2024 Mountain Bike Tire Buying Guide: Best Reviewed and Rated Tires

The right set of tires can completely transform your riding experience, providing better traction, control, and speed on the trails. Whether you're shredding technical descents, ripping through singletrack, or cruising over loose gravel, choosing the best tire for your style and terrain is key. In 2024, several top brands have released new and updated models that have been widely reviewed and praised by riders and experts alike. Here's a comprehensive guide to the best-rated mountain bike tires of 2024.

1. Maxxis Minion DHF (Front) / DHR II (Rear) – Best All-Mountain and Enduro Tires 

• Type: All-Mountain, Enduro
• Tread: Aggressive with large side knobs for cornering
• Compound: 3C MaxxTerra for enhanced grip
• Tubeless Ready: Yes

The Maxxis Minion DHF and DHR II combo remains a go-to tire setup for aggressive trail and enduro riders. The DHF, designed for the front wheel, provides unmatched grip and control in corners, while the DHR II delivers power and braking performance in the rear. With its durable construction and excellent cornering ability, this tire excels in everything from loose dirt to rocky, technical terrain.

Why It’s Great: The Minion DHF/DHR II continues to receive stellar reviews due to its versatility, durability, and ability to maintain traction in a variety of conditions. Riders who favor aggressive descents or enduro racing love the control these tires offer.

2. Schwalbe Magic Mary Super Trail – Best for Wet and Muddy Conditions 

• Type: Enduro, Downhill
• Tread: Aggressive, deep tread for maximum grip
• Compound: Addix Soft
• Tubeless Ready: Yes

The Schwalbe Magic Mary is a favorite among enduro and downhill riders tackling challenging, muddy, or loose conditions. Its tall, aggressive knobs provide superior grip in the wet, while the Addix Soft compound enhances traction without sacrificing durability. The Super Trail casing adds extra puncture protection for rough trails.

Why It’s Great: Schwalbe updated the Magic Mary with improved durability and better rolling resistance, making it one of the top choices for riders in regions with consistently wet or technical trails. Reviewers praise its confidence-inspiring grip and ability to bite into even the muddiest terrain.

3. WTB Vigilante 2.5” TCS Light/High Grip – Best for Trail and Mixed Terrain 

• Type: Trail, Enduro
• Tread: Open, high-profile tread for mixed conditions
• Compound: TriTec
• Tubeless Ready: Yes

WTB’s Vigilante 2.5” tire has built a strong reputation as a versatile performer for trail and enduro riders. The wide, aggressive tread pattern makes it ideal for tackling a range of conditions, from dry hardpack to loose rocks. It’s designed with WTB's TriTec compound, which balances fast-rolling efficiency with the grip necessary for technical riding.

Why It’s Great: With its updated TCS Light/HighGrip version, the Vigilante offers a great blend of grip, durability, and versatility. Riders love it for its adaptability and confidence across different trail surfaces, and the new lightweight version makes it even more efficient for pedaling uphill.

4. Teravail Honcho – Best for XC/Trail Performance 

• Type: XC, Trail
• Tread: Low-profile, fast-rolling center knobs
• Compound: Durable dual-compound rubber
• Tubeless Ready: Yes

The Teravail Honcho is the perfect balance between speed and control, designed for cross-country and light trail riding. Its fast-rolling, low-profile tread provides excellent speed on hardpacked trails, while the more aggressive side knobs give riders confidence when cornering. The Honcho is also lightweight, making it ideal for endurance rides and races.

Why It’s Great: Teravail’s Honcho continues to be a favorite in the XC community for its blend of rolling speed and control. Reviewers highlight its responsiveness on fast trails and its ability to perform well in a variety of conditions, making it a great tire for competitive cross-country riders.

5. Kenda Pinner Pro – Best for Downhill 

• Type: Downhill
• Tread: Aggressive with large side knobs for enhanced cornering
• Compound: Advanced Gravity Compound
• Tubeless Ready: Yes

The Kenda Pinner Pro is built for serious downhill riders who need maximum traction and durability on fast, technical descents. The tire features an aggressive tread pattern and Kenda's Advanced Gravity Compound, providing excellent grip on loose or rocky trails while maintaining durability on the toughest runs.

Why It’s Great: The Pinner Pro continues to impress downhill racers and big-hit riders for its ability to handle aggressive descents without losing traction. It’s been noted for its incredible durability and puncture resistance, especially for extreme riding conditions.

6. Michelin Wild Enduro – Best for Aggressive Enduro Riding 

• Type: Enduro, Aggressive Trail
• Tread: Multi-directional tread pattern for optimized grip
• Compound: Gum-X compound for balance between traction and durability
• Tubeless Ready: Yes

Michelin's Wild Enduro tire is designed for the rider who tackles demanding, technical trails. It features a multi-directional tread pattern that’s optimized for steep, technical climbs and descents. The tire is crafted with Michelin's Gum-X compound, balancing grip and durability while providing excellent traction across a variety of trail conditions.

Why It’s Great: The Wild Enduro tire has become a standout for enduro riders who prioritize aggressive riding. Reviewers frequently mention its exceptional cornering grip and performance on technical trails, making it one of the top enduro tires in 2024.

7. Goodyear Newton MTF/MTR – Best for Versatility  

• Type: Trail, Enduro
• Tread: High-grip knobs with a fast-rolling center tread
• Compound: Dynamic Grip for grip and efficiency
• Tubeless Ready: Yes

Goodyear's Newton MTF (front) and MTR (rear) tire combination is designed to be a highly versatile setup for trail and enduro riders. The MTF front tire provides exceptional cornering grip with tall, aggressive knobs, while the MTR rear tire offers fast-rolling performance and grip for acceleration. Together, they provide excellent control across a range of terrains.

Why It’s Great: Goodyear has further refined the Newton MTF/MTR combo for 2024, making them even more versatile for riders who tackle both technical descents and long climbs. The updated compound and casing provide a great balance of rolling speed, durability, and grip.

Key Considerations When Buying Mountain Bike Tires 

• Terrain: Choose a tire with a tread pattern suited to the type of trails you ride most often. Aggressive tires are ideal for loose or technical terrain, while low-profile tires are better for hardpacked trails.

• Tire Width: Wider tires (2.4” and above) offer better traction and stability but come with increased rolling resistance. Narrower tires (2.1”-2.3”) are better for XC and faster trail riding.

• Durability vs. Weight: Heavier tires with reinforced casings provide more protection against punctures and wear but can slow you down. Lighter tires are faster but may not hold up as well in rough conditions.

• Tubeless Setup: All of the tires listed above are tubeless-ready, which is ideal for reducing flats and improving ride quality by allowing lower tire pressures for better traction and comfort.