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The 10 Best All-Terrain Tires

Hit any road in any season with our picks for the best all-terrain tires.

Method 701s wrapped in General Grabber ATXMethod 701s wrapped in General Grabber ATX; (photo/Kurt Barclay)
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Automakers don’t typically choose all-terrain tires as OEM equipment because most drivers look to all-around performance and longevity over off-roading performance. However, four-wheel drive vehicles, SUVs, and pickup trucks often need a capable tire when going off-road and are adaptable to all types of terrain. When it’s time to upgrade, deciding on the appropriate all-terrain tires comes down to weighing your needs and aligning them with your budget.

Without question, all-terrain tires offer improved traction on a variety of surfaces and make driving in difficult weather easier. Their open-tread design makes easy work of off-road driving situations, and the best ones will seamlessly transition from pavement to off-road.

If you’re a little fuzzy on the exact application, read our article that breaks down the differences between all-season, all-weather, snow, and all-terrain tires. For rigs sure to go off-road, a quick read of our explainer, All-Terrain vs Mud-Terrain tires, will help sort out which type of tire is best suited for your purpose.

Nonetheless, the 10 all-terrain tires listed below are a great place to start if you plan on getting adventurous this summer or if you want an upgrade for winter weather.

Picking the Best All-Terrain Tires

2019 mini cooper countryman driving in the snow
MINI Countryman rolling with Toyo Open Country AT III all-terrain tires; (photo/Derek Mau)

There are a lot of all-terrain tires on the market. So, how do you know which ones are best?

First, think about where you want to drive.

  • Are you just looking for a little off-pavement adventure on dirt roads, or are you planning on some serious off-roading with the possibility of mud or sand?
  • Or are you looking for a great all-around tire that can handle rain, slush, or snow in addition to fair weather?
  • What is the mix of pavement and dirt your tires will see?

When deciding what all-terrain tires to purchase, ensure you know what your driving adventures may require.

Also, keep in mind that every vehicle has different tire fitment requirements. Wheel size, suspension, brakes, and even fender wells are a few factors that determine which tires will fit your vehicle. Secondly, take into account durability, weight ratings, and correct sizing when thinking out your all-terrain tire selection process.

The Best All-Terrain Tires of 2023


Best Overall All-Terrain Tire

Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT

Pros

  • Handles well in the snow
  • Sizing to fit a wide range of vehicles
  • Great value
  • 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rated and pinned for winter studs

Cons

  • Wet grip has room for improvement
  • Road noise not too loud but perceptible and has a distinct tone on the pavement
Best Budget All-Terrain Tire

General Grabber A/TX

Pros

  • Handle well in the snow
  • Sizing to fit a wide range of vehicles
  • Great value
  • 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rated and pinned for winter studs

Cons

  • Wet grip has room for improvement
  • Road noise not too loud but perceptible and has a distinct tone on the pavement
Best Premium All-Terrain Tire

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K02

Pros

  • Outstanding off-road grip
  • Quiet driving on highways
  • Not afraid of wading in deep mud and over large rocks
  • Resilient and sturdy compound
  • Performs well in snow and mud

Cons

  • May not feel as stable for on-road driving
  • Noticeable road noise but not obnoxiously loud
Best of the Rest

Toyo Open Country A/T III

Pros

  • Stellar traction and performance on any terrain or surface conditions
  • Steering is precise and responsive to natural effort
  • Great snow grip
  • Accomplished at towing and carrying large loads
  • Sturdy appearance looks good, and flaunts its intentions

Cons

  • Noise level is not ideal
  • On-road performance isn’t the Open Country AT3’s strength
  • Decreased fuel economy compared to all-season tires
  • Deep mud and snow can get packed

Falken Wildpeak A/T3W

Pros

  • Great traction on wet roads and dirt
  • Drive well on all terrain
  • Quiet at lower speeds on highways
  • 3PMSF rated

Cons

  • Noisy at highway speeds

Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac

Pros

  • Commendable stability on dry roads and while carrying heavy loads
  • Great ride quality
  • Admirable traction on hardpacked surfaces
  • Outstanding durability and toughness
  • Long treadwear warranty

Cons

  • Noisy at highway speeds
  • On-road traction is average

Nitto Terra Grappler G2

Pros

  • Quiet for highway driving
  • Good traction on wet roads
  • Great for on and off-road use and towing

Cons

  • Not great in the snow

Firestone Destination A/T2

Pros

  • Offers great ride comfort
  • Backed by a 50k-mile warranty
  • Noise-canceling technology

Cons

  • Shorter than expected tread life

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T

Pros

  • Extreme Sidebiters design is strong and will protect the sidewall
  • PowerPly XD means a 50% heavier denier cord for even greater puncture resistance, quicker steering response, and greater stability
  • Silica-reinforced compound resists chipping, extends treadlife, and improves wet handling and braking
  • Comparatively quiet for an all-terrain tire
  • Generous 50k-mile warranty

Cons

  • Pricey

Yokohama GEOLANDAR X-AT

Pros

  • Great on and off-road tires
  • Work well in snow and rough weather
  • Will fit most light trucks, crossovers, and SUVs

Cons

  • Light humming noise at high speed

Why You Should Trust Us

We get that people want the best value on gear before spending their hard-earned money. Our expert team carefully selects the products we cover and vigorously researches (and tests) our top choices. Bottom line: The GearJunkie staff is dedicated to exhaustive analysis and helping our readers make informed choices.

What to Consider When Purchasing All-Terrain Tires

2019 Chevrolet Silverado Custom Trailboss parked in the wild
Chevrolet Silverado Custom Trailboss with 2-inch lift kit, Z71 Off-Road Package, 18-inch wheels, and DuraTrac A/T tires; (photo/Chevrolet)

There is little doubt that buying all-terrain tires is a great investment for your vehicle. From driving on different terrains to dealing with tough weather, there are too many benefits to pass up on this opportunity. What are some things you should look for when deciding which tire to buy?

All-Terrain Tire Features

All-terrain tires have a few key features that contribute to their performance. First, there is the tread. The best all-terrain tires have deep and aggressive tread patterns. These tread patterns help the tire get the best grip possible on a wide variety of surfaces, especially wet, snowy, or dirty ones.

That being said, a balance between grip off-road and a pleasant ride on-road is important. All-terrain tires tend to have more road noise when driving on pavement than typical All-Season or Performance tires, but less than mud-terrains. Though many brands tout their noise-reduction technologies, some all-terrain tires will be louder than others.

Another thing to look for is the sidewall of the tire. While a lower sidewall looks cool and is functional on vehicles that stay on the pavement, it doesn’t provide the best off-road performance. For offroad driving, you want a lot of sidewall (the area between the wheel and the tread). The tall sidewall is necessary when it’s time to air down the tires and get better traction off-road without damaging the wheel.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT tire review
(Photo/Sean McCoy)

Another benefit is that a taller sidewall provides a more comfortable ride. But, when a tire is aired down and squishy, you lose fuel efficiency and tire life. A firmer tire will perform well on asphalt but not as well on off-road terrain.

You should also pay attention to the rating of the tire when making a purchase. Tires are rated for speed, load, and conditions. If you plan on towing or hauling a lot of gear on your all-terrain tires, be sure to check the tire’s load index rating.

Brand & Price

When looking at brands of tires, everyone has their favorites. But when it comes to all-terrain tires, sometimes it is better to look beyond the brand. Be sure to look at the specific tire and what it offers. Sometimes the tires that best fit your needs may not be the most “on-brand” tires.

Price is obviously a very important factor as well. A set of four tires can be quite pricey, but you don’t want to get too cheap of a set. Value is important with tires, and you need to be sure you are getting what you pay for. If the price is a bit cheap, it may be smart to look into why it’s so cheap. With an expensive tire, you should look at why it’s so expensive and see if it possibly has any specs that you don’t need to spend that much money on.

Some other things to look at are if the tire comes with a warranty and how long it lasts. Many tires will be warranted up to a certain number of miles or length in time. This is important if you end up needing a patch or potentially a replacement. Also, keep an eye open for sales, as you can often get a good deal for a normally more expensive set of tires.

Another important tip is to avoid any outliers — avoid tires that are unusually cheap or expensive. You’ll likely get what you pay for with a cheap tire, and the really expensive ones sometimes aren’t worth the high price.

FAQ

Ford F-150 driving in snow on Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT tires
(Photo/Sean McCoy)
What is the difference between all-terrain and all-weather tires?

While there are some differences between all-season and all-terrain tires, there are also many similarities. A lot of all-terrain tires also double as all-season tires. The main difference is that all-terrain tires have deeper treads for use on different terrain. But those deeper treads can also make all-weather driving easier.

Standard tires are usually designed to drive on wet or dry roads, but with all-terrain tires, you can do that and much more. So, if you plan to drive through snow or off-road conditions, all-terrain tires are your best bet.

How many miles do all-terrain tires last?

On average, an all-terrain tire should last between 20,000 and 40,000 miles. How long they last mostly depends on how rough you are on the tires. The more wear they get from off-road driving, the more likely they will last around 20,000 miles. The weight of your vehicle, or what you are towing, will also affect the longevity of your tires.

Tires that are used more conservatively may last toward the higher end of the range. Obviously, this range is only an estimate, and there are a lot of factors that go into how long your set of all-terrain tires will last.

land rover lr3 driving in mud on toyo open country at iii tires
(Photo/Bryon Dorr)
What are all-terrain tires good for?

The purpose of all-terrain tires is to provide traction on all types of surfaces. They are designed for driving on regular roads but also on mud, dirt, and any other abnormal or unpaved terrain. They also provide more durability against debris and other irritants.

Are all-terrain tires good for towing?

When towing, all-terrain tires are usually the better option over standard tires. That is because they are good for regular driving and durable enough for towing. When shopping, be sure to look at the specific tire’s weight rating to ensure it can handle the weight of whatever you plan to tow.

Do all-terrain tires affect gas mileage?

Though all-terrain tires won’t kill your gas mileage, they will decrease it by an average of about 3% compared to standard tires. That small drop-off shouldn’t discourage you from upgrading to all-terrains, as there are a host of other benefits that make up for this decrease in fuel economy.


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