MTB Tire Test: Vittoria Mezcal XC Trail 29x2.4

In recent years, we've tested several versions of Vittoria's Mezcal, and today we're going to see how the new XC Trail version compares to the XC Race and previous TNT versions. Vittoria has revamped their entire range of mountain bike tires in 2024-2025, and they now feature three casings: Race, Trail, and Enduro, which makes choosing the right casing easier.

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We have previously tested the Mezcal with the Race casing (read our review), which we describe as a typical XC tire (fast, light, and with minimal protection). The Trail casing represents a significant step towards increased protection, and the extra weight of 180 grams for the 29x2.40 version makes that clear. The Trail casing comes with an additional layer of protection under both the tread and the sidewalls, along with a thicker layer of 4 Compound Formulation instead of the Race Formulation compound.

Our test results clearly show a substantial difference between the Race and Trail casings, so it's important to choose the right casing for these tires.

Before the launch of Vittoria's Race, Trail, and Enduro lineup, it was sometimes challenging to choose the right casing, since the heavier versions rolled faster, were only available with gray sidewalls, or weren't available for the tire of your choice. When it comes to Cross Country tires (which our tests primarily focus on), it's now easy because the Tereno, Peyote, Mezcal, Barzo, and Torrente are available in both Race and Trail casings.

The sidewall colors have also been updated, and the standard color is now black for all casing types and tire sizes. Optionally, brown sidewalls are available for the Race casing in all sizes, but for the Trail casing, they are only available in the 29x2.4 size. We also notice that both the Mezcal and Barzo with Trail casing come in a wide variety of sizes: 26x2.10, 27.5x2.10, 27.5x2.25, 27.5x2.40, 27.5x2.60, 29x2.10, 29x2.25, 29x2.40, and 29x2.60.

We tested the Mezcal XC Trail in the 29x2.40 size with black sidewalls and will compare it with the Mezcal XC Race (read our review), the old Mezcal TNT G+ 2.0 (read our review), and a selection of mountain bike tires. Since our website is focused on fast and light mountain bike tires, we haven't tested any tires from the Trail segment yet, which makes comparisons a bit more challenging than usual.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Vittoria
Model	Mezcal XC Trail
Year	2026
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At	Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number	11A00761
EAN	8022530036139
TPI	67
Compound	4Compound Formulation
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	60-622
Size Inch	29"
Width Inch	2.40
Specified Weight	920 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	40
Made In	Pro Data
Available Sizes	26x2.10 27.5x2.10 27.5x2.25 27.5x2.40 27.5x2.60 29x2.10 29x2.25 29x2.40 29x2.60

Vittoria Mezcal XC Trail Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	920 grams
Measured Weight	908 grams
Measured Width Carcass	57 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	58 mm
Measured Height	Pro Data
Tire Circumference	Pro Data
Measured Knob Height Center	2.6 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	4.1 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	3.4 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Pro Data
All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 35 psi / 2.4 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube	None (40 ml sealant)
Measured Width	57 mm
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 bar 51-55 = 38 psi/2.6 bar 56-60 = 34 psi/2.3 barHigh Air Pressure (34 psi / 2.3 bar)	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 bar 51-55 = 32 psi/2.2 bar 56-60 = 29 psi/2.0 barMedium Air Pressure (29 psi / 2.0 bar)	Pro Data
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 bar 51-55 = 25 psi/1.7 bar 56-60 = 23 psi/1.6 barLow Air Pressure (23 psi / 1.6 bar)	31.5 Watts CRR: 0.00944
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 bar 51-55 = 19 psi/1.3 bar 56-60 = 17 psi/1.2 barExtra Low Air Pressure (17 psi / 1.2 bar)	Pro Data
The MTB section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width. All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs. Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread	54 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Pro Data
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Pro Data
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Pro Data
Tread Total Tire Thickness	3.4 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Pro Data
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Pro Data
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Pro Data

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	66 Points
Wet Grip Center	Pro Data
Wet Grip Edge	Pro Data
Measured Knob Height Center	2.6 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	4.1 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 MTB grip test rim width = 30.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion

The Mezcal Trail, with its puncture protection under both the tread and the sidewalls, is much heavier than we initially expected. Vittoria's Trail casing is no longer comparable to the old TNT casing, which only had reinforced sidewalls and the same (thinner) rubber thickness under the tread as the Race casing. We have limited comparison material for trail tires, so we have to rely on comparisons with the Race and TNT casings.

The Mezcal Trail is a true trail tire, making the choice between the Race and Trail casings much easier: if you want a light, fast tire, there's no doubt you should go for the Race casing. If you want a tire that offers significant protection, and rolling resistance and weight are of secondary concern, then go for the Trail casing.

Compare the Vittoria Mezcal Race and Mezcal Trail on our comparison section.

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RATING: 4.0 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Recommended

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