While you can spend vast amounts of cash upgrading your triathlon bike, a poor tri saddle choice negates the aero gains of wheels and bars if discomfort accompanies every pedal stroke. That’s why you must find a triathlon-specific saddle that works for you.
Pain or numbness can, at best, leave you shuffling around on your saddle; at worst, you’ll require recuperative time off the bike. So it’s vital for both health and performance that you find a TT saddle that’ll allow you to hold a fixed position for long periods, especially if you’re an iron-distance triathlete.
Some bike shops offer a saddle-fitting service that includes measurement of your sit bones. This is well worth having – and we’d also suggest experimenting with different models. Ultimately, saddle choice is a personal thing.
Best triathlon saddles in 2024
Selle Italia Watt Kit Carbonio Superflow
- £239.90 / $279.90
The carbon-railed version of Selle Italia’s Watt Kit Carbonio Superflow was two-time Kona winner Patrick Lange’s seat of choice when we tested it.
It weighs 198g with a wide cut-out to provide pressure relief, and rails that are 10mm longer than its road saddles to ‘adapt the saddle to extreme aerodynamic positions’.
The nose (50mm wide at the tip), while considerably narrower than something like Fizik’s Mistica, is also long so you can find your ideal position.
The anti-slip cover has extra grips to hold you in place and the anatomically-shaped rear provides plenty of comfort.
Before buying, take advantage of Selle Italia’s ‘idmatch’, an online questionnaire that picks your ideal saddle based on stats like height, body type and racing goals.
Verdict: As the price suggests, this is a luxury buy, but it does provide all-day comfort.
Score: 84%
Ergon SR Road Pro Men
- £119.99 / $129.95
As Ergon’s Road Pro is aimed at road riding rather than triathlon, I whipped out the roadie for testing.
You might have also guessed it’s aimed at male riders, so to suit the narrower male sit bones and more upright pelvis, the cut-out is narrower and further back compared to the women’s.
It comes in S/M and M/L sizes, with this tester going for M/L to suit 14.5cm sit bones. It took some work to get the position spot on because of the very pronounced square central cut-out, but once in a groove we found it fine for long rides.
As promised, the narrow front gave our legs freedom to pedal, and I didn’t experience unwanted perennial pressure.
The Road Pro has some clever features, so if you suffer from numbness and are looking for a road/ draft-legal tri saddle, go for it.
Verdict: Intelligently designed for the different genders; worth trying before buying.
Score: 81%
Fizik Transiro Aeris Long Distance R1
- £189.99 / $209.99
This new tri-specific saddle from Fizik comes with a slimmer profile compared to its Mistica (reviewed below), and also makes use of a cut-out down the middle.
An impressive weight of 202g includes oversized carbon rails and the rear bottle cage attachment.
In my testing, the Aeris Long Distance R1 proved to be one of the most comfortable saddles, with zero soreness or numbness.
It's profile also means it's an ideal choice for anyone with a narrow pedalling stance, particularly if you ride aggressively.
The pressure relief is also top-notch, while the tacky cover helps keep you in place well.
Read our full Fizik Transiro Aeris Long Distance R1 review for more.
Verdict: Simply one of the best triathlon saddles around right now.
Score: 92%
Repente Magnet
- £240
This superlight saddle weighs just 135g, with Repente deploying an advanced autoclaving technique to force the carbon to be more uniform and compact.
With carbon rails and a full carbon shell, the minimalistic build does naturally mean the Magnet is quite firm on first impressions, but the wide nose provides a comfy perch in the TT position.
It’s not the grippiest padding, so you’ll want to make sure it’s absolutely the right width for your sit bones to prevent unnecessary shuffling.
The thick carbon rails eat up road vibrations, which Repente says is in part due to the wider, flatter sections of rail at the back, designed to take most of the stress behind where you’re sitting when you’re clutching the tri-bars.
If you can deal with a firm saddle and want to shed weight off your bike, then Repente’s offering is well worth considering if you can budget for it.
Verdict: Expensive, specialist saddle for elites and top age-groupers.
Score: 79%
Selle Italia Watt 3D Kit Carbonio Superflow
- £365.99 / $429.90
Selle Italia’s Watt Kit Carbonio (reviewed above) has enjoyed the 3D treatment, with the lattice-like structure acting as double-layered, lightweight padding.
Weighing 222g, it’s a little heavier than the standard version, but we’re promised better comfort and improved anti-slip to hold you in position.
Described as ‘the pinnacle of triathlon saddles’ and with a price tag to reflect that, I expected a lot – and I got it, finding things extremely comfortable on my test rides.
The 50mm nose is a great perch for riding in the TT position, but not too wide, so this saddle worked well on my road bike, too.
The ‘differentiated cushioning zones’ deliver support where you need it and firmness where you don’t, and the central cut-out relieves any hint of perineal pressure.
Oversized carbon rails dampen most vibrations to complete the luxury package, and if money’s no object it would top my wishlist for a dream tri-bike build.
Verdict: Gloriously comfortable and tri specific, but incredibly expensive.
Score: 84%
Syncros Belcarra V 1.0 Tri
- £144.99 / $159.99
Scott’s Syncros brand offers its Belcarra saddles for numerous use cases, and the V 1.0 Tri is the top-end version for triathlon as used by (now retired) Ironman legend, Sebastian Kienle.
The ‘V-Concept’ range is aimed at more aggressive riders (in a V position on the bike, hence the name), best suiting those who are flexible and wanting to hold a TT position for extended durations.
It weighs 217g, comes with oversized carbon rails and a central cut-out, and was developed with bike-fit specialists Gebiomized.
With the nose coming in at just over 50mm, it should work well for numerous triathletes in the aero tuck.
It certainly proved its worth for me with just the right amount of PU foam for day-long comfort.
While still an investment, the price is competitive for a race saddle with carbon rails, and it just loses out to Fizik’s Transiro Aeris R1 due to the lack of bonus accessories.
Verdict: Superb construction and plenty of comfort for a reasonable price.
Score: 86%
ISM PS1.0
- £230 / $239.88
ISM’s noseless design has titanium rails, weighs 253g and sits in their Performance Short category.
The PS1.0 is the brand’s recommendation for aggressive racers who want a fixed position, featuring firm padding and a slight slope at the front to support the hips in the TT position.
On the road we instantly hit it off, the ISM proving the best of the bunch at preventing excessive movement, while also being super comfortable.
The wide arms caught my sit bones a little when I came out of a tuck, so if you like to sit up or move a little then ISM’s Performance Narrow range might suit you better.
ISM saddles have solved the bottom woes of many a triathlete over the years, so they’re worth a punt if you can’t get on with more traditionallooking seats.
Verdict: A highly recommended saddle if you suffer with the dreaded numb-bum.
Score: 90%
Prologo Dimension Tri Nack 143
- £180 / $229
Prologo’s Dimension Tri weighed in at just 179g on my scales, and is designed for ‘comfort when on the drops and for aggressive riding’, suggesting road/ITU-style racing as well as long-course suitability.
In both the drops and on the tri-bars I found the Dimension Tri very comfortable on long rides, with the 143mm wide shell and central cut-out providing a wide and pressure-relieving seat.
The nose is quite a lot narrower than the other stubby tri saddles on test, so it’s worth trying before buying if intended for middle or long-distance.
It’s almost £60 more for the CPC version with an anti-slip cover, that also claims to provide shock absorption and air cooling, but unless you really struggle with numbness then this or the cheaper Tirox railed version should suffice.
Verdict: An impressively light and versatile all-rounder that offers great value.
Score: 86%
ISM PN1.0
- £230 / $249.88
The PN1.0 is an all-rounder in ISM’s range, touted as suitable for tri or road, and designed for those who struggle with pressure in soft tissue areas.
The unconventional noseless design provides a wider platform than most triathlon saddles, offering greater thigh and hamstring clearance.
Still, the PN1.0 is in ISM’s ‘performance narrow’ range, so narrower than some other tri-specific
ISM saddles.
The 25-series padding provides middling support (the PN1.1 with 40-series has more padding) and
is perfectly comfortable.
That said, it’s more suitable for tri than road, and is too narrow at the rear when sat back
for extended periods.
The noseless front’s ideal, though, providing a lovely pressure-relieving platform.
While the 306g weight may put off podium chasers, if you’re a fidgety rider who suffers with numbness and pressure, ISM saddles are well worth a look, and the PN1.0 could work for you.
Verdict: A weighty yet unique pressure-relieving triathlon saddle for triathlon and road.
Score: 82%
Fizik Transiro Mistica
- £164.99 / $179
The Transiro Mistica has received much praise in previous 220 grouptests, and this version with Kium rails (a titanium/ alloy blend) gives you all the comfort and performance for a small weight penalty (239g, regular size) compared to the carbon style (205g).
The extra-long rails offer plenty of scope for you/your bike fitter to find your perfect position, while the padding has excellent grip; when I found my groove, it did a superb job of keeping me securely in position.
The nose is super wide, and I found it very comfortable for extended periods out on the tri bars. The ‘carriage kit’ allows you to store two bottle cages and flat kit conveniently, securely, and out of the wind.
If it suits you then the Mistica has everything you need from a tri saddle, and is perfect for long distance.
Verdict: Grippy, comfortable and purpose-built for long-distance triathlon. One of the best triathlon saddles available.
Score: 93%
Ergon SR Triathlon Men
- £TBC
The new SR Triathlon Men from Ergon was used by Jan Frodeno in his final races before retirement, and should be available for us age-groupers to purchase in summer 2024.
Unlike other high-end saddles here, the SR forgoes carbon rails in favour of TiNox, purported to be lighter than titanium and bringing the weight down to an impressive 214g.
The saddle nose is slimmer than most triathlon saddles, which is intentional for a ‘closed, parallel leg position’ according to Ergon.
While I personally prefer wider-nosed saddles, I can appreciate elite male triathletes with highly refined positions may appreciate the design of the Ergon.
The flat front is designed to reduce muscle fatigue and provide room for micro movements, protecting the rider’s back.
It holds you in position nicely – very important for long rides – but the shorter overall length and firm padding made it feel slightly harsh.
Verdict: This is a meticulously designed, narrow triathlon saddle best-suited for podium chasers.
Score: 80%
Bontrager Hilo Comp tri saddle
- £59.99 / $125.99
This split-nose option from Trek’s accessories brand is reminiscent of ISM’s popular saddle design yet, on the Hilo Comp, there’s a shell underneath the split-support zone all the way to the end of the nose.
With steel rails and deep dual-layer foam it’s the heaviest on test at 332g, though Bontrager say the base has extra flex for compliance.
While in theory it should be ideal for triathlon, we found the split section a little narrow with a maximum width of 134mm.
That’s not to say the Hilo Comp’s not an affordable option for those who require extra pressure relief in the time-trial position, but it just didn’t work for me.
I was far more impressed with Bontrager’s Aeolus saddle, which weighs a third less and picked up a Best Value gong in our 2019 saddles test.
Verdict: Weighty saddle that is good value and pressure-relieving.
Score: 75%
ISM PS 2.0
- £170 / $229.88
ISM’s noseless design is based on the company’s independent research, which tests their saddles against competitors to ensure maximum blood flow to reduce numbness down below.
The PS 2.0 – suitable for road or triathlon according to ISM – features an upward slope at the back, designed to provide extra hip support when rotated in the aero position or an aggressive road stance.
It means that those who tend to move around a lot in the saddle might struggle to fix themselves perfectly on it. Not me.
I found it hugely comfortable and it’s one of the few saddles I've tested that kept me completely fixed in the TT position for two hours or more without wanting to shuffle.
Verdict: One of ISM’s best tri-specific saddles yet. also suitable for road bikes.
Score: 90%
Fizik Vento Argo R5
- £104.99 / $109.99
Fizik was late to the party when it came to short-nosed saddles with central channels. Now, though, the brand offers many options with open sections and shorter noses.
The Vento Argo R5 weighs in at 232g with alloy rails and is priced at the lower end of Fizik's performance-orientated range.
It’s aimed more at road riding compared to their tri-specific Mistica, but the width of the nose may still serve some riders well on a triathlon bike.
It comes in 140mm or 150mm sizes – useful for fine-tuning fit and finding a perfect groove. After some trial and error, I found myself planted very comfortably on the Vento Argo R5, with Fizik’s Type 1 foam providing just enough padding.
It’s on the firmer end, so might not work for those who prefer some extra cushion.
Verdict: Another saddle that could work for road riding or triathlon.
Score: 87%
Prologo Scratch M5 147 PAS Tirox
- £127.99 / $139.99
The Scratch M5 147 is one for the roadies and/or short-course triathletes, so I judged it as such by mounting it to my road bike with no tri-bars to be seen.
The mid-priced, wide version of Tadej Pogacar’s saddle of choice, it’s 147mm at its widest point with the Tirox rails weighing just 185g.
A central cut-out and more rounded shape aims to create support for the lumbar areas and distribute pressure across a greater surface.
While the padding is rather firm, I appreciate the shape of this saddle, discovering that the rounded back with zonal, segmented foam works nicely with the natural movements of my pedalling.
The central channel provides plenty of pressure relief, and the padding’s also nice and grippy to keep you in an efficient position.
On the downside it’s a little buzzy and harsh compared to the carbon-railed saddles, but this is only noticeable on very rough patches of road.
Verdict: Lightweight road seat for those who like some extra width on their rides.
Score: 81%
Fabric Tri Race Flat
- £79.99 / $105
This saddle’s become a firm favourite round here in recent times and the extra accessories – including a rear bottle mount and a hook for bike racking – make it excellent value.
It tips the scales at 235g, and the central channel is recessed enough that it does the same job as saddles with an open channel.
Fabric says this is so they can bond a waterproof microfibre cover straight onto the base, which it claims is softer than stretched-cover saddles.
For me, it offered just the right amount of firmness and pressure relief, and the wide split section nose is ideal for keeping you comfortable in an aggressive position.
This titanium-railed version also hits the value sweet spot, as I can detect no discernible difference compared to the £139.99 Tri Flat Pro with carbon rails.
Verdict: Incredibly good-value saddle that’s born to race triathlon.
Score: 93%
Prologo Dimension Tri Tirox 143
- £120 / $149
The Dimension Tri features Prologo’s ‘Tirox’ rails, which has an alloy-steel construction to bring the price down considerably lower than the carbon-railed version.
The weight is still impressively low at 219g, and Prologo say the 143mm width should allow for better distribution of the rider’s body weight.
The nose is noticeably narrower than the other tri-specific saddles in this test, but for me it worked a treat, and was also very comfortable on a road bike because of the wider seating area.
Like Prologo’s Tgale, their PAS channel runs down the centre to maximise blood flow and prevent excess pressure, and I found the foam was an ideal thickness without being too squishy.
For me, this is the pick of the Prologo saddles on test.
Verdict: Excellent all-rounder that provides high comfort at a low weight.
Score: 88%
Pro Aerofuel
- £129.99
This hollow stainless-steel-railed model is impressive, weighing just 193g and feeling very similar to the top-end carbon model that’s £50 more expensive.
At its widest point, the Aerofuel is 142mm across, and has a non-slip cover that held me firmly in position without any annoying excess movement.
The EVA padding becomes thicker towards the nose to offer more support when riding in an aggressive position but, for when you need to sit back, it’s also comfy towards the rear.
The central cut-out is 2cm wide and provides ample pressure relief; I've put in many monstrous rides on the Aerofuel with no numbness or discomfort.
It’s a saddle that grows on me every time I test it and I've no doubt that many will find it ideal for tri.
Verdict: Light and very comfortable; out performs many more expensive models.
Score: 91%
Prologo Tgale PAS
- £223 / $285
Prologo’s tri-specific Tgale comes with their Perennial Area System (PAS), which aims to prevent numbness in the pelvic region.
In all honesty, it’s an innovation I've never fully got on with, finding the nose section a little firmer than the likes of Pro’s Aerofuel and the Fabric Tri.
On the positive, the grip sections on the microfibre cover are a nice addition to prevent slippage. This top-of-the-range version has Prologo’s Nack Carbon oversized rails, and at 243g it’s not the lightest out there.
It’s also rather expensive, so if the shape and design is for you then the Tirox-railed version at over £100 less is worth considering if you’re on a budget.
For adding rear bottle cages and/or a toolkit, the Tgale is compatible with Prologo’s U-Cage mounting system.
Verdict: Packed with useful triathlon-specific features but it’s pretty pricey
Score: 77%
How we tested the best triathlon saddles
All of the triathlon bike saddles reviewed here have been tested by former 220 Triathlon staff writer and current Road.cc editor Jack Sexty.
Jack has over a decade of experience racing and testing triathlon kit, and has reviewed these saddles across various group tests over the last few years.
Each saddle has been used for multiple rides on a triathlon bike and has been judged on a range of criteria, which includes: weight, comfort, suitability for multisport, stickiness and features (such as a rear bottle cage mount).
Anything that scores above 90% is truly one of the best triathlon saddles money can buy.
A score between 80-89% also comes very highly recommended, while 70-79% represents a strong performance, but with one or two flaws.
What's the difference between a triathlon saddle and a road saddle?
Tri-specific saddles are different to road versions, as they’re optimised to provide support for your sit bones while perched further forward on your aerobars.
This means a wider flat section at the nose. Another common feature is cut-out sections down the middle to relieve perineum pressure.
We must stress that TT saddles, like all saddles, are very personal. A good bike fit often includes saddle fitting and could flag up an unsuitable seat, while there are specialist bike shops that can offer sit-bone measurements to find a saddle with the correct width for your behind.
If you’re struggling to find your perfect saddle, either of these options could be wise investment
