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Pathfinder AT

Pathfinder AT Tire Review

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

PathFinder AT is an off-road all-terrain tire that is specially built for Discount Tire. Most people claim that these tires are manufactured by Kumho. Though, I guess people are mistaken because of Kumho Pathfinder S Sport AS. I see this brand as Discount Tire’s solution to the expensiveness of all-terrain tires. So, any issue you have will be directly solved by Discount Tire which is a huge advantage when it comes to warranty issues. Are you gonna have any issues? It depends on your expectations. In this article, I’m going to review Pathfinder AT and explain when it becomes to the best solution. Let’s begin!

Giving this old girl seriosly fancy look!
PathFinder AT
Best for1/2 ton working trucks that spends most of time on the road,
SUV owners that focus on longevity more than comfort & noise reduction,
3/4 ton or above trucks that focus on traction and sidewall durability more than longevity
ProsYear-round traction,
Winter performance,
Aggressive appearance,
Budget-friendly
Conswear out relatively quickly when used extensively for long-term off-road purposes, mainly due to its tendency to heat up rapidly,
It’s a mid-grade tire, hence it produce noise and offers slightly rough ride
VehicleSUV,
Light truck
Available Sizes

15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”
(Check if it fits your vehicle)

Made InUnited States
Warranty50,000 – 55,000 miles

Pathfinder AT is a versatile tire designed for both on and off-road adventures. With its exceptional dry performance, thanks to its cavitated design and biting edges, this tire delivers satisfying traction. Responsive and stable, it maneuvers well with interconnected center blocks. The Pathfinder AT shines in cornering stability, with robust sidewalls and beefy shoulder blocks. Its softer compound and zigzag sipes enhance wet traction, while the 3PMSF rating ensures decent winter performance. While road noise may be present, its relatively low tread depth offers a comfortable ride. Designed for durability and off-road performance, it excels on rocky terrains and muddy surfaces. Exclusive to Discount Tire, the Pathfinder AT comes with warranties for added peace of mind. Embark on your next adventure confidently with the Pathfinder AT, a tire that combines traction, stability, and versatility.

All-Terrain Tires Cheat Sheet

Finding the ideal all-terrain tire among the plethora of options available can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, my team and I have taken on this challenge head-on. Besides our hands-on experiences with these tires, we also analyze thousands of customer reviews and test reports. 

Please note that: Light-Duty is 1500 series, Medium-Duty is 2500 series and Heavy-Duty is 3500 series. If you do towing or hauling, I recommend considering at least Medium-Duty tires.

Mobile users can scroll the table to the left to see the whole data.

All-Terrain Tires Cheat Sheet
NameCategoryArticles3PMSFRoad NoiseMileageFuel EconomyRiding ComfortResponsivenessWet PerformanceMild WinterSevere WinterMild Off-RoadSevere Off-RoadBest Fit by Pickup Truck ClassificationWarranty (SL or XL)Warranty (LT)Product Page

Falken Wildpeak AT3W

Off Road All Terrain TireReviewYesDecentDecentPoorDecentDecentDecentElegantElegantDecentAverageLight-Duty55,000 Miles55,000 MilesWildpeak AT3W
Toyo Open Country AT3Off Road All Terrain TireReviewYesAverageElegantDecentDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentElegantDecentMedium-Duty65,000 Miles50,000 MilesToyo Open Country AT3
General Grabber ATXOff Road All Terrain TireReviewYesAverageDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentElegantElegantHeavy-Duty60,000 Miles50,000 MilesGeneral Grabber ATX
BF Goodrich KO2Off Road All Terrain TireReviewYesDecentDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentDecentDecentElegantElegantHeavy-DutyN/A50,000 MilesBF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
Sumitomo Encounter ATOff Road All Terrain TireReviewYesDecentDecentAverageDecentDecentDecentElegantAverageDecentAverageLight-Duty60,000 Miles60,000 MilesSumitomo Encounter AT
Firestone Destination XTOff Road All Terrain TireReviewYesAverageDecentElegantDecentElegantDecentDecentAverageDecentDecentHeavy-DutyN/A50,000 MilesFirestone Destination X/T
Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLTOn Road All Terrain TireReviewNoDecentDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentDecentAverageElegantAverageHeavy-DutyN/A60,000 MilesCooper Discoverer AT3 XLT
Falken Wildpeak AT TrailOn Road All Terrain TireReviewYesDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentDecentElegantAverageLight-Duty65,000 MilesN/AFalken Wildpeak AT Trail
Cooper Discoverer AT3 4SOn Road All Terrain TireReviewYesElegantDecentElegantElegantElegantElegantElegantDecentDecentFairy WellLight-Duty65,000 MilesN/ACooper Discoverer AT3 4S
Firestone Destination AT2On Road All Terrain TireReviewYesDecentElegantElegantElegantElegantDecentElegantAverageDecentAverageLight-Duty55,000 MilesN/AFirestone Destination AT2

BF Goodrich Trail Terrain T/A

On Road All Terrain TireReviewYesElegantElegantDecentElegantElegantDecentDecentAverageDecentAverageLight-Duty60,000N/ABF Goodrich Trail Terrain T/A
Toyo Open Country R/T TrailRugged Terrain TireReviewYesDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentHeavy-Duty45,000 Miles45,000 MilesToyo Open Country R/T Trail
Falken Wildpeak R/TRugged Terrain TireReviewNoDecentDecentAverageAverageDecentDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentHeavy-Duty50,000 Miles50,000 MilesFalken Wildpeak R/T
Pathfinder AT TireOn Road All Terrain TireReviewYesAverageAverageDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentAverageDecentAverageLight-Duty55,00050,000Discount Tire Exclusive Product
Nitto Ridge GrapplerRugged Terrain TireReviewNoDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentHeavy-DutyN/AN/ANitto Ridge Grappler
General Grabber APTOn Road All Terrain TireReviewYesDecentDecentAverageDecentDecentDecentDecentAverageDecentFairy WellMedium-Duty60,000 Miles60,000 MilesGeneral Grabber APT
Vredestein Pinza ATOn Road All Terrain TireReviewYesElegantDecentDecentElegantDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentAverageMedium-Duty70,000 Miles50,000 MilesVredestein Pinza AT
Nitto Recon GrapplerOff Road All Terrain TireReviewNoDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentAverageElegantDecentMedium-Duty65,000 Miles55,000 MilesNitto Recon Grappler
Michelin Defender LTX M/SHighway TireReviewNoElegantElegantElegantDecentElegantDecentDecentFairy WellDecentFairy WellHeavy-Duty55,000 – 70,000 Miles55,000 – 70,000 MilesMichelin Defender LTX M/S
Kenda Klever R/TRugged Terrain TireReviewNoAverageDecentAverageDecentDecentDecentDecentFairy WellDecentDecentHeavy-DutyN/AN/AKenda Klever R/T
Goodyear Wrangler Territory ATOn Road All Terrain TireReviewNoDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentAverageElegantDecentMedium-DutyN/AN/AGoodyear Wrangler Territory AT
Goodyear Wrangler UltraTerrain ATOff Road All Terrain TireReviewYesDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentAverageDecentFairy WellMedium-DutyN/AN/ADiscount Tire Exclusive Product
Continental Terrain Contact H/THighway TireReviewNoElegantElegantElegantElegantElegantDecentAveragePoorDecentPoorHeavy-Duty70,000 Miles60,000 MilesContinental TerrainContact H/T
Patriot R/TRugged Terrain TireReviewYesAverageAverageAverageDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentDecentMedium-DutyN/AN/APatriot R/T+
Kenda Klever AT2Off Road All Terrain TireReviewYesDecentAverageAverageDecentDecentDecentDecentAverageDecentAverageMedium-Duty60,000 Miles50,000 MilesKenda Klever AT2
Yokohama Geolander AT G015On Road All Terrain TireReviewYesElegantDecentAverageElegantElegantDecentDecentAverageAveragePoorLight-Duty60,000 Miles50,000 MilesYokohama Geolandar AT G015
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss ATRugged Terrain TireReviewYes (315 or narrower width)DecentDecentAverageDecentElegantDecentDecentDecentElegantDecentMedium-Duty50,000 Miles60,000 MilesMickey Thompson Baja Boss AT

Table of Contents

Dry Performance

The dry performance of all-terrain tires is generally pretty satisfying. This is because of the nature of these tires.

All-terrain tires are cavitated and have a lot of biting edges due to increasing traction capability.

The equation is similar for Pathfinder AT also. It provides pretty well dry traction. It’s expected because this tire is marked with 3PMSF.

I know 3PMSF rates the winter performance. However, 3PMSF tires have a 30% softer compound which leads them to better gripping ability.

In summary, Pathfinder AT provides decent dry performance. I’m saying decent because dry performance isn’t only dry traction. Responsiveness and cornering stability are a huge part of it.

Let’s talk about them in another section.

Responsiveness

Visibly beefy!

Responsiveness of all-terrain tires related to the tread design and compound stiffness.

To provide more precise output, I prefer the analyze responsiveness by load range.

I know most of you reading this review because you want an aggressive look and looking for a budget-friendly tire. 

Here are a couple of things to know before making any purchase,

  • If you’re changing from the all-season tires, there is no way this tire make you happy regarding responsiveness
  • If you’re changing from an all-terrain tire, I kindly ask you to define your needs properly. This is a concept, medium-duty tire. It’s not going to be the same as your premium brand tire (Hello Toyo AT3 of BFG KO2 owners)

Let’s get a bit more technical.

The game changer regarding responsiveness is a center rib. If the center rib is continuous or at least interlocked, the tire provides superior and quick responsiveness. As you can see Pathfinder AT has neither. Yet, its center blocks are interconnected which leads to satisfying responsiveness. However, this makes it hard to balance it might cause slight vibration at high speed.

If you’re not an aggressive driver and have an SUV or CUV, Pathfinder AT gonna make you happy for sure.

Let’s talk about 3/4 ton or above pickup owners. If you’re pulling a trailer, I think you should stay away from this tire. Interconnected tread design mostly causes a slight drift while driving. Too much danger for me. However, if you’re not pulling a trailer, it probably put you on top of the world.

If you’re not pulling a trailer, Pathfinder AT might be a good option for you. However, this design generally causes uneven wearing. So, rotation time is key for you.

Note: Pathfinder AT has relatively low tread depth which is a great advantage for superior responsiveness.

Cornering Stability

Cornering stability is where Pathfinder AT shines.

As I’ve mentioned before, this is a medium-duty tire. You can’t do severe off-road with this tire but it has a beefy and strong sidewall to provide decent stability.

Pathfinder AT has a B-rated heat resistance for p-metric sizes. This is good for cornering stability but bad for longevity.

Its robust and beefy shoulder blocks help the tire to keep its shape and provide great cornering stability.

Pathfinder AT has a unique cornering stability.

Wet Performance

The wet performance of all-terrain tires is generally questionable because of their robust compounds. These tires face severe external effects. So, they should have cut&chipping resistance.

Pathfinder AT has a slight advantage out here. While most all-terrain tires have at least a 600 UTQG rating for p-metric sizes, this dude has 500. That basically means it has a softer compound which is great for wet traction.

Well, is it enough? Not much.

Besides the soft compound, Pathfinder AT has zigzag sipes on the shoulder blocks and lateral full-depth sipes on the center section. While zigzag one increases the wet traction and decreases the aquaplaning capability, lateral ones on the center blocks prevent heel and toe-type uneven wearing.

Overall, Pathfinder AT is an alpha plus wet performance tire that also provides unique hydroplaning resistance because of its open shoulder blocks.

Winter Performance

Winter performance of all-terrain tires is generally poor if the tire doesn’t mark with 3PMSF.

Luckily, Pathfinder AT has this labeling. The label is proof that the compound of Pathfinder AT stays sticky when the weather gets cold.

Due to its soft compound and extra biting edges, Pathfinder AT provides decent traction on light snow and bare pavement.

Though, Pathfinder AT’s tread design is shining when it comes to deep or moderate snow. Its interconnected design and staggered tread block edges increase the Pathfinder AT’s self-cleaning capability. If you keep the tread clean and have that much void area in the tread, there is no way you get poor deep snow traction.

The only concern is on the ice which I don’t recommend to ride any all-terrain tire.

Overall, Pathfinder AT is a great winter tire.

Road Noise

Looks great on lifted F150

As the tread gets cavitated, the tires get noisier. Hence, most premium tire brand prefers interlocked tread design.

Pathfinder AT has a disadvantage out here. The tire itself has tons of void area. Moreover, its center section is way much sectional and that causes too much air movement when it’s rolling. Air movement is the main reason for the road noise.

The only advantage of Pathfinder AT is its relatively low tread depth. Yet, Pathfinder AT tends to produce road noise.

If you’re changing from a mud-terrain tire, it may make you happy. For the rest, Pathfinder AT is a slightly noisy tire.

Riding Comfort

Riding comfort is highly related to an internal structure and tread pattern.

For instance, when you use e-rated tires instead of C-rated ones, you’re going to feel bumps because the internal structure is too stiff. On the other hand, if you use SL tires instead of C-rated ones, you’re going to have way much smooth riding. This doesn’t mean you can use any tire you want. First, your tires should match the minimum load and speed requirements of your vehicle.

Let’s go back to the point. Pathfinder AT has a stiff internal structure. Its beefy sidewalls and multiple-ply sidewalls are proof of that. Yet, its relatively low tread depth is a good sign for a comfortable ride.

Overall, if you’re looking for a street tread, this isn’t your tire and it will provide a rough ride. If you need something for your working truck, please welcome a smooth ride.

Tread Life

Even though Discount Tire claims that this tire is a long-lasting one. I strongly believe that it highly depends on your use conditions and vehicle.

SUV owners,

If you’re okay with a slightly rough ride and road noise, this tire will provide decent tread life.

1/2 ton truck owners,

I think these tires are a great fit for you. Pathfinder AT is a definition of a mid-grade AT tire.

3/4 ton or above truck owners,

It might make you feel in heaven regarding traction. Though, your vehicle will eat up its fluffy compound. It’s still a great option if you don’t drive too many miles.

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

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

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

Off-Road Performance

The main features of Pathfinder AT are durability and lose ground traction. As it is seen, there are great features for off-road performance.

Due to its beefy and durable sidewalls, Pathfinder AT performs pretty well on rocky terrains. However, you should keep your usage time limited because this tire heats up very quickly and that causes quick wearing.

Moreover, its voided tread is great for muddy surfaces. Besides that, its self-cleaning capability is a huge advantage.

Because of its soft compound, the tire has a unique gripping capability which is great for dirt and gravel traction.

Overall, Pathfinder AT is a great off-road tire for short-term use. So, it’s great for construction sites. Yet, I don’t recommend this tire for long-distance off-road usage or adventurous usage like rock crawling or deep mud crawling.

Warranty

Discount Tire offers different warranties depending on the size.

For P-metric tires: Discount Tire offers 55,000 miles treadwear warranty

For LT sizes: Discount Tire offers 50,000 miles treadwear warranty.

For Flotation Sizes: There is no treadwear warranty

Sizes

15” Wheels16” Wheels17” Wheels18” Wheels20” Wheels
31/10.5R15 C-Rated245/70R16 SL265/70R17285/65R18275/55-R20
30/10.5R15 C-Rated265/75R16 E-Rated315/70R17275/70R18275/60R20
265/75R16 SL265/65R17295/70R18
245/75R16 SL285/70R17265/70R18
285/75R16 E-Rated255/70R18

Note: Available sizes can change from time to time. I highly recommend Discount Tire – PathFinder AT product page for a piece of certain information.

Size Selection

Before we dive into selecting the right tire size, it’s essential to understand the tire standards that manufacturers follow.

Technical Standards & Regulations

In Europe, the tire standardizing organization is called ETRTO. In the United States, it’s The Tire and Rim Association (TRA), while in Japan, it’s the Japanese Automobile Tire Manufacturers Association (JATMA). Although there may be other organizations, they generally align with one of these three.

When it comes to passenger car tires, TRA designates them by placing the letter “P” in front of the size to indicate conformity to the TRA standard. On the other hand, ETRTO and JATMA do not use any letters, which can sometimes be confusing when determining which standard is being used.

For light truck tires, TRA uses the letters “LT” in front of the tire size, while JATMA places the letters “LT” after the size. ETRTO, however, uses the letter “C” after the size to indicate tires of this type.

In the realm of medium truck tires, ETRTO uses the letter “C” after the size to designate tires designed according to their standard. In contrast, TRA and JATMA do not use any letters in this context.

Now, here’s what’s essential: Tires with the same dimensions (size) may have different maximum load capacities depending on the standard being followed. So, it’s crucial to consider the relevant standard when choosing tires.

When it comes to load capacity designations, “SL” (Standard Load) and “XL” (Extra Load) are used for all passenger car tires, regardless of which standard is being followed. In the ETRTO standard, “Reinforced” is also used as an alternative to “XL.”

Load Range, on the other hand, is specific to TRA. ETRTO and JATMA use the term “Load Index.” While TRA references Load Indexes, it’s important to note that the values provided are approximate.

To sum it up, understanding the tire standards and designations is vital as they play a significant role in determining the right tire size and load capacity. By considering the appropriate standards, you can make an informed decision when selecting tires that meet your vehicle’s requirements.

Here are two great articles if you wanna dive deeper:

Load Range vs Load Index: https://www.discounttire.com/learn/load-range-load-index

Tire Sizing System: https://www.discounttire.com/learn/euro-vs-pmetric-tires

How to Select the Right Tire Size Based on Your Requirements?

When it comes to selecting tire sizes for your vehicle, it’s important to keep in mind that most vehicles offer more than one original equipment size. Let’s take the 2019 Ford F-150 Lariat Crew Cab 4WD as an example. You have three different tire size options: 275/55R20 SL, 275/65R18 Load Range C, or 275/65R18 SL.

Note: I use Toyo Open Country AT3 for an example tire. You can use this link to see tire options for your vehicle and then make a comparison between the sizes:
https://www.discounttire.com/fitment/vehicle

If you don’t know your tire size: https://tireterrain.com/find-tires-by-vin-number/

Let’s focus on comparing the 275/65R18 SL and 275/65R18 Load Range C options for a more detailed comparison. Your decision should be based on your priorities. If you prioritize a smooth ride and better handling, the SL option is the way to go. On the other hand, if you value hauling or towing performance and tire longevity, the Load Range C option would be a better fit.

As a tire engineer, my perspective often revolves around load-carrying capacity. Generally, tires with higher load capabilities tend to provide a stiffer ride. However, there’s a bit of an illusion to consider. When you compare the two tires in the same size, the SL-rated tire may initially appear to have a higher load capability. But here’s the catch: P metric tires, like the SL option, need to be derated by a factor of 1.1 when used on a truck. Crunching the numbers reveals that the SL option actually has a lower maximum load capability. Additionally, it boasts a lower tread depth, which translates to better responsiveness.

The same principles I mentioned earlier also apply when comparing XL and E Load range tires. In summary, if your vehicle allows for Passenger Car or LT (Light Truck) tires, going with a passenger option will provide you with better on-road manners. However, if you find yourself venturing off-road frequently, own a working truck, or regularly engage in towing and hauling heavy loads, then LT tires are generally the better choice for your needs.

Couple of tips for towing;

  • Even though the load index of passenger car tires fits, when it comes to towing, sidewall stability is the issue. Hence, LT tires with Load Range C, D, or E provide better stability. 
  • Generally, a load index higher than 119 is recommended for towing
  • Proper loading is important for even wearing. 60/40 rule should be followed. 60% of the weight should be on the front axle and 40%of weight should be applied rear axle of the trailer. Besides that, try to center load. Start with heavier ones if you gonna stack them up.

To wrap it up, selecting the right tires comes down to choosing the ones that align with your driving preferences and specific requirements.

Price

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

Besides that, Pathfinder AT is a Discount Tire exclusive tire. Hence, Instead of sharing the price, I would like to talk about the advantages of Discount Tire.

DiscountTire

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

PathFinder AT: https://www.discounttire.com/buy-tires/pathfinder-at

Conclusion

Pathfinder AT is a mid-grade tire that can be described as a “Jack of all trades, master of none.” From my perspective, it performs well as a tire suitable for both off-road (50%) and highway (50%) driving. However, it may not excel in terms of reducing road noise and providing optimal comfort. On the other hand, it offers excellent durability. Whether it becomes your best or worst tire depends on your specific expectations. I have provided a summarized overview in the table below, tailored to different types of vehicles.

PathFinder AT
Best for1/2 ton working trucks that spends most of time on the road,
SUV owners that focus on longevity more than comfort & noise reduction,
3/4 ton or above trucks that focus on traction and sidewall durability more than longevity
ProsYear-round traction,
Winter performance,
Aggressive appearance,
Budget-friendly
Conswear out relatively quickly when used extensively for long-term off-road purposes, mainly due to its tendency to heat up rapidly,
It’s a mid-grade tire, hence it produce noise and offers slightly rough ride
VehicleSUV,
Light truck
Available Sizes

15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”
(Check if it fits your vehicle)

Made InUnited States
Warranty50,000 – 55,000 miles

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

Filed Under: All Terrain Tires, On-Road All Terrain Tires Tagged With: Pathfinder AT, Review

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Hey, it's Emre. I'm the proud dad of two cats, a former Bridgestone field engineer, and I hold degrees in Civil and Industrial engineering. I'm also a firm believer in the motto that "bigger is better." Read More…

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