Best Gel Bike Seat Cover

As an avid biker, I understand the importance of a comfortable bike seat. That’s why I tested six different gel bike seat covers to find the best of the best and the  Zacro Gel Bike Seat Cover was undoubtedly the champion.

Having ridden several different types of bikes and tried many seat covers, it’s safe to say I’ve had my fair share of good and bad products. Be it on the way out or the road back home, a bad gel seat can make or break your experience, mostly afterward, if you know what I mean.

Even though I loved the Zacro cover because it’s made from some seriously high-quality materials and It was super easy to attach to my bike, which is a plus if you’re not so handy (like me!)I understand for every person there are different features they look for.

While I feel pretty confident that you’ll love this seat cover, I also encourage you to continue reading to see some other gel seats that will be sure to create a more comfortable adventure.

Gel Bike Seat Covers Mini-Reviews

1. Zacro Gel Bike Seat Cover – Best Overall
2. KT-Sports Gel Bike Seat Cover – Best for Long Distance
3. Domain Cycling Premium Gel Seat Cover – Best for Spin
4. SuperSo Gel Seat Cover – Best for Mountain Bikes
5. Fitivate Bike Seat Cover – Best for Versatile Use
6. Bikeroo Large Bike Seat Cover – Best for Wide Seats

Every product has its pros and cons, but you can’t always be sure of what you’re getting without trying it for yourself. That’s why I went ahead and did that work for you.

Check out these mini-reviews for some more info on my favorite choices. 

Zacro Gel Bike Seat Cover – Best Overall

The Zacro gel bike seat cover is a favorite among customers, and it’s easy to see why. Not only does this cover look good, but it feels great. 

The seat sports extra-soft gel material for the ultimate cushioning during short and long rides alike. It offers excellent support for your glutes and helps to alleviate back pain by providing shock absorption and overall comfort. 

It’s super easy to use as well. The coverslips easily over your seat and secure tightly with a drawstring. Plus, the system features tie straps so you can more securely pin the cover into place. 

We love that extra step because it keeps you from readjusting your drawstring every time you ride. 

In this package, customers also receive a water and dust-resistant cover that protects your seat when you’re not using it. 

You can get this seat in five different colors to match your style. However, I prefer black because the other colors tend to run after some time. 

This cover works best for narrow seats – not wide seats. 

KT-Sports Gel Bike Seat Cover – Best for Long Distance

The KY-Sports gel bike seat cover is an excellent multi-purpose cover that’s perfect for long-distance riders. 

It works for narrow seats of both outdoor and indoor cycling – including stationary bikes for spin class. 

Made with silicone gel padding, the KT-Sports cover was built for comfort. The gel inserts are thick, ensuring your ride is entirely painless. You can truly feel and appreciate the impressive padding in this product as it relieves pressure from your seat. 

What I loved about this cover is that the inside features an anti-slip material. Installation requires just the use of a drawstring, but the seat ultimately stays in place because of the grips on the inside. 

The sleek, black design will go with any style and match any bike, leaving you with one less feature to worry about. 

Domain Cycling Premium Gel Seat Cover – Best for Spin

I truly believe the Domain Cycling premium gel seat cover is the perfect choice for those who participate in regular spin classes. 

When it comes to spin classes, many people think they don’t have a choice about the seat of the bike they use. After all, it’s not their equipment so they can’t change it. 

But the Domain Cycling cover is so compact, easy to use, and affordable that spinners can simply bring it to class with them to cover their bike seats. All they have to do is toss it on and pull the drawstring tight, then take it off when the class is over.

This cover features thick yet soft gel as opposed to hard foam. There are no awkward lumps or crevices – just a cushioned, flat surface. 

It’s ideal for short rides, quick classes, or recreational biking. While I recommend it most for a spin, it also works perfectly on outdoor bikes with narrow seats. The outer material is stretchy Lycra, which pulls easily over seats to fit their form. 

Plus, it comes in a wide range of colors. You can choose one that matches your style. I tried one out in my spin class and several people asked me about it afterward. It’s a great way to keep up with your fitness while maintaining comfort and support. 

SuperSo Gel Seat Cover – Best for Mountain Bikes

This highly versatile, extra comfortable gel bike seat is the ideal cover for mountain bikers. It contains thick, hefty gel padding that’s designed to effectively absorb shock. And trust me, when you’re riding over large rocks and bumpy roads, you want good shock absorption. 

This same padding also provides comfort and support. The seat contours to your curves, making it feel like it was designed just for you. 

One thing, in particular, I love about this bike seat is the deep groove down the middle. Not only does this groove facilitate two separate pads on either side to accommodate the shape of the glutes, but it also allows for more airflow. 

The airflow prevents your seat from getting too sweaty and damp, thus extending its life and keeping you cool and dry. 

This seat cover works well with narrow-to-medium bike seats. It’s easy to use and features a standard drawstring closure. It also has robust grips on the inside that prevent it from slipping around – another important factor for mountain bikers. 

Fitivate Bike Seat Cover – Best for Versatile Use (Peloton)

If you’re looking for a bike seat cover that can go from casual biking to stationary biking and back in one seamless motion, then look no further than the Fitivate bike seat cover.

This gel cover is different from the others on our list mainly due to its closure. Rather than using a standard drawstring to tighten onto a seat, this cover has velcro straps that make it super easy to put on and take off.

The velcro design also allows this seat to be much more breathable. The bottom is open and hollow, while the upper fabric is breathable. While you’re riding, air can flow through, keeping you dry and cool the whole time. 

The gel padding is shock-absorbing, thick, and supportive. It’s soft and comfortable, whether you’re biking outdoors or riding your stationary bike inside. Specially engineered to reduce pain and soreness, this seat definitely ranks high in the industry. 

It also comes with a cool black and red design, which is always a plus. 

Bikeroo Large Bike Seat Cover – Best for Wide Seats

Tons of bikers use narrow seats, so it’s easy for them to find their ideal cover. But what about those of us who are perhaps a tad more gifted in the glute area and prefer a wider seat? Let me tell you – Bikeroo is the answer.

The Bikeroo large bike seat cover is ideal for wider seat types, including wide saddle, senior saddles, cruiser saddles, and oversized saddles. It fits easily over these bigger seats and secures firmly with both a drawstring and fastener straps. 

The seat, which comes in four fun colors, is filled with super thick gel padding. This padding provides comfort and support while relieving pressure using its pressure relief channel. 

It’s built for both indoor and outdoor use, so you can use it on your traditional bike or attach it to a stationary bike. The package comes complete with a carrying bag and a cover to protect your seat wherever you go. 

Plus, this seat has another one of my favorite features: an anti-slip interior surface. There’s nothing worse than your seat sliding around during a bike ride or a good cycle session, so this detail is important. 

Gel Bike Seat Buying Guide

It’s always great to learn about new products, but all of that information can seem like a blur when you don’t know what you’re looking for. 

My buying guide below will help steer you through the buying process. We’ll take a look at some essential features and uses of gel bike seats. 

What is a Gel Bike Seat Cover?

A gel bike seat cover is a specific type of cover that slips over the existing seat of your bike to make it more comfortable and supportive. 

There are many different kinds of seat covers on the market today. Some are simply made of fabric and do nothing but protect your seat from damage. 

The biggest debate in the bike seat cover industry is gel vs. memory foam. 

A gel seat cover typically contains one or two bladders filled with elastic gel. These types of covers are popular because they’re super soft and flexible. They mold quickly and easily to fit your body’s curves. 

On the other hand, memory foam covers are available in varying degrees of softness, much like a memory foam mattress. Memory foam also forms in the body, but it’s not quite as soft as a gel. 

However, it provides a ton of support, which makes it good for long-distance rides.

Generally, gel set covers are best for casual riders. 

Materials 

Bike seats use a wide range of materials in general, but two of the best and most common materials are Lycra and Spandex. They’re great for biking because they’re both durable, strong, and resilient. 

They’re also lightweight and easy to clean, both of which are important things to consider. 

As for the gel, most covers use silica gel. 

Size

Since most bike seat covers are adjustable or stretchy, you shouldn’t have to worry about the size too much. 

However, having too much or not enough padding for your seat cover can result in some uncomfortable rides, so it’s a good idea to keep that in mind when you’re buying one. 

If you have a narrow seat, opt for a narrow cover to match. Likewise, try to find a cover for a wider seat. You may be able to get the wrong size to stay in place, but you could be left with padding that hangs over the edge or awkward bumps in places you don’t want them. 

Installation 

Installation for most seat covers is super easy, so again, this isn’t something you should have to worry about. 

Most seat covers use a simple drawstring to secure them into place. You pull the cover over your seat and tighten the drawstring to ensure it doesn’t move around. 

Some covers will use velcro straps that secure at the bottom of the seat. These are equally as easy to maneuver – it just comes down to preference. 

Types of Riding

When you’re deciding which seat cover is best for you, it’s always a good idea to consider the types of bike riding that you do. Various kinds of biking can call for different equipment, levels of support, and need for comfort.

Casual/Recreational 

Many of us simply like to ride a bike because it’s fun. While some people prefer walks in the park, others like to glide through on a sunny day riding their bicycle. 

This kind of riding is most commonly referred to as recreational biking. It’s usually made up of short, slow rides that let you enjoy the view and stop to smell the roses. 

For this type of biking, it’s typically not necessary to cash in a ton of money for a high-class, athletic seat. A short-nose, widespread seat with some comfortable padding will do the trick. 

Long-Distance Touring

Whether you’re participating in long races or enjoy long-distance rides by yourself, road cycling and touring tend to require a bit of a seat upgrade. 

It’s critical for touring seat covers to have ample cushioning to support the bones under your glutes for those long rides. These seats usually have long, slender noses, so you’ll likely need to find a specific shape for your cover as well. 

Commuting 

Commuting on your bike falls somewhere between casual biking and long-distance touring. While you’re not competing, you’re still riding your bike to work every day, so you want to make sure your bike has sufficient padding.

Additionally, since your commute is outdoors, you may be a little more concerned with the particular materials used on your seat cover. Be sure to get a material that is weather and fade-resistant. 

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is the toughest sector of the biking world. Touring may have you sitting for a long time, but the hills, bumps, and jumps that come with mountain biking can leave you feeling sore and bruised.

Your best bet here is to go all out with the most padded, stuffed seat you can find. The last thing you want is to come down on something hard after cycling down a cliff. 

FAQs

If you’re like me, you were new to the world of bike seat covers until now. The information above is certainly helpful, but it’s normal to still have a few questions. Check out the FAQs below to see if you can find some more answers there. 

How do I clean my gel seat cover?

Cleaning your bike seat cover is important for avoiding nasty smells and unwanted bacteria growth. After all, your cover sees a lot of sweat and grime. 

Luckily, you can easily accomplish this with just some dish soap, warm water, and a soft cloth. 

After filling a bucket with warm water and dish soap, remove your seat cover from your bike.

Soak the entire cover in the bucket of soapy water for 10 to 15 minutes. 

Remove the cover from the water and gently scrub it using the soft cloth to remove any excess dirt, grime, or stains. 

Rinse the cover with clean water and use a clean, soft towel to dry it. You can then leave it to sit out overnight to air dry. Make sure it’s completely dry before you reattach it to your bike to avoid trapping moisture.

As an additional tip, consider washing your bike seat as well while you have the cover off. Dust and dirt can get trapped under the seat, so now is a great time to take care of that. You can also remove any moisture that may have gotten caught as well to avoid bacteria and mildew. 

Will my seat cover stay in place?

As you’re deciding what seat cover to choose for your bike, keep in mind that they are designed to cover your seat. That being said, it’s safe to say that many of them will most certainly stay in place while you’re using them. 

That doesn’t mean none of them will slip, though.

If you’re concerned about this happening, check out seat covers that have an anti-slip material on the inside. A few of the covers mentioned above do have this material, which is great for keeping your seat in place.

Other seats have additional fixtures that allow you to attach your seat more securely, like straps and velcro. The more of these features your seat has, the better it will stay in place. 

How do I keep my thighs from chafing on my cover?

The constant rubbing of your inner thighs in the edges of your seat cover can be a real pain (literally), but there are a couple of tried and true methods to eliminate that chafing. 

Many bikers like to use chamois cream or shammy cream as it’s affectionately called. You use the cream by spreading a very small amount of it onto the padding of your seat. It’s been proven to minimize the amount of friction that builds up between the seat and your thighs.

Additionally, tons of bikers invest in high-quality biker shorts. Biker shorts have been used for decades, but they’ve recently skyrocketed in popularity in the athleisure fashion world.

Bike shorts are long compression shorts. They’re fitted so they won’t get caught in your bike, but not so tight that they cut off circulation. The fabric provides a nice barrier between your legs and the seat cover. 

Final Thoughts

The Zacro Gel Bike Seat Cover is my favorite choice. After trying this cover, I don’t think I’ll ever go back. It meets all the criteria: comfortable, affordable, and easy to install. 

Of course, the word comfort means something different from one person to another, so it’s important to keep in mind that all of the products we talked about today are high-quality and worth trying. 

That being said, take a close look at these reviews and decide which bike seat cover is best for you and your riding habits. You can find all of them on Amazon for easy purchasing. 

You can also go through our article on best bike seat for overweight people.