Kenda Klever RT

Best 35×12.50r20 All Terrain Tires

Updated: July 31, 2025 by Emrecan Gurkan Leave a Comment

Nowadays, the 35×12.5R20 tire size has gained immense popularity among truck owners, primarily for its off-road capabilities and aggressive appearance. While transitioning from LT (Light Truck) tires to flotation tires may have some impact on gas mileage and ride comfort, the trade-offs are well justified by the durability and striking appearance these tires offer. With the right tire selection, you can maximize the advantages of this tire size. Drawing from my experience as a former Bridgestone engineer, I’m here to share my top recommendations for this specific tire size and help you find the best tires to suit your needs. Let’s get started!

BF Goodrich KO2 – Best Overall
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT – Best for Towing
Firestone Destination XT – Lightest of Its Segment
Nitto Ridge Grappler – Best Appearance & Comfort (Warm regions)
Toyo Open Country R/T Trail – Best Appearance & Comfort (Cold regions)
Kenda Klever R/T – Best Affordable

35x12.50R20 Tires Market Overview

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

Before we dive into the specifics, I’d like to share a table that I believe will be immensely helpful for most readers. This table provides an overview of the specifications of all-terrain and rugged-terrain tires currently available in the market.

According to this table:

The lightest tire is the Firestone Destination XT in the E Load Range category.
The tallest tires are the Falken Wildpeak AT3W and the Yokohama Geolander X-AT.
The broadest tires are the BF Goodrich KO2 and the Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek.

It’s worth noting that I’ve excluded mud terrain tires from this article because they differ significantly from all-terrain tires. Instead, I’ve focused on rugged-terrain tires, which strike a more balanced approach for on-road performance.

Firestone Destination X/T - Lightest of Its Segment

The Firestone Destination X/T is indeed an all-terrain tire that’s specifically designed for 3/4-ton or above pickup trucks. Being the lightest in its segment, it brings both advantages and disadvantages worth considering.

	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

The Firestone Destination X/T is an excellent choice if you’re seeking value for your money. It boasts a nearly $30 cost advantage over its competitors, making it a budget-friendly option. Additionally, thanks to its lightweight design, it stands out as a solid choice for those who prioritize fuel efficiency. However, it’s essential to be aware of some trade-offs. The center lugs of this tire feature full-depth sipes, which can increase rolling resistance and impact traction on wet and light snow-covered surfaces. As a result, it may provide a somewhat rougher ride, particularly due to its deep tread design. Yet, this feature also provides good level of loose ground traction.

Note: It’s important to keep in mind that the Firestone Destination X/T is exclusively available in the E load range. If your off-roading needs are severe, I’d recommend considering alternative options for a more suitable fit.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT - Best for Towing

The Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT stands out as the sole on-road all-terrain tire I’m recommending in this article. With its highway-type pattern, it delivers exceptional stability on the road. However, it’s important to note that this feature also comes with its own set of drawbacks.

	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

The Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT provides one of the smoothest and quietest ride experiences, as expected from an on-road all-terrain tire. Its highway rib pattern excels at absorbing bumps and reducing noise levels. Moreover, the increased rubber contact with the road surface enhances its wet traction capability. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that this tire has its limitations, particularly in loose ground performance, which includes deep snow and mud. It’s worth noting that the absence of the 3PMSF marking affects its winter performance. On the flip side, this non-3PMSF compound contributes to a longer tread life and improved on-road stability.

BF Goodrich KO2 - Best Overall

BF Goodrich KO2 is the ancestor of all-terrain tires. Well, it’s always a safe side pick for me because of the great tread width and tread depth ratios. Since it’s only available in E load range for this specific size, it also offer smoother ride.

	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 the BF Goodrich KO2 may not claim the title for the tallest tire in its segment, its high void ratio makes it a standout performer in loose-ground conditions. Additionally, despite being available in the E load range, its Trigard technology ensures exceptional sidewall durability, making it well-suited for severe off-roading adventures. The low tread depth of the BF Goodrich KO2 is a notable feature that reduces vibration levels and promotes even tire wear. However, it’s important to be aware of one drawback—towards the later stages of its life, this tire may experience a decrease in wet traction.

Toyo Open Country R/T Trail - Smooth Rugged Terrain Tire

Toyo Open Country R/T Trail is the newly released rugged-terrain tire of Toyo. Even though its rating and specification is similar to Toyo Open Country AT3, I prefer a more aggressive design for this specific size. For this reason, I added this tire to my list instead of the Toyo AT3.

	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

The Toyo Open Country R/T Trail presents an excellent choice if you’re looking to enhance your vehicle’s appearance without compromising on tread life. With its substantial and interlocked lugs, this tire offers a commendable level of on-road stability, making it particularly suitable for towing and hauling. However, it’s important to note that this tire features a slightly softer compound to ensure adequate snow and wet traction. As a trade-off, you may experience a somewhat shorter lifespan. To address this, Toyo provides a 45,000-mile tread warranty for this product, whereas the Toyo AT3 comes with a 65,000-mile warranty. If tread life is your top priority, you may lean towards the Toyo Open Country AT3(vs Toyo Open Country RT Trail).

Nitto Ridge Grappler - Best Appearance

Nitto Ridge Grappler might not be the broadest tire but it’s one of the tallest tires of this segment. Since it’s a rugged terrain tire, it looks highly aggressive. However, the real shining point of this tire is on-road manners.

	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

The Nitto Ridge Grappler‘s symmetrical and narrow pattern offers several advantages, including noise reduction and enhanced riding comfort. The variable pitch design plays a role in breaking the airflow inside the tire, which effectively decreases the noise level. Additionally, the narrow pattern contributes to even load distribution, ultimately extending the tire’s tread life. However, it’s worth noting that this tire has a limited amount of siping. When you combine this with a non-3PMSF compound and a narrow tread width, you may anticipate a slight decrease in wet and light snow traction.

Kenda Klever R/T - Best Affordable Tire

The Kenda Klever R/T stands out as a highly recommended rugged (hybrid) terrain tire designed to cater to light trucks, SUVs, and 4×4 vehicles, including Jeeps. With its wide product range, the Kenda Klever R/T has become a popular choice among many. However, it’s important to note that not all users are equally satisfied with its performance.

	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

The Kenda Klever R/T is a reliable tire that performs well on both wet and dry surfaces. It offers a comfortable ride, albeit with some noise. Notably, despite lacking the 3PMSF designation, it delivers decent winter performance in various conditions, though it may struggle on ice. One of its standout features is the 3-ply sidewalls, which contribute to its substantial off-road capability, especially for activities like rock crawling. While its tread life falls slightly short compared to all-terrain tires, it still outperforms most rugged-terrain tires in this regard.

What is Equivalent to a 35x12.50R20?

In fact, there is no direct equivalent to 35×12.50R20 tires. However, the closest LT (Light Truck) metric tire size is 315/60R20.

How to Decode 35x12.5R20 Tire Size in Metric?

Understanding a flotation size is a bit different from LT and P-metric sizes. In LT and P-metric sizes, the first three-digit number defines the width of the tire in millimeters, measured sidewall to sidewall. However, in flotation sizes like 35×12.50R20, the middle number (12.50 in this case) represents the width of the tire, but this time in inches.

The 35” figure corresponds to the overall diameter of your tire. To determine the sidewall height, you should subtract the rim diameter, which is 20” in our case. So, currently, we have 20” as the total height of both sidewalls (imagine a circle with a smaller circle inside, with one sidewall height on top and one below). Therefore, you need to divide this by two. Right now, you have 10” for one sidewall height, which is equivalent to 190mm. Interestingly, this is the same sidewall height as that of a 315/60R20 tire.

Conclusion

When considering 35×12.50R20 tires for upsizing, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of what to expect from these tires. Here are a couple of tips to help you make an informed choice:

If daily driving is your top priority, opting for the E load range is the better choice. To ensure this, you can select one of the on-road all-terrain tires.
However, if you’re willing to sacrifice some on-road manners in favor of off-road capability, rugged terrain tires may be the way to go.
Keep in mind that the lightest tire doesn’t always equate to better fuel efficiency. Pay attention to the tire’s design and tread depth as well.
If you have a lifted 1/2 ton truck, you might find this article helpful: Best 1/2 Ton Truck Tires.
For those with a 3/4 ton truck, it’s highly recommended to check out this article: Best 3/4 Ton Truck Tires.

I hope this article proves to be a valuable resource for your tire selection process. If you require further assistance, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.

Kenda Klever R/T Tire Review — Off-Road Performance Showdown 2025

Updated: September 30, 2025 by Emrecan Gurkan 3 Comments

Kenda Klever R/T is the highly recommended rugged(hybrid) terrain tire. It’s designed for light trucks, SUVs, and 4×4 vehicles such as Jeeps. Due to its wide product range, Kenda Klever R/T is many people’s choice. However, not all of them are happy with its performance. In this article, I’ll explain the best uses and give some size selection tips for Kenda Klever R/T. Let’s begin!

From my standpoint as a former Bridgestone engineer, the Kenda Klever R/T proves itself as a reliable performer on wet and dry roads, offering a cozy ride with a touch of noise. Even without a 3PMSF rating, it delivers decent winter traction in most conditions—with the exception of ice. Thanks to its 3-ply sidewalls, its off-road capability is huge, especially when it comes to rock crawling. The trade-off is in tread life, which runs a bit shorter than traditional all-terrains but still outlasts many rugged-terrain competitors.

Note: the Kenda Klever R/T is built specifically for ¾-ton trucks and above, available only in LT sizes, so its on-road manners may feel harsher on SUVs or ½-ton pickups.

Kenda Klever R/T KR60

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Dry Performance

Dry performance can be evaluated under three different layers. While one of them is traction which is extremely easy for off-road tires. Though, the other two, cornering stability and steering response may become a complaining point of users.

Dry Traction

Due to its aggressive pattern design, Kenda Klever R/T can handle dry surfaces.

Rugged(Hybrid) terrain tires have bigger lugs, wider void areas, and relatively softer compounds compared to all-terrain tires. All of these features are implied to improve traction performance. Innately, all rugged terrain tires have a unique dry traction capability.

Kenda Klever R/T offers reliable traction on dry grounds.

Cornering Stability

Cornering stability is highly important on the highways. Since off-road tires are used by high torque and heavy vehicles, sometimes, drivers feel the floating feeling while cornering at high velocity.

In that case, the sidewall stiffness of the tire is the game-changer. If the tire has relatively weak sidewalls, the sidewall flexes a bit more than expected while turning and that effect handling negatively.

Since it’s only available in LT sizes, Kenda Klever R/T has a tough sidewall structure. Therefore, it has decent cornering stability.

Steering Response

Steering response is the challenge for off-road tires. Especially for rugged-terrain and all-terrain tires.

Kenda Klever R/T has a heavy internal structure. Moreover, its tread has big lugs which generally means poor steering response. However, in my point of view, Kenda optimizes the contact patch perfectly for Klever R/T.

Kenda Klever R/T has wide shoulder blocks and not perfectly but well-designed center blocks that almost work like robust tire rib(robust center rib offers better steering response). Well, still, it has an average steering response.

Note: Due to test results(see the document in the ‘Sizes’ section), Kenda Klever R/T has almost the same steering response time as the top-notch competitors. I’d like to say average because it’s only available in LT sizes. LT tires can’t offer a quick steering response as P-Metric tires do.

Wet Performance

Wet performance has two different dimensions. Wet traction and hydroplaning resistance.

Off-road tires have a questionable wet performance. While mud-terrain tires have traction issues due to their weak contact patch, all-terrain tires have some hydroplaning issues due to their poor water evacuation capability.

Lucky, Kenda Klever R/T is a rugged-terrain tire. These tires are the best off-road tires on the wet road. Let’s talk about the reasons!

Wet Traction

Wet traction is related to two things. Compound stiffness and sipe density.

Rugged(hybrid) tires have a good amount of void area on their tread. In fact, this is a huge issue for wet traction. If the tire doesn’t have enough sipe to increase the biting area, there is no way that they provide traction on the wet grounds.

Regarding Kenda Klever R/T, its award-winning design pays off. This tire has an acceptable amount of notches and has a soft compound that has a positive effect on traction. Hence, its wet grip ability is similar to its competitors.

I can confidently say that you’ll never have traction issues with Kenda Klever R/T.

However, still, the wet braking distance of off-road tires isn’t trustable. So, be careful anyway.

Hydroplaning Resistance

Unlike the common knowledge, mud and rugged terrain tires have a unique hydroplaning resistance. I know some people complaining about this but I guess they confuse it with dry braking distance.

Hydroplaning resistance is related to water evacuation capability. Hence, wide grooves and open shoulder blocks always work best.

Due to its massive water evacuation capability, Kenda Klever R/T has decent 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 is generally misunderstood by most reviewers. The light snow, deep snow, and ice performances are related to completely different things. Evaluating them under the one title is nonsense. Moreover, it might be dangerous for other people.

So, I’ll evaluate the winter performance of Kenda Klever R/T regarding the above conditions.

Light-Snow Performance

Light snow performance is similar to wet performance. The only needed extra feature is the self-cleaning capability.

Due to its relatively fluffy compound and horizontal notches, Kenda Klever R/T offers decent light-snow traction. However, still, if you’re looking for the best light-snow traction, you might look for something with 3PMSF.

Note: Kenda Klever R/T doesn’t have 3PMSF marking(what it is?).

Deep-Snow Traction

Deep snow is where Kenda Klever R/T shines. Due to its deep tread(17” to 19” depending on size), it has massive loose ground performance. Moreover, its staggered shoulder also increases the biting edges and improves loose ground traction.

If you need deep snow traction, you may stop searching and go with Kenda Klever R/T.

Ice Traction

Since Kenda Klever R/T can be stud-able, its ice performance is changeable.

Without studs,

If you’re not going to mount studs, I don’t recommend using this tire on icy grounds. Kenda Klever R/T’s contact patch is weak and has tons of void areas. It’s not safe to drive it on ice.

With studs,

You may increase Kenda Klever R/T’s ice performance with a stud(TSMI #15). Studs increase its traction capability by around 10-15% which makes them a usable tire on icy grounds.

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.

Riding Quality

Off-road tires generally offer good riding quality. In that case, the order is as follows,

Mud-terrain
Rugged-terrain
All-terrain

As you all realized, the ride quality is related to internal structure as well as compound stiffness. So, mud-terrain tires with a fluffy compound and internal structure that have the ability to perform on low air pressure perform best. They are followed by rugged terrain tires and all-terrain tires take the last place.

Regarding Kenda Klever R/T, if you’re looking for a soft and smooth ride, you may look for something like Nitto Ridge Grappler. However, still, it’s a good option for above 3/4 trucks.

Kenda Klever R/T is mainly built for 3/4 tons of above-light trucks. Therefore, its riding quality for lower-grade vehicles might be a bit stiff for some of you. In that case, I recommend the C or D load range to improve riding quality.

Road Noise

Compare to other successful features, it looks like road noise is where Kenda sacrificed. In my point of view, this trade pays off.

Due to increased traction, the tires need wide grooves and stiff compounds compared to all-season tires.

Even though its interlocked center blocks close the gap into the center section, it still makes some noise due to its aggressive pattern.

Kenda Klever R/T can reduce the noise but it’s not the best one in that case. If you’re looking for a deaf ride, you may check the Kenda Klever AT2(review) instead.

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.

Mileage

Even though it has a softer compound compared to all-terrain tires, though, its compound is stiffer than its competitors. Moreover, its heavy-duty design is proof of its long-lasting rubber.

Kenda especially states that Kenda Klever R/T has a massive cut&chipping resistance. According to my deep research, they’ve got a point.

This tire is one of the most long-lasting rugged(hybrid) terrain tires on the market. However, this tread life is completely related to you. Like all off-road tires, Kenda Klever R/T tends to wear unevenly and uneven wearing is the enemy of tread life.

I can confidently say that if you’ll pay attention to rotation time(I recommend 5,000 miles but as far as I see, people get decent wear life even with the period of 15,000 miles), you can get hight satisfying tread life.

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

Kenda doesn’t offer any treadwear warranty for this product.

Even though it doesn’t have a mileage warranty, Kenda covers up its product with other warranty types like uniformity.

If you’d like to check the warranty statement: https://automotive.kendatire.com/en-us/tire-tech/warranty/

Off-Road Performance

Off-road performance can be divided into two. Mild and severe off-road.

Since rugged-terrain tires place somewhere between mud and all-terrain tires, they can handle both at a certain level.

Though, it’s completely manufacturers’ decision to decide on the strongest side of the tire. Some of them prioritize on-road manners and built a tire for mild off-road, yet, others prefer severe off-road performance.

Luckily, Kenda prefers severe off-road performance that also contains mild usage. However, I still prefer to analyze its performance under 4 different sub-titles.

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.

Dirt and Gravel Traction

Dirt and gravel traction is the default feature for off-road tires. Dirt is the starting point of the off-road. Then the gravel comes.

Since both are easy peasy for rugged-terrain tires, I’m going to evaluate both together.

Regarding dirt,

Due to its lugged-type pattern and wide grooves that can clean itself perfectly, Kenda Klever R/T provides huge dirt traction.

Regarding gravel,

Gravel is similar to dirt. The only difference is tires sometimes hold the rock. Hence, they lose traction capability. Kenda Klever R/T’s shoulders are the only section of its tread that might hold rocks(narrow grooves). However, Kenda solves this issue with a stone ejector placement. These ejectors throw the rock out of the tread and provide consistent traction. Moreover, its sidewalls inhold sidewall protectors which keep your sidewall safe from any kind of external damage. Unique improvement for a gravel performance.

Sand Traction

The best tire on the sand is the tire with a minimum lug. Therefore, people use smooth balloon tires for sand driving. However, sand driving is still possible for rugged terrain with air-down use.

Due to its high traction capability and wide grooves, Kenda Klever R/T has a high possibility to stick you into the sand.

However, Kenda Klever R/T has a satisfying self-cleaning capability which is the key to decent sand performance. So, I can confidently say that it’ll handle sand with ease. However, I’m not an expert on sand driving. Therefore, I’ll leave you guys a video to decide.

Mud Traction

Mud traction is related to tread depth, self-cleaning, and water evacuation capability. Luckily, Kenda Klever R/T has it all.

Due to its large volume of void area, this tire can clean itself and evacuate the water with ease. Moreover, its deep tread helps it to throw the mud out in early tread life.

I can confidently say that Kenda Klever R/T has a trustworthy mud traction. Moreover, according to field tests, Kenda Klever R/T is leading its category. However, this category contains only hybrid tires. So, expecting mud-terrain tire performance is a bit utopic.

Rock Crawling

If you follow my blog, you know that I’m in love with the BF Goodrich KO2’s rock climbing performance. However, its empery ends now.

All right guys, this tire has a phenomenal design for rock crawling. Its compound, sidewalls, flexibility… This tire is awesome for rock crawling.

Due to its 3-ply sidewalls, cut&chipping resisted compound, durable but flexible cords, and beefy lugs on the sidewall that protect from puncturing; Kenda Klever R/T is one of the best tires for rock crawling. Strongly recommended!

Sizes

Kenda’s size range is limited. However, it’s available in the most popular sizes.

Kenda has a size sheet that includes popular applications and test reports, to reach out –> https://automotive.kendatire.com/media/736114/kenda_kr601_sales-sheet-060121.pdf

15”	16”	17”	18”	20”	22”	24”
33×9.50R15LT Load Range: C Rating: 113Q	LT235/70R16 Load Range: C Rating: 104/101R	33×10.50R17LT Load Range: E Rating: 121R	33×12.50R18LT Load Range: F Rating: 122R	33×12.50R20LT Load Range: F Rating: 119R	33X12.50R22LT Load Range: F Rating: 114R	33X12.50R24LT Load Range: F Rating: F 106Q
35×12.50R15LT Load Range: C Rating: 113Q		33×12.50R17LT Load Range: E Rating: 120R	35×12.50R18LT Load Range: E Rating: 123R	35×12.50R20LT Load Range: F Rating: 125R	35×12.50R22LT Load Range: F Rating: 121R	35×12.50R24LT Load Range: F Rating: 116Q
		35×10.50R17LT Load Range: D Rating: 121R	LT265/65R18 Load Range: E Rating: 122/119R	37×12.50R20LT Load Range: F Rating: 128R	37×12.50R22LT Load Range: F Rating: 127Q
		35×12.50R17LT Load Range: E Rating: 121R	LT275/65R18 Load Range: E Rating: 123/120R	LT275/55R20 Load Range: E Rating: 120R
		37×12.50R17LT Load Range: D Rating: 124R	LT275/70R18 Load Range: E Rating: 125/122R	LT285/55R20 Load Range: E Rating: 122R
		LT235/80R17 Load Range: E Rating: 120/117R	LT285/75R18 Load Range: E Rating: 129/126R
		LT245/75R17 Load Range: E Rating: 121/118R
		LT265/70R17 Load Range: E Rating: 121/118R
		LT285/70R17 Load Range: E Rating: 121/118R

Most tire sizes begin with modifier letters(P, LT, etc.) that identify the type of vehicle or type of service for which they were designed. Here is a perfect guide for reading tire size –> https://tireterrain.com/how-to-read-tire-size/

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

Depending on your expectations, Kenda Klever R/T can be a perfect tire for your vehicle. You may see the below table to see what to expect.

	Kenda Klever R/T
Best for	Real sharp looking, minimal road noise, 3/4 ton or above light truck or full-size SUV owners who are looking for flotation-size tire that works well on the highway, working trucks, severe winter conditions
Category	Rugged Terrain Tires
Vehicle	Light Truck, SUV
Available Sizes (Rim)	Check Available Sizes
Made In	Dong Nai Province, Vietnam
Labels	M+S
Warranty (P-metric)	N/A
Warranty (LT Sizes)	N/A

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

Kenda Tires Review

Updated: April 18, 2025 by Emrecan Gurkan Leave a Comment

Kenda’s story started with bicycle tires in 1962. Though, Kenda’s breaking point was in 2014. When they established American Technical Center in Ohio, they weren’t poor quality Taiwan company anymore…

As a former Bridgestone engineer, from my standpoint, Kenda’s all-terrain tires have decent quality due to their dirty cheap prices. They are good at wet and snow. Yet, their tread life isn’t that great. I recommend you to try Kenda Klever AT2 and Klever RT if you wanna give this brand a try.

Who Makes Kenda Tires?

Depending on location, the answer changes. Kenda made a joint venture agreement with Cooper in 2004. Since then, Kenda and Cooper making tires together for the USA market. Yet, this agreement is only valid in the North America continent.

Where are Kenda Tires Made?

Kenda Tires are made in Asia. It seems a bit disappointing at first but no worries fellows. Due to their joint venture agreement with Cooper, the design and quality control phases are running by Cooper in North America.

Made by Asians but approved by Americans!

How Good are Kenda Tires?

To be honest, expecting premium brand performances from Kenda is nothing but dreaming. Yet, among its main competitors(Atturo, Hercules, etc.), Kenda stays strong.

Kenda’s tires mainly last long. Well, they aren’t smooth as Pirelli or Goodyear. Yet, they are known for their decent wet and winter performances. Lastly, you better use them only in mild operations. Extreme conditions aren’t their expertise.

Their performance is totally acceptable due to their low price level.

Where to Buy Kenda Tires?

I don’t recommend buying them in local shops. Kenda has very responsive customer service. They’re willing to help you in any circumstances. You might get trouble contacting customer service via local shops.

Kenda Tires has an agreement with SimpleTire and PriorityTire. These well-known online dealers help you out in any claim you have.

I recommend you to shop online for cheaper brands. That will keep you on the safe side.

Kenda Light Truck Tires

Kenda’s product range includes 6 different products. Let’s dig them out!

Kenda Klever A/T(KR28)
Kenda Klever A/T2 KR628(review)
Kenda Klever MT KR29
Kenda Klever R/T KR601(review)
Kenda Klever H/T2(KR600)
Kenda Klever A/P(KR05)

Kenda Klever AT Review

Kenda Klever AT is the first all-terrain tire in Kenda’s line-up. This tire provides consistent traction on and off the road. This cheap brand tire promises more durability than most well-known brands.

In summary, Klever AT is a bit noisy and offers rough ride. Yet, it has decent performance on snow and wet. You can confidently use it in mild off-road.

Tread Life

Satisfying tread life is what budget-friendly tires must hold. Well, Klever AT will meet your expectations in that case.

Kenda used double steel belt construction that improves tread life significantly. Double steel belt construction increases tire uniformity. As a result, irregular wear doesn’t become an issue and you get a long-lasting rubber.

Worth reminding, Klever AT doesn’t have a treadwear warranty. Though, you might get between 40,000-60,000 miles.

Durability

Klever AT has a 3-ply sidewall that improves its durability significantly. Moreover, sidewall protectors increase its puncture resistance.

Road Noise and Comfort

Due to achieving increased tread life, Kenda uses stiff rubber. Hence, that decreases noise reduction and comfort.

Klever AT has a broader shoulder design. So, that aggravates airflow inside the grooves and increases road noise.

This tire makes some road noise on highways and it doesn’t offers smooth ride as premium brand tires.

Wet Performance

Wet grip is Kenda’s priority. Due to achieve that they use circumferential grooves in almost every product. Well, I don’t like siping very much. This tire can’t work under heavy rain.

Klever AT2 is a decent wet tire unless you aren’t faced with a heavy shower frequently.

Winter Performance

This tire isn’t snow-rated. I don’t recommend you to use them in deep snow. Yet, in light snow, they perform as well as wet surfaces. They will meet all of your expectations in light snow.

Don’t use them in icy conditions!

Off-Road Performance

These tires are built to perform off the road. Well, they have decent traction. They are good at the loose ground grip. Yet, mud driving and rock crawling aren’t their expertise.

Kenda Klever AT2

In summary, Kenda Klever AT2 is a trustworthy tire that can perform smoothly in wet, and dry conditions. It has huge winter capability and has three-peak snowflake marking. Most importantly, it is dirt cheap for its capability.

I’ve made Kenda Klever AT2’s review before. You can click here to check it out!

Kenda Klever RT

Kenda Klever RT is Kenda’s rugged-terrain tire. Rugged-terrain tires are placed between mud-terrain and all-terrain tires. They have better off-road capability than all-terrains. Yet, some of them can fail on highways.

In summary, Kenda Klever RT is a quiet and durable tire. It performs perfectly on severe surfaces but mud. It’s durable and has acceptable on-road manners. The only weak point is uncertain tread life.

Detailed review –> https://tireterrain.com/kenda-klever-r-t-tire-review/