle. A durable Fibra-Tek perforated microfiber cover has the Selle Italia logo on it.
The overall build quality is downright amazing, and the long and narrow shape of the saddle measuring 138 x 282 mm for the regular size and 149 x 282 mm for the large one, means there’s plenty of room to find the correct position for your sit bones.
The reason why you have to pay twice the amount of money vs the TM version is the composition of the shell. Where this one uses carbon fiber, the other one is made from nylon. And that carbon shell sits on top of titanium rails instead of a manganese steel one. That means a more flexible perch and just some more damping effects as well, with the tiniest of weight gains as well.
Granted the split nose design might equally split onlookers into categories of those who hate and those who love it, but there’s no denying that this saddle will save your behind on longer rides.
- Premium endurance road racing saddle of remarkable build quality, with extra padding.
- Distinctive design might not appeal to everybody.
Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow
The Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow is a saddle obviously meant for female riders. They are actually offered in two widths. The wide version measures 160 millimeters, which is great for a relaxed upright position. There’s also a much narrower version at 135 millimeters if you’re very familiar with road cycling and prefer a saddle with a more race-oriented shape.
Selle Italia ditched the leather cover for a more maintenance free microfiber one. It will also mean the saddle is more durable than a thin leather cover, and more waterproof as well, which were two cons of earlier editions of this saddle.
This is a true touring saddle for people who like their behinds to sit on well-padded seats and don’t like aggressive riding in the drops.
- Well-padded touring saddle
- Doesn't look like a road bike saddle
Selle Italia Man Gel Flow
The Selle Italia Man Gel Flow is the male version which only comes in a single size of 151 x 275 millimeters.
The same applies for this saddle as for the female version. Don’t buy it for road cycling, but for upright leisurely touring and overall shorter rides.
- Well-padded touring saddle
- Doesn't look like a road bike saddle
Selle Italia Novus Endurance TM Superflow
With endurance in its name it should be obvious what the Selle Italia Novus Endurance TM Superflow is for.
Its unique-looking design looks similar to those used by ISM, with the nose cut in half and slightly dipping.
This affordable long-distance offering features a lot of extra padding for a weight penalty, tipping the scales over 300 grams. But this is not a saddle for those looking to shave an extra 100 grams of their bike, and people who’ll actually be doing gran fondos will care less about such a thing.
What they will care about is comfort and this saddle excels in that area. You can actually take this saddle on roads that don’t necessarily resemble smooth tarmac, and the plush ride will allow you to enjoy it from start to finish.
Selle Italia offers a number of magnificent showpieces, and this saddle is not among them. It’s purely functional with a core focus on being able to eat mile after mile of road. So if that’s your thing there aren’t many options that offer a greater return on investment, if any.
- For long distance riding, extra padded
- Relatively heavy, design might not suit everyone
Ergon SM E-Mountain Core Prime Women
Don’t get confused about the name of the Ergon SM E-Mountain Core Prime Women. It’s not specifically for E-bikes and not specifically for mountain bikes.
This is not a road bike saddle. Not its weight, not its design, not its padding hints in that direction. It is a great option for a robust touring / gravel / MTB saddle.
The strong CroMo steel rails support 2 variations with the widest measuring 160 millimeters at a standard length of 278 millimeters.
Their sales page features a lot of impressive medical copywriting. But it doesn’t take away that saddles can still be hit or miss. Why you might want to consider this saddle is that it really does feature several layers of unique feminine oriented padding in a design that also has a large center depression.
Those various levels of padding create flexibility in the saddle, firmness where necessary, and added comfort and damping properties as well.
The saddle has a very premium and solid look, which feels much more at home on a touring or mountain bike than on a road bike.
- Gender specific ergonomics
- Heavy
Ergon SM E-Mountain Core Prime Men
The Ergon SM E-Mountain Core Prime Men has the overall same dimensions but a much larger center depression. I don’t have to explain why.
It’s interesting to note that where Selle Italia opts for a wider version of a feminine saddle with the same characteristics otherwise, it feels like Ergon at least changed the overall upper shape of their saddles.
That kind of makes sense considering the fact that there are serious differences between a male and female. Apart from all of the other factors that make this saddle great for touring. Like the multi-layered padding and overall flexibility. All that padding doesn’t mean it’s a cushion. But it performs a bit like memory foam, where a couple rides in you feel more adjusted to the saddle.
- Gender specific ergonomics
- Heavy
Ergon SMC Sport Gel Women
As with the Core Prime models the Ergon SMC Sport Gel Women features a very distinctive feminine oriented cut out in a saddle with a large seating area.
It’s more affordable, has the same saddle ergonomic shape, but gel padding instead of the memory foam like substance of the Core Prime. Unlike the male version, this saddle has such a large open space you can deem it an appropriate center cut out.
It supports an upright position with enough cushioning to take out any irregularities in the road.
- One of the few ergonomic saddles, gel padding, supports upright position
- Heavy
Ergon SMC Sport Gel Men
The Ergon SMC Sport Gel Men is the male version obviously. Ergon has taken its research into male and female anatomy and applied it to this saddle as well.
This result in a more pronounced depression in the center of the saddle. Both saddles are on the less aggressive side of the riding spectrum.
- One of the few ergonomic saddles, gel padding, supports upright position
- Heavy
Prologo Dimension NDR
The Prologo Dimension NDR is a sporty saddle with an offroad nature.
To establish this nature, Prologo simply added more padding to the shell, which is offered in a single size of 245 x 143 mm.
The 245 millimeters can be considered a short-nosed saddle. For those of you who don’t know what that is, short-nosed saddles favor riders who show a more forward seated position.
Since there’s less nose, the overall saddle can be moved forward a bit on the seatpost, while the rider still remains in the area where he or she feels most comfortable.
It’s probably one of the most aggressive saddles on this list for offroad touring or mountain biking.
- Well-padded off-road saddle, short-nosed version, aggressive performance saddle
- None
ISM PN 4.0
If you’d want to go for one of ISM’s saddles, the ISM PN 4.0 is a great option to begin with.
Not because it’s inexpensive, none of their saddles are, but because the saddle allows for more freedom of movement and bigger contact points.
Riding any ISM saddle, after having ridden traditional saddle shapes, is a revelation in comfort. This one was built for gravel riding so it seems, where you could argue more dynamic riding is applicable.
The entire design of ISM revolves around being forced to sit on your sit bones. There’s no nose to speak of, and while pedaling you push your sit bones onto the two protruding parts of the saddle. You do need time to adjust to such an odd feeling, but you will understand its concept, even after a single ride. Everyone who’s ever ridden with a numb area down below will, and that’s probably all of us.
I’ll leave it up to you what you think of the design of course.
- Proven track record for comfort, more comfortable option in ISM's lineup
- Polarizing design
Specifications gel road bike saddles
Name | Rail | Price | Dimensions | Weight | Shell | Padding | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fizik Antares Versus Evo 00 Adaptive | carbon Ø7×10 mm | 399.99 USD | S 274 x 139 mm – L 27 4 x146 mm | S 168 g – L 171 g | carbon | EPU 41 | |
Selle Italia X-LR Kit Carbonio Superflow | carbon/keramic Ø7×9 mm | 300 euros | S 131 x 266 mm – L 145 x 266 mm | S 130 g – L 138 g | carbon composite | double density foam | |
Selle Italia Novus Superflow Endurance | TI 316 Tube Ø7 mm | 240 euros | S 138 x 282 mm – L 149 x 282 mm | S 288 g – L 293 g | carbon composite | gel padding | |
Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow | manganese tube Ø7 mm | 140 euros | S 135 x 262 mm – L 160 x 262 mm | S 300 g – L 310 g | extra padding / gel shock absorber | ||
Selle Italia Man Gel Flow | manganese tube Ø7 mm | 140 euros | 151 x 275 mm | 315 g | extra padding / gel shock absorber | ||
Selle Italia Novus Endurance TM Superflow | manganese tube Ø7 mm | 100 euros | S 138 x 282 mm – L 149 x 282 mm | S 306 g – L 310 g | nylon | extra padding / gel | |
Ergon SM E-Mountain Core Prime Women | CroMo | 160 USD | S 278 x 147 mm – L 278 – 160 mm | nylon composite | Orthopedic Comfort Foam | ||
Ergon SM E-Mountain Core Prime Men | CroMo | 160 USD | S 278 x 147 mm – L 278 – 160 mm | nylon composite | Orthopedic Comfort Foam | ||
Ergon SMC Sport Gel Women | CroMo | 100 USD | 295 g | nylon composite | Orthopedic Comfort Foam w. gel padding | ||
Ergon SMC Sport Gel Men | CroMo | 100 USD | 300 g | nylon composite | Orthopedic Comfort Foam w. gel padding | ||
Prologo Dimension NDR | nack carbon / tirox / T4.0 | 109/138/213 euros | 245 x 143 mm | nack 170 g – Tirox 215 g – T4.0 229 g | extra padding | ||
ISM PN 4.0 | stainless steel alloy | 250 USD | 255 x 125 mm | 259 g | 30-Series Foam |
Johan van Seijen
FoundeR Restoration.bike
Johan van Seijen is the founder of restoration.bike. His passion for cycling in general, and restoring older bikes turned into a website to share his knowledge with a broader audience. Starting out on his father’s road bike and riding classics as the Amstel Gold Race and Liege Bastogne Liege he has shifted his attention to trail, XC, and gravel riding since. No matter how much he loves writing about everything related to cycling, nothing beats actually using his ever-expanding bicycle collection.
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