Tire plugs can be a lifesaver on the trail. Now that most of us are running tubeless tires, pinches and punctures are less frequent. On those rare occasions when we do flat, a tire plug tends to be a quick and simple fix. Compact, easy to use, and generally inexpensive, a plug kit should be a part of every mountain biker’s everyday carry.
I’ve used a number of tools and plugs over the years and have found they all work as advertised. Still, with so many choices available, I wanted to test all the most popular options to see which one is my favorite. In the end, the KOM Cycling tubeless tire repair kit emerged as a surprise favorite, though honestly I would feel good about packing any one of these on my next ride. Here’s what I liked and didn’t like about each tubeless tire plug kit.
1. KOM Cycling tubeless tire kit
The KOM Cycling tubeless tire kit is a two-sided tool with a needle on one end and a sharp-pointed reamer on the other end. The tool comes with about 10 thin and sticky rubber strips that you can twist together if necessary to seal bigger holes. I found it easy to thread the needle, even with multiple plugs twisted together. Using the sharp reamer to prep the puncture hole makes it easy to insert the needle without requiring a lot of pressure. That’s good because the butt ends of the tool don’t offer a lot of surface area to push against. There’s room inside each cap to store about five plugs, though it’s a tight fit and can be tricky to get them out.
What I like: The sharp reamer preps the puncture hole and makes it easy to insert the needle; the needle is easy to thread; compact and simple design.
What I don’t like: Stored plugs are hard to get out of the caps; not a lot of surface area to push against when plugging tough tires.
Weight: 24.3g*
Price: $16.99 at Backcountry.com
2. Muc-off Puncture Plug repair kit
I tested two Muc-off tire plug tools, and the Puncture Plug repair kit was my favorite of the two; it’s also my second favorite tool overall. While the tool is certainly packable, it’s the least compact of all the ones I tested. That’s because the tool features a T-handle, which is welcome when using the thickest plugs that tend to require more force to insert. Like all of the tools I tested, you can preload the Muc-off Puncture Plug tool for quick use. However, using the reamer to prep the hole generally requires inserting the tool without a plug first.
What I like: Includes three different plug sizes, with room to store plenty more; T-handle is nice for pushing into tough tires; needle is easy to thread and can be preloaded; plugs are nice and sticky.
What I don’t like: Awkward shape for packing; no separate reamer tool.
Weight: 28.8g
Price: $15.99 at Muc-off
Muc-off Stealth Tubeless Puncture Plug tool (not ranked)
I also tested the Muc-off Stealth Tubeless Puncture Plug tool, which is designed to sit inside your bar ends. One side features a needle and reamer that appears to be identical to the tool above, while the other side has a serrated blade designed for trimming plug ends. It’s a quality tool with a CNC machined aluminum body and includes gaskets to fit various bar diameters. Having a tire plug tool right at the bars ensures that it’s accessible quickly, and there’s room in both ends for plug storage.
What I like: Needle is easy to thread and includes a reamer; includes a knife for trimming excess plug length; bar placement makes for easy access; caps provide a good amount of surface area for pushing stubborn plugs.
What I don’t like: Heavy overall weight; expensive; while the knife is nice to have, it’s not really necessary IMO.
Weight: 69.7g
Price: $54.99 at Muc-off
- How to use tubeless tire plugs
- How to get leaky tubeless tires to seal again
- The best tubeless tire sealants
3. Dynaplug Racer Pro (tie)
For me, the Dynaplug Racer Pro is in a tie for third place, along with all but one of the remaining tools below. Dynaplug offers a few different tool forms, including bar-end tools, and they all use the same unique tire plug system that fuses a metal tip with a rope-like plug. By default, the tool is always loaded and ready to use, and there’s no need to worry about plugs drying out or losing their stickiness. There’s a lot to like about the sleek form factor, straightforward application, and plug security once it’s inside the tire. On the flip side, the tools and replacement plugs are comparatively expensive. There are a few different plug sizes and tips available; I’ve only had luck with the sharper, brass tipped plug; the fat, blunt tip (above, left end) is very difficult to press, even into large holes, especially given the slick finish and minimal surface area afforded by the end cap on the Racer Pro tool. If you end up putting a tube in your tire after using a Dynaplug, be sure to remove the plug so the sharp tip doesn’t puncture the tube from the inside.
What I like: It’s always ready to go; sleek and compact form factor; plugs stay secure.
What I don’t like: Expensive; the blunt, round plugs are of limited utility; hard to generate enough force with the compact Racer Pro tool; no way to prep tricky holes.
Weight: 25.5g
Price: $57.99 at Amazon (replacement plugs are about $14 for five)
3. Lezyne Tubeless Kit (tie)
The Lezyne Tubeless Kit includes instructions for use printed right on the side of the tool, in case you forget, or if you’re part of the 43% of Singletracks readers who have never attempted to use a tubeless tire plug on the trail. Five flattish plugs are included in the kit, with room for storage and the ability to preload. However, note that the instructions suggest inserting the tool without a plug first to widen the hole using the needle with reamer. I definitely recommend taking the time to do this; otherwise, the large plugs can be difficult to force through. The fat end of the tool is nice to push against, but there isn’t much to grab with your fingers.
What I like: Includes a reamer integrated into the needle; flat plugs should handle most holes.
What I don’t like: You need to prep smaller holes to fit the fat plugs; tool doesn’t offer a lot to grab onto.
Weight: 39g
Price: $19.99 at Amazon
3. Stans Dart tool (tie)
The Stans Dart tool is one of the more innovative solutions on the market and is designed to not only form a physical seal with the tire, but also a chemical one in conjunction with the latex sealant inside. It reminds me of an Epi-pen with a sharp tip that’s ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice, and even features a clear cap so you don’t accidentally dart yourself. Inserting the plug requires very little force and the plastic tool is the lightest I tested. Replacement darts are expensive, and if the sealant inside your tire has dried out, the plug won’t work properly.
What I like: Lightweight, quick, and simple to use; plugs seem to stay very secure with minimal leakage once the sealant goes to work.
What I don’t like: Expensive replacement plugs; needs liquid latex sealant inside the tire in order for it to seal properly.
Weight: 15.6g
Price: $25 for a tool and two Darts at REI (five replacement Darts for $20)
- Favorite tire plug tool overall: KOM Cycling
- Runner-up: Muc-off
- Lightest weight: Stans Dart
- Cheapest tire plug tool: Amazon special
3. WTB Rocket Plug Kit (tie)
The WTB Rocket Plug kit works a bit like Dynaplug, with tips that are meant to stay inside your tire after insertion, helping to prevent plugs from pulling out. Unlike Dynaplug, the WTB kit uses standard sticky rubber strips similar to those used by most others in this test. The Rocket Plug kit includes a stepped tool at one end that WTB calls an “Extra Hand” for temporarily plugging the hole while you prep the needle and rubber strip. Four bits and 15 plugs fit inside the tool; I found the tips tend to rattle around and are easy to lose if you’re not careful opening the kit. This is the rare kit where preloading doesn’t really work, but that’s somewhat mitigated by the “Extra Hand.”
What I like: “Extra Hand” is nice for immediately plugging the hole; easy to thread the tool tips; rubber strips can be combined for larger holes; strips are well secured inside the tire.
What I don’t like: Tool tips are easy to lose and rattle around in the tool; there’s no reamer, though I was able to use the “Extra Hand” sort of like a stepped reamer; expensive tool and tool tip refills.
Weight: 55.4g
Price: $44.95 for the tool and four tips (currently $39.93 on Amazon); $17.95 for four additional tips.
3. Inexpensive Amazon tire plug tool (tie)
You’ll find this tubeless tire repair kit sold under various names on Amazon.com. I accidentally bought two of them, not realizing they were the same ones! Fortunately, they are cheap, and generally get the job done. The needle isn’t the sharpest, and there’s no reamer. Still, the compact kit comes with ten sticky plugs in two different sizes that you can store in the cap. In one test I found the smaller plug leaked initially, but once the sealant got to work, it plugged the tire just fine.
What I like: It’s cheap; comes with a couple of different plug sizes; can preload and store plugs inside the cap.
What I don’t like: The needle isn’t very sharp and there’s no reamer; slimmer plugs may not provide a tight fit.
Weight: 26.4g
Price: Currently about $7.99 at Amazon. I’ve purchased identical tools for as low as $4.79.
3. Blackburn Plugger (tie)
The Blackburn Plugger is unlike any of the other tools I’ve used, featuring a hollow needle. Insert the plug halfway inside the needle, and push the sharp end into the puncture. It can take some force to use, and the tip isn’t all that precise, but overall it tends to work quite well. Plugs are stored inside the plastic tool, and the case features a belt loop you could thread onto a pack strap for easy access. I recommend preloading a plug for a quick tire repair.
What I like: Effective; plug storage inside the tool; belt loop.
What I don’t like: Requires more force than a tool with a sharper needle; plugs need to be sticky to load properly.
Weight: 25.5g
Price: $24.95 at Backcountry. There’s also a mini version that sells for $9.95.
3. Ryder Slug Plug (tie)
Along with the Blackburn Plugger, the Ryder Slug Plug is the kit I’ve owned the longest, and I’ve used it to plug many a punctured tire. Unlike all the other kits I tested, the Slug Plug separates the tool from plug storage. This makes for a tiny tool, just don’t lose (or forget to pack) the plugs! You can preload a plug inside the tool and the two pieces together weigh just 16.7g, making it the second lightest I’ve tested. The end of the tool also features a Presta valve core remover.
What I like: Lightweight; fairly sharp needle is also easy to load; includes valve core remover.
What I don’t like: Separate plug storage; no reamer.
Weight: 16.7g
Price: $10 at Jenson USA
4. Genuine Innovations Tubeless Tackle Kit
The Genuine Innovations Tubeless Tackle Kit includes five plugs and two replacement Presta valves. I’m not sure why they include the valves — but thanks, I guess? The tool has a valve core remover in the base and plenty of storage inside for much more than just five plugs. I found the included plugs frustratingly difficult to thread into the needle, and resorted to biting the ends with my teeth to get them started. For that reason, I highly recommend preloading a plug so you don’t have to do it on the trail. The needle isn’t all that sharp either, and the tool/case is surprisingly heavy. Among the tools tested, the Genuine Innovations Tubeless Tackle Kit stands alone in fourth place.
What I like: Valve core removal tool; plenty of space for storing plugs.
What I don’t like: The needle is very difficult to thread and isn’t very sharp; unnecessarily heavy.
Weight: 56.9g
Price: $19.99, currently $14.38 at Amazon
As you can see, most of the tire plug tools on the market use similar sticky rubber strips to stop leaks, except for the Stans Dart and Dynaplug tools. To seal bigger holes or slits, use larger strips or twist multiple strips together. Only the Stans Dart plugs are designed to fill both small and large punctures with a single plug size.
In addition to the tools featured above, I also tested these Slime-brand tools designed for ATV and trailer tires. The plugs are quite large, and the tools are heavy, so this is really only useful as a shop tool for plugging the biggest holes. A small tube of rubber cement is included, which could be a good thing to add to your bike tire repair kit to ensure that plugs stay in place.
📣 Your turn: tell us which tubeless tire tool is your favorite in the comments!
* All weights include the tool and case plus all included plugs.
