Dr1v3n

I have Giant Revolt Advanced, which came with a Giant Approach saddle. I actually really like the saddle for roads, and also have the same saddle on my road bike.

However, for medical reasons (dermatitis), I've been instructed by my doctor to not use bike shorts, or any tight-fitting clothing. I'm able to do this without much pain for the most part, especially on road. I've gone on some 1.5 hr rides so far and it seems my sitbone area is tough enough to not really have issues without the padded shorts.

However, on the bumpier gravel stuff, it's a bit concerning as if I accidentally forget to stand up on the bike before hitting something rough, it could jam the hard saddle into my nether-regions. Also, I'm wondering if 3+ hr rides even on road will be a different story as well.

That being said, I'm looking for a "slightly softer" saddle. I don't want one of those huge padded ones which restrict inner thigh movement, but something that is 1 or 2 steps above the Approach in padding might be nice to try.

Any other recommendations appreciated.

SilverRubicon

I picked up a Bontrager Sport Saddle for my commuter after reading the Outdoor Gear Lab review. I haven't done any long rides on it but it's cushy without being too soft. It's inexpensive and doesn't look too out of place on a bike.

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/revie...r-sport-saddle

Flatforkcrown

Have you tried a leather saddle? I have a brooks pro and brooks swift and they’re great on gravel and trails.

tangerineowl

You could approach this another way, using a flexier saddle perhaps. Bontrager Avarda range have a decent amount of flex throughout.

Am guessing there isn't a suspension post out there with the D-shape fit.

redlude97

fabric saddles have noticeable flex. I run one on my cyclocross bike for this reason

c_m_shooter

Brooks B17 is my go to saddle for most bikes. I haven't had a pair of padded shorts in 10 years.

chaadster

SQ Lab saddles my be worth looking at, particularly the flexible Active line:

https://sqlab-usa.com/collections/saddles

shelbyfv

I like the Terry Fly Century. I have the rubber Brooks Cambium on my gravel-ish bike, it looks the part but not cushy. It seems lots of folks who don't wear bike shorts like the various Brooks.

mstateglfr 

All my bikes have either brooks cambium c17 or serfas rx rr saddles. The gravel has a c17 and while it had no padding, it is very flexible.
They are similar width, but the serfas sadles have some firm cushion.

No shorts sounds rough- hope you find one that works.

dwmckee

This.

A great and very flexible saddle is the Selle An Atomica (made in USA). Brooks started to copy it actually. I ride that on a RedShift suspension seat post and teh combination is fantastic on gravel.

SilverRubicon

Brooks did not copy the Selle Anatomic. Brooks precedes SA by roughly 100 years (SA founded in 2006).

Moisture

You should mainly consider that a saddle is not there to support your entire weight unless you are pedalling at low efforts.

When pedalling at a higher effort for whatever reason, you shouldn't necessarily be standing up, but with most of your weight just above the saddle and in the cranks for better leverage as well as weight distribution/centre of gravity.

Moisture

As for saddles, over time I grew used to riding on very light padding without any discomfort. I like touring saddles with a priority on ergonomic shaping .

dwmckee

Sorry, to clarify - The Selle An Atomica with the cutout center section was offered by SA long before Brooks started to offer a cutout version.

SilverRubicon

From Brooks…. “For riders in search of pressure relief, the B17 Carved features a “registered cutting” which first appeared with Brooks saddles in the 1890s.”

primov8

Just a copy and paste of my post earlier this year

I too favor saddles with huge cutouts. Since I've been cycling, my go-to saddle was usually the Selle Italia Superflow. That has all changed now because the Fizik Vento Argo and Fizik Tempo (huge cutout, short nose design) adds an additional level of comfort I didn't think would be noticeable. I spend the majority of my riding in the drops and the Vento Argo feels like the best of both worlds because it feels plush and comfortable but when seated a bit further up, hands on the drops, its still a firmer and stable feeling. The Tempo is slightly thicker in padding and the nose doesn't slope downwards when compared to the Vento. The Tempo Argo works well on my SBC 6061 all-road because just like the Vento, a very comfortable and supportive saddle, especially for those long days on the bike.

chaadster

My first cutout saddle was a Brooks which came as a hand-me-down from my father on a ‘60s Hercules English racing bike. I remember it well; this was at least 40 years ago, and nearly three decades before Selle Anatomica was founded.

Maybe Anatomica can be credited with reviving the style, though…I’m not sure.

chaadster

I have a Tempo Argo R3 too, and I just did my longest gravel ride on it yet a couple of weekends ago, doing about 65 miles. It had been good on shorter rides, and even after 4 hours on it I was still feeling pretty good. I think the way the sides flex on that saddle might make it of particular interest to the OP, kind of in the same way I was thinking the SQ Lab Active saddles flex and rock from side to side.

Prodigy4299

Caveat: saddles are very personal, so what works for me may not work for you.
With that out of the way, I have been *very* happy with the Bontrager Aeolus saddle I bought a year ago.

chief9245

I'm 56 and have dealt with chafing, saddle sores, tenderness, etc, etc, for years. I've tried fittings and hundreds of dollars on saddles, all to no avail. Finally found the solution. A company run by a chiropractor out in California designed a saddle where it's recommended NOT to wear a chamois. It's www.infinitybikeseat.com. They're a little pricey but I've been running one for almost a year and have not had a single issue. I'll do a 50-60 mile ride on gravel no problem in just regular shorts and 3-4 hours in the saddle is actually pleasant now. Just my two cents.

Fentuz

I run a fiziks terra argo x something (metal rail rather than carbon) in 160mm as fiziks advised me to run the larger for comfort.
i also run a fabric scoop 155 and it s a little more comfortable.

Craptacular8

A couple of suggestions for non-chamois saddles other than the afore mentioned (and rightly so) B17 and SA saddles. The B67 with spring takes a lot of bite out of the gravel. I use carved c17's on a few bikes, and stumbled onto Ergon SMC saddle. Have been using it fat biking/mountain biking, and could see it as a candidate for going without chammy.

dwmckee

Sorry about my gaps in bike saddle history over the past couple of centuries, but on to what is important. The SA is extremely comfortable and one of the favorites among long distance riders. It has a firm but very flexible leather surface and is favored by many for its support with no pressure spots. It also relieves chafing for many.

pbass

For me a softer saddle leads to more rubbing/abrasion. I currently use an Ergon SR Comp: https://www.ergonbike.com/en/product...a=saettel#info
It's rather firm, and I feel like I'm just perched on my sit bones with very little pressure anywhere else. I find saddles like this with the lifted "whale tail" rear shape, narrow nose, plus a cutout are a win for me, like I'm floating over the saddle more. I gave up padded shorts, butt cream, etc a while back also - I wear merino boxer briefs and "gravel shorts" (essentially sleeker/shorter MTB shorts so they look OK on the road too). Nothing's very tight, you stay fresh and dry with the merino. Long days in the saddle are no prob.

Clipped_in

FWIW I like the Fizik Antares saddles for all of my bikes.