Get ready to roll with the road.cc Recommends Tyres of the Year 2025/26

We’ve tested an incredible range of tyres over the past year, and the standard has been high, so rather than tuck these beauties into our regular road.cc Recommends Components of the Year roundup, we’re giving them their own section in our annual awards.

This roundup covers both slick road performers and grippy gravel options, including some tested by our dirt-loving friends over at off.road.cc.

The tyre world is developing fast. Gravel is booming, tubeless setups are ever more common, and road tyres just keep getting wider. Remember when 23mm ruled? Not any more. These days, that width is practically vintage. Whatever your riding flavour — tarmac, gravel, or somewhere in between — there’s a tyre here that’ll make you grin every ride.

How do we decide what’s worthy of a place in our awards? Every month, we cherry-pick the top-rated bikes, components, and accessories from everything that has been reviewed on road.cc – and off.road.cc and ebiketips, when relevant – to feature in road.cc Recommends. This is the section of the site that’s devoted to the best products out there. Only the truly standout stuff makes it in.

From that list, we’ve pulled together the tyres that impressed us most this year — plus a few that nearly nabbed a spot.

Unlike our bike awards, we don’t do a straight top 10 here. Instead, we hand out three awards:

Bargain Buy This goes to the product that gives exceptional value for money on a bangs-for-your-buck basis.

Money No Object We take price out of the equation for this one; it’s all about performance.

Editor’s Choice This award is presented to the product that gives the best combination of performance and value for money.

We don’t hand out awards just for the sake of it. If no product in a particular category stands out in terms of value, say, we simply don’t give the Bargain Buy award.

Speaking of prices, the figures quoted below were the RRPs when we initially published our reviews. In some cases, that will have been several months ago, and they might have altered. We’ve stuck with these prices because they’re the ones upon which our reviewers based their comments and scores.

Okay, now it’s time to reveal the road.cc Recommends Tyres of the Year 2025/26.

Specialized Pathfinder TLR Fast Gravel Tyre £45

The Specialized Pathfinder TLR Fast Gravel Tyre is quick, impressively light, and absolutely in its element on dry hardpack. It isn’t designed for mud, though, so this is not your winter hero.

Specialized has used its dual-compound Gripton rubber here: T2 in the middle for low rolling resistance, T5 on the shoulders for added grip when you’re cornering. Acceleration on tarmac and compact gravel is snappy, and the transition onto the shoulder tread is smooth and predictable – none of that nervous handling you get with some fast gravel options.

In the dry, cornering grip is far better than the racy profile might suggest, and braking traction is solid, even on light off-road descents. However, the Pathfinder TLR Fast Gravel Tyre clogs quickly in wet mud and doesn’t bite hard enough to rescue poor line choices. It’s not intended for those conditions.

Cut-resistance is improved over the previous Pathfinder Pro thanks to reinforced sidewalls, and at £45 it’s competitively priced. In fact, for dry gravel rides, it’s hard to beat at this price. If your gravel riding tends towards speed, this one should be high on your list of contenders.

Why it’s here Puncture resistance, comfort and a very good performance on hard and dry surfaces – and not a bad price
Read the review

Schwalbe G-One RX Pro tyre £75

Schwalbe has continued to develop its gravel tyre range, and the G-One RX Pro is its most open and aggressive design yet. Open tread patterns often reduce rolling speed, but the RX Pro offers a surprisingly fast and smooth ride, although it lacks the bite you might expect when you push hard through corners. Schwalbe claims enormous grip for rocky and muddy riding, and there’s definitely a hint of classic cyclo-cross DNA here.

Our 700x50mm review tyres landed a touch over Schwalbe’s claimed weight, hitting our scales at 641g and 635g, but fitting was gloriously drama-free. With or without inserts, they seated on rims from Hunt and Reynolds, with nothing more than a stern look and a track pump.

Out on mixed terrain, the RX Pro delivers impressive straight-line speed and excellent climbing traction, only slipping occasionally on loose, powdery gravel. Braking traction can be a little unpredictable on some surfaces, especially grass, although this is typical of gravel tyres due to their low tread height.

Push hard into corners and the shoulder knobs don’t quite bite as fiercely as you might hope, though dropping pressures (or adding inserts) helps. Still, you’re getting a fast, versatile tyre that offers a great balance of grip and speed for mixed terrain. The Schwalbe G-One RX Pro may not be quite as assured as the RS version in hard cornering, but if you’re tackling rough, rocky or unpredictable surfaces, the G-One RX Pro is a strong and impressively rapid choice.

Why it’s here Open tread gravel tyre that is among the fastest gravel tyres available
Read the review 

Pirelli P Zero Race TLR 700×40 Tyre £79.99

If you’ve ever wished your gravel or all-road bike felt a little more… pro peloton, Pirelli’s 40mm P Zero Race TLR tyre – the chunkiest of its freshly expanded range – brings proper road-tyre zing with impressive grip and a supple ride feel.

Reviewer Stu Kerton loved the original P Zero Race TLR when he tested it back in 2023. Since then, the line-up has ballooned from 26–30mm to include 32, 35 and now this “go big or go home” 40mm option. Colour choices exist in the narrower sizes, but this big fella is only available in black.

Compared to slick versions of gravel tyres, the P Zero Race TLR feels unmistakably like a road tyre – supple, lively, and quick to spin up to speed. Yes, the 40mm width inevitably adds weight – 471g per tyre on the road.cc Scales of Truth – but the effect on speed in the real world is negligible.

Grip from the SmartEVO compound boosts your confidence in both corners and drizzle, and Pirelli’s SpeedCORE tubeless-ready construction delivered excellent air retention and zero punctures in testing. Fitting was drama-free on both hookless and hooked rims, too.

At £79.99 a pop, the Pirelli P Zero Race TLR isn’t cheap, but your gravel or all-road bike won’t have felt this racy before. It’s a very good option.

Why it’s here Impressive road race tyre in a size worthy of your gravel or all-road bike
Read the review

Michelin Lithion 4 Performance Line Tyre £29.99

The Lithion 4 Performance Line rolls in as the latest evolution of Michelin’s do-it-all training tyre – and it again punches well above its price bracket.

Long a winter-bike favourite, the Lithion has always blended grip, durability, and value, and version four doesn’t change that. What it does add is choice: alongside the existing 23mm and 25mm options, you now get 28, 30, and even 32mm widths, in black or a rather handsome “Classic” tan sidewall.

Despite remaining tube-type clincher only, the Lithion 4 doesn’t feel stuck in the past. The new Magi-X compound is impressively tacky, giving confident grip on cold, greasy winter roads and plenty of bite in the dry. Rolling resistance is said to be 6% better than the Lithion 3, and while you won’t perceive that difference, the tyre never feels sluggish. Through our review period, wear was minimal, puncture resistance was solid, and at around 259g for the 28mm version, the weight was perfectly respectable.

In short: superb value, great performance with plenty of grip and durability. Still one of the best tyres out there at this kind of price.

Why it’s here Impressive all-rounder with a performance and durability that belie its lowly price tag – and in a wide range of sizes
Read the review

Challenge Elite XP Handmade Road Tyre £50

The Challenge Elite XP Handmade Road Tyre in Black is a rare mix: robust and durable while still delivering a nimble ride.

Straight out of the box, these tyres immediately stand apart from the crowd thanks to Challenge’s ‘Open’ design. This means they sit flat (not moulded into shape) until inflated, so first-time fitting requires a bit of elbow grease, but once mounted, the bead snaps satisfyingly into place.

Riding on these tyres is a joy thanks to the predictable and grippy feel. Filthy British lanes, gravel, potholes, and hedge trimmings? Reviewer Ollie Smith reported no punctures whatsoever during testing, and the supple 220TPI casing is really durable thanks to Challenge’s Corazza sidewall protection.

We do wish that Challenge offered a tubeless version or slightly greater widths (the Elite XP comes in 25mm and 27mm only), especially for riders who crave lower pressures and even more comfort. But for inner tube devotees, this tyre is durable and responsive, and it’s excellent value too. Although it might not initially strike you as cheap, you could easily pay twice as much for a handmade tyre with a 220TPI construction, and that’s why it gets our Bargain Buy award.

If you’re running narrower rims and you’re not interested in going tubeless, the Elite XP is a premium, all-weather road option that’s well worth the money.

Why it’s here Supple, tough, high-quality handmade rubber that’s ideal if you still run narrow rims and tyres with inner tubes
Read the review

Hutchinson Blackbird Race Tyre £69.99

Hutchinson describes the Blackbird Race as “the fastest tyre we’ve ever created”, and after a few weeks of hammering them round damp race circuits and sprinting for town signs, reviewer Emily Tillett was impressed. Evolved from the Blackbird Road, this tubeless-ready, hookless-compatible tyre comes with both a new casing and a new compound to optimise speed, grip and abrasion resistance.

At 261g on our scales for the 30mm version (a whisker over the 255g claim), these are among the lighter race tyres out there. Setup was painless on Enve Foundation 65 wheels, and once inflated, they felt supple, quick, and sure-footed in both wet and dry conditions. Plus, they still looked box-fresh after 600km of racing and training.

The downsides? Only 28mm and 30mm sizes are available for now, and there’s no tan sidewall option for those who like such things. The price tag isn’t exactly bargain bin—but it’s still fair compared with rivals.

Fast, grippy, durable, and blissfully easy to set up—the Blackbird Race is proof that Hutchinson can soar with the best of them.

Why it’s here Excellent lightweight tubeless-ready, hookless-ready race tyre that balance grip, speed and durability
Read the review

Hutchinson Caracal Race Tyre £54.99

Aimed squarely at racers and performance riders, the Caracal Race is a fast-rolling gravel tyre that combines Hutchinson’s premium 127TPI casing with a slick central tread that blends low rolling resistance and just enough bite for dry conditions. Don’t expect wet-weather heroics, but on hardpack, fine gravel and tarmac, the Hutchinson Caracal Race absolutely hums.

The Caracal Race sits at the smooth-fast end of the gravel spectrum, complementing Hutchinson’s more rugged Touareg and Challenger models. Cornering grip is surprisingly decent, with a gradual centre-to-shoulder transition that feels stable, though the knob height shows its limits in loose or off-camber sections.

The casing is supple and comfortable, giving the tyre a very damped, controlled feel and helping to provide more grip than you’d expect. It deforms well over bumps and provides you with plenty of feedback on grip levels, without feeling too vague.

Reviewer Neal Hunt found the tubeless setup to be painless, and after 500km the durability proved to be excellent with minimal tread wear and no cuts or damage.

The Caracal Race is fast, comfortable, and impressively grippy, and it represents reasonable value for money. If your gravel riding leans towards racing, fast group rides or dry-weather events, it ticks all the boxes.

Why it’s here Supple and rapid race tyre that excels on tarmac and dry hardpack – though less convincing when the going gets rough or wet
Read the review

Vittoria Terreno T60 Pro Mixed Gravel Race Tyre £85

The new Vittoria Terreno Pro T60 doesn’t just stand out because of the way it rides – it looks different too. With carbon black banished from the recipe and 92% of the tyre made from renewable or recycled materials (including old fishing nets), the T60 turns heads before it ever touches gravel. Luckily, its eco-credentials don’t come at the expense of performance.

The organic cotton casing, natural latex and a Seawastex nylon belt create a surprisingly tough underlayer, topped off with a Bead Shield extra layer that sits around the bead. The Eco Race compound, brewed with natural rubber, soybean oil and rice-husk silica, gives the tyre its brown sheen and plenty of bite.

Once fitted, the T60 is fast, smooth and far grippier than you might expect. From tarmac to chunky byways, it simply gets on with the job with only sticky mud and slick grass exposing its low, tightly packed tread. In terms of weight, it’s carrying a little extra timber, but not enough to spoil the fun.

The colour might divide opinion, but reviewer Matthew Page experienced no punctures in nearly 1,000km of riding.

The Vittoria Terreno Pro T60 is at the top of the price bracket for race-focused gravel tyres, but it is one of the best all-round options currently available.

Why it’s here Smooth and quick, with impressive grip on almost all terrain
Read the review 

Pirelli Cinturato Evo TLR Tyre £74.99

The Pirelli Cinturato Evo TLR is a versatile tyre that offers an impressive blend of grip, durability and reasonable speed. It works well on road and is surprisingly capable for light off-road too. Although not the cheapest option, the performance and longevity mean it’s well worth considering for year-round use.

Reviewer Jez Ash tested the 32mm tubeless version and found that it felt substantial and reasonably tacky right out of the box. The 423g weight reflects the fact that it’s endurance-focused rather than a lightweight race tyre. Mounting the Cinturato Evo TLR onto rims was… challenging (it often is with Pirelli), but once installed, inflation was straightforward enough.

Pirelli’s Smart Evo AS compound is over 50% recycled or bio-based material and provides excellent grip and comfort. On dry roads, the tyres felt confident, offering a good balance of speed and suppleness. More unexpectedly, they handled less-than-perfect surfaces brilliantly too. From steep, wet climbs to towpaths and fire roads, they stayed composed and grippy.

Durability is a strength, Pirelli claiming a 40% improvement in lifespan over its Cinturato Velo. Our tyres showed little visible wear after weeks of riding, and shrugged off debris like hedge trimmings in the road.

If you’re looking for a reliable, year-round tyre that can handle rough tarmac and occasional off-road detours, the Cinturato Evo TLR is an excellent option. 

Why it’s here Strong contender for year-round riding, with impressive grip and durability
Read the review

Hutchinson Challenger TR Tyre £54.99

The Hutchinson Challenger TR in a 35mm width is an endurance-focused all-road tyre that provides longevity and outstanding puncture protection along with comfort and versatility. Measuring a plump 36.5mm on our 22mm internal width rims, it looks gloriously oversized, but in a way that whispers comfort rather than overkill.

Reviewer Josh Price found tubeless fitting incredibly easy: a splash of sealant, a few strokes with the track pump (no need for an air compressor), and they popped into place. Just check your frame/fork clearance if you go for the 35mm version.

On the road, the payoff is instant. Run at a reasonably low pressure, they turn rough tarmac into faint background noise. They don’t have the zip of a racy 28mm slick, but compared with traditional winter tyres, the Challenger TR feels sprightly and confidence-inspiring. The grip from Hutchinson’s ‘Endurance Bi-Compound’ – with softer shoulders and a harder central tread – is superb, even on damp corners you’d normally tiptoe around.

The Challenger TR’s other strengths are its toughness and durability, courtesy of its Hardshield puncture-protection layers and the Airshield flexible butyl layer that fully lines the casing, allowing it to be run effectively without sealant, if you like. Yes, that means the Challenger TR is pretty hefty in this width – 508g – but the trade-off is extra resilience and a claimed lifespan of 10,000km.

If you’re looking for tyres that prioritise durability, comfort and puncture-resistance over low weight, the Challenger TR is a serious contender.

Why it’s here Excellent hard-wearing tyre that’s comfy, grippy and extremely puncture-resistant
Read the review

Continental Archetype Limited Edition Tyre £94.99

“The Continental Archetype Limited Edition tyre is – put simply – one of the best race tyres I’ve ever used.”

That’s how reviewer Ollie Smith summed it up. And Continental says this is the fastest and lightest 30mm tyre it has ever made. That’s reflected in the price tag.

While optimised for the Enve rims used by Tadej Pogacar and his UAE Team Emirates teammates, these tubeless-ready beauties play nicely with other hooked or hookless rims from other brands.

Ollie tested them tubeless on Roval wheels, and the setup was painless. He needed a tyre lever to coax the last few centimetres of bead into place, but a standard track pump sorted inflation first time, which is always a win.

Available only in a 30mm width, the Archetype strikes a balance between comfort and speed. You get enough grip for fearless cornering, the tyres almost urging you to push harder and lean further. In crit races on tight, technical circuits, Ollie reported that he couldn’t have asked for more from them.

This is certainly a lot of money to spend on a tyre, but the price is in line with other premium options from other brands.

Light, fast, and grippy, the Archetype is a dream for race days. It’s a luxury you’ll appreciate.

Why it’s here Premium race rubber designed in collaboration with Pogačar’s team – and boy, are they good. But that price…
Read the review

Schwalbe G-One Overland Super Ground Tyre £67

If the Schwalbe G-One Overland’s large volume and closely packed tread pattern lead you to think this is a firm, sluggish touring tyre, you’re in for a surprise ; it’s anything but slow. With the added comfort of its generous size and impressive grip on almost any surface, there’s not much to dislike here

Ridden in its beefiest 700x50mm Super Ground guise, the Overland handles rocky trails and forest tracks beautifully, reviewer Matthew Page reporting plenty of grip and zero punctures. At around 700g, it’s no featherweight, but you wouldn’t know that from the way it carries speed on tarmac. You’ll need to approach muddy tracks and wet grass with caution, but it rolls quietly and confidently on most other surfaces, matching the pace of racier tyres, just with a bit more cushioning.

The G-One Overland isn’t a race tyre, but Matthew was impressed by the speed it could maintain, especially considering its high volume. It offers good traction along with more comfort and feel than you might expect from a tyre designed for long days out.

Why it’s here Impressive speed, grip and comfort for a variety of gravel and adventure riding
Read the review