No one wants to cut a ride short due to a mechanical issue, and certainly not a puncture. The best tubeless tyre puncture repair tools are small and easy-to-carry, making all the difference between limping home and completing your ride.
While the best tubeless sealants do a fantastic job of sealing the best gravel or road tubeless tyres, they will need a little extra help with larger holes. That is where tubeless tyre puncture tools come in.
The quick list
Affordable, easy to use and with a reliable outcome. Comes with a strap to attach the tool to your bike.
Beautifully made, this lightweight tool is quick and easy to use - just what you need when every second counts.
It stores inside your handlebars and comes with a chain breaker. The plug element is effective.
Comes with two different end caps so you can fit the tool in your handlebars, steerer tube or hollow crank.
Worked best using wide repair strips on plump tyres. Stores are available inside the bars and come in a variety of colours.
It is large but easy to use. It features master link pliers, a knife, a chain breaker, and more, as well as a repair tool.
Load 3 more of the best tubeless tyre plug kits
Stan's Dart tool works in a slightly different way from other tools on test, which has its pros and cons. It was the only one to seal a large side wall tear, though.
With the same plugs as the racer tool, the addition of the CO2 attachment is a bonus, allowing you to fit the plug and inflate all at the same time.
The integrated plug kit we found to be one of the most valuable parts of the M20 tool from Crankbrothers, justifying its otherwise slight bulk.
The Best Tubeless Tyre Puncture Repair Tools
Best overall
Over best overall tubeless puncture repair tool, the Blackburn Plugger.
The Blackburn plugger kit does one job quickly and reliably. Its plastic housing feels lightweight but durable and contains the tool and ten plug strips. The plugger can be preloaded, allowing for fast deployment. A quick turn releases the tool from the housing, which is a metal tube with an open and pointed end rather than the frequently seen fork. We appreciated this difference, as the strips always stayed in the tyre and were easy to insert and load.
The system's wider diameter can be tricky to insert in a smaller puncture, but those would likely seal up with sealant alone. The manual encourages loading “up to two plugs at once” for larger holes, and we found the tube was fairly easy to load with one or two strips. Two plugs were nearly enough to seal a larger (8mm) sidewall tear, but we might not trust that as a long-term fix. The Plugger kit has a hook and loop strap that enables fast access by strapping the kit to the bike’s frame, fork leg, or zip-tied anywhere. We thought strapping it to our travel pump was rather clever. Blackburn claims repairs are permanent so you can ride easy knowing that your tyre should last.
Best for racing
Dynaplugs, originally used for motorcycle tyre repairs, are fast, reliable, and beautifully machined tools. The Racer Pro's slick aluminium housing contains “Twin Tube™ technology” to hold four ready-to-go plugs, including one Megaplug (three times the thickness of their standard plug). Unlike the more common strips, these plugs are metal-tipped to enable low-force insertion—for us, this made the repair easier. It also helps reduce the risk of nicking rim tape or damaging nice carbon rims.
We found that the system took just seconds to insert into a puncture, with more plugs ready to go if needed for larger holes. This is a go-to choice when every second counts on a racecourse. The Racer holds two plugs, compared to the Racer Pro’s four, for a bit of cost savings. Dynaplug also claims repairs are permanent for the life of the tyre.
Best for stealth
The Wolf Tooth Encase Chain + Tyre Plug Multi-Tool is meant to be a multi-tasker, and it’s a clever one at that. Initially, the kit seemed too large to fit in the curve of a drop bar. However, the installation was consistently a breeze once we'd placed the pivoting tool correctly.
The tubeless plug tool is encased in an aluminium body and threads onto the tool, which pulls double duty as a chain breaker. It has space to store the included 5 repair strips and preload the fork tool with one as well. On its own, the plugger was pleasant and easy to use. Strips loaded into the fork easily, even when doubled up, and we found they plugged punctures well, detaching from the fork to remain in the tyre.
The Encase System is well designed and richly featured, a pro if you’re looking for a full tool kit and a con if you’re just after a plug tool to add to your existing kit. As a stand-alone, the chain tool seems robust but was not tested and does require an external 4mm hex to function. The system storage sleeves seemed to fit snugly without noise or rattling but were not tested on the trail. Wolf Tooth does acknowledge that this system will not work with some ergonomic-style road bars with extra bends in the drops and has a running list of known bars that fall into this category.
Best for storage
A tool that's hidden but always there. Granite's Stash Tyre Plug seamlessly disappears in your handlebars or hollow axle crank, out of the way but there when needed.
The quality aluminium all-in-one kit comes with a reamer and fork, medium-sized strips, and two different end caps. For a small 35-gram weight addition, you can fit the stash tool in your handlebars, steerer tube, or hollow crank.
The tool looks super clean, and we found that the reamer and fork itself did the job at hand. However, the tool's insertion and removal require an additional 4mm hex. It's also a tad time-consuming, resulting in quite a bit of air and sealant loss. Stashing the tyre strips inside the tool is a bit of a squeeze, but Granite doesn't provide a dedicated place to store them, meaning you either stuff them in with the tool or carry them in a pack separately.
Best for wide tyres
This kit comes with the traditional fork encased in one bar end, a knife to trim plugs in the other, plus 3 packs of different size strips. The strips are described as being small for road, medium for gravel tyres, and large for mountain. Our first attempt with the medium strip fared poorly, with the tacky strip sticking to the tines of the fork and itself, failing to stay in the tyre. A second attempt using the smaller strip went smoothly and held well despite a tricky placement right next to a knob. The knife to trim down the strip worked well and did not create any resistance or pull any of the strips back out, as we were concerned it might. With this in mind, this kit may be best for a more aggressive gravel adventure bike or to share with a mountain bike.
Having a colour pop or colour-coordinated bar end is also appealing, as these come in 12 colour options. They are the most involved in fitting into drop bars and also the slowest to remove. Utilizing the 4mm hex to get a comforting, snug install also means you need the 4mm to get the tools out of the bar ends. It’s not a complicated ordeal, but it is potentially an issue of lost time, tyre pressure, and sealant.
Best for bikepacking
Much like the other plug kit from Wolf Tooth, this system is stacked, quite literally, as the full 8-bit kit comprises several interlocking magnetic multi-tools. The Chain Breaker and Plug tool can be purchased separately, but it is still a bit of an investment. While this kit is likely a few things too many for your usual day ride, it includes some of the items that you’d want to take bikepacking or touring, like master link pliers and a knife.
The tubeless portion is the usual fork with reasonable-sized strips. The way the tool is stored doesn’t allow for a pre-loaded strip as it stashes inside the tool body and doubles as the 3mm hex for the chain breaker. However, we still found it satisfying to use, with a large grip area and good leverage. As a fairly hefty tool, it’s good for broader uses but not what we’d suggest for fast deployment or race situations.
Best for big holes
The DART Tool is certainly a different concept than most of the other tools we tested and that came with its pros and cons. The light plastic body houses two large “Dual Action Repair for Tubeless” aka DART that are almost reminiscent of a badminton birdie, and the rods to insert them.
While Stan’s describes these rods as “ultralight, corrosion-resistant and incredibly strong carbon” we had one break on the first attempt and don’t seem to be alone in this issue. Luckily the tool comes with two and the other side held up and sealed an ugly sidewall tear that any other plug or strip would have struggled with. To aid matters the DART is also said to create a chemical reaction with Stan’s sealant to enable a stronger and more durable fix. This benefit, however, only appeals if you’re already a Stan’s user.
With some breakage and the plastic head of the DART as a real struggle to insert, this tool might only be useful with large punctures. If you seem to tear sidewalls, or go big with punctures and need a way to get home, this might be the tool for you.
Best plug kit with inflator
If you don’t catch your puncture right away, you’ll likely be airing up your tyre and trying to plug a hole. The Dynaplug Air Kit combines the ease of the system described in the Racer with a CO2 inflator.
While a pump is typically handy on most adventures, CO2 can help re-seat the bead of a tubeless tyre if it has become quite flat. The versatile design allows us to inflate either through the puncture hole while repairing or separately through the tubeless valve. The hose that comes with the system is a clever attachment tool and is a great addition to an already slick system.
Best multi tool with plug kit
Our honourable mention, the Crankbrothers M20 multi-tool
As I mentioned in my introduction to this guide, it has become commonplace for the best multitools to come equipped with tubeless puncture repair tools. The Crankbrothers M20 multi-tool is a great example of this and was subsequently awarded the best multitool for tubeless repair.
Not only does it feature 20 very useful tools, including the usual Allen keys, a chain tool, and a unique rotor straightening tool, but it also features that all-important tubeless puncture repair tool, which we found during testing to be one of the most useful parts of the M20 tool. However, that's not all. It also comes equipped with a small box for storing additional tubeless plugs and keeping them from drying out.
Also Tested
Lezyne Rap II-20 Tubeless multi-tool
What happened? It's an awkward application, and there is no option to preload plugs. I couldn't get the strip to stay in the tyre. We liked the idea of an abrasive/reamer-along tool, but it might be best on larger tyres only.
Lezyne Tubeless Blaster
What happened? Plug insertion failed several times, leading to me giving up.
Genuine Innovations Tackle Kit
What happened? These plugs were the stickiest in the test, which was a drawback because they adhered to the applicator tines. I did manage to get one plug to hold successfully, but I am concerned about its reliability.
SWORD Plug Kit
What happened? The Sword tool is supplied with gigantic strips that I struggled to insert; however, it was easily installed into the ends of the drop bars. There is no obvious storage for extra plugs. The only option for pre-loaded plugs is to leave them loose inside the bar, which can cause them to dry out or stick to the inside of the bar.
How we test
The testing of tubeless tyre puncture repair tools is the only time we willingly want punctures to see which is the best tool. To avoid any accidents or injuries to reviewers, our testing is done in the relatively controlled environment of our warm and dry workshop. While it doesn't replicate real-world scenarios, it allows us to test a larger number of tools and kits, replicating different-sized punctures and damage.
Clearly, the primary function of a tubeless tyre plug is to repair punctured tyres, allowing them to hold air again, which was the test's primary concern. The Plug's ability to seal large and small holes or slashes was assessed, as was its speed of deployment, which could be crucial to help the tyre retain air, especially when racing.
However, elements such as ease of storage, simplicity to use and inclusion of other handy tools were also considered when giving a star rating and the kit's value for money.
Our basic testing is done by making several holes or varying sizes, then plugging and reinflating. This test is very similar to how we test the best tubeless sealants; however, these holes are slightly bigger.
For more information on how the Cycling Weekly team of tech testers go about putting the best cycling tools and kit through its paces, visit our How We Test page.
Plug and sealant working in tandem to achieve an airtight seal
How to choose a tubeless plug tool
While the traditional flat kit of tyre levers, tube, pump (or CO2 inflator) and multi-tool is the core basics you should have on every ride, the addition of a tubeless plugger can make the difference whether or not you need to use those resources. To find the right plug tool for you, consider a few variables:
Storage - Ease of access to this tool can make the difference between losing a few psi or leaking sealant all over the road. Many products are designed to be stored in a handlebar so they take up minimal space. Others strap onto your bike, and some are small enough to be added to your existing flat kit or tool wrap.
Multi-taskers - Many of the best plugger tools we tested were built to do that one thing, while others are built into multi-tools or entire tool systems. Are you happy with your existing multi-tool or other elements of your flat kit? If not then consider these multi-taskers as a clever way to build out your tool arsenal.
Type of riding - This test was structured with gravel riding and the tyres and likely punctures of this style of riding. Many of the pluggers in the market are oriented to mountain biking and size their tools and repair strips accordingly. We struggled with this larger strip size and left off several tools that fell into this category. Additionally, the kit you carry may vary depending on pace, terrain, and remoteness. Some tools are oriented toward fast and light, while others are heavier-duty or feature-rich.
How to use a tubeless tyre plug tool
Using one of the best tubeless tyre repair tools is incredibly simple and shouldn't be a concern for anyone. The benefit is that you don't need to remove the tyre, which, considering the tightness of some tubeless tyres, means you only need your repair tool and something to reinflate with, like one of the best electric bike pumps. Here are my six steps to getting the best seal...
- Locate the puncture - remove the offending article and see if the sealant can work its magic without intervention. If not, prepare your tool.
- Tool prep - ensure the plug is correctly fitted in the tool, through the eye, and can be removed unobstructed.
- Insert the tool, ensuring the plug folds in half and aligns as best as possible to fill the hole.
- Twist and slowly extract - to release the plug, you will need to twist the tool a small amount and then slowly pull it out. Make sure to leave at least half the plug in the tyre.
- Let the remaining sealant do the rest - once the plug is in and looks secure, place the plug at the lowest point to allow sealant to pool around it, giving a good seal.
- Inflate - be careful inflating and keep an eye on that plug, you don't want it popping out. Also, be sure to check the plug's max rated pressure; some will only allow you to limp home.
If the hole is large you might need to use more than a single plug. Whatever you do try to keep as much sealant in the tyre as you can, as this will save you once the hole is plugged.
FAQs about tubeless plugs
Do tubeless plugs actually work?
Having tested nearly a dozen tubeless repair kits for this guide, my resounding answer is yes! Of course, not all kits are as reliable or easy to use, but having also been in several scenarios out on the road and trail where I have had to rely on these tools, you can be reassured these tools are ride savers.
How long do plugs last and they be a permanent fix?
While the plugs are most commonly used in emergencies, there is no reason that your plug can't last indefinitely until the tyre wears down. Plugs are vulcanized rubber just like your tyre, given that it's a good fit and the plug is fitted correctly, with a good tubeless sealant to help seal any minor gaps; at the very least, you shouldn't need to replace the tyre immediately.
