RecoveryAnswer

HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT SADDLE?

By Anthony WalshRoadman CyclingUpdated 26 May 2026

WHO THIS IS FOR

IS THIS YOU?

The rider with saddle discomfort

You're getting numbness, soreness or saddle sores and suspect the saddle itself.

The rider buying blind

You're about to spend on a saddle and don't know how to choose beyond reviews.

THE ROADMAN VIEW

Saddle choice is where riders waste the most money and suffer the most needlessly, usually because they're solving the wrong problem. The instinct when a saddle hurts is to buy a softer, more padded one. Phil Burt — who fitted Team Sky and British Cycling — is emphatic on the podcast that this is backwards: extra padding lets you sink in, which increases soft-tissue pressure rather than relieving it. The fix is rarely more cushioning.

What actually matters is a short list. First, sit-bone width: your saddle has to support the bones you sit on, and if it's too narrow those bones hang off the edges and your soft tissue takes the load. Get measured — most good shops can do it. Second, shape for your position: the more aggressively forward you ride, the more you roll onto sensitive tissue, which is where a cut-out or channel earns its place. Dr Andy Pruitt's bike-fit work makes the same point — saddle, position and anatomy are one system, not three separate choices.

And accept that this is individual in a way few components are. Two riders with identical bikes can need completely different saddles. The pro move isn't reading more reviews — it's getting your sit bones measured, narrowing to a couple of candidates that fit your width and position, and testing them before you commit. A demo saddle for a fortnight tells you more than any spec sheet.

EXPERT EVIDENCE

WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY

Phil BurtFormer Team Sky and British Cycling physiotherapist and bike fitter
More padding is usually the wrong fix — it increases soft-tissue pressure by letting you sink in. The priorities are correct width for your sit bones and a shape that relieves pressure in your actual riding position, not a softer seat.
Hear it: 5 Bike Fit Mistakes | Roadman Cycling Podcast
Dr Andy PruittBike-fit pioneer; founder of the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine
Saddle, position and anatomy work as one system. The right saddle supports the sit bones and matches how far forward you ride — choosing it in isolation from your fit is why so many riders cycle through saddles that never quite work.
Hear it: The Correct Bike Fit Simplified | Dr Pruitt

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

DO THIS WEEK

Get your sit bones measured
Most good bike shops can measure sit-bone width in minutes. Match your saddle width to that measurement — this is the single biggest factor in whether a saddle supports you or pressures your soft tissue.
Match shape to your position
If you ride rolled forward and low, look at saddles with a pronounced channel or cut-out and a flatter profile. More upright riders often suit a slightly waved saddle with more rear support.
Resist the soft saddle
Choose firm and supportive over squishy. Excess padding lets your sit bones sink and loads the soft tissue — the opposite of what you want.
Test before you commit
Use a demo or test-saddle scheme where possible, or buy from somewhere with a comfort guarantee. A fortnight of real riding reveals what a shop car-park sit cannot.

COMMON MISTAKES

WHAT CYCLISTS GET WRONG

MISTAKEBuying a more padded saddle to fix discomfort.
FIXPadding usually increases pressure by letting you sink in. Prioritise correct width and a pressure-relieving shape instead.
MISTAKEChoosing a saddle on reviews alone.
FIXFit is individual. Get measured, narrow to candidates that match your width and position, and test before committing.
MISTAKEIgnoring your riding position when picking a saddle.
FIXSaddle and position are one system. A forward, low position needs a different shape than an upright one — match the saddle to how you actually ride.

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I know what saddle width I need?

Get your sit-bone width measured — most good shops have a measuring pad. Your saddle should support those bones, so its width is matched to (usually slightly wider than) your measurement. Width is the first and most important factor in saddle choice.

Does a more padded saddle mean more comfort?

Usually the opposite. Extra padding lets your sit bones sink in, which loads the soft tissue and increases pressure. A firmer, well-shaped saddle that supports the sit bones is more comfortable over distance than a squishy one.

Do I need a saddle with a cut-out?

Many riders benefit, especially those who ride rolled forward in a low position, where pressure shifts onto sensitive soft tissue. It's not universal, though — the right answer depends on your anatomy and position, which is why testing matters.

Why does my saddle hurt even though it's expensive?

Price doesn't equal fit. An expensive saddle that's the wrong width or shape for your sit bones and position will still hurt. Comfort comes from matching the saddle to you, not from the price tag or the marketing.

Can the right saddle fix saddle sores and numbness?

Often, when paired with correct saddle height and position. Numbness and sores usually signal too much pressure on soft tissue — the right width, shape and a level or slightly nose-down tilt relieve it. Persistent problems warrant a professional fit.

Should men and women use different saddles?

There's no strict rule, but average sit-bone width and soft-tissue anatomy differ, so many women suit wider saddles or specific pressure-relief shapes. The principle is the same for everyone: choose by your own measured width and position, not by category labels.

RELATED EPISODES

HEAR THE CONVERSATIONS

5 Bike Fit Mistakes | Roadman Cycling Podcast

The Correct Bike Fit Simplified | Dr Pruitt

I Tried A Bike Fit From Team GB Bike Fitter (Here's What Happened)