Compared with other gravel categories, like bikes, clothing, and other components, the best gravel bike saddle options have been slow to evolve and emerge. This is largely due to the abundance of great drop-bar saddle options already in the market, but things are changing.
Brands are starting to combine the best properties of drop-bar models with the shock absorbency and durability of their mountain bike offerings. In this guide, I tested seven gravel saddles, each with distinct features and use case. Overall, I rated the Selle Italia Flite Boost Gravel TI 316 Superflow as the best gravel saddle, for its excellent vibration damping and flat, short shape.
You have to remember saddles are one of the most subjective topics in cycling, and choosing and selecting the best for you has always been a tricky job. There are seemingly endless options to match any combination of anatomy, styling, riding style, and budget you can imagine. To help you along the way, check out how to choose the right saddle for you, which has lots of tips and things to look out for.
If you don't think a gravel-specific saddle is going to suit you, we also have guides to the best men's and best women's saddles.
Best overall
Selle Italia Flite Boost Gravel TI 316 Superflow
Given Selle Italia has around 16 versions of the Flite saddle, it should come as no surprise that there is now a gravel-specific version added to the range. At first, it's easy to see the Flite Gravel as just a marketing exercise. However, taking a bit of time to look beyond this, you realise it's a combination of features best suited to longer drop-bar off-road rides, a sort of merger of the Endurance and MTB versions of the Flite.
The Superflow channel provides pressure relief to the perineum when in the drops, particularly important on chattery terrain. Additional shock absorbency comes from a combination of gel inserts and titanium rails. The covering material is Fibra-Tek, which offers increased durability against gritty abrasion.
I was really impressed by the comfort of the Flite; the Superflow shape and choice of widths meant that weight was through sit bones where it should be. The shorter length (250mm, standard across all Flites) allows good movement around the bike, but it means your weight isn't as far forward if you want to perch on the nose of the saddle on steep climbs.
Read my full Selle Italia Flite Boost Gravel TI 316 Superflow review
Best for grip
Fizik Argo X3 Gravel
The Fizik Terra Argo X3 is the off-road version of Fizik's short-nosed Argo saddle range, which the team rated very highly for the road. The short nose allows for plenty of movement around the bike. Combining the short length with the cut-out channel gives decent pressure relief when you're down on the drops.
Off-road comfort comes from the inherent flex in the saddle body and the one-piece looped rail, which flexes to absorb the rough.
The standout feature of the Terra Argo is the planted position and grip it gives, a result of its wave shape and grippy finish. This stops you from sliding around in the saddle and, in theory, gives you a more solid platform to get the power through the pedals. On the downside, this limits small adjustments when you're riding, so it may not suit a more fidgety rider.
Read my full Fizik Terra Argo X3 gravel saddle review
Best for hard and fast riding
WTB Gravelier
The Gravelier represents quite a different approach to saddle design for WTB. It has a large central cut-out instead of the usual central depression and has a lower profile with less padding. Combined with its prominent wave shape, short nose, and flex within the carbon body, these design elements optimise comfort and support whilst riding hard in the drops. The carbon-railed version we rode is astonishingly light too, a mere 157g.
The svelte Gravelier both looks and rides fast. It's firm and responsive, and its lack of padding allows for plenty of movement around the bike and provides plenty of feedback. It's akin to racing in full lycra rather than donning your baggies for a more relaxed jaunt.
The front-to-rear curvature of the saddle and flex of the carbon body ensures comfort. Having said that, after a couple of hours in the saddle, the lack of padding is noticeable, so you may want something with a bit more cushioning if your rides are on the longer side. I expect the carbon-railed version to have a more direct feel than the lower-priced stainless- and chromoly-railed versions.
Best for classic style
Brooks C17 Carved
In addition to producing the most quintessential leather saddles, Brooks is also keeping apace with the gravel bike revolution.
Instead of leather, the C range of Brooks saddles features a durable rubber upper. Despite the absence of leather, the C17 is most definitely Brooks, featuring the same shaping and iconic rear rivets. Gravel hipsters look no further.
In addition to giving the C17 great durability, the rubber upper provides natural flex and shock absorption for off-road riding. There are two versions available: with or without a cutout for pressure relief.
Despite the rubber's firm feel and lack of padding, the C17 is (surprisingly) an incredibly comfortable saddle to ride. Its curved shape provides even support on the tops and drops, so no issues with uneven weight distribution. It does a brilliant job of absorbing all the chatter of rough trails too. So much so that I regularly forgot I was riding a different saddle from my usual one.
The only real drawback of the C17 is its weight; at 446g, it's around twice as heavy as most of the other saddles I tested.
Best for versatility
Prologo Scratch M5 AGX
The Scratch M5 AGX is Prologo's "Adventure, Gravel, XC" version of the road-oriented saddle. As the name suggests, the saddle offers great versatility rather than suiting one type of off-road drop-bar riding over another.
The Scratch is 140mm wide and comes with either carbon or steel rails, a carbon shell, and distinctive panelled padding. There's a "Space" version of the saddle too, which is slightly wider (+7mm) and has thicker panelling.
Unlike some of the other saddles in this guide, the Scratch has a more traditional flat profile that provides pelvic support in a range of riding positions. Crucially, it's also comfortable whether you're racing hard in the drops or spinning along in a more upright position. The downside is that there's less support in any single position, which more static riders may prefer. The nose of the saddle is slightly dropped and well-cushioned, so you won't get uncomfortable whether you're rotated forward or perched right at the end of a climb.
The panelled design allows different types and densities of padding across the saddle, putting the right cushioning in all the right places. Combined with the shell design, the Prologo provides excellent vibration damping.
The shell protrudes slightly at the back, forming a small fender. If you're likely to be riding off the back in baggies, you may find this feature more of a hindrance than a help.
Best for comfort
I've yet to find a review that disagrees that Specialised's 3D Mirror-printed saddles are exceptionally comfortable. And so, where better to look for a gravel saddle when comfort and cushioning are at a premium?
The Power saddle is shaped for versatility. It has a gentle fore-aft curve, so it allows plenty of movement while still providing some support. It's pretty short (240mm), and the nose falls away for good comfort in the drops.
The Matrix structure of the Mirror is exceptionally comfortable and does a brilliant job of damping vibrations on rough gravel trails. It really does allow you to ride off-road for longer and in more comfort.
But... it's not without its downsides (and the well-known price tag). Firstly, I found that the matrix material is so grippy that it restricts smaller weight-shifting movements that are necessary off-road. Additionally, the matrix structure is not ideal for mud and grit. The open shell under the saddle means muck can work its way in from underneath as well as from the top, and it's nigh-on impossible to clean all those nooks and crannies.
Best for set-up
PRO Stealth Off Road
It might not be obvious at first glance, but the PRO Stealth is a saddle designed for speed. It's shaped for riding in an aggressive forward position, with enough padding and compliance to absorb chatter without restricting power. It's impressively lightweight, too (the 142mm version I tested weighed just 203g).
As you might imagine from this, it suits short, hard rides, and gives your position a real sense of purpose. On the downside, something is lost to comfort for longer - and perhaps less frantic-paced riding when a little less rigidity might be welcome. It's probably not the best choice if you measure your rides by miles rather than miles per hour.
Rather than a full central cutout, it has a lower-middle section. I didn't experience any undue pressure on the soft tissues, but it may not provide enough relief for some riders.
Away from the saddle itself, one clever feature of the PRO packaging is a brilliantly simple and effective cutout in the cardboard. Combined with a tape measure, it makes it easy to fit your new saddle in the same position as the one you removed.
How I tested the best gravel saddles
'Bums on seats' is the simple answer.
As emphasised in the reviews, saddle comfort is highly subjective, but other elements such as size options, materials, weight, and durability have been assessed more objectively to provide a solid starting point when considering a new saddle.
One area I paid particular attention to is vibration damping; while the best gravel bikes are very good at this, the less rattle and shaking passed to the rider, the better, in my opinion, meaning you can ride for longer and further. Generally, this type of fatigue can be felt in numbness and soreness, so while my testing wasn't wholly scientific, it is something I was looking for.
Movement also plays a big part in riding off-road; in my years as a Mountain Bike Marathon expert, one of the simplest ways to stay comfortable is to keep moving, never sitting still. This translates perfectly to gravel, which regularly includes, at least for me, long days in the saddle on very rough ground. This can be seen in my testing. I was looking for the ability to slide forward and aft for climbs, to stand and sit without issues regularly, and to grip the saddle with the insides of my legs for directional changes.
You can read more about how we test all the products here at Cycling Weekly on our 'How we test' page.
Meet the tester
I've been writing about and reviewing bike tech for over 15 years. Cynical by nature, I never take the brand's word for gospel, and believe the only way to put something to the test is putting in the miles.
My first love is mountain biking, where I've been both European and British 24hr Champion on more than one occasion. Nowadays, that endurance, my love of adventure and family life have seen me find a welcoming home in gravel riding.
How to choose the best gravel saddle for you
Do I actually need gravel specific saddle?
No, you don't. If you're comfortable using your usual choice of saddle then there's no reason to change. But there are some good reasons that you might want to ride something a little different from what you have on a road, hybrid or mountain bike.
Whilst road-orientated saddles work well for the drop bar position, they may lack the shock absorbency and durability to cope with off-road conditions. Less shock absorbency could mean shorter, less comfortable riding. Poorer durability might lead to you replacing your saddle more often than you'd like.
In comparison, a MTB saddle will have much better durability and shock absorbency but its flatter shape may not be comfortable for riding low in the drops as they are designed to be used in a more upright position.
Like the riding itself, a gravel saddle is a hybrid approach, combining aspects of road and off-road designs.
What should I look for when choosing a gravel saddle?
1. Shape
Whatever riding you do, saddle shapes will suit different pelvic shapes and sizes so there's no single perfect shape. But, there are a few rules of thumb that can help you choose a good saddle for you. Road-orientated saddles are often shaped with a forward-to-back curve to better fit your pelvis in its anterior rotated position as you reach forward into the drops. Given the similar position your body is in when you're gravel riding this shape may be better than a flatter saddle that is designed for an upright riding position.
On the flip side, an MTB saddle is often shaped to allow you to move around more on and off the saddle to help negotiate the uneven trails whereas a more scooped position can make it harder to shift yourself around.
2. Width
Probably the most important factor in choosing a saddle is getting one the right width for your pelvis. Many manufacturers have simple in-shop and at-home equipment and guides to help you choose.
Sadly when it comes to gravel saddles the choice of different widths remains quite limited, several in this guide are only available in a single width. We expect things to improve but, until then, you may prefer to stick with a saddle that's the right width for you rather than spend money on a gravel saddle that doesn't fit.
3. Length
Short, long or something in between? One approach is to choose a shorter-length (nosed) saddle. In theory, this helps relieve pressure on your delicate soft tissue when you're down on the drops. Some riders also prefer that they have a bit more space to move around without getting caught on the nose of the saddle.
Conversely, a longer-nosed saddle can be useful for tackling steep, rough terrain as it allows you to perch forward to keep the power through the pedals and front end of the bike down. Thinking about the type of trails you'll be riding might help you choose the best length.
4. Cushioning and flex
An important feature of a gravel saddle is how well it can absorb the chatter of the trail under your wheels. Good shock absorbency will allow you to keep pedaling in the saddle over the rough stuff as well as keep you riding longer in comfort.
Shock absorbency isn't all about fancy gel cushioning. Much of it comes from the properties of materials in the rails and shell of the saddle as well as its overall shape and construction.
Manufacturers favor different approaches; you'll notice design aspects such as different shell materials, flexible 'wings' and different rail designs in addition to various cushioning types.
5. Durability
Gravel saddles are subject to quite a bit of wear and tear as abrasive grit and water is sprayed up from your back wheel and gentle rubbed in by your bum. Over time this can wear the saddle outer which further increases friction, ruins the aesthetic and eventually wears the outer away. To combat this, some manufacturers use a more robust outer layer and even reinforced fabrics on particularly vulnerable parts.