Home / Motoring / Buying Guides

The Best All-Terrain Tires Money Can Buy

Because you should give your 4Runner or Gladiator the fancy rubber it deserves.

all terrain tiresGear Patrol

By Tyler Duffy

Published

·

Updated

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Having the best tires is crucial for your car’s performance, whether you’re on the last lap at Spa-Francorchamps or trying to make it home in the snow. Tires are especially critical for off-roading, where vehicles tackle a wide variety of terrains and weather conditions. Extreme off-roaders opt for big, chunky maximum-traction tires. These tires look great and can deliver results on the trail. But since they’re not designed for on-road use, they can be all you hear on the ride home.

What most occasionally off-roading truck and SUV owners are looking for are the best all-terrain tires. AT tires are the stock tires found on most off-road trucks and SUVs, which can handle almost all of the rough stuff on Saturdays yet still work well during the weekday work commute.

Products in the Guide

  • Best Overall All-Terrain Tire: BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

    Read more

  • Best Budget All-Terrain Tire: General Grabber A/TX

    Read more

  • Best All-Terrain Tire for Durability: Toyo Open Country A/T III

    Read more

  • Best All-Terrain Tire for Snow: Falken WildPeak A/T3W

    Read more

  • Best All-Terrain Tire for Crossovers: Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015

    Read more

  • Best All-Terrain Tire for Gravel: Nokian Outpost AT All Terrain Tire

    Read more

All-Terrain Tires: What to Look for

Size: First of all, make sure you order the correct size tire for your vehicle and rims (Note: not all tires will be available in all sizes). The correct tire size can be found on the tire itself. It should also be listed on a sticker inside the driver’s side door.

Snow Performance: All-terrain tires can be used in the snow. They do not need to be swapped for winter tires. But they aren’t as good for the wet stuff as specially-designed winter snow tires. Look for tires with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF), which are rated for performance in severe snowy conditions.

Durability: All-terrain tires should last for around 40,000 miles, which is more than MT tires. But they are softer and less durable than standard road tires, which can last for around 60,000 or longer. You also want tires with robust sidewalls to avoid punctures.

On-Road Performance: All-terrain tires are designed for road use. But because of their block tread patterns, all-terrain tires tend to be louder than all-season tires. The higher the tire quality, the less that is likely to be an issue. All-terrain tires can also be less grippy than road tires on pavement and affect gas mileage.

Pros

  • New tread compound resists cuts chips and tears
  • Sidewall rubber is twice as thick as previous version for added protection
  • Serrated shoulder claws for extra grip when tires are aired down

Cons

  • DT branded tires use a different compound and are not 3PMSF certified
  • Warranty shorter than competitors
  • Warranty: 6 years/50,000 miles
  • 3PMSF: Yes (Non-DT)
  • Sizes: 15″ to 22″

These are BF Goodrich’s toughest all-terrain tires. They have a Baja 1000-race-derived tread compound that resists cuts, chips and tears. The computer-optimized tread compound guards the core against protruding objects. Want proof of pedigree? These are the stock all-terrain tires for the Ford F-150 Raptor and the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon.

Pros

  • Absorption layer and acoustic tread pattern provide better ride quality
  • Stone bumpers help eject rocks and debris
  • Can add studs for extra ice and snow traction

Cons

  • Some reviewers have complained about noise level
  • Warranty: 6 years/ 60,000 miles
  • 3PMSF: Yes
  • Sizes: 14″ to 22″

General’s Grabber A/TX tire is a great affordable option for pickup trucks, full-size SUVs and vans. It’s designed to perform off-road while still handling and sounding civilized on-road. It comes with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol rating it for severe snow duty and a 60,000-mile warranty. The tires can accept optional metal studs for use on ice and snow.

Pros

  • Cut and chip resistant compound
  • Long 65,000-mile warranty
  • Wet-traction focused compound and lateral grooves protect against hydroplaning
  • Multiple options for customizing sidewalls and appearance

Cons

  • Tire Rack reviewer thought wet traction could be better
  • Warranty: 5 years/65,000 miles
  • 3PMSF: Yes
  • Sizes: 15″ to 22″

These Toyo Open Country AT tires emphasize durability and treadwear life — and they come backed with an impressive 65,000-mile warranty that’s longer than most competitors. They also have a wet-traction-focused compound and big lateral grooves for hydroplaning resistance. There are multiple sidewall options for a high or low-profile look.

Pros

  • Support ramps and step downs help prevent trapped stones from damaging tire
  • Aggressive upper sidewall shields from sharp debris and enhances traction
  • Heat diffusing technology helps keep tires cooler when towing and hauling

Cons

  • Tire Rack reviewer noted a firm ride and unresponsive steering
  • Warranty: 5 years/55,000 miles
  • 3PMSF: Yes
  • Sizes: 15″ to 22″

These Falken tires are renowned for their exceptional performance during long, snowy winters. Aggressive sidewalls help protect the tire and enhance traction. The tires also include heat diffusion technology to reduce heat while towing and hauling. That said, they are a bit heavy, which can hamper fuel economy. They are the stock A/T tires for the Ram 1500 with the 4×4 Off-Road package.

Pros

  • Deep circumferential grooves protect against hydroplaning
  • Symmetric tread design reduces treadwear
  • 3D Sipes and lug grooves improve bite in light snow

Cons

  • Tire Rack noted noise and movement over rough pavement impacts
  • Warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles
  • 3PMSF: Yes
  • Sizes: 15″ to 22″

These Yokohama Geolandar tires aren’t going to be your number one choice for hard-edged rock crawling. But they deliver the strong all-around performance, durability, and quietness of the bigger-name competitor tires while costing a bit less. These are the stock AT tires for the Subaru Outback Wilderness.

Pros

  • Canyon Cuts and Gravel Guards for loose surfaces
  • Aramid reinforced sidewalls
  • Warranty protects against potholes

Cons

  • Nokian tires aren't available from some North American retailers
  • Warranty: 60,000 miles
  • 3PMSF: Yes
  • Sizes: 15″ to 22″

The Nokian Tires Oupost AT features an aggressive tread pattern designed to thrive in all conditions with Gravel Guards that throw rocks and stones out of the tread pattern. The sidewalls are Aramid-reinforced. The tires also come with Nokian’s pothole protection warranty.

goodyear wrangler all terrain adventure with kevlarTirerack

Best All-Terrain Tire with Kevlar: Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar

Pros

  • Kevlar in internal structure adds strength and durability
  • Durawall tech protects sidewall from cuts and punctures
  • Open shoulder blocks and traction ridges help clear mud and snow

Cons

  • They say "Wrangler" on them which could offend owners of rival vehicles
  • Narrower size range than other tires on the list
  • Warranty: 6 years/60,000 miles
  • 3PMSF: Yes (Pro Grade only)
  • Sizes: 16″ to 20″

These Goodyear treads have aggressive treading for off-road use, as well as layers of Dupont’s Kevlar — the material used in body armor and some motorcycle gear — for extra protection and durability. These are the stock tires for the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road and, with a different label, the Ford Bronco.

Pros

  • Aqua Vac channels help avoid hydroplaning
  • Snow Groove tech keeps snow in the tire to facilitate snow on snow traction
  • Micro gauge zig zag sipes create biting for extra grip
  • Long 65,000-mile warranty

Cons

  • Tire Rack reviewer complained of a firm ride and lack of steering engagement
  • Warranty: 6 years/65,000 miles
  • 3PMSF: Yes
  • Sizes: 15″ to 22″

The Discoverer AT3 aims to be a great all-around tire for pickup trucks, crossovers and full-size SUVs on any terrain. In the wet, Aqua Vac channels shed water in the wet to guard against hydroplaning. And Zig-zag sipes create a biting edge for enhanced traction. The Discoverer AT3 has a 3PMSF symbol for snow performance and super-long 65,000-mile warranty.

Pros

  • Cut and chip resistant tread compound
  • Symmetric and high-void tread pattern helps achieve quiet operation on-road
  • Grooves and independent tread blocks help clawing in loose terrain

Cons

  • Tire Rack reviewer complained about tire becoming unsettled over large or repetitive bumps
  • Size range is narrower than other tires on this list
  • Warranty: Unlimited/50,000 miles
  • 3PMSF: Yes
  • Sizes: 16″ to 20″

Pirelli is the tire manufacturer for Formula 1. These tires aren’t the most extreme all-terrain treads out there, but they are designed to deliver strong performance in slippery conditions and still offer a smooth, comfortable on-road ride in the dry. Rivian uses a tailored version of the Pirelli Scorpion AT tires on the R1T pickup. The size range is narrower than other tires on the list.

Pros

  • Claim to have much higher durability over gravel
  • Footprint shape protects against uneven treadwear
  • Comfort Control tech to help reduce road noise

Cons

  • Low profile appearance means they don't look as cool or aggressive as other tires
  • Not 3PMSF rated for snow performance
  • Warranty: 6 years/60,000 miles
  • 3PMSF: No
  • Sizes: 16″ to 20″

These Michelin AT tires balance all-terrain traction with on-road performance and claim to last 35 percent longer than the competition on gravel. These tires have a lower profile appearance that is less aggressive than competitors. The size range is also narrower than several other tires on this list.

, , ,