The Bikepacking Tire Guide: Best Gravel & Mountain Tires
We asked and you answered! After polling our followers on their favorite bikepacking tires, we were amazed by the variety and passion in responses. We've distilled your faves into this essential guide focusing on durability, comfort, weight and versatility for every trail.
When I took to Instagram to ask our audience about their favorite bikepacking tires, the flood of responses was overwhelming! It quickly became clear that the world of bike tires is vast and varied, making it tough to know where to start. So, inspired by your insights and seasoned with our own experience, we crafted this starter list focused on four essential criteria: Durability, Comfort, Weight, and Versatility.
Durability is paramount; our picks are tough enough to withstand the relentless assault of rocky, uneven terrain. For Comfort, we chose tires that soften the blows of rugged rides, enhancing endurance and preventing the dreaded 'numb bum'. When it comes to Weight, our selection strikes a balance—light enough for agile handling yet sturdy enough to take a beating. Lastly, Versatility is crucial. Our tires effortlessly adapt to varying conditions—mud, gravel, or pavement—ensuring you're always prepared, no matter what the forecast says.
This list, organized by durability to help you choose the toughest tires for your journey, isn't exhaustive, but it's a solid starting point for anyone looking to enhance their bikepacking adventures. Also, we've sprinkled this guide with affiliate links. I promise you, no one is getting rich off this site. However, using the links does help us keep the site going—if you chose to do that—then you rule.
1. Pirelli Cinturato Gravel
Hit it all with confidence using the Pirelli Cinturato, designed for supreme durability and enduring performance. This tire stands out with its tubeless readiness, enhancing flat protection and allowing lower pressures for comfort on long rides. The SmartNET Silica ensures exceptional grip in wet conditions, while its robust casing wards off punctures. Perfect for those lengthy journeys, the Cinturato provides precise control in turns and consistent performance in all weathers. Ideal for long-distance cyclists, it's available in various widths to fit a range of bicycles, ensuring a balanced and durable ride wherever the road takes you.
$85. Available at:
2. Maxxis Minion DHF
Meet the Maxxis Minion DHF, a robust mtb tire ready to conquer rugged and diverse terrains. With its aggressive tread, this tire delivers superior traction across all surfaces, making it ideal for technical trails heavy with bikepacking loads. Tubeless-ready for enhanced puncture protection and the ability to manage lower pressures, the Minion DHF ensures a smoother, more comfortable ride through challenging conditions. Its sturdy construction and wide knobs provide unmatched stability and control on loose surfaces, while EXO protection extends tire life. Highly regarded by adventurers for its reliability and versatile design, the Minion DHF is available in multiple sizes, making it a top choice for trail, bikepacking, and mixed off-road use.
$70-88. Available at:
3. Teravail Rutland
Riding into the wild has its thrills, but only if your gear can take the beating—enter Teravail Rutland. This tire isn't just built; it's forged for the relentless gravel paths and unexpected downpours. With its adventure-focused design, the Rutland grips like a desperate climber on mixed terrain, thanks to its aggressive tread. It’s as rugged as your grandad’s old hiking boots but rolls smooth and comfy like your favorite socks. Tubeless-ready to dodge those pesky flats and available in various sizes, it’s the go-to for every bikepacker looking to eat miles no matter the weather. Puncture protection? Check. Because nothing should deflate your journey, least of all your tires.
$65-$80. Available at:
4. Vittoria Terreno Wet
Dive into muddy adventures with the Vittoria Terreno Wet, a tire designed to dominate wet conditions. Its innovative tread grips fiercely, ensuring stability and responsive handling, even on slippery surfaces. This tubeless-ready marvel boosts puncture protection and keeps flats at bay, while its light construction ensures quick acceleration. Whether it’s for cyclocross competition or rugged bikepacking, the Terreno Wet stands out with its ability to shed mud quickly and perform reliably in all conditions. Available in various widths, it’s built tough to withstand the harshest terrains, making it a top pick for riders who don’t shy away from a little mud.
$73-80. Available at:
5. Schwalbe G-One Ultrabite
The Schwalbe G-One Ultrabite is the tire for those who tread where others don’t dare. This off-road champion boasts a robust tread with aggressive knobs that dig deep for unmatched traction across both dry and wet terrains. Optimized with Tubeless Easy technology, it offers enhanced puncture protection and comfort, letting you push harder with fewer worries. Its lightweight design and snakeskin sidewall armor aid in faster, safer riding. Whether you’re lining up for a gravel race or embarking on a rugged bikepacking journey, the G-One Ultrabite delivers a smooth ride across a variety of surfaces.
$60.Available at:
6. Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge
Meet the Rene Herse Fleecer Ridge, a tire that defines versatility and performance. Designed for speed and comfort, it features tubeless compatibility for enhanced puncture resistance and smoother rides. Its light casing option doesn't compromise on durability, making it perfect for all terrains—gravel, trails, or pavement. The Fleecer Ridge excels with its smooth rolling and robust construction, tailored for everything from touring to adventurous bikepacking. Its tread pattern ensures stable and enhanced grip, while a wide range of sizes and premium quality construction cater to various bike types and riders looking for top-notch performance in every ride.
$78-$98. Available at:
7. Vittoria Barzo XC
Meet the Vittoria Barzo, the bikepacker's secret weapon for mastering technical terrains. With deep, aggressive treads that bite into the earth, this tire offers precise handling and robust traction that shines in the most challenging conditions. Tubeless-ready to dodge flats and allow cruising at lower pressures, the Barzo combines comfort with tenacity. Its Graphene 2.0 compound not only enhances grip but also promises serious durability for long hauls. Whether you're powering up a steep climb or navigating a tricky descent, the Barzo is your trusty ally, built tough and ready to tackle a variety of trail types. Grab one in your size and ride the wild with confidence.
$90. Available at:
8. Maxxis Rambler
Crafted for the diverse demands of gravel roads, the Rambler’s lightweight design zips through anything with significantly reduced rolling resistance. This tubeless-ready titan allows for lower pressures, boosting comfort while its Silkworm technology wards off punctures. Whether you're grinding through a wet spring ride or a dusty summer escape, the Rambler stands ready with its all-condition prowess. Available in multiple sizes to fit any adventure cycling need, it’s a go-to tire for bikepackers seeking reliability and performance in one sleek package.
$70. Available at:
9. WTB Raddler
The WTB Raddler is engineered for cyclists who crave speed without sacrificing reliability. This tire's lightweight build and tight tread pattern make it a formidable contender on hardpack and gravel, while its tubeless compatibility significantly reduces flat risks, allowing for smoother, lower-pressure rides. With high-grip edges, it ensures confidence across loose or wet surfaces, tailored for those who tackle diverse terrains. The Raddler's rugged construction and puncture protection handle the roughest rides, making it a favorite among racers and bikepackers alike. Its comfort-focused design absorbs trail vibrations, ensuring a smoother experience on mixed pavements and trails, available in multiple sizes to suit various biking preferences.
$65. Available at:
10. Schwalbe Racing Ralph
The Schwalbe Racing Ralph is engineered for bikepackers who demand top performance in races and beyond. This tire is competition-ready, designed with a low rolling resistance to enhance speed and quick acceleration. Its Tubeless Easy setup reduces puncture risks while allowing for lower pressure for better traction on mixed terrains. The updated tread and high-traction Addix Speedgrip compound improve grip and cornering stability, making it perfect for hardpack and varied surfaces encountered during adventurous rides. With lightweight design and durable Snakeskin sidewalls, the Racing Ralph excels in any and all terrains.
$98. Available at:
11. Vittoria Mezcal
The Vittoria Mezcal is the go-to tire for bikepackers who crave speed and reliability across diverse terrains. With its fast-rolling, low-profile center tread, this tire is built for speed and smooth rolling, enhancing your cross-country performance. Tubeless-ready, it offers significant flat protection and the flexibility to run lower pressures for increased comfort on long rides. Its lightweight construction boosts agility, while the versatile tread grips well on both hardpack and loose conditions. Enhanced with Graphene for superior puncture protection and durability, the Mezcal is race-proven and all-condition ready, making it a favored choice among competitive and adventure riders alike.
$90. Available at:
12. Teravail Ehline
Check out the Teravail Ehline, crafted for bikepackers who savor both the challenge of a brisk climb and the relaxation of cruising scenic trails. Its fast-rolling tread excels on diverse terrain, making it efficient on climbs and joyful on descents. Tubeless-ready for improved flat protection and the comfort of lower pressures, this lightweight tire facilitates nimble handling and quick speeds. With durable construction that resists tears and a grippy compound that ensures traction in all conditions, the Ehline is stable and reliable across varied surfaces. Its balanced design suits both competitive racing and casual rides, backed by a commitment to sustainable manufacturing.
$65-$75. Available at:
13. WTB Ranger
Discover the WTB Ranger, a tire that excels across a spectrum of terrains, from dusty trails to paved roads. This tubeless-ready tire reduces the risk of flats while allowing for customizable pressure settings, ensuring optimal performance in any condition. Its all-season tread is equally effective in dry and wet conditions, making it a reliable companion for year-round bikepacking adventures. The lightweight build facilitates easy climbs and extended rides, while providing smooth rolling comfort that minimizes fatigue over long distances. With its eco-friendly production and balanced traction that doesn’t compromise on efficiency, the Ranger is perfect for bikepackers who traverse varied landscapes.
$45. Available at:
14. Maxxis Rekon Race
Check out the Maxxis Rekon Race, tailor-made for those who love to mix up high-speed thrills with the serene joys of bikepacking. Its semi-slick profile and low-profile knobs ensure efficient rolling on hardpack, optimizing every pedal stroke for both racing bursts and leisurely cruises. Tubeless-ready for fewer flats and smoother rides, this lightweight tire enhances your ability to climb and accelerate with ease. Equipped with EXO sidewall protection for durability and efficient traction that maintains grip across varying conditions, the Rekon Race handles well on both dry and moderately wet surfaces. With its race-proven pedigree and various size options, it's a top choice for adventurers who appreciate both speed and the freedom to explore.
$88-93. Available at:
15. Ultradynamico Mars Race
Unleash speed with the Ultradynamico Mars Race, the indie darling of racing tires. Designed for swift, smooth rides, it features tubeless compatibility for fewer flats and enhanced comfort at low pressures. Its lightweight, semi-slick design ensures minimal resistance and optimal grip on dry, light trails. Not intended for heavy off-road use, this tire excels in maneuverability and high-speed handling. With its distinctive style and focused performance, the Mars Race is perfect for racers who cherish both speed and aesthetic flair, embodying Ultradynamico’s commitment to niche, high-quality gear.
$120. Available at:
16. Schwalbe Thunder Burt
The Schwalbe Thunder Burt is tailored for speed enthusiasts who thrive on smooth, fast trails. Its ultra-light design and minimal rolling resistance ensure it flies over hardpack with ease. Tubeless-ready for fewer flats and customizable comfort, it features RaceGuard technology for reliable puncture protection. Optimized for dry conditions, the Thunder Burt's low profile and minimalist tread enhance speed without compromising traction. Perfect for riders prioritizing quickness, this tire is available in multiple widths to suit various bike types, making it a top choice for those seeking efficient, high-speed performance.
$98. Available at:
