Rolling Green
In an age where climate change and waste reduction are at the forefront of global conversations, cyclists are increasingly looking beyond just riding bikes to how their bikes impact the planet.
It turns out one of the most important — yet least talked about — components, the tyre, is now part of the green transformation. Eco-friendly bike tyres are becoming a key way riders can reduce environmental impact without compromising performance, durability, or style.
Why Focus on Eco-Friendly Tyres?
Traditional pneumatic tyres are mostly made from petroleum-based synthetic rubber and additives like carbon black. Manufacturing and disposal of these tyres contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and landfill waste. Eco-friendly tyres tackle these issues by using sustainable materials, recycled content, and circular design principles that make them greener from production all the way to end of life.
Trailblazer Brands Leading the Green Charge
Here’s a look at some of the most innovative companies and the sustainable tyre products they’re bringing to the market:
reTyre — Cycling’s Carbon-Neutral Contender
One of the most exciting names in sustainable tyres is reTyre, a Norwegian manufacturer pioneering fully reusable and bio-based bicycle tyres. reTyre’s products are made from 100 % reusable materials, radically reducing emissions throughout their lifecycle. The company’s tyres are designed so that, at end of life, materials can be completely repurposed — a true closed-loop approach.
Key Products from reTyre
Alta – A smooth urban tyre tuned for efficiency and city riding.
Leka – All-round tyre with versatile grip for daily cycling.
Holm – A hybrid tyre that bridges city streets and light trail use.
Sund – A flexible hybrid combining performance and comfort.
reTyre’s innovative process eliminates the need for traditional rubber and vulcanisation, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to ~82 % compared to conventional tyres.
Schwalbe — Green Marathon and Recycled Rubber Leadership
German tyre specialist Schwalbe has long been synonymous with durability — and now sustainability too. The company’s Green Marathon line is one of the best-known eco-friendly tyres available.
Schwalbe’s Green Marathon Tyre
Constructed using fair-trade natural rubber.
Made with 80 % recycled and renewable materials.
Carbon black is sourced from recycled bicycle tyres — a world first.
This approach not only reduces reliance on fossil raw materials but also cuts CO₂ emissions significantly versus older tyres.
Hutchinson — Sustainable Materials in High-Performance Gravel Tyres
French brand Hutchinson has also jumped into the sustainable tyre space with its Touareg Green gravel tyre. Developed over multiple years, the tyre balances eco-credentials with rugged performance.
Hutchinson Touareg Green
Made with bio-sourced and recycled compounds (around ~57 % sustainable content).
Fully tubeless-ready with solid grip and durability for gravel and commuting.
Hutchinson plans to roll out more recycled and bio-sourced materials across its product range in future seasons.
Vittoria — Brown Tyres from Natural Materials
A breakthrough in tyre aesthetics and sustainability comes from Italian manufacturer Vittoria. Its recently unveiled Terreno Pro range uses up to ~92 % renewable and recyclable materials — including organic cotton, natural rubber, and recycled components like nylon from fishing nets.
Vittoria Terreno Pro (eco-focused gravel range)
A striking tan colour comes from omitting carbon black, traditionally used in tyres.
Designed for high performance and sustainability, with reduced carbon footprint.
This range signals a shift in how even mainstream brands are rethinking tyre materials for the planet.
Beyond Just the Tyre Itself
Sustainable tyres are only one part of a greener cycling ecosystem, but they represent a huge step forward. Innovations like bio-based elastomers, recycled compound integration, and truly reusable designs are reshaping what it means to ride responsibly. Eco-friendly tyres also encourage riders to think in terms of product lifespan, reuse, and reduction — ideas already deeply ingrained in cycling culture.
Eco-Tyres You Can Find Today
Even for riders who aren’t yet ready to invest in fully recycled or bio-based tyres, there are options that support greener cycling by improving durability or reducing waste. Here are a few you might consider:
Vittoria Terreno Pro T50£84.99
Vittoria Terreno Pro T50 – Gravel tyre from a range built around sustainable materials and high performance.
Vittoria E‑Randonneur G2.0 Tyre – A tyre suited to e-bike riders looking for durable tread life.
Tannus Airless Bicycle Tyre 700x28C £60.00
Tannus Airless Bicycle Tyre 700x28C – Airless design eliminates tubes (less waste), often made with recyclable materials.
Schwalbe Marathon Tyre £16.46
Schwalbe Marathon Tyre – Classic durable tyre with options aligned to recycled/renewable material standards.
Schwalbe Land Cruiser 700x40C Tyres – Versatile tyre with strong longevity — reducing frequent replacements.
Road Cruiser Eco‑Friendly Tyre £22.99
Road Cruiser Eco‑Friendly Tyre – Budget urban tyre with eco-friendly Kevlar guard.
Continental Pure Contact Folding Tire £37.27
Continental Pure Contact Folding Tire – A lighter tyre that can contribute to long service life and lower emissions.
Schwalbe Land Cruiser 700x40C Tyres £25.48
Vittoria E‑Randonneur G2.0 Tyre £21.73
Vittoria E‑Randonneur G2.0 Tyre – A tyre suited to e-bike riders looking for durable tread life.
CST Eco Bike Tire £5.94
CST Eco Bike Tire – Entry-level tyre with eco branding.
Why It Matters
Eco-friendly tyres are more than a niche trend. They represent how the cycling industry is embracing environmental accountability — from raw materials to recycled content, modular design, and circular manufacturing models. For riders, these tyres offer a simple way to match performance with planet-positive values.
So what About Mountain Bike tyres? Are they are a sustainability challenge.
Mountain bike tyres require more material than most other cycling tyres. Deep tread blocks, reinforced casings, and puncture-resistant layers all add durability — but also increase raw material use and manufacturing energy. Add to that the high wear rate caused by rocky trails, roots, and abrasive terrain, and MTB tyres often need replacing more frequently.
Eco-focused innovation in this category therefore concentrates on longevity, material sourcing, and reducing toxic compounds, rather than simply cutting weight or cost.
Sustainable Materials Meet Trail Performance
Modern eco-friendly mountain bike tyres focus on smarter compounds rather than softer ones. By using higher percentages of natural rubber, recycled fillers, and bio-based oils, manufacturers are reducing petroleum dependence without sacrificing grip.
Some brands are also replacing traditional carbon black — a petroleum by-product — with recycled alternatives or plant-based pigments. This lowers emissions and often results in distinctive brown or tan-hued tyres, a visual marker of sustainability that’s becoming increasingly accepted on the trail.
Brands Pushing Green MTB Innovation
Several manufacturers are leading the charge in making mountain biking more environmentally responsible:
Schwalbe
Schwalbe’s commitment to fair-trade natural rubber extends into its mountain bike range. Many of its MTB tyres now use recycled carbon black sourced from old tyres and avoid harmful aromatic oils. Popular trail and enduro models benefit from improved durability, meaning fewer replacements over time — one of the most effective sustainability gains.https://www.schwalbe.com/en/CSR?srsltid=AfmBOorneJ10xLtL2uJpLjxn6CGHC0o8Dx70up6JYOstlyPFCSQeeYIU
Vittoria
Vittoria’s off-road tyres increasingly feature renewable materials such as natural rubber and recycled nylon casings. By omitting traditional carbon black in select compounds, Vittoria has reduced environmental impact while maintaining grip and rolling efficiency on loose and mixed terrain.
Maxxis (Early Sustainability Steps)
While not traditionally known for eco-focused messaging, Maxxis has begun experimenting with longer-lasting rubber compounds and reduced-waste manufacturing processes. For mountain bikers, tyre longevity is key — a tyre that lasts a full season of hard riding has a much lower environmental footprint than one replaced every few months.Continental
https://www.continental-tires.com/products/b2c/bicycle/sustainability-bicycle-tires/
By 2050, the goal is 100% renewed or recycled tires—no more landfilling
Durability Is the New Sustainability
In mountain biking, sustainability often looks less like “lightweight” and more like “long-lasting.” Thicker sidewalls, reinforced bead construction, and cut-resistant layers may use more material initially, but they dramatically reduce premature failure.
From an environmental perspective, one durable tyre that survives rocky descents, wet roots, and repeated impacts is far greener than two or three lighter tyres destroyed in the same conditions.
Tubeless Setups: A Hidden Green Win
Tubeless mountain bike systems also contribute quietly to sustainability. Eliminating inner tubes reduces material use and waste, while lower pressure riding decreases punctures and tyre damage. Although sealant has its own footprint, the overall system often results in fewer tyre and tube replacements over time.
Riding Responsibly, Rolling Responsibly
Eco-friendly mountain bike tyres may not yet dominate the market, but their presence signals a shift in priorities. Riders no longer have to choose between trail performance and environmental responsibility. With smarter compounds, recycled materials, and a renewed focus on durability, today’s green MTB tyres prove that sustainability belongs on the trail.
For mountain bikers who love the outdoors, choosing a more environmentally conscious tyre isn’t just a purchasing decision — it’s a statement of respect for the terrain they ride.
If you’ve searched for eco-friendly tyres for your mountain bike, you may have noticed something striking: the options are surprisingly sparse. Unlike road and commuter tyres — where recycling programmes, natural rubber blends, and carbon-neutral ranges are becoming increasingly commonplace — the mountain bike world is only just beginning to explore sustainability.
But that doesn’t mean change isn’t possible. The limitations we see today are the result of real engineering challenges — and opportunities.
Why Choices Are Limited — The Real Trailblocks
1. Demanding Performance Requirements
Mountain biking pushes tyres to their limits. Deep tread, reinforced casings, puncture resistance, and grip across varied terrain all rely on materials and construction techniques that have, until now, depended heavily on synthetic rubbers and petroleum-based additives.
Eco materials must match or exceed this rugged performance, which is difficult and expensive to engineer — especially at scale.
2. Cost and Investment Barriers
Developing new compounds, testing them in real-world trail scenarios, and ensuring durability requires significant R&D investment. Smaller companies pioneering sustainable materials often lack the capital to compete with major tyre manufacturers.
3. Manufacturing Constraints
Cycling tyres are produced in facilities designed around long-established processes. Introducing new materials — like bio-based elastomers or recycled content — can require retooling and certification, which manufacturers are cautious about unless they see strong market demand.
4. Awareness and Demand Lag
For many riders, sustainability is a “nice to have,” not a purchase priority — especially if green tyres cost more or aren’t perceived to perform as well. Without clear demand, brands are less incentivised to broaden their eco offerings.
Turning the Wheel: How We Expand the Market
Here’s the good news: the path forward is clear, and cyclists, brands, retailers, and even race series can all play a role in widening the trail of eco-friendly mountain bike tyres.
Cyclists Can Vote With Their Wallets
Consumer demand drives innovation. When riders actively seek out tyres made with recycled, renewable, or reusable materials — and are willing to pay a small premium for them — brands take notice.
How Eco-Friendly Bike Tyres Are Redefining Sustainable Cycling..
