SnO2 nanotubes are synthesized via an oxalate-assisted "redox etching and precipitating" route between MnOOH nanowires and Sn2+ ions. The addition of oxalate is found to be crucial to guide the formation of uniform SnO2 nanotubes. To further improve the conductivity and stability, the as-obtained SnO2 nanotubes are coated with a thin carbon layer. The resulting carbon-confined SnO2 nanotubes possess superior rate performance as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries.