In this article I’m going to give you a list of the best women’s mountain bike saddles.
The topic of differences between men and women necessitating specific saddle ergonomics is hotly debated. What is more obvious is that gender-specific saddles are far outweighed by unisex versions.
In my quest for the best women’s mountain bike saddles I found that only Ergon offers products that are markedly different for men and women. And what they show is that their research has resulted in saddles with pressure relief channels which sit closer to the nose of the saddle.
It kind of makes sense that gender-specific saddles have not taken over the market. Because in the end you shouldn’t be sitting on your genitals, which are obviously different between men and women, but you should sit on your sit bones, which are the same (kind of).
Women tend to have their sit bones further separated from each other, but this characteristic is easily supported within a saddle by choosing the right saddle width. And a lot if not most of the saddles are offered in a regular and wide width version.
So for this list of the best women’s mountain bike saddles I simply focused on offering the best bang for your buck. And yes, it so happens that Ergon saddles are part of that list. So here goes.
Fabric Scoop Sport Gel Radius
Fabric makes fantastic affordable saddles and Fabric Scoop Sport Gel Radius is a great example.
The nylon shell has a pronounced swoop, which makes going on and off the saddle easy for dynamic riding. The shell is held by steel rails and measures 260 x 155 mm.
At 374 grams it’s anything but light, but for downhill purposes this doesn’t really matter anyway. And it’s the most budget-friendly offering on this list.
You really can’t fault this saddle, especially not for this price. So if you’re looking for a comfortable mountain bike saddle that definitely doesn’t break the bank, this is the one.
- Budget-friendly
- Not for weight weenies
Brooks C17
The Brooks C17 is the Cambium version of the iconic B17 traditional leather saddle. But though the shape is relatively similar that’s about where the comparison ends.
It’s both longer, slimmer and cheaper than the B17, trimming 10 millimeters off the side and adding that to the length. You end up with a saddle measuring 283 x 164 mm.
But the entire structure is way different, with the C17 resembling the characteristics of a more traditional saddle, though Brooks does have their proprietary vulcanized leather for their entire Cambium lineup.
This rubber is very pliant but requires no breaking in period. The downside of that is that it won’t conform to your anatomy as a leather saddle would. So you have to be more picky about choosing the right shape.
But Cambium models are waterproof, extremely abrasion-resistant and durable, which make them the perfect companion for touring cyclists. Especially since the very maintenance-free characteristic is a big plus for touring cyclists and road racers in general.
If you’re looking for the best maintenance free saddle money can buy for a reasonable price, the Cambium C17 is the best option.
- Extremely durable, extremely comfortable, unique design
- None
Brooks C17 Carved
The Brooks C17 Carved is the C17 with a center cut out for pressure relief.
Unlike leather models of Brooks lineup, the Cambium models don’t need rivets or laces to prevent the shell from deforming. It’s another trait that makes the Cambium models with a center cutout behave more like current saddles.
The C17 Carved is a bit less firm than the standard C17, simply because there is less material to hold the rider. Especially if you’re planning on riding rougher terrain this might suit your needs, since you have better natural damping from the saddle.
- Extremely durable, extremely comfortable, unique design, cutout version
- None
Selle San Marco GND Dynamic Wide (Open)
The Selle San Marco GND Dynamic Wide with the cut out version is slightly lighter at 210 grams, which is incredibly light all things considered.
It has the same overall features as the one without the cut out, and uses the same type of materials. That means you get a glass fiber reinforced shell on top of manganese steel rails, with plush padding in a semi-short length.
The version of 145 millimeters is more neutral than the narrow 135 millimeters, which allows for a bigger platform to support the rider. You might argue that that actually improves because the rider has to spend less energy staying into position.
The microfeel cover onto the star shaped design looks great and the finish is superb, which makes this saddle the perfect choice for adventurous riders on a budget.
- Has cut out, excellent and durable build quality, budget-friendly
- Too stiff for some
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 Gravita Alpaca X5
At 130 millimeters, the Fizik Gravita Alpaca X5 is a narrow performance mountain bike saddle.
With a flat shape and rounded corners, you’ll have loads of flexibility to move around as the trail dictates your handling.
Some riders prefer a saddle to do nothing else but not get in the way as part of the ride is spent out of the saddle. This saddle does that and still offers enough padding at a very light weight of just 210 grams.
An excellent and affordable option for your tactical trail riding.
- Flat shape, performance oriented
- None
Fizik Tundra M5
The Fizik Tundra M5 is a true cross-country saddle, and an affordable option for people who’re looking for a high-quality seat.
The narrow performance saddle measures 287 x 126 mm, and has a carbon composite shell made from carbon-reinforced nylon with wing-flex technology. This means the saddle moves with your pedal stroke, making for a more natural feel.
It has an overall flat shape, which means it’s a solid option for mountain bikers with average flexibility in the hips and don’t necessarily want a locked-in feel when sitting.
It features a large central channel with padded halves for pressure relief. And has a slightly drooping nose to facilitate easier going into a standing position and back onto the saddle without shorts or bibs hooking. The padded shell extends all the way to the side, so no sharp edges causing irritation, chafing on the legs, or chewing up your shorts.
This one is the most affordable option, forgoing either a Kium or carbon rails for a more standard alloy. This keeps the price low. But the weight is still very respectable at 235 grams. For comparison, the carbon version is 70 grams lighter and costs 150 USD more.
- Affordable cross country saddle, performance oriented, flat shape
- None
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 SLR Boost X-Cross Superflow
The Selle Italia SLR Boost X-Cross Superflow is an extremely pricey MTB race saddle.
Selle Italia loves making things complicated with their naming conventions. But if you know what’s what, it really isn’t that difficult.
So boost means it’s a short-nosed saddle, measuring 248 millimeters from tail to nose. Superflow is the huge cut out Selle Italia is known for.
SLR is the overall shape of the saddle. In this case a swooping design made from carbon composite, with titanium rails, Fibra-Tek microfiber cover, relatively well-padded, with abrasive resistant edges. A nice touch when going offroad.
More expensive off-road saddle versions come with vibration-dampening rail fittings. It doesn’t mean you’ll be throwing out your front-suspension (if you have it), but it will take out a bit more than your average road buzz, which is noticeable after many hours on less than optimal road surfaces.
Selle Italia is at the top of their game with this saddle, but that price will leave some of you shaking your head.
- Very high build quality, extra padded carbon composite shell, extra damping in rail connection, abrasive resistant side protectors
- Extremely pricey
Selle Italia Flite Boost X-Cross TI316 Superflow
Selle Italia has a way of making you think you need to spend more on a saddle than you were planning to do initially. And for any cross-country and MTB rider the Selle Italia Flite Boost X-Cross TI316 Superflow is a great example to spur such behavior.
The short-nosed saddle has the recognisable shape of the first Flite, but the technology in this saddle is far from that first iteration from the nineties. A titanium rail is fitted to a carbon shell in a way that removes part of the road buzz, which would otherwise travel through your body.
The well-padded saddle on a firm shell offers abrasive resistant sides, should you find yourself suddenly eating dirt. The Fibra-Tek cover has a beautiful but subtle design with a perforated cover and branding. Furthermore it features a large cut out for pressure relief
The two sizes of 135 x 250 mm or 145 x 250 mm sit just over 200 grams for this extremely pricey saddle. But if you’re looking for the best for your next trail adventure, you should definitely consider this one.
- Very high build quality, extra padded carbon composite shell, extra damping in rail connection, abrasive resistant side protectors
- Extremely pricey, might feel to stiff for some
Selle Italia X-LR TM Air Cross Superflow
The Selle Italia X-LR TM Air Cross Superflow is a great example that a high quality saddle doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg necessarily.
It basically offers the same as many of the much more premium offerings from Selle Italia. But by using cheaper materials it’s much, much more affordable.
The nylon shell and manganese rails offer enough comfort with a dual-density foam-padded saddle.
The saddle is offered in two performance-oriented sizes; 131 x 266 mm and 145 x 266 mm. And its nature emphasizes offroad usage, with an abrasive-resistant waterproof microfiber cover and edge protectors.
This lightweight saddle still only weighs between 215 and 224 grams, and has a large cut out running almost the entire length of the saddle.
It’s a beautiful yet affordable saddle with all the right features to enjoy your next trail ride.
- Affordable high-end design, edge protectors, waterproof
- Firm ride
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 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 SMD2 Comp
The Ergon SMD2 Comp is a lightweight MTB saddle.
It offers a flat and rounded shell for maximum riding flexibility and weighs a mere 215 grams for a very narrow 256 x 124 mm.
That’s very narrow indeed and is meant for not getting in the way of you riding and pedaling, though some riders may prefer a bit wider saddle.
It means this saddle falls into shorter MTB trips and downhill sections, and when used for that purpose it’s one of the best.
- Flat shape, performance oriented
- narrow shell might not suit everyone
Prologo Scratch M5 Pas
The Prologo Scratch M5 Pas is a short-nosed lightweight road bike saddle.
The overall design features a large seating platform and dropped nose, which enables dynamic riding where you need to get frequently out of the saddle.
The saddle offers two options for the rails with the Tirox alloy versions hovering around 200 grams and a much lighter carbon version sitting at 134 grams. Oval carbon rails require a carbon specific seatpost, so make sure you have one, should you decide to opt for the carbon version.
The Scratch M5 is decently padded and looks futuristic with its five panel layout across a rounded 250mm length shell. This separate paneling should help to add some extra flex to the saddle for added comfort.
- Short-nosed saddle, futuristic design, multiple rail options
- None
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
WTB SL8 Cromoly Medium
The WTB SL8 Chromoly is a plush MTB saddle with a large swoop.
There are also titanium and carbon rails versions of this saddle but they significantly bump up the price whereas every other feature stays the same.
It’s a more allround mountain bike saddle that offers loads of comfort in a 142 millimeter shell width.
The chromoly version has memory foam padding that’s less stiff than the titanium and carbon versions. The shell has noticeable flex. So even though its wider than some of the more performance oriented entries, you’ll hardly notice it because the saddle moves with you.
- Plush and comfortable, great all-round MTB option
- None
WTB Pure Steel
The WTB Pure Steel is a great all-mountain and enduro saddle, which so happens to be probably one of the most budget-friendly MTB saddles in the market.
The WTB Pure comes in three variations with respect to the rails. There’s titanium, chromoly, and the steel version. It says something that the steel version is one of the cheapest saddles of all the articles I’ve written about saddles.
You wouldn’t say that, based on the excellent design of the plush saddle. A swooping nylon shell is covered with a lot of padding and has a perforated microfiber cover. The memory foam-like substance adjusts perfectly to your specific geometry.
The lifted rear end helps to support you while climbing and the nose dips to prevent your shorts getting hooked. With so much padding the saddle obviously doesn’t have any sharp edges, which are reinforced to protect it when crashing.
I really can’t think of any reason why you wouldn’t want to buy this saddle, especially not with such a price. A winner for sure.
- Impressive value-for-money, excellent MTB saddle
- None
Specifications women's mountain bike saddles
Name | Price | Rail | Dimensions | Weight | Shell | Padding | Buy at Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fabric Scoop Sport Gel Radius | 47 USD | steel | 260 x 155 mm | 374 g | nylon | ||
Brooks C17 | 120 euros | steel | 283 x 164 mm | 464 g | vulcanised rubber | none | |
Brooks C17 Carved | 120 euros | steel | 283 x 164 mm | 446 g | vulcanised rubber | none | |
Selle San Marco GND Dynamic Wide (Open) | 79 euros | manganese | 262 x 145 mm | 210 g | glass fiber reiinforced | Biofoam | |
Fizik Vento Argo R5 | 109.99 USD | S-Alloy Ø7 mm | S 265 x 140 mm – L 265 x 150 mm | S 225 g – L 232 g | carbon-reinforced nylon | type 1 foam | |
Fizik Gravita Alpaca X5 | 99.99 USD | s-alloy | 251 x 130 mm | 216 g | nylon | ||
Fizik Tundra M5 | 99.99 USD | s-alloy | 287 x 126 mm | 235 g | carbon composite | PU foam | |
Selle Italia X-LR Kit Carbonio Superflow | 300 euros | carbon/keramic Ø7×9 mm | S 131 x 266 mm – L 145 x 266 mm | S 130 g – L 138 g | carbon composite | double density foam | |
Selle Italia SLR Boost X-Cross Superflow | 320 euros | TI 316 Tube Ø7 mm | S 130 x 248 mm – L 145 x 248 mm | S 181 g – L 186 g | carbon composite | double density foam | |
Selle Italia Flite Boost X-Cross TI316 Superflow | 320 euros | TI 316 Tube Ø7 mm | S 135 x 250 mm – L 145 x 250 mm | S 204 g – L 208 g | carbon composite | double density foam | |
Selle Italia X-LR TM Air Cross Superflow | 100 euros | manganese tube Ø7 mm | S 131 x 266 mm – L 145 x 266 mm | S 215 g – L 224 g | nylon | double density foam | |
Ergon SM E-Mountain Core Prime Women | 160 USD | CroMo | S 278 x 147 mm – L 278 – 160 mm | nylon composite | Orthopedic Comfort Foam | ||
Ergon SMC Sport Gel Women | 100 USD | CroMo | 295 g | nylon composite | Orthopedic Comfort Foam w. gel padding | ||
Ergon SMD2 Comp | 100 USD | CroMo | 256 x 124 mm | 215 g | nylon composite | ||
Prologo Scratch M5 Pas | 138/213 euros | nack carbon / tirox | 250 x 140 mm | nack 134 g – Tirox 201 g | |||
Prologo Dimension NDR | 109/138/213 euros | nack carbon / tirox / T4.0 | 245 x 143 mm | nack 170 g – Tirox 215 g – T4.0 229 g | extra padding | ||
WTB SL8 Cromoly Medium | 96 USD | cromoly | 265 x 142 mm | 266 g | Flex-Tuned Shell | HLX Padding | |
WTB Pure Steel | steel | 275 x 145 mm | 345 g | Flex-Tuned Shell | DNA Padding |
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