For fans of PRO’s classic short-fit Stealth saddles, there’s a new Stealth 3D in town, swapping in 3D-printed padding for more dialed-in comfort. Everything else that you loved about the versatile snub-nosed saddle for almost a decade is still there – in two widths and two pricing levels – just now with a unique, mostly closed 3D-printed EPU padding top that promises optimized support and more comfort across all riding positions. I’ve just bolted a 142 carbon-railed version onto my road bike for some winter riding. And while it’s a few grams heavier than Pro’s lightest saddles, it’s undeniably more comfortable.
PRO Stealth 3D saddle gets 3D-printed padding
The Stealth has long been PRO’s saddle line aimed at performance cycling and an aero position on the bike. That started with a road focus back in 2016, but eventually grew to include fast gravel and mountain bike riders, too. Now Pro promises “sustained comfort for the toughest rides” by leveraging the ability of 3D-printed padding to optimize support across different sections of the saddle for both forward-leaning aggressive and more upright relaxed positions on the bike.
Taking the same proven Stealth shape, now 3 ‘Mesh Zones’ each get their own density (with the same ~11mm padding thickness) to balance support, comfort, and pressure relief in all riding positions. And then, a mostly closed, dimpled top delivers an almost-conventional saddle aesthetic, while still showing off the 3D-printed padding structure that makes it all work.
“The high-density padding on the nose of the saddle offers the maximum support for the rider’s sit bones as they tilt forward into an aggressive position. The lower-density middle dissipates the rider’s weight across a larger area of the saddle when riding in a more upright position, and in so doing reduces the risk of developing hot spots from focused contact points on the saddle. The low-density rear reduces the overall weight of the saddle, as riders do not usually make contact with the rear of the saddle while pedaling.”
Pro calls this their “most comfortable Stealth Saddle to date“, a fact that lines up with my first riding impressions out on our frozen local gravel, dirt, and paved roads.
First Rides Review
I already ride a few different Pro Stealth saddles, from road to gravel to even my cargo bike. The short-nose saddle with a large central cutout was already quite versatile – comfortable and supportive whether leaned forward deep in the drops, or sitting upright on the tops or even a flat bar. I generally preferred the firm original or the Stealth Curved variant for smoother dropbar riding. And I like the thicker-padded Offroad for a more upright riding position over bumpier terrain.
Now, I think the PRO Stealth 3D is probably a better choice for both.
Yes, it is 50g heavier than my same-size carbon-railed Stealth Curved Team, and even 12g heavier than my stainless-railed Stealth Offroad Performance. But, while both of those saddles use one padding density of varying thickness over their entire tops, this one really benefits from the 3 different support zones afforded by the 3D-printed padding.
So far, I’ve only got in a few longer rides on the new saddle since the middle of last month. But the comfort boost is great, without ever feeling like you are sitting on a squishy saddle.
An added benefit is that Pro seems to overestimate how much their padded saddles weigh. At a real 215g for my 142mm wide carbon-railed Team saddle, that’s 4% lighter than their claim. (My Offroad is 8% lighter than claimed.) The PRO Stealth 3D saddles are not ultralight. But they do really deliver on comfort in all riding positions.
Tech details
- 3D-printed EPU (elastic polyurethane) padding
- 3D hexagonal grid claims to damp road buzz vibrations to reduce rider fatigue
- 3 distinct padding zones, optimized using extensive cyclist pressure mapping data.
Firmest along the nose, medium support under the sit bones, low density along the rear. - large central pressure-relief cutout
- carbon-reinforced injection-molded nylon shell with 2-bolt small accessory mount (like cameras, lights, small bags)
- available with carbon (Team) or tubular stainless steel (Performance) rails
- available in two widths: 142mm or 152mm
PRO Stealth 3D saddle – Pricing, options & availability
The new PRO Stealth 3D comes in two pricing levels that share the same carbon-reinforced nylon shell – Team & Performance – and two width options for each – 142 & 152mm. The top-tier Team saddles sell for 320€ and feature 7x9mm full carbon rails, at claimed weights from 224g. While the slightly more affordable Performance saddles retail for 270€ with 7mm tubular stainless steel rails, from 260g. All four options are available now wherever PRO components are sold, most often through all Shimano distributors. Check out your local bike shop to get one now.
