Best MTB Tires Winter 2025-2026: Technical Analysis, Pressures, and Sizes
Best MTB Tires Winter 2025-2026: Technical Analysis, Pressures, and Sizes
The winter season in Mountain Biking requires a tire setup that prioritizes grip, mud clearance, and durability, partially sacrificing rolling speed. The focus shifts to the compound and correct pressure management, with the use of the Tubeless system and tire inserts as the operational standard.
Fundamental Criteria for Winter Selection
Winter terrain (muddy, slick, with debris and wet roots) necessitates the adoption of tires with specific characteristics. The decisive factors are three:
Tread Pattern (Tassellatura): It is necessary to use tall, widely spaced, and square-edged knobs. This configuration is essential for effectively penetrating mud and ensuring the tire's rapid self-cleaning ability. The side knobs must be robust to ensure lateral cornering grip.
Compound (Mescola): The compound must be significantly softer than summer models (think of compounds like MaxxGrip, Addix Soft, or Ultra Soft). This softness allows for optimal adhesion on cold surfaces, such as wet rocks or roots, although the compromise is higher rolling resistance and quicker wear.
Casing (Carcassa): Casings must be reinforced (such as DoubleDown or Super Trail) to prevent pinch flats, punctures, and sidewall cuts caused by impacts with irregular terrain, a risk that increases in winter due to lower pressures.
Top Recommended Models for Winter 2025-2026
The best performance in winter is often achieved with a differentiated setup between the front and rear wheels, combining grip and traction.
Schwalbe Magic Mary: This is a benchmark for the front wheel in All-Mountain and Enduro disciplines. It stands out for its wide and aggressive knobs, combined with a reinforced shoulder (Super Trail/Gravity) and Addix Soft compounds. It offers excellent directional grip on mud and loose terrain, but sacrifices rolling speed on hard-packed surfaces.
Maxxis Minion DHF / DHR II: These models represent the industry standard for versatility and reliability. Their proven design with robust side channels guarantees predictability and high traction on mixed and rocky terrains. Their rolling resistance is moderate, but their ability to shed mud is lower compared to specific mud tires. They are available in 3C MaxxTerra or MaxxGrip compounds.
Michelin Wild Mud: This tire is the required choice for tackling deep mud. Its "Twisted" tread pattern is specifically designed for self-cleaning. The main advantage is extraordinary grip in dense mud, but it has poor performance on hard ground and very high rolling resistance.
Schwalbe Tacky Chan / Continental Kryptotal-Re: The Tacky Chan is often used on the rear wheel in Enduro for its optimization in acceleration and braking traction. Continental's Kryptotal-Re, with its Endurance compound, offers an excellent balance between durability and grip, making it a solid choice for Trail riding.
Optimal Sizes and Sections
In winter, the trend is to use a wider section—typically from 2.35" up to 2.6"—to increase the contact patch and surface area, thereby improving grip.
For Cross Country (XC), it is recommended to move up from a 2.2" to a 2.35" or 2.4" section to improve comfort and floatation on mud. In Trail and Enduro disciplines, sections from 2.4" to 2.6" are the norm, often featuring Wide Trail (WT) casings optimized for modern, wider rims.
Inflation Pressures: The Rule of Grip
The fundamental rule for winter and slippery terrain is: lower pressure equals a larger contact patch, and consequently, greater grip.
These values are indicative for Tubeless tires on wet/muddy ground and should be adjusted based on the rider's weight:
Lighter Riders (60-70 kg): Can start with very low pressures, around 1.4 – 1.6 Bar (20-23 PSI) in the front and 1.6 – 1.8 Bar (23-26 PSI) in the rear. This maximizes grip but increases the risk of pinch flats and burping.
Average Weight Riders (70-85 kg): A good balance is found between 1.6 – 1.8 Bar (23-26 PSI) in the front and 1.8 – 2.0 Bar (26-29 PSI) in the rear.
E-MTB or Heavy Riders (over 85 kg): Due to the higher overall weight, it is necessary to increase the pressure by approximately 0.2 Bar (3 PSI) compared to the average rider, typically positioning pressures between 1.8 – 2.0 Bar (26-29 PSI) in the front and 2.0 – 2.3 Bar (29-33 PSI) in the rear to prevent rim damage.
It is crucial to remember that the rear wheel, carrying approximately 60% of the load, always requires a pressure about 0.2 Bar (3 PSI) higher than the front.
Tubeless and Tire Inserts: The Winter Technology
The use of the Tubeless system is essential in winter. The absence of an inner tube allows for the adoption of the low pressures necessary for grip without incurring pinch flats. Furthermore, the sealant fluid independently manages small punctures caused by debris.
The integration of tire inserts (Tannus, CushCore, etc.) inside the tubeless tire is highly recommended. These inserts provide crucial support to the sidewall at low pressures, protect the rim from impacts, and allow riding to continue in case of failure, adding an essential layer of safety and stability on aggressive winter terrain.