The Best Off-Road Truck Wheels

What Makes for a Good Off-Road Wheel?

There are several qualities an off-road wheel should possess that set it apart from other wheels. Before getting into our top-ten list, let’s look closer at those traits. 

Dependability

First, and most importantly, is dependability. Off-roading takes you to remote places, far removed from tire shops and tow trucks. If you have an issue on the trail, like breaking or bending a wheel beyond repair, you better hope you have a spare tire. For this reason, selecting a dependable wheel is imperative. That means a wheel you can count on that isn’t likely to crack, bend, or break under the pressures of off-roading.

Common Constructions

When it comes to dependability, it’s best to pick a wheel that’s manufactured from high-strength alloys. The three most common constructions include cast aluminum, forged aluminum, and steel. While all three materials have their place on an off-road rig, each features unique characteristics and benefits. 

Steel wheels, for example, are highly durable. However, they trade this strength for heft. Steel wheels are undoubtedly the heaviest on the market, and all that unsprung weight can impact off-road performance, especially at higher speeds. 

On the other hand, cast aluminum wheels are far lighter than comparable steel wheels. However, the loose grain structure of cast aluminum means that the alloy is less durable and more susceptible to cracks under extreme impacts. 

Forged aluminum wheels are the best of both worlds, offering exceptional strength and low overall weight. So, what’s the downside? Check the price tag. Forged aluminum wheels are far more expensive than cast aluminum or steel, making every nick, rock rash, or bend all the more painful.

Variable Sizing

Next on the list is variable sizing. After all, what good is a strong, lightweight, and budget-minded wheel if it doesn’t come in your required specifications? When shopping for off-road wheels, it’s best to find an option with several sizes and offsets, ensuring compatibility with your chassis and suspension setup. 

Note: When selecting a size, factor in clearances on your bumpers, sliders, fenders, and suspension components.

Low Weight

As we touched on previously, lightweight wheels are typically preferred for off-roading, as heavier wheels add unnecessary unsprung weight that can seriously hamper off-road performance. While weight is less of a concern for low-speed wheelers like crawlers, the effects of heavy wheels will become increasingly evident at higher speeds. 

Bead Gripping Capabilities

While it may look like a tire seals against the outer lip of your wheel, the actual mating surface is positioned further inwards on the barrel. The bead mating surface catches and holds the tire bead for an air-tight seal. 

The shape and design of the bead mating surface directly correlate with the strength of the tire’s seal against the wheel. For that reason, manufacturers have devised several bead mating surface styles, offering levels of sealing and grip. As a rule of thumb, the more grip, the better—especially on an off-road application. A stronger bead grip allows drivers to air down their tires to lower pressures without the risk of blowing a bead. Doing so enlarges the tire’s footprint and allows it to conform to obstacles for improved traction. 

So, what are the styles of bead mating surfaces?

Bead Styles

Bead mating surfaces come in three primary styles—traditional, bead grip, and bead lock. 

Traditional bead mating surfaces are smooth and tapered, allowing easy tire installation and removal. While more than capable of gripping a tire at high pressures, airing down to anything below approximately 12–16 psi often results in a blown bead. 

Next, bead grip wheels feature grooved beads with steeper tapers, which better grip the tire bead without resorting to a full beadlock. Bead grip wheels can typically handle tire pressures as low as eight psi. 

Lastly, the tried and tested beadlock wheel features a two-piece outer lip that effectively “locks” the tire bead into place. While this design makes debeading nearly impossible, even at pressures as low as 5–6 psi, true beadlocks are not DOT-approved for street use. They’re also heavy and prone to leakage.

Pricing

Most enthusiasts operate on realistic budgets. While that figure may look different to everyone, as a rule of thumb, we’d recommend outfitting your off-road rig with wheels that aren’t outlandishly pricey. After all, cracking a 1,000-dollar forged wheel also hurts a lot more than bending an 80-dollar steelie.

Top Off-Road Truck Wheels

And now, onto the meat of this guide. Our experts have compiled a list of the top ten off-road wheels, including various constructions, finishes, and styles. While one style may suit your ride better than another, each wheel on this list is plenty durable to withstand most abuse on the trail.

Best Traditional Off-Road Wheels (Non-Bead-Grip or Beadlock)

In this section, we cover the top off-road wheels implementing traditional bead mating surfaces, as opposed to bead-grip or beadlock technologies. These selections are ideal for vehicles that primarily perform street driving duties but see the occasional off-road trail. 

Pro Comp Matte Black 69 Vintage Wheels

First on our list is a classic cast aluminum, bullet-hole style wheel—the Pro Comp Matte Black 69 Vintage. This premium wheel is lightweight and durable, ideal for off-road applications where unsprung weight is a concern. While the wheel doesn't feature any bead-grip or beadlock technologies, mild airing down is perfectly acceptable to gain traction off-road. This wheel features a sleek, black finish that’s not only aggressive but also corrosion-resistant. After all, who has time to polish the wheels on their off-road rig? 

Pro Comp backs the Matte Black 69 Vintage Wheels with a 2-year finish and lifetime structural warranty against defects. If you break one during normal use, contact Pro Comp for a warranty replacement.  

Features: 

• Flat black finish

• Bullet hole design

• Concave style

• "Stepped" wheel lip

• "Pro Comp" center cap

• 2-year finish warranty

• Lifetime structural warranty

Icon Titanium Rebound Wheels

Icon is a well-known name in off-road motorsports, specializing in lift kits, performance dampers, and even off-road wheels. The Icon Rebound in a titanium finish is a striking and stylish cast aluminum wheel featuring a titanium multi-spoke face and black simulated beadlock ring for contrast. Not only is this simulated ring stylish but it also offers a layer of protection for your tire’s bead, preventing de-beading from wedged rocks and hard hits. 

Icon backs its Titanium Rebound Wheels with a 1-year finish and a limited lifetime structural warranty. If the wheels incur structural damage under normal use, Icon has you covered. 

Features: 

• Titanium finish

• Black bead ring

• Simulated beadlock style

• Concave face design

• Brand name engraved in one spoke

• Eight spoked wheel

• "Icon" center cap

• 1-year finish warranty

• Limited lifetime structural warranty

Pro Comp Matte Black 252 Street Lock Wheels

When it comes to low-speed crawling and backwoods brawling, nothing beats the inexpensive and durable nature of a classic steel wheel, like the Pro Comp 252 Street Lock in matte black. These durable wheels are constructed entirely from carbon steel, ensuring maximum strength. While heavier than similar cast aluminum offerings, steel wheels are far less likely to crack on the trail.

These wheels feature an iconic D-Window design with a simulated beadlock ring and zinc-plated hardware for maximum corrosion resistance. Pro Comp backs the Matte Black 252 Street Lock Wheels with a 2-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects.

Features: 

• Flat black finish

• Deep lipped style

• Concave face

• Ten solid spokes

• Simulated beadlock style

• Does NOT include lug nuts

• Does NOT include a center cap

• 2-year limited warranty

Rugged Ridge® Grey Trail Runner Classic Wheels

For classic styling and dependable steel construction, it’s tough to beat the Rugged Ridge® Grey Trail Runner Classic Wheels. Featuring a slick, vintage-inspired, five-window design, these wheels are the perfect complement for any off-road-ready truck. A gunmetal finish provides more depth than conventional black paint, creating a sleek contrast between the wheel and the tire. 

Heavy-duty steel construction ensures maximum durability on the trail and years of dependable service. Rugged Ridge backs each Trail Runner Classic wheel with a limited 1-year finish warranty and limited lifetime structural warranty. 

Features: 

• Heavy-duty steel construction

• Gunmetal finish

• Classic windowed design

• 1-year finish warranty

• Limited lifetime structural warranty

Best Bead-Grip Wheels

This section covers the top off-road truck wheels featuring bead-grip technology, offering exceptional off-road capabilities—even when aired down. These wheels are ideal for vehicles that balance on and off-road driving.

Method Matte Black 703 Wheels

If full beadlocks are a bit extreme for your build or if you plan to drive on the street, consider the Method Matte Black 703 wheels the perfect middle ground. These wheels feature a rugged cast aluminum construction and a sleek, 12-spoke face for a stylish aesthetic. However, unlike most other cast aluminum truck wheels, they pack a unique trait. 

Along the wheel’s bead seat lie several ridges engineered to grip the tire’s bead, preventing it from sliding off while aired down. As a result, you can air your tires down further than with conventional wheels without investing in a set of full beadlocks. 

Method backs the Matte Black 703 Wheels with a 1-year finish and limited lifetime structural warranty. If a wheel incurs damage due to manufacturing defects under normal use, Method has you covered.  

Features: 

• Matte black finish

• Slight concave face

• 12-spoke design

• Reinforced inner lip

• Exposed lug center

• Replaceable and customizable snap-in center cap

• Solid cast-aluminum construction

• 1-year finish warranty

• Lifetime structural warranty

Icon Bronze Rebound Pro Wheels

Introducing the Icon Rebound Pro—an innovative new wheel design sporting Icon Vehicle Dynamics’ patented Interlock Technology. Unlike traditional Bead Gripping wheels, which utilize ribbed bead seats for superior slip resistance, Icon’s Interlock bead-retention technology features several hardened, O-ring-sealed, threaded pins that, once inserted radially into the front lip of the wheel, prevent the tire from slipping off the bead. 

This innovative technology, paired with their durable and lightweight cast aluminum construction, timeless eight-spoke face, and rugged bronze finish, make Icon Rebound Pro Wheels the ideal addition to any overlander or weekend wheeler. 

Features: 

• Lightweight cast aluminum construction 

• Bronze finish

• 8-spoke, concave face

• Stepped lip

• "InnerLock" technology

• Debossed branding on spoke

• "Icon" center cap

• 1-year finish warranty

• Lifetime structural warranty

Best True Beadlock Wheels

Lastly, we have true bead lock wheels. Due to the high weight, propensity to leak, and lack of DOT approval, bead locks are best reserved for vehicles that drive off-road exclusively.

Method Matte Black 105 Beadlock Wheels

Moving onto the higher end of the spectrum, let’s take a look at our first genuine beadlock entry on the list—the Method 105 Beadlock in a stealthy matte black finish. These rugged wheels are non-DOT approved and engineered exclusively for off-road use. They’re constructed from high-strength A356 aluminum alloy, comparable in strength and corrosion resistance to 6061 T-6 aircraft aluminum.  

Unlike the previous wheels on this list, the Method 105 is a genuine beadlock wheel featuring a removable outer ring that clamps the tire’s bead between the ring and the wheel, preventing de-beading regardless of how low the tire gets on air. This design allows you to air down on the trail for maximum off-road performance—just don’t forget a pump to air back up once you’re through the obstacle.  

Features: 

• Matte black finish

• Hub-centric center bore

• Durable A356 aluminum construction

• Lightweight and TPMS-compatible

• Decorative center cap

• Matte black forged beadlock ring

• Grade 8 zinc-plated mounting hardware

• Machined logo

• For offroad use only/not DOT-approved

Black Rhino Silver Primm Beadlock Wheels

Black Rhino is a prominent name in the off-road wheel game, specializing in high-end, off-road-ready wheels in simulated beadlock and true beadlock designs. The Black Rhino Silver Primm Beadlock backs the familiar styling of the company’s traditional Primm Wheels with the addition of a functional beadlock ring for superior off-road performance. 

Construction-wise, the Primm Beadlock employs lightweight and durable cast aluminum with a lustrous machined finish. The multi-spoke face pulls inspiration directly from Baja racing, ensuring not only exceptional off-road performance but also the looks to match. 

Black Rhino backs the Primm Beadlock with a limited 1-year finish warranty and a limited lifetime structural warranty. 

Features: 

• Cast aluminum construction

• Machined face and lip

• Multi-spoke baja-inspired styling

• Clear zinc-plated beadlock hardware

• 1-year finish warranty

• Limited lifetime structural warranty

• For offroad use only/not DOT-approved

Fuel Red Zephyr Beadlock Wheels

Spice up your off-road rig with the Fuel Zephyr Beadlock finished in a striking candy red powder coat. The Zephyr features a stylish, multi-window face that looks great on any application. A black bolt-on center cap offers subtle styling and covers any unsightly corrosion on your vehicle’s hubs. 

Featuring a robust cast aluminum construction, the Fuel Zephyr Beadlock is built to perform. Genuine beadlock technology ensures the tire bead never slips, regardless of air pressure. While not legal for road use, the Fuel Red Zephyr is the perfect addition to any off-road-exclusive rig. 

Fuel backs the Zephyr Beadlock with a limited lifetime structural warranty and 1-year finish warranty.  

Features: 

• Dependable cast aluminum construction

• Aggressive off-road design with true beadlock technology

• Candy red finish 

• Ornate multi-window face

• Matte black bolt-on center cap

• Offered in many sizes, bolt patterns, and offsets

• For offroad use only/not DOT-approved

• Limited 1-year finish warranty

• Limited lifetime structural warranty

KMC Matte Black KM235 Grenade Crawl Beadlock Wheels

Check out the KMC KM235 Grenade Crawl Beadlock—a durable beadlock wheel featuring a stylish multi-spoke face paired with genuine beadlock technology. 

The off-road-ready KMC KM235 is built to perform and manufactured from high-grade cast aluminum for superior strength and durability. This lightweight alloy also reduces unsprung weight, aiding handling characteristics. A matte black face offers stealthy aesthetics, while the raw machined beadlock ring helps to hide gouges and scrapes from trail abuse. 

Features: 

• Durable cast aluminum construction 

• Matte black finish

• Machined beadlock lip

• Eight split-spoke face

• "KMC" center cap

• For offroad use only/not DOT-approved