The Brooks B17 S Ladies Standard remains a market leader for touring because its full-grain leather construction molds to an individual rider over time, delivering unmatched long-distance comfort and exceptional longevity for riders who accept a break-in period. While heavier and pricier up front than synthetic saddles like the Selle Royal or Terry, its durability and heritage make it a financially sound long-term investment for serious tourers who prefer a classic leather feel over modern pressure-relief technologies.
Molds to you
Durable leather
Molds to you
Durable leather
Review Summary
"The Brooks B17 S Ladies is loved for its classic leather build and long-term comfort after break-in, delivering durable, mold-to-your-shape support that many touring cyclists swear by. Early stiffness and required maintenance are common caveats but most users report high satisfaction over time."
Timeless charm - vintage wink
Premium vegetable-tanned leather that gradually molds to the rider for a personalized fit
Timeless charm - vintage wink
Premium vegetable-tanned leather that gradually molds to the rider for a personalized fit
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Brooks B17 S Ladies Standard remains a market leader for touring because its full-grain leather construction molds to an individual rider over time, delivering unmatched long-distance comfort and exceptional longevity for riders who accept a break-in period. While heavier and pricier up front than synthetic saddles like the Selle Royal or Terry, its durability and heritage make it a financially sound long-term investment for serious tourers who prefer a classic leather feel over modern pressure-relief technologies.
Molds to you
Durable leather
Timeless charm - vintage wink
Premium vegetable-tanned leather that gradually molds to the rider for a personalized fit
Traditional Brooks suspension and a women-specific shape for stable, long-distance support
Molds to you
Durable leather
Timeless charm - vintage wink
Premium vegetable-tanned leather that gradually molds to the rider for a personalized fit
Traditional Brooks suspension and a women-specific shape for stable, long-distance support
$220-320 CAD
Selle Royal Respiro Soft Relaxed Women's Saddle
The Selle Royal Respiro Soft Relaxed is a women-specific wide gel touring saddle that pairs Royalgel cushioning with a ventilated Respiro channel to reduce pressure and heat on long rides. Its relaxed, broad platform and established value pricing make it a strong choice for multi-day touring and hot-weather comfort, offering similar cushioning to premium models but at a friendlier price point compared with high-end anatomical saddles on this list.
Breathable venting — cool rides
Soft relaxed shape — sofa vibe
Breathable venting — cool rides
Soft relaxed shape — sofa vibe
Review Summary
"Users generally find the Selle Royal Respiro Soft Relaxed Women's saddle very comfortable for long casual rides and touring thanks to its wide shape and breathable central channel, though some say it feels bulky and not suited for aggressive riding positions."
Pressure-relief gel — sit happy
Wide, relaxed women's-specific shape for upright touring and long-ride comfort.
Pressure-relief gel — sit happy
Wide, relaxed women's-specific shape for upright touring and long-ride comfort.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
The Selle Royal Respiro Soft Relaxed is a women-specific wide gel touring saddle that pairs Royalgel cushioning with a ventilated Respiro channel to reduce pressure and heat on long rides. Its relaxed, broad platform and established value pricing make it a strong choice for multi-day touring and hot-weather comfort, offering similar cushioning to premium models but at a friendlier price point compared with high-end anatomical saddles on this list.
Breathable venting — cool rides
Soft relaxed shape — sofa vibe
Pressure-relief gel — sit happy
Wide, relaxed women's-specific shape for upright touring and long-ride comfort.
Soft gel layer under the cover to reduce pressure on sit bones.
Breathable venting — cool rides
Soft relaxed shape — sofa vibe
Pressure-relief gel — sit happy
Wide, relaxed women's-specific shape for upright touring and long-ride comfort.
Soft gel layer under the cover to reduce pressure on sit bones.
$60-90 CAD
The Selle Anatomica X2 Watershed Women's pairs the company's signature cutaway, flexible leather design with a waterproof 'Watershed' treatment to deliver near-immediate comfort and reliable weather resistance for women touring in mixed conditions. While usually higher-priced upfront, its reduced break-in time, lower ongoing maintenance and adaptive flex give it a clear technical advantage for riders who want fast comfort and minimal upkeep compared with classic Brooks leather saddles.
Waterproof flex
Anatomic slot
Waterproof flex
Anatomic slot
Review Summary
"The Selle Anatomica X2 Watershed Women’s is frequently lauded for near‑instant comfort, excellent pressure relief, and water resistance; buyers note premium price and rare leather maintenance issues but overwhelmingly keep it for long rides."
Glides all-day
Watershed-treated leather and components for superior water resistance on wet tours.
Glides all-day
Watershed-treated leather and components for superior water resistance on wet tours.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
The Selle Anatomica X2 Watershed Women's pairs the company's signature cutaway, flexible leather design with a waterproof 'Watershed' treatment to deliver near-immediate comfort and reliable weather resistance for women touring in mixed conditions. While usually higher-priced upfront, its reduced break-in time, lower ongoing maintenance and adaptive flex give it a clear technical advantage for riders who want fast comfort and minimal upkeep compared with classic Brooks leather saddles.
Waterproof flex
Anatomic slot
Glides all-day
Watershed-treated leather and components for superior water resistance on wet tours.
Cut-out and highly flexible leather design that relieves pressure for women riders.
Waterproof flex
Anatomic slot
Glides all-day
Watershed-treated leather and components for superior water resistance on wet tours.
Cut-out and highly flexible leather design that relieves pressure for women riders.
$450-650 CAD
The B17 S Standard Women’s saddle is the classic leather touring choice, with reinforced rails and a time-tested leather shell that molds to the rider over long miles for unmatched longevity. It ranks as the market-leader for riders who value lifespan and ride-quality development—more durable and often more economical over years than gel-based alternatives—though it is heavier and requires a break-in period compared with modern gel or titanium-rail saddles. Technically it offers fewer immediate pressure-relief features than the SMP but delivers superior long-term comfort and repairability for serious touring.
Premium leather — vintage-chic
Firm support — marathon-ready
Premium leather — vintage-chic
Firm support — marathon-ready
Review Summary
"Classic leather saddle that after a break-in becomes exceptionally comfortable for long tours; buyers praise durability and ride quality but warn of heavy weight and initial stiffness."
Ages beautifully — patina-pride
Traditional full-grain leather top that molds to the rider over time for personalized comfort.
Ages beautifully — patina-pride
Traditional full-grain leather top that molds to the rider over time for personalized comfort.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The B17 S Standard Women’s saddle is the classic leather touring choice, with reinforced rails and a time-tested leather shell that molds to the rider over long miles for unmatched longevity. It ranks as the market-leader for riders who value lifespan and ride-quality development—more durable and often more economical over years than gel-based alternatives—though it is heavier and requires a break-in period compared with modern gel or titanium-rail saddles. Technically it offers fewer immediate pressure-relief features than the SMP but delivers superior long-term comfort and repairability for serious touring.
Premium leather — vintage-chic
Firm support — marathon-ready
Ages beautifully — patina-pride
Traditional full-grain leather top that molds to the rider over time for personalized comfort.
Women-specific B17 S shape offers broader rear support for long-distance touring posture.
Premium leather — vintage-chic
Firm support — marathon-ready
Ages beautifully — patina-pride
Traditional full-grain leather top that molds to the rider over time for personalized comfort.
Women-specific B17 S shape offers broader rear support for long-distance touring posture.
$220-300 CAD
PNW Coast Suspension Dropper Post
The PNW Coast combines suspension with dropper-style adjustability, offering a unique two-in-one solution for women-specific touring that includes technical descents and frequent stops. Its versatility is a technical advantage over dedicated suspension-only posts—allowing on-the-fly saddle height changes and added vertical compliance—but that convenience comes with greater mechanical complexity and a higher weight/price trade-off compared with simple suspension posts like the SR Suntour NCX or Kinekt 2.1.
Dropper+suspension combo (one-post!)
Terrain-taming travel (bold!)
Dropper+suspension combo (one-post!)
Terrain-taming travel (bold!)
Review Summary
"The PNW Coast earns praise for combining dropper functionality with worthwhile suspension that improves comfort and control on rough touring and gravel routes, though a minority report occasional maintenance issues and noticeable weight."
Serviceable internals (home-fix!)
Combines dropper-post functionality with internal bump-absorbing suspension
Serviceable internals (home-fix!)
Combines dropper-post functionality with internal bump-absorbing suspension
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
The PNW Coast combines suspension with dropper-style adjustability, offering a unique two-in-one solution for women-specific touring that includes technical descents and frequent stops. Its versatility is a technical advantage over dedicated suspension-only posts—allowing on-the-fly saddle height changes and added vertical compliance—but that convenience comes with greater mechanical complexity and a higher weight/price trade-off compared with simple suspension posts like the SR Suntour NCX or Kinekt 2.1.
Dropper+suspension combo (one-post!)
Terrain-taming travel (bold!)
Serviceable internals (home-fix!)
Combines dropper-post functionality with internal bump-absorbing suspension
Multiple travel and drop options to suit mixed-terrain touring
Dropper+suspension combo (one-post!)
Terrain-taming travel (bold!)
Serviceable internals (home-fix!)
Combines dropper-post functionality with internal bump-absorbing suspension
Multiple travel and drop options to suit mixed-terrain touring
$320-420 CAD
Kinekt 2.1 Aluminum Seatpost
Kinekt 2.1 Aluminum Seatpost is a market-leading value option that uses a simple pivoting elastomer to provide fore/aft compliance, light weight, and a low-profile head that plays well with rear racks on women-specific tour builds. It trades some of the refinement and serviceability of higher-end designs for a noticeably lower price and straightforward tuning—ideal for budget-conscious riders who still need adjustable comfort and reliable rack compatibility.
Pivoting comfort — lively
Aluminum lightness
Pivoting comfort — lively
Aluminum lightness
Review Summary
"Owners appreciate the Kinekt 2.1 for its smooth spring action, easy preload adjustment, and durability for commuting and light touring, though many note a heavier feel and occasional creaks, and that rack compatibility sometimes requires adapters or careful mounting."
Tool-free preload
Pivot-and-elastomer system offers tunable travel and progressive damping for varied loads.
Tool-free preload
Pivot-and-elastomer system offers tunable travel and progressive damping for varied loads.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Kinekt 2.1 Aluminum Seatpost is a market-leading value option that uses a simple pivoting elastomer to provide fore/aft compliance, light weight, and a low-profile head that plays well with rear racks on women-specific tour builds. It trades some of the refinement and serviceability of higher-end designs for a noticeably lower price and straightforward tuning—ideal for budget-conscious riders who still need adjustable comfort and reliable rack compatibility.
Pivoting comfort — lively
Aluminum lightness
Tool-free preload
Pivot-and-elastomer system offers tunable travel and progressive damping for varied loads.
Aluminum construction balances lightweight performance and durability for loaded tours.
Pivoting comfort — lively
Aluminum lightness
Tool-free preload
Pivot-and-elastomer system offers tunable travel and progressive damping for varied loads.
Aluminum construction balances lightweight performance and durability for loaded tours.
$250-350 CAD