What Our Gearhead® Experts Are Saying:"The 29in Kraken is one of the most balanced tires I’ve ridden. It rolls fast enough for XC racing but has just enough volume and knob height to give me confidence on technical descents. It’s the perfect ‘fast but capable’ tire for racing and trail bikes."Born from Hutchinson’s elite Racing Lab program, the Kraken 29in Racing Lab tire is engineered to blur the line between cross-country speed and trail confidence. Inspired by the lightweight efficiency of the Skeleton XC tire and evolved for more aggressive terrain, the Kraken is our pick when the route ahead demands speed, control, and versatility for a podium chase or a long trail adventure. Its larger volume casing adds cushion and control when pressures drop, helping us stay composed through rough roots, loose rocks, and fast corners. A revised tread layout combines tightly spaced center knobs for low rolling resistance with taller, reinforced shoulder lugs for confident braking and cornering. The Race Ripost XC compound offers triple-density rubber that stays firm under power while flexing just enough to maintain grip across changing terrain. Whether we're racing XC marathons or charging our local trails, the Kraken delivers on every pedal stroke with confidence, speed, and comfort.