Quick answer: every mountain biker should carry a puncture kit. Tubeless riders need a plug kit (also called a bacon strip kit) for holes too big for sealant, plus a spare tube for the worst cases. Riders with tubes need a spare tube, patches and tyre levers. Add a mini pump or CO₂ inflator and you can fix most flats in under ten minutes.
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What to carry on every ride
| Item | Tubeless riders | Riders with tubes |
|---|---|---|
| Plug kit (tool + strips) | Yes | No |
| Spare tube | Yes, as back-up | Yes |
| Patch kit | Optional | Yes |
| Tyre levers | Yes | Yes |
| Mini pump or CO₂ | Yes | Yes |
| Tyre boot (for sidewall cuts) | Yes | Yes |
| Valve core tool | Useful | No |
How tubeless plug kits work
When a hole is too big for sealant to close, you push a sticky rubber strip into the hole with a fork-shaped tool. The strip and sealant together seal the tyre. You can usually do it without removing the wheel. Look for:
- A sturdy insertion tool with a handle that’s easy to grip
- Thin and thick plugs for different hole sizes
- A storage design that clips to the bike or fits in a bar end
- A reamer to prepare the hole
Classic patch kits
For tubes, glue-on patches are the most reliable and stay on for the life of the tube. Self-adhesive (glueless) patches are faster but best treated as a temporary fix. Keep the glue tube sealed; once opened it dries quickly.
Our picks
We chose these kits for completeness, build quality, ease of use and how riders rate them on the trail. Lezyne and Muc-Off make well-proven tubeless plug kits; Pro Bike Tool and the budget kits from Aracey and RRK are good value.
Fixing a tubeless puncture step by step
- Rotate the wheel so the hole is at the bottom to let sealant work. Ride a few metres.
- If it still leaks, find the hole and push a plug in with the tool, leaving about 1 cm sticking out.
- Pull the tool straight out, leaving the plug in place.
- Reinflate and spin the wheel to let sealant coat the plug.
- At home, check the tyre and add sealant if needed.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a spare tube if I ride tubeless?
Yes. A large sidewall cut or a burped tyre may need a tube to get home.
Are tubeless plugs permanent?
Many last for the life of the tyre. Check them after a few rides.
What is a tyre boot?
A patch inside the tyre that covers a sidewall cut, so the tube doesn’t bulge through. A folded bank note or energy-bar wrapper works in an emergency.
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Hi, I am Emam Hasan — founder and editor of BrokeMountain. I oversee this blog’s hiking, camping and outdoor gear guides, making sure every article is well-researched, accurate and genuinely helpful for your time on the trail. Enjoy it!
