Tires are one of, if not the most, vital components on your mountain bike. No other part affects ride quality so profoundly, and choosing the right tire for your needs not only delivers more confidence and a better ride, but it helps prevent crashes and potential injuries.
Mountain bike tires are typically covered in chunky rubber knobs or blocks. They often also boast a tougher carcass to help prevent punctures and a softer rubber compound for improved grip in the dirt compared to other bicycle tires.
These five tires represent some of the best on the market; tough enough to handle off-road trails without being over-the-top for smoother terrain such as dirt roads and wide gravel tracks.
Make sure you get the correct diameter tire for the wheels on your bike. You’ll find the size written on the side of your current tires: 26 inches, 27.5 inches, or 29 inches. These are the three most common diameters on an adult mountain bike. In terms of width, either stick with what you’ve got or upsize a little for more grip and comfort, but check your frame to confirm it has enough clearance first.
Maxxis Minion DHF
Best all-rounder
Price: $46
Tall edge blocks extend from the carcass to really penetrate the dirt for a secure hold, while the chamfered, low-profile crown knobs help you keep the pace high when you’re hammering along and covering ground. There are plenty of different volume sizes to choose from. It's a classic, modern mountain bike tire and an extremely capable all-arounder.
Buy NowSchwalbe Magic Mary
Aggressive and dependable
Price: $75
The bottom line is this German option is tough to beat as a year-round front tire in damp or loose conditions and is therefore often a popular choice for aggressive riding. Although it has plenty of fans who regularly ride in the wet, the Magic Mary is still a sound choice for dry, loose conditions. The Magic Mary has always been super grippy and now lasts longer and rolls faster than ever before.
Buy NowWTB Vigilante
For loose conditions
Price: $64
The Vigilante is a practical, versatile tire that’s become a mountain bike staple and helped WTB earn a solid reputation for value and durability. It is a great all-rounder, with blocky knobs that are at home in soft conditions but also grip well on hardpack. And with its logical naming convention, it's easy to choose the right rubber compound and casing thickness for your needs.
Buy NowMaxxis Minion DHR II
Best all-round rear
Price: $56
Maxxis's Minion DHR II arguably offers the most grip of all Maxxis models and is suitable for mixed conditions, so it works great year-round. A frequent test winner, its blocky tread paddles and pronounced shoulder channel make the Minion DHR II a natural rear tire, but nothing is stopping you from using it on the front too. In fact, some of the fastest downhill racers in the world do just that.
Buy NowSchwalbe Nobby NIc
Fast and comfortable rear
Price: $95
The extra bite and control of the Schwalbe Nobby Nic is noticeable when braking, exiting really steep hairpins, and across off-camber roots—it feels so surefooted across sketchy surfaces, you can almost choose new lines down familiar trails. Another big benefit is the way the large volume versions—2.35 inches or more—take the sting out of vibrations from constant small, angular bumps.
Buy NowWTB Verdict
Phenomenal soft condition grip
Price: $83.95
The WTB Verdict is an astonishing tire when sliding down steep terrain, and it works best when you use those fang-like side lugs to their full potential. It’s nicely damped, there’s no pinginess off roots or rocks, and it even works well on hardpack. It also comes in two different casings, depending on how much puncture protection you require.
Buy Now