Switching to a high-performance, lightweight saddle is one of the easiest upgrades to save weight and improve comfort on your road bike. Few component changes constitute a genuine improvement as much as a new seat. The best road bike saddles can lop a substantial amount of weight off your bike, and make for a more comfortable ride at the same time.

Best road bike saddle overall: Specialized S-Works Romin EVO

Best bargain road bike saddle: Fabric Scoop Race Shallow Saddle

Best money-no-object road bike saddle: Specialized S-Works Power with Mirror Saddle

Best high-end short-nose saddle: Fizik Vento Argo R1 saddle

Best mid-range short-nose road bike saddle: Giant Fleet SLR saddle

Best budget short-nose road bike saddle: Prime Doyenne Shorty Saddle with Ti Rails

Best road bike saddle for not slipping: Prologo Dimension 143 CPC Tirox saddle

Best women’s road bike saddle overall: Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow saddle

Best women’s saddle for racing: Ergon SR Pro Carbon Women saddle

Best curved road bike saddle for women: Specialized Women’s Romin Evo Pro With MIMIC saddle

Best road bike saddle for traditionalists: Cycles Berthoud Soulor leather saddle
Welcome to the latest edition of road.cc’s buyer’s guide to high-performance, lightweight saddles: seats that combine low weight with the firm support generally preferred by faster riders. You’ll find everything you need to know to find the right high-performance, lightweight saddle for you here, plus our pick of the best.
High-performance, lightweight saddles feature high-tech materials such as carbon fibre, titanium and lightweight foam padding. Most lightweight saddles aren’t cheap, but we’ve found several very good options for under £100. The majority of the saddles featured here are 200g or less.
These are almost all firm seats for flat-back riding positions, but some brands do offer wider versions for more upright touring and gravel applications.
Want something more conventional? Check out our general guide to the best bike saddles for multiple cycling disciplines. Want a bigger selection of women-specific saddles? Check out our guide to the best women's bike saddles.