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Toyo Open Country AT3 vs Cooper Discoverer AT3

Updated: November 11, 2025 by Emrecan Gurkan Leave a Comment

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

The Cooper Discoverer AT3 and Toyo Open Country AT3 represent two very different takes on all-terrain performance. Cooper’s On-Road A/T lineup comes in three versions — the AT3 4S for daily comfort, the AT3 LT for towing and highway hauling, and the AT3 XLT with reinforced sidewalls for occasional off-road use — all tuned with road manners first. The Toyo AT3, by contrast, is a true Off-Road A/T, built with a stronger casing, open tread, and versatile fitments that deliver dependable grip in dirt, gravel, and snow while still holding its own on pavement.

That’s the trade-off buyers face — Cooper for on-road comfort with light trail use, Toyo for tougher off-road capability with all-season balance. In the sections ahead, we’ll break down their dry, wet, snow, and off-road test results. You can also compare them directly in our All-Terrain Tire Decision Tool for tailored picks by SUV, CUV, or truck class.

Quick Summary

	Toyo Open Country AT3	Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S	Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT	Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT
Better for	Severe off-road usage, Winter performance	Daily driving	1/2 ton or compact SUV owners who wants to add a little towing and hauling capability	3/4 ton pickup owners who don’t see snow often
Pros	Appearance, year-round performance	Insane wet and snow traction Great on-road manners	Towing & hauling capability	Longevity Cornering stability
Cons	A bit rough ride	Can’t handle severe off-road conditions	Can’t handle severe off-road conditions	Can’t handle severe off-road conditions

Based on your perspective as a former Bridgestone engineer, it’s clear that the Toyo Open Country AT3 is your preferred choice for severe off-road usage, given its robust off-road capabilities. However, you acknowledge that its on-road manners are slightly inferior to the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S.

In contrast, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S stands out with better on-road manners, responsiveness, and even wear characteristics. It seems like a solid choice for daily driving and varied conditions.

The Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT offers similar attributes to the 4S but with stronger sidewalls and robust shoulders, making it a suitable option for 1/2-ton pickups and full-size SUVs that require hauling, towing, and mild off-road performance.

Finally, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT is your recommendation for warm climates and heavy-duty vehicles, offering excellent tread life for these applications.

Tire Decision Tool

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Dry Performance

Dry performance encompasses three key dimensions: dry traction, steering response, and cornering stability. In the following sections, each of these aspects will be individually assessed for a comprehensive understanding.

Dry Traction

Dry traction hinges on the contact patch between the tire and the road surface. Some mud tires may exhibit subpar dry traction due to their design, which prioritizes off-road performance.

In contrast, all-terrain tires aim to strike a balance between on and off-road capabilities, resulting in a narrower and more compact design. This design approach allows all-terrain tires to deliver a commendable level of dry traction.

In essence, while dry traction is an important factor, it’s not a defining characteristic for these tires. All-terrain tires, including both models in question, generally provide excellent dry traction.

Cornering Stability

Let’s start by discussing cornering stability, as it’s a crucial aspect that influenced the classification of the Cooper Discoverer AT3 series.

Cornering stability is closely tied to a tire’s internal structure, which can vary based on your vehicle and driving conditions.

First, let’s consider the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S. This tire prioritizes a smooth and quiet ride over extreme off-road traction and durability. It’s available in p-metric sizes and provides decent cornering stability, especially for vehicles like 1/2 ton pickups and similarly weighted SUVs and CUVs. However, in terms of cornering stability, the Toyo Open Country AT3 with its more robust design is a better choice.

Next up is the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT. This tire represents a middle-ground option in this comparison. It features a slightly beefier sidewall and thicker construction. It’s well-suited for compact SUVs and 1/2 ton trucks that require towing or hauling capabilities. The Cooper Discoverer AT3 XL comes closest to the Toyo Open Country AT3 in terms of cornering stability.

Lastly, let’s discuss the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT, the most rugged option in the series. Its construction is even tougher than that of the Toyo Open Country AT3, making it a suitable choice for heavy-duty applications.

In summary, when it comes to cornering stability, the Toyo Open Country AT3 is a solid option for a wide range of vehicles. For owners of 3/4 ton or larger pickup trucks, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT is recommended, while SUV and CUV owners can opt for the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S. 1/2 ton pickup owners may find the Toyo Open Country AT3 to be a suitable choice.

Steering Response

Steering response is closely tied to cornering stability, and maintaining tire shape is crucial for responsive handling. However, the tread pattern plays a significant role in determining steering responsiveness.

In terms of responsiveness, all variants of the Cooper Discoverer AT3 (4S, XL, and XLT) outperform the Toyo Open Country AT3 due to their rib-highway type pattern design.

It’s worth noting that for heavier vehicles, such as trucks, a stiff compound is also necessary for quicker steering response, in addition to strong sidewalls.

Considering these factors, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is a better choice for CUV and compact SUV owners seeking responsive handling. For owners of 3/4 ton or larger pickup trucks, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT is a solid option. While the Toyo Open Country AT3 remains a decent choice due to its interlocked center section, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 variants offer better steering response in their respective categories.

Wet Performance

Wet performance in all-terrain tires depends on two critical factors: wet traction and hydroplaning resistance.

Hydroplaning can sometimes be a concern for all-terrain tires due to their wide tread patterns. However, effective water evacuation capability plays a significant role in overcoming this issue.

The Cooper Discoverer AT3 series (4S, XLT, and XL) with their 5-rib symmetrical patterns and circumferential grooves offer decent hydroplaning resistance. In contrast, the Toyo Open Country AT3, while lacking rib-type patterns, features two circumferential grooves and increased lateral grooves for efficient water evacuation.

Overall, all these tires provide a decent level of hydroplaning resistance.

When it comes to wet traction, factors like soft rubber compounds and a higher density of siping edges are key.

The Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S stands out for compact SUVs and CUVs due to its softer compound, ample rubber contact with the road, and high siping density. The Toyo Open Country AT3 shares similar features but has a slightly stiffer compound, putting its wet performance just behind the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S.

For 1/2 ton pickup trucks and full-size SUVs involved in towing or hauling, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT offers a slightly better option due to its responsiveness.

However, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT sets itself apart, lacking the 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) rating but excelling in use with 3/4 ton or larger vehicles under heavy loads. Its cold weather wet traction during towing or hauling is commendable. Still, if you frequently encounter cold weather conditions, the Toyo Open Country AT3 is a better choice.

Winter Performance

Winter performance of all-terrain tires can be assessed under three distinct conditions.

Starting with light snow, both the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S and the Toyo Open Country AT3 bear the 3PMSF marking, signifying their proficiency in light snow traction. In this category, the Toyo Open Country AT3 and Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S excel, thanks to their abundance of biting edges. Conversely, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT and Cooper Discoverer XLT, with their stiffer compounds, lag slightly behind.

Moving on to deep snow, the Toyo Open Country AT3 takes the lead due to its more aggressive tread pattern. However, all variations of the Cooper Discoverer AT3 series are reliable options when selected based on the provided guidelines.

When it comes to icy conditions, it’s important to note that these tires are not dedicated winter tires and have limited ice performance. Nevertheless, the rib-type pattern on the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S and Cooper Discoverer AT3 XL provides a slight advantage by putting more rubber compound on the ground.

Overall, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is a better choice for compact SUVs and CUVs, while the Toyo Open Country AT3 shines as the superior option for pickup trucks and full-size SUVs in winter conditions.

A side note here: Understanding the snow performance of all-terrain tires can be quite challenging. For those who find it perplexing, I’d like to direct your attention to a helpful resource: “6 Best All-Terrain Tires for Snow by AT Tire Category“ This article is specifically designed to assist you in making informed decisions regarding all-terrain tires in snowy conditions.

Treadwear

Treadwear in all-terrain tires is significantly influenced by your specific usage conditions and vehicle type, making the right tire selection crucial.

Toyo Open Country AT3 is classified as an off-road all-terrain tire, while Cooper Discoverer AT3 leans towards on-road all-terrain performance. Consequently, these two tires exhibit different traction capabilities.

Comparing the Toyo Open Country AT3 and Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S, they share similar UTQG ratings (600 A B for the Toyo AT3 and 620 A B for the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S), indicating a similar compound stiffness. However, Toyo’s compound is better suited for off-road durability, while the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S’s compound wears better during highway usage. Both tires are trustworthy options, and your choice should depend on your off-road usage percentage.

As for the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT, it may not be the best choice for all-terrain use but serves as a solid option for towing with full-size SUVs or 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton pickup trucks that require towing and hauling reliability in winter conditions.

Finally, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT, with its rib-type pattern, stiff compound, and deep tread, stands out as the best option for 3/4 ton or larger pickup trucks. However, the Toyo Open Country AT3 is also a reliable choice if you want to add some off-road aggressiveness to your vehicle.

In summary, all of these tires wear very well, and your choice should be based on your specific driving conditions and needs.

Warranty

Toyo provides a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty for p-metric sizes and a 50,000-mile warranty for LT sizes.

In contrast, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S comes with a 6-year, 65,000-mile treadwear warranty, while the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT and XLT also offer a 6-year, 65,000-mile treadwear warranty.

It’s worth noting that Toyo offers a 45-day trial for the Open Country AT3.

Road Noise

Road noise is a distinguishing factor among these tires, primarily due to the aggressive and lugged-type pattern of the Toyo Open Country AT3.

Tire noise is typically generated by the air trapped within the tire’s tread. Consequently, as the tread design becomes more aggressive, the tire tends to produce more noise. The presence of robust shoulder blocks also significantly contributes to this.

In this context, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S emerges as the clear winner in terms of road noise. Even though the Toyo Open Country AT3 features an interlocked center section, it still has the most void area among the compared tires, along with robust shoulder blocks. Furthermore, uniformity plays a pivotal role, and the Toyo Open Country AT3 tends to wear more unevenly.

For the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XL and XLT, the difference in noise isn’t substantial, mainly due to their beefy and rugged shoulder blocks.

Overall, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S, XLT, and XL are quieter tires, while the Toyo Open Country AT3 is slightly noisier due to its enhanced off-road capability.

Comfort

In this case, a less aggressive tread design and a more elastic internal structure tend to provide a more comfortable ride.

As mentioned in earlier sections, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S offers a more comfortable ride compared to the Toyo Open Country AT3, thanks to its rib-type pattern and flexible internal structure.

Similarly, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT and LT, with their less aggressive pattern, also contribute to a slightly more comfortable ride.

Off-Road Performance

When it comes to off-road performance, the choice often comes down to personal preferences.

Toyo Open Country AT3, designed as an off-road all-terrain tire, boasts a larger void area, a more aggressive shoulder design, and impressive sidewall biters. This gives it a clear advantage in loose ground performance, making it excel in mud and sand scenarios, especially for adventurous off-roaders.

On the flip side, Cooper Discoverer AT3 is an excellent choice if you’re seeking a milder off-road traction that mainly involves dirt and gravel. However, it’s worth noting that Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT shines on gravel due to its exceptionally robust sidewalls and sipes, which provide extra traction.

In summary, Toyo Open Country AT3 is recommended for tackling severe off-road conditions and adventurous terrain, while Cooper Discoverer AT3 is a solid option for those who want a balanced tire with excellent on-road manners.

Specification Comparison for Popular Sizes

Before we delve into a detailed comparison of the Toyo Open Country AT3 and the Cooper Discover AT3, it’s essential to note that their performance can vary depending on the tire size you choose. Let’s start by highlighting some key considerations:

Cooper Discoverer AT3 is a better option for daily driving because it’s an on-road all-terrain tire
Toyo Open Country AT3 is a better option for off-road driving because it’s an off-road all-terrain tire
Cooper Discoverer AT3 is efficiency oriented tire

These variations in wheel sizes, load ranges, weight, and height should be carefully considered when selecting the right tire to suit your specific requirements. Now, let’s proceed with a detailed comparison of popular sizes of these tires.

35×12.5R20

	Toyo Open Country AT3	Toyo Open Country AT3	Falken Wildpeak AT3W	BF Goodrich KO2	General Grabber ATX	Sumitomo Encounter AT	Nitto Recon Grappler AT	Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT	Yokohama Geolander AT G015	Hankook Dynapro AT2 Extreme	Cooper Discoverer Rugged Treak	Nitto Ridge Grappler	Kumho Road Venture AT52	Yokohama Geolander X-AT	Toyo Open Country R/T Trail	Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT	Hankook Dynapro AT2 Extreme	Firestone Destination XT	Yokohama Geolander X-AT	Mickey Thompson Baja Legend Exp	Kenda Klever RT
Category	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	On Road AT Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	On Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire
Load Range	E	F	F	E	E	E	F	F	E	E	F	F	E	F	F	F	F	E	E	F	F
Weight	67 lbs	67 lbs	77 lbs	67 lbs	70 lbs	75 lbs	68 lbs	67 lbs	59 lbs	73 lbs	69 lbs	68 lbs	66 lbs	70 lbs	69 lbs	72 lbs	65 lbs	59 lbs	71 lbs	62 lbs	68 lbs
Tread Depth	16.9/32″	16.9/32″	19/32″	15/32″	16/32″	19/32″	16.9/32″	16.5/32″	16/32″	14.5/32″	18.5/32″	18.3/32″	16/32″	‘-	16.9	18.5/32″	15.5/32″	17/32″	19/32″		18.8/32”
Tread Width	10.9″	10.3″	10.9″	11.1″	10.6″	10.5″	11″	10.6″	10.5″	10.8″	9.8″	10.2″	10.1″	11″	10.2″	10.2″	10.3″	10.8″	10″	10.2	10”
Made In	United States	United States	Thailand	United States	United States	Thailand	United States	United States	Phillippines	Korea	United States	United States	Vietnam	Japan	United States	United States	Korea	Canada	Japan	United States	Taiwan

While Cooper Discoverer XLT is exclusively available in the F load range, its highway-pattern design contributes to a smoother and quieter ride. However, there’s a trade-off as it provides less traction on loose ground, particularly in snowy conditions. On the other hand, if you prioritize winter traction, the E load range Toyo Open Country AT3 stands out as the top choice. If your off-road adventures involve frequent air-down conditions, then the F-rated Toyo Open Country AT3 is the tire for you.

285/70R17

	Toyo Open Country AT3	Toyo Open Country AT3	Toyo Open Country AT3	Falken Wildpeak AT3W	Falken Wildpeak AT3W	Falken Wildpeak AT3W	BF Goodrich KO2	BF Goodrich KO2	General Grabber ATX	Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac	Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx	Sumitomo Encounter AT	Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac	Sumitomo Encounter AT	Firestone Destination AT2	Firestone Destination XT	BF Goodrich KO3	Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus	Nitto Recon Grappler AT	Nitto Nomad Grappler	Nitto Recon Grappler AT	Yokohama Geolander AT G015	Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S	Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT	BF Goodrich Trail Terrain T/A	General Grabber APT	Yokohama Geolander AT G015	Hankook Dynapro AT2 Extreme	Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek	Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek	Nitto Ridge Grappler	Nitto Ridge Grappler	Nitto Ridge Grappler	Toyo Open Country R/T Trail	Toyo Open Country R/T Trail	Kenda Klever R/T	Kenda Klever AT2
Category	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Commercial AT Tire	Commercial AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Commercial AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Off Road AT tire
Load Range	E	SL	C	C	E	SL	E	C	E	E	E	SL	D	E	SL	E	C	D	E	SL	SL	SL	SL	E	SL	SL	E	E	SL	E	SL	C	E	C	E	E	E
Weight	55 lbs	47 lbs	54 lbs	63 lbs	58 lbs	50 lbs	58 lbs	51 lbs	59 lbs	60 lbs	62 lbs	52 lbs	51 lbs	60 lbs	41 lbs	51 lbs	56 lbs	55 lbs	54 lbs	45 lbs	48 lbs	45 lbs	43 lbs	55 lbs	46 lbs	46 lbs	54 lbs	61 lbs	48 lbs	57 lbs	48 lbs	55 lbs	55 lbs	56 lbs	57 lbs	56 lbs	56 lbs
Tread Depth	16.5/32″	13.6/32″	16.5/32″	18/32″	18/32″	13/32″	15/32″	15/32″	16/32″	18/32”	18.5/32″	13/32″	18/32”	18/32″	12/32″	16/32″	15/32″	15/32″	16/32″	13.4/32″	13.6/32″	13/32″	14/32″	17/32″	12.5/32″	14/32″	18/32″	15.5/32″	16/32″	18.5/32″	13.5/32″	16.4/32″	16.4/32″	16.5/32″	16.5/32″	16.3/32”	14.87/32”
Tread Width	9″	9″	9″	9.6″	9.6″	9.6″	9.2″	9.3″	9″	9.5″	9.2″	9.2″	9.6″	9.6″	9.2″	8.8″		9.3″	9.1″	9.1″	9.2″	8.5″	9.2″	9.2″	9.1″	9.2″	8.9″	8.9″	9.4″	9.4″	8.9″	8.9″	8.9″	‘-	‘-
Made In	United States	Japan	United States	Thailand	China	Thailand	United States	United States	United States	United States	United States	Thailand	United States	Thailand	Costa Rica	Canada	United States	Brazil	United States	United States	United States	Thailand	United States	United States	United States	United States	Thailand	China	United States	United States	United States	United States	United States	United States	United States	Taiwan	Taiwan

Tire specifications can be quite confusing, especially when you’re not familiar with them. Let’s break it down for this specific tire size.

If your main concern is daily driving and you don’t often encounter severe winter conditions, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S with SL (Standard Load) specification is your best bet. However, if you also need excellent traction in severe snow conditions, I’d recommend the Toyo Open Country AT3 SL.

On the flip side, if I were in your shoes, I’d opt for the C-rated Toyo Open Country AT3 instead of the SL version. This C rating enhances sidewall stiffness, which is particularly useful when you’re carrying a heavy load. Plus, it’s worth noting that the C-rated Toyo Open Country AT3 is proudly made in the USA.

For those considering E load range tires, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT stands out as the top choice, especially if you need to tow or haul heavy loads. However, if your priority is excellent snow traction, the E-rated Toyo Open Country AT3 is the better option. So, if you’re an off-roading enthusiast or frequently navigate snowy terrain, the Toyo Open Country AT3 is the way to go. For everyone else, don’t overthink it; the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT is the perfect choice.

275/60R20

	Falken Wildpeak AT3W	Falken Wildpeak AT3W	Toyo Open Country AT3	Toyo Open Country AT3	BF Goodrich KO2	General Grabber ATX	General Grabber ATX	Sumitomo Encounter AT	Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac	Firestone Destination XT	Firestone Destination AT2	Nitto Recon Grappler AT	Nitto Recon Grappler AT	Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S	Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme	Yokohama Geolander AT G015	Vredestein Pinza AT	Hankook Dynapro AT2 Xtreme	Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT	Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek	General Grabber APT	Nitto Ridge Grappler	Nitto Ridge Grappler	Toyo Open Country R/T Trail	BF Goodrich Trail Terrain TA	Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT	Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT	Toyo Open Country R/T Trail	Kenda Klever AT2	Kenda Klever AT2
Category	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Commercial AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	On Road AT Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	On Road AT tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire
Load Range	D	SL	E	SL	D	D	XL	SL	SL	E	E	XL	E	SL	D	SL	SL	SL	E	SL	SL	E	XL	SL	SL	E	SL	E	XL	E
Weight	58 lbs	50 lbs	55	42 lbs	55 lbs	56 lbs	50 lbs	49 lbs	46 lbs	52 lbs	42 lbs	46 lbs	55 lbs	44 lbs	57 lbs	45 lbs	44 lbs	44 lbs	56 lbs	47 lbs	45 lbs	58 lbs	45 lbs	44 lbs	47 lbs	64 lbs	48 lbs	57 lbs	53 lbs	56 lbs
Tread Depth	18/32″	13/32″	16.4	13.5/32″	15/32″	16/32″	14/32″	12/32″	16/32″	16/32″	12/32″	13.5/32″	15.9/32″	12.5/32″	14.5/32″	12/32″	12/32″	12.5/32″	16/32″	16/32″	14/32″	16.4/32″	13.5/32″	13.5	12.5/32″	18.5/32″	16/32″	16.4	13.35/32”	14.87/32”
Tread Width	9.2″	9.6″	9.4″	9.1″	9″	9.4″	9.6″	9″	‘-	9.6″	8.8″	9.1″	9.3″	9.1″	‘-	8.3″	8.6″	8.8″	9.2″	9.4″	9.4″	9.2″	8.9″	‘-	9.5″	9.8″	9.3″	‘-	‘-	‘-
Made In	Thailand	Thailand	United States	United States	United States	United States	United States	Thailand	United States	Canada	United States	United States	United States	United States	Korea	Phillippines	India	United States	United States	United States	United States	United States	United States	United States	United States	United States	United States	United States	Taiwan	Taiwan

In this specific size range, both tires offer SL (Standard Load) and E load range options. The Cooper Discoverer AT3 excels as a top choice for daily driving, providing excellent performance on the road. However, it’s important to note that its off-road capabilities are limited to mild conditions. So, if you require a bit more traction in muddy terrain, opting for the SL Toyo Open Country AT3 might be the better choice between these two options.

On the other hand, when it comes to E load range tires, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT takes the lead for daily driving needs. It offers a comfortable and reliable on-road experience. Nevertheless, one drawback of this tire is its performance on loose ground, where it may not provide the best traction.

265/70R17

	Falken Wildpeak AT3W	Falken Wildpeak AT3W	Toyo Open Country AT3	Toyo Open Country AT3	BF Goodrich KO2	BF Goodrich KO2	General Grabber ATX	General Grabber ATX	General Grabber ATX	Cooper Discoverer ST Maxx	Sumitomo Encounter AT	Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac	Sumitomo Encounter AT	Firestone Destination AT2	BF Goodrich Trail Terrain TA	Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S	Firestone Destination XT	General Grabber APT	Nitto Recon Grappler AT	General Grabber APT	Vredestein Pinza AT	Yokohama Geolander AT G015	Yokohama Geolander AT G015	Hankook Dynapro AT2 Extreme	Vredestein Pinza AT	Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT	Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT	Hankook Dynapro AT2 Extreme	Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek	Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek	Nitto Ridge Grappler	Nitto Ridge Grappler	Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT	Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT	Toyo Open Country RT Trail	Toyo Open Country RT Trail	Kenda Klever RT	Kenda Klever AT2	Kenda Klever AT2
Category	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Commercial AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Commercial AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	On Road AT Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Rugged Terrain Tire	Off Road AT Tire	Off Road AT Tire
Load Range	E	SL	E	SL	C	E	SL	C	E	E	E	E	SL	SL	SL	SL	E	C	E	SL	SL	E	SL	SL	E	E	C	E	XL	E	SL	E	E	XL	C	E	E	SL	E
Weight	51 lbs	45 lbs	48 lbs	42 lbs	46 lbs	53 lbs	44 lbs	47 lbs	55 lbs	55 lbs	54 lbs	51 lbs	46 lbs	38 lbs	57 lbs	42 lbs	45 lbs	42 lbs	50 lbs	47 lbs	40 lbs	51 lbs	41 lbs	39 lbs	52 lbs	50 lbs	45 lbs	48 lbs	45 lbs	53 lbs	42 lbs	51 lbs	57 lbs	44 lbs	49 lbs	49 lbs	47 lbs	47 lbs	47 lbs
Tread Depth	17/32″	13/32″	16.3/32″	13.4/32″	15/32″	15/32″	14/32″	16/32″	16/32″	18.5/32″	17/32″	18/32″	13/32″	12/32″	12.5/32″	14/32″	15/32″	12/32″	15.7/32″	14/32″	13/32″	18/32″	13/32″	12.5/32″	16/32″	16.5/32″	16.5/32″	15/32″	16/32″	18.5/32″	13.5/32″	16.4/32″	18.5/32″	16/32″	16.3/32”	16.3/32”	16.3/32”	13.35/32	14.87/32”
Tread Width	8.9″	9″	8.4″	8.4″	8.8″	8.7″	7.2″	8.4″	8.3″	8.7″	8.7″	9″	8.9″	8.3″	8.7″	8.6″	8.7″	8.5″	8.5″	8.6″	8.1″	8.4″	8″	8.4″	7.8″	8.7″	8.7″	8.4″	8.8″	8.9″	8.4″	8.4″	9.2″	8.7″	‘-	‘-		‘-	‘-
Made In	Japan	United States	United States	Japan	Canada	United States	United States	United States	United States	United States	Thailand	United States	Thailand	United States	United States	United States	Canada	United States	United States	United States	India	Thailand	Thailand	Indonesia	India	United States	United States	Indonesia	United States	United States	United States	United States	United States	United States	United States	United States	Taiwan	Taiwan	Taiwan

In this specific tire size, it’s worth mentioning that Cooper also offers the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT option. This tire shines when it comes to heavy towing or extended highway driving. However, it’s important to note that its off-road traction capabilities are not its strong suit. So, while the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT might provide a smoother ride compared to the E-rated Toyo Open Country AT3 XLT, it’s clear that if you require extra off-road traction, the Toyo Open Country AT3 XLT is the way to go.

When it comes to SL (Standard Load) tires, I won’t reiterate the same points. The Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S remains an efficient choice for daily driving, while the Toyo Open Country AT3 stands out for its winter performance and added dirt and mud traction.

Conclusion

Cooper Discoverer AT3 and Toyo Open Country AT3 are specialized tires designed to excel in different usage conditions.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is the top choice for daily driving, particularly for SUV and CUV owners.
Toyo Open Country AT3 is the go-to option for extreme off-road conditions, such as mud and challenging terrains.
Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT is ideal for 1/2 ton pickup and compact SUV owners who prioritize reliable on-road performance while needing towing and hauling capabilities.
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT is recommended for 3/4 ton or larger pickup truck owners, especially in warm regions.

I hope this article has been informative and helps you make an informed tire choice. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please feel free to leave them in the comments section. Safe travels, everyone!

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S Review — Quiet Comfort & Winter Performance Tested in 2025

Updated: September 30, 2025 by Emrecan Gurkan Leave a Comment

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

The Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is a comfort-driven On-Road A/T tire built for SUVs, CUVs, and light-duty pickups. Unlike tougher Off-Road A/Ts, it’s tuned for highway manners first — offering a smooth ride, dependable wet and winter traction, and a stylish design that appeals to drivers who want all-terrain looks without the harshness of a rugged tire.

From our testing and driver feedback, the AT3 4S is a great match for mall crawlers, full-size SUV owners, and casual off-roaders who stick to dirt trails or gravel roads rather than mud and rocks. Its main trade-off is limited bite in severe terrain, but for most daily drivers, it delivers a strong balance of comfort, control, and light-duty capability.

In the sections ahead, we’ll break down how the AT3 4S performs across dry, wet, winter, and light off-road testing — and if you want to see how it stacks up against other options for your exact vehicle, our All-Terrain Tire Decision Tool makes it easy.

From my standpoint as a former Bridgestone engineer, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is a reliable on-road tire that delivers excellent handling and true 4-season traction. Its soft compound gives it strong grip, but also means it doesn’t deliver long tread life on heavy pickups (5,000+ lbs). With its mild tread pattern, it provides a quiet, almost muted ride, though this same feature limits its rocky terrain performance. On gravel and rock, it tends to wear quickly, making it less suitable for extended use in those conditions. That said, its strong sidewalls hold up well and make it a dependable option for occasional off-road driving without worry.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S

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Dry Traction

If I’m writing about all-terrain tires, I generally start my analysis with dry traction.

The reason is simple. These tires are made for traction and dry traction is the easiest one you can get.

Unlike wet and dry traction, more rubber on the ground means better dry traction.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is a compact tire that has relatively less void area than its competitors. That basically means this tire can put more rubber on the ground. Moreover, the tire is built for winter. For this reason, it has a fluffy compound and notched tread that offers excellent traction capability.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S provides unique dry traction. Yet, I still recommend considering below points out;

This is a nimble tire, it’s a good option for quick starting
Since it has a soft design, its rolling resistance is low and which means better acceleration
I like the stopping distance on dry, we’ll talk about wet later

Steering Response

Steering response is an issue for all-terrain tires.

The slow steering response is natural for all-terrain tires because of their heavy structure and cavitied tread. So, if you’re not familiar to use this tire category, you’ll probably swear never to buy all-terrain tires again. Even Cooper Discover AT3 4S.

I said even Discoverer AT3 4S because, in my point of view, this tire offers one of the best handling in its category.

The steering response is mostly related to the weight of the tire and the center section design.

First of all, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S doesn’t have an interlocked center section which is bad for traction but great for responsiveness.

In that case, a rib-type design works best. Even though Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S doesn’t have a full rib type design, its design is similar to all-weather tires. I like to call this design ‘hybrid’.

Due to its half lug – half rib design and relatively continuous center rib (compared to other all-terrain tires, this is way much more continuous) Cooper Discover AT3 4S offers alpha plus steering response.

Note: Cooper Discover AT3 has a similar weight to its competitors. While I’m making this comparison, I only put P-rated tires into consideration.

Cornering Stability

Cornering stability sometimes can be an issue for all-terrain tires.

All-terrain tires can be used on CUVs, SUVs, and pickup trucks. In fact, this is the reason some of them have poor cornering stability on heavy vehicles.

Cornering stability is related to strong sidewalls and inner structure. So, here is the deal.

If you make the sidewall and inner structure too stiff, due to aggressive tread, you notice bumps/cracks/uneven pavement pretty strong.

Because of the above reasons, manufacturers start to classify all-terrain tires.

For instance,

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S – SUV, CUV, 1/2 ton trucks
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT – Hauling, towing, above 1/2 ton trucks

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S’s inner structure contains an extra nylon reinforcement that helps the tire to keep its shape at high velocity. Besides that, this tire has a B-rated heat resistance which means it has thick sidewalls.

Due to its robust shoulder blocks and inner structure, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S offers exceptional cornering stability. It may even give you a rough ride for a while. I’m gonna talk about it in the next section.

Ride Comfort

Since all-terrain tires should work air-down conditions also, these tires have a robust but flexible inner structure which generally provides decent ride comfort.

Riding comfort is mostly related to the inner structure. I’ve already talked about it. So, I’m gonna keep it short.

First of all, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is only available in p-metric sizes which makes it a kinda comfort driven tire.

Secondly, this tire has a soft and compact design. This is great for a smooth ride. Especially if you combine this with a fluffy compound like Cooper did.

As a result of the above items, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S offers a smooth ride. Though worth reminding, when this tire is new, you may feel a bit bumpy. Especially if you have CUV or a relatively smaller SUV. No worries, this is totally expected. That happens on the tires with strong beads.

Road Noise

All-terrain tires tend to make noise because of their voided patterns.

In that case, if you decrease the void area on the center section, you can get a deaf tire. However, it isn’t always possible for all-terrain tires.

Most manufacturers use the interlocked center section due to decrease void areas.

Since Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is somewhere between highway terrain and all-terrain tire, it has a rib-like type pattern that decreases the center section void area.

The disadvantage of this kind of pattern is if you want decent loose-ground traction, you should make an aggressive shoulder design.

That’s what Cooper did on Discoverer AT3 4S. This tire has differently sized and robust shoulder blocks. When you make differently-sized shoulder blocks, you should give them some space the work better. Like Toyo Open Country AT3, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S have a wide space between two shoulder blocks.

Because of the above reasons, you can find Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S a bit noisy if you’re changing from all-season tires. For others, this tire is quite as a church mouse compare to its competitors.

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.

Wet Performance

The wet performance of all-terrain tires sometimes can be tricky.

Even though these tires are made for traction and have tons of biting edges (edges of lugs, shoulder blocks, etc.), they sometimes fail on wet traction.

So, why do these tires spin on wet surfaces?

Because these tires have stiff and generally cut & chipped resistant compounds that have a huge issue on the wet grip.

In order to avoid this manufacturers should use sipes and notches that increase the number of biting edges and provide a decent wet grip. However, this also causes an increase in rolling resistance and decrease your MPG.

Besides the wet traction, hydroplaning resistance is also a huge game-changer in the wet performance. Luckily, all-terrain tires have an advantage out here, well at least not flotation-size ones.

Now that we have the necessary information, let’s talk a little bit about Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S. I’m going into particulars at bottom booms.

Wet Traction

As I’ve mentioned before, wet traction is related to sipe density and compound stiffness.

In that case, the easiest way to understand the compound and sipe density combinations is by checking the UTQG rating.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S’s UTQG rating is 620 A B for all sizes. That basically means this tire has A-rated wet traction and B-rated heat resistance and the number means it lasts 6.2 times more than the test tire ( doesn’t mean anything for longevity).

These metrics are great for decent wet traction. Besides that, the micro-gauge sipes on the blocks are creating tons of biting edges and provide excellent wet traction. The only problem is these sipes are increasing fuel consumption. In fact, that was the reason Cooper changed the sipe density of the Cooper Discoverer AT3 and released three different versions of this tire.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S has more sides than Cooper Discoverer AT3 and has bigger lugs. This is actually a huge sign of the building intent of this tire. This tire is more pavement-driven. Hence, its loose-ground performance isn’t satisfying as the old Cooper Discoverer AT3. Yet, this is a huge update for wet and light snow traction.

The only issue is the extra sipes aren’t full-depth. That actually means that this tire has different compound layers. Not an issue for wet traction but regarding longevity it’s an issue. I’ll talk about it later on.

Due to its sipe density and relatively soft compound, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S provides excellent wet traction. One of the best in its segment.

Hydroplaning Resistance

Hydroplaning resistance is basically the water evacuation capability of the tires. In that case, circumferential grooves and shoulder slots do most of the job.

Since all-terrain tires should provide loose ground traction, these tires have a sufficient amount of void area for reliable hydroplaning resistance.

The issue out here is the size of all-terrain tires. Wider tires always tend to hydroplane more. For this reason, mud tires are flotation-size tires that sometimes cause this issue.

Luckily, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S has a 5-rib design that contains 4 circumferential grooves. Cooper calls them Aqua Vac Channels. Besides that, its open shoulder blocks evacuate the water with ease.

Moreover, this tire is only available in p-metric sizes. Hence, hydroplaning isn’t an issue for this tire.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S provides trustworthy hydroplaning resistance.

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

Winter performance of all-terrain tires is inconsistent because of their stiff compounds.

In fact, the tread design and sipe density are generally good enough to provide decent winter performance.

However, due to the stiff compound, not all winter conditions are suitable for these tires.

For this reason, I prefer to divide this section into three by weather conditions.

Light Snow Traction

Light snow traction is similar to wet traction because this condition doesn’t require a self-cleaning capability.

The first thing you have to pay attention to out here is the 3PMSF label.

This label means that Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S’s compound doesn’t lose traction capability under 7 Celcius degrees.

If the tire doesn’t have this label, the compound gets stiffer in cold weather and it causes a decrease in the grip capability.

Due to its winter-specified compound and sipe density, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S provides decent light snow traction. I’m not going to say it’s excellent because I strongly believe that halfway through sipes isn’t gonna work for a long time.

Deep Snow Traction

Deep snow traction is part of loose ground traction. For this reason, the void area ratio is highly important.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is a great deep snow tire because it has a deep tread, soft compound, independent lug design, and most importantly sawtooth snow grooves that increase the snow grip significantly.

Ice Traction

Even though Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S has a 3PMSF marking, it isn’t a dedicated winter tire. For this reason, trusting this tire on the ice is a bit utopic for me.

Actually, its tread design is perfect for ice traction. But I keep coming back to sipes and compound stiffness.

Even though this tire has a relatively soft compound compared to its competitors, it’s still way behind for a decent ice performance.

Luckily, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is a narrow tire because it’s only available in p-metric sizes. Narrow tires work better on snow and slush.

I can’t say it provides trustworthy ice performance, yet, it can take you out of unexpected situations.

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.

Treadwear

I know most of you wonder why people have different ideas about the tread life of this tire.

I’m going to say to same things I said before, I don’t like the promoting way of the manufacturers.

First of all, even though Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is an all-terrain tire that mostly focuses on on-road driving. For this reason, its compound is fluffy and its design is soft.

Besides everything I said, because of the halfway-through sipes, this tire has two different compound layers. As you can guess, the second layer is fluffier.

I strongly believe that you should know what to expect from this tire regarding longevity. I recommend putting the below items into consideration.

This isn’t a tire for hauling or towing
If you gonna use this tire mostly on gravel, there is no way that you get a decent tread life
Since this tire has B-rated heat resistance, I don’t recommend this tire for over 5,000 lb vehicles

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S can provide a decent life for trucks if you mostly drive on the streets.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S can provide a decent tread life for SUVs and CUVs.

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/

Warranty

Cooper offers 65,000 miles and 6 years treadwear warranty for this product
They also offer 45 days road test guarantee (meanless to me, different compound layers perform differently)
Free to exchange for other Cooper brand tires (most of you will need an LT tire, so go with Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT in that case)

If you need a piece of additional information;

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S Warranty Document:

https://www.tirerack.com/images/pdf/warranty/CP0122.pdf

Off-Road Performance

When I first time this tire, I was pretty sure that the intent of this tire isn’t off-road.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S has a mild design that doesn’t have enough void area for relatively severe off-road conditions.

If you need a tire for hunting, rock crawling or etc, this isn’t your tire.

On the other hand, if you do only drive off-road occasionally, this’s a great tire for you.

The good thing is Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S has strong sidewalls and bead construction. For this reason, it isn’t vulnerable to outside effects. In my point of view, this is way much more important for a mostly city driving tire.

From now on, I’m going to evaluate the performance of Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S for different off-road conditions.

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.

Gravel

Gravel and dirt traction are what most of you want. Well, Cooper knows that and that’s why they’re actually limiting the off-road performance of this tire.

Regarding gravel, the sipe density and the fluffy compound work perfectly. Well, at least if we are talking about only traction.

Besides that, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S has differently sized shoulder lugs that increase the rocky terrain traction significantly.

However, because of the fluffy compound and the too many sipes, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S will wear fast at the beginning of its tread life.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is great for occasional gravel, yet, if you have to drive on gravel for a while, especially if you’re living in a warm region, it can’t provide you decent tread life.

Dirt

Dirt traction is the easiest one the reach. It is mostly related to the number of biting edges. For this reason, even the worst all-terrain tire provides decent dirt traction.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S actually has an advantage out here. This tire has a fluffy compound. For this reason, it’s stickier than its competitors.

Dirt isn’t abrasive. Hence, driving on the dirt will not decrease the tread life of Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is an excellent option for dirt driving. Besides the traction, due to the amount of rubber on the ground, it provides way much better handling than its competitors.

Sand

Sand driving is where this tire shines.

Unlike most people think, the best tire on the sand is the mildest one.

The aggressive design tires dig too deep and cause a stuck. In fact, that’s the reason that all-terrain or mud-terrain tires are more expansive than passenger tires.

In that case, the most crucial thing is self-cleaning capability. Even though the independent lugs sometimes cause a lack of self-cleaning, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S’s staggered groove walls do this job.

Cooper Discoverer AT4 4S is an excellent tire for sand driving. I strongly recommend it.

Mud

Even though this kind of tire isn’t suitable for mud adventure, they’re okay for occasional mud.

In that case, the essential thing is self-cleaning capability.

The issue with Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is its self-cleaning capability isn’t good enough for deep mud. Relatively deeper of a long distance mud conditions fill the tread with mud and because of the narrow shoulder slots, evacuating this mud is almost impossible.

If you face mud often, I don’t recommend Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S, however, it’s great for half muddy – half smooth road conditions.

Sizes

15” Wheels	16” Wheels	17” Wheels	18” Wheels	20” Wheels	22” Wheels
225/70R15 100T SL	215/70R16 100T SL	215/65R17 99T SL	255/70R18 113T SL OWL	255/50R20 109H XL	275/45R22 112H XL
235/75R15 105T SL	225/70R16 103T S	225/65R17 102H SL	265/60R18 110T SL OWL	265/50R20 111T XL	285/45R22 114H XL
235/75R15 109T XL	225/75R16 104T SL	235/60R17 102T SL	265/65R18 114T SL	275/55R20 117T XL
255/70R15 108T SL	235/70R16 106T SL	235/65R17 108H XL	265/70R18 116T SL	275/60R20 115T SL
265/70R15 112T SL	235/75R16 108T SL	235/70R17 109T XL	275/65R18 116T SL
265/75R15 112T SL	245/70R16 111T XL	235/75R17 109T SL
	245/70R16 107T SL	245/65R17 111T XL
	245/75R16 111T SL	245/70R17 110T SL
	255/70R16 111T SL	255/65R17 110T SL
	265/70R16 112T SL	255/70R17 112T SL
	265/75R16 116T SL	255/75R17 115T SL
		265/65R17 112T SL
		265/70R17 115T SL
		P 285/70R17 117T SL

Tire Size Selection: The Basics You Can’t Skip

Even the best tread design can’t rescue a tire that’s built too weak. Back when I was testing tires at Bridgestone, I saw all-terrain models that should’ve performed but fell short — simply because the basics (size, load strength, and speed rating) weren’t matched to the vehicle.

P-Metric vs. LT (Light Truck) Tires

The first step is knowing whether you need LT or passenger tires. LT (Light Truck) tires are built with extra reinforcement and stiff sidewalls, designed for towing, hauling, or off-road use. Passenger (P-metric) tires are lighter, smoother, and tuned for daily comfort and fuel efficiency — but they’ll flex more under load.

Understanding Tire Load Range: XL vs. E-Load

Then comes the tire load index and load range — essentially your tire’s strength rating. Here’s where things split between passenger XL and LT E:

XL (Extra Load) is a passenger tire with reinforced sidewalls. It can handle a bit more pressure (~41 PSI) than a standard SL tire and is perfect for SUVs, crossovers, or light trucks that carry extra gear, passengers, or small trailers. XL tires ride softer and quieter than LT options, making them ideal for daily use.
E Load Range is an LT tire class built with a much thicker casing. E-rated tires can handle far more pressure (up to ~80 PSI) and heavier loads, which makes them essential for ¾-ton and 1-ton trucks towing trailers or hauling close to max capacity. The trade-off is weight, stiffer ride, more road noise, and a small drop in fuel efficiency.

Put simply: XL is for “extra luggage and family,” while E is for “truck bed full of bricks or a car trailer.”

Why the Tire Speed Rating Matters for Safety

Finally, don’t overlook the tire speed rating. It’s not just about top speed — it measures how well a tire handles heat and stress at highway pace. Lower ratings (like S) tend to ride softer and last longer, while higher ratings (H, T) feel more stable and responsive under sharp maneuvers. Heat build-up is the silent killer of tires, and speed rating is your safeguard.

Bottom line: Match your tire’s construction (LT vs P-metric), load range (XL vs E), and speed rating to your vehicle’s demands. Get those right, and everything else — off-road grip, winter traction, comfort — will finally perform the way it was designed to.

Conclusion

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is a comfort-driven all-terrain tire that provides great handling, reliable winter traction, and trustworthy mild off-road traction. It’s a good option for its price. Yet, you better put the below points into consideration before making any purchase.

	Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S
Best for	Mostly on-road driving, Winter traction, Below 5,000 lb vehicles
Pros	Smooth & quiet ride, Light-snow and deep snow traction, Occasional off-road traction
Cons	Wears fast on long-time gravel usage, Half-depth sipes, Wears fast on warm-weather hauling & towing applications
Vehicle	SUV, CUV, 1/2 ton light trucks
Test Report	Read the full test report (July 11, 2022)
Available Sizes	15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”, 22”
Made In	United States
Warranty	65,000 miles

I hope the article was helpful. If you need any further support, please leave them in the below section. Have a safe ride folks!

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S Related Articles

Cooper ATW vs AT3

Updated: November 11, 2025 by Emrecan Gurkan Leave a Comment

Either Cooper ATW or AT3, both perform perfectly on and off-road conditions. Well, the bad news is Cooper ATW is discontinued. In that case, I will compare the closest AT3 version out of 3(4s, LT, and XLT). At the same time, I will briefly inform you about the current Cooper Discoverer line-up.

For SUVs and 1/2-ton pickup trucks,

As a former Bridgestone engineer, from my standpoint, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is a less vocal, and fuel-efficient tire and offers smoother ride. This tire supports its good on-road manners with huge traction on wet and snow. It’s also a better option for air-down driving. However, Cooper Discoverer ATW has really close features to AT3 4S. Unfortunately, it’s discontinued.

For above 1/2 ton pickups,

On the other hand, Discoverer AT3 LT and XLT are available in different sizes. However, Discoverer AT3 XLT is the superior pick due to its winter performance. Moreover, it’s a more durable tire and offers better tread life. On the other hand, Discoverer AT3 LT is a better pick for adventure lovers. It has a better air-down performance on sand and mud. I recommend Discoverer AT3 XLT for heavy-duty work trucks.

Is the Cooper ATW Discontinued?

Yes, Cooper ATW was discontinued. Cooper has been released 3 different version of AT3 instead of ATW.

What Cooper AT3 Match with ATW?

If you’re a Cooper ATW user I suppose that your vehicle is a 3/4 or 1-ton light truck. Well, you might be into hauling and towing things. Thus, you should go with Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT or XLT.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S –> I recommend it for SUVs, crossovers, or 1/2 ton trucks
Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT –> LT can be used in 3/4 or 1-ton light trucks.
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT –> XLT also can be used in 3/4 or 1-ton light trucks. I recommend you prefer XLT for heavy-duty applications.

Note: You can use Discoverer AT3 LT and XLT on your SUV or below 3/4 ton light trucks. Yet, that might cause a decrease in comfort.

Comfort and Road Noise

Road noise and comfort aren’t the priority for work trucks. Though, in my point of view, Discoverer ATW’s road noise was a bit disturbing. So, Cooper made a huge improvement on their new AT3 tires.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is your tire if comfort and low road noise level are your priorities.

Discoverer ATW was a smooth tire due to its soft compound. However, this soft compound is decreasing its tread life over a long time period. Well, in fact, these features weren’t optimized properly.

AT3 4S> AT3 LT> AT3 XLT>ATW

Discoverer AT3 4S is the most successful tire in this section, this comparison isn’t valid. All three Discoverer AT3 tires are unique (deaf, smooth) for their useable vehicles. I recommend you check the list in the above section before deciding on your tire.

Tread Life and Warranty

Tread life is depending on your vehicle, your driving habit, and your operation. Hence, certain verdicts mostly stay far away from reality. Anyway, I will share the best and worst of these tires.

Cooper Discoverer LT and Discoverer ATW are sharing the bottom place together. I’m not going to blame Cooper for this. These two are piggy in the middle of work trucks and daily driving SUVs. It’s hard to delight both sides.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S and XLT are leading the race. In fact, Discoverer AT3 XLT provides more tread life than others in general. Yet, if you’re using SUV or 1/2 ton truck, Discoverer AT3 4S will perform as well as XLT.

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/

About warranty,

Cooper Discoverer ATW –> 50,000 Miles Half mileage for the rear if different size than the front

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S –> 65,000 Miles Half mileage for the rear if different size than the front

Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT –>65,000 Miles Half mileage for the rear if different size than the front

Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT –> 65,000 Miles Half mileage for the rear if different size than the front

Fuel Efficiency

Fuel efficiency mostly scales with the tire weight. Fuel consumption increase with tire weight. Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT and XLT are only available for LT sizes. . LT tires tend to be weighted. Therefore, I separate LT and regular sizes.

Regular Sizes,

Cooper Discoverer ATW –> 52 lbs
Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S –> 44 lbs

If fuel mileage is your priority, I recommend you to go with Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S.

LT Sizes,

Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT and XLT are available in different sizes. Thus, making a proper comparison is impossible. Yet, due to their load ranges, I assume they are equal.

Durability

Durability is crucial for all-terrain tires. Customers mostly evaluate durability as tread life. Well, that’s wrong. Durability is all about how external factors affect your tire. Obviously, tread life is part of it. Yet, I prefer to compare carcasses and sidewalls in the durability section.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 uses the same structure for all of its versions. Two-ply polyester casing, a single-ply, nylon reinforcement above two high-strength steel belts. So, they have the same carcass design. Sidewalls are where they are separated. Due to its thicker sidewalls and higher load range, Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT is the most durable one among these tires. Yet, Discoverer AT3 LT and 4S are trustworthy options for their application ranges.

As I mentioned before, Cooper Discoverer ATW shares the same segment with Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S. If I have to compare these two, I can’t see a significant difference. They have the same structure, same sidewalls, and same load range. You can confidently go both ways.

Wet Performance

Due to their hybrid design(half rib-half lug), these tires can perform perfectly on wet. Moreover, as you see on the rubber, they have lots of notches to increase grip. Yet, if you’re looking for the best one, you should go after compound stiffness.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4s has the softest compound among these 4 tires. Herewith, it has the best-wet performance.

For SUVs and 1/2 ton trucks, I recommend Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S

For medium to heavy-duty work trucks, you can go with either way Discoverer AT3 LT or XLT.

Winter Performance

Snow traction is where Cooper tires are shining. Almost anyone of them has 3-peak snowflake mountain marking. This assumption is valid for our competitors except for Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT.

SUVs and 1/2 ton trucks,

Cooper Discoverer ATW was a beast in severe winter conditions. Nevertheless, it can’t beat Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S. Due to its softer compound, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S comes forward and takes the lead.

Above 1/2 ton trucks,

This part is a bit complicated cuz Discoverer AT3 LT has 3PMFS but XLT doesn’t. Yet, I guess Cooper couldn’t align to tread depth with compound stiffness. Therefore, Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT has some traction problems on thick snow. Nevertheless, Discoverer AT3 XLT can handle light and deep snow very well. Due to its higher tread depth, it provides consistent traction on loose grounds. Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT is my pick for this segment.

You can also check this article out if you need a solid winter tire!

Dry Traction

Let’s keep it short. Dry traction isn’t an issue for any of them. Let’s say they are 9 out of 10 at least.

Yet, my picks aren’t going to change for this section also. I recommend Cooper Discover AT3 4S for light and Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT for heavy duty applications.

Off-Road Performance

Off-road traction is a common trait for all-terrain tires. Yet, due to their intended use, they perform differently regarding surface. Hence, I will separate this section to 4.

Dirt Performance

Dirt performance is a game-changer in USA conditions. You can frequently face dirt. For this reason, tire manufacturers don’t miss this point and pay specific attention to this feature.

Due to their well-placed sipes, all 4 of our competitors can perform smoothly on dirt. Yet, I prefer Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S and Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT due to their self-cleaning capability.

Mud Performance

Mud performance is hard to reach for hybrid tires (Highway+All-terrain). Due to their narrow void area, their self-cleaning ability is limited. Sorry to say that but this info is valid for our competitors. I’m not saying they can’t handle mud but expecting mud-terrain tire performance is a bit dreaminess.

Higher tread depth is an enemy for self-cleaning if you have a narrow void area. Though, let’s keep Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT and LT out of comparison. Their consistency on mud isn’t trustable. Yet, if you want to choose one of them, I prefer Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT.

On the other hand, between Discoverer AT3 4S and Cooper ATW, the race is tight. Well, you can go either way. Worth reminding, if adventure is your priority, you better keep away from these tires.

Rock and Gravel Performance

Rock crawling and gravel are totally different dimensions for all-terrain tires. Yet, both are related to sidewall durability. In addition to that, you should put the air-down performance into consideration for rock crawling.

Let’s start with gravel. Well, these tires are indestructible on gravel. They perform very well due to their well-notched rubber. Moreover, strong sidewalls protect them from sidewall punctures due to impact.

All are trustworthy options. Yet, I prefer Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT and XLT for gravel. Their stone ejection capability put them on front.

About rock crawling, you have 3 different options. Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT isn’t designed for severe off-road conditions. Its sidewall protector is shorter than XLT. Therefore, it’s open for any sidewall impact. However, Cooper Discoverer ATW and AT3 4S are far better options than the other two due to their air-down driving capability. When you combine their flexibility with strong sidewalls, rock crawling is a toy in their hands of them. Yet, I recommend you to try that one if you’re looking for an adventure.

Sand

Sand is the easiest part. For sure, a tire with a less aggressive design performs best on the sand. In our case, it’s a bit complicated cuz tread designs are similar.

No worries. Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S with the softer compound can grip and clean the sand more properly than others. For this reason, you can confidently go with it.

On the other hand, between XLT and LT, LT is a far better option due to its lower tread depth.

Specs

	Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S	Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT	Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT	Cooper Discoverer ATW
Category	All-Terrain Tire	All-Terrain Tire	All-Terrain Tire	All-Terrain Tire
Vehicle	Light Truck, SUV	Light Truck, SUV	Light Truck, SUV	Light Truck, SUV
Available Sizes (Rim)	15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20”, 22”	16’’, 17’’, 18’’	15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20”,	16”, 17”, 18”, 20”
Weight	29 – 46 lbs	38 – 54 lbs	44 – 70 lbs	39 – 57 lbs
Made In	Findlay, Ohio, USA	Findlay, Ohio, USA	Findlay, Ohio, USA	Findlay, Ohio, USA
Severe Snow Rated (3PMSF)	Yes (3PMSF)	Yes (3PMSF)	No (Only M+S)	Yes (3PMSF)
Warranty (P-metric)	65,000 Miles	65,000 Miles	65,000 Miles	50,000 Miles
Warranty (LT Sizes)	65,000 Miles	65,000 Miles	65,000 Miles	50,000 Miles

Conclusion

Well, it’s been a long and complicated comparison. The below summary table will help to pick the best one for yourself.

	Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S	Cooper Discoverer ATW	Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT	Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT
Vehicle	SUV and 1/2 ton trucks	SUV and any trucks below 1 ton	1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trucks	Above 3/4 trucks and lifted(customized) vehicles
Application	Better for city driving and off-road adventures	Better for city driving and off-road adventures. It can also handle hauling	Better for medium heavy-duty works	It can handle heavy-duty applications as well as off-road applications
On-Road	9	7	8	8
Off-Road	8	8	8	8
Winter	9	9	8	8
Wet	9	8	8	8
Durability	9	8	7	10

I hope this article was helpful for those who are needed. If you have any further questions, please leave a comment on the below section. Have a safe drive!

Cooper Discoverer AT3 vs Adventurer AT

Updated: November 11, 2025 by Emrecan Gurkan Leave a Comment

Adventurer and Discoverer are two different families in Cooper’s line-up. Both were released as on-road all-terrain tires. While Adventurer stays as a cheaper and lower quality one, Discoverer is the jammy one. Well, it is a bit more expensive. In this article, I will compare Cooper Adventurer AT and Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S.

As a former Bridgestone engineer, from my standpoint, both tires have a narrow application range that only includes mild applications. Luckily, both are great on mild surfaces. Both are reliable and quiet on the highway. Yet, Adventurer AT (discontinued) is not durable at all. I recommend Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S the whole day long!

Note: Cooper Discoverer AT3 is discontinued. So, I didn’t put it into this article. Yet, it has superior off-road and winter performance than Discoverer AT3 4S. Lucky you, some sizes are still available on SimpleTire. Check if your size is still there!

Durability

Alright, most of you will decide what to pick after reading this section. But I would recommend you to go on if winter performance is your priority.

Adventurer AT has some major issues due to durability. This tire is a kinda flip coin. In my point of view, that’s a big problem. It isn’t designed to perform on severe applications. I see that. But if you release an all-terrain tire, it should bear to gravel at least. Most customers complain about cupping in 6 months. Moreover, tire performance is significantly decreasing over time. I understand the price difference is big. Yet, 6 months of using won’t afford even this price.

On the other hand, Discoverer AT3 is a reliable option. It is wearing evenly and sidewall durability is way much ahead of its competitor. It’s worth reminding, if you need a tire for towing or heavy-duty applications, you should consider Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT or Cooper Discoverer XLT for harsher ones.

Tread Life

I made most of my comments on the durability section. This section is a summary.

Cooper Adventurer AT’s tread life is not bad if you only use it on highways. Yet, if you are riding off-road, it can barely make 30,000 miles. Rubbish!

On the other hand, Cooper Discoverer AT 4S’s tread life is aligned with its warranty. Depending on your application, you can get 60,000-100,000 miles with it easily.

Warranty

Cooper Adventurer AT has 60,000 miles tread wear warranty.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S has 65,000 miles tread wear warranty.

Road Noise

Both tires perform very well due to noise reduction. Well, there is a take-home point in this section. Let’s continue below!

These tires have a less aggressive tread design compared to other all-terrains. So, both are very quiet on the road. Yet, Adventurer AT has a rock-holding problem. When it can throw the rock out, the tread starts to produce road noise.

The above comment explains everything clearly.

Comfort

Both are smooth tires. They can cross over the bumps smoothly. The reason behind this is soft compounds. Well, Adventurer AT’s is a bit softer than it should be…

Dry Performance

Dry performance is where these two are shining. Soft compounds and well-placed sipes ensure you don’t have any traction problems on dry surfaces. Yet, Discoverer AT3 with a bit more siping superior this section.

Due to symmetrical and soft tread designs, both tires have great steering response and handling. These tires are lightweight compared to their competitors. Hence, losing handling is unlikely.

Wet Performance

Wet grip is not an issue for these two. They are built to perform perfectly. Yet, hydroplaning resistance is where these two are separated.

Hydroplaning resistance is all about the footprint. Adventurer AT has more gaps on the tread. Therefore, its footprint is less intense than Discoverer AT3. That feature causes a hydroplaning issue when it’s combined with a soft compound.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 is a way much better tire on wet ground.

Winter Performance

This section is kinda easy to compare. Cooper Discoverer AT3 has a 3-peak mountain snowflake labeling. It means it is severe snow-rated. You can confidently use it in harsh winter conditions. Yet, ice performance is not good enough for me. There are better tires on ice.

On the other hand, Cooper Adventurer AT is not winter rated. Yet, deep grooves and wide void areas ensure light snow traction.

Off-Road Performance

Before starting, I’d like to emphasize one point. These tires are not going to work on severe surfaces. With severe surfaces, I mean rock and mud especially. So, I don’t put these two into consideration.

Gravel and Dirt Performance

If you are stuck between these two this section is the only one you need.

Let’s start with dirt.

Cooper is using Adaptive-Traction Technology for Discoverer AT3. Moreover, they combine it with a silica-based compound which is a perfect selection for dirt. Thus, these features make this tire perfect on dirt.

On the other hand, Cooper Adventurer AT is also working very well on dirt. It has perfect center section design that clean itself perfectly.

Let’s continue with gravel.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 rip Adventurer AT apart on gravel. Adventurer AT doesn’t have a traction problem. Yet, it has poor durability. So, bubbles are inevitable.

Sand Performance

I’m going to keep this part very very short. Let’s start with a tip. What works the best on sand is less aggressive tires. So, Cooper Discoverer AT3 is our winner again and again.

Specs

	Cooper Discoverer AT3	Cooper Adventurer AT
Category	All-Terrain Tire	Mud-Terrain Tire
Vehicle	Light Truck, SUV	Light Truck, SUV
Available Sizes (Rim)	15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”, 22”	15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20’’
Weight	30 – 45 lbs	30 – 71 lbs
Made In	U.S	U.S
Severe Snow Rated (3PMSF)	No (only M+S)	No (only M+S)
Warranty (P-metric)	65,000 Miles	60,000 Miles
Warranty (LT Sizes)	65,000 Miles	60,000 Miles
Prices	Check price section to see best possible prices	Check 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,

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

Cooper Line-Up: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/brand.jsp?brand=cooper

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

Cooper Line-Up: https://simpletire.com/brands/cooper-tires

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

Cooper Line-Up: https://www.discounttire.com/tires/brands/cooper

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

That was the easiest comparison I’ve ever made. Cooper Discoverer AT3 is the true and the only winner in all sections. If I were you, I would not waste my money with Adventurer AT.

I hope the article was helpful. I don’t think you will have but if you have any further questions, please leave them below 🙂

Have a safe ride!

Hercules AT2 vs Cooper AT3 LT vs XLT vs 4S

Updated: November 11, 2025 by Emrecan Gurkan Leave a Comment

Hercules is the flanker brand of Cooper. The brand is known for its successful rugged-terrain tires. While Hercules Terra Trac AT2 is an all-terrain tire that focuses on off-roading, Cooper Discoverer AT3 is an all-terrain tire that is built with on-road intent as much as off-road intent. So, there are 3 different Cooper Discoverer AT3 (see the comparison) patterns in the market now. Since Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S and Hercules AT2 have similar usage, I’m going to compare these two for this time. Let’s begin!

As a former Bridgestone engineer, from my standpoint, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is a better tire overall. It has huge wet and winter performances along with good on-road manners. On the other hand, Hercules AT2 has better sidewall durability. Moreover, its cut & chipping resistance is higher than Cooper Discoverer AT3. Therefore, it’s a better option for off-road. Moreover, its loose ground traction capability overperforms Discoverer AT3. Yet, it is struggling in wet and snow.

For severe off-road –> Hercules Terra Trac AT2

For better on-road and mild off-road –> Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S vs LT vs XLT

Lately, Cooper decided to discontinue Discoverer AT3. They’ve replaced it with 3 different AT3 patterns. I like the idea beyond it. These 3 patterns cover 3 different customer expectations.

So who are these customers;

Mainly on-road and highway riders –> Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S(4 seasons)
Mixed on/off-road riders –> Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT(Light Truck)
Heavy loaded and mixed on/off-road riders –> Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT(Extreme Light Truck)

I’ve deeply analyzed all patterns to find the best competition of Hercules Terra Track AT2. Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S has the closest intent. I will move on to a comparison with it.

Tread Appearance

In fact, these tires have a soft tread design for an all-terrain tire. They will not look aggressive in your vehicle. Yet, this feature comes up with the on-road driving advantage.

Narrow void areas and angled shoulders will decrease the road noise significantly. Well, this will affect harsh off-road traction negatively. Though worth mentioning, severe off-road traction is not the priority of these tires.

Hercules AT2’s shoulder design is more aggressive than Cooper’s. That will increase their traction ability on deep mud or snow.

In summary, if the aggressive look is your priority, I would recommend Hercules AT2 every day of the month.

Treadwear

Treadwear is highly dependable on your driving attitude. Most importantly, rotation timing.

You might face uneven wearing and balance issues with Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S. That will decrease your tread life. On the other hand, Hercules AT2’s compound is not as solid as Cooper’s.

It is totally up to you at this time. If you can keep your tires healthy, Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is a better choice.

Note: Both tires have 65000 miles of treadwear warranty.

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/

Noise Comparison

As I mentioned above, noise is not an issue for these tires. They have well on-road manners.

However, Cooper Discoverer AT3 AS is a less vocal tire. That’s for sure. But I would like to share my research result. That might change your idea.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 is changing manner after 30k-40k miles using. They become highly noisy stuff.
Hercules AT2 is a stable noise level.

In summary, depending on your wear life expectation, you can go both ways. Yet, Hercules AT2 seems a bit more reliable option.

Comfort

I have to admit that Hercules shows good manners regarding price level. Well, comfort is where it fails.

Riding comfort is mostly about compound quality. In that case, Cooper has really good references. They are showing their skills on Cooper Discoverer AT3 AS.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 AS offers way much smoother ride than Hercules AT2.

Durability

In that case, sidewall durability will be our superior decision-maker.

Hercules has stronger sidewalls. Upper sidewall protectors will provide better protection. Unfortunately, Cooper’s sidewall protection seems weak. I do not believe that they can handle any harsh sidewall impact.

In this section, I would like to go with Hercules AT2 again.

Wet Performance

I love comparing wet performance, indeed. But, making this comparison is an injustice to Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S.

Cooper has very good sipe density. Moreover, angled blocks have a huge evacuation ability. This tire works like all-season ones. I love it.

On the other hand, Hercules’s wet performance is disappointing. Some evaluate it as dangerous.

Winter Performance

Both tires have 3-peak snowflake marking. That seems nice. They are trustworthy. However, I will separate them due to operations.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is better tire for light snow
Herculer AT2 is slightly better tire for deep snow
Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is slightly better tire on ice. Yet, it is not best

In summary, they have different snow intend. You should define your operation before pick one.

Off-Road Performance

These tires will not work properly in severe conditions. So, making a comparison for mild conditions is more accurate. Even so, if severe off-road is your priority, I would recommend Hercules AT2.

You will mostly face dirt if you are willing to buy these tires. So, dirt is crucial.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is a beast on dirt. The vast amount of biting edges ensure traction and minimizes sliding issues. On the other hand, I am positive about Hercules AT2 too. Its design is also encouraging.

Sand performance is not the strongest part of these tires. Nevertheless, Hercules AT2′ shoulder design will provide more traction. I am going with the Hercules this time.

The other one is mud. Let’s keep it simple. Do not use these tires in the mud. Yet, Hercules will work better. Check this article out for the best tires on mud!

Even though rock performance is mostly about biting edges, sidewall durability is a must on the rock. Tires can not grip when they burst out. I would like to go with Hercules AT2 again.

Specs

	Hercules Terra Trac AT2	Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S
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	28 – 35 lbs	29 – 46 lbs
Made In	Findlay, Ohio, USA	Findlay, Ohio, USA
Severe Snow Rated (3PMSF)	Yes (3PMSF)	Yes (3PMSF)
Warranty (P-metric)	Up to 100,000 miles (depending on size)	65,000 Miles
Warranty (LT Sizes)	60,000 – 85,000 Miles	65,000 Miles
Prices	Check price section to see best possible prices	Check 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

Hercules Terra Trac AT2: Not available

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/cooper-discoverer-at3-4s

Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/cooper-discoverer-at3-xlt

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

Hercules Terra Trac AT2: Not available

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/cooper-discoverer-at3-4s

Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/cooper-discoverer-at3-xlt

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

Hercules Terra Trac AT2: https://simpletire.com/brands/hercules-tires/terra-trac-at-ii

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S: https://simpletire.com/brands/cooper-tires/discoverer-a-t3-4s

Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT: https://simpletire.com/brands/cooper-tires/discoverer-at3-xlt

Conclusion

Even so, Hercules AT2 has more winning section; the difference is so small compared to Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S victories.

In summary, I would recommend Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S for daily driving. If you need a little bit more durability, you can go with Hercules AT2 or Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT.

I hope this article was helpful. If you have any further questions or comments, please leave them below!

cooper

Quick Summary

Tire Decision Tool

Dry Performance

Dry Traction

Cornering Stability

Steering Response

Wet Performance

Winter Performance

Treadwear

Warranty

Road Noise

Comfort

Off-Road Performance

Specification Comparison for Popular Sizes

35×12.5R20

285/70R17

275/60R20

265/70R17

Conclusion

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S

Tire Decision Tool

Dry Traction

Steering Response

Cornering Stability

Ride Comfort

Road Noise

Wet Performance

Wet Traction

Hydroplaning Resistance

Winter Performance

Light Snow Traction

Deep Snow Traction

Ice Traction

Treadwear

Warranty

Off-Road Performance

Gravel

Dirt

Sand

Mud

Sizes

Tire Size Selection: The Basics You Can’t Skip

P-Metric vs. LT (Light Truck) Tires

Understanding Tire Load Range: XL vs. E-Load

Why the Tire Speed Rating Matters for Safety

Conclusion

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S Related Articles

Table of Contents

Is the Cooper ATW Discontinued?

What Cooper AT3 Match with ATW?

Comfort and Road Noise

Tread Life and Warranty

Fuel Efficiency

Durability

Wet Performance

Winter Performance

Dry Traction

Off-Road Performance

Dirt Performance

Mud Performance

Rock and Gravel Performance

Sand

Specs

Conclusion

Table of Contents

Durability

Tread Life

Warranty

Road Noise

Comfort

Dry Performance

Wet Performance

Winter Performance

Off-Road Performance

Gravel and Dirt Performance

Sand Performance

Specs

Price

Conclusion