For all the time riders spend obsessing over travel, carbon frames, drivetrains, and tire pressure, one thing I rarely hear people talk about is their mountain bike saddle. Instead, I hear how sore they’re after a long ride, how they can’t pedal for more than two hours, or how riding just plain hurts. Well, we’ve got news for you. Choosing not the best but the RIGHT MTB saddle might be the key to fixing that pain in the butt while still keeping the performance you’re looking for.
Before You Buy: Find Your Sit Bone Width
Before you scroll down and start shopping for the best MTB saddles, do one thing first. At a minimum, find your sit bone width. Better yet, visit a bike shop that offers saddle fittings. If you don’t know how to measure your sit bones, we break down how to do it at home, what saddle width to look for, and how Jaime finally eliminated saddle pain in our article, “The Dirty Secret On How To Make Mountain Biking Enjoyable…”
Also, pay close attention when buying. Many of these saddles come in multiple widths, not just one size. Check the tech specs and make sure you’re picking the one that actually fits your body.
Specialized: From MIMIC to Mirror
Our Favorite Specialized Saddles
Best Value: Specialized Power Comp with MIMIC (Retail Price: $150)
Check Prices: Backcountry.com | EVO
Best Comfort: Specialized Power Expert Saddle With MIRROR (Starting at $210 and up based on materials used)
Check Prices: Backcountry.com | EVO
Best Performance: Specialized S-Works Saddle With MIRROR (Starting at $475 and up based on materials used)
Check Prices: Backcountry.com
If you’ve ever looked at Specialized’s saddle lineup and felt overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Between Power, Power Arc, MIMIC, Mirror, Comp, Expert, Pro, and S Works, there are a lot of options. The good news is that once you understand a few key terms, finding the right saddle becomes much easier.
Start With MIMIC
For women, the most important word to look for is MIMIC.
Developed specifically to address the pressure points many women experience while cycling, MIMIC uses different foam densities throughout the saddle to better support the body. Softer foam at the nose helps reduce pressure, firmer foam under the sit bones provides support, and a strategically designed cutout uses memory foam to support soft tissue and minimize swelling.
The result is a saddle that feels dramatically more comfortable on longer rides. In Jaime’s case, switching to a MIMIC saddle completely changed her riding experience and eliminated the sit bone pain that had been limiting her rides for years.
Mirror: The Next Evolution
As good as MIMIC is, Specialized didn’t stop there.
Their newest technology is called Mirror, which uses 3D printed construction instead of traditional foam. While MIMIC relies on multiple layers and densities of foam to reduce pressure, Mirror creates a single continuous structure that can be tuned with incredible precision.
The result is even better pressure distribution and comfort. What started as research into improving saddle comfort for women ultimately led to a design that benefits everyone, regardless of anatomy.
Power vs. Power Arc
Next, you’ll need to decide between the Power and Power Arc shapes.
The easiest way to think about it is this:
- Power: Flatter profile from side to side.
- Power Arc: More rounded and curved profile.
Imagine sitting on a flat plank versus a rounded log. Neither is better than the other. It simply comes down to what feels more natural for your body and riding style.
Comp, Expert, Pro, and S Works
Once you’ve chosen a shape and comfort technology, you’ll see several trim levels.
Comp and Expert saddles use Specialized’s Level 2 padding, which provides a bit more cushioning. They’re also built with less expensive materials, making them more affordable.
Pro and S Works models use thinner Level 1 padding and lighter weight materials. As you move up the lineup, the weight drops and the price increases.
For example:
- Comp: Steel rails with a carbon reinforced shell.
- Expert: Titanium rails for reduced weight.
- Pro: Carbon rails and lighter construction.
- S Works: Full carbon construction and the lightest option available.
WTB: Mountain Bike Saddles by Mountain Bikers
Our Favorite WTB Saddles
Best Overall: WTB Volt (Starting at $62.95 and up based on materials used)
Check Prices: Backcountry.com | REI | EVO
Best Comfort Focused Option: WTB Koda (Starting at $64.95 and up based on materials used)
Check Prices: Backcountry.com | REI | EVO
Best Women’s Performance Saddle: WTB Deva (Starting at $62.95 and up based on materials used)
Check Prices: Backcountry.com | REI | EVO
WTB stands for Wilderness Trail Bikes, and since its founding in 1982, the company has focused almost exclusively on mountain biking. While many saddle brands started with road cycling and later expanded into dirt, WTB was born on the trails. Their mission has always been simple: take products from “meh” to “wow” by constantly refining shapes, padding, and rider ergonomics.
The result is a saddle lineup that’s become a favorite among mountain bikers looking for the sweet spot between all day comfort and trail performance.
Volt: The Fan Favorite
If there’s one saddle that put WTB on the map, it’s the Volt.
The best saddle is one you barely notice, and that’s exactly what the Volt aims to be. It’s comfortable on long climbs, supportive during all day rides, and stays out of the way when the trail points downhill.
The Volt features a moderately curved profile with a slight rise near the nose that cradles the rider and provides a secure feeling in the saddle. Riders who like feeling supported rather than sitting on a completely flat platform often gravitate toward the Volt.
It’s one of those rare saddles that seems to work for a huge range of riders and riding styles.
Koda: Comfort for Everyone
The Koda began life as a women specific saddle, but something interesting happened along the way. Riders of all genders discovered they loved it.
The secret is WTB’s focus on pressure relief. A generous center depression helps reduce pressure on sensitive areas, while a cutaway in the saddle base, known as the Comfort Zone, allows the saddle to flex and conform better to the rider.
The Koda also features a shorter overall length and slightly dropped nose compared to many traditional saddles. That shorter profile helps keep the saddle out of the way on steep descents when the dropper post is lowered.
The result is a saddle that combines comfort, support, and freedom of movement exceptionally well.
Deva: Built for Aggressive Women Riders
The WTB Deva remains one of the brand’s most popular women specific saddles.
Compared to the comfort focused Koda, the Deva is designed with a more aggressive riding position in mind. It features a women specific width, WTB’s pressure relieving Love Channel, and a lightweight design that performs well during longer rides and harder efforts.
While it leans more toward performance, it doesn’t sacrifice comfort in the process. That’s what has made it a longtime favorite among women who ride everything from cross country trails to all mountain terrain.
Whether you’re looking for a saddle that disappears beneath you, provides maximum pressure relief, or supports aggressive riding, WTB’s mountain bike roots show through in every model they make.
Selle Italia: Over a Century of Happy Butts
Our Favorite Selle Italia Saddles
Best All Around Comfort (Men):SLR Max SLR TI 316 Gel Superflow (Starting at $179)
Best All Around Comfort: Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow (Starting at $139)
Check Prices: Backcountry.com | Amazon
Best Performance Oriented Women’s Saddle: Selle Italia Diva Gel Superflow (Starting at $159)
Check Prices: Backcountry.com
When most people think about saddle brands, they think of racing. But Selle Italia’s roots are actually built around comfort. Founded in 1897 just outside Milan in the small village of Corsico, Selle Italia began making saddles at a time when bicycles were the primary form of transportation for many Italians. Cars were a luxury, so riders needed seats comfortable enough for everyday use. More than a century later, that focus on comfort is still paying off. The company sells over a million saddles every year and remains one of the most respected names in cycling.
While manufacturing in Italy and Romania means Selle Italia saddles typically cost more than budget options produced overseas, many riders feel the comfort and craftsmanship justify the premium.
Gel Flow: Selle Italia’s Secret Sauce
If there’s one feature to look for in Selle Italia’s comfort-oriented saddles, it’s Gel Flow. Think of Gel Flow as Selle Italia’s answer to pressure relief technology. Strategic gel inserts and varying foam densities help cushion key pressure points, while a large anatomical cutout reduces pressure on sensitive areas. The result is a saddle designed to keep you comfortable during long hours in the saddle whether you’re riding mountain bikes, gravel roads, or pavement.
SLR Max Gel Flow
For riders who spend a lot of time seated and pedaling, the SLR Max Gel Flow is one of Selle Italia’s standout options. Its supportive shape and effective pressure relief rival the best in the market. The generous cutout does an excellent job reducing hot spots, making it a great choice for long mountain bike climbs, gravel adventures, and endurance road rides. It’s not the lightest saddle in the lineup but if comfort is your priority, it’s hard to argue with the results.
Lady Gel Flow vs. Diva Gel Superflow
For women riders, the Lady Gel Flow and Diva Gel Superflow are two of Selle Italia’s most popular options.
Both use pressure relieving cutouts and strategically placed padding to improve comfort, but they cater to slightly different riding styles.
Lady Gel Flow
- Wider rear platform for additional sit bone support.
- More cushioning for riders who spend more time seated upright.
- Excellent choice for recreational riders and long distance comfort.
Diva Gel Superflow
- Slightly narrower and more performance oriented.
- Better suited for riders who spend more time in an aggressive forward riding position.
- Balances comfort with a sportier feel.
The biggest difference comes down to where your weight rests. Riders who sit more upright and rely heavily on sit bone support will likely prefer the Lady Gel Flow. More aggressive riders who spend significant time bent over the handlebars may find the Diva Gel Superflow a better match.
As the Italians would say, whichever one you choose, Bravissima!
Terry: The Women’s Saddle Pioneer
Last but not least, next up is another Italian manufactured bike seat. In what has been a very male dominated sport, this company was founded by a woman, Georgena Terry, in 1985. A mechanical engineer, she traded in her day job at Xerox for her real passion designing and building bicycles for women. Decades later, the company is still going strong pushing the design limits not just for women but for everyone with innovative products such as their comfort saddle introduced in 1999. The seamless center cut away and contoured rear reduces pressure on soft tissue and is a game changer in the biking industry.
There are quite a few models offered such as the Liberator and Damselfly but the Butterfly seems to be the most geared towards mountain biking. While these models reduce pain in the saddle, the width might become counterproductive when you lower it via a seat dropper.
Best Women’s MTB Saddle: Terry Butterfly (Starting at $79.95 and up based on materials used)
Check Prices: Backcountry.com | REI
