Ride further. Feel better.

Slim & firm: Just 4–8 mm thick for optimal support without bulk

Unisex design: One shape fits all – built around pressure relief, not gender

Advanced foam tech: High breathability and comfort in a compact form

Shear Force protection: TPE gel layer reduces friction and skin irritation

The SQ-Pads are designed with a slim profile, ranging from just 4 to 8 mm in thickness, offering a firm, high-quality feel. While many pads on the market opt for thick, soft cushioning, SQlab focuses on a minimalist, performance-driven approach. This ensures that the pads provide excellent support without unnecessary bulk. On long rides, SQ-Pads maintain their shape, unlike thicker, softer pads that can compress and shift uncomfortably during pedaling. SQlab’s design eliminates the common issue of pads pushing inward, offering consistent comfort and stability, ride after ride. Thanks to the thin yet highly effective damping layer, our firm, slim design ensures a more efficient and comfortable ride—without compromising on performance.

Using pressure mapping technology and thousands of test kilometers, SQlab pads have been proven to reduce peak pressure, friction, and unwanted movement.
The result: better blood flow, more stability, and more comfort – even on long rides.

Overly soft saddles and pads cause the ischial bones to sink, increasing pressure on sensitive areas like the perineum for men and the pelvic region for women. SQlab’s firm, ergonomic pads provide proper support, improving blood flow and reducing friction. The result? The pad is equally suitable for men and women, as the requirements for pressure relief are similar, and the pelvic structure is nearly identical.

High quality foams with superior cushioning properties typically have a higher density, which results in reduced breathability. This is why many traditional pads are either bulky or soft but lack the ability to properly regulate temperature and moisture. Thanks to a patented process, we have been able to break up the structure of these dense foams, achieving a unique combination of high breathability compared to conventional pads – while maintaining exceptional damping properties. This innovation allows for a thinner, firmer pad without comfort performance.

Saddle pain is often caused by shear forces from subtle pelvic movement during pedaling, leading to discomfort and skin irritation. Shear forces occur wherever skin layers shift against each other, leading to micro tears within the tissue. The new SQ-Pads 10, 11 and 14 feature a thin layer of orthopedic TPE gel that effectively absorbs these forces, minimizing friction and reducing the risk of chafing.

The graphic shows how SQlab’s orthopedic TPE gel responds to shear forces. Center: At rest – the gel remains stable. Left & right: Under pedaling motion – the gel deforms in opposing directions to absorb shear, reducing skin irritation and discomfort.

At SQlab, we rely on precise pressure mapping to optimize comfort and performance. A pressure-sensitive film with over 100 sensors is placed on the saddle. When the rider sits, the sensors measure the pressure distribution and transmit the data wirelessly to a computer. Measurements can be taken either statically in the lab on a trainer or dynamically during a ride. The pressure distribution is displayed in a color-coded format:

Blue: Low pressure
Turquoise to red: Increasing pressure

Pressure Mapping
The displayed pressure mapping images compare measurements taken on a saddle without padding to those taken with the respective SQ-Pad. The images clearly demonstrate how the pads effectively reduce pressure while perfectly adapting to the riding position specific to each riding position.

SQlab Study (2017)
The SQ-Pad 12 reduces vertical force by 26.97 % compared to the saddle shell. In contrast, traditional pads reduce vertical force by only 1 % to 5 %.