Vittoria Terreno PRO - the new face of gravel tires, made of cotton and fishing nets
When Vittoria announced that its entire new Terreno PRO series was made from 92% renewable and recycled materials, it was hard to ignore. In a world where "eco" can be an empty phrase, the Italians proposed a specific project: a complete series of racing gravel tires with a cotton casing, a natural rubber-based compound, and reinforcements made from recycled fishing nets.
It sounds bold. Especially since gravel isn't a laboratory—any design flaw is immediately reversible. The immediate question was: wouldn't this "green" philosophy rob tires of what matters most in gravel—reliability and durability?
Check - Which gravel tires should you choose?
Cotton, natural rubber and Seawastex - what's inside Terreno PRO?
With the Terreno PRO, Vittoria reverses the classic logic found in many gravel tires. Instead of a stiff, nylon carcass (the structural skeleton commonly referred to as the casing), we have an organic cotton casing, a solution previously associated primarily with top-of-the-line road tires. This casing works differently: it doesn't overly stiffen the tire, but allows it to conform more closely to the ground. On hard gravel or worn asphalt, this translates to fewer minor vibrations and smoother handling.
The second pillar of the design is the Eco Race compound: natural rubber, silica from rice husks, and vegetable oils. The manufacturer declares that compared to standard tires from the line The Endurance boasts lower rolling resistance, better grip, and higher puncture resistance. Independent tests are still being conducted, but the direction seems clear – this is not the same tire in an eco-friendly package.
The most interesting element, however, is the protective layer. The Terreno PRO features reinforcements made of nylon derived from recycled fishing nets, commercially known as Seawastex . This is intended to increase lateral resistance and enhance the casing's stability at low pressures without adding any additional grams of traditional "armor." This solution combines two things: recycling problematic waste and improving ride performance.
Is this the definition of the "perfect" gravel tire? That would be too easy. Cotton braiding is inherently more susceptible to mechanical damage than tough nylon, and this type of technology is still being evaluated in gravel conditions over longer distances. Enthusiasts are presented with an exceptionally interesting product, but a bit risky in terms of long-term reliability.
T10, T30, T50, T60 - four variants, common character
The Terreno PRO series isn't just one tire, but four different treads with a common casing and compound design. The logic is simple: the higher the T number, the more demanding the model can handle.
The T10 Hardpack Gravel Race – a variant for hard gravel, fast trails, and a mix of asphalt and packed gravel. The low, fine tread promotes speed, and the tire is designed to perform like something between a road Corsa and a smooth gravel bike.
The T30 Fine & Loose Gravel Race – the most versatile model. The space between the lugs allows for confident steering on loose gravel, but without the feeling of struggling with a mountain bike-style protector on smooth climbs.
The T50 Rough Gravel Race is designed for trails with more rocks, ruts, and water channels. The tread is more open, with a stronger lateral zone, designed for control at high speeds off-road.
The T60 Mixed Gravel Race – the most aggressive tire in the series. Featuring a distinctive V-shaped tread, siped tread blocks, and geometry designed for mixed surfaces: from hardpack to loose gravel to broken forest roads.
How does this translate into driving?
Testers' reports and first comparisons with the classic Terreno Endurance series are quite consistent: the difference is felt primarily in the way the surface is filtered.
On firm, even gravel, PRO series tires roll smoothly, with less tendency to bounce over minor bumps. On worn asphalt or concrete slabs, the casing isn't struggling to overcome every crack or crevice, which translates to less hand and back fatigue after long rides.
On loose gravel, the differences between the treads come into play. The T30 and T50 benefit from a more open tread pattern, while the T60 adds very predictable cornering behavior: it signals the limits of traction rather than suddenly giving up. This is important, especially with low tire pressures and bikes loaded with bikepacking bags.
It's worth keeping a sober mind: the Terreno PRO won't turn your gravel bike into an enduro bike or compensate for all your riding technique flaws. Rather, it will smooth out the margin for error, giving you more time to react where, on a stiffer tire, everything happens in a split second.
See also - Electronic shifting for gravel: SRAM AXS vs. Shimano Di2. Is it worth the extra cost?
Defects
Looking at it from a cold eye, there are also elements in this series that may raise justified doubts.
First, the durability of the materials. Cotton isn't an obvious choice for difficult, rocky terrain. Seawastex reinforcements and additional protection around the toe do improve puncture resistance, but until more data from real-world trails over 3,000-4,000 kilometers becomes available, it's difficult to draw any firm conclusions.
Secondly, the price. The Terreno PRO is positioned higher than traditional Terreno models, which, given the current market realities, means a price closer to the premium segment. This must be a conscious choice: we're paying for specific technology, philosophy, and driving character.
Third, the user profile. The Terreno PRO clearly targets more sporty riders – those who compete in races, ultras, and are looking for specific performance. For someone who primarily rides leisurely and expects maximum mileage from a single tire, the Endurance series will still be a more pragmatic choice.
Who are these tires for?
If you treat tires as an element that simply has to 'be' on the wheel - Terreno PRO is not the product for you.
However, if you set your pressures for a specific course, you know the difference between a "fast but nervous" tire and a "fast and predictable" one, you like your gravel bike to have a bit of the culture of good road tires, and you don't consider environmental footprint an empty slogan, this series could make a lot of sense.
Summary: Not just a "green" product
The Terreno PRO isn't a cosmetic variation of the existing tire range. It's a consistent design: a cotton casing, a compound with a predominance of renewable materials, protective layers made from recycled fishing nets, and a full range of four tread patterns covering the spectrum from hard gravel to challenging, mixed terrain.
Is this the direction gravel will take? It's too early to say. However, Vittoria has certainly made a move that's hard to ignore: it's shown that a gravel tire can be simultaneously fast, technically ambitious, and consciously, ecologically designed.
And for us, who spend long hours on gravel, this is an exciting moment. We'll be testing it out for ourselves. The Terreno PRO, if it proves effective in the long run, could become a game changer for the entire gravel world.
See for yourself
Want to see how the Terreno PRO performs in practice? Drop by our showroom in Mokotów, where we'll help you choose the right model and share our driving experiences.
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