No Chamois, No Problem? Testing the Everve Ezero Saddle System
Time to talk saddles again – after quite a break.
Over the years, I’ve tested quite a few saddles and various “seating systems.” But my curiosity hasn’t faded: What else is out there that could make long hours in the saddle more comfortable?
This time, though, it’s not just about another saddle. I’d call it a complete seating system. The Everve Ezero was designed from the ground up to be ridden without a padded cycling bib. Sounds a bit wild? That was my first reaction too. Which is exactly why I wanted to find out how it performs in the real world.
I first came across Everve pretty early in my cycling journey – I think it was in a video by EnjoyYourBike. But honestly, back then I was so overwhelmed by the flood of cycling gear and tech that the Ezero system quickly slipped off my radar.
Fast forward to about a year ago – it popped back into my mind, together with a thought I had when testing the Specialized Power saddle: that it actually felt better without a padded bib. Strange, but true.
One thing led to another, and I reached out to Everve. When I realized they’re based in Albstadt – right in the heart of the Swabian region I grew up in – I even felt a little local pride.
Everve is a small German team that puts a lot of craftsmanship, thought, and care into the topic of saddle comfort. Instead of offering standard solutions, they approach saddle and bib as a system – developed together, not separately.
More than the sum of its parts: What the Ezero system is all about
Before we dive deeper, let’s quickly look at the “why” behind the Ezero concept. I know what some of you are thinking: Wait – no chamois? Isn’t that going to be super uncomfortable?
Here’s a little mental exercise: when you think about comfort in the saddle, it’s never just one part that matters. It’s always the combination – the interplay between a few key components. First and foremost: bike fit. If your fit is off, no saddle or bib in the world will make things right. Hopefully, that’s common knowledge by now.
But once your setup is dialed in – what’s left?
It really comes down to three things: the seatpost, the saddle, and the bib shorts. Together, they’re the comfort triangle. Get it right, and you’re golden. Get one part wrong, and you’ll feel it.
When you take a closer look at most saddle models, you’ll notice: there are usually different widths, sometimes a choice of length – but almost never any reference to rider weight. Which is strange, because it’s obvious that a 65 kg rider has very different needs from someone weighing 95 kg. Most of the time, this is compensated for with the bib padding – but even there, the options are limited.
Padded bibs are far from perfect. Sure, they come in different sizes, but the padding itself usually stays the same – whether you wear XS or XL. And let’s be honest: not everyone has the “ideal” cycling body type. Sometimes, you need to size up just to get the fit right – and suddenly the pad is no longer where it should be. I speak from experience here.
And let’s not forget: that pad isn’t actually attached to your body. It can shift, fold, or move around – and that directly affects your comfort.
That’s exactly the problem Everve set out to solve. Simply put: they’ve moved the padding from the shorts into the saddle. Which means one major issue – the dreaded shifting chamois – is eliminated right away.
The saddle itself – and how sizing works
Unlike brands like SQlab that focus primarily on sit bone width, Everve takes a different approach. Your saddle choice is based on:
your body weight,
whether you ride road or MTB, and
a short assessment of your riding position (more upright or more aggressive).
From there, you’ll be matched with one of four variants (S1 to S4). These differ not just in width (from 132 mm to 156 mm), but also in padding setup and shell stiffness. The goal? To make sure every rider gets a saddle tailored to their weight and riding style.
Specs (as of April 13, 2025 – via Everve online shop)
(Note: The saddle was provided to me free of charge upon request.)
Price: €200 for the saddle, €310 in a bundle with the non-padded bib shorts
Weight: approx. 180 g in size S4 (156 mm width)
Rails: carbon, slightly oval (7x9 mm)
Length: approx. 268 mm
Variants: S1–S4 (width, padding setup, shell stiffness)
Feature: modular shell system that can be swapped out for different stiffness levels
So, how does it actually ride?
Last year, I had another bike fitting done because I wanted to dial in a sportier position on my gravel bike. Perfect chance (and yes, I recommend this to anyone) to test the saddle with proper fit.
My very first impression was visual: 156 mm width. That’s significantly wider than my SQlab 614 and also wider than the Gilles Berthoud leather saddle I had tested previously. I’ll admit – I was a bit worried the Ezero might be too wide for me. More on that in a moment.
First ride impression? Pretty uneventful – which, for a saddle, is usually a good thing.
Compared to the SQlab, which puts a very focused load on your sit bones, the Ezero spreads the pressure over a much broader surface. That’s why the saddle gets wider as your weight goes up: more surface area, better pressure distribution – at least in theory.
And yes – that also means more contact between you and the saddle. For some, that might trigger alarm bells, because more contact area can sometimes mean more pressure on soft tissue. But that’s not what I experienced here.
Right from the first pedal stroke, I found the Ezero comfortable – no sliding around, no hunting for the right spot.
And out in the real world – commuting, gravel rides, mixed surfaces?
Very, very good.
It took a little getting used to at first – simply because it feels different than what most people are used to. But whether I wore the Ezero bibs or just jeans, the comfort was surprisingly consistent. That alone was a game-changer for my daily rides to work.
My SQlab 614 is great with the right padded bibs – but without them, the focused pressure on the sit bones can be harsh. The Ezero doesn’t seem to care what you’re wearing – it just works. And that’s a big win for anyone who uses their bike for everyday riding, not just big weekend outings.
A quick word on the bib shorts
The shorts are available in two versions: the Ezero version (no padding) and the Tech version (with padding). Both come in "Low" and "High" cuts. I’ve been riding the High Ezero version – and I’m really impressed.
The high waistband provides support without digging in – even if you’re not rocking a six-pack. The fit is discreet enough for quick breaks, and the straps are light, breathable, and stay in place even on longer rides.
Let me say it clearly: these are the best bib shorts I’ve ever worn. They fit exceptionally well, are thoughtfully designed, and leave nothing to be desired.
I spent the first few weeks riding exclusively in the non-padded version – and yes, the system does work. On some longer gravel rides, I had a bit of an adaptation phase, let’s say – not quite discomfort, but my sit area definitely needed to get used to the change. After a few rides, though, that went away completely.
So why did I get the Tech version with padding as well?
Simple: I wanted to see whether the comfort level would improve even more – and whether the Ezero saddle works with padded bibs at all.
Spoiler: It does. Absolutely.
Did I ever miss the padding in the Ezero version? Not really. But since both shorts fit so well, having both options is definitely not a bad thing.
If I were to go on a longer bikepacking trip tomorrow, I’d take both versions – but would mostly ride in the non-padded Ezero bibs.
Comfort with caveats? Where the system still has room to grow
So far, this review might sound like one big love letter – but is the system truly flawless? Not quite. There are a few things worth noting that might not work for everyone.
Let’s start with the saddle itself: I got along with the shape very well, and I think many people will. But as every cyclist knows – everyone’s anatomy is different. What works for me might not for you.
Luckily, Everve offers a 30-day trial period, so you can test the system and return it if it doesn’t work for you. That’s a definite plus.
That said, the way the sizing is linked to rider weight could be limiting in some edge cases. If someone has a relatively low sit bone width but is on the heavier side, the resulting saddle might simply be too wide.
For me, the recommended S4 worked well – but I suspect S3 might have been a tiny bit better. My thighs don’t rub, but on long rides I occasionally feel myself sliding forward a bit. Nothing major – but something to note.
Another minor drawback: as of now, the saddle only comes with carbon rails (7x9 mm). They’re lightweight and stiff – but not compatible with all seatposts. If your post only accepts round rails, you might not be able to mount it. A titanium rail version with standard round rails would be a great future option.
One downside to the shorts: airflow
There’s only one real drawback I’ve noticed with the bibs – and that’s airflow around the rear.
When riding in warmer weather and sweating a lot, the seating area gets damp – just like with any shorts. With padded bibs, that can feel like sitting in a soggy diaper. That’s not the case here – but since there’s no pad to buffer things, you’ll feel the breeze more clearly.
In summer, that’s actually refreshing. But in spring or autumn, it can feel a bit drafty back there.
Comfort and sustainability? Yes, please
One of the things I appreciate most about Everve is their focus on sustainable, regional manufacturing.
The bibs are made in Albstadt, the saddle is manufactured primarily in Germany and assembled in Italy. Materials are sourced from Germany, France, and Italy – high-quality, durable, and chosen with care.
Even the packaging avoids plastic completely – it arrives in simple paper and cardboard. Thoughtful, minimal, and just right.
If sustainability and short supply chains matter to you, Everve ticks a lot of boxes.
Adjustability, service & support
One more thing that stood out: the system isn’t static. The saddle shell can be swapped – so if your weight, riding position, or needs change over time, you can adjust stiffness and padding accordingly. That’s also handy if you’re sharing the bike with someone else.
Everve also offers a crash replacement program: if your saddle or bibs get damaged in a crash, you can get them repaired or replaced at a discount. That’s fair. My own experience with customer support was great: quick, friendly, and no fuss.
Final verdict
The Everve system is different – and that’s what makes it exciting. For anyone open to breaking out of traditional cycling norms, it offers a clever alternative to the typical saddle-chamois setup.
It’s comfortable, practical for daily use, and clearly not just a gimmick. Instead, it feels like a well-thought-out system that actually solves problems.
Is it for everyone? Probably not. The fit has to be right, and you have to be willing to try a no-chamois bib. But if that clicks for you, the payoff is huge – not just in terms of comfort, but also in simplicity and sustainability.
I’ll keep riding the saddle – and definitely the bibs. And since it impressed me so much, I’ll likely get another one for my road bike soon.
That probably says it all.
And for those who made it all the way to the end: rumor has it Everve has something new in the works for Easter. Let’s just say... it’s worth keeping an eye out.
