The Dillinger 5 is 45NRTH's deep-snow specialist, built around large, paddle-like knobs that deliver exceptional float and traction in powder and soft snow. It earns the best-in-class spot for riders who prioritize flotation and off-piste control, though it trades some rolling efficiency and higher cost compared with leaner or studded options like the Terrene Cake Eater and the Vanhelga.
Massive flotation
Deep-snow grip
Massive flotation
Deep-snow grip
Review Summary
"Widely praised for outstanding studded traction and confidence on deep snow and ice; users note excellent stud retention and durability but call it heavy and expensive with high rolling resistance. Overall performance on technical winter rides is considered best-in-class."
Surfs powder
Available in wide fat-bike widths (e.g., 26×4.6 / 27.5×4.5) for excellent snow floatation
Surfs powder
Available in wide fat-bike widths (e.g., 26×4.6 / 27.5×4.5) for excellent snow floatation
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Dillinger 5 is 45NRTH's deep-snow specialist, built around large, paddle-like knobs that deliver exceptional float and traction in powder and soft snow. It earns the best-in-class spot for riders who prioritize flotation and off-piste control, though it trades some rolling efficiency and higher cost compared with leaner or studded options like the Terrene Cake Eater and the Vanhelga.
Massive flotation
Deep-snow grip
Surfs powder
Available in wide fat-bike widths (e.g., 26×4.6 / 27.5×4.5) for excellent snow floatation
Studdable tread pattern and optimized knob layout for dependable ice traction
Massive flotation
Deep-snow grip
Surfs powder
Available in wide fat-bike widths (e.g., 26×4.6 / 27.5×4.5) for excellent snow floatation
Studdable tread pattern and optimized knob layout for dependable ice traction
$220-320 USD
The Terrene Cake Eater 26x4.6 is singled out for its lightweight, supple casing and aggressive paddle-inspired tread that delivers low rolling resistance and excellent flotation in soft sand. In contrast to the Vee Snowshoe's giant footprint or the heavier 45NRTH Dillinger, the Cake Eater gives riders a lively, efficient feel for long dune laps and is often a financially attractive performance tire for those wanting near-race responsiveness without sacrificing sand traction.
Sand-optimized shape
Light rolling
Sand-optimized shape
Light rolling
Review Summary
"Widely liked as a standout sand/dune tire — light, fast and offering strong flotation and directional grip; a minority report quicker tread wear on abrasive surfaces."
Paddle-ish knobs - sweet scoops
Aggressive paddle-like knobs optimized to bite and propel on soft sand.
Paddle-ish knobs - sweet scoops
Aggressive paddle-like knobs optimized to bite and propel on soft sand.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
The Terrene Cake Eater 26x4.6 is singled out for its lightweight, supple casing and aggressive paddle-inspired tread that delivers low rolling resistance and excellent flotation in soft sand. In contrast to the Vee Snowshoe's giant footprint or the heavier 45NRTH Dillinger, the Cake Eater gives riders a lively, efficient feel for long dune laps and is often a financially attractive performance tire for those wanting near-race responsiveness without sacrificing sand traction.
Sand-optimized shape
Light rolling
Paddle-ish knobs - sweet scoops
Aggressive paddle-like knobs optimized to bite and propel on soft sand.
Lightweight, supple casing designed for very low-pressure flotation.
Sand-optimized shape
Light rolling
Paddle-ish knobs - sweet scoops
Aggressive paddle-like knobs optimized to bite and propel on soft sand.
Lightweight, supple casing designed for very low-pressure flotation.
$160-240 USD
45NRTH Vanhelga 26x4.0 120TPI
The 45NRTH Vanhelga is positioned as the top winter performance fat tire, featuring a 120 TPI casing and a cold-weather rubber compound engineered for maximum traction and composed compliance in snow and ice. Its high-TPI construction and stud-compatibility (where applicable) deliver technical advantages over more generalist options like the Maxxis and Specialized, but it comes at a premium price and with a focus on winter use rather than all-season versatility. For riders who demand peak grip in subzero conditions and are willing to invest, the Vanhelga is the market-leading winter choice.
Magnet-like ice grip
Warm rubber cling
Magnet-like ice grip
Warm rubber cling
Review Summary
"Reviewers consistently rate the 45NRTH Vanhelga very highly for exceptional cold-weather traction, supple 120 TPI casing, and reliable performance in snow and ice, with the main downsides being higher price and limited all-season use. Long-term users call it one of the best winter fat-bike tires available."
Silky high-TPI feel
120 TPI high-thread-count casing for supple ride quality and superior grip in cold conditions.
Silky high-TPI feel
120 TPI high-thread-count casing for supple ride quality and superior grip in cold conditions.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The 45NRTH Vanhelga is positioned as the top winter performance fat tire, featuring a 120 TPI casing and a cold-weather rubber compound engineered for maximum traction and composed compliance in snow and ice. Its high-TPI construction and stud-compatibility (where applicable) deliver technical advantages over more generalist options like the Maxxis and Specialized, but it comes at a premium price and with a focus on winter use rather than all-season versatility. For riders who demand peak grip in subzero conditions and are willing to invest, the Vanhelga is the market-leading winter choice.
Magnet-like ice grip
Warm rubber cling
Silky high-TPI feel
120 TPI high-thread-count casing for supple ride quality and superior grip in cold conditions.
Designed for exceptional traction on packed snow and icy surfaces and compatible with studs for added bite.
Magnet-like ice grip
Warm rubber cling
Silky high-TPI feel
120 TPI high-thread-count casing for supple ride quality and superior grip in cold conditions.
Designed for exceptional traction on packed snow and icy surfaces and compatible with studs for added bite.
$220-300 USD
The Hookworm is an iconic, no-nonsense cruiser tire known for a slick center tread and extremely durable casing, offering very low rolling resistance and long service life at a budget-friendly price. It isn’t a true 4.0" fat tire, so it sacrifices flotation in sand and deep snow compared with Vee and CST, but its financial and technical value is clear for urban and boardwalk cruising where durability and low cost matter most.
Street-slick roll
Bulletproof casing
Street-slick roll
Bulletproof casing
Review Summary
"The Maxxis Hookworm 26x2.5 is widely liked for its rock-solid durability, smooth semi-slick ride and excellent wear life for cruiser and urban use, with many riders calling it virtually bombproof."
Retro chopper vibe
Flat, dense center blocks for exceptional wear life on pavement
Retro chopper vibe
Flat, dense center blocks for exceptional wear life on pavement
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
The Hookworm is an iconic, no-nonsense cruiser tire known for a slick center tread and extremely durable casing, offering very low rolling resistance and long service life at a budget-friendly price. It isn’t a true 4.0" fat tire, so it sacrifices flotation in sand and deep snow compared with Vee and CST, but its financial and technical value is clear for urban and boardwalk cruising where durability and low cost matter most.
Street-slick roll
Bulletproof casing
Retro chopper vibe
Flat, dense center blocks for exceptional wear life on pavement
Stiff sidewalls resist pinch flats and handle curbs with ease
Street-slick roll
Bulletproof casing
Retro chopper vibe
Flat, dense center blocks for exceptional wear life on pavement
Stiff sidewalls resist pinch flats and handle curbs with ease
$60-100 USD
The Schwalbe Jumbo Jim 26x4.8 Super Ground is tuned for flotation and fast rolling thanks to its Super Ground carcass, making it a versatile and practical choice for mixed snow and sand conditions. Compared with the Maxxis and 45NRTH, Jumbo Jim emphasizes efficient rolling and lower weight for longer rides and often represents strong value—sacrificing a bit of extreme-snow bite for a more affordable, all-around performance tire.
Sand-floats easy
Featherweight roll
Sand-floats easy
Featherweight roll
Review Summary
"Reviewed as a versatile, low-rolling-resistance tire that excels in sand and snow with long-lasting tread, riders appreciate its smooth ride and stability though it's heavier than some alternatives and can be more expensive."
Smooth carve
Super Ground compound balances excellent grip with low rolling resistance.
Smooth carve
Super Ground compound balances excellent grip with low rolling resistance.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Schwalbe Jumbo Jim 26x4.8 Super Ground is tuned for flotation and fast rolling thanks to its Super Ground carcass, making it a versatile and practical choice for mixed snow and sand conditions. Compared with the Maxxis and 45NRTH, Jumbo Jim emphasizes efficient rolling and lower weight for longer rides and often represents strong value—sacrificing a bit of extreme-snow bite for a more affordable, all-around performance tire.
Sand-floats easy
Featherweight roll
Smooth carve
Super Ground compound balances excellent grip with low rolling resistance.
Tread profile optimized for flotation on soft snow and sand.
Sand-floats easy
Featherweight roll
Smooth carve
Super Ground compound balances excellent grip with low rolling resistance.
Tread profile optimized for flotation on soft snow and sand.
$200-300 USD