Top 5 women's performance saddles
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Saddles in the women’s performance category are more than just a simple perch. Expect features like lightweight materials, multi-density padding and clever shapes and cutaways to relieve pressure. They’re also generally a bit wider and shorter than unisex or men’s saddles.
1. Fizik Womens Vesta Saddle
high tech
Review
The Fizik Vesta is a decent wedge to invest in a saddle but it’s full of advanced features that more than justify the pricetag. The shell is weight-saving nylon-reinforced carbon and for comfort and hardwearing, those lines on the sides are ‘thigh glides’, to make sure there’s no abrasion either to saddle or your skin in this high-movement area. There are also scuff guards surrounding the saddle to protect it from the rough and tumble of racing or real life.
For the saddle’s rails you have the choice of lightweight manganese or even lighter kium depending on how racey/spendy you’re feeling. Fizik has decades of experience in shaping its saddles for performance and comfort, which really shows with the contours and concave centre zone of the women-specific Vesta.
| Quick Look | |
|---|---|
| Price | £51.62 |
| Materials | Nylon reinforced carbon shell, Microtex cover |
| Rails | Kium or manganese |
| Weight | 259g |
| Best for | Performance |
2. Madison Breeze Womens MTB Saddle
top bargain
Review
The Madison Breeze is straightforward mountain bike saddle for those who prefer to concentrate on their climbing and descending than to be distracted by discomfort. Behind the scenes and under the simple, stitched cover, there’s multi-density foam to give cushioning and comfort with effective shock absorbing over obstacles. Naturally, it’s a little wider than a unisex/men’s saddle with a different centre depression shape for added comfort too.
The rails are simple, hard-wearing cro-mo, but they are also printed with a useful gauge to help you set your saddle fore-aft position with precision every time. Perhaps the most attractive thing about the Breeze is the price, though – an advanced, effective saddle for an economy sum.
| Quick Look | |
|---|---|
| Price | £25.19 |
| Materials | Multi-density foam padding, synthetic leather cover |
| Rails | Chro-mo |
| Weight | 340g |
| Best for | Price |
3. Forza Stratos Womens Saddle
Review
The Forza Stratos Women’s saddle has a broad appearance, presumably for wide appeal among riders, so it’s a surprise to discover it’s actually only 141mm wide. The reason for the wider tail is to better position women’s sit bones, and the plain, flat profile has plenty to recommend it for those who like a plain saddle, without all the fancy cut-outs and shaping.
There’s lots of attention given to comfort though – the padding is dual density to take the pressure off and the shortened nose should also make it easier to ride on all day.
| Quick Look | |
|---|---|
| Price | £26.98 |
| Materials | Dual density foam, polyurethane cover |
| Rails | Chromoly |
| Weight | 320g |
| Best for | Comfort |
4. Selle Italia SLR Lady Flow Womens Saddle
Pro Level
Review
Constantly a bestseller, the Selle Italia SLR Lady Flow women’s saddle can be found gracing the bikes of professional cyclists, thanks to it’s light weight and out of this world comfort. There’s strategically-placed padding which gives you just the right amount of support without being bothersome and the cutaway section allows air to circulate.
As it’s made from carbon, it’s super light in weight, so you’ll barely notice it’s there. The contoured shape makes it extremely comfortable to use and the stylish design will complement any bike colourscheme. A top choice for a happy bottom.
| Quick Look | |
|---|---|
| Price | £106.99 |
| Materials | Carbon shell, Lorica cover |
| Rails | Vanox Tube |
| Weight | 185g |
| Best for | Endurance |
5. Specialized Oura Expert Gel Womens Saddle
Race Ready
Review
It’s clear from the shape of the Specialized Oura Expert Gel that it’s a real race-ready saddle built for comfort combined with power transfer. The curved and contoured surface is split with a wide, centre channel for optimum pressure relief. It is shorter overall than many saddles with a narrow nose for better women-specific comfort and to allow a race posture.
With a carbon-reinforced shell and lightweight, hollow titanium rails the design of this saddle is totally tuned around lighter, faster and more efficient. In true Specialized Body Geometry style, it’s recognised that everyone is different, so there’s a choice of three saddle widths so you can always get the specific fit you need.
| Quick Look | |
|---|---|
| Price | £64.00 |
| Materials | Carbon reinforced shell, Micromatrix cover |
| Rails | Titanium |
| Weight | 207g (155mm) |
| Best for | Weight |