Last summer, GlueTread shared a video of our CEO, Andy, standing on his Go Fast Camper and tossing his spare tire over his shoulder. In the video, Andy explained how his spare tire had been replaced by the GlueTread Expedition Kit—a comprehensive solution for repairing sidewalls, valve stems, and punctures.

The video quickly gained traction, amassing nearly one million views and close to 100 comments. While many viewers praised the product, sharing testimonials about how GlueTread patches helped them out of tough spots, one question dominated the thread: “What if I get a blowout?”

Since the video’s release, we’ve described GlueTread as a “Universal Spare Tire” and sparked conversations about how the GlueTread Expedition Kit can resolve the three most common tire issues–all without removing the tire from the vehicle.

But can GlueTread truly replace the need for a spare tire? In this article, we’ll explore when GlueTread is an excellent alternative and when you’re better off bringing a spare along for the ride.

GlueTread as a Spare Tire: Vehicle Assessment

There are plenty of scenarios where carrying one of GlueTread’s Comprehensive Tire Repair Kits is an absolute must. Here are a few situations where GlueTread shines:

• ATV Riders: Space is always at a premium on ATVs—there’s barely enough room for your gear, let alone a spare tire or an air compressor. That’s why our ATV Tire Repair Kit is a game changer. With sidewall patches, a plug kit featuring Montana-made T-handles, Colby Valves, and CO2 cartridges to handle inflation on the spot, it’s everything you need to keep moving without the bulk.
• SxS Riders: A side-by-side (SxS) may offer more space, but spare tires are still impractical. Enter the SxS PRO Kit—an upgraded version of our ATV kit. With double the CO2 capacity for larger tires, it’s specifically designed to tackle the unique challenges of SxS adventures.
• Rock Crawlers: Big trails and oversized tires often mean there’s no room for a spare. If you’re hitting rugged terrain, our Expedition Kit is built for the job. It’s packed with everything you need to handle 99% of tire damage you might encounter. We do recommend bringing an air compressor for those larger tires, but GlueTread can handle the rest.

GlueTread as a Spare: Conditions Assessment 

When deciding whether to leave your spare tire at home and rely on GlueTread, it’s essential to assess your specific situation. Here are three key factors to weigh:

1. The Terrain: What kind of conditions will you encounter? GlueTread is excellent for repairing sidewall damage, valve stem issues, and punctures, but it’s not designed to fix every type of blowout. If you’re heading into rocky, jagged, or particularly tire-shredding terrain, bringing a spare is the safer choice.
2. Proximity to Help: How easy is it to get assistance if things go south? If you’re sticking close to home or riding in areas where help is readily available, GlueTread may be all you need. On the other hand, if you’re venturing deep into remote wilderness where help could be days away, a spare tire can provide peace of mind.
3. Tire Age: Are your tires past their prime? Over time, wear and tear, heat exposure, and UV rays can degrade even the toughest tires. Brittle or cracked rubber significantly increases the risk of a blowout. If your tires are older, carrying a spare is a smart precaution.

When to Bring Your Own Spare

Here are some scenarios where we’d neve recommend leaving your spare tire behind:

1. Solo Travel: If you’re traveling alone with no backup riders in sight, it’s best to prepare for any emergency scenario—including a full blowout.
2. International Adventures: Heading across borders? Assistance might be far away, and tire replacements could be tricky. Better safe than sorry—bring your spare.
3. Remote Trips: No cell service? No satellite communication? Take your spare. A severe tire blowout in the middle of nowhere is a risk you don’t want to take!

Combine all three—solo, international, and remote travel—and carrying a spare is an absolute no-brainer!

Should You Leave Your Spare at Home? 

By now, you should have a clearer understanding of when GlueTread is the ideal solution and when bringing a spare tire might be the better fit for your specific needs. 

It’s important to know your own adventure, level of risk tolerance and skill level to make the decision that best fits your situation. GlueTread kits CANNOT fix all types of tire damage but they are incredibly effective at treating the three most common types of tire damage.

Whether you’re packing light for a weekend getaway or preparing for a rugged off-the-grid trek, GlueTread’s Comprehensive Tire Repair Kits can provide peace of mind.

Still have questions? We’re here to help! Contact us here, or give our team a call.

Happy trails!