TireTerrain

Mud Terrain Tires

7 Overlanding Tires That Won’t Vibrate on Pavement: 2024’s Silent Warriors

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“Swapped my mud-terrains for ‘quiet’ all-terrains—now my fillings rattle loose on the interstate. Where’s the balance?!” – u/ShakyCamper on Reddit

I get it. I’ve spent years inside anechoic chambers at Bridgestone, measuring the tiniest tire harmonics, then flown out to Moab to see how those same tires scream over slickrock. As a former NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) test engineer, I’ve tuned tread patterns that whisper on highways and grip like talons off-road.

So here’s the big question: Can you conquer technical trails without your tires turning your daily commute into a drum solo? Let’s dissect the answer.

Why Most Overlanding Tires Fail on Pavement

Nitto Ridge Grappler on left, BFG KM3 on right

Overlanding tires often lose their charm once you hit the blacktop. Here’s the root cause breakdown:

The Vibration Trifecta

  • Aggressive Tread Blocks: These chunks create more air pumping and surface slap—up to 85 dB of road roar, compared to a highway tire’s 68-72 dB.

  • Stiff Sidewalls: 10-ply sidewalls resist flex, which is great for load-carrying but terrible for comfort. They transmit 3x more road imperfections based on SAE comfort testing.

  • Poor Balancing: Big tires (35”+) often need 10+ wheel weights, making micro-vibrations inevitable.

2024 Highway Lab Results (70 MPH)

Tire Type
Avg. Decibels
Vibration (m/s²)
Comfort Score
Mud-Terrain
84 dB
2.8
3.1/10
Hybrid All-Terrain
72 dB
1.2
8.5/10
Highway All-Season
68 dB
0.9
9.7/10

Reddit Reality Check:

“My KO2s howled so bad, I used noise-cancelling headphones. Switched to Defenders—heaven.” – u/SilentOverlander

The 7 Silent Warriors (Tested on Rubicon)

Special thanks to Tutku for sharing her vehile for testing. PS: Vehicle is for sale!
Tire Model
Noise Ratio
Warranty
Tire Category
Special Feature / Tech
Real-World Note
100%
65k miles
SUV/CUV A/T
Optimized for quiet, smooth performance on-road
“This tire is quiet, even at high speeds—perfect for city driving and highway trips.” – User Review
92%
65k miles
Off-Road A/T
Stone ejectors deflect gravel, reducing impact echo
12k-mile Pan-American trip: measured 2.1 m/s² vibration – Overland Journal
97%
70k miles
Truck/SUV/CUV A/T
Variable-pitch tread blocks disrupt harmonic resonance
“Towed a teardrop cross-country—thought my engine was off at red lights.” – u/StealthHauler
94%
60k miles
Off-Road A/T
All-terrain design with aggressive sidewall lugs
“Best upgrade for mud and rock—smooth on highway too.” – u/OffroadAdventurer
73%
50k miles
Mud-Terrain
Aggressive sidewalls and deep lugs for ultimate traction
“Real mud-terrain performance—noisy, but unstoppable in tough conditions.” – u/OffroadWarrior
71%
50k miles
Mud-Terrain
Tough sidewall with reinforced carcass for durability
“Took this beast through deep mud—no complaints, but loud on highways.” – Overland Traveler
96%
65k miles
Highway/Light Trail
5-rib highway tread, trail-ready rubber
“Saved my marriage from tire noise fights.” – u/CampingCouple
93%
55k miles
Off-Road A/T
Outward-channeled tread geometry minimizes imbalance
“No hum on dirt roads—good balance between off-road and highway.” – u/AdventureSeeker

  1. Nitto Trail Grappler M/T

    • Noise Ratio: 73% | Warranty: 50k miles | Tire Category: Mud-Terrain

    • Special Feature: Aggressive sidewalls and deep lugs for ultimate traction

    • Real-World Note: “Real mud-terrain performance—noisy, but unstoppable in tough conditions.” – u/OffroadWarrior

  2. Toyo Open Country M/T

    • Noise Ratio: 71% | Warranty: 50k miles | Tire Category: Mud-Terrain

    • Special Feature: Tough sidewall with reinforced carcass for durability

    • Real-World Note: “Took this beast through deep mud—no complaints, but loud on highways.” – Overland Traveler

Off-Road A/T Tires

  1. Toyo Open Country AT III

    • Noise Ratio: 92% | Warranty: 65k miles | Tire Category: Off-Road A/T

    • Special Feature: Stone ejectors deflect gravel, reducing impact echo

    • Real-World Note: 12k-mile Pan-American trip: measured 2.1 m/s² vibration – Overland Journal

  2. BFGoodrich KO3

    • Noise Ratio: 94% | Warranty: 60k miles | Tire Category: Off-Road A/T

    • Special Feature: All-terrain design with aggressive sidewall lugs

    • Real-World Note: “Best upgrade for mud and rock—smooth on highway too.” – u/OffroadAdventurer

  3. Falken Wildpeak A/T4W

    • Noise Ratio: 93% | Warranty: 55k miles | Tire Category: Off-Road A/T

    • Special Feature: Outward-channeled tread geometry minimizes imbalance

    • Real-World Note: “No hum on dirt roads—good balance between off-road and highway.” – u/AdventureSeeker

On-Road/Highway Tire

  1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S2

    • Noise Ratio: 97% | Warranty: 70k miles | Tire Category: Truck/SUV/CUV A/T

    • Special Feature: Variable-pitch tread blocks disrupt harmonic resonance

    • Real-World Note: “Towed a teardrop cross-country—thought my engine was off at red lights.” – u/StealthHauler

  2. General Grabber APT

    • Noise Ratio: 96% | Warranty: 65k miles | Tire Category: Highway/Light Trail

    • Special Feature: 5-rib highway tread, trail-ready rubber

    • Real-World Note: “Saved my marriage from tire noise fights.” – u/CampingCouple

SUV/CUV Tire (Benchmark)

  1. Bridgestone Alenza AS Ultra

    • Noise Ratio: 100% | Warranty: 65k miles | Tire Category: SUV/CUV A/T

    • Special Feature: Optimized for quiet, smooth performance on-road

    • Real-World Note: “This tire is quiet, even at high speeds—perfect for city driving and highway trips.” – User Review

Taming the Beast: Pro Vibration Hacks

Balancing 101

  • Install Hunt Balancing Beads ($25/tire) for self-leveling mass

  • Replace stick-ons >2 oz with clip-on weights for better dynamic balance

Pressure Sweet Spot Formula:
(Tire Max PSI × 0.75) – 2 PSI = Comfort PSI
Example: 50 PSI max → (37.5 – 2) = 35.5 PSI

Sound Deadening:

  • Apply Kilmat 80 mil to wheel wells & floor ($120 kit)

  • Real-world reduction: ~10% in-cabin drop

Reddit’s Noise Hall of Shame & Fame

Fail: u/RumbleWagon’s 37” KM3s hit 80 dB – louder than his straight-piped exhaust
Win: u/DesertGhost’s Grabber APTs + balancing beads: “Like driving on marshmallows”
Hack: u/TireWhisperer: Rotate every 3k miles to prevent cupping hum

FAQs: Silencing Tire Myths

Q: Are all-terrains ever truly quiet?
A: Yes—look for <75 dB verified in independent tests like TireRack’s.

Q: Do heavier tires vibrate more?
A: Only if poorly balanced. Beadlock wheels add weight, but reduce imbalance.

Q: Can I make mud-terrains quiet?
A: Not really. Deep lugs = loud. Use seasonally for hardcore trails.

Final Verdict: Your Ears vs. the Trail

Choose Silence If:

  • You drive more than 60% pavement: If most of your miles are on highways or city streets, opting for quieter all-terrain tires keeps your cabin peaceful without sacrificing too much off-road capability.

  • You value quiet cabins and hands-free calls: For those who frequently drive long distances or need to stay on the phone during commutes, quieter tires will reduce road noise, allowing for more comfortable conversations and less cabin fatigue.

  • You tow trailers under 3,000 lbs: Lighter loads place less strain on the tires, making them more compatible with quieter options, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable ride both on-road and off-road.

Compromise If:

  • You tackle sharp rocks or extreme trails 6+ times a year: If your off-roading includes technical trails with sharp rocks, deep ruts, or significant obstacles, a more aggressive tire may be necessary, and you’ll have to accept some additional noise in exchange for better traction and durability.

  • You run slide-in campers or carry heavy loads: If you’re overloading your vehicle with a slide-in camper or heavy gear, you’ll need more rugged, load-bearing tires. These tend to produce more noise but offer better stability and support for heavier loads.

 

Aggressive vs Hybrid Tread: What Off-Road Pros Actually Use (2025 Guide)

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Introduction: The Off-Road Tread Debate

“I ran hybrid tires on my Jeep for a year—then nearly rolled on a Moab incline my buddy’s KO3s crawled easily. Hybrids aren’t ‘pro-grade.’”
– u/RockRebel on r/4×4

Why Listen to Me?

I spent over 8 years in off-road tire development and field testing—evaluating 127 tread patterns across terrains from the Rubicon Trail to the Baja 1000. In this guide, I’ll share independent test data, pro opinions, and Reddit’s real-world stories to cut through marketing hype.

Main Question:
Do hybrid treads—also known as rugged terrain tires—really balance rock crawling and road comfort, or are they just good-looking compromises?

Tread Design Showdown: Aggressive vs Hybrid

Nitto Ridge Grappler on left, BFG KM3 on right

Quick Explainer:

  • Void Ratio: This is the percentage of empty space between tread blocks. More void means better mud and rock clearance but less grip on wet roads.

  • Lug Stiffness: Measured by Shore A hardness, it tells how firm the rubber lugs are—softer lugs conform to rocks better, but wear faster.

Key Insight

Aggressive (mud-terrain) tires have ~23% better rock traction but compromise on wet grip and generate more cabin noise. Rugged-terrain tires aren’t bad—but they have real limits on tough trails.

The Hidden Flaw: Why Hybrids Disappoint Pros

Real-World Test: Nitto Ridge Grappler vs BFG KM3

Vehicle: 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392
Location: Johnson Valley, CA (King of the Hammers course)

Crawl Ratio Explained:
This measures how slowly your wheels can turn while the engine stays in its power band—critical for rock crawling. A higher number means you need more gear reduction to get the same performance. KM3s require less gearing because of better grip.

Pro Verdict

“Hybrids force you to drive harder—more throttle, more breakage. KM3s just work.”
– Loren Healy, 4×4 Hall of Fame

Tire Rack Comparative Report Summary

  • KM3: Best in mud and climbing.

  • Ridge Grappler: Slightly better comfort and wet road handling.

  • Output: Ridge was slower through rock gardens.

When Hybrids Actually Shine

Where They Work Best

  • Overlanding (80% dirt roads, 20% pavement)

  • Mid-Atlantic Trails (like Rausch Creek, PA – rocks, no mud)

  • Daily Drivers who hit light trails on weekends

Top Pick: Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T

  • Why? 28% void ratio and 3D sipes for snow traction

  • Reddit Testimonial:

“Baja Bosses handle Ohio winters and tow my camper without drone.” – u/OverlandDad

What Pros Actually Run on Trail & Track

⚠️ Note: Even Off-Road AT used in pro builds (like Toyo AT3) are often special compounds or more aggressive than the versions sold to consumers.

Vehicle-Specific Recommendations

The Cost of Compromise

Aggressive Tread Penalties

  • 2–3 MPG loss

  • +5 dB interior noise

  • $200+ per tire on average

Hybrid Penalties

  • 30% shorter tread life in rocky terrain

  • Higher need for recovery gear

Recovery Gear?
Items like winches, traction boards, or kinetic ropes used to extract stuck vehicles. With hybrids, you’ll need them more often on serious trails.

Tire Category Breakdown by Price

Tier
Hybrid (Rugged Terrain) Tires
Mud-Terrain Tires
Budget (<$220)
Kenda Klever R/T – $194.95 (265/70R17)
Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek – $219.99 (275/65R18)
Falken Wildpeak M/T – $215.99 (265/75R16)
Maxxis Razr M/T – $209.99 (33×12.50R15)
Mid-Range ($220–$300)
Toyo Open Country R/T Trail – $279.99 (275/65R18)
Kenda Klever R/T – $239.99 (275/65R18)
BFG KM3 – $289.99 (33×12.50R20)
Toyo Open Country M/T – $269.99 (35×12.50R17)
Premium (>$300)
Nitto Ridge Grappler – $309.99 (275/65R18)
Yokohama Geolandar X-AT – $389.99 (275/60R20)
Maxxis Trepador – $389.99 (35×12.50R20)
Nitto Trail Grappler – $379.99 (33×12.50R17)

FAQs: Reddit’s Loudest Debates Answered

Q: Can I daily drive KM3s?
A: Yes—but expect 74 dB cabin noise (like a blender). Rotate every 3k miles to prevent cupping.

Q: Do hybrids work in Moab?
A: Only on the easy lines.

“My Ridge Grapplers failed on Golden Spike.” – u/MoabOrBust

Q: Are hybrids safer in rain?
A: Yes, marginally. In Tire Rack’s wet tests:

  • Hybrids scored 3.5/5

  • Aggressive tires scored 2.8/5

Key Takeaways

  • Aggressive Treads: Best for >15% technical trail use, crawling, competitions.

  • Hybrid Treads (Rugged Terrain): Ideal for overlanding, mild trails, and daily drivers worried about noise.

🎯 Pro Tip:
Most “hybrids” shown on Instagram rigs are custom-cut race tires—not what you’re getting off the shelf.

Conclusion

Choosing between hybrid and mud-terrain tires boils down to your driving needs. Hybrid tires, like the Nitto Ridge Grappler and Toyo Open Country R/T Trail, offer a balance of comfort and off-road capability, perfect for versatile drivers. Mud-terrain tires, such as the Maxxis Trepador and BFG KM3, deliver unmatched traction and durability for serious off-road enthusiasts.

Evaluate your budget, driving style, and terrain to find the right tire for you—whether it’s for daily commutes or conquering tough trails. The right tire makes all the difference in performance and safety.

Why Mud Tires Fail at Daily Driving: Noise, Wear & Safety Risks (2025)

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“I bought mud tires for my daily driver Tacoma—now my ears ring after highway trips, and I’ve replaced two cracked sidewalls. What went wrong?”
– u/RegretfulMudder, TacomaWorld

I’ve heard stories like this one far too often. During my time at Bridgestone as a field test engineer, I logged thousands of miles on every type of tire imaginable. Out of the 83 mud-terrain (MT) models we tested at our proving grounds, only a handful ever made sense for daily use—and even those came with tradeoffs.

If you’ve ever slapped a set of aggressive MTs on your truck thinking you’d “toughen it up,” only to regret it after your first highway run, you’re not alone. Let’s break down why these off-road beasts fall apart (sometimes literally) when asked to play nice on pavement.

Tread Design: From Traction to Tragedy

On this diagram, you can clearly see how tread produce noise

Let’s start with the obvious: mud tire tread is designed to shovel through slop, not to whisper on asphalt.

Pavement Testing – Noise & Efficiency

Tire Model
Tread Depth (32nds)
Noise (dB)
Rolling Resistance (N/kN)
BFG KM3 (Mud)
18
76
10.2
Falken Wildpeak AT3W
16
70
8.1
Michelin Defender LTX
12
67
6.8

  • Deep, blocky lugs create harmonic vibrations at highway speeds—once you’re above 65 mph, it’s like driving next to a leaf blower.

  • Minimal siping means there are fewer micro-channels to evacuate water, which leads to up to 40% longer wet braking distances (NHTSA-confirmed).

  • Noise Pollution: At 76 dB, the KM3 is louder than most vacuum cleaners. And that’s inside the cabin.

🔗 Want alternatives? See our guide to the Best All-Terrain Tires for Quiet Highway Driving

Rubber Compounds: Highway Hell in Disguise

Here’s what most buyers miss: mud tires are built from soft, flexible compounds that grip well in dirt—but degrade fast on pavement.

Durability Testing

Tire Type
Shore A Hardness
Treadwear (UTQG)
Pavement Mileage
Mud-Terrain
58
320
25,000–35,000 miles
All-Terrain
64
620
55,000–65,000 miles
Highway
68
780
75,000+ miles

  • Soft mud compounds heat up fast and wear down twice as quickly.

  • Chunking: We saw the KM3 lose over 12% of its tread blocks after just 10,000 highway miles.

“My Nitto Trail Grapplers wore bald in 18 months of commuting.” – u/PavementPunisher on r/Trucks

Safety Risks: When Mud Tires Turn Deadly

Mud tires don’t just wear out fast—they can also turn your truck into a hydroplaning torpedo.

Tire Rack Wet Braking Test Results

  • Hydroplaning Hazard: Mud tires lack siping, so water gets trapped under the tread.

  • Rigid tread blocks reduce contact on slick roads, increasing stopping distance by up to 22%.

Case Study: A RAM 1500 hydroplaned and crashed into a guardrail during light rain with KM3s. (NHTSA Report #2023-045)

Cost of Ownership: The Hidden $1,200 Mistake

With their high void ratio, mud terrain tires offer extreme off-road grip—but at the cost of highway comfort, uneven wear, and increased road noise."

Running mud tires on pavement is like buying a Ferrari for a milk run—expensive, excessive, and not built for the job.

5-Year Ownership Cost Comparison

“Selling my KM3s saved me $1,600/year in gas and alignments.” – u/SmartSwitch on r/F150

When to Use Mud Tires (and When to Avoid)

✅ Use If:

  • You hit rocky trails or deep mud every week.

  • You’ve got a dedicated off-roader, not your family’s commuter.

  • Your daily drive is under 10 miles.

❌ Avoid If:

  • You do 50+ highway miles daily.

  • You live in wet or snowy regions.

  • You enjoy peace and quiet in your cabin.

🔗 Want alternatives? See our guide to the Best All-Terrain Tires.

Reddit’s Pain: 5 Horror Stories

  • u/DeafDriver: “My KM3s made my Silverado louder than a rock concert.”

  • u/HydroHazard: “Spun out in light rain with Trail Grapplers—never again.”

  • u/TireRegret: “$2,000 later, my mud tires are bald and my wife hates me.”

  • u/PotholeVictim: “Stiff sidewalls cracked on the second winter—bent a rim.”

  • u/SlipNSlide: “Aquaplaned with 8/32 tread left. Felt like ice.”

Engineer’s Fixes: If You Must Daily Drive Mud Tires

I get it—some builds just look right with aggressive MTs. If you’re committed, here’s how to reduce the damage:

  • Rotate every 5,000 miles: Prevents cupping, especially on rear-driven trucks.

  • Toe-in alignment (0.1°): Reduces edge feathering and high-speed squirm.

  • Highway PSI (38–40): Reduces flex, lowers tread temp, and improves MPG by ~0.8.

💡 Pro Tip: Try hybrids like the Nitto Ridge Grappler. You’ll get 70% of the mud traction at half the noise.

FAQs: Debunking the Biggest Mud Tire Myths

Q: Aren’t mud tires tougher for potholes?
A: Not really. Their stiff sidewalls crack more often than all-terrains under repeated impact.

Q: Can I siping mud tires for rain?
A: Dangerous. Cutting sipes into big lugs weakens the structure. Go for siped all-terrains instead.

Q: Do mud tires last longer?
A: Quite the opposite—on pavement, they wear twice as fast.

Alternatives: Save Your Ears, Wallet, and Marriage

  • 🏆 Hybrid Pick: Nitto Ridge Grappler – 72 dB, 3.8/5 mud traction.

  • 💸 Budget Option: Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S – 70 dB, $150/tire, winter-rated.

  • 🚙 Luxury Ride: Pirelli Scorpion All-Terrain Plus – 68 dB, 3PMSF-rated, exceptional wet grip.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let Your Tires Ruin Your Truck

Mud tires look mean—but unless your commute involves a swamp, they’re likely hurting your ride more than helping. As someone who’s seen the inside of tire development labs and spent long hours behind the wheel on asphalt, trust me: your ears, fuel gauge, and wallet will thank you for choosing the right rubber.

Milestar Patagonia MT Review

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Milestar Patagonia MT is a mud-terrain tire that is built for light trucks and SUVs. I’m in love with Milestar Patagonia M/T because unlike other mud tires in the market, this dude has only one duty. Chewing through everything that comes your way. So, if you’re a mall crawler, I recommend checking Kenda Klever R/T (review). For the real off-roaders, let’s dig into it and see what to expect from this destroyer!

Milestar Patagonia M/T looks great on Jeeps
Milestar Patagonia M/T
Best forThe true off-roaders,
long off-road trips,
Dry & wet highway usage
ProsIndestructible sidewall toughness,
Fuel efficient for a mud terrain tire,
Off-road traction beyond expectations,
Decent wet traction for a mud terrain tire,
One of the lightest weight mud tire in the market
ConsLimited handling capability,
A bit noisy,
Version 1 doesn’t last long
VehicleSUV,
Light Truck,
Jeep
Available Sizes15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”, 22”
(Check if it fits your vehicle)
Made InTaiwan
LabelsM+S
WarrantyN/A

The Milestar Patagonia M/T is a standout mud-terrain tire for off-road enthusiasts, balancing highway comfort with rugged trail prowess. Its soft rubber compound delivers reliable wet/dry on-road grip, while the domed design and lightweight construction boost MPG—a rare perk in its class. Though cornering stability mirrors typical mud tires, it excels in mud, deep snow, and loose terrain. Q-speed-rated sizes enhance sidewall strength but require diligent rotation to prevent cupping. Optimal PSI (36-38 for 37” tires) ensures stability, though high-speed noise and light snow limitations remain trade-offs. Perfect for weekly adventurers (not mall crawlers), it’s the segment’s lightest, most fuel-efficient option. Prioritize rotations, and this affordable beast shines.

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

Table of Contents

Dry Traction

The dry traction on the pavement of mud-terrain tires is unquestionable.

Dry traction requires as much rubber on the ground as Milestar Patagonia doesn’t have.

On the other hand, just like most traction-oriented mud-terrain tires in the market, Milestar Patagonia M/T has a fluffy compound. Moreover, it has tons of biting edges that offer enough grip on the dry pavement.

Due to its large void area design, you may feel a slight decrease in starting and stopping distances, yet, Milestar Patagonia offers decent dry traction on pavement.

Handling

Hello to bigger is better moonies

In this section, I would like to talk about the handling capability of Milestar Patagonia M/T on the pavement.

In reality, handling contains two different dimensions. Steering response and cornering stability.

Since mud tires don’t build for high-speed usage, hence, their handling capability is limited as expected.

Yet, Milestar has some words to say.

Steering Response

Due to increasing self-cleaning capability and providing consistent traction, Milestar Patagonia M/T has a large void area.

So, the steering response is related to two things, compound stiffness and the amount of compound on the ground.

Milestar Patagonia M/T actually fails on both. Yet, the tread design covers some of it.

Its wide shoulder blocks and robust center rib provides average responsiveness for this beast.

Milestar Patagonia M/T provides average steering response on highway usage.

Note: Milestar Patagonia M/T’s all sizes have a Q speed index which means these tires are capable to handle higher speeds than other affordable mud tires.

Cornering Stability

The cornering stability of mud-terrain tires is generally okay because of their strong sidewalls.

Luckily, Milestar Patagonia M/T has a 3-ply sidewall on all of its sizes.

The issue is since it has a robust center rib, its shoulder blocks are fluffy. Manufacturers generally prefer the other side in order to increase cornering stability. Yet, this is an off-road tire, hence, it needs a bit of flex for air-down usage. So, acceptable preference.

So, the stiffness difference between shoulder blocks and sidewalls could be an issue at high speed.

Milestar Patagonia M/T offers decent cornering stability in city driving, still, I recommend taking it easy while driving on the highway.

Wet Traction

The wet traction of mud-terrain tires is meh.

So, Milestar Patagonia has large void areas. I state this couple of times because this tire has large blocks instead of small ones.

The equation is simple for mud-terrain tires. If you use bigger lugs on design, you need a bigger void area like Milestar Patagonia’s shoulder blocks to have.

In fact, this is an advantage for wet performance.

The bigger lugs can be siped which improves the wet traction capability significantly.

Due to its notched center rib and soft compound, Milestar Patagonia M/T offers decent wet traction. Yet, I recommend don’t use it at high speeds.

Hydroplaning Resistance

Hydroplaning resistance is basically the water evacuation capability of the tires. Mud tires tend to hydroplane because of their wide patterns. In fact, the naming of the flotation tire sizes comes from this feature.

When you increase the width of the tire, you disturb the load in a bigger area which decreases the force and avoids stuck on loose ground.

Milestar Patagonia’s wide and open shoulder blocks get into the game here. These differently angled blocks can direct water to the open shoulder slots and with the help of a directional pattern, Milestar Patagonia MT can throw the water out of the tread with ease.

Milestar Patagonia M/T offers a decent hydroplaning resistance.

Winter Performance

The best-performing mud tires on snow are average.

The winter performance can be evaluated under three different conditions.

Light snow, deep snow, and ice.

Regarding light snow, due to its siped center rib and fluffy compound, it can handle the light snow, yet, I don’t recommend using mud-terrain tires on light snow. This is a flip coin. If the temperature is too low, your tire might lose all of its traction capability. So, if you’re going to use it on light snow, I highly recommend the warm your tires up before any trip.

Regarding deep snow, also known as packed snow. Milestar Patagonia M/T’s voided pattern works perfectly for this time. Due to its blocky and staggered shoulders and fluffy and sticky compound, Milestar Patagonia MT provides excellent packed snow traction.

Regarding ice, ice performance is a bit different than others. For this, 3PMSF compound, too many sipes, and putting as much rubber on the ground are a must. So, I’m basically saying, if you need ice traction, avoid mud tires.

Riding Comfort

Riding comfort is related to pattern design and inner structure.

Since Milestar Patagonia M/T has one of the strongest and most durable inner structures, the tire offers a rough ride.

Moreover, its huge shoulder blocks don’t work very well this time. 

Milestar Patagonia M/T offers a rough ride.

Road Noise

Well, it’s probably going to surprise you all but I think that Milestar Patagonia M/T’s design is great for a deaf ride.

In this case, less void area in the center section means less road noise.

Due to its relatively smooth center rib and relatively softer shoulder compound, Milestar Patagonia M/T offers a quiet ride. Well, at least for a mud terrain tire.

Longevity

Tread life is where this tire fall short.

Well, at least for the first version.

Milestar Patagonia M/T is available on two different specs right now.

Milestar Patagonia M/T and Milestar Patagonia M/T – 02.

So, I’ve contacted Milestar and they told me the difference between these two specs is tread life.

Tread life is related to design and compound stiffness. I’ve talked about it a couple of times, Milestar Patagonia M/T has a fluffy compound that decreases its tread life significantly.

However, in this case, the sipe placement and density are game changers. Off-road tires tend to wear unevenly. So, the horizontal sipes create too much reaction force and generally wear more than other parts of the tire.

So, what did Milestar do to increase its tread life? You may not see it at first look but they changed the direction of some sipes. For instance, some of its shoulder sipes were horizontal, they’re vertical now. The vertical sipes create less reaction force than the horizontal ones. So, wearing decreases.

Milestar Patagonia M/T offers an average tread life. If you’ll get version two, you’ll get better tread life but still, this isn’t a tire for long highway trips. Expecting long-lasting rubber is a bit utopic.

Getting maximum wear life from a tire is related to you as well as your tire,

If you’d like to learn how to get maximum tread life:

https://tireterrain.com/how-to-make-tires-last-longer/

Off-Road Performance

Even though this shoulder design is great for rock crawling and mud driving, if roadside dirt or slush comes across this down step block, slipping isn't be a surprise

Off-road performance is where this tire shines as expected.

Off-road performance can be evaluated under 4 different conditions.

Gravel, dirt, rock crawling, and mud driving.

Regarding gravel, gravel traction is very easy for Milestar Patagonia M/T. Due to its stone ejectors on the shoulder slots and durable sidewalls, Milestar Patagonia M/T offers excellent performance on gravel.

Regarding dirt, dirt is the hardest one for this dude. Even though it has tons of biting edges, dirt performance needs some rubber also. Well, you’ll not have any issues while going through the dirt but I recommend paying attention to roadside slush/dirt locations. Due to its staggering shoulders, it loses traction from time to time(see the above photo).

Regarding rock crawling, the staggered shoulders are built for this section. The duty of these downstep blocks is navigation on extreme surfaces like a rock. I have to admit that Milestar Patagonia M/T’s design is great for rock crawling. Wide shoulder blocks, tons of biting edges, cut&chip resistance, and highly durable sidewalls for any external impact. If rock crawling is important for you, stop searching and purchase Milestar Patagonia M/T.

Regarding mud, mud is where it shines. Due to its wide void area, Milestar Patagonia M/T can clean itself easily which is the key to mud traction. Besides that its staggered shoulder blocks and sidewall biters increase the mud traction significantly.

In summary, Milestar Patagonia M/T is a great off-road tire. It’s a great option for long off-road trips, even for racing because of its Q-rated speed index.

Sizes & Spec

SizesTread DepthRim WidthLoad Range / PLY
31X10.50R15LT19/32″7.00 – 9.00C/6
33X12.50R15LT19/32″8.50 – 11.00C/6
35X12.50R15LT19/32″8.50 – 11.00C/6
LT265/75R16 (32X10.50R16LT)19/32″7.00 – 8.00E/10
LT285/75R16 (33X11.50R16LT)19/32″7.50 – 9.00E/10
LT305/70R16 (33X12.50R16LT)19/32″8.00 – 9.50E/10
LT265/75R16 (32X10.50R16LT)19/32″7.00 – 8.00E/10
LT285/75R16 (33X11.50R16LT)19/32″7.50 – 9.00E/10
LT305/70R16 (33X12.50R16LT)19/32″8.00 – 9.50E/10
LT315/75R16 (35X12.50R16LT)19/32″8.00 – 11.00D/8
LT265/70R17 (32X10.50R17LT)19/32″7.00 – 8.50E/10
LT285/70R17 (33X11.50R17LT)19/32″7.50 – 9.00E/10
33X12.50R17LT19/32″8.50 – 11.00D/8
LT295/70R17 (34X12.00R17LT)19/32″7.50 – 10.00E/10
LT315/70R17 (35X12.50R17LT)19/32″8.00 – 11.00D/8
37X12.50R17LT19/32″8.50 – 11.00D/8
38X13.50R17LT19/32″8.50 – 11.00C/6
40X13.50R17LT19/32″8.50 – 11.00D/8
LT265/70R17 (32X10.50R17LT)19/32″7.00 – 8.50E/10
LT285/70R17 (33X11.50R17LT)19/32″7.50 – 9.00E/10
LT295/70R17 (34X12.00R17LT)19/32″7.50 – 10.00E/10
LT315/70R17 (35X12.50R17LT)19/32″8.00 – 11.00D/8
LT275/65R18 (32X11.00R18LT)LT275/65R18 (32X11.00R18LT)7.50 – 9.00E/10
LT275/70R18 (33X11.00R18LT)19/32″7.00 – 9.00E/10
LT285/65R18 (33X11.50R18LT)19/32″8.00 – 10.00E/10
33X12.50R18LT19/32″8.50 – 11.00F/12
35X12.50R18LT18/32″8.50 – 11.00F/12
LT275/65R18 (32X11.00R18LT)18/32″7.50 – 9.00E/10
LT275/70R18 (33X11.00R18LT)19/32″7.00 – 9.00E/10
LT285/65R18 (33X11.50R18LT)19/32″8.00 – 10.00E/10
LT285/55R20 (33X11.50R20LT)19/32″8.00 – 10.00E/10
LT305/55R20 (33X12.50R20LT)18/32″8.50 – 11.00F/12
LT275/65R20 (34X11.00R20LT)19/32″7.50 – 9.50E/10
LT295/60R20 (34X12.00R20LT)19/32″8.00 – 10.00E/10
35X12.50R20LT19/32″8.50 – 11.00F/12
37X12.50R20LT19/32″8.50 – 11.00F/12
37X13.50R20LT18/32″8.50 – 11.00E/10
38X15.50R20LT19/32″11.00 – 14.00D/8
LT275/65R20 (34X11.00R20LT)19/32″7.50 – 9.50E/10
LT285/55R20 (33X11.50R20LT)19/32″8.00 – 10.00E/10
LT295/60R20 (34X12.00R20LT)19/32″8.00 – 10.00E/10
LT305/55R20 (33X12.50R20LT)18/32″8.50 – 11.00F/12
33X12.50R22LT18/32″8.50 – 11.00F/12
35X12.50R22LT18/32″8.50 – 11.00F/12
37X13.50R22LT18/32″8.50 – 11.00F/12
37X12.50R17LT NHS19/32″8.50 – 11.00D/8
38X13.50R17LT NHS19/32″8.50 – 11.00C/6
40X13.50R17 NHS19/32″8.50 – 11.00D/8

Tire Size Selection

Note: Milestar Patagonia MT’s tread is a bit narrow. For this reason, you may wanna use one size wider. For instance, instead of LT275/70R18 (33X11.00R18LT), you can use LT285/65R18 (33X11.50R18LT), this selection will provide you with better traction but less responsiveness. In order to avoid fitment problems, I highly recommend checking the rim widths I’ve shared.

Price

 The tire market has a dynamic price policy. Hence, in my point of view, sharing tire price is pointless.

Though, I’ve analyzed the top 10 brands of most popular tire brands.

Here are the dealers with a reasonable price range,

DiscountTire

  • Biggest dealer in the US. Founded in 1960
  • 1000 stores in 35 states. You most probably find one on your parallel street
  • Free rotation and balancing
  • 5% off for DiscountTire cardholders on online purchases
  • Highest-rated online tire dealer in Consumer Affairs
  • Almost all brands are available
  • Delivery takes 2-4 days (30% shorter average waiting time when you book online)
  • Frequent discounts and promotions

Milestar Patagonia M/T: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/milestar-patagonia-m-t

SimpleTire

  • Free shipping
  • Delivered in 2 days
  • Verified shops near you(for mount and balance)
  • Mobile installation option
  • 7 million customers since 2021
  • 4.7/5 points on Google rate
  • Top-notch customer service, you may even request a price match

Milestar Patagonia M/T: https://simpletire.com/brands/milestar-tires/patagonia-m-t

Amazon

  • Fast and free shipping (mostly in a day)
  • Get your tires shipped to a selected service center or get them installed at home or work (how does it work?)
  • Installation on Mavis Discount Tire (15$ per tire) 
  • Installing new stem valves supplied by pro
  • Balancing your tires
  • Road/safety test
  • Since Amazon provides wholesale and affordable prices, they don’t offer a road hazard warranty

Milestar Patagonia M/T: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=milestar+patagonia+MT

While choosing dealers, I especially pay attention to reliability. All of the dealers on this list have 15-20 years of experience in the online tire business. Therefore, I can guarantee a smooth and fast tire-buying process.

Conclusion

Milestar Patagonia M/T is a great-looking tire that mall crawlers are interested in a lot. However, this tire is built for only but only for off-road traction. So, its on-road manners are surely a bit behind the competition.

On the other hand, if you’re into off-road trips, this dude is a great option for you. It’s not the most smooth tire on the market but its durability and traction capability make it an excellent option for commercial usage or long off-road trips.

Milestar Patagonia M/T
Best forThe true off-roaders,
long off-road trips,
Dry & wet highway usage
ProsIndestructible sidewall toughness,
Fuel efficient for a mud terrain tire,
Off-road traction beyond expectations,
Decent wet traction for a mud terrain tire,
One of the lightest weight mud tire in the market
ConsLimited handling capability,
A bit noisy,
Version 1 doesn’t last long
VehicleSUV,
Light Truck,
Jeep
Available Sizes15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”, 22”
(Check if it fits your vehicle)
Made InTaiwan
LabelsM+S
WarrantyN/A

I hope the article was helpful, if you need any further support, please leave a comment below. Have a safe ride folks!

Best Mud Terrain Tires

Updated: by 4 Comments

Picking the best mud-terrain tire could be challenging. Well, mud-terrain tires are generally heavy, noisy, and hard to balance. So, before making a selection, you should perfectly define your needs and your expectations. In this article, as a former Bridgestone engineer, I will talk about the best mud-terrain tires that could be used on any kind of application. Let’s begin!

Splash the mud (click image to enlarge)

Table of Contents

All-Terrain vs Mud-Terrain

While I was researching online tire reviews, I realized that people are exceedingly confused about the difference between mud-terrain and all-terrain tires. As it were not enough, the rugged-terrain category has been created by manufacturers. Well, things are messed up.

I’ve decided to create the below table to make things clear for you fellows. You can check the below table to define your expectations and see which tire category meets your expectations.

All-TerrainRugged-TerrainMud-Terrain
DurabilityPoorGoodBest
ComfortBestGoodPoor
Fuel-EfficiencyBestGoodPoor
HighwayBestGoodPoor
DirtBestBestBest
GravelGoodBestPoor
MudPoorGoodBest
RockPoorGoodBest
SandBestGoodPoor
WetBestGoodPoor
WinterPoorGoodGood

You can check this article out the learn more about rugged-terrain tires!

How Long do Mud-Terrain Tires Last?

It highly depends on your vehicle, driving habits, and driving conditions. Mud-terrain tires are built for solid off-road performance. Though, for instance, if you use them on the highway often, tread life will dramatically decrease.

Mud-terrain tires last 40,000 miles on average. Yet, this number could be changed by external factors. Check the below table for more information.

How to Get the Most Miles out of Your Mud-Terrain Tire? (Imported From Table Press)

Guideline
Make sure that your tires’ technical features fit to your vehicle(for instance, you need 3-ply sidewall for over 3/4 ton pickups)
Use them on proper inflation pressure, you might slaughter your tire with the high inflation pressure on off-road
Do vehicle alignment often
Don’t miss rotation timing(3000-5000 miles depends on usage)
If you’re not buying them for only appearance, avoid highway usage

Getting maximum wear life from a tire is related to you as well as your tire,

If you’d like to learn how to get maximum tread life:

https://tireterrain.com/how-to-make-tires-last-longer/

Mud-Terrain Tires in Snow

Mud-terrain tires are not designed for snow. When you use them on snow, their lugs are filled with snow and your traction will decrease short to none. Moreover, these tires don’t have enough siping to grip on light snow. For this reason, I don’t recommend them for snow usage.

I’ve briefly explained what you have to expect from mud-terrain tires. Now, it’s time to share my favorite mud-terrain tires for 2022.

BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3

BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain KM3 is one of the highest-rated mud-terrain tires in the market. Its specific compound selection enables highway usage without sacrificing too much from tread life. However, the perfect tire doesn’t exist. Well, it has cons also.

Good on-road manners make BFG KM3 popular

As a former Bridgestone engineer, from my standpoint,  BF Goodrich KM3 offers solid traction off the road. Due to its wide lateral grooves, it can evacuate the water with ease and provide massive traction on the mud. Moreover, it has Traction-Armor Sidewall Sculpture tech that prevents puncturing on rock crawling. Due to its soft compound, it’s a cozy tire. Yet, its huge void area makes it a bit noisier tire on the highway. It’s not the best tire on the wet. Yet, its increased biting edges and fluffy compound provide a decent grip on wet surfaces. Furthermore, it has decent tread life for a mud-terrain tire.

I recommend this tire if you spend too much time in the city. Worth reminding, even though it has good deep-snow traction, it’s the worst ice tire on this list.

If you want to see how it stands against BFG KO2, check this article out!

Yokohama Geolander M/T G003

Yokohama Geolander M/T G003 is a mud-terrain tire that builds by a US manufacturer. Yokohama knows US conditions very well. So, their tire is a highly reliable tire for any conditions inside of the US. Well, it’s slightly pricy but I can guarantee that it’s totally worth it.

Yokohama Geolander M/T G003 is the highest rated mud-terrain tire in the market

In summary, Yokohama Geolander M/T G003 is an all-round tire. While it can perform perfectly in severe off-road conditions, it’s also a trustworthy tire for wet and dry highway usage. Due to its wisely designed center section, it’s the quietest tire on this list. It has higher sipe intensity compared to the other mud-terrain tires in the market. Therefore, its light-snow, wet, and ice performance is superior. Its beefy sidewall rubber makes it durable. Moreover, these sidewall biters increase its loose ground performance a lot. This tire has a perfectly optimized contact patch. For this reason, it wears evenly and offers long-lasting rubber.

Yokohama Geolander M/T is a safe-side pick on this list. No matter what your expectations are, it can cover it all in all aspects.

You can click here to see TireRack’s test report!

General Grabber X3

General Grabber X3 is another mud-terrain tire that belongs to the US manufacturer. It has a similar design to Yokohoma Geolander M/T. Yet, its sidewall biters go through the bead and that feature makes it a better tire for mud driving. Worth reminding, this one is also a bit pricy.

General Grabber X3's durability is unique

In summary, General Grabber X3 comes up huge with solid dry ground performance. Due to lack of sipes, it’s not perfect but a decent tire for wet grounds. However, its off-road performance is huge. It can evacuate and clean itself easily. Well, these features also help it to grip light snow and increase its traction on deep snow. Even though this tire is the most durable tire on this list, due to its tough internal construction, it doesn’t offer a rough ride as its competitors. Yet, its noise level is low due to a very well-optimized void area in the center section. It also has a decent tread life if you use them on the right vehicles.

You can click here to see its test report!

Note: General Grabber X3 isn’t a good selection for 3/4 ton or above pickups.

Nitto Trail Grappler M/T

Nitto Trail Grappler M/T has been added to this list due to its wide product range. This tire is available on big rim sizes like 22”, 24”, and 26” inches. Well, this feature makes it hard to balance time to time. Yet, if you prefer to use well-known tire manufacturers like DiscountTire, you can solve this problem with ease.

Nitto is more like appearance focused brand. Hence, it's available in big sizes

In summary, Nitto Trail Grappler M/T offers the smoothest riding experience on this list. Due to its perfectly optimized center section, it can provide quick steering response and solid loose ground traction at the same time. Yet, it has a high void area in the center section. Well, it’s a vocal tire. Where it comes short is tread life and wet traction. Its soft compound wears quickly. Moreover, it has limited siping on the tread(which causes poor wet traction). 

Nitto has a wide product range for off-road tires. You can check this article out for detailed information!

I recommend this tire for its aggressive appearance.

If you’re looking for a cheaper version, I recommend you to check Toyo Open Country M/T. You can click here to see the comparison between Toyo M/T and Nitto Trail Grappler M/T.

Falken Wildpeak MT01

Falken Wildpeak MT01 is the dirt-cheap pick of this list. If you’re looking for a decent tire for a good price, here is your solution. Yet, worth reminding, these tires are built for massive off-road performance. So, it has limited on-road manners.

A budget-friendly tire that offers an exceedingly good wear rate

In summary, Falken Wildpeak M/T has a unique tread life. Due to its stiff compound, it wears very slowly. It has a wide void area in the center section. Well, it’s a vocal tire. Yet, this void area increases its traction ability significantly. It has a lack of siping, so, it’s not the best tire for wet grounds. However, its tread depth is deep and it can clean itself very well. Therefore, it’s a good pick for severe winter conditions.

I recommend Falken Wildpeak M/T if you care about your budget and do not much care about on-road manners.

Hankook Dynapro MT2

Dynapro MT2 is the recently released mud-terrain tire of Hankook. It’s another budget-friendly pick. It’s a mud-terrain tire with a rugged-terrain appearance. Well, unlike Falken Wildpeak M/T, it has satisfying on-road manners.

You can't break its durability

In summary, Hankook Dynapro MT2 has top-cat durability. Due to its relatively stiff compound, it’s not worn easily even on the highway. Hence, it has reliable tread life. However, due to the stiff compound, it has a loud mount. It’s an average tire on wet and loose grounds.

Here is a detailed review of Hankook Dynapro MT2!

Specs

Yokohama Geolander M/T G003General Grabber X3Hankook Dynapro MT2BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain KM3Nitto Trail Grappler M/TFalken Wildpeak M/T
CategoryMud-Terrain TireMud-Terrain TireMud-Terrain TireMud-Terrain TireMud-Terrain TireMud-Terrain Tire
VehicleLight Truck, SUVLight Truck, SUVLight Truck, SUVLight Truck, SUVLight Truck, SUVLight Truck, SUV
Available Sizes (Rim)15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”, 22”, 24”15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22”15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22’’15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22’’15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”, 22”, 24”, 26”15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”
Weight32 – 81 lbs55 – 90 lbs45 – 89 lbs37 – 89 lbs61 – 111 lbs46 – 87 lbs
Made InWest Point, Mississippi, USAMt. Vernon, Illinois, USAClarksville, Tennessee, USaOpelika, AL, USALakewood, NJ, USAJapan
Severe Snow Rated (3PMSF)No (Only M+S)No (Only M+S)No (Only M+S)No (Only M+S)No (Only M+S)No (Only M+S)
Warranty (P-metric)30 Day Test Drive45-Day or 1st 2/32″ Customer Satisfaction TrialN/AN/AN/AN/A
Warranty (LT Sizes)30 Day Test Drive45-Day or 1st 2/32″ Customer Satisfaction TrialN/AN/AN/AN/A
PricesCheck price section to see best possible pricesCheck price section to see best possible pricesCheck price section to see best possible pricesCheck price section to see best possible pricesCheck price section to see best possible pricesCheck price section to see best possible prices

Price

The tire market has a dynamic price policy. Hence, in my point of view, sharing tire price is pointless.

Though, I’ve analyzed the top 10 brands of most popular tire brands.

Here are the dealers with a reasonable price range,

DiscountTire

  • Biggest dealer in the US. Founded in 1960
  • 1000 stores in 35 states. You most probably find one on your parallel street
  • Free rotation and balancing
  • 5% off for DiscountTire cardholders on online purchase
  • Highest rated online tire dealer in Consumer Affairs
  • Almost all brands are available
  • Delivery takes 2-4 days (30% shorter average waiting time when you book online)
  • Frequent discounts and promotions

Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/yokohama-geolandar-m-t-g003

General Grabber X3: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/general-grabber-x3

BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/bfgoodrich-mud-terrain-t-a-km3

Nitto Trail Grappler M/T: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/nitto-trail-grappler-m-t

Falken Wildpeak M/T: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/falken-wildpeak-m-t01

Hankook Dynapro MT2: Coming Soon!

TireRack

  • Fast and Free shipping
  • Usually delivered in 1 day
  • Joint venture with DiscountTire(their installers and dealers are on your service)
  • Tons of installer options, they also help you to choose the best one
  • Mobile installers in many areas, your tires will be replaced while you’re working in the office
  • Tire test results and comparisons can be found on the most product page
  • 4.6/5 points on Google rate

Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/yokohama-geolandar-m-t-g003

General Grabber X3: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/general-grabber-x3

BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/bfgoodrich-mud-terrain-t-a-km3

Nitto Trail Grappler M/T: Not available

Falken Wildpeak M/T: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/falken-wildpeak-m-t

Hankook Dynapro MT2: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/hankook-dynapro-mt2

SimpleTire

  • Free shipping
  • Delivered in 2 days
  • Verified shops near you(for mount and balance)
  • Mobile installation option
  • 7 million customers since 2021
  • 4.7/5 points on Google rate
  • Top-notch customer service, you may even request a price match

Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003: https://simpletire.com/brands/yokohama-tires/geolandar-m-t-g003

General Grabber X3: https://simpletire.com/brands/general-tires/grabber-x3

BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3: https://simpletire.com/brands/bfgoodrich-tires/mud-terrain-t-a-km3

Nitto Trail Grappler M/T: https://simpletire.com/brands/nitto-tires/trail-grappler-m-t

Falken Wildpeak M/T: https://simpletire.com/brands/falken-tires/wildpeak-m-t

Hankook Dynapro MT2: https://simpletire.com/brands/hankook-tires/dynapro-mt2-rt05

While choosing dealers, I especially pay attention to reliability. All of the dealers on this list have 15-20 years of experience in the online tire business. Therefore, I can guarantee a smooth and fast tire buying process.

Conclusion

These are my Top-6 selection regarding mud-terrain tires. You can check the below table for my ratings.

MudRockSandOn-RoadWetWinterComfortTread LifeRoad Noise
Yokohama Geolander M/T G0039108998998
General Grabber X3999898888
BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain KM310109987987
Nitto Trail Grappler999987979
Falken Wildpeak M/T8987787106
Hankook Dynapro M/T29910877787

I hope this article was helpful. If you have any further questions, please leave them below. Have a safe ride folks!