The 7 Best Motorcycle Seat Cushions
Updated by · How we research
Air, gel and mesh motorcycle seat pads compared for long rides, passengers and hot weather. The Airhawk Cruiser R Large leads for its linked air cells. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
A seat cushion sits on top of the saddle you already have, so it raises you a little and can't fix a seat with the wrong shape. What it can do is spread your weight and ease sore spots on long days. These picks suit touring riders, passengers, adventure riders and anyone sitting on a seat baked by summer sun.
Editor's Notes
October 23, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Admin:
The Airhawk Cruiser R Large holds on to the top spot because it's still sold, still made in the U.S., and has the longest record of riders putting serious miles on it. Most of the old list was gone, though. The Conformax Topper Excel, Skwoosh Classic, Alaskan Leather Buttpad, Air Seat Innovations Cruiser, Pro Pad Tech Series SuprCruzr, ASI Air Pad, Born Behind Barz Gel and Heran Water Cooling are no longer available, so they're out. The Badass Moto Airflow stays for hot days.
The new picks are the Wild Ass Smart Airgel and the lighter Wild Ass Smart Lite, the Airhawk Dual Sport for narrow seats, the Grand Pitstop Gel Cushion for tight budgets and the SKYJDM Passenger Cushion for whoever rides behind you. Most cheap gel pads are near-copies of one another, so we picked one for the rider and one for the passenger rather than listing five twins.
The evidence here is mostly Airhawk's and Wild Ass's own fit and inflation guidance, Saddlemen's pad sizing, and what riders report after long seasons of use, such as pads that slide, trap heat or split at the seams.
November 26, 2020:
As someone who is currently riding from southern Vietnam to the Chinese border, north of Hanoi, I view this list wishing that I'd had the foresight to purchase a seat cushion for my trusty Honda when I had the opportunity back in Saigon. Long days in the saddle can be extremely unforgiving on the pelvis, inner thighs, and tailbone, and the respite offered by an extra layer of padding can add hours of comfortable riding to your day.
When reviewing our list for this latest update, we opted to include the ASI Air Pad, which is ideal when coupled with the Air Seat Innovations Cruiser to allow both driver and pillion to ride in comfort. These particular models are especially good for improving circulation on long rides, alleviating the dreaded "pins and needles" below the waistline.
The Badass Moto 3D Mesh was our next inclusion, and, while this provides less cushioning than most models, it is not bulky and hugs the lines of your existing seat, while providing significant airflow between the legs. Its rectangular profile makes it ideal for use with long, thin seats, as can be found on many classic models, cafe racers, and off-roaders. This would be the ideal choice for my XR 150 dirt bike, for example.
Lastly, we selected the Heran Water Cooling for our list, as, while it may not be the most aesthetically appealing model, it is both versatile and well recommended in terms of comfort. It has the distinction of being able to be filled with either air or water; the latter adding a cooling element to your rear, while its modular design allows the apparent wind to flow freely between you and your bike.
February 06, 2019:
There are a number of things to consider when shopping for a motorcycle seat cushion. Size is one, and since most options out there are not bike brand or even model specific, you want to make sure whatever you buy has the right shape for your particular saddle. Thickness is another, since not only will that affect your over comfort level, but it may also impair your riding position. After looking at over a dozen options, we found the Airhawk R-REVB to be best for most people, in part because it allows you to adjust the pressure -- and, by extension, its thickness and comfort -- of its inflatable cells.
Special Honors
Saddlemen SaddleGel Comfort Pads Saddlemen, which makes replacement seats, also sells gel pads that strap onto a stock seat. They come in sizes from medium up to extra-extra-large, with a choice of a fleece or a technical fabric cover, and they're sold direct from the maker. saddlemen.com
David Scott Co Motorcycle Gel Seat Pad This U.S.-made viscoelastic gel sheet comes from a company that makes gel positioners for hospitals. It can be trimmed to your seat's shape and used on top of the seat or under the cover, and it comes in two thicknesses. davidscottco.com
Corbin Custom Saddles When a pad can't fix a badly shaped seat, Corbin builds replacement saddles for a long list of bikes at its factory in Hollister, California, and it has been at it since 1968. corbin.com
Air, Gel Or Mesh
Air pads use rows of small cells joined by channels, so air shifts away from the spots that press hardest and spreads your weight out.
Air pads use rows of small cells joined by channels, so air shifts away from the spots that press hardest and spreads your weight out. Wild Ass says air works best on rides of more than about two hours and that its pads add only about a quarter inch of height. Those are the maker's claims, but the idea is the same one used in wheelchair cushions. The catch is inflation: too much air makes the pad hard and wobbly, and too little lets you sink through. Start low, sit on it with your feet up, and add air until you just float off the seat.
Gel pads need no setup. A viscoelastic gel sheet like the David Scott Co motorcycle pad comes in a quarter-inch or half-inch thickness and can be trimmed to fit or slipped under a seat cover. The low-cost honeycomb pads are a soft rubbery gel molded into cells. Gel is heavy, though, and it holds heat after the bike sits in the sun.
Mesh covers, such as the Badass Moto Airflow, are about airflow, not padding. They help a seat that's fine but hot, and they drain when it rains.
Fit, Height And Staying Put
Measure your seat before you buy. Saddlemen sells its gel pads in a range of sizes and suggests comparing its pad sizes with your seat. Wild Ass sizes its pads by the width of the rider's sit bones. A pad that hangs over the edge pushes on your thighs and makes it harder to reach the ground.
Every pad raises you. An air pad adds very little, while thick gel pads add more. Short riders should check that they can still reach the ground with both feet at a stop.
Straps matter as much as padding. Look for a non-skid base and straps that hook under the seat or around the frame. Tuck loose strap ends away from the chain, belt and rear wheel, and recheck them after the first ride, because a pad that shifts under braking is a distraction you don't need.
When A Pad Isn't Enough
A pad is a patch. If your seat slopes you into the tank or is too narrow for your hips, a cushion only adds a layer on top of the wrong shape. A reshaped or replacement seat fixes the cause. Corbin has built motorcycle saddles in Hollister, California, since 1968, and Saddlemen and Sargent make replacement seats for many popular bikes.
Riding habits help too. Stand on the pegs for a few seconds every half hour, shift your weight, and wear padded shorts or seamless underwear on long days. Pain that spreads into your legs or lasts after the ride is worth a doctor's visit, since some makers' health claims for their pads haven't been tested independently.
How we researched this
We compared 24 seat cushions and covers, including all 10 from the old list, read maker pages and fitting guides from Airhawk, Wild Ass, Saddlemen and David Scott, sorted owner feedback for patterns such as sliding, heat and split seams, and checked every brand against U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall records. We found no recent independent comparison of seat pads.
Frequently asked questions
Do motorcycle seat cushions help on long rides?
They can. A good pad spreads your weight and takes pressure off the tailbone and sit bones, which delays the ache that builds after a few hours. It won't fix a seat with the wrong shape; for that, a reshaped or replacement seat is the cure.
Is a gel or an air seat pad better?
Air pads are lighter, adjustable and spread weight well, but you have to set the air right. Gel pads need no setup and cost less, but they're heavier and hold heat in the sun. Many long-distance riders prefer air.
Will a seat cushion make my bike taller?
A little. Wild Ass says its air pads add about a quarter inch, and thick gel pads add more. If you can barely reach the ground now, choose a thin air pad.
How do I keep a seat pad from sliding?
Pick one with a non-skid base and straps that hook under the seat or around the frame. Pull the straps snug, tuck the loose ends away from the chain and wheel, and check them again after the first ride.
Is there a seat cushion for the passenger?
Yes. Small pads made for pillion seats, such as the SKYJDM Passenger Cushion, strap onto the back seat. Measure the passenger seat first, since many are narrow.
