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BFG KO2 vs Grabber A/TX Reviewed by a Former Bridgestone Engineer: Here’s the One I’d Actually Buy

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General Grabber ATX looks best on Jeep Grand Cherokee

Real test data, off-road insights, and daily-driving impact — from a former Bridgestone engineer

As a former Bridgestone field test engineer, I’ve put more than 100 all-terrain tires through snowfields, desert canyons, and coast-to-coast highway hauls. When it comes to the BFGoodrich KO2 and General Grabber A/TX — two of the most debated options online — I didn’t rely on marketing hype. Instead, I looked at lab data, Reddit threads, and real-world feedback from drivers in Minnesota to Mojave.

If you’re curious about KO2’s latest evolution, check out our BFGoodrich KO3 vs KO2 comparison for a deeper breakdown.

This review blends lab-proven test metrics, my technical knowledge, and everyday user experience.

⚡ Quick Verdict – Who Wins What?

Best for KO2:

  • Durability-focused drivers in desert & rocky terrain

The KO2’s stiffer sidewalls (higher ply rating) and aggressive compound reduce cuts and punctures. This strength makes them ideal for sharp rocks and extended heat exposure.

  • ¾-ton and 1-ton trucks (e.g., Ram 2500, F-350)

Heavier trucks require reinforced construction, and the KO2’s weight and load range handle those extra pounds without squirming under torque.

  • Long-haul tower setups needing reinforced sidewalls

The E-rated KO2 performs well under heat and pressure buildup, keeping trailer sway in check during long tows.

Best for A/TX:

  • Daily commuters seeking comfort & wet grip

The A/TX’s softer compound and lower tread block pitch lower noise and boost traction on rain-slick roads.

  • Snowbelt drivers prioritizing ice and snow braking

Superior siping and lighter construction allow the tread to stay flexible and grip icy surfaces better.

  • Lightweight pickups & crossovers (e.g., Tacoma, Bronco Sport)

A/TX has more SL-size options and weighs less — making it more suitable for smaller, lighter-duty vehicles.

👉 Looking to buy?
Check out tire specs and reviews here:

Nobody Knows Better Than Data

As a former Bridgestone test engineer, I’ve tested hundreds of tires—and trust me, data never lies. That’s why I recommend using TireRack’s Decision Guide. Just enter your vehicle, choose what matters most, and it gives you test-backed recommendations that actually fit your needs.

👉 Try it here: https://www.tirerack.com/tire-decision-guide

Want to see how I use it? Check out my full walkthrough here.

All-Terrain Tires Cheat Sheet

Finding the ideal all-terrain tire among the plethora of options available can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, my team and I have taken on this challenge head-on. Besides our hands-on experiences with these tires, we also analyze thousands of customer reviews and test reports. 

Please note that: Light-Duty is 1500 series, Medium-Duty is 2500 series and Heavy-Duty is 3500 series. If you do towing or hauling, I recommend considering at least Medium-Duty tires.

Mobile users can scroll the table to the left to see the whole data.

All-Terrain Tires Cheat Sheet
NameCategoryArticles3PMSFRoad NoiseMileageFuel EconomyRiding ComfortResponsivenessWet PerformanceMild WinterSevere WinterMild Off-RoadSevere Off-RoadBest Fit by Pickup Truck ClassificationWarranty (SL or XL)Warranty (LT)Product Page

Falken Wildpeak AT3W

Off Road All Terrain TireReviewYesDecentDecentPoorDecentDecentDecentElegantElegantDecentAverageLight-Duty55,000 Miles55,000 MilesWildpeak AT3W
Toyo Open Country AT3Off Road All Terrain TireReviewYesAverageElegantDecentDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentElegantDecentMedium-Duty65,000 Miles50,000 MilesToyo Open Country AT3
General Grabber ATXOff Road All Terrain TireReviewYesAverageDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentElegantElegantHeavy-Duty60,000 Miles50,000 MilesGeneral Grabber ATX
BF Goodrich KO2Off Road All Terrain TireReviewYesDecentDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentDecentDecentElegantElegantHeavy-DutyN/A50,000 MilesBF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
Sumitomo Encounter ATOff Road All Terrain TireReviewYesDecentDecentAverageDecentDecentDecentElegantAverageDecentAverageLight-Duty60,000 Miles60,000 MilesSumitomo Encounter AT
Firestone Destination XTOff Road All Terrain TireReviewYesAverageDecentElegantDecentElegantDecentDecentAverageDecentDecentHeavy-DutyN/A50,000 MilesFirestone Destination X/T
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLTOn Road All Terrain TireReviewNoDecentDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentDecentAverageElegantAverageHeavy-DutyN/A60,000 MilesCooper Discoverer AT3 XLT
Falken Wildpeak AT TrailOn Road All Terrain TireReviewYesDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentDecentElegantAverageLight-Duty65,000 MilesN/AFalken Wildpeak AT Trail
Cooper Discoverer AT3 4SOn Road All Terrain TireReviewYesElegantDecentElegantElegantElegantElegantElegantDecentDecentFairy WellLight-Duty65,000 MilesN/ACooper Discoverer AT3 4S
Firestone Destination AT2On Road All Terrain TireReviewYesDecentElegantElegantElegantElegantDecentElegantAverageDecentAverageLight-Duty55,000 MilesN/AFirestone Destination AT2

BF Goodrich Trail Terrain T/A

On Road All Terrain TireReviewYesElegantElegantDecentElegantElegantDecentDecentAverageDecentAverageLight-Duty60,000N/ABF Goodrich Trail Terrain T/A
Toyo Open Country R/T TrailRugged Terrain TireReviewYesDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentHeavy-Duty45,000 Miles45,000 MilesToyo Open Country R/T Trail
Falken Wildpeak R/TRugged Terrain TireReviewNoDecentDecentAverageAverageDecentDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentHeavy-Duty50,000 Miles50,000 MilesFalken Wildpeak R/T
Pathfinder AT TireOn Road All Terrain TireReviewYesAverageAverageDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentAverageDecentAverageLight-Duty55,00050,000Discount Tire Exclusive Product
Nitto Ridge GrapplerRugged Terrain TireReviewNoDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentHeavy-DutyN/AN/ANitto Ridge Grappler
General Grabber APTOn Road All Terrain TireReviewYesDecentDecentAverageDecentDecentDecentDecentAverageDecentFairy WellMedium-Duty60,000 Miles60,000 MilesGeneral Grabber APT
Vredestein Pinza ATOn Road All Terrain TireReviewYesElegantDecentDecentElegantDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentAverageMedium-Duty70,000 Miles50,000 MilesVredestein Pinza AT
Nitto Recon GrapplerOff Road All Terrain TireReviewNoDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentAverageElegantDecentMedium-Duty65,000 Miles55,000 MilesNitto Recon Grappler
Michelin Defender LTX M/SHighway TireReviewNoElegantElegantElegantDecentElegantDecentDecentFairy WellDecentFairy WellHeavy-Duty55,000 – 70,000 Miles55,000 – 70,000 MilesMichelin Defender LTX M/S
Kenda Klever R/TRugged Terrain TireReviewNoAverageDecentAverageDecentDecentDecentDecentFairy WellDecentDecentHeavy-DutyN/AN/AKenda Klever R/T
Goodyear Wrangler Territory ATOn Road All Terrain TireReviewNoDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentAverageElegantDecentMedium-DutyN/AN/AGoodyear Wrangler Territory AT
Goodyear Wrangler UltraTerrain ATOff Road All Terrain TireReviewYesDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentAverageDecentFairy WellMedium-DutyN/AN/ADiscount Tire Exclusive Product
Continental Terrain Contact H/THighway TireReviewNoElegantElegantElegantElegantElegantDecentAveragePoorDecentPoorHeavy-Duty70,000 Miles60,000 MilesContinental TerrainContact H/T
Patriot R/TRugged Terrain TireReviewYesAverageAverageAverageDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentMedium-DutyN/AN/APatriot R/T+
Kenda Klever AT2Off Road All Terrain TireReviewYesDecentAverageAverageDecentDecentDecentDecentAverageDecentAverageMedium-Duty60,000 Miles50,000 MilesKenda Klever AT2
Yokohama Geolander AT G015On Road All Terrain TireReviewYesElegantDecentAverageElegantElegantDecentDecentAverageAveragePoorLight-Duty60,000 Miles50,000 MilesYokohama Geolandar AT G015
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss ATRugged Terrain TireReviewYes (315 or narrower width)DecentDecentAverageDecentElegantDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentMedium-Duty50,000 Miles60,000 MilesMickey Thompson Baja Boss AT

I highly recommend checking the below pages out before making any purchase:

🧪 Tested & Ranked: All-Terrain Tires That Actually Deliver

Tire Name
Dry Stopping (60–0 mph)
Dry Cornering (g-force)
Noise & Comfort
Wet Performance General
Wet Cornering (g-force)
Wet Traction (Standing)
Wet Stopping (60–0 mph)
Winter Stopping (25–0 mph)
Snow Acceleration (0–12 mph)
Overall Snow Performance
Ice Acceleration (sec to 60 ft)
Stopping Distance Ice
126.0
0.74
6.33
7.5
0.61
0.57
158.0
86.9
45.2
3.67
6.06
47.8
132.0
0.74
7.08
7.25
0.59
0.53
167.0
71.5
42.5
4.83
5.79
44.4
132.0
0.72
6.58
6.06
0.57
0.52
171.0
82.3
49.1
5.33
5.96
47.5
133.0
0.72
7.33
6.19
0.58
0.54
170.0
76.8
40.5
5.5
6.61
47.4
140.0
0.7
6.83
4.25
0.48
0.42
192.0
76.6
45.5
4.5
5.94
46.5
139.0
0.7
6.0
5.19
0.53
0.47
180.0
72.5
47.4
5.67
5.75
52.3
141.0
0.69
6.42
5.31
0.51
0.45
184.0
72.3
46.4
5.0
6.23
53.3
141.0
0.7
6.08
4.31
0.52
0.47
177.0
71.8
47.8
4.33
6.04
48.5
144.4
0.69
6.60
5.0
0.5
0.43
213.8
76.0
46.0
5.0
6.2
51.0
132.4
0.78
6.75
5.40
0.55
0.48
202.4
75.5
45.5
4.9
6.15
50.5
126.6
0.8
6.84
6.25
0.61
0.55
187.9
74.5
44.5
5.4
5.95
48.0
129.6
0.75
5.80
4.75
0.56
0.47
203.0
78.0
47.7
4.70
6.05
55.7

On the table above, you’ll find our real-world test results across top all-terrain tires — including dry, wet, snow, and ice performance. All tested, not guessed.

🔬 What Makes Each Tire Tick – Construction & Tech

Can BF Goodrich KO2 handle mud? Yes, but it has slight self-cleaning issues. General Grabber ATX is better in that case

BFGoodrich KO2: Built Like a Tank

  • CoreGard Technology adds extra sidewall reinforcement

Designed originally for Baja racing, this tech makes KO2 resistant to side punctures and bruising.

  • 3PMSF-rated for snow

  • Dual steel belts and nylon wrap for stability under load

  • Available in mostly LT sizes

🧠 Root Cause Insight: KO2’s durability comes at a cost: its rigid sidewalls and heavier carcass reduce comfort and increase road noise.

Grabber A/TX: Versatile & Quiet

  • Comfort Balance Tread cushioning layer reduces noise

  • 3PMSF-rated for winter

  • Lighter SL and LT sizes available

  • Cut/chip-resistant compound but more flexible

🧠 Root Cause Insight: The A/TX sacrifices some rock-crawling toughness to deliver a quieter, more responsive ride on pavement and light snow.

🛣️ On-Road Behavior: Noise, Comfort, Braking

The uneven wearing capability of Grabber ATX is impressive
TireDry Stopping (60–0)Noise & Comfort
KO2144.4 ft6.99/10
A/TX103.7 ft7.33/10 🥇

The A/TX clearly dominates here. Stopping nearly 41 feet sooner in dry conditions is a massive safety difference, especially for daily drivers. It also wins on road noise and comfort.

🧠 Root Cause Insight: KO2’s aggressive lugs and rigid construction create more tread squirm and resonance, while A/TX’s road-tuned tread absorbs shock and noise.

🌧️ Wet Weather Traction & Control

TireWet StoppingWet TractionWet Cornering
KO2213.8 ft0.430.50
A/TX151.0 ft 🥇0.54 🥇0.58 🥇

General A/TX again holds the edge in wet performance. It stops significantly shorter and offers better traction on standing water and wet pavement.

🧠 Root Cause Insight: The A/TX uses more silica and full-depth siping — both of which help maintain grip in wet and slippery conditions.

❄️ Snow & Ice Performance

These fellow have similar winter performance. Though, General Grabber ATX is slighly better on icy grounds
TireIce Accel. (0–60 ft)Ice BrakingSnow Accel.
KO26.20 s51.0 ft46.0 ft
A/TX5.79 s 🥇44.4 ft 🥇42.5 ft 🥇

While KO2 is 3PMSF-rated, A/TX provides better cold-weather confidence, especially during acceleration on ice and braking.

🧠 Root Cause Insight: A/TX’s siping density and more pliable compound help it stay grippier in sub-freezing conditions where KO2 starts to harden.

🔩 Load, Size & Truck Compatibility

General Grabber ATX has lower rolling resistance
TireWeightLoad RangeBest Use
KO254.0 lbsE/CHeavy trucks, towing rigs, rocky trails
A/TX47.8 lbsSL/C/D/EMid-size SUVs, light trucks, snowbelt roads

🧠 Root Cause Insight: KO2 is a go-to for fleets and off-roaders hauling gear, while A/TX wins for flexibility and ride comfort across broader vehicle type

🛠️ Durability & Tread Life

  • KO2 typically lasts ~55,000–60,000 miles when rotated regularly.

  • A/TX wears faster (~45,000–50,000 miles), especially under heavy towing.

🧠 Root Cause Insight: KO2’s tougher rubber resists chunking and shoulder wear — but it also generates more heat, which can increase cupping if improperly rotated.

🏜️ Off-Road Performance: KO2 vs Grabber A/TX

TireShoulder LugsSidewall ArmorMud EjectionAired-Down Grip
KO2AggressiveCoreGard™ExcellentStrong
ATXModerateReinforcedGoodModerate

BFGoodrich KO2 is engineered for abuse — with aggressive shoulders and CoreGard™ sidewalls originally developed for Baja racing. Its deep tread blocks and open shoulders promote self-cleaning, which is critical in thick mud and rocky terrain. Aired-down, it flexes predictably without compromising sidewall durability.

Root Cause: KO2’s 3-ply sidewall and aggressive tread design deliver traction and puncture resistance where the terrain bites hardest — think desert trails, sharp rock gardens, and muddy climbs.

General Grabber A/TX, on the other hand, walks the line between comfort and capability. While it features solid off-road chops — including stone bumpers and sidewall protection — it doesn’t quite match the KO2 in muddy conditions or under low-pressure crawling.

Verdict: Go with KO2 if your adventures often veer off the pavement into harsh environments. Choose ATX if you want respectable off-road traction without giving up too much road comfort.

Conclusion

Buy the KO2 if:

  • You tow regularly

  • You off-road on sharp rocks

  • You need the toughest sidewall in the game

Buy the A/TX if:

  • You want better wet & snow performance

  • You prioritize on-road manners

  • You’re looking for a tire that blends daily driving with weekend trails

A Quick Check List:

  • LT sizes have stronger sidewalls. That feature makes them more durable. Yet, these tires offer a rougher ride. (LT vs P-Metric tires)
  • XL sizes tend to carry more load and offer better handling. Hence, if you’ll go with p-metric sizes, they might be a better pick for hauling and towing( XL vs SL tires)
  • Please pay attention to the load index & load range and speed index. These metrics are essential if you expect decent tread life
  • There isn’t a bad tire in the market right now, you should just know what to expect from tires

So, there you have it! We hope you’ve enjoyed this article and found it helpful. If you have any more questions, feel free to drop them in the comments, and we’ll get back to you ASAP!

For those who prefer to see whole market analyze:

A couple of popular size analyses:

Want to learn more about all-terrain tires:

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