Technical insights, and driver feedback — from a former Bridgestone test engineer.
The BFGoodrich KO2 and Firestone Destination X/T are two very different takes on the Off-Road A/T category in the U.S. and Canada. Unlike smoother On-Road A/Ts, both are designed with reinforced casings and deeper tread for drivers who need more than just highway manners. The KO2, a staple on Wranglers, Tacomas, and ½-ton pickups, is proven for its sidewall toughness, 3PMSF-rated winter traction, and long tread life, though it can ride stiffer and louder on pavement. If you’re curious how it compares to its newer sibling, check our BFGoodrich KO3 vs KO2 breakdown.
The Destination X/T, by contrast, is one of the lightest LT all-terrains in its class — a favorite on ¾-ton and 1-ton trucks where load capacity and stability matter most. It delivers a quiet ride and solid durability, but doesn’t out-muscle the KO2 in every condition.
That’s the trade-off most buyers face — and in the sections ahead, we’ll show how they compare across dry, wet, winter, and off-road testing. You can also line them up in our All-Terrain Tire Decision Tool to get quick recommendations by SUV, CUV, or truck class.
Quick Look
Firestone Destination XT
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
From my perspective as a former Bridgestone engineer, the Firestone Destination XT leans more toward an efficiency-oriented choice, making it an excellent tire for towing and hauling. Its stiffer, more rigid blocks provide stability but also result in a rougher ride compared to softer all-terrains. The BFGoodrich KO2, by contrast, shines for those who prioritize on-road manners, especially since it’s available in C and D load ranges that make it more versatile for lighter trucks and SUVs. In terms of winter performance, both deliver similar results in light and deep snow, but on ice I’d recommend being more cautious with the Destination XT, where its grip is less confidence-inspiring.
Let’s clear up a couple of common questions before starting
I often get asked about these — and Tire Rack has some great quick reads that explain them better than any post could:
- Is AWD or 4WD really enough for rain, slush, snow, and ice?
https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/are-traction-stability-control-and-awd-4wd-good-enough-for-all-seasons - Understanding ply loads / ply rating – Important for Towing & Hauling:
https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/what-are-load-ranges-ply-ratings
Tread Appearance
Firestone Destination XT (review) looks like a slightly less aggressive version of the Falken Wildpeak AT3W. Wildpeak AT3 is a trustworthy option. It is one of the best all-terrain tires. Destination XT’s tread design promises better on-road manners than Wildpeak AT3W.
On the other hand, BF Goodrich KO2 has a more aggressive tread design. It tends to perform well off the road. Actually, it proved their off-road ability on Baja Race. It is a champion.
Let’s start with the center section.
Firestone Destination XT has a lot of sipes on the center section. These sipes will improve your traction ability dramatically. Especially in winter conditions. Moreover, siping on the center blocks is full-depth so you get full traction for all of tread life.
BF Goodrich KO2 also has a good amount of siping on the center. The only difference is it has straight sipes. Which will decrease your ice and winter traction. Yet, this sipe design is better for off-road traction.
And lastly shoulders,
Destination XT has staggered shoulder lugs that have less siping straight and not full depth. Luckily, this makes them stiffer for better highway speeds. Normally, that causes a bit of wet performance but they increased the evacuation ability with thicker sipes on shoulders.
BF Goodrich KO2 has similar shoulders design. The only difference is the angle of thick sipes. BF Goodrich placed those sipes at different angles. That is going to improve your traction ability in harsh off-road conditions. In return, the noise level will be up after you make some miles.
In summary, BF Goodrich KO2 has a more aggressive tread design. Yet, in my point of view, Firestone Destination XT promises more.
Tread Life
I generally associate treadwear with even wearing ability. Well, it is also related to balance by implication (How long do all-terrain tires last?).
Tread depths are par. So the above paragraph topics will be our deciding points.
BFG KO2 has an asymmetric tread design. Also has a wider void area. These will cause balancing issues if you miss your rotation times. As a result, you will face uneven wearing.
Firestone Destination XT has a symmetrical tread design. Also has a close pattern design. So, it tends to wear evenly.
I can confidently say that Firestone Destination XT promises more regarding treadwear. Yet, on this level, it is all about you and your driving habits.
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:
Note: Both tires come up with a 50000-mile tread life warranty.
You can check the below Destination XT videos (7500 miles and 22500 miles) from my dearest friend Scott. He also shared his views on holding stones.
Noise Comparison
I’ll keep this section concise. The comparison is quite clear to me. While a deeper tread may look appealing, it tends to generate more noise and vibration. Therefore, the Firestone Destination XT is the louder tire in this comparison.
However, it’s essential to remember that expecting too much in terms of quietness from both tires doesn’t make sense, as these are aggressive off-road tires.
All in all, if reducing noise is a priority, especially with C and D load range options, the BF Goodrich KO2 is the tire to choose.
Note from the Expert: For years, choosing all-terrain meant accepting noise—a true compromise for off-road grip. That’s why the question, Are All-Terrain Tires Louder than Highway Tires?, used to have a simple “yes” answer. Now, with the rise of on-road models, the core issue has shifted from noise to overall refinement. To fully understand which side of the comfort spectrum you’re buying into, you need to determine Are All-Terrain Tires Good for Daily Driving?—a question that depends entirely on the tire’s construction, not just the name.
Comfort
At beginning of the article, I talked about the good on-road manners of Destination XT. In this section, the table turned.
Comfort is related to compound as well as pattern. Destination XT has a softer design. I agree. Yet, I have made my research. Thanks to my fellows on Bridgestone.
Destination XT has a rigid compound due to wear rate. And that cost lack of comfort. Slow down when you are passing the bumps.
BF Goodrich KO2 offers a slightly smoother ride than Firestone Destination XT.
Here is a perfect article what to expect from all-terrain tires for daily driving –> https://tireterrain.com/are-all-terrain-tires-good-for-daily-driving/
Wet Performance
Wet performance of all-terrain tires can be a concern due to their wide design, which makes them prone to hydroplaning.
Deeper tread can help improve wet performance, giving Firestone Destination XT a slight advantage. However, it’s worth noting that its stiff compound can lead to reduced wet traction.
In this case, I’d opt for the BF Goodrich KO2 because it provides a bit more security in wet conditions. Nevertheless, I still believe that the stability of the Firestone Destination XT can be an advantage, especially for hauling and towing applications.
Note from the Expert: When it comes to rain, I always emphasize two things: compound grip and water evacuation. You can see the full details in my analysis, but if you take just one thing away, remember that an AT tire’s stiff nature makes achieving top-tier wet performance a constant battle. This is why the question, Are All-Terrain Tires Good in Rain?, requires a nuanced answer that balances tread design against rubber stiffness.
Winter Performance
Both of these tires carry the 3 peak mountain snowflake marking, indicating their ability to perform well in snowy conditions. However, it’s important to acknowledge that despite these ratings, all-terrain tires are not specialized snow tires. While they can handle light and deep snow effectively, they may not excel on icy surfaces.
In general, BF Goodrich KO2 may be the better choice for winter driving due to its softer compound. However, Firestone Destination XT is optimized for heavy loads, and its 5-rib design provides better traction under load, making it a good option for work applications.
In summary, for vehicles like Jeeps and off-road trucks, I recommend BF Goodrich KO2 for winter conditions. For work-related tasks and heavy loads, Firestone Destination XT is a suitable choice.
Note from the Expert: Our discussions often boil down to the core tradeoff. On one hand, you must understand why all-terrain tires are truly effective in deep snow, but not on ice. On the other hand, you face the 3PMSF Paradox—the hidden cost of that badge. The short answer is: The 3PMSF badge certifies traction, but it costs you durability. Dive into our full analysis on the critical 3PMSF rating for severe winter and off-road service, and its hidden costs, before you risk your rig on the trail.
Off-Road Performance
Off-road is where BF Goodrich KO2 shines. It is a champion tire and hard to defeat.
On the other hand, Destination XT will give you everything you need on mild off-road. No doubt!
Destination XT‘s self-cleaning ability is huge. It can effortlessly throw the dirt out of lugs. So, BF Goodrich KO2 too. They are even on dirt.
Sand performance is easy to evaluate. Less aggressive design works better on the sand. Therefore, Destination XT is my pick.
BF Goodrich KO2 is killing it in mud. A wider shoulder block provides better traction. In addition to that, sidewalls are deeper than Destination XT’s. That will help you on deeper mud.
Lastly the rock. Destination XT will not let you down on gravel or pavement. Yet, climbing ability is not as good as BF Goodrich’s. As long as, we are talking about LT sizes; I am going to say even for rocks.
In summary, both are great tires for off-road. I recommend BF Goodrich for severe and Destination XT for mild applications.
Note from the Expert: Every successful day on the trail is about preparation and physics, because tire longevity is earned, not given. Before you even start, you must master the critical link between tire pressure and load range for every rig to maximize your contact patch. Once moving, remember your ultimate off-road armor is your sidewall protection against the inevitable pinch flat. And finally, your traction on the obstacle is dictated by choosing the right aggressive vs hybrid tread pattern for your terrain. Master those three steps, and your rig will be ready for anything.
Specs
| Firestone Destination XT | BF Goodrich KO2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All-Terrain Tire | All-Terrain Tire |
| Vehicle | Light Truck, SUV | Light Truck, SUV |
| Available Sizes (Rim) | 15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20” | 15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22’’ |
| Weight | 35- 61 lbs | 34-78 lbs |
| Made In | USA | Opelika, AL, USA |
| Severe Snow Rated (3PMSF) | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty (P-metric) | 50,000 Miles | 50,000 Miles |
| Warranty (LT Sizes) | 50,000 Miles | 50,000 Miles |
| Prices | Check price section to see best possible prices | Check price section to see best possible prices |
🚨 Breaking News Alert! 🚨
Hold onto your seats because I’m thrilled to introduce the all-new BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 – the next evolution of the fan-favorite KO2! And the excitement doesn’t stop there – this beast is now available in two additional OEM sizes: LT285/70R17 and LT275/65R20. Get ready for the ultimate off-road experience with the KO3!
Specification Comparison for Popular Sizes
When evaluating the performance of Firestone Destination XT and BF Goodrich KO2, it’s essential to recognize that their characteristics can differ depending on the tire size. Before delving into a direct comparison, let’s emphasize some key factors:
Wheel Sizes: Both BF Goodrich KO2 and Firestone Destination XT are available in various wheel sizes, including 15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, and 20”. Additionally, BF Goodrich KO2 offers a 22” option.
Load Ranges: These tires are designed to accommodate different load ranges. BF Goodrich KO2 is available in ‘C, D, E’ load ranges, whereas Firestone Destination XT is offered in ‘C and E’ load ranges. It’s worth noting that the ‘C’ load range option is not available for most sizes of Firestone Destination XT.
Weight: In most sizes, Firestone Destination XT is lighter than BF Goodrich KO2, particularly in the E load range category.
Height: Firestone Destination XT tends to have a greater height compared to BF Goodrich KO2 for most sizes.
These variations in wheel sizes, load ranges, weight, and height should be considered when selecting the appropriate tire to meet your specific requirements. Now, let’s proceed with a comprehensive comparison of popular sizes.