04 February 2025
Described as the Oscars of the bike and outdoor Industries, the Design & Innovation Award highlights new products that bring real-world benefits to cyclists. They are the only awards that test “all the submitted products in real-world scenarios, while also assessing them from every angle to reach critical statements. Over a two-week period, the independent Award Team evaluates all the entries, putting them through their paces before passing final judgement.”
“The Award Team is made up of thirty international professionals, including journalists, test riders, and engineers – all of whom are recognized as renowned experts in their fields,” the Design & Innovation Award self-describes. “The extensive competence of the team and the full spectrum of bicycle categories help to assess products in a broader context and identify new trends at an early stage.”
“PRO submitted the new PRO Stealth 3D Team Saddle to the Design & Innovation Awards for testing last year, and we are honored to receive high praise and the award of ‘Winner Category Road’ in their 2026 new product listing,” PRO’s Marketing Manager, Niek Verbakel, said. “The award reflects the thousands of hours of product development, testing, and refinement that PRO’s Saddle Design Project Lead, Anton Peeters, and his team put into the creation of the PRO Stealth 3D Saddles. Feedback from our test riders and testing by my colleagues and myself, all of whom are enthusiastic riders, had already suggested that we had created an exceptionally comfortable saddle, but to receive confirmation from an industry-leading testing body is a really nice confirmation.”
The Design & Innovation Awards judgment on the PRO Stealth 3D reads as follows: “Saddle discomfort or a performance-driven riding position? Not a problem. Whether you're an aggressive racer, a long-distance rider or someone struggling with saddle issues, the PRO Stealth 3D offers a genuine boost in comfort without sacrificing performance. Built on the proven Stealth platform, the saddle combines pressure mapping data and bike fitting feedback in a zoned 3D-printed padding structure. A denser front section provides stability and relief when you're tucked in an aero position, while the midsection uses a slightly softer zone to evenly distribute pressure across your sit bones.
At the rear, an open honeycomb structure saves weight and dampens vibrations. The wide central relief channel and integrated mounting points for optional accessories add a touch of practicality. The matte, racy Stealth design highlights its performance focus while still being suitable for everyday use. The jury praised the PRO Stealth 3D for blending cutting-edge 3D-printing technology and precise pressure mapping into a well-rounded saddle with a contemporary stealth aesthetic.”
To find out more about the Design & Innovation Award, cycling fans can visit www.design-innovation-award.com, where the full list of the 2026 award winners is also available.