Tubes vs tubeless – what’s the difference / benefits?

Inner tube tyres

Traditional tyres are made up of a rubber innertube with a valve for inflation, covered by a rubber outer tyre crossed with tread and reinforced with wire to make it strong and safe.

Tubeless tyres

Tubeless tyres are now available that do not contain an inner tube, rather the inner layer of the tyre is the tube itself. The tubeless tyre’s internal construction and materials used offer several advantages over the tubed tyre. A tubed tyre may be vulnerable to heat and friction, particularly when the car is travelling at high speeds and this can lead to dangerous tyre blowouts. The tubeless tyre is constructed from high quality, heat resistant materials that reduce air movement and make it largely puncture resistant. The inner tube of a traditional tyrealso adds weight and rolling resistance, meaning its tubeless counterpart will both handle better on the road and improve fuel efficiency.

There are other factors to consider when comparing tyres. Contact your local tyre specialist or mechanic for advice on the best tyre options for your driving needs.