Drivers can have the best of both worlds with all-terrain tires. Having open tread design for off-road tires, they can handle back on the road very well. When you need an excellent quality tire that runs all year round, mainly if you live in rural areas, these are still a good option.
Given the strength and versatility offered by these, the market is flooded with multiple options for these tires. It may be challenging for you to differentiate between high and low-quality tires, especially when purchasing them online when you are just relying on a few pictures and descriptions uploaded by the manufacturer.
Luckily, we have pondered for quite a lot of time and battered the internet to find a bunch of best all-terrain tires for our readers. Below are some of our top picks available in the market readily. Some common FAQs are also addressed at the end of this guide, that reassures your confidence in choosing the appropriate set for you.
Best All Terrain Tires in 2020 Reviews
1. Hankook DynaPro AT-M
A large enough surface area is offered by the symmetrical tread design of this tire provides the ultimate grip to your vehicle on almost all kinds of surfaces. Simultaneously, the tire stands firm against any irregular wear and tear as well. The wraparound tread design offers optimized traction on both snow and mud, and against guard cuts. Stone ejectors are also featured in these tires that protect the wheel against any potential damage caused by stone drilling.
The tire is, in fact, very sturdy, being reinforced by the dual internal steel belts in it. DynaPro tires give a smooth ride, while the rim flange also protects against any curb damage. All such features come together, making this tire a very safe and sturdy option, which is reliable to be used on both regular streets and off the beaten track.
Key Characteristics:
- Stone ejectors featured
- Suitable for cans, light pickups, and SUVs
- Reinforced by steel belts inside the tires
- Curb damage prevented by rim flange protectors
- Symmetrical, wraparound tread design provides grip and large surface area
- Remarkable traction provided on most hazardous surfaces like snow and mud
Specifications:
- Brand: Hankook
- Model: Dynapro Atm Rf10
- Weight: 31.8 pounds
2. General Tire Grabber AT2
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3. Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S
The silica enhances tread of these tires is molded in a proportionally balances design that features rounded edge intermediary blocks, sculpted shoulder blocks, and staggered center blocks. This combination allows the tires to perform well on any kind of surface. The multi-stepped grooves provide a large surface area on treads that give maximum possible traction, particularly on loose surfaces like gravel.
The sidewall protectors positioned in a way such that scrapes and cuts from stones or any other potentially damaging items are fended off, benefiting the tires ultimately. The internal structure of these tires is also reinforced by dual steel belts that are wrapped in high-quality nylon providing maximum stability.
Key Characteristics:
- On-road handling combined with off-road traction
- Even tread wear and excellent mileage provided
- Best for SUVs and pickup trucks
- Silica enhanced tread
- Symmetrical tread pattern
- Sidewall defenders placed strategically to protect against damaging cuts and scraps
Specifications:
- Brand: Yokohama
- Model: Geolandar A/T-S
- Weight: 28.9 pounds
4. Dick Cepek Fun Country
These tires do precisely what their name says – make your country drive fun! The tire is designed to be somewhere between a mud terrain tire and a traditional all-terrain tire. This makes it a little more efficient in terms of grip over slippery surfaces compared to other all-terrain tired available.
These tires are developed for SUVs and pickup trucks, and the deep, symmetrical tread design brings in the broadest possible surface area, hence bringing in remarkable traction as well. They are combined with stone kickers placed cautiously that allow the driver to be satisfied with their vehicle being protected from stone drilling, cuts, and scrapes. Dick Cepek's patented DC side biters are also featured in the tire, providing additional protection on loose surfaces in addition to a rugged, appealing outlook.
Key Characteristics:
- Remarkable traction on loose, slippery surfaces
- Best for SUVs and pickup trucks
- Maximum cover and traction provided by the deep, symmetrical tread design
- Tread pattern between mud-terrain and traditional all-terrain tire designs
- Extra traction provided by patented DC side-biters
- Attractive, rugged design
- Protected by stone kickers from scrapes, stone drilling, and cuts
Specifications:
- Brand: Dick Cepek
- Model: Fun Country
- Weight: 50 pounds
5. Firestone Destination A/T
A continuous center rib is featured in the symmetrical tread patters, with wrap-around shoulder and individual intermediate blocks that combine to provide the required grip for off-road driving along with precise handling necessary for navigating through highways successfully.
Nylon wrapped twin steel cords are used to reinforce each tire that rests on a polyester cord. This makes sure that a smooth ride is provided, which might not be possible with a pure off-road tire. Finally, these are perhaps the most customizable tire options on this list as it is available in three sidewalls styling options that you can choose from as per your liking.
Key Characteristics:
- Reinforced by dual steel belts
- Tread surface enhanced by carbon
- Best for Jeeps, pickup trucks and SUVs
- Maximum traction provided by the deep, symmetrical tread design
- Available with three different sidewall styles making it highly customizable
- Excellent on-road handling combined with an excellent off-road performance by the tire tread design
Specifications:
- Brand: Firestone
- Model: Destination A/T
- Weight: 31.8 pounds
6. Goodyear Wrangler Radial Tire
The Wrangler Radial is designed with pickup trucks in mind, offering a one year warranty that shows how much confidence the company has on its product. For quite a low price, the company has found the perfect balance for efficient fuel consumption and sufficient off-road grip. Being a good all-rounder, Goodyear is worth it and should be given a try.
Key Characteristics:
- All-rounder tires
- One year warranty offered
- Designed especially for pickup trucks
- Most weather conditions and terrains managed comfortably
- Efficient fuel consumption compared to other similar tires in the market
- Excellent off-road traction provided by large tread blocks
- One of the most cost-effective options available
Specifications:
- Brand: Goodyear
- Model: Wrangler Radial
- Weight: 27.6 pounds
7. Falken Wildpeak AT3W All-Terrain Radial Tire
This tire performs particularly well in the snow. You get maximum traction with its radial tread design, allowing you to pass through severe conditions reliably and safely. The Rubber Manufacturers Association has qualified these tires to stand the Three Peak Mountain snow symbol. This shows that they are also open to cope with severe snow environments. The company’s trademarked 3D Canyon sipes enhance its grip significantly and preserve an efficient performance consistently, lasting throughout the lifespan of the tires.
Key Characteristics:
- Wear and tear resisted by silica tread
- Designed especially for SUVs and pickup trucks
- Excellent traction provided by the radial tread
- Qualified for use in heavy snow by the Rubber Manufacturer’s association
- Traction enhanced by 3D Canyon sipes and tire performance ensured throughout its life
Specifications:
- Brand: Falken
- Model: Wildpeak AT3W
- Weight: 47.8 pounds
8. BFGoodrich All-Terrain Radial Tire
Having a large footprint, that combines with its high-void tread design, the tires are enabled to achieve the best possible grip on slippery and varying surfaces. Since these are mud-terrain tires, they are best for off-road driving compared to highways. Nevertheless, they offer precise and secure handling on the road as well. However, these would not be recommended for long highway routes since they are not very fuel-efficient tires.
The tires have a TriGuard polyester carcass that offers excellent safety against bruises and punctures. This is further combined with rim protectors deflecting hazardous objects both on and off-road. These mud-terrain tires are exceptionally efficient to climb on slick and rocky surfaces and are one of the most excellent options for drivers who frequently scramble about an off-road territory.
Key Characteristics:
- High void tread design, large footprint
- Best for pickup trucks
- Best for muddy and rocky surfaces
- Polyester carcass protects against bruises and punctures
- Traction maintained by the self-cleaning treads
- Off-road capabilities combined with excellent road handling
- Hazardous objects deflected by rim protectors
- A good option for muddy and rocky surfaces
Specifications:
- Brand: BFGoodrich
- Model: Mud-terrain T/A KM
- Weight: 46.5 pounds
9. Cooper Discoverer A/T3 Traction Radial Tire
However, they can hold on to their soft ground as well. This is ensured by the broken center rib of the tire, which enables it to gain a grip over smooth and muddy surfaces. The tires are designed such that they protect it from retention and stone drilling, hence preventing against punctures and resisting chips.
The tires work well on snow a well – the tread design enables the storm to roll off straight, so there’s no compromise over traction in such a challenging environment. Finally, regardless of their rugged attributes and appearance, thee tires drive well on normal roads as well.
Key Characteristics:
- Aggressive tread design
- Resistant to cuts, punctures, and chips
- Coated with silica for grip over muddy and wet surfaces
- Best for pickup trucks
- Can run on most terrains including snow, rocky, muddy, gravely and normal roads
- Maximum surface area and traction provided by the tread design
Specifications:
- Brand: Cooper Tire
- Model: Discoverer A/T3
- Weight: 41 pounds
10. Nitto Terra Grappler G2 Traction Radial Tire
Manufactured in the US, these tires have a tread design offering remarkable traction during both snow and rain. Produced using high-quality material, they are very durable, and many customers report that these tires last through thousands of miles of adventurous drive, displaying their versatility.
Finally, the tires also have a very appealing appearance; this may be a minor factor. Still, it is worth remembering that all-terrain tires can accompany your vehicle to any destination you head towards.
Key Characteristics:
- Attractive outlook
- Remarkable traction during both snow and rain
- Durable last for countless miles
- Handles well on regular roads with less noise
- Suitable for pickup trucks
- Manufacture in the USA
Specifications:
- Brand: Nitto
- Model: Terra Grappler G2
- Weight: 40.8 pounds
Buying Guide for Best All Terrain Tires
We just talked about the best all-terrain tires available in the market right now. Having so many options, it can be challenging to understand which tire will live up to your needs the best. To solve this problem, we have brought you this comprehensive guide addressing your common questions about these versatile kits.
Features to Look for When Buying All-Terrain Tires
It depends on the usage of your vehicle, which features you must address when buying all-terrain tires. Following is the list of some standard features found in all-terrain tires, with their meaning and daily use.
1. Large Tread Design
All-terrain tires have a chunky-looking tread pattern. They have deeper grooves as compared to highway tires having more space between the aerial parts. The tread is designed like this, so increase the tire surface area to its maximum level, as more traction is achieved when there is a larger contact surface area between the ground and tire. Tread designs must be considered when purchasing these all-terrain tires.
2. Reinforced Interior
All-terrain tires have internal steel bans that increase their rigidity on tough and challenging terrains. Mostly, these bands are nylon wrapped, which is a high tensile strength fiber. This feature of the tires makes them much more durable than regular highway tires but also increases their weight.
3. Stone Ejectors
All-terrain tires’ models are designed to prevent any stones from entering the wheel or getting stuck in the treads. This hinders damage, like stone drilling, and treads are also kept clear. Clogged treads can reduce the surface area of the tire that ultimately lowers its traction.
4. Treated Rubber
The rubber used to manufacture most all-terrain tires is usually treated with a carbon or silica compound. This treatment provides enhanced grip to the tires over wet surfaces and other compounds that prevent detritus and mud from lodging in the treads.
5. Self-cleaning
Modern all-terrain tires are designed in a way that they are enabled for self-cleaning. They may be designed to prevent any dirt, mud, or other detritus from getting clogged up in the treads and works its way out as the wheel turns. This ensures a high level of traction is maintained while reducing the need to hose down the tire saving most of your time.
Benefits of Using All Terrain Tires
Before you go ahead to buy a set of all-terrain tires, you must ask yourself if you even need it or not. The tires can be an excellent option during many situations, however for drivers who do not stray from the road ever; these may not be the most comfortable and efficient option. This is because all-terrain tires are noisier on regular routes than standard tires, and also reduce the fuel efficiency of the vehicle in most cases.
Nevertheless, there are a host of benefits offered by all-terrain tires.
1. Versatility
Can use all-terrain tires easily if you own a pickup truck, an SUV, or any other four-wheel vehicle. The versatility offered by these certainly brings about advantages over different off-road tire types that are usually compatible with larger vehicles only. As implied by their name, ‘all-terrain’ tires’ versatility is extended to their use as well.
The prime benefit offered by these tires is that they are comfortable on both rough track and highway, equally.
2. Toughness
The benefit of all-terrain tires is their toughness. Most models of such tires have reinforced sidewalls that protect them from scrapes, chips, and punctures. Most are also enhanced with steel cables that provide the best possible traction with the ability to stay rigid.
Some all-terrain tire models are also designed to deflect rocks and gravel pieces that protect the vehicle from rock-related damage like stone drilling.
3. High Mileage
Tires are aimed to achieve higher mileages than standard off-road counterparts. Anyone who uses an SUV or pickup truck daily will find this as a piece of good news. The high mileage also ensures that you achieve more excellent value out of the product, as there will be less need for replacing the tires. It is also particularly important to opt for a high-quality tire to get this benefit.
4. Excellent Traction
Terrain tires get superior traction on multiple surface types, ranging from snow to mud and rocks. Their large treads provide ease for this by maximizing the surface area. This traction is handy for you all year round, whether the weather conditions are rocky, wet, or snowy!
5. Greater Value
Tires usually cost less than other off-road counterparts. If you drive equally on both regular roads and rough terrain, you should go for all-terrain tires instead of pure off-road tires. This will save you a significant sum of money, mainly because they require replacement less often than purely off-road tires.
6. Even Wear
Terrain tires eventually wear down like all other tires, but they do so in an even manner. This is good for safety as uneven tires can impact the handling of a car. Tires for off-road driving usually have deep treads; the feature is mainly essential. Deep treads mean there is a difference in height, if one side of the tire wears off before the other, making the drive unsafe.
With all these benefits, some disadvantages must be kept in mind when considering a set of all-terrain tires for your vehicle.
7. Noise
Block tread patterns certainly produce more noise when driving on the road, although most ire manufacturers are now becoming excessively conscious about the level of noise produced by their tires.
8. Less Fuel Efficient
Compared to touring tires, all-terrain tires are less fuel-efficient, given the increased friction, weight, and air resistance they have. This must be kept in mind, although all-terrain tires are not as fuel heavy compared to off-road tires.
9. More Prone to Cupping
A tire’s tread is very aggressive; it is more prone to cupping i.e., the formation of hills and valleys on the surface of the tire.
This implies that all-terrain tires have more significant potential of getting cupped than standard tires, though this will occur less than that on purely off-road tires. However, if you ensure that shock absorbers are functioning appropriately and are in good condition, cupping can be prevented significantly.
10. Short Tread Life
Soft rubber is used to make all-terrain tires that are designed mainly for the road. This also means that they wear off faster. However, they still wear down slower than exclusively off-road tires as they are in the middle of tire range in many aspects.
Difference Between All-Terrain and All-Season Tires
Although the two have very similar names, there is still a significant difference between the two.
All-Season Tires:
All-season tires have a better name i.e., all-season ‘highway’ tire. They are intended for use throughout the year, but only on certain typical road surfaces. High-quality all-season highway tires also grip better on highways and roads compared to an all-terrain tire, as they are designed especially for such surfaces.
There is a particular advantage to all-season tires when wet roads are considered. They handle better on such surfaces than an all-terrain tire would do. You should use all-season tires if you drive almost exclusively on regular highways and can treat wet and snowy conditions much better than other highway tires.
All-Terrain Tires:
On the other hand, while all-terrain tires are designed to handle similar environmental conditions, they offer comparatively quieter noise on the road, smoother drive, and higher fuel efficiency.
All-terrain tires are made to be as varied as possible. This naturally has some trade-offs as well. They are better equipped in handling road surfaces compared to their all-season counterparts, regardless of the weather, but lose their edge when on highways. All-terrain tires are a better option than all-season highway tires only if you drive off-road very frequently.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are all-terrain tires?
A. All-terrain tires are used to attain more excellent traction on a variety of surfaces. The large. The open tread design of off-road tires is balanced with a highway tire’ handling capabilities. The closest one can get to an all-purpose tire is an all-terrain tire.
Following are the conditions they can handle:
- Drive on highways and regular roads
- Muddy and wet surfaces
- Rocky and gravelly terrain
- Snowy conditions
These tires are usually used by vehicles like cans, campers, SUVs and pickup trucks, and generally all the four-wheel vehicles. If you spend equal time on both highways /regular roads and off-road terrain. All-terrain tires are not readily compatible with every car, and you may need to adjust your suspension system as per need.
Q. How long can all-terrain tires typically last?
A. This solely depends on the frequency of use of the tires and what purpose they are used for. A high-quality all-terrain tire should generally last for around 20-40 thousand miles. They should also be rotated after every 4-5 thousand miles, ideally. An average American drive around 1000 miles a month, hence these tires should be able to last 2-3 years easily.
Q. When should I replace my all-terrain tires?
A. There are sure signs that show that you’re worn off all-terrain tire needs replacement:
- The tread is demonstrating signs of uneven wear
- The appearance of the tread has become shallow
- Damaged valve caps
- Rough drive compared to regular
- High vibrations felt while driving
If your tire has uneven wearing, the most probable cause for this is misalignment. You must ensure that a professional align your tires appropriately when they are replaced. If you see most wear at the tire’s center, it shows over-inflation of the tire. To avoid this after the next replacement, you must ensure that you regularly check the tire pressure or consult the manufacturer for further guidance and assistance.
To check the depth of your tire tread, you may use a penny. Insert the penny in the groove, if there is no full cover over Lincoln’s head. This means that the depth of the tread is below 2/32 inches, and your tires must be replaced immediately. Investing in a certified tire tread gauge will be worthwhile if you need a more accurate assessment. Usually, all-terrain tires have deeper treads compared to highway tires; you may have to measure the tread to a different depth. For this as well, you may get assistance and guidance from the manufacturer.
Q. How much gas mileage is lost with the effect of all-terrain tires?
A. The effect of all-terrain tires on gas mileage is dependent on the type of vehicle they are being used on, your driving style and the type of all-terrain tire. For example, off-road driving is not as fuel-efficient as it needs more significant acceleration and deceleration compared to that on regular roads. There will be a lower fuel efficiency with more aggressive all-terrain tires. Off-road and mud tires usually have the weakest miles per gallon rating, while highway tires have the highest.
A report from consumers showed that the fuel efficiency of a Chevrolet Silverado truck reduced by 2.4 miles per gallon as compared to all-season tires of similar configuration. This change costs a truck driver approximately $300 more gas per year, given that they have done an average amount of driving.
The results, however, shall be taken with a pinch of salt, as the use of all-terrain tires is much more comfortable and safer in off-road conditions. Due to their high level of air resistance and friction, all-terrain tires are much less fuel-efficient than all-season tires. All in all, individual circumstances of each consumer decide if they need an all-terrain tire for their vehicle or some other kind of tire would be better for them.
Q. What weather are all-terrain tires suitable for?
A. All-terrain tires are primarily designed for performing equally well in all weather conditions. Often, these are branded with the symbol of Three Peak Mountain that indicates the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s approval for safe use during the snow. The deep, open tread design can be credited for the high tolerance of these tires to mud, snow, and rain. A large surface area is created by this, allowing excellent traction.
An alternative for all-terrain tires can be winter tires that usually perform the best on regular roads during winter, as opposed to all-terrain tires that need replacement in warmer weather. If your area experiences mild winters relatively, all-terrain tires can be a good option for you. They can bear snowy conditions and can also be used off-road throughout the year.
Q. How much should my all-terrain tires be inflated?
A. Manufacturer’s specifications must be consulted when deciding on the pressure that must be kept in your all-terrain tires. The ideal strength will, however, usually depend on the type of driving you to perform, as opposed to other tires.
Road Driving:
Must follow the air pressure mentioned in your vehicle’s handbook when driving on the road. This range may vary between 30 to 38psi for most four-wheel drives.
Rough Gravel:
It is an excellent idea to decrease the pressure by around 6psi for gravel roads.
Mud:
Pressure should be around 28psi when driving over mud. If the dirt is deep, this pressure can be dropped to 22psi as well.
Sand:
You are off-road on the sand; the pressure can remain low. For loose sand, tires will even provide you the required traction at 16ps.
Rocks:
Pressure should be lowered to around 22-28psi when driving over rocky terrain. Tires are allowed to flex around with the low pressure quickly, which helps the tire to grip and prevent any punctures.
Our Top Pick
Hankook DyanPro brings about the best balance between day-to-day use and rugged versatility, in our opinion. A suitable medium is provided by the symmetrical tread design and the aggressive tread in the tire. The treads are reinforced by two durable, nylon-wrapped steel bands that keep them all stable on various terrains.
Featuring stone ejectors in the tire, they are kept safe from any chips, scraps, punctures, and stone-drilling. Finally, they are usable on almost all kinds of conditions, be it wet, cold, muddy, or snowy. Overall. The Hankook Dynapro all-terrain tires bring you highly durable quality and a brilliant outlook combined with a smooth drive.