I'd like to get some opinions and recommendations for a nice, comfortable saddle that won't add too much bulk or weight to my Trek Dual Sport. I already wear padded shorts (cheapies from Amazon), but after a decent amount of time on the bike I start to notice. The stock seat that came with the bike is OK-ish, but I'd like to upgrade. So whatcha got?

Thanks
Mike

Between me, my wife, a good friend and his wife and several others I ride with, I don't think there is a duplicate saddle among all of us. It's trial and error. Most of us have a few saddles hanging around that we tried, and that didn't work. Some bike shops may have loaner saddles for trying out, which could provide at least an idea of what might work. Best of luck to ya-hope you don't end up with as many laying around as I do.

I use a Serfas saddle that I bought at my local bike shop. They have many varieties for different bike configurations. I have no idea if they will work for you but I have found them to be very comfortable at a reasonable price.

Make sure your saddle is properly adjusted for you. You need to make sure it is set fore and aft, within 3 degrees of 90 depending on what you need and the height is set correctly. Beyond that avoid thickly padded and really soft saddles. Stick with a saddle that gives you good support and is the correct width for your sit bones and riding style. Do not buy into gimmicky saddles that use RX (nothing medical about thick soft padding that doesn't support your sit bones or are nose-less (the nose helps you steer the bike and keeps you from falling off). In terms of what saddle to buy if you need to I would try a bunch of saddles, you butt will be different from everyone else and I can say my butt like Ergon and Brooks Cambium saddles generally but you probably have a different butt and different needs.

Have you tried selling them? Every "nope" saddle for you is someone else's "perfect!" saddle.

Saddle comfort is primary. I have this Serfas Rx one on two hybrid bikes now. I got the first on Amazon in 2018, and the second on eBay last year. I'm 6'1", 185#, and quite fit. This Rx model is slimmer and lighter -and drops the Rx labeling- than the other Rxs. (I've also had a broader -maybe-original Serfas Rx- model on my ebike since 2013, but there's nothing "thick and soft" about that one either.). Anyway, Serfas saddles are well-built and reasonably-priced. This "Race Ready" model used to be called the "Road/MTB Performance Race" model, FYI/FWIW:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00REX7WSE...d_asin_title_1

Good luck finding a good fit!
Oh, and my first Performance Rx is installed on my 2013 Trek 8.5 DS!

I find the Brooks B17 Special works very nicely on the 3 different bikes I have.

I’ve tried others but always go back to this one, your mileage will vary.

I’m a fan of Selle Anatomica R series and used one on my long ride flatbar and drop bar bikes.

Haven't tried one personally, but a good friend who rides a hybrid recently told me his LBS recommended a Selle Royal Respiro-Moderate and that it was the most comfortable he'd ever ridden and would buy another if anything happened to it. Of course, one person's comfortable saddle is another person's *ss hatchet, as the saying goes.

Make sure your saddle is properly adjusted for you. You need to make sure it is set fore and aft, within 3 degrees of 90 depending on what you need and the height is set correctly. Do not just buy a saddle. I have a vested interest in making money (not here though) and I am telling people not to buy stuff for a very good reason. This is a problem that simple adjustments can fix for many people but they don't always think about it or do it and it can make a huge difference.

Some people are shoe snobs. They only go to AllenEdmonds.com or wherever and pay $$ for a pair made in their exact length and width on the exact last that fits them best. Some people aren't like that. Same thing with saddles. You need to discern if you are a saddle snob and, if so, what your requirements are.

As has been said many times before, you have to find your own saddle. Nobody can tell you what saddle to use.
For me, after using saddles around 6" wide for years, I recently mounted a 8" generously padded saddle, and I love it. Ask me about it in a couple months.

You should consider the "Charge Bikes Spoon Saddle". Find it on amazon...