Real test data, off-road insights, and daily-driving impact — from a former Bridgestone engineer
There’s been a lot of confusion (and debate) between the BFGoodrich KO2 and the newly released KO3 — especially since many retailers still stock both, but don’t clearly explain what’s actually changed. I’ve tracked BFGoodrich’s product roadmap, compared both tires side by side across thousands of miles, and confirmed the technical updates through my own tests and benchmark data. This post breaks it all down — no fluff, no brand bias, just real-world results.
BFGoodrich KO3
Better wet braking, stronger snow/ice control, and more confidence on-road — all while keeping BFG’s famous off-road strength. KO3 is a safer, more balanced version of the original. Perfect for those who want peace of mind in all conditions without giving up trail performance.
✅ Great for mixed-use trucks, 4Runners, Tacomas, and overlanders who need durability plus daily usability.
BFGoodrich KO2
The legend. Built like a tank with stiff sidewalls and brutal off-road grip. Still unmatched in sheer toughness and aired-down control. But wet pavement? That’s where it lags — especially when stopping quickly.
✅ Great for off-road purists, desert runners, or anyone needing a rock-solid tire in remote or punishing terrain.
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.
Table of Contents
🧪 KO3 vs KO2 Test Data
| Performance Metric | KO2 (Legacy) | KO3 (Updated) |
|---|---|---|
| Wet Braking | 213.8 ft ❌ | 184.0 ft ✅ |
| Winter Braking | 75.0 ft | 72.3 ft |
| Ice Braking | 55.4 ft | 53.3 ft |
| Dry Stopping | 139.5 ft | 141.0 ft |
| Comfort (Score) | 6.30/10 | 6.42/10 |
| Dry Cornering | 0.69g | 0.69g |
🚿 Wet Braking: KO3 Finally Solves KO2’s Biggest Weakness
What changed?
The KO3 uses an updated all-terrain compound that’s more compliant at moderate temperatures. Siping density is increased, especially across the inner tread blocks. Tread voids were slightly rebalanced to reduce hydroplaning under heavy load.
In testing, the KO3 stops nearly 30 feet shorter than the KO2 in the rain — a huge leap in safety and confidence for drivers who frequently deal with wet roads. That extra margin can make or break an emergency situation.
Tread Design Insight
KO3’s center ribs are more siped and segmented for better water dispersion. While the aggressive outer shoulders remain, BFG shifted some biting edge real estate toward the centerline — enhancing straight-line grip in wet conditions without sacrificing off-road bite.
❄️ Winter & Ice: KO3 Handles Panic Stops More Predictably
What changed?
Both tires wear the 3PMSF badge, but the KO3 received a geometry tweak in the shoulder and block siping. The tread compound has slightly better cold flexibility — critical for biting into ice and compact snow.
In testing, KO3 stopped 2.7 feet shorter on snow and 2.1 feet shorter on ice. While that might seem small, I’ve driven both on frozen parking lots and snow-packed fire roads — and the KO3 gives a more stable, less twitchy feel under panic braking.
Compound Note
The silica content in KO3’s compound was increased for better winter elasticity, giving it a more “grippy” feel on glassy surfaces compared to the stiffer KO2 rubber.
🪨 Off-Road Toughness: Still a Tank — With a Small Mud Advantage
No downgrade here
BFG kept the CoreGard™ sidewall protection, stone ejectors, and interlocking tread blocks that made KO2 legendary. KO3 retains a 3-ply sidewall in LT sizes and has the same aggressive casing structure, so rock crawling, sharp-edge gravel, and heavy articulation remain fully supported.
What’s improved?
KO3’s outer shoulder lugs were slightly reshaped with a more open void ratio, which improves mud and wet sand evacuation. On my Arizona test loop, that meant less sidewall suction and better “pull” when airing down in clay-heavy ruts.
Weight & Reinforcement
Despite the updates, KO3’s weight is comparable to KO2 in most sizes — averaging just 0.5–1 lb heavier in some LT versions due to increased material on the tread base for longer life.
🚘 On-Road Comfort & Noise: Slightly Quieter, More Composed
What changed?
KO3’s center blocks are more varied in pitch sequencing, and its void-to-rubber ratio was subtly tuned to smooth out impact noise. It’s not a highway cruiser, but KO3 creates less cabin rumble on concrete and slightly smoother transitions on broken asphalt.
Why it matters
For long-distance overlanders or weekend warriors who split time between trails and freeways, the KO3’s better road manners reduce fatigue and vibration. KO2, while capable, could feel “blocky” on-road — especially after 30K miles when it started to cup.
🚙 Fitment & Use Case Breakdown: Which One Fits Your Vehicle?
| Use Case / Vehicle Type | KO2 ✅ | KO3 ✅ |
|---|---|---|
| 3/4-Ton & 1-Ton Trucks | ✅ Better for Towing Stability | ✅ Slightly Softer, May Squirm Under Load |
| ½-Ton Pickups (F-150, Tundra, etc.) | ✅ Very Stiff Ride | ✅ Better Balance of Comfort + Control |
| Mid-Size SUVs (4Runner, Tacoma) | 🚫 Feels Harsh Unloaded | ✅ More Compliant & Safer on Pavement |
| Full-Time Off-Road Builds | ✅ Casing Still Legendary | ✅ Same Sidewall, Better Mud Clearance |
| Towing/Hauling | ✅ KO2’s Stiffness Helps Stability | 🚫 KO3 Slightly Softer in Rear Under Load |
| Overland/Daily Mix | 🚫 Less Road Comfort | ✅ Much Improved Wet Grip, Ride Feel |
| Winter Use (Snowbelt) | ✅ Passes 3PMSF | ✅ Better Ice Control, Faster Panic Stops |
💡 Rule of Thumb:
Heavy rigs with trailers → KO2
Midsize trucks, snow driving, or mixed-use → KO3
💬 Reddit Speaks: What Real Drivers Think
“KO3 feels tighter on-road. Same beast off-road, but wet grip finally isn’t terrifying.”
— u/TacomaTrailDad
“KO2 lasted me 55k on a Tacoma. If KO3 gives me that and better stopping, I’m sold.”
— u/OffroadDadAZ
“Did a KO2 to KO3 switch — ice braking in the Rockies is smoother. Still built like a tank.”
— u/MontanaRig
🧪 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.
🧠 Final Verdict: KO3 vs KO2 in 2025
Choose KO3 if you want…
Peace of mind on wet highways and snow-packed roads
A more livable ride for daily and trail use
Slightly better mud evacuation and safer panic braking
Stick with KO2 if you…
Already have them and don’t drive in much rain
Haul heavy loads or tow regularly
Prefer a stiffer, battle-ready tire with years of proven field use
See KO2 Pricing on Amazon
See KO2 Deals on Tire Rack
✍️ From the Trail to the Highway: My Take
I’ve spent thousands of miles testing these two on everything from Arizona sandstone to Colorado ice. If you’re still running KO2s and they serve you well, there’s no rush. But if you’re shopping new and care about safety in rain or winter — or just want something a bit more livable for your commute — KO3 is the futureproof pick.
Stay safe out there. Your tires matter more than you think.
— Emrecan Gurkan, former Bridgestone Test Engineer
