Understanding that saddles are a personal thing, I know how much I move backwards and forwards when riding so length I can guesstimate.
However, how exactly would you measure at home to get the width that fits your rear end fairly accurately if the LBSs might not be able to provide this service?
Whilst looking on shopping websites where I am i can see a lot of saddles' descriptions are listing both length and width measurements so that'll be helpful once I get a width.
On the topic of comfort (although seems a bit "Victorian", I found this:
Sit on a bit of tinfoil on a something soft so it can conform to you arse. I believe carpet works well but if you have a memory foam mattress that might work also.
Measure the lowest points. It's your sit bones you are trying to measure I believe.
Sit on a bit of cardboard and then measure between the indents of your sit bones.
I think I did something with a sheet of tinfoil on the stairs, sit on it then get up carefully and you'll seen indentations for you sit bones. You can then measure between them. I was sceptical bit it worked well.
Method described here
https://team.bikeparts.com/2021/01/25/measuring-your-sit-bones/
WTB web site has a calculator that works it out for you, I've used it and it is more or less in the right ball park. I was finding 142mm to marrow turns out i need a 150mm but i have a couple of Charge Spoons in 145mm and they feel ok.
Specialized site also has clear instructions. Oddly though I got different measurements DIY then the in store specialized measuring tool.
I taped a couple of bits of corrugated cardboard together (to make a thicker piece) and then sat on it.
I tried to replicate an approximate 'on the bike' sitting position, so perched the cardboard on the edge of a coffee table and sat on that. It seemed to work OK.
You need to check how the different manufacturer's measure up their saddles - I think most just use the sit bone width, but there was one I looked at (can't remember the specific brand now) where you took the sit bone measurement & then added a quantity to it, to get your size. Seemed an odd way to do it.
@nixie not sure I trust those Specialized machines, or maybe the operators. OH and myself went to a Concept store to get measured up and buy new saddles. She went first then me. I was surprised to find that I was the same size as her as I have a very narrow scrawny arse and she's...ahem, a woman. Anyway we bought saddles in said sizes and while she was happy with hers mine never felt right. I did the cardboard measuring thing and found I was much narrower than I had been told so bought a new saddle based on that and it felt right straight away. Maybe the guy in the shop forgot to reset the machine between measuring us both?
I went to local LBS. https://www.rootscycles.co.uk/
They both looked at bike set up/saddle position/rider on bike and measured my butt on thier machine.
New saddle for mrs_oab which she much prefers, second one on way for MTB.
New saddle for me plus lower bars and saddle forward a touch.
My learning was that saddle comfort can also be about bike fit as much as butt shape.
Don't follow Matt's advice.
Did you not buy a bike last time you measured your arse Matt?
Oooft, it was tempting.
Lbs on payday was costly... 🚴♂️🤘👌😂
Well, the WTB website linked above is telling me I need a 120mm wide, medium padded saddle for my body and riding style.
I think the wrist measurement thing messed with stuff. I have skinny wrists. Here goes nothing!
This worked for me.