MAXTRAX XTREME Desert Tan: The Choice of Special Forces Units in Desert Combat
This isn't an MKII in a different colour. XTREME is a different class of recovery track entirely and Desert Tan is the colourway MAXTRAX developed with Special Forces units operating in desert combat conditions, built to blend into sand and arid terrain while giving up nothing on performance.
If you're running the Simpson, the Gibber Plains, or any red-dirt desert track, and you want the recovery track with metal teeth instead of moulded polymer, this is it.
Why XTREME is a step up from every polymer board out there:
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88 hard-anodised alloy teeth – alloy is significantly harder than tyre rubber and more resistant to wear from a spinning tyre than any polymer available today, so you get faster, more secure engagement with your tread pattern. That makes XTREME both the most durable and the fastest recovery track MAXTRAX builds.
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Robot-inserted, over-moulded construction – a custom jig on a robot arm places each tooth into the injection mould, then the nylon is over-moulded around it so the material conforms tightly to the thread. Virtually eliminates any risk of a tooth unwinding out of the board.
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Hard-anodised for corrosion resistance – every tooth is treated to stand up to saltwater, mud, and harsh environments.
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Repairable in the field – damage a tooth and you flip the board over, pull it with a T-50 Torx bit, and fit a replacement using MAXTRAX's patent-pending thread and blip-lock system. A damaged board isn't a write-off. (Replacement teeth kits and the custom T-head tool are sold separately.)
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Built for professional use – XTREME was developed from direct feedback by elite military units, off-road racing champions, certified 4WD driver trainers and expedition leaders — for active combat scenarios, timed motorsport, and remote-area expeditions where aggressive driving and heavy wheel spin are unavoidable.
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Six glove-friendly handles – designed to be grabbed with gloves on, wet, cold, and in a hurry.
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Nests with MAXTRAX MKII – already running MKIIs? XTREME stacks with them, though there's a slightly larger gap between boards due to the XTREME's underside design.
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Dedicated mounting options – XTREME-specific mounting pins are now available, including a hybrid pin for running a set of XTREME on top of your existing MKIIs.
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Compatible with MAXTRAX mini and the fixing and linking kit – join boards together to build a portable roadway across long soft sections.
Specs: 1150mm L x 330mm W x 85mm H. 9kg per pair. Stacked height: 100mm for a pair, 145mm for two pairs. Safe, easy recovery from sand, mud, snow and slush.
Aussie-made, backed for life. Australian-designed, engineered and manufactured, with a lifetime warranty against faulty materials and workmanship.
What's in the carton: 2 x MAXTRAX XTREME recovery tracks (Desert Tan) and 2 orange telltale leashes worth actually using them on this colour, since Desert Tan is built to blend into sand, which makes a buried board genuinely hard to spot without one.
If you're running hard rocky country, heavy loads, or remote desert work where a failed recovery is a real problem, this is the board serious operators trust.
FAQs
Q: How many boards do I get for the price? A: A full pair 2 MAXTRAX XTREME recovery tracks, plus 2 orange telltale leashes. This is not a single-board price.
Q: What's the actual difference between XTREME and the MKII? A: The MKII uses moulded polymer cleats; XTREME uses 88 hard-anodised alloy teeth over-moulded into the nylon body. Alloy is harder than tyre rubber and more wear-resistant than any polymer, so engagement with your tread is faster and more secure. The teeth are also individually replaceable in the field. XTREME runs about 9kg per pair versus 6.8kg for the MKII; you're trading a little weight for a lot more bite and durability.
Q: Why is Desert Tan the colour Special Forces use? A: It's designed to blend into sand and desert terrain, useful for military operations, and equally useful for civilian desert tourers who prefer a board that matches the landscape.
Q: If it's designed to blend into sand, won't I lose it in a recovery? A: That's exactly why the telltale leashes matter more on this colour than most. Each set comes with 2 orange telltale leashes so you can locate the boards if they get buried or blend into the surrounding sand.
Q: Is XTREME overkill if I just do the odd beach run? A: For occasional soft-sand work, the MKII does the job well and costs less. XTREME earns its money on hard rocky country, heavy loads, remote touring, motorsport, or commercial and expedition work where a fast, reliable recovery genuinely matters.
