All Terrain Tires

After recent developments in the tire industry, understanding all-terrain tires has become quite challenging. To provide you with better insights, I’ve created the following articles:

First and foremost, it’s crucial to define your specific needs. To do this effectively, you should start by understanding the differences between highway, all-terrain, and mud-terrain tires. This article will serve as a valuable resource in helping you make this distinction: Highway Tires vs. All-Terrain vs. Mud Terrain.

Once you’ve gained clarity on tire classification, the following articles will guide you on what to expect from all-terrain tires:

With a clear understanding of tire categories and expectations, it’s time to delve into selecting the right tire size. The following articles will provide essential insights:

Lastly, to ensure you make the right decisions on tire pressure for different terrains, refer to the following article:

Off-Road Tire Pressure & Load Range for Every Rig

With most of the learning phase completed, it’s time to unveil my personal favorite all-terrain tires.

Toyo Open Country AT3

The Toyo Open Country AT3 unquestionably stands out as a prime example of a well-balanced tire within Toyo’s extensive product lineup. This versatile tire exhibits exceptional performance across a range of critical aspects. Among its notable strengths, it excels in providing outstanding wet grip, a quality that puts it on par with tires boasting similar off-road capabilities. In fact, it even surpasses the BFG KO2 in this regard, although it falls just slightly short of the Terra Grappler G2 in wet grip performance.

One of the standout features of the Toyo Open Country AT3 is its impressive traction on snowy surfaces. This characteristic is especially valuable for drivers who frequently encounter challenging winter conditions. Whether you’re navigating rugged off-road terrains or cruising along highways, this tire is designed to meet and exceed your expectations. It not only ensures excellent off-road capability but also offers a comfortable and quiet ride, enhancing the overall driving experience.

While the Toyo Open Country AT3 may not claim the title of the absolute leader in noise reduction, it performs admirably in this regard, particularly when you consider its robust durability. This combination of impressive features and balanced performance makes it a tire worth serious consideration for a wide range of driving needs and preferences.

BF Goodrich KO2

BF Goodrich KO2 stands as an exceptional tire that truly caters to the needs of off-road enthusiasts. It effortlessly delivers impressive grip and traction, particularly on loose and challenging terrains, making it a top-tier choice for those who relish off-road adventures. Furthermore, the presence of the severe snowflake symbol on its sidewall signifies its capability to excel in winter conditions. While it thrives in most winter scenarios, it’s important to note that it might have some limitations on icy surfaces.

In terms of wet performance, the BFG KO2 may not claim the top spot in the market, but it certainly meets the expected standards for an all-terrain tire. It strikes a good balance between off-road capability and on-road composure, ensuring that it can handle diverse driving conditions.

One aspect to consider is that the BF Goodrich KO2’s strong and rigid sidewalls significantly contribute to its overall robustness. However, this sturdiness can sometimes translate into increased road noise when compared to other tires in its class. Nevertheless, this minor trade-off is often worth it for the enhanced durability and off-road performance that the KO2 brings to the table.

Falken Wildpeak AT3W

Falken Wildpeak AT3W is a true embodiment of durability and smooth performance. Its standout feature lies in its exceptional grip on wet surfaces and in light snow conditions. Thanks to its deep tread grooves, it truly shines when it comes to handling deep snow and loose terrains.

One notable aspect of the Falken Wildpeak AT3W is its remarkable longevity. This tire boasts an impressively durable rubber compound that ensures you’ll enjoy many miles of reliable performance. However, it’s important to note that this tire does have a downside – it tends to be a bit noisy, which can affect your overall driving experience. Additionally, due to its substantial weight, it might have a slight impact on your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. Nevertheless, if you prioritize longevity, wet and light snow performance, and are willing to tolerate a bit of noise, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W could be an excellent choice for your driving needs.

Sumitomo Encounter AT

The Sumitomo Encounter AT is a tire that provides reliable traction, even in deep snow, making it a suitable choice for various driving conditions. It performs well in wet and dry conditions on highways and city roads. However, due to its soft compound and aggressive tread pattern, its tread life may not be as long-lasting as premium brands, but this is a trade-off for its excellent traction capabilities.

This tire excels on dirt, gravel, and rocky terrain, but its performance in mud may be limited due to its deep tread, which can also slightly affect its responsiveness. Despite this, the Sumitomo Encounter AT features strong sidewalls, making it a great option for hauling and towing applications where durability and strength are essential.

Kenda Klever AT2

Kenda Klever AT2 is a robust all-terrain tire that handles both wet and dry conditions with confidence. It’s particularly well-suited for owners of 3/4 ton and larger pickups, offering impressive winter performance with its 3PMSF rating. If you have a medium to high-duty truck, you’ll appreciate its combination of stylish design and dependable traction on loose surfaces.

For off-road enthusiasts, the Kenda Klever AT2 doesn’t disappoint either. It can navigate rough patches and milder terrains while maintaining a commendable tread life. If you’re considering upgrading your lifted truck or SUV for a more aggressive look, this tire could be the solution. However, it’s worth noting that, like many other all-terrain tires, it does produce some road noise.

Nitto Recon Grappler

Nitto Recon Grappler is an excellent choice for those living in regions without heavy snowfall. It is a versatile tire that performs exceptionally well on various terrains, including gravel, rock crawling, and sand. Despite its off-road capabilities, it offers a quiet and comfortable ride. However, it may collect small stones in its grooves. This tire features a durable rubber compound, ensuring a long lifespan. Nitto even provides a treadwear warranty of 55,000 miles for LT sizes (65,000 miles for P-metric sizes), showcasing its durability. Its sturdy sidewalls make it a suitable option for heavy-duty towing.

Firestone Destination XT

Firestone Destination X/T stands out as the lightest tire in its category, allowing for extended use during air-down situations. Its lightweight nature also enhances responsiveness. Furthermore, it excels in wet and dry traction, thanks to its impressive grip. The compact tread and stiff compound make it an ideal choice for hauling and towing, offering a satisfyingly long wear life.

While it boasts a severe winter rating and performs well in light and deep snow, its compound may be too hard for reliable ice performance. However, it’s important to note that it can produce some noise, and its stiff structure might result in a somewhat rigid ride for those unaccustomed to all-terrain tires.

Nitto Ridge Grappler

Nitto Ridge Grappler is a remarkable blend of mud-terrain tire durability with improved on-road manners. However, it’s essential to clarify that the Nitto Ridge Grappler isn’t designed for highway use. Instead, its rugged build makes it an excellent choice for commercial applications where durability is a top priority.

One of the standout features of the Nitto Ridge Grappler is its impressive wet and dry performance, considering its aggressive tread design. This tire’s durability is reflected in its ability to withstand challenging conditions on the road. However, it’s important to note that if you opt for the p-metric sizes, their softer compound may lead to a shorter lifespan. In contrast, the LT sizes offer more long-lasting rubber, falling somewhere between mud and all-terrain tires in terms of longevity.

When it comes to winter performance, the Nitto Ridge Grappler has its limitations. While it can handle unexpected situations and deep snow, it may not perform as well on slushy surfaces. Therefore, if you’re looking for a tire that excels in winter conditions, you may want to explore other options. Overall, the Nitto Ridge Grappler is an excellent choice for those who prioritize durability and off-road performance while still needing acceptable on-road manners.

Toyo Open Country R/T Trail

Toyo Open Country R/T Trail stands out as an exceptional choice for drivers who prioritize stability and top-tier performance. This tire is particularly well-suited for heavy-duty pickups, offering an unmatched driving experience despite its aggressive tread design. Although it lacks the 3PMSF marking, which can affect its wet performance slightly when temperatures drop below 7°C (45°F), it remains a top contender for wet conditions, delivering reliable traction.

When it comes to off-road adventures, the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail truly shines. Its relentless grip on dirt terrain and superior performance on rocky surfaces make it a go-to option. It excels in muddy conditions, surpassing the capabilities of typical all-terrain tires and reducing the risk of getting stuck. Additionally, this tire offers exceptional traction on sand, further enhancing its versatility in challenging environments.

While the Toyo Open Country R/T Trail may not promise an unlimited lifespan, it impresses with its longevity and consistent performance, whether you’re on or off the road. It’s highly recommended for drivers seeking a tire that seamlessly combines functionality and aesthetics, making it an excellent choice for a variety of driving needs.

Falken Wildpeak R/T Review

The Falken Wildpeak R/T is a tire that offers a unique combination of maximum traction capability and long-lasting tread life. It excels in both wet and dry conditions, delivering promising performance. Additionally, it provides excellent stability when towing or hauling heavy loads. Despite not being marked with the 3PMSF symbol, it performs above average in winter conditions.

However, it’s important to note that the Falken Wildpeak R/T can be a bit noisy due to its aggressive tread pattern. Despite this drawback, it remains a solid choice for drivers looking for a tire that can handle a variety of conditions while providing reliable traction and durability.

Kenda Klever R/T

Kenda Klever R/T is a dependable tire for both wet and dry road conditions. It offers a comfortable ride but may generate some noise. Despite lacking the 3PMSF rating, it performs well in various winter conditions except for ice. Thanks to its 3-ply sidewalls, it excels in off-road situations, particularly in rock crawling. While its tread life is not as long as that of all-terrain tires, it outperforms most rugged-terrain tires in terms of longevity.

Cooper Discoverer AT3

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S is a dependable on-road tire known for its excellent handling and 4-season traction. However, due to its soft compound, it may not offer impressive tread life for pickups weighing over 5,000 pounds. This tire features a mild tread pattern, providing a quiet and comfortable ride on the road. However, its performance on rocky terrain may be limited, and it tends to wear quickly on gravel and rock surfaces. Therefore, it may not be suitable for extended use on such terrains. On the bright side, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S comes with strong sidewalls, making it a good choice for occasional off-road adventures.

Vredestein Pinza AT

Vredestein Pinza AT is a comfortable and quiet tire, offering a smooth and noise-free ride. It excels in on-road conditions and performs well on mild off-road terrains such as dirt and gravel. Additionally, this tire has a decent tread life, ensuring longevity. While it provides excellent traction in wet, dry, and snowy conditions, its hydroplaning resistance is slightly below the competition. However, it compensates for this by offering excellent traction on light snow and ice.

Falken Wildpeak AT Trail

Falken Wildpeak AT Trail is an excellent choice if you’re looking to give your vehicle an aggressive appearance. It delivers solid performance on both wet and dry roads. Thanks to its well-optimized tread pattern, it offers a quiet and comfortable ride. The tire also features long-lasting rubber, backed by Falken’s 65,000-mile treadwear warranty. Furthermore, the Falken Wildpeak AT Trail excels in winter conditions, except for deep snow. However, its off-road capability is somewhat limited. While it can handle mild off-road terrain without issue, it’s not recommended for severe off-road conditions.

Michelin Defender LTX MS

Michelin Defender LTX M/S offers exceptional traction on both wet and dry surfaces. It also performs well in light snow and can handle icy conditions. One of its standout features is its long-lasting tread. Surprisingly, it also handles mild off-road terrain quite well. However, it’s worth noting that the ride can be somewhat stiff, and it tends to produce more noise as the tread wears down. Additionally, its performance on loose ground is limited to a few inches of depth.

Continental TerrainContact HT

Continental TerrainContact H/T excels in both dry and wet conditions. It also performs well on light snow and icy surfaces, making it an ideal choice for daily driving. The tire provides a quiet and comfortable ride, and its rubber compound offers impressive longevity. However, it’s important to note that its off-road capability is limited to mild conditions.

Buyer's Guide to Best All Terrain Tires

By Category:

By Size:

By Need:

By Vehicle:

You can click on the links to access the respective articles on tire recommendations.