In this article my main focus is to provide a diverse list of the best road bike saddles for endurance riding.
I’ve often compared life to road cycling. There’s ups and downs. Headwind is always followed by tailwind, provided you end up in the same space. Even though it might not always feel that way. And the best experiences come from pushing yourself beyond what you thought possible.
So the allure of endurance riding falls squarely into what basically makes life juicy. Growing as an athlete or amateur cyclist, enjoying the journey, and ultimately growing as a person as well, and your ability to overcome obstacles away from the bicycle as well.
That’s quite a lofty premise to start an article about the best road bike saddles for endurance riding. But the rise in popularity of endurance riding is also reflected in the saddles that are best suited for the job.
The main focus for endurance riders when it comes to their saddles is obviously comfort, considering the hours you’ll be spending on them. Performance and weight are simply less of an issue. And you see that in the saddles I’ve chosen for this list, which are saddles with added padding and ways to reduce the stress your body has to endure from this specific contact point while on the road.
Saddles are just one component of many when riding, but I’d argue that from the three contact points, pedals, saddle, and bars, it’s the most important, and the one which often causes the most issues. So with that being said, let’s head over to my list of the best road bike saddles for endurance riding.
Fabric Line Elite Shallow
The Fabric Line Elite Shallow is a great value-for-money allround saddle that will suit the majority of riders.
Its nylon shell is supported by titanium rails and has a narrow width of 134 millimeters and a length of 270 millimeters. For the materials used and the padding it has a reasonable weight of 237 grams.
Shallow means the saddle supports a more upright position with a medium amount of padding versus the more race-oriented flat saddles. This means it’s suited for riders who like to ride on the hoods, but it’s safe to say that the saddle feels equally comfortable in the drops.
The very clean design of the saddle features a non-padded center that runs the length of the saddle, with padding on either side.
The overall allure of this saddle resides in the combination of price, comfort, design and allround suitability. It’s the perfect choice for weekend warriors who favor short leisurely rides that won’t cross the 100 mile mark. Although saddles will also always be a very personal choice, this saddle has been in Fabric’s lineup for years for good reason.
- High quality affordable, allround saddle
- None
Brooks C13
The Brooks C13 is a relatively small road racing saddle in Brooks Cambium lineup.
The Cambium line was a brilliant move from Brooks, to significantly increase their product offering with something that was at the same time unique but adhering to more modern saddle standards.
The traditional Brooks break-in period doesn’t apply to Cambium saddles and the C13 offers an even more modern take, with carbon rails.
Brooks did an enormous amount of R&D that goes into their proprietary shell and it shows. This saddle is still pretty heavy with the smaller version just under 300 grams, but you get a high-quality saddle in return that promises to be one of the most comfortable in the market.
At 145 millimeters it has about an average width for a road bike saddle, and the aluminum rivets still give it that authentic-looking feel.
The only downside is the price, because with the carbon rails, it does mean this saddle is very pricey indeed.
- No break-in period, extreme comfort with added carbon rail
- Heavy
Brooks C15
The Brooks C15 is a tad bit longer than its C13 cousin measuring 283 x 140 mm.
It looks a lot like that saddle in that it uses the same material for the shell, rivets, and cover, but as for the ride feel it’s quite different.
For starters the C15 sits on steel rails, which drastically reduces the price. Carbon rails are known for taking out a bit more road buzz and being more flexible, which makes the C15 feel a bit stiffer.
Obviously it’s beautifully finished but that longer shape and steel rails does mean you’re looking at a saddle weighing 450 grams. A weight I do not necessarily consider to be in line with a true racing machine. For the same amount of money you can have a saddle that weighs less than half.
With its race shape, with great clearance, high level of comfort, and weight, the C15 is kind of an odd saddle in the performance category. But the far majority of people prefer comfort any day over the extra 150 grams.
So that means you choose the C15 for its looks, and the overall ride quality of the vulcanized upper, which is fantastic.
- One of the best touring saddles from the Cambium lineup
- None
Brooks C15 Carved
The Brooks C15 Carved is the same version as the regular C15, except it has a cut out.
As with the Brooks C13, whether or not you opt for the cut out version is up to. Just remember you get a bit more compliance out of the saddle because of the missing material.
- Extremely comfortable, more flexible than non-cutout version
- None
Fizik Vento Argo R5
As far as budget goes the Fizik Vento Argo R5 is the most premium option on this list with a suggested retail price of 99 euros. It can be had for cheaper on Amazon though.
It’s another very well made short-nosed saddle with a carbon-reinforced nylon shell with a large center cut out. This cut out transitions into a lower surface area both front and back, planting you firmly in place.
This version also has an alloy rail to keep costs down and a width of either 140 mm for the small or 150 mm for the larger version.
This saddle offers ample amounts of comfort for relaxed road riding, thanks to the plush padding and cut out.
- Affordable MTB saddle, short-nosed saddle w. cut out, wide option available, plush feel
- None
Fizik Arione R1 Open
The Fizik Arione R1 Open is the cut out version of the regular R1.
A lot of manufacturers make cut out versions of all of their saddles and Fizik is no exception, basically doubling their entire lineup. The cut out is rather small but sits in an area lower than the two padded halves and moves all the way down the length of the saddle.
The carbon version is actually a bit heavier than the non-cut out version at almost 200 grams.
There’s plenty of room to mount your carbon-specific seatpost on the braided carbon rails. The overall very long design is something you hate or love, because the added length in the back is mainly there for aesthetic purposes.
The carbon composite shell is a tad wider than the regular R1 at 132 millimeters, but still very narrow.
The standard R1 is already a very comfortable saddle, but if you like your performance racing perch with a cut out, the R1 Open is your obvious choice.
- Made for racing, unique design
- None
Fizik Arione R1
If you like your saddles long, the Fizik Arione R1 measuring at almost 1 foot seems to dwarf some of its shorter competitors, especially short-nosed versions.
The flat design of the very lightweight 163 grams version is extremely narrow at 126 millimeters. Fizik also offers a wider 140 millimeter version. With such a length and its arrowlike shape, the Arione saddles are easily recognizable.
The long nose doesn’t interfere with your riding if you’re the type of person who’s a little less flexible in the pelvic area and uses the upper body more to reach the drops. The narrowness of the saddle offers loads of thigh clearance and a well-padded and flexible carbon composite shell, which is compatible with Fizik’s saddle accessories as well.
All those features make it sound like the Fizik Arione R1 is a comfortable saddle and it is.
I believe the extended area at the back is more of a design feature than actually meant for sitting on while pedaling, but you know for sure there’s more than enough room to move and you’ll never run out of space when climbing.
- Saddle for people who like to move around
- None
Selle Italia Flite Boost TM
The Selle Italia Flite Boost TM is the non-cut out version the one appended with Superflow.
Selle Italia has a penchant for huge cut outs, but this version adds a mere 10 grams to the weight, tipping the scales at about 240 grams.
That’s a respectable weight for a high-quality endurance saddle. I already covered the Superflow version but I have to reiterate that in terms of comfort and value-for-money, this is one of the best all-round saddles for long distance riding in the market today.
So unless you really have something against shorter saddles, because this is one of those, consider this one.
- One of the best allround short-nosed saddles
- There's a cutout version if you prefer it
Selle Italia Flite Boost TM Superflow
Selle has gone all-in with short-nosed saddles and the Selle Italia Flite Boost TM Superflow is a great affordable option.
The Flite name has been around for an extremely long time, but this saddle looks nothing like the first iterations.
The narrow version of this saddle sits at 135 x 248 millimeters. The stubby nose means less sliding around, for those who appreciate that, putting your body more firmly in place and more easily in a forward position. The entire notion is a better power transfer to the pedals.
True to both its racing and endurance nature this is an almost entirely flat saddle with a huge cut out, something a lot of Selle Italia saddles are known for. And it offers a thicker padding to stay comfortable with long hours in the saddle.
The overall build quality of this saddle is superb, with a gorgeous perforated Soft-Tek microfiber upper and subtle brand covering.
Although not cheap per se, you get a lot of tech from one of the biggest brands in the saddle industry.
- Superb build quality, short nose saddle, relatively affordable
- None
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
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 SLR Boost Endurance Superflow
At 202 grams the Selle Italia SLR Boost Endurance Superflow is a featherweight short-nosed premium performance saddle.
SLR denotes Selle Italia’s foray into short-nosed perches and at 130 x 248 mm for the regular and 145 x 248 mm for the wide version, they are short indeed.
The swooping design is felt even more by the gel padded cover. It’s amazing that Selle Italia has managed to cram so much comfort and padding onto a saddle that weighs so little.
Like most of Selle Italia’s premium endurance saddles, this one features titanium rails and durable Fibra-tek cover onto a carbon composite shell.
Saddles are exceptionally personal product offerings, and when buying such an expensive one as this one you want one that’s right for you.
This saddle is anything but cheap, but for that premium you get one of the lightest endurance saddles in the market for long comfortable hours in the saddle.
- Extremely comfortable high-end saddle, swooping design w. gel padded cover, short-nosed design with massive cut out, lightest endurance saddle on the market
- Very pricey
Selle Italia SLR Boost TM
If you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on an SLR saddle, the more moderately priced Selle Italia SLR Boost TM is a great way to venture into short-nosed saddles from this Italian manufacturer.
Although it’s much more affordable it’s just slightly heavier at 220 grams, and I’m not convinced a person will notice a 20 grams difference to anyone. This one has manganese steel rails versus the titanium one. The 7 millimeter diameter rails ensure they’ll be compatible with standard seatposts.
The rails are attached to a nylon shell. That means it’s less forgiving and more firm than either a full carbon or carbon composite shell, which will cost you way more money. Of course it’s difficult to explain what more firm actually feels like for the individual, and some people actually prefer firm saddles.
- Affordable, yet high-quality entry into short-nosed saddles
- None
Selle Italia SLR Superflow
The Selle Italia SLR Superflow is a classically shaped high performance road racing saddle.
With widths of 131 and 145 millimeters and an average length of 275 millimeters the carbon composite shell features the large cut out that Selle Italia saddles are known for.
Just like many other premium saddles from the brand, the shell is held into place onto the seatpost with titanium rails.
The large cut out, its length, and shell material means there high levels of natural damping combined with a flexy shell that prevents chafing.
Even with this length it doesn’t mean the nose is truly supportive to be sitting on for extended periods of time. If you prefer such a position you’ll need to be looking into the boost (short-nosed) version of the SLR.
- Classically shaped, mid-tier race saddle with large cutout
- This is not a short-nosed saddle
Selle Italia SLR TM Superflow
The Selle Italia SLR TM Superflow is pretty similar in specs to the Selle Italia Flite Boost TM Superflow except it offers a more traditional design.
If you’re not into short-nosed saddles, the classic design of the SLR measures 131 x 275 millimeters. As with many other saddles from Selle Italia, it offers a large center cut out for pressure relief.
You get a nylon shell with extra padding for comfortable rides. A manganese rails for a bit of flex to take out road buzz, in a package weighing 205 grams.
It’s a classically shaped road bike saddle from this big brand name, which offers loads of comfort for everyday riding and endurance races.
- Classic design, extra padded, loads of comfort
- None
Selle Italia SP-01 Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow
The naming conventions of Selle Italia are very confusing indeed, until you understand that they simply have a fancy way of putting saddle parts into the name. The Selle Italia SP-01 Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow is a good example.
SP-01 refers to a new innovation where the two halves of the saddle are only held together at the nose. In this case we’re talking about a carbon composite shell dropping the weight to below the magic 200 gram mark at 160. That’s featherweight territory.
Kit Carbonio refers to the carbon rails, which further adds to the premium feel of the saddle. It adds an extra damping factor, but do keep in mind the oval rails need a compatible seatpost. The unique looking rails adds an additional shock absorption factor to the overall high comfort level obtained by the prolific use of carbon throughout the entire saddle
Superflow is Selle Italia’s way of describing their saddle cut outs, which are large and prominent. Even more so with the SP-01 outlandish shape.
And Boost is their way of telling you’re dealing with a short-nosed version of the saddle. With a single size of 130 x 250 mm it’s not only short but also narrow. The taper at the front does lead to a wider nose than on non-boost saddles, which makes a more forward position a comfortable possibility.
It’s the SP-01 saddle that provides the most performance and flexibility in use, with just the more outrageous full carbon Tekno trumping it. The saddle is both a gorgeous and astonishing feat of saddle engineering, that provides the absolute best the Italian company has to offer to the serious road cyclist.
- Surprisingly comfortable short-nosed saddle with innovative shell design
- Incompatible with saddle bags
Prologo Nago Evo Pas
Prologo offers high build quality when it comes to road bike saddles, and the Prologo Nago Evo Pas is a gorgeous allround saddle for dynamic riding.
I can understand why the overall shape of the saddle made Prologo state the saddle can also be used for cross-country rides.
You have the option of two different types of material for the rails, with the carbon version dipping below 200 grams at 185 grams. With TiroX steel alloy it means the saddle will sit at 211, which is still pretty light for a non-carbon saddle.
Forgoing a center cut out this saddle instead has a no-padded area in the middle. And at 275 x 134 millimeters it has a narrow width and standard road racing length.
- Versatile saddle used for dynamic riding
- None
Specifications road bike saddles for endurance riding
Name | Rail | Price | Dimensions | Weight | Shell | Padding | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fabric Line Elite Shallow | titanium Ø7×7 mm | 105 USD | 270 x 134 mm | 237 g | nylon | ||
Brooks C13 | carbon braided Ø7×9 mm | 200 euros | S 275 x 145 mm L 275 x 158 mm | S 295 g – L 310 g | vulcanized rubber | none | |
Brooks C15 | steel | 120 euros | 283 x 140 mm | 450 g | vulcanized rubber | none | |
Brooks C15 Carved | steel | 120 euros | 283 x 140 mm | 432 g | vulcanized rubber | none | |
Fizik Vento Argo R5 | S-Alloy Ø7 mm | 109.99 USD | S 265 x 140 mm – L 265 x 150 mm | S 225 g – L 232 g | carbon-reinforced nylon | type 1 foam | |
Fizik Arione R1 Open | carbon braided Ø7×10 mm | 199.99 USD | S 300 x 132 mm – L 298 x 142 mm | S 199 g – L 205 g | carbon reinforced nylon | ||
Fizik Arione R1 | carbon braided Ø7×10 mm | 249.99 USD | S 300 x 126 mm – L 300 x 140 mm | S 163 g – L 181 g | carbon reinforced nylon | ||
Selle Italia Flite Boost TM | manganese tube Ø7 mm | 150 euros | S 135 x 248 mm – L 145 x 248 mm | S 240 g – L 243 g | nylon | ||
Selle Italia Flite Boost TM Superflow | manganese tube Ø7 mm | 150 euros | S 135 x 248 mm – L 145 x 248 mm | S 230 g – L 233 g | nylon | ||
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 | |
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 SLR Boost Endurance Superflow | TI 316 Tube Ø7 mm | 320 euros | S 130 x 248 mm – L 145 x 248 mm | S 202 g – L 207 g | carbon composite | ||
Selle Italia SLR Boost TM | manganese tube Ø7 mm | 170 euros | S 130 x 248 mm – L 145 x 248 mm | S 220 g – L 230 g | nylon | ||
Selle Italia SLR Superflow | TI 316 Tube Ø7 mm | 300 euros | S 131 x 275 mm – L 145 x 275 mm | S 185 g – L 190 g | carbon composite | ||
Selle Italia SLR TM Superflow | manganese tube Ø7 mm | 160 euros | S 131 x 275 mm – L 145 x 275 mm | S 205 g – L 210 g | nylon | ||
Selle Italia SP-01 Boost Kit Carbonio Superflow | Carbon/Keramic Ø7×9 mm | 360 euros | 130 x 250 mm | 160 g | carbon composite | ||
Prologo Nago Evo Pas | nack carbon / tirox | 134 euros | 275 x 134 mm | nack 185 g – thyrox 211 g |
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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