Mudguards are essential for winter riding, regardless of the bike and discipline. At the very least, they keep the muck out of your face and your vision clear while descending. If you up the coverage to something more extreme, they can provide full body protection against the wet filth that's flung by your wheels. Even though the best mudguards are pretty simple in design, there's a load of stuff to look out for when buying your next one – and not every mudguard is as effective as the next.
The best mudguards come in two fitment options, cable-tied or bolt-on or even a mixture of the two. The former, as you might have guessed, uses cable ties to keep the mudguard in place. These kinds of mudguards are often cheaper and can be more stable, however, you'll need to use protective tape to stop the cable ties from marring your frame or fork, and they'll need careful adjustment to achieve the best tyre clearance. Cut cable ties can leave sharp edges and they don't look the tidiest either. Bolt-on versions fasten directly onto the fork bridge, resulting in a much cleaner look. They're simpler to install, too, however, it's tougher to make them as stable as cable-tied guards and they'll need a specific bracket to fit your particular fork for the best clearance and fitment.
The size of your mudguard is something to consider, too. The larger the mudguard the more protection it'll offer but, often, they don't look as good and a large mudguard is more likely to get damaged in a crash. Small and more discreet mudguards still do a good job of keeping crud out of your face (and look sleeker) but they don't offer full coverage, which is something to think about if you like to film your rides using a chest-mounted action camera.
It's a similar story for rear mudguards. Although noticeably less popular than front mudguards, the larger the rear mudguard, the more protection it offers. However, almost all rear mudguards are attached via cable ties or Velcro straps. There is one difference that rear mudguards carry, and that's the fact they are designed to also protect a full suspension linkage and pivot bearings.
The best MTB mudguards 2024
- Crud Catcher XL Fender
- Mudhugger Rear Hugger MK 2
- RapidRacerProducts ProGuard Mini Bolt-On
- Zefal Deflector Lite Front
- RapidRacerProducts ProGuard Max Protection
- The best MTB mudguard
Crud Catcher XL Fender
£35
The Crud Catcher XL provides excellent coverage and almost complete protection says our tester. And while it looks a little odd off of the bike, it's quick to install, mounting using strong o-rings.
It isn't without its issues as there's no protection for the fork's seals or stanchions and it can rub the tyre occasionally but these are small downsides for the mass of spray protection this mudguard offers.
Check out the Crud Catcher XL front mudguard review for more information.
Mudhugger Rear Mudhugger MK 2
£35
Rear mudguards may be something of a fashion faux pas but they still have a real use on mountain bikes. Mudhugger's Rear Mudhugger MK2 offers tonnes of protection thanks to its full wrap and serious length.
This is Mudhugger's second go at a rear mudguard and its changes are clear as it's been updated with rubber strips to add frame protection and reduce rubbing and there's a new long front flap that protects the suspension linkage. It's available in two sizes and installation is as simple as it gets, making for easy removal when the time comes.
To learn more about this guard, read the Mudhugger Rear Mudhugger MK 2 review.
Rapid Racer Products ProGuard Mini Bolt-On
£27
If stability, effective protection and discreet but stylish looks are what you're after in a front mudguard, the RRP ProGuard Front Mini Bolt-On is the one for you. It's the smallest front mudguard in the brand's range but, despite its small size, it provides serious protection.
The ProGuard comes with several specific features, including the Seal Sheild that keeps dirt from finding its way towards your fork's seals, and the guard is shaped to offer increased clearance for fork crowns. It's built using a special polypropylene mix that makes it bendy and durable.
Coming with a range of fork adapters, it can fit a lot of suspension forks on the market but importantly, it's stable and it comes sorted with top-quality mountain hardware. During testing, we found that there was simply nothing not to like.
For the full write-up, read the Rapid Racer Products Proguard Mini Bolt On review.
Zefal Deflector Lite Front
£11
The Zedal Deflector Lite is minimalist but effective. It's simple to fit and is compatible with all mountain bike forks. It's one of the more subtly styled options around and is quiet, too.
Although small, it does a great job of fending off large clumps but its protection isn't fully complete, as our tester found that some spray still made it to his face. However, that is an inherent trait of the smallest mudguards. It offers great protection to the fork seals and it's surprisingly stiff, so it stays in place even when rattling down the most horrendous of descents.
For a closer look, here's the Zefal Deflector Lite front mudguard review.
Rapid Racer Products ProGuard Max Protection
£29
The Rapid Racer Products ProGuard Front Max Protection mudguard is the larger cable-tied version of the Mini Bolt-On above. Its extra length provides much more protection without losing the cool features of its smaller brethren.
Present is the special polypropylene mix that ups the durability and the mudguard has been crafted to work with 26- up to 29-inch wheel sizes. However, this one gets a flick at the rear of the guard which is said to reduce spray when the front wheel is turned.
Installation is rather simple, although we found it works best with cable ties rather than velcro straps but the muck protection it offers is massive, making it an ideal choice for deep winter conditions, or for those who use chest-mounted action cameras.
For more, check out the Rapid Racer Products ProGuard Front Max Protection mudguard review.
The best MTB mudguard
RapidRacerProducts ProGuard Mini Bolt-On
The Rapid Racer Products ProGuard Mini Bolt-On takes home the best MTB mudguard trophy as it provides the best balance of discreet looks, reasonable pricing, stability and protection. Its bolt-on fitment means it's easy to remove but it looks so good that it might as well stay put year-round.
Then its ability to keep spray out of the rider's face is far better than its small size might lead you to believe. And it's the only mudguard to score a full five stars in our tests.
For more details, make sure you read our Rapid Racer Products ProGuard Mini Bolt-On front mudguard review.
How to choose the best MTB mudguards
Are MTB mudguards worth it?
An MTB mudguard is a must-have, even if you ride in the dryest of conditions. They keep water, mud and even dust out of your face, keeping your vision clear so that you can descend like a hero. Anyone who has ridden in the wet without a mudguard can attest to having stopped mid-descent to rub flung mud out of their eyes. At worst, it could even lead to a crash. Attaching something as simple as a mudguard will do a great job of avoiding this.
Installing a mudguard at the rear of your mountain bike is a much more controversial topic. For many, the looks are a massive turn-off so they choose to ride without one and, to be honest, the downsides are few apart from a muddy back. However, if you're looking to stay as clean and dry as possible, a rear mudguard will do exactly that. That is unless you pick a smaller rear mudguard which will keep mud and water from finding its way into your suspension linkage and bearings. Smaller mudguards act as a barrier and can prolong the life of your bike's important bearings.
Do I need a front mudguard?
For the ever-changing conditions of UK riding, front mudguards are a mainstay on almost everyone's bikes. This is because the conditions we ride in change sometimes on an hourly basis, so having a clear face and clear vision is imperative to a good time out in the filth. However, if the majority of your riding is done in the dry, a mudguard isn't necessary.
It's a simple case of analysing your general riding conditions and making a call. If it's a wet winter ride, a mudguard is imperative. That's not so much the case in the summer – unless your route involves some stream crossings or puddles. Some British riders use a mudguard all year round.
