Going tubeless is a bit like switching from a Nokia to a smartphone: once you’ve experienced the benefits, there’s no going back. Better puncture protection, lower rolling resistance, improved ride feel – all in exchange for a little faff with fluid. But while tyres and rims take most of the glory, it’s the sealant inside doing the dirty work.
So which one actually works best? We’ve tested nine leading tubeless sealants over months of riding – from smooth tarmac to flint-strewn gravel – to find the formulas that seal reliably, last the longest, and don’t ruin your day with mess or mid-ride drama.
Here’s everything you need to know, including the sealant we rate as the one to trust when it matters most.
What makes a great tubeless sealant?
At its core, tubeless sealant is a liquid filled with suspended particles. The liquid – often a latex-based carrier – is designed to stay fluid inside the tyre for weeks or months, sloshing around and sealing up tiny air gaps around the bead, valve or casing. When you get a puncture, that carrier rushes to the hole and the particles act like aggregate in a pothole: they wedge into the gap and help the latex form a plug.
What separates a good sealant from a poor one is how well it strikes a balance between:
- Sealing speed – how quickly it can close a hole, especially when riding at pressure
- Particle mix – the type and size of solids suspended in the carrier
- Longevity – how long it remains usable before drying out
- Temperature stability – whether it stays effective in cold or hot conditions
- Ease of maintenance – whether it can be topped up through a valve, or requires removing the tyre
Some brands use traditional materials like natural latex and microfibre. Others add more unusual fillers – Silca uses recycled carbon fibre, and Panaracer opts for ground walnut shells. Glitter, fibreglass shavings, and synthetic fibres are also in the mix with various formulations, and all aim to help sealant bridge cuts and tears quickly before pressure escapes.
Carrier viscosity also matters. Too thin, and it won’t seal large cuts. Too thick, and it won’t reach the puncture fast enough. The best sealants offer a middle ground, with enough flow to circulate freely, but enough body to stay put when needed.
How often should you replace tubeless sealant?
This is one of the most overlooked parts of tubeless maintenance. Sealants don’t last forever – most will dry out or become ineffective within 2 to 6 months, depending on climate, tyre type and how much you ride. High-porosity tyres (cotton-cased models in particular) wick away moisture from the sealant faster, and hot weather accelerates evaporation.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how to check and refresh:
- Listen and shake – Lift the wheel and shake it. If it sounds like a sloshing milk bottle, you’re probably fine.
- Valve test – Let the tyre rest with the valve at the bottom, deflate it, remove the valve core, and press the tyre down flat. If no sealant dribbles out, it’s time for more.
- Dipstick check – Use a small zip-tie, spoke or skewer through the valve (core removed) to dip into the sealant and measure what’s left.
- Injector top-up – If your sealant allows, use a syringe to add 30-60ml depending on tyre size and brand recommendations.
As a rule of thumb: 60ml for road tyres under 30mm, 80 to 100ml for wider gravel tyres. And check monthly, especially in summer.
Tested: the best tubeless sealants on the market
Stan’s No Tubes Original
Still the workshop default and for good reason. Its relatively low viscosity means it flows quickly inside the tyre, making it one of the fastest sealants to plug small to mid-sized punctures. It’s especially useful for initial set-up, where sealing around the bead and valve is just as important as real-world puncture performance. While it’s latex-based and performs well in a wide range of temperatures, it does separate quickly, so it needs a thorough shake before use. It also has a sharp, slightly chemical smell that some riders dislike. Still, its broad compatibility and near-universal availability in bike shops make it the most practical option for riders who want an easy-to-find solution and regularly get their tyres topped up during services.
Orange Seal Endurance
Where Stan’s can dry out after a couple of months, Orange Seal Endurance stretches well beyond that. It’s one of the longest-lasting sealants we’ve used, particularly in warm conditions or with porous casings. It creates a thin, even coating inside the tyre that also helps reduce slow air leaks over time – a big plus if you’re using ultra-light tyres or ones with more flexible sidewalls. It doesn’t clump or ball up, which means you can ride for longer without needing to replace or flush it out. Mixing isn’t always perfect, and you’ll want to shake it vigorously, but once in the tyre, it’s consistent and reliable. If you ride frequently but don’t want to fuss over your wheels every few weeks, this is the low-maintenance sealant to go for.
Effetto Mariposa Caffelatex
A very clever formulation that creates foam as the wheel rotates, helping the sealant coat the inside surface evenly. This keeps it circulating actively, meaning punctures get sealed faster and more predictably. It’s particularly effective for smaller cuts and pinholes, which makes it ideal for race tyres and smooth road conditions. It’s also non-toxic and safe for use in tubular tyres. Where it falls short is in larger cuts – the foam doesn’t carry large particles, so it struggles to plug anything wider than a few millimetres. That makes it a niche but impressive option – best kept for fast road setups where performance and minimal rolling resistance matter more than battlefield-level protection.
Bontrager TLR
This one is all about visibility and fast action. The ultra-thin consistency allows it to circulate quickly through the tyre, and the bright blue dye makes any leaks obvious – which is brilliant if you’re chasing a slow puncture or want visual reassurance mid-ride. It handles medium punctures reasonably well and stays well mixed, which improves its shelf life and predictability. The big caveat is the smell – it’s one of the worst offenders on that front – and the blue fluid can stain, especially on lighter tyres or rims. Still, if you’re looking for a diagnostic-friendly sealant or are trying to troubleshoot a tricky tyre, it’s hard to beat for accuracy and clarity.
Finish Line Fiberlink
Packed with Kevlar fibres, this sealant targets the high end of puncture severity. The fibre content allows it to plug larger holes that would defeat lighter formulas, and it still flows well enough to coat the tyre evenly. Its natural latex base gives it a less offensive odour than some rivals, and it plays nicely with a range of tyres and conditions. The bottle design, though, is an issue – the 8oz squeeze format makes it hard to measure and inject precisely, especially if you’re working with tight valve stems or want to top up accurately. If you ride chunky gravel or often find yourself miles from the nearest help, this is a good insurance policy – just plan your refills carefully.
Muc-Off No Puncture Hassle
A modern tubeless sealant with a clear nod to the needs of race-day practicality. What sets it apart is its compatibility with CO2 cartridges – many sealants lose their effectiveness at freezing temperatures when CO2 is used, but Muc-Off maintains performance in these scenarios. It’s also UV-reactive, so leaks or failed seals can be easily found with a torch. The sealant doesn’t form clumps and resists drying better than most, although it’s less capable on larger holes. The small bottles are another drawback – not ideal for injector use, and they can make accurate dosing more awkward. Still, for road riders using CO2 or mechanics who want to trace leaks precisely, it’s a standout.
Silca Ultimate with Fiberfoam
One of the most innovative formulations around, this sealant uses recycled carbon fibre as its particle base. The result is strong sealing on larger holes while also making an environmental statement – diverting carbon scrap from waste. The carrier is synthetic latex, offering good longevity, but the fibres are too large to pass through valve stems. That means you need to break the bead to install it initially, though Silca does offer a compatible “replenisher” without fibres for later top-ups via injector. It’s not as plug-and-play as others, but for performance-oriented riders who want strength and sustainability in equal measure, it’s a compelling option.
Panaracer Seal Smart
Very thick, fully biodegradable, and specifically designed to work with the lightest, most porous tyres on the market. It’s recommended by brands like Rene Herse and works well in thin cotton or poly-cotton casings where other sealants disappear too fast. It uses crushed walnut shells as its sealing particles – unusual, but highly effective for micro-perforations and casing weep. However, the viscosity is so high that you’ll need to break the bead and pour it in – no injecting through a valve here. It’s a bit of a commitment, but if you value ride feel and run lightweight tyres, it may be the only sealant that can keep up.
WTB TCS Sealant
Optimised for real-world temperatures, especially in the cold and wet. By cutting back on volatile carrier fluids and increasing synthetic latex content, WTB has created a sealant that evaporates more slowly and performs better in the temperatures most people actually ride in. This makes it especially good for winter training, commuting, or regions with cool, damp weather. The trade-off is thickness – it’s viscous and harder to inject, especially with narrow valve stems or bent valve cores. Still, for anyone who rides all year and wants peace of mind in the foulest conditions, this is the sealant to go with.
Verdict: which sealant is best?
If you want the absolute best balance of longevity, sealing performance, and ease of use, Orange Seal Endurance comes out on top.
It lasts longer than most rivals, doesn’t gum up or clump inside tyres, and handles a broad range of puncture sizes. Its compatibility with other sealants is a bonus too, in case you ever need to mix in a pinch. While some sealants may outperform it in one specific area (e.g. Effetto for tiny punctures, Finish Line for big holes), Orange Seal hits that sweet spot for most riders, most of the time.
Use it once, and you’ll probably forget it’s even there, which, with tubeless, is the ultimate goal.
