Winter & Wet Weather MTB Tyre Buyer’s Guide

Winter & Wet Weather MTB Tyre Buyer’s Guide: Shred the Slop Like a Pro

When winter hits, the trails turn into mud-splattered, root-filled battlefields. This is when you need tyres that grip, dig, and help you dominate no matter how gnarly the conditions get. Let’s face it: bad weather is just an opportunity to make good stories—if you’ve got the right setup.

Whether you’re shredding on slick roots, tearing through wet rock gardens, or just trying to keep upright in the mud, here’s your guide to the best winter MTB tyres and how to pick the right ones to keep you rolling through the muck like a king.

What Makes the Perfect Winter MTB Tyre?

Not just any tyre can handle winter’s wrath. Here's what you need to look for to ensure your tyres give you an edge when things get wet and wild.

Aggressive Tread

Chunky, Tall Knobs: You want tyres that look like they could shred through wet cement. Deep, aggressive lugs help grip muddy terrain and won’t clog up with dirt. Look for spaced-out tread patterns designed for maximum grip and mud-shedding.

Sticky Rubber

Soft Compounds for Grip: Winter tyres need a soft, sticky rubber compound that stays grippy even in freezing temperatures. The downside? They wear out faster—but the increased control on sketchy, slippery terrain is more than worth it.

Wide tyres for More Bite

Fat Tyres, Big Traction: Winter conditions demand wider tyres—2.4” to 2.6” is ideal. A bigger footprint spreads your weight over a larger area, improving grip in soft conditions like snow, mud, or loose gravel.

Lower Pressure

Drop the PSI: Lower tyre pressure helps increase traction by allowing your tyres to mould over uneven terrain and grip better. Tubeless tyres are a must for running low pressures without pinch flats—plus they’re lighter and better at self-sealing.

Top Tyre Picks for Winter and Wet Weather

These are the best winter tyres on the market right now—whether you’re riding slick roots, deep mud, or rain-soaked rock gardens, these tyres have your back.

Maxxis Shorty Gen 2 Tyre

Tread Type: Deep, aggressive knobs with mud-clearing channels
Compound: MaxxGrip and MaxxTerra options
Why It’s Killer for Winter: The Maxxis Shorty Gen 2 is a mud warrior. Its updated tread design features a mid-spike profile that excels at digging through loose mud, while the wide knobs give you an excellent grip on off-camber roots and rocks. The Shorty is all about confidence on loose terrain, letting you push your limits when others are slipping and sliding.

Michelin Mud Enduro Tyre

Tread Type: Tall, spiky tread with wide spacing
Compound: Gum-X3D
Why It’s Killer for Winter: The Michelin Mud Enduro Tyre is specifically designed to annihilate the wettest, muddiest conditions. With tall, sharp knobs that sink into soft terrain and clean out mud quickly, it gives you the control and confidence to charge through the swampiest trails. It’s perfect for enduro riders who ride hard in rough, wet conditions and need a tyre that’ll keep up.

Maxxis WetScream DH Tyre

Tread Type: Super aggressive spike tread
Compound: MaxxGrip for unbeatable stickiness
Why It’s Killer for Winter: The Maxxis WetScream is not messing around. Designed for serious downhill riders, this tyre is made for extreme conditions—think bottomless mud and slop. Its long, aggressive spikes provide insane traction in the worst conditions, making it the go-to tyre for when the trail looks more like a mudslide. WetScream grips when nothing else will.

Continental Hydrotal Tyre

Tread Type: Open, aggressive tread for maximum grip
Compound: BlackChili for cold weather performance
Why It’s Killer for Winter: The Continental Hydrotal is built for tackling wet and wild downhill trails. Its aggressive tread is designed to clear mud instantly, while the BlackChili compound remains sticky even in freezing temperatures. This tyre is perfect for riders who love descending steep, technical terrain, regardless of the weather. Hydrotal thrives in the slop, where control and grip are key.

WTB Verdict Tyre

Tread Type: Huge knobs with massive gaps for mud clearing
Compound: TriTec
Why It’s Killer for Winter: The WTB Verdict Tyre is designed for those "send it or go home" days. When the trail’s a swamp, this tyre’s massive knobs and mud-shedding gaps mean you’ll still grip like a beast. It’s an all-terrain monster that can handle wet roots, muddy sections, and sketchy descents with ease. Perfect for aggressive riders who don’t shy away from bad weather.

Tyre Selection Based on Your Riding Style

Different tyres are built for different styles of riding, so here’s how to pick the best one for your setup.

Enduro/Downhill Shredders

Your Pick: Maxxis WetScream DH or Continental Hydrotal
Why: You’re bombing steep, technical descents and need tyres that grip like mad when you’re on the edge. You want something tough that’ll hold up to rough, wet terrain and give you the confidence to ride flat out in horrible conditions.

Aggressive Trail Riders

Your Pick: Maxxis Shorty Gen 2 or WTB Verdict Tyre
Why: You need a mix of grip and speed. You love railing wet corners, sending drops, and hitting technical sections, and these tyres will keep you planted without slowing you down.

Endurance Riders / XC Enthusiasts

Your Pick: Maxxis Forekaster V2
Why: You’re looking for a tyre that sheds mud fast while being efficient enough for long rides. You want grip in bad conditions but don’t want to haul a heavy tyre for miles.

Pro Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Winter Tyres

Now that you’ve got your tyres picked out, here’s how to get even more from them.

Rinse ‘Em Off: Mud and debris can destroy your tyres faster than you’d think. Give them a quick rinse after each ride to keep the tread clear and prevent damage.
Play with Tyre Pressure: Dropping your tyre pressure by a few PSI can give you an insane amount of grip. With tubeless setups, you can run super low pressures (18-25 PSI) and drastically increase traction.
Keep Your Sealant Fresh: Winter riding is harsh, and sharp rocks can cause punctures. Make sure your tubeless sealant is fresh to avoid flats in the middle of a ride.
Watch Your Wear: Soft compounds give you grip but wear faster. Check your tyres regularly and replace them before the tread wears down too much—especially before a big ride!

Embrace the Wet

Riding in winter isn’t for the faint of heart, but with the right tyres, it’s a total game-changer. Whether you’re carving through slick corners, charging through muddy descents, or sending it over slippery roots, the right winter tyres can give you the control and confidence to ride like a beast, no matter what nature throws at you.

So, grab a set of these bad boys, drop your tyre pressure, and get ready to own the wet season!

Winter & Wet Weather MTB Tyre Buyer’s GuideUpdated 8 months ago