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Panaracer’s GravelKing ZX rivals Schwalbe’s fast G-One RS Pro tyre for on- and off-road speed. It’s tough, hard-wearing and supple.
The GravelKing ZX is the latest iteration of one of the longest-running gravel tyres. This new version is claimed to be the tyre "for every surface". That’s certainly true, having found it fast on tarmac, hard-packed gravel, dusty loose trails and singletrack.
That said, the premium performance is reserved for dry conditions only, because the semi-slick centre tread comes unglued in the wet.
Panaracer GravelKing ZX TLR details and specification
The GravelKing range is ever-expanding, and this latest ZX brings a new three-zone tread pattern that’s claimed to deliver high performance on roads, light gravel and rocky climbs.
The ZX is available in sizes from 35mm through to 40, 45 and 55mm. I tested the 45mm version, wrapping the tyres around Newmen’s Streem G.62 wheelset. On the Newmen’s wide rim, featuring a 27mm hooked internal width, the ZX tyres plump up to 46.8mm at my preferred pressure of 35psi at the rear and 34psi at the front.
Fitting the tyres presented no issues and they sealed first time. They’ve held pressures perfectly when set up tubeless.
The ZX is the ‘standard’ option. Panaracer says it will also offer a lightweight R tyre later in the year and a toughened ZX+ version.
That’s not to say the ZX isn’t both fast and tough. The tyre is made with Panaracer’s gravel-specific ZSG-compound rubber that’s bonded to the brand's proprietary ‘Tufftex’ casing – a 120 TPI, treated, woven casing designed to protect the tyre from cuts and tears. For the record, the R version features a lighter Tufftex layer and the ZX+ a double layer of the material.
My 45mm tyres weigh in at 528g each, lighter than the Maxxis Ramblers they’ve replaced (566.3g each, also in a size 45mm). They’re not the lightest around, though – Continental’s Terra Competition is claimed to weigh 470g in a size 45mm and the similar semi-slick Terra Speed 516g.
Panaracer GravelKing ZX performance
The ZX was brilliant throughout the UK’s hot and dry 2026 summer. The slick centre tread is 20mm wide and flanked by 5mm-wide textured strips (Panaracer calls this transitional tread). On tarmac, in a straight line, it means the GravelKing ZX feels like a fast, fat road tyre.
On dusty and dry gravel, the tyres feel equally fast, yet the 120 TPI casing gives them a supple, comfortable feeling when things turn a little choppier.
The shoulders have a more pronounced grip, consisting of three strips of offset, directional triangular-shaped knobs. These give the tyres exceptional cornering grip on stony gravel and dry woodland singletrack. They were dependable and consistent performing at any speed, which is as high praise as can be aimed at a tyre in any given conditions.
Wet-weather limitations
The given conditions in this case were very dry, as we enjoyed in the UK from April through to August. However, back in the spring, when we had plenty of damp, cooler weather, the ZX tyres felt outside their comfort zone.
The open tread pattern means they don’t pack with mud and deliver decent cornering bite, but they were prone to breaking away in corners and losing traction on steep off-road climbs all too easily – indicating that the tread simply isn’t aggressive enough to cope with less-than-ideal conditions.
Panaracer says the GravelKing ZX is a tyre “for every surface”. That might be true in some respects, because it’s a gravel tyre that performs impressively on tarmac. It’s also excellent on gravel roads, byways and singletrack. However, that's only if the surface is dry – it’s not unreasonable to assume “every surface” would include some slippery ones.
At £54.99 / $64.99 / €59.99, the GravelKing ZX is cheaper than my current favourite low-tread gravel tyre, the Schwalbe G-One RS Pro (£74.99 / $80.89 / €74.90). Similarly priced rivals include the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC (£60.99 / €69,90 / $84.90) and Continental’s Terra Speed (£59.95 / $64.95 / €62.49).
Panaracer GravelKing ZX TLR 45mm bottom line
The GravelKing ZX is a wonderfully accomplished tyre in the dry. It’s road-slick rapid on tarmac and fast on smooth gravel roads, while its supple construction brings lots of compliance on choppy, rutted roads and root-strewn singletrack.
It’s become my favourite dry-conditions gravel tyre, but as soon as the weather turns wetter and cooler, and the surface becomes gloopy, there are better options.
Despite its great performance in dry conditions, it’s a shame it isn’t a little better in all conditions, given it’s described by Panaracer as a “tyre for every surface”.
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