The best go kart tires facilitate tight hairpin turns at high speeds on race tracks, and they can also provide substantial grip on gnarly off-road trails. No matter how or where you prefer to ride your go kart, there is a style of go kart tire that is best suited to your needs. From race weekend at the speedway to the off-road vehicle park, or even somewhere as benign as a quiet backcountry road, the best go kart tires are ready to perform. We’ve got the lowdown the top tires available and we are going to explain how to pick the right tires for your go kart.
After reviewing dozens of go kart tires we have identified the best on the market. While researching these tires we considered factors such as durability, the purpose of design, and material quality in choosing our top picks, and then we compiled a detailed list of many other excellent go kart tires to help you find the perfect fit for your specific go kart and driving style.
We chose the Deli Tire All Terrain Tubeless Tire as our overall top pick. This is the best multipurpose go kart tire available today. We think it’ll best serve those who like to take their go karts everywhere and do not want to be limited by their choice of tire.
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Go Kart Tires
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Go Kart Tire Overall | Deli Tire All Terrain Tubeless Tire | 4.7 |
| Best Go Kart Dirt Tire | Carlisle X Trac Tire | 4.3 |
| Best Budget Go Kart Tire | Carlisle Turf Tire | 4.5 |
| Best Go Kart Racing Tire | SunF Kart Racer Slick Tires | 4.1 |
| Best Go Kart Street Tire | DELUXEMOTO Street Tread Tire | 3.9 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Go Kart Tire Overall: Deli Tire All Terrain Tubeless Tire
The Deli Tire All Terrain Tubeless Tire is a well-rounded tire that can adapt to any terrain that stands in its way. We chose this tire for our top overall pick because it will work well for most people in most situations. Though it is not a highly specialized tire that will win first place at a track event or effortlessly mud-sling its way through an oversaturated bog, it will hold its own in a casual race, provide plenty of grip in dirt and light mud, and will prove to be durable on the street.
That’s because this is a tubeless tire with high-quality 4 ply construction that has a versatile chevron tread pattern. It is a go-anywhere do-anything sort of tire, and we love it for that. The fact that it is tubeless means that it will not pop when rolling over a sharp rock as easily as a tubed tire would, and the 4 ply construction has twice the strength of lesser quality kart tires. Its chevron treads have a moderate depth to them that can claw over rocks and ruts, and the tread pattern bleeds into the sidewall for enhanced off-road traction, but they’re not so knobby that they ruin on-pavement performance.
With an overall flat-to-the-pavement tread and an exceptionally wide 6.5″ stance, these tires can handle tight turns on the street and track with the best of them. Customers who have installed these tires on their karts have been impressed with their performance and durability. We think they’re the best option for those who don’t want to opt for a specific style of tire that will limit their overall fun and capability.
Deli Tire All Terrain Tubeless Tire Key Features:
- 13″ tall by 6.5″ wide
- Tubeless 4 ply tire
- Versatile chevron tread
- 6-inch rim size
Best Go Kart Dirt Tire: Carlisle X Trac Tire
There are many dirt-worthy go kart tires out there to choose from, and the Carlisle X Trac Tire should be on the top of your shopping list. It has a number of specific features that make it truly excel as an off-road go kart tire. This X Trac tire has a tall and thin stance, it is tubeless but can be fitted with a tube if you desire, and it is made with a malleable 2 ply rubber that provides an enhanced grip on off-road obstacles.
So let’s dig into those details. First, the 15″tall and 5″ thin stance is excellent for mud and sand. Thinner tires are better able to cut through deep mud and snow than wider tires, and that is amplified by the deep and widely-spaced lugs on this tire’s tread. Mud and snow will fly off as the wheels spin which will maintain the tire’s traction. Next, the tubeless design is preferable in off-road conditions where rocks threaten to puncture a tire and could pop a tube. However, a tube can be inserted into this tire if you prefer the extra inflation over soft surfaces such as sand and soft dirt where a highly inflated tire can help you float more comfortably over the surface.
Lastly, the soft 2 ply polyester-reinforced rubber is less rigid than 4 ply rubber. That softness allows the tire to mold around rocks, dirt, and uneven terrain to get a better grip, and the fact that the lugs continue partway down the sidewall enhances this tire’s ability to crawl over those troublesome surfaces. Due to its pliable design, this tire will not hold up well on the pavement. It’ll last much longer if you use it purely in the dirt.
Carlisle X Trac Tire Key Features:
- 15″ tall by 5″ wide
- Tubeless tire, but can use a tube
- Soft 2 ply rubber for better off-road grip
- 6-inch rim size
Best Budget Go Kart Tire: Carlisle Turf Tire
The Carlisle Turf Tire is a lot like our top overall pick in its design. This is an all-terrain tire that’ll work well in a variety of on and off-road applications, but it is priced much more affordably than most other tires. It’s a great budget solution for just about any go kart as it is available in a wide range of sizes. We’re featuring an 11″ by 4″ tire here with a 4″ rim and 2-ply construction, but there are nearly two dozen different models to choose from which you can find by following the provided product links for this model.
No matter the model of Carlisle Turf Tire you choose, they each have a tubeless design with a mild chevron tread pattern. These are the same features that we lauded in our top pick for their durability and versatility, and now they’re available here at a lower price. The range of sizes to choose from extends from small 4″ rims up to extra large 12″ rims that are big enough to fit ATVs, and the widths and heights vary just as wildly. There’s a size of this tire for you no matter what type of kart, ATV, or buggy you ride.
Users who have put these tires on their go karts have only had positive words to say about them. They’re a great, inexpensive replacement tire for casual riding. Don’t expect them to corner as dedicated racing tires would, but they handle pavement well enough for a fun ride around the track.
Carlisle Turf Tire Key Features:
- 11″ tall by 4″ wide (more sizes available)
- Tubeless tire
- 2 ply and 4 ply options
- 4-inch rim size (more sizes available)
Best Go Kart Racing Tire: SunF Kart Racer Slick Tires
Aside from your safety gear, there is nothing more important to have on the track than a set of high-quality tries. The SunF Kart Racer Slick Tires feature ultra-durable 4 ply construction to resist abrasions and wear on race day while providing maximum grip via a completely slick, treadless surface design. These tires are tubeless, and their low-profile shape contributes to their exceptional stability while allowing for on-call sliding when you demand it.
The 7″ wide stance of these tires lend the driver the confidence to take turns fast due to the exceptional grip, but the slick surface allows the driver to kick out the rear end and drift when the situation calls for action. These tires are great for indoor karting, outdoor tracks, and barstool racers. They have a maximum load of 330 pounds and a maximum PSI of 14.
There are two tires included with purchase, which actually makes these a good value as far as racing tires go. The SunF Kart Racer Slick Tires are not only a great choice because they are a high-quality racing tire, but also because they won’t break the bank for those who frequently race and burn through several sets of tires in a single season. If you want to load up on a good set of reliable racing tires for the upcoming year, these are a high-value choice that will perform well.
SunF Kart Racer Slick Tires Key Features:
- 11″ tall by 7″ wide
- Two tubeless tires included
- Tough 4 ply construction
- 5-inch rim size
Best Go Kart Street Tire: DELUXEMOTO Street Tread Tire
Street tires are different from racing tires because, unlike professional tracks, streets are not meticulously maintained. Public roads degrade over time, they become littered with debris, and they are pummeled by whatever weather passes overhead. The DELUXEMOTO Street Tread Tire has been designed with durability and on-road traction in mind. Pavement can eat up soft tires fast, which is why this tire is made of resilient 4 ply construction. It also features an all-weather tread pattern that’ll hold on tight in non-ideal conditions.
That 4 ply construction and v-shaped tread are the true Allstars of this tire. Durability is key for a road tire, but so is traction. The V-shaped tread pattern is not overly aggressive, but it is enough to maintain traction on pothole-riddled roads that have their fair share of dirt and grime. The v-shape also acts as a sipe that channels water away from the tires and flings it off to the side, giving the tires a fair amount of grip in wet weather.
This is a safe tire to use out on the road. It doesn’t have the knobs for dedicated off-road travel, though it can handle an easy trail or a flat patch of dirt or grass just fine. It also doesn’t have the wide, slick-surfaced stance of a racing tire for high-speed hairpin turns, but it’ll do great rolling about the neighborhood at street-legal speeds.
DELUXEMOTO Street Tread Tire Key Features:
- 10″ tall by 3″ wide
- Tube included
- V-style water siping tread
- 4-inch rim size
Who Should Buy Go Kart Tires
Anyone who owns a go kart will need to buy new tires at some point. Racers who frequent the track will need to replace their go kart tires often to maintain adequate grip for those fast-paced laps. All other go kart owners, no matter if you drive on the neighborhood streets or the local OHV park, will also need to replace their tires every so often.
Even the best off-road go karts will shred through their tires eventually. It’s the nature of the universe, the law of entropy. Everything falls apart no matter how well it is made. We’ve got some of the most durable tires available here on our list, but if you want to delve deeper into the world of dirt-worthy tires for your off-road go kart or ATV, take a gander at our list of the best ATV/UTV tires on the market.
Important Features to Consider
There are a few important considerations to think through before purchasing go kart tires.
- Wheel diameter and width. Most shoppers will be looking for go kart tires that fit wheels that they already own. Be sure to inspect the tire’s width and rim diameter to make sure that it matches the wheels you have. The same can be said if you are purchasing a separate set of wheels at the same time you are purchasing new tires.
- Terrain and purpose. We have several types of go kart tires featured on our list because they have been made to perform well on certain terrains. Racing tires, for instance, should be wide and have a slick surface so that they can grip a racing track during high speed maneuvers. On the other hand, dirt tires have large lugs that can dig into dirt, mud, and sand to provide traction on uneven surfaces. You want to get a tire that works best on the surface you will be riding on.
- Tire height. A tire’s height affects handling and ride quality. Fast driving and quick turns are better suited to low, wide tires that won’t fold over themselves during tight turns. Tall, thin tires are more effective over uneven terrain because they absorb more impact and act as a cushion between the driver and the ground.
- Tube or tubeless. Tubed tires feature an inner tube that must be inflated to keep the tires in a drivable state. The advantage of tubed tires is that they can be repaired easily, their pressure can be easily adjusted, and they are relatively inexpensive. Tubeless tires do cost more on average, but they cannot be popped and damaged as easily as tubed tires can, and they weigh less overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size are go kart tires?
The majority of go kart tires have a rim diameter between 4 to 8 inches, they have an overall height between 10 to 14 inches, and are usually 3 to 6 inches wide. There are exceptions, of course. You may have a child’s go kart that will require smaller tires, or you may want to opt for oversized off-road tires on a modified go kart.
How much is a go kart tire?
Go kart tires can be found in price anywhere from $10 per tire up to $75 per tire or even more. The average price is about $25 per tire for multi-purpose go kart tires, but specialized racing and off-road tires will average closer to $35 in price. The cost can vary based upon the brand name of the tire, whether the tire was formed with pliable 2 ply or more durable 4 ply construction, its material composition, and whether the tire is packaged with other related equipment such as wheels or tubes.
How long do go kart tires last?
This depends on the type of tire you purchase, how often you use them, and in what conditions. Casual go kart racing enthusiasts will replace their racing tires every few race weekends, while highly competitive racers will change their tires after every single race to ensure the best grip possible.
Those who ride their go karts on the street or the dirt for casual fun will get much more life out of their tires. A tire’s lifespan is based around the wear of the tread. You will notice that the tread diminishes and flattens the more you ride, as would your primary vehicle’s tires. You will need to replace the tires before they go fully bald or go flat. This degradation could take weeks, months, or years depending on how often you ride your go kart. The more often you replace your tires, the better the grip will be no matter where you ride your kart.
How do you read go kart tires?
Go kart tires have a series of numbers on their sidewall. You will see markings in three number sets such as 11.25 x 5.5-4. Each number represents a measurement in inches. The first number (11.25 in this example) is how tall the tire is in inches. The second number (5.5) is the width of the tire. The final number (4) is the diameter of the rim. You will also find the maximum tire pressure on the side of a tire that signifies the most that you should inflate the tire.
Other Go Kart Tires We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other go kart tires. Even though they didn’t make our five best go kart tire list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for a day on the track or trails. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
Go Kart Dirt Tires
The AlveyTech 4 inch Go Kart Tire is a standard tire on several models of electric scooters, go karts, and mini quad ATVs. It’s a solid replacement tire for anyone who wants good off-road traction thanks to its deep square-shaped lugs.
Key Features:
- 10″ tall by 3″ wide
- Uses an inner tube
- 4 inch rim size
Cost: $30
More than a size upgrade to the previous listing, this AlveyTech 6 inch Go Kart Tire stands 13 inches tall and 5 inches wide, and it features a Qind knobby tread that bleeds over to the sidewalls for great traction in extreme off-road environments.
Key Features:
- 13″ tall by 5″ wide
- Uses an inner tube
- 6-inch rim size
Cost: $40
The Carlisle Knobby Tire leans more toward an all-terrain design more so than being a dedicated dirt and mud tire. It has moderately sized lugs that will perform well off-road and will handle decently on-road as well.
Key Features:
- 14.5″ tall by 5.7″ wide
- Moderate lugs
- 6-inch rim size
Cost: $40
Great grip in dirt, snow, mud, and sand is what you can expect from the Coleman Knobby Tire. The lugs are deep on this one, and they carry over to the sidewall, making them a great choice for rock crawling in your dune buggy as well.
Key Features:
- 13″ tall by 5″ wide
- Tubeless tire
- 6-inch rim size
Cost: $40
A great general-purpose, all-terrain tire, the DELUXEMOTO Knobby Tire has a moderate tread design with square lugs that are great in dirt and grass. They’ll handle fairly well on the street and track too, but they are better used in the dirt.
Key Features:
- 10″ tall by 3″ wide
- Tube included
- 4-inch rim size
Cost: $30
The JDMOTO Tubeless Go Kart Tires are constructed of 4 ply nylon and are truly ready for high-speed action. They have an all-terrain tread that can take you anywhere. They’re versatile, strong, and should last you a long time.
Key Features:
- 14″ tall by 5.5″ wide
- Two tires included
- 6-inch rim size
Cost: $100
The WANDA Go Cart Tires feature deep, non-directional lugs that travel down the sidewalls, and they’re comprised of a softer rubber that’ll provide substantial grip in off-road conditions. They’ll wear fast on pavement, but they’ll last for ages if you keep them in the dirt and mud.
Key Features:
- 13″ tall by 5″ wide
- Deep lugs and soft rubber
- 6-inch rim size
Go Kart Racing Tires
With two tires and wheels, the Antego Tire and Wheel set is an excellent value for the price. The two 4-ply, tubeless, non-directional tires are wrapped around black steel wheels that feature outer bearing race bushings and sleeves.
Key Features:
- 13″ tall by 6.5″ wide
- Two tires and wheels included
- 6-inch rim size
Cost: $110
Durable and capable of enduring the high speeds and tight turns of the track, the Duro 4 Ply Go Kart Tire is an exceptional choice for casual racers. This tire will get you through many days at the track and keep you grounded while you fly around those hairpin turns.
Key Features:
- 10″ tall by 4.5″ wide
- 4 ply slick tire design
- 5-inch rim size
Cost: $30
The Hoosier Kart Oval Tire is a fantastic race and street tire that has a bit of tread for enhanced grip when the track is wet. The diagonal crosshatch tread sipes water away from the tires so that you stick to the pavement on a rainy day.
Key Features:
- 11″ tall by 6.5″ wide
- Water siping tread
- 6-inch rim size
Cost: $75
The tall and wide design of the Unili Racing SL Slick Tires is made to give you excellent handling in the turns and superior acceleration. You’ll have a wide stance that is perfect for tracks with many tight turns.
Key Features:
- 12″ tall by 9″ wide
- Tubeless design
- 6-inch rim size
Go Kart Street Tires
The Carlisle Oregon Tires are a pair of all-terrain tires with mild studs that provide additional grip in off-road use, but they are not overly aggressive, making them a fine choice for the street as well. You’ll find that they perform admirably on any surface.
Key Features:
- 10″ tall by 3.5″ wide
- Two tired included
- 6-inch rim size
Cost: $40
Much like the last tire we listed, the Carlisle Stud Kart Tire is an all-terrain tire with mild studs. It will handle well on the street, and its tread gives it a better grip in rain and snow. The tall sidewalls leave plenty of room for air to cushion the rider from minor bumps in the road.
Key Features:
- 10″ tall by 5″ wide
- Tube required
- 4-inch rim size
Cost: $25
The DEESTONE Ko Kart Tire Set is a great choice for street and track use. The tires have a minor amount of tread to provide extra grip on the road, but it’s not enough for hardcore off-road applications. It is made with 4 ply construction that’ll endure high speeds and sharp turns.
Key Features:
- 11″ tall by 4″ wide
- Heavy-duty 4 ply construction
- 5-inch rim size
Cost: $35
While we think the aforementioned DEESTONE tires are great, these Tubeless Tires are an even better choice if you can fit their larger dimensions onto your go kart. They have the same tread pattern that’ll work great on the street and track.
Key Features:
- 13″ tall by 5″ wide
- Tubeless design
- 6-inch rim size
Cost: $45
Take care of all of your tire needs with this one purchase of ZXTDR Tubeless Kart Tires. There are four 4 ply tubeless tires and wheels in this set, and they feature an all-terrain tread that’ll go just about anywhere. The tread isn’t too aggressive for the street, either.
Key Features:
- 14″ tall by 5.5″ wide
- Set of 4 tires and wheels
- 6-inch rim size
Budget Go Kart Tires
The Carlisle Smooth Tire is a budget-friendly racing tire alternative that will perform great on the track. Though they’re inexpensive, they are still made of durable 4 ply construction that’ll handle the abuse of a track day.
Key Features:
- 9″ tall by 3.5″ wide
- 4 ply tubeless construction
- 4-inch rim size
Cost: $15
Grab a whole set of four tires and wheels when you purchase these KaiWorldShop GO CART Tires. They have a lightly treaded design that’ll work well in all-terrain applications, though they are quite thin and tall which may not survive super high speeds at the track.
Key Features:
- 10″ tall by 3.5″ wide
- Four tires and wheels included
- 4-inch rim size
Cost: $50
The Stens Smooth 4 Ply Tire is a durable, slick-surfaced tire that will perform well on the street and on the track. This is a fine choice for those who want to race at the track on occasion, but do not want to spend large amounts of cash on premium racing tires.
Key Features:
- 10″ tall by 3.5″ wide
- Tube required
- 5-inch rim size
Cost: $14
No matter where you want to take your kart, the Trac Gard Stud Tire can help get you there. It’s about as budget-friendly as any tire can get, and it features a versatile jack-of-all-trades tread pattern that is competent on any terrain, though it may not excel in any particular situation.
Key Features:
- 10″ tall by 3.5″ wide
- Tube required
- 5-inch rim size
Cost: $12
