Best Wheelchair Tyres: 3 I've Run and Why I Switched

I've tried a few different wheelchair tyres over the years. I started where most people start, moved to something softer, and ended up on a thin, fast tyre that suits the way I push now.

Here's each one, what I liked, what didn't work for me, and how to find out which tyre suits you.

This is part of our guide to wheelchair wheels: rear wheels, casters, tyres and push rims.

The short answer.

The best wheelchair tyres depend on where you push. Puncture-resistant air-filled tyres like the Schwalbe Marathon Plus are the reliable all-rounder. Wider, softer tyres roll smoothly and are easier on your hands. Thin, light tyres like the Schwalbe One roll fastest on pavement. Solid tyres never go flat but give a firmer, heavier ride.

Types of wheelchair tyres.

Type	What it is	The upside	The trade-off
Air-filled (pneumatic)	A tyre with an inner tube you pump up	Softer, smoother ride and lighter	Needs pumping; can puncture
Puncture-resistant air-filled	An air-filled tyre with a protective layer under the tread	Most of the comfort, far fewer flats	Can be firmer and heavier than a light race tyre
Flat-free insert	A pneumatic-style tyre filled with a foam insert instead of air	Can't go flat	Heavier and less cushioned; often suits power chairs, where suspension takes the impact
Solid	Solid rubber or polyurethane	No punctures, no maintenance	Firmer ride and heavier, which you feel if you're in your chair all day

The 3 tyres I've run.

1. Schwalbe Marathon Plus.

This was my first proper tyre, and from what I gather it's the stock standard that a lot of people use. It's air-filled, with a puncture protection layer built in, and the rubber doesn't leave black marks on indoor floors.

It's a solid all-rounder. Gem has run Marathon Plus tyres for 30 years and says they've never let her down.

After a number of years, though, I found them quite hard on my hands. Your fingers brush the tyre on every push, and sometimes you grab the tyre itself for extra leverage. That adds up.

Tip: Schwalbe recommends a pressure gauge for the Marathon Plus, because the thumb test doesn't work on its stiff construction.

2. Schwalbe Airborne.

Somebody recommended this one to me after a few years on Marathon Plus. It's a little bit wider and softer: 30mm wide (24 x 1.2, 30-540), against 25mm for the Schwalbe One I run now. It rolls a bit smoother and it's much easier on your hands.

I still have a set of these on my spare wheelchair.

3. Schwalbe One.

Nowadays I'm rocking the Schwalbe One. It's quite a bit thinner, and it was originally developed as a competition tyre before Schwalbe made a wheelchair version.

Most of the time I'm on pavement, so I like that it's lightweight and rolls really easily. It's also very soft on the hands compared with a more aggressive tyre. I run mine at about 100 PSI, which keeps the ride fast and smooth.

Read more: How to change a wheelchair tyre

Off-road: for the beach, the snow and the ski field, I swap to a Schwalbe Table Top on a smaller 24" rim. Its deeper tread grips where my everyday tyres can't.

How they compare.

Tyre	Feel	Hands	Best for
Schwalbe Marathon Plus	Firm, reliable	Harder on hands	Mixed surfaces, fewer punctures
Schwalbe Airborne	Wider, softer, smooth	Easy on hands	Comfort
Schwalbe One	Thin, light, fast	Very soft	Pavement and urban pushing
Schwalbe Table Top	Medium-aggressive tread	A bit rougher	Beach, snow, ski field

How to choose your wheelchair tyres.

Where do you push most? Pavement and indoors suit a thin, light tyre. Mixed surfaces and lots of glass or gravel suit a puncture-resistant tyre. Sand and snow need tread.
How long are you in your chair? If you push all day, a firmer, heavier solid tyre makes every push harder. Air-filled is usually worth the pumping.
How are your hands? If your hands are sore or blistered, try a softer tyre. Your push rims matter too. See wheelchair push rims, rims and spokes.
How much do punctures bother you? If a flat would leave you stranded, go puncture-resistant, or carry a spare tube, tyre levers and a pump.
What size do you need? Read the code on your current tyre's sidewall, like my 25-559, and match it.

Then try a few. It took me a long time to move off Marathon Plus because I was so used to them. Many people run Marathon Plus, and there's also a range of Kenda tyres. Don't be afraid to try different models to feel how your chair rolls on each.

Keep your tyres at pressure.

The best tyre in the world feels terrible when it's soft. Soft tyres make every push harder, and your shoulders pay for it. Check the recommended pressure on the sidewall and check your tyres every week.

What do you tend to run, and what's your favourite tyre? Tell us in the comments.

FAQ.

What are the best wheelchair tyres?

It depends on what ground you're pushing on. The Schwalbe Marathon Plus is a reliable puncture-resistant all-rounder. For mostly pavement, a thin, light tyre like the Schwalbe One rolls faster and is softer on the hands. For sand or snow, you need a tyre with tread.

Are air-filled or solid wheelchair tyres better?

Air-filled tyres give a softer, smoother, lighter ride but can puncture. Solid tyres can't go flat but are firmer and heavier. If you're in your chair all day, air-filled is usually more comfortable.

Are Schwalbe Marathon Plus wheelchair tyres good?

Yes. They're one of the most widely used wheelchair tyres, with strong puncture protection. Gem has run them for 30 years. Mike found them hard on his hands over time and switched to softer tyres.

What pressure should wheelchair tyres be?

Use the recommended pressure printed on the tyre's sidewall and never go above the maximum. Mike runs his Schwalbe Ones at about 100 PSI. Use a gauge rather than the thumb test.

How often should I replace my wheelchair tyres?

Replace them when you see fabric through the tread or the tread has worn flat instead of rounded. How often depends on how much you push and where.

Why are my wheelchair tyres hard on my hands?

Your fingers brush the tyre on every push, especially if your push rims sit close to it. Firmer, more aggressive tyres are rougher on the skin. A softer tyre or a different push rim can help.

Keep going.

I am a T10 complete paraplegic and acknowledge that not everyone has the function I do. Do your best with what you've got and continually look to improve your skills.