A bicycle saddle’s shape is usually defined by its width, profile and the rider’s position. In its 3D range, Selle Italia has chosen to change something else: the SLR Boost 3D, Novus Boost Evo 3D and Watt 3D retain the shapes of their established counterparts, but replace conventional padding with a printed lattice surface.
The company says the lattice pattern allows different cushioning zones within one saddle. Rather than acting as a uniformly thick pad, the structure can vary across the surface without redrawing the saddle’s overall silhouette. That design choice makes it possible to compare a familiar model with a different construction.
The range spans several models, and the maker also describes double-layer padding and the Carbon DLS printing process. A rider’s fit still depends on saddle shape and position, however. The lattice expands what designers can do with the structure; it does not remove the need to choose the right size and setup.