The Best Gravel Tires for Unbound 2025

Best WTB Gravel Tires for Unbound Gravel: Conquer the Flint Hills with Confidence

When it comes to Unbound Gravel in Emporia, Kansas, one thing is guaranteed—you’ll need a tire that’s as tough as the terrain. With miles of sharp flint rock, unpredictable weather, and race-day pressure, your tire choice can be the difference between making the finish line or limping to a DNF. Fortunately, WTB offers a range of gravel-specific tires designed to tackle Unbound’s brutal conditions.

Here’s a breakdown of our top tire picks for Emporia’s gnarliest gravel:

1. Vulpine S – Speed Meets Control

Best for: Dry, fast conditions & experienced racers chasing podiums. The Vulpine S is our go-to semi-slick gravel tire designed for max speed and minimal rolling resistance. Built for riders who know the course and want to fly over the fast flats and roll confidently through corners, the Vulpine S shines when the course is dry and you’re ready to race.
• Center slick tread keeps rolling resistance to a minimum
• Aggressive side knobs offer grip when cornering or off-camber
• Available in 40mm and 45mm widths for comfort and speed balance
• SG casing provides puncture protection without sacrificing weight

If your Unbound strategy is to attack the pace line and float over the fast sections, the Vulpine S is your tire.

2. Vulpine – All-Around Speed & Versatility

Best for: Mixed conditions with dry-to-loose transitions

Think of the Vulpine as the Vulpine S’s more well-rounded sibling. It’s a fast-rolling center with increased shoulder bite, making it ideal for riders who want a tire that blends speed and grip when the terrain varies or the weather throws a curveball.
• Balanced tread pattern that handles everything from hardpack to loose gravel
• Predictable cornering for high-speed turns on sketchy terrain
• Available in 40mm and 45mm
• Built with SG2 puncture protection for peace of mind over sharp flint

If you’re unsure what Emporia will serve up on race day, the Vulpine is a safe bet for fast, smooth, and secure riding.



3. Resolute – Confidence in the Chunk

Best for: Wet, unpredictable, or gnarly terrain

When the course is saturated or savage, the Resolute is your best friend. With ample knob height, wide spacing, and forgiving volume, this tire eats up rough conditions and maintains traction when others slip out.
• Wide tread spacing clears mud and debris with ease
• Raised knobs bite into loose terrain for serious control
• 700x42mm width gives riders extra cushion and float
• SG casing to withstand sharp flint and big hits

If your race plan is about comfort, traction, and durability over pure speed—or the forecast calls for rain—the Resolute is the tire that will see you through the finish line

"Having done Unbound for years now on WTB rubber, we have some good data on what works, and what does not, on both the north and south course. Our best years have been on the Resolute 42. With tires trending wider, Unbound trending bumpier, with good chances of flatting, WTB understood the assignment in creating the Resolute 50 and we're all in on that tire for Unbound 2025. "

-Zack Allison

"Unbound is tricky in that the course isn't crazy technical or difficult, but the rocks are irrationally sharp! I previously had a 100% clean run with the 42mm Resolute in 2022, resulting in a 4th place podium! Unbound is so competitive now that you really can't afford to have a mechanical at all, so I will further reduce risks in 2025 by upgrading to a 50mm Resolute with SG2 for 2025."

-Whitney Allison

The Final Word: Pick Your Best Gravel Tire for Unbound