Cycling is a great way to get into shape, as well as get around further than you would be able to by just walking. However, it can also be hard on your body if not done right.
To get the most out of your bike, without damaging your body, you need the right bike seat. Sounds easy on paper, but it can be a real pain sometimes.
Fortunately, there are some good options for women who want to take cycling more seriously. We’ve put together a shortlist of the best bike seats for women and what makes them so great.
OUR TOP PICK
Body Geometry's mission is to create innovative designs that are comfortable, durable, and functional.
They believe that an efficient fit is essential to achieving superior aerodynamics and riding efficiency. The result is a product line that delivers exceptional performance without sacrificing comfort.
Body Geometry has created the world's best seat post clamping system for road bikes, mountain bikes, and triathlon bicycles.
It's called the Body Geometry Clamp System and it's revolutionizing the way people mount and dismount their bikes.
The patented Body Geometry Clamp system eliminates the need for clamps and bolts. Simply screw the clamp to your frame and then attach the clamp to the seat post, no tools required. It’s that easy!
Body Geometry offers a full range of saddles, seats, grips, and accessories. They are available at many retailers across the country.
We tested this saddle to see if it could be an upgrade from my current one. I had been using it for about six months before I decided to upgrade.
I was looking for a new seat because my old one was getting pretty beat up from constant use.
My previous saddle was made by Body Geometry and I liked it. I knew that I needed something smaller than what I had to get comfortable while riding long distances.
The fit and feel of this saddle are great! It fits perfectly and feels like it doesn't move around at all when pedaling. I also love the fact that there is no padding on the underside of the saddle which makes it extremely easy to clean.
I think that this is probably my favorite feature of this saddle. Overall, I am very happy with this purchase and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a new saddle.
Pros
- This design is super-clean and looks great on any bike!
- The flex zones near the back help accommodate most body types and shapes.
Cons
- The narrow cutout at the front feels less optimal for some body types, especially compared to how comfortable the back is.
- Very narrow, with very limited options for the saddle's width.
Also Available From: Specialized
EDITORS CHOICE
Are you looking for a comfortable bike seat that doesn’t sacrifice style? Then these Bikeroo Oversize Comfort Bike Seats are just what you need.
These bike seats come with extra padding and elastic suspension that can help spare your back from pain. This is a great seat replacement for an exercise cycle!
These deals come with perks! You’ll get a waterproof bicycle cover along with easy-to-use mounting tools.
The universal bicycle seat adapter makes sure that you can easily install this seat on any standard exercise bike.
With this seat, you won’t have to worry about finding a proper place to sit.
It’s large enough to accommodate riders of different sizes and shapes, and the elastomer spring suspension keeps you comfortable during prolonged periods of sitting.
The universal mount allows you to use this seat on any standard indoor exercise bike without worrying about compatibility issues.
The padded base and soft foam cushion ensure that you’re always comfortable when riding.
When we saw this seat, we knew it was going to be a saddle that was worth testing. We love how easy it was to install and use.
We were looking for something that would offer comfort and support without being too bulky or heavy. These were just what we were looking for in our tests.
They provided excellent support and cushioning, and they didn't weigh down the bike at all. They also had a nice amount of padding and seemed fairly sturdy.
They did take some time to install, though, since you have to drill holes into the frame of the bike. Once installed, however, they looked great and worked perfectly.
Pros
- The foam makes this saddle extra comfortable, as does the extra padding.
- The extra padding also helps keep the rider upright and supported.
- The ergonomic design is perfect for long rides and treks.
Cons
- The saddle is quite squeaky once a person is sat in it, which may get irritating.
Also Available From: Walmart
BEST VALUE
When it comes to riding bikes, women are often left out of the loop. Not anymore! The Specialized Power Expert Mimic Women's Saddle combines comfort with high performance.
This saddle was developed using years of feedback from female riders and anatomic testing to deliver a comfortable, supportive saddle that performs just as well as the men's version.
Mimic technology allows for an ultra-lightweight construction while maintaining stability and minimizing the amount of pressure applied to sensitive tissues. The result is a saddle that feels incredibly natural and provides exceptional support.
The SWAT compatible mounts allow for sleek and integrated bike storage and the level II padding ensures maximum comfort and protection.
The Patented Body Geometry design delivers a custom fit that conforms to your unique shape, no matter what shape and size you are. The Titanium Rails are lightweight, durable, and hollow too.
We would highly recommend this saddle to anyone looking for a comfortable saddle for riding. It's not too heavy and it doesn't slide around during rides. We also found that it was easy to adjust to fit my leg length.
Pros
- The foam used in this saddle means that it is comfortable to sit in, without the need for a cutout.
- Not only is this saddle comfortable, but it looks great too!
- Product of hundreds of hours of research.The foam used in this saddle means that it is comfortable to sit in, without the need for a cutout.
- Not only is this saddle comfortable, but it looks great too!
- Product of hundreds of hours of research.
Cons
- This saddle only comes with one riding position, meaning that it may not be suited to everyone.
Also Available From: Jensonusa
RUNNER UP
Super comfortable and supportive, the YLG Oversized Comfortable Bicycle Seat is made of high-quality materials and offers excellent ergonomics.
This seat features a unique dual spring system that provides superior stability and shock-absorbing capabilities. The seat is ideal for both recreational riders and those looking to compete in races.
The extra wide, wing-shaped design fits around your hips perfectly without compromising your leg movement. It will increase the support force and riding comfort.
What’s more, it comes with a reflective band on the back, so you can enjoy riding outdoors and at night safely.
The dual spring rubber ball suspension in the bottom of the bicycle seat provides awesome vibration and impact dampening, ensuring you remain comfortable, no matter how rough the terrain beneath you becomes.
YLG bike seats are designed to fit most bikes. It's best to use it for a cruiser, mountain bikes, city bikes, fixed gear, or touring. The instructions are well written and easy to follow, making installation a total breeze.
The price is quite reasonable, and during our testing, it was very comfortable and easy to put on and take off.
We were able to ride this bike for over an hour and a half without getting sore backsides, which is a plus in our books!
Pros
- Great design that doesn't sacrifice function for comfort.
- Excellent shock absorption in this saddle.
- Comfortable for all body types to sit in.
Cons
- Whilst it can accommodate people of different body types, it may struggle to properly support heavier people.
Also Available From: ibshops
RUNNER UP
If performance is your aim whilst riding your bicycle, then your saddle needs to achieve its maximum performance by maintaining proper circulation while reducing pressure points. What you need is this EVO Mimic bike saddle!
Romin EVO Comp Mimic Women’s Saddles are designed to meet the needs of women riders by providing optimal comfort and fit. These saddles use Body Geometry’s patented MIMIC™ technology.
This advanced material integrates multiple layers to maintain equilibrium and minimizes swelling in soft tissue. It also has a unique hollow rail construction that provides smooth transitions between the seat post and the saddle rails.
MIMIC works to keep blood flowing properly to the pelvis, knees, and feet. And it helps prevent fatigue from sitting too long on one particular spot.
The hollow rails are durable and offer excellent support, while the level 2 padding provides additional cushioning. The mount for SWAT accessories under the saddle allows for sleek and integrated storage.
We love how comfortable it is and that it has a nice wide nose which makes it easier to control the bike with your thighs.
We also really enjoy the fact that it doesn't move around too much while riding, and it stays put without sliding forward or backward.
There's no feeling of pressure on my hips or back from my seat while going uphill, which is great. It's also super comfy!!
Overall, we are very pleased with this saddle and would recommend it to anyone looking for a new one.
Pros
- Plenty of widths to suit your particular needs!
- Great shape for your backside, no matter what level of effort you want to put in.
Cons
- This seat will have trouble supporting every body type out there.
Also Available From: Specialized
RUNNER UP
Bluewind bike seats are designed specifically to offer superior comfort and support while keeping you safe from injury.
Bluewind is a premium brand that has been around for many years. It was founded in 2008 and has become a trusted name among cycling enthusiasts.
Their products are made using top-grade materials that ensure durability and reliability. They pride themselves on delivering exceptional customer satisfaction and value.
They're committed to providing the best in quality and performance at competitive prices.
When testing this seat, we weren't just looking for performance, but also something that would fit a tighter budget. Needless to say, considering that we're mentioning it here, we are happy with this saddle.
We have been using it for almost two weeks now. It fits great, feels good, and looks good. The material feels great, and the fit was perfect. It does help to relieve some of the pressure from your lower back.
We also like how easy it is to take off when you don't feel like riding.
Pros
- A noiseless seat. No squeaking found here!
- The shock absorption in this seat is very impressive, especially for this price range.
- It's incredibly easy to install.
- This saddle will fit pretty much anyone's backside!
Cons
- The plastic cover may start to loosen as time goes on, which limit's this seat's long-term lifespan.
Also Available From: rwasportswear
Buyer's Guide
Shell
Also called the chassis, the shell of the bike seat is one of the most important features that you should take into account when looking for a new purchase. It is the part that holds the rest of it together, after all!
The first thing you need to know is whether or not you will be using the bike seat for commuting purposes or if you plan to use it for both recreational and sporting purposes.
If you'll mainly be using it for recreation (for short 10-30 minute bike rides, then it won't be as necessary for you to consider a lot of aspects such as seat weight.
However, if you intend to use it as your main source of transportation, this will be critical to your long-term use of your bike.
For example, you shouldn't choose a seat with too low a weight capacity if you use your bike regularly, more than once a day. On the other hand, if you plan to use the seat only occasionally, then this will not be as big of an issue for you.
Rails
This is the part of a bike seat that will connect it to the rest of your bicycle, so is an important feature to take into account. The rails of the seat should be thin enough to fit inside of your bike's seat post where the bicycle seat and frame of the bike fit together.
If they aren't, then you'll need to look somewhere else. Most seats sold today come with either adjustable or fixed rails, depending on what you prefer.
For example, a fixed rail is less likely to move out of position, while adjusting ones allows you to do so, however, you risk having them come loose or moving out of place completely.
You also need to make sure that the height of the rails matches up with the frame of your bicycle. There should be plenty of clearance between the base of the seat and the top of the rails.
This will ensure that there is adequate space for your legs to enter without causing discomfort
Padding
Another very important aspect when buying a bike seat is its padding. You want to make sure that the seat doesn't cause your body any pain during extended periods of sitting. As such, you need to pay attention to the amount of foam used.
However, keep in mind that padding comes at a cost. More padding means greater comfort but it will increase the overall weight of the seat.
Grooves & Cutouts
A bike seat with groves and cutouts is among the best options available today. These types of designs give your backside the protection it needs from impact forces created by rough roads, uneven surfaces, and sudden bumps.
They work by distributing the pressure on your rear end evenly throughout the entire surface, making it less likely to hurt you.
Additionally, they reduce friction which helps prevent chafing and blisters, enhance airflow, and keep the weight of a seat down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Do Women Riders Need Women's Bike Saddles?
Women riders need women's bike saddles for many reasons; primarily because women have different dimensions than men.
Women tend to have shorter torsos than their male counterparts so the distance between the bottom of the pelvis and the upper edge of the saddle is longer.
Accordingly, this makes the saddle sit higher on the rider's back and puts her lower hips closer to the ground than a man would experience.
All of these factors put extra strain on the lumbar spine region which can lead to numbness, leg cramps, and other health problems.
Additionally, the pelvic bone of women has a wider circumference than the one found in men.
Because of this, the distance between the hip bones and the front edge of the saddle tends to be narrower, which creates additional stress on the knees and ankles.
Of course, this isn't to say that men and women cannot use the same saddle. At least one of the options that we have covered could be considered a unisex seat.
How Do You Choose The Right Saddle For You?
There are many things to consider when choosing a new seat. However, it all boils down to two main concepts: fit and comfort.
Fit
Your first choice should be based around finding the right size seat for you. To test whether or not a particular model fits correctly, sit on the seat, adjust it if necessary, and see how comfortable the seat feels.
Comfort
Once you find a fitting seat, you also need to decide what type of seat provides you with the most comfort.
For example, you might opt for a more aggressive race-style bike seat if you like to ride fast. On the other hand, if you’re more of a casual cruiser, you'd probably choose an everyday riding seat that provides more cushioning and support.
Conclusion
As you can see, when it comes to women's bike seats, there's plenty to choose from and consider. It pays to do some research before purchasing and taking delivery of your new seat.
So, do yourself a favor and get out there, try them on, and see which ones feel best! Happy Riding!
