Is there a current stand out tyre in this size?

I’m thinking Highland estate tracks mostly but with some gloopy bits, some tarmac bits.

2.4 as well if that throws up better choices

Vittoria Mezcal.

Edited for putting the wrong tyre size down

2.6, mezcal
2.35, iKON (close enough to a 2.4)
2.25 racing ralph (in case you care)

My current faves.

And the Ardent 2.4 is a bigger tyre than most in that range. Mezcal is a size up from that.

The 2.6 Mezcal is too big I think.

I have a suitable rear ready (Ardent Race 2.35), and am thinking of something with a little bit more bite for the front. Although I may just be underestimating the Mezcal?

Piemonster wrote: ↑Sun Sep 27, 2020 7:54 am The 2.6 Mezcal is too big I think.

I have a suitable rear ready (Ardent Race 2.35), and am thinking of something with a little bit more bite for the front. Although I may just be underestimating the Mezcal?

The 2.6" Mezcal is indeed true to size (on i30 mm rim).
I don't think so. Whilst I like the Mezcal for different reasons on 'easy' terrain, the tread pattern does what you'd guess from the looks of it.

Didn't like the Vittoria Barzo 2.6" much. Has a stupid shape on i30 mm. Might need a 35 or 40 mm rim, yet it had a significantly narrower profile than the Mezcal 2.6".

I quite liked the Maxxis Forekaster 2.6" in dual compound, which is quite good in balancing wear, wet grip and rolling speed.
Perhaps a bit much grip/rolling resistance for your needs, but in my books a good do it all tyre.
Not true to size on i30 mm rims, it's just a tiny little bit wider than eg Schwalbe Magic Mary in 2.35".

Since Schwalbe has made a new Nobby Nic - which basically is a mini Magic Mary (my fav for biking in the mountains)- I'll give that a try in 2.35 or 2.6" front with probably Schwalbe Rock Razor (again) in 2.35" on the rear since the Maxxis Ikon was just not enough tyre for my regular type of biking and I kept damaging it. Mind, Forekaster is rather sensitive too, but was okay for me up front.
The consequence for their rather light weight...

Piemonster wrote: ↑Sun Sep 27, 2020 7:54 am The 2.6 Mezcal is too big I think.

I have a suitable rear ready (Ardent Race 2.35), and am thinking of something with a little bit more bite for the front. Although I may just be underestimating the Mezcal?

Any reason not to use an Ardent 2.4? They're not the fastest roller and not for wet conditions but I rate them on dry/loose/hardpack. EXO versions are durable too.

I think I'm going for Mezcal 2.35s maybe 2.6 on front for future UK bikepacking stuff. They won't be much good in the wet but I tend to head out on longer rides when the trails are faster-running anyway.

Any reason not to use an Ardent 2.4?

I think they’ll be what I end up with.

A decent compromise.

I’ve just fitted a 29x2.6 barzo to the front and a 29x2.6 mezcal to the rear,

Hoping they are as good as the 2.25” I used to use for xc racing but with added Cush

Spesh Purgatory? Maxxis Rekon? Terravail?

substandard wrote: ↑Sun Sep 27, 2020 1:17 pm I’ve just fitted a 29x2.6 barzo to the front and a 29x2.6 mezcal to the rear

Wanted to say the exact same thing. I've not had a chance to test out this arrangement (new build in progress) but they seem like a good pairing with Barzo out front for dealing with slightly muddier / bite-ier situations...

I ended up sending the barzo (and a replacement barzo) back as they we’re tiny!

They measured around 2.3 rather than the 2.6 the mezcal comes up to on the same rims

substandard wrote: ↑Sun Oct 18, 2020 4:07 pm I ended up sending the barzo (and a replacement barzo) back as they we’re tiny!

They measured around 2.3 rather than the 2.6 the mezcal comes up to on the same rims

Alpinum wrote: ↑Sun Sep 27, 2020 8:32 am Didn't like the Vittoria Barzo 2.6" much. Has a stupid shape on i30 mm. Might need a 35 or 40 mm rim, yet it had a significantly narrower profile than the Mezcal 2.6".

No surprise...