MTB Tire Test: Kenda Booster Pro SCT
Contents and Test Summary
- Introduction
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size, Weight, Thickness
- Rolling Resistance: 34.1 Watts
- Puncture Resistance: 30 Points
- Static Wet Grip: 67 Points
- Conclusion: 2.5 / 5 Not Recommended
- Comments
- Kenda Booster Pro SCT
The Kenda Booster Pro is a mountain bike tire that still fits within the XC spectrum with its fairly aggressive tread. Kenda claims that their Booster Pro is one of the fastest and lightest XC tires on the market, a claim that sets the bar high. We tested the reinforced SCT version, and based on our test results, we assume that Kenda's claim applies only to the lighter TR version.
Ad Buy Kenda Booster Pro SCT at Amazon.com
The SCT version comes with reinforced sidewalls combined with a 120 TPI casing. Kenda also indicates that the Booster Pro uses a new "race compound" that is supposed to be fast and grippy. However, it immediately stands out to us that the Booster Pro uses a "single layer" compound, which differs from the compound of the recently tested Rush Pro (read our review), which features a "dual layer" compound and performed quite well in our tests.
A significant advantage of the Booster Pro is the huge number of different sizes it offers. If you are looking for a modern 20", 24", or 26" mountain bike tire, you will quickly end up with the Booster Pro or other models from Kenda.
We tested the Kenda Booster Pro SCT in size 29x2.4 and compared it with the Kenda Rush Pro SCT and many comparable tires from competing manufacturers.
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specs | |
|---|---|
| Brand | Kenda |
| Model | Booster Pro SCT |
| Year | 2025 |
| Supplied By | Bought in store |
| New or Used | New |
| Mileage | 0 km |
| Price Range | High |
| Buy At | Ad Amazon.com |
| Manufacturer part number | 214310 |
| TPI | 120 |
| Compound | Single |
| Bead | Folding |
| ETRTO | 60-622 |
| Size Inch | 29" |
| Width Inch | 2.40 |
| Specified Weight | 690 grams |
| Max Air Pressure (psi) | 40 |
| Made In | Members Only |
| Available Sizes |
29x2.20 29x2.40 29x2.60 27.5x2.20 27.5x2.40 27.5x2.60 27.5x2.80 26x2.20 26x2.40 24x2.20 20x2.40 |
Kenda Booster Pro SCT Test Results
Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
| Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements | |
|---|---|
| Specified Weight | 690 grams |
| Measured Weight | 739 grams |
| Measured Width Carcass | 56 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Width Tread | 58 mm |
| Measured Height | 55 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 2.4 mm |
| Measured Knob Height Edge | 4.1 mm |
| Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs) | 2.1 mm |
| Measured Total Thickness Sidewall | Members Only |
| 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) |
| Rolling Resistance 55 PSI / 3.8 Bar |
Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 45 PSI / 3.1 Bar |
Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 35 PSI / 2.4 Bar |
30.3 Watts CRR: 0.00908 |
| Rolling Resistance 25 PSI / 1.7 Bar |
34.1 Watts CRR: 0.01022 |
| 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 | 30 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 2.1 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only |
Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results
| Static Grip Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Wet Grip Average | 67 Points |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only |
| Measured Knob Height Center | 2.4 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
- Kenda Booster Pro SCT
(100% is fastest - lightest - highest - strongest)
Our test results make it clear that the Kenda Booster Pro SCT does not have a low rolling resistance and is not one of the lightest XC tires on the market. Looking at the rest of the results, it's unfortunate that the rolling resistance is so high because, in other tests, the Kenda Booster performs quite well.
We assume that the TR version of the Booster Pro is much lighter, but we seriously doubt that it rolls significantly faster. Our experience is that the compound is by far the most important aspect (70 to 80%) of a tire when it comes to achieving a low rolling resistance.
With this high rolling resistance, we cannot recommend the Booster Pro and advise you to look further on our website. You can easily save 15 to 25 watts (per set of 2 tires), making a massive difference if you are even a little competitive.
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RATING:
2.5
/ 5
TEST VERDICT:
Not Recommended