Best Bikepacking Tires of 2024

JUMP TO: VITTORIA MEZCAL | SCHWALBE G-ONE ALLROUND | MAXXIS REKON | MAXXIS FOREKASTER | SPECIALIZED PATHFINDER PRO 2BLISS | CONTINENTAL RACEKING PROTECTION | SCHWALBE MARATHON PLUS MTB | BUYING ADVICE | COMMON QUESTIONS

Author: Laura McMillan | Updated: Nov 5, 2023
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The Short Version

The Long Version

Bikepacking is a thrilling way to explore the outdoors on two wheels. By combining the best parts of cycling and backpacking, a bikepacking rig unlocks adventures you otherwise would never have thought possible. When it comes to outfitting your rig, your tires can be a huge difference maker — they can significantly improve your riding experience or become the bane of your existence.

Picking the best bikepacking tire means matching critical feature like tire width, durability, and tread pattern to your specific bike and trail conditions. This review covers the best bikepacking tires for every kind of bikepacking adventure; whether your next trip is full of gnarly singletrack, flying on fast hard-packed surfaces, or anything in between, you will be able to find the right tire for your ride.

If you love reading this review of the best bikepacking tires, then you'll likely love reading some of our other bikepacking and cycling content:

 

Need To Know What To Look Out For?

To learn more about picking the right tire for your bike and riding conditions, check out the buying guide at the bottom of the article. The guide goes over all you might need to look out for when buying tires, from durability, tread pattern, tire width, and beyond.

 

Best Overall: VITTORIA MEZCAL

SIZE: 26”, 27.5”, 29”, 700c

WIDTH: 2.1”, 2.25”,2.35”, 2.6”, 35c, 44c

WEIGHT: 690 g (29 x 2.25)

TYPE: Tubeless ready 

PRICE: $$

PROS: Traction and speed without sacrificing durability

CONS: The tight tread falls short in muddy conditions or on enduro trails

The Vittoria Mezcal is our best overall pick because of its outstanding versatility and durability. It is a popular tire for bikepacking ultra racers on routes like the Tour Divide for good reason. The low-profile tight tread pattern helps retain grip on single track to make you feel confident but also provides low rolling resistance for faster sections — a perfect combination for long routes on variable terrain.

Although impressively durable and versatile, the tire tread pattern doesn’t hold up as well on hard enduro trails or perform especially well shedding mud in wet conditions. It is not a top pick for any single terrain type, but if you want a jack-of-all-trades tire for solid performance in varying and ever-changing conditions, the Mezcal is the way to go.

The tire comes in many sizes, making it a suitable choice for almost any bikepacking rig.

Best for Hard Surfaces: SCHWALBE G-ONE ALLROUND

SIZE: 27.5”, 29”

WIDTH: 1.35”, 1.50”, 2.25”, 2.70”, 2.80”

WEIGHT: 685 g (29 x 2.25)

TYPE: Tubeless ready

PRICE: $$

PROS: Fast on gravel and light off-road use, comes in a wide variety of widths and sizes

CONS: Not a great tread pattern for singletrack

The Schwalbe G-One Allround tire is designed for all types of terrain. It excels in providing a nice mix between low rolling resistance for gravel and stability on dry trails. The tire boasts a tubeless-ready design and a durable casing that can withstand some rigors of off-road riding. It has a simple dot-like tread pattern so you can expect the same amount of traction whether you’re cornering or on the flats. 

If parts of the G-One Allround sound good but you aren't completely sold, there are many other iterations of the G-One available, including the Speed, Overland, Bite, and Ultrabite. Each offers a slightly different balance of tread, speed, and durability, and are available in a range of rim sizes, widths, and compounds.

Best for Smooth Singletrack: MAXXIS REKON

SIZE: 24”, 27.5”, 29”

WIDTH: 2.20”, 2.25”, 2.40”, 2.60”, 2.80”

WEIGHT: 719 g (29x 2.25)

TYPE: Tubeless ready

PRICE: $

PROS: Fast on gravel and buttery singletrack, comes in a wide variety of widths and sizes

CONS: It is not meant for heavy trail use or technical terrain

The Maxxis Rekon is a tire that is designed specifically for use on cross-country and trail riding terrain—think gravel roads and wet dirt singletrack. It features large knobs including heavy edge knobs, which provide excellent traction on loose gravel and dirt, making it a great choice for bikepacking trips that take you off the beaten path. 

The Rekon’s larger knobs are not aggressive enough for more technical trails, but they can still reduce your speed and make for a slow-feeling ride on pavement. However, you’ll be thankful for the extra bite on steep climbs and when trail conditions take a turn for the worse in the middle of a long trip.

Best for Gnarly Trails: MAXXIS FOREKASTER

SIZE: 29”

WIDTH: 2.4”, 2.6”

WEIGHT: 915 g (29 x 2.4”)

TYPE: Tubeless ready 

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Ready for difficult trails and all weather conditions 

CONS: Not many size options, heavy

One of the unique selling points of the Maxxis Forekaster is its ability to shed mud and debris. The tire reliably maintains its traction even in the messiest conditions, a quality that makes it our favorite tire for gnarly trails.

However, the Forekaster’s ability to perform well in tough conditions comes with some trade-offs: the tire is much heavier than most others on the list and its large tread pattern can feel sluggish on hard-packed surfaces. Size options are also limited. But these limitations are worth it if you need sturdy tires that offer unparalleled performance on rugged, rough, and muddy terrain.

Best for Fast Gravel: SPECIALIZED PATHFINDER PRO 2BLISS

SIZE: 650, 700

WIDTH: 47c, 38c, 42c, 32c

WEIGHT: 480 g (700 x 38)

TYPE: Tubeless ready 

PRICE: $$

PROS: Fast on hard surfaces, great cornering grip

CONS: Not many size options and the small tread pattern can leave you wanting more on technical trails

The Specialized Pathfinder Pro 2Bliss claims is marketed as the “winningest tire in gravel” with good reason — it’s been the tire of choice for multiple winners of UNBOUND Gravel, the Super Bowl of gravel racing. The slick center with additional side tread is designed for speed on a variety of terrains, but it excels as a fast and light offroad tire. 

The Pathfinder has very small tread blocks, so you won't receive much help on technical single track.  It is made in a limited range of sizes with an eye more on gravel grinders than true mountain bikes. Though not the best option for technical trails or really chunky gravel, the Pathfinder is a speed machine on hard-packed surfaces, and the edge grip ensures that you will be able to feel confident charging through corners. We love it for ultradistance racing or gunning for a fast ITT on long gravel routes.

Best for Durability: CONTINENTAL RACEKING PROTECTION

SIZE: 26”, 27.5”, 29”

WIDTH: 2.20”

WEIGHT: 605 g (29 x 2.2)

TYPE: Tubeless ready

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Fast on hard surfaces, great durability

CONS: Not for very intense trails

The Continental RaceKing ProTection is another favorite tire of ultra racers. It offers a great mix of speed and durability. The extreme durability that many cyclists find from these tires is thanks to Continental's special Black Chili rubber, an exceptionally sturdy composite also rides fast. 

Unlike other ultra racer favorites on this list, the RaceKing ProTection is designed to work well on both hard pavement and wet and muddy conditions. The tread is fairly small, so you might find yourself looking for more traction on heavy singletrack. But for pavement, gravel, and the odd section of light singletrack, the tire is a reliable and extremely durable choice.

Best for Tubes: SCHWALBE MARATHON PLUS MTB

SIZE: 26”, 27.5”, 29”

WIDTH: 2.10”, 2.25”, 2.3”

WEIGHT: 1359 g (29 x 2.25)

TYPE: Tubes

PRICE: $$

PROS: Great for tubes, very durable 

CONS: Heavy

The Schwalbe Marathon Plus MTB is the most puncture resistant tire on our list. Its SmartGuard technology is almost puncture-proof, making it a reliable and durable choice for riding with tubes. 

Rocking a set of Marathon Plus MTB tires on your bikepacking rig will ensure you won’t be endlessly stuck on the side of the road repairing flats. The tire is purpose-built with a small tread pattern for light gravel and some trail use, so you find that it still feels fast despite being the heaviest tire on this list.

BUYING ADVICE FOR BIKEPACKING TIRES

When it comes to choosing the right bikepacking tire, the most important considerations are tubeless vs standard tire design, tire width, rolling resistance, tread patterns, durability, and expected lifespan.

TUBELESS OR STANDARD: A tubeless-ready tire is designed to be used without an inner tube, and instead, the tire is filled with a latex solution designed to plug any small holes from debris on the roads or trails. Tubeless tires are more expensive and harder to install than standard tubed tires, but they reduce the risk of punctures and improve the tire's performance. Tubeless tires can also be ridden at lower pressure, creating a more cushioned ride over rough terrain.

TIRE WIDTH: The right tire width depends on the type of terrain you'll be riding on. A wider tire provides more stability and control on rough terrain but are slower and less efficient than a narrower tire on hard and non-technical surfaces. It is important to identify what type of terrain you will primarily be riding. Riding a tire designed for trails on hard-packed gravel can feel sluggish, and riding a tire designed for gravel on trails can lead to loss of traction. 

TREAD PATTERN: The right tread pattern depends on the type of terrain you'll be riding on. Large knobs provide better traction on loose, rocky, or muddy surfaces, while a fast-rolling small-knob tread pattern is more efficient on smoother terrain, such as gravel or paved roads. 

The ideal tread pattern ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you don't mind losing a bit of speed to ensure you will feel more stable on gnarly off-road sections, then choosing a larger knobbed tire might be a better choice for you. If the area where you will be riding is often muddy and wet, then it could be a good idea to choose a tire that is specifically formulated to shed mud, so you won't have to stop and clean out your tires. It may slow you down in better conditions, but this tradeoff is often worth it.

ROLLING RESISTANCE: Mountain bike tires employ soft rubber and different tread patterns to optimize grip and performance. This is great for trails, but not necessarily your highest priority if you’re on a long bike journey. However, when the trails get rough a tire with more grip will allow you to ride faster, so on a very rough trail, a 3-inch tire could be the fastest option. It is important to think about what type of terrain you will primarily be riding, and where you are willing to make sacrifices for speed and traction. 

DURABILITY: To ensure your tires are durable enough for all your adventures, look for tires that are made with sturdy materials and have features like reinforced sidewalls. You can also read reviews from other bikepackers to get an idea of how well a tire holds up to tough conditions. Reddit’s bikepacking community is an excellent resource for user reviews. And while it seems ridiculous that car tires and bike tires have similar costs, a good bike tire will last thousands of miles of hard riding.

REPLACEMENT: The lifespan of a tire depends on many factors, including the type of terrain you ride on and how often you ride. If you are riding a more aggressively knobbed tire on primarily paved roads, then it can wear faster. Before every trip inspect your tires for signs of wear like worn out tread, rubber cracks, sidewall cuts, and deteriorating performance, which signal it’s time for replacement.

COMMON QUESTIONS

How important is your tire pressure for bikepacking? The right tire pressure depends on your weight, the weight of your gear, and the terrain you'll be riding on. Experiment with different pressures to find the right balance between comfort and performance.

Are tubeless tires better than standard? With a tubeless tire setup, you can run a much lower tire pressure without risking pinch flats so the tire can provide more cushion over rough terrain. They are trickier to install and repair but are far more reliable than tubed tires.

Should I switch my front and rear tires to get more use out of them? Yes! When bikepacking your rear tire will be carrying more weight so it will wear faster. Once you notice signs of wear on the rear switch it to the front to extend its lifespan.

MORE INFORMATION

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