Mountain Biking - Tires for 29er

Need to upgrade the tires. I have been told to use a 2.3 in front and a 2.2 in the back. Mine have tubes,so are there a certain type or word description that I should be looking for? I see some say tubeless,2bliss,etc. It's a little confusing. What do you guys recommend? Thanks

Are you wanting to convert to tubeless? what kind of conditions do you ride in? Tire selection for one person (on the innerwebs nonetheless) is different from another.

Best to ask on a local forum or just see what others at your local trailhead are using.

If you want to keep the tubes(maybe even if you don't...depends on setup), you should be looking at standard folding bead tires(or wire beads if you don't mind the added weight).

Tubeless, UST, and 2bliss are all ways of saying that the specific tire you are looking at can be converted tubeless. You don't need a true Tubeless(UST or 2bliss) tire(and rims) to go tubeless, but it's probably the most reliable and safest way.

Tire choice is pretty personal - what I like, may not work for you. However, I do know WNC pretty well. I would go with a Panaracer Rampage up front and maybe a Schwalbe Nobby Nic for the rear. Of course, there are tons of choices out there from other manufacturers...Maxxis, Specialized, Continental, Kenda, and more.

Riding conditions are everything. I had ridden Maxxis Crossmarks all year with no problems. Rode in a wet race and spun out on the first big hill. It all depends on what you're riding.

Just picked up a contintental x-king for the front and mountain king for the rear, both 2.4x26" and am loving them. I haven't ridden/don't ride in straight up mud but they do great in wet rocks and roots, even better in the dry and seem fine in the odd mud patch.

Pricey but a big improvement on the 2.1 bontragers that came with the bike.

I prefer Kenda's myself...