Best fat bike tires: a guide to our favorite fat mountain bike tires

Best fat bike tires
(Image credit: Surly)

You may not need a fat bike, but since when has need had to do with anything bike-related? The tires are the main ingredient of a fat bike so selecting the best fat bike tires is a must in order to generate the desired grip and comfort levels. More often than not, the large volume tires are the bike's only form of suspension, so selecting ones with a great feel is critical. As a rule, low profile tires roll faster, whereas chunkier tread patterns offer higher grip levels in testing terrain.

With tires being the only part of your mountain bike that physically touches the ground, choosing the right ones is vital in ensuring you stay in control on the trails, and choosing a tread pattern and casing design that best suits your riding style and terrain needs proper consideration. It’s also the component that allows you to explore unique terrains and environments.

Scroll down to view Bike Perfect's top recommendations and what you should consider when shopping for fresh super-wide rubber.

Best fat bike tires

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Best fat bike tires: Schwalbe Jumbo Jim Addix SnakeSkin

(Image credit: Schwalbe)

Schwalbe Jumbo Jim Addix SnakeSkin

The Jumbo Jim is super-fast rolling and provides a great trail feel

Specifications

Price: $124
Sizes: 26x4.00, 26x4.80
Weight: 1090g/1290g
Tubeless: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Impressively fast on trial pace
+
Speedgrip compound strikes the balance of speed and grip
+
Overall tire feel is better than most

Reasons to avoid

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Low profile tread struggles in muddy and snowy conditions 
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Aggressive riders may struggle with the lightweight construction

With a slim tread pattern and relatively low weight, the Jumbo Jim from rubber giants Schwalbe is a great option for those wanting to increase the speed and agility of their fat bike. Keeping the rolling resistance low is Schwalbe's 'Speedgrip' compound which aims to offer maximum rolling speed without compromising on grip, something it carries out impressively well. The overall feel of the tire is great and it improves comfort and calmness when riding.

The downside of the low weight and slim construction is it’s not the most resilient to aggressive riders and chunky terrain so if you’re a heavy hitter, better options do exist. However, if outright speed is your priority the Jumbo Jim is a guaranteed winner.

Best fat bike tires: Surly Lou Folding

(Image credit: Surly)

Surly Lou Folding

A tough and grippy rear propellor

Specifications

Price: $120
Sizes: 26x4.80
Weight: 1585g
Tubeless: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Rear specific tread design offers tons of grip in nearly every circumstance
+
It’s seriously tough

Reasons to avoid

-
Top performance comes at a premium price
-
Could be overkill and too heavy for some riders

Surly is often seen as the king of obscure fat bikes, and the rear-specific Lou tire is a fine example of its category expertise. With block-shaped knobs standing at 7mm tall there’s plenty of tread to dig in, purchase and drive the bike forwards on a mixed bag of terrain. Regardless of whether it's slimy roots or sun-kissed sand, the Lou contains all of the correct shapes to generate the grip. Considering its chunky nature, the angled center knobs mean it doesn’t roll as bad as you may think.

This won’t be a tire for those who want a rapid rolling featherweight, but if you’re taking on multi-day adventures or searching out rocky tech, the extra reinforcement and aggressive tread design will be a major bonus.

Best fat bike tires: Surly Bud Folding

(Image credit: Surly)

Surly Bud Folding

Surly’s front-specific tire steers predictably and sheds mud and snow well

Specifications

Price: $120
Sizes: 26x4.80
Weight: 1600g
Tubeless: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Exceptionally good at clearing mud and snow
+
Great puncture protection
+
Tubeless system is easy to work with

Reasons to avoid

-
Puncture protection comes with a weight penalty
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Doesn’t offer as much corner hold as some

The Bud is the front wheel companion to the above rear-specific Lou and is designed with cornering and braking in mind. The Bud’s tread pattern lends itself well to shedding mud and snow, meaning the tire remains clean and ready to grip onto the trail surface.

Again, it’s by no means light, but the super effective tread pattern, puncture protection and tubeless compatibility make a ton of sense for riders pushing the boundaries or just looking for that extra level of reliability. When paired with the Lou it’s one of the best combinations around. 

Best fat bike tires: Maxxis Minion FBF Dual Compound

(Image credit: Maxxis)

Maxxis Minion FBF Dual Compound

Legendary levels of corner grip and rolling speed is now available for fat bikes

Specifications

Price: $68
Sizes: 26x4.8
Weight: 1650g
Tubeless: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Cornering grip is some of the best in the business
+
Dual compound rubber keeps rolling speeds fast 
+
Great Value

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the best in muddy conditions
-
Only one width

The Maxxis Minion is a tire that certainly needs no introduction, and the FBF takes the proven DHF tread pattern and tailers it into fat bike ready rubber. Sporting the same tread pattern as the regular DHF means pure cornering grip is prioritized, but due to the knob shape and directions, it rolls impressively fast too. It’s also super easy to fit, and Maxxis’ tubeless system remains one of our favorites. 

The FBF also sees a dual-compound rubber blend construction. This means the center knobs use a firmer rubber to boost rolling speed, whereas the side knobs are softer to further improve cornering traction. On the trail, this is a tire that fills you with confidence and always provides the most reliable levels of grip, right up until the muddiest conditions. Best of all this high level of performance comes in at a totally killer price.

Best fat bike tires: Specialized Ground Control Fat

(Image credit: Specialized)

Specialized Ground Control Fat

A predictably grippy tubeless ready all-rounder

Specifications

Price: $40
Sizes: 26x4.0, 26x4.60
Weight: 1290g/1450g
Tubeless: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Tread pattern works well on most surfaces
+
Specialized tubeless system is a cinch to set up
+
Great cornering hold

Reasons to avoid

-
Not the cheapest 
-
Faster rolling options are available if speed is your priority

Using the same tread pattern as the regular width ground control makes for a tire with predictable grip across a wide range of conditions. Sporting chunky, well-positioned side knobs mean there's tons of hold in the corners, and a chamfered-edge center tread digs in well under braking. The available 4.0in and 4.6in widths leave scope for desired setup, rim width and bike focus.   

It’s fully tubeless ready, and as with all Specialized tires, it blows up with ease and remains reliable.

Best fat bike tires: Bontrager Barbegazi Folding Team

(Image credit: Bontrager)

Bontrager Barbegazi Folding Team

One of the best options for riders in snowy environments

Specifications

Price: $199.99
Sizes: 26x4.70
Weight: 1305g
Tubeless: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Controlled tire feel adds comfort
+
Tread pattern lends itself well to snowy climates
+
Affordable pricing

Reasons to avoid

-
Not as grippy on harder surfaces as some
-
There are faster rolling options

Bontrager tires have a reputation for feeling good on the trail and the Barbegazi’s 120TPI casing showcases this much-loved ride feel. Rolling over rough sections of trail feels damped and well-controlled, something that’s really appreciated if you’re riding a rigid bike over long periods of time. 

But it’s actually snow where the Barbegazi’s main focus lies and the generously spaced low-profile tread pattern means it remains clear for when traction is needed most, but the fact it doesn’t include any form of ice spikes reveals it’s not solely snow specific either. We think this is one of the best multi-use do-everything options available, and as a result, it can run all year round.

Bontrager’s strong and supple casing adds to the stellar ride feel and provides good puncture protection. 

Best fat bike tires: Vee Tire Co

(Image credit: Vee Tire Co)

Vee Tire Co. Rail Tracker

The rail tracker prioritizes speed and maneuverability

Specifications

Price: $92
Sizes: 26x2.4
Weight: 1,200g
Tubeless: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Fast rolling
+
Dual rubber compound provides reliable cornering grip
+
White tire creates a unique upgrade option

Reasons to avoid

-
White color option won’t be for everyone
-
Low profile tread design struggles when the mud gets thick
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Doesn’t offer the best braking traction

To keep rolling speeds fast and cornering predictable, the Rail Tracker sees a low tread profile in the center and more aggressive knobs on the sides. To amplify this feeling further, Vee has also used a dual rubber compound which makes side knobs softer and the central tread firmer. 

This tire boasts seriously impressive rolling speed on hardpack terrain, and if you’re really wanting to stand out while doing so, the Rail Tracker is available in bright white too. 

The flip side of the fast-rolling slim profile is the lack of braking tracking on slippery terrain, as the small center knobs don’t offer much in regards to stopping power. 

How to choose the best fat bike tires

1. Width

It wouldn’t be a fat bike without massively wide tires. Any tire over 3.8’’ fits into the fat bike category, with most ranging between 4.0’’ and 5.0’’ in width. But why are they so wide? Fat bikes are designed to tackle unstable and tricky terrain, such as sand and snow so the super-wide tire allows the bike to float rather than sink. 

2. Tread Pattern

Deciding on a tread pattern comes down to how and where you intend to use the bike. As a rule, tires with smaller and slimmer tread patterns tend to roll fast, therefore are more efficient over longer rides but limits traction. More aggressive tires cut the ground and generate grip on testing terrain, which provides more grip when climbing up loose and slippery surfaces or when cornering in mud. Assessing your regular riding locations is a must before choosing your next tread pattern. 

3. Weight 

Due to their overall size, fat bike tires are never going to be light, but reading the overall weight carefully could make a difference to your riding. Lighter tires roll easier and will save energy over long distances but could compromise on protection, resulting in more punctures. 

4. Casing 

Thicker, more heavy-duty sidewalls offer more protection against rock slashes and pinch flats, but if the tire is too thick, the overall feel could become numb and grip could be compromised. Lighter casing tires usually weigh less so getting up to speed is easier, however, they’re more vulnerable to ripping when ridden in sharp terrain. 

5. Air Pressure 

Going as low as possible is the name of the game with fat bikes and between 8-10psi is the common goal. With the air volume being so big, a pressure change of 1psi can make a huge difference so it’s worth experimenting to find your ideal setup.  

6. Tubeless 

With low tire pressures in mind, switching to a tubeless set up can be the answer to achieving the softest setup. Tubeless also eliminates the chances of getting a pinch flat so it’s an all-out awesome upgrade that’ll boost reliability too. It’s worth noting that wheels and tires need to be tubeless compatible, however, aftermarket upgrade kits for fat bikes are becoming readily available.  

Jim Bland
Freelance writer

Jim Bland is a product tester and World Cup downhill mechanic based in North Yorkshire, England, but working Worldwide. Jim’s chosen riding genre is hard to pinpoint and regularly varies from e-bike-assisted shuttle runs one day to cutting downcountry laps the next. Always on the hunt for the perfect setup,  Jim will always be found comprehensively testing kit with World Cup racing levels of detail. His ultimate day out includes an alpine loam trail, blazing sunshine, and some fresh kit to test.  

Rides: Santa Cruz Hightower, Santa Cruz v10, Specialized Kenevo.

Height: 170cm 

Weight: 64kg