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Updated on Oct 1, 2024
Are you interested in building the perfect, do-it-all, overlander, or adventure rig? While spending countless funds on long-travel suspension, aftermarket bumpers and lighting upgrades is nice, you can’t forget perhaps the most critical investment–a set of quality all-terrain tires.
Without traction, those inches of travel and lumens of light won’t get you anywhere; that’s why selecting the proper set of tires for your build is essential.
All-terrain tires are the ultimate selection for the overlander or avid weekend warrior, blending the on-road comfort and low noise level of a highway tire with the off-road bite of a mud terrain. However, with all the all-terrain tires on the market today, how do you boil it down to just one?
In this article, RealTruck’s experts delve into the top ten all-terrain tires of the year, including pros, cons, and how to decide which selection is right for you.
BFGoodrich has long since dominated the off-road scene with its mud-terrain KM and all-terrain KO tire lines. As the descendent of the venerable Radial All-Terrain and All-Terrain T/A KO tires, the KO2 shares the same basic tread pattern as its predecessors but features several upgrades to bring BFG’s all-terrain into the 21st century.
Replacing the classic, linear sidewall of the KO is a sleek, modern sidewall design with serrated lugs. The tire features a 20% tougher sidewall than previous generations thanks to CoreGuard MAX technology and a Linear Flex Zone to help the tire better conform to obstacles. Wide, siped, alternating tread lugs provide drivers with excellent traction and confidence on and off the road, leaving us with minimal critiques.
Pros
Excellent on-road manners
Superb dry, wet, and snow traction
Enhanced durability
Classic tread design with attractive new sidewalls
Cons
Slightly higher-than-average noise on some sizes
Introducing the first hybrid tire on the list: the Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx. Hybrid tires burst onto the scene in the early 2010s, filling the void between all-terrain and mud tires. The result is a tire class that performs better in rough terrain than comparable all-terrain tires yet operates quieter on the street than a mud terrain tire; win-win!
The Cooper S/T Maxx follows this formula to a tee, exhibiting excellent road manners and quiet overall performance (albeit barely more audible than conventional all-terrain tires.) In addition, the S/T Maxx performs excellently in wet, dry, snow, and off-road conditions, making the tire a considerable contender.
Pros
Armor Tek 3-ply design
Cut and chip resistant tread blocks
Stone-ejecting technology
Hybrid 4-5 rib design improves treadwear
Cons
Notably louder than comparable A/T tires
The Falken Wildpeak A/T3W is a premium all-terrain offering from Japanese-based Falken, offering excellent performance in all weather conditions. With full tread-depth sipes, 3D canyon sipe technology, and a premium silica tread compound, the Wildpeak A/T3W excels in wet and snowy conditions, earning the tire it's USTMA and TRAC qualifications for the 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake) symbol.
Pros
Tallest tread blocks in its class
3PMSF certified
Full tread depth sipes
Silica tread compound
55,000-mile treadwear
Cons
Exceedingly heavy
Moderate road noise
Moderately stiff ride
From leading wheel company Fuel Off-Road comes a patented line of truck tires, including the Fuel Gripper A/T. This tire features a rugged design, including Fuel’s “F” logo incorporated into the tight central tread design. In addition, sizable outer tread lugs help the tire easily tackle even the most demanding off-road terrain.
The tire includes circumferential grooves and advanced siping technologies, providing motorists with excellent traction in dry and wet conditions. A double-ply polyester casing ensures a smooth, stable high-speed experience and comfortable on-road manners.
Pros
Tight center tread blocks for quiet operation
Durably 2 ply polyester casing
Stylish design
Siped tread blocks for enhanced wet performance
Cons
Moderate road noise
May take additional weight to balance
General’s Grabber A/TX is a favorite among weekend warriors and off-road enthusiasts, thanks to the tire’s excellent road manners and superior off-road traction. The tire’s wide tread blocks make for smooth and quiet street use, while the siping maximizes ground contact in all conditions for excellent performance in dry, wet, and snowy conditions.
Aggressive side walls surround each tire, providing extra bite in extreme conditions. In addition, when aired down, the sidewalls effectively form additional tread blocks, allowing even better traction across slippery rocks and other surfaces.
Pros
Aggressive tread design
Quiet on-road
Excellent road manners
Exceptional off-road performance
Balance easily
Stabilitread chip and cut resistance
Cons
No notable cons to report
Bursting onto the scene in 2016, the Nitto Ridge Grappler is a favorite in the hybrid tire movement. This tire was engineered as a direct competitor for similar hybrid-style tires like the Toyo RT and Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx. Combining the features of all-terrain and mud-terrain tires, the Nitto Ridge Grappler offers smooth and quiet on-road comfort and excellent off-road performance, all wrapped into a rugged design.
From a design standpoint, reversible sidewall lugs line either side of the tire, allowing you to display a mild or wild aesthetic. Looking head-on at the tire, the specially-formulated variable-pitch tread pattern reduces noise at highway speeds. Lateral Z-grooves help to clear mud and maintain traction, ensuring adequate grip in any conditions.
Pros
Excellent road manners
Reversible sidewall design
Variable-pitch tread patterns reduce noise
Lateral Z-grooves for increased traction
Cons
Relatively heavy
Only adequate performance in deep mud
Now in its second iteration, the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 shares several characteristics of the original Terra Grappler, including large, angular tread blocks and a zig-zag sidewall design reminiscent of a lightning bolt. Unlike the first iteration, however, the G2 features an all-new compound for exceptional treadwear, rating the tire for 65,000 miles.
Though not as aggressive as some entries on the list, the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 still performs adequately in severe weather thanks to the full-depth sipes and staggered shoulder lugs. Reinforced coupling joints also support the tire’s carcass, making for a heavy-duty construction that increases block edge rigidity.
Pros
Reversible sidewall design
Reinforced coupling joints
Full tread depth sipes
Quiet on the road
65,000-mile treadwear
Cons
Not as capable in deep, muddy conditions
While the Open Country A/T II is currently being phased out of production by the A/T III, this previous-generation tire is still readily available from most retailers. A favorite amongst pickup, SUV, and Jeep enthusiasts alike, the Toyo Open Country A/T II tire offers an excellent blend of off and on-road traction due to the tire’s polygonal tread blocks and zig-zag sipes.
With a slew of other features like a rugged sidewall design, deep tread grooves, a wear-resistant compound, and tie bars between the individual tread blocks, the Toyo A/T II is one of the toughest and most popular tires on the list.
Pros
Deep tread grooves
Heavy-duty tire compound
Zig-zag sipes for improved traction
Quiet on-road performance
Cons
Moderate road noise
Relatively heavy
Arguably the tire that kicked off the hybrid movement is the Toyo Open Country R/T. This tire first launched in 2014, fulfilling the open market between A/T and M/T tires. Rather than conforming to the characteristics of existing tire classes, the R/T combines the on-road comfort of Toyo’s A/T line with the off-road performance of its M/T tire.
With aggressive scalloped shoulder blocks, stone and mud ejectors, open tread blocks, and robust 3-ply polyester construction, the R/T is engineered to perform in extreme conditions. However, the tire’s sipes and tread pattern are optimized for on-road comfort, ensuring a quiet, controlled ride on the street.
Pros
Rugged sidewalls
Open tread blocks with stone ejectors
Excellent on and off-road handling characteristics
Durable 3-ply polyester construction
Cons
Average performance in snow
All-terrain tires are the jack-of-all-trades of tires; as the name suggests, they function well in all types of terrain. However, some all-terrain tires perform specific tasks better than others, including road manners, off-road grip, tread wear, and traction in snow and icy conditions. These are some of the main criteria to consider when selecting a set of all-terrain tires.
Factors such as treadwear, noise, ride quality, and fuel efficiency are critical for the average driver who spends most of their time on the road. Generally, all-terrain tires with less aggressive tread patterns and silica compounds provide excellent on-road performance and treadwear. Consider sticking with a tire like the Nitto Terra Grappler G2 or the Cooper Discoverer A/TX in these cases.
For the weekend warrior or avid off-roader, you’ll likely focus on off-road traction, specifically in the snow if you live in a Northern part of the country. Tires best suited for this driving style include aggressive tread lugs, rigid sidewalls, rock ejectors, sipes, and durable carcasses. Tires fitting this description include the Cooper S/T Maxx and the Toyo R/T–two of the hybrid options on the list.
Without a doubt, 100%, the answer to this commonly asked question is YES. Proper tires make a world of difference, whether you’re considering comfort or traction. All-terrain tires have substantially more grip than highway tires, allowing your vehicle to claw and gouge its way through challenging terrain. Proper tires are one of, if not the most important purchases you can make on your vehicle.
While there’s no set answer, it’s safe to assume that all-terrain tires typically last between 45,000-65,000 miles. Of course, this depends on various factors, including the weight of your vehicle, the driving you usually do, the terrain you generally drive across, whether or not you tow, and how regularly you rotate your tires and service your vehicle’s suspension. In ideal conditions, it’s not uncommon for all-terrain tires to last as long as comparable highway tires.
Once again, the answer to this common question varies. Some all-terrain tires, such as the Falken Wildpeak AT/3, pass USTMA and TRAC qualifications to receive the 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake) symbol for excellent snow traction. Whereas this tire can easily handle snowy conditions, other all-terrains may not be well-suited. If snow and ice traction is a concern, confirm that your top selection has received a 3PMSF rating.
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