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# Aerothan TPU tubes: what they are and their advantages

Aerothan is a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material Schwalbe developed as a high-end alternative to a standard butyl tube. Rather than incrementally improving butyl, it's a different tube material altogether, aimed at riders who want the lowest possible weight and rolling resistance without giving up puncture resistance.

![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/f/5/cff55f369977f800/aerothan-advantages-en_zkyqu9.jpg)
**Key advantages:**
* **About 40% lighter** than a comparable Extralight butyl tube
* **Very low rolling resistance**, close to tubeless-level performance
* **Increased puncture protection** — the material resists sudden air loss, so a defect tends to leak down slowly rather than causing a fast flat
* **Dimensional stability** — Aerothan holds its shape well, so it doesn't shift or bunch up inside the tire, which makes installation noticeably easier and less prone to pinching
* **High heat resistance** — safe for use with rim brakes, including repeated hard braking
* **Compatible with carbon rims**

**Where it fits:** Aerothan is aimed at riders who'd consider tubeless but either prefer running a tube, or have a wheel that isn't a great tubeless candidate. It's available across Road, Allround, and MTB tire categories. Because it's a flexible material rather than a rigid one, expect normal manufacturing tolerances — weight can vary by roughly ±5% between individual tubes.

Aerothan tubes are 100% recyclable, and a portion of the material comes from chemically recycled raw material recovered from end-of-life tires.

For sizing, installation, and repair specifics, see our companion article on [Aerothan installation, repair, and care.](https://schwalbetires.crisp.help/en-us/article/aerothan-tubes-installation-repair-and-care-1xuf6b0/)

||| Previous version aerothan tubes (identifiable by the plastic TPU valve stem) are NOT compatible with: CLIK valve cores (stripping out the plastic threads). Handheld electric pumps (overheating concerns). Please also exercise caution with screw-on pumps and pressures sensors since the valve core can be un-threaded from valve stem.

As of 2026, the above compatibility issues have been addressed with a aluminum valve stem.

| Newly released aerothan tubes (packaged in the sky blue box) use a aluminum valve stem with an external thread, giving a sturdy connection point that now makes them compatible with the Schwalbe Clik Valve, screw-in tire pressure sensors, and handheld electric pumps.

| Previous Version - TPU Valve Stem | NEW Version - Aluminum Valve Stem |
| ---- |
| ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/f/5/cff55f369977f800/aerothanawards_yikket.jpg =620xauto) | ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/f/5/cff55f369977f800/schwalbe-aerothan-tube-studio-_1edcmwy.jpg =661xauto)\* featured with a [Schwalbe CLIK Valve](https://schwalbetires.crisp.help/en-us/article/common-valve-types-1dydkr/) |
| ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/f/5/cff55f369977f800/schwalbetubesv16eaerothan40mmp_6w66o2.jpg) | ![](https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/-/c/f/f/5/cff55f369977f800/aerothan-tube-box-scv-15-ae-40_bl0dno.jpg) |