How To Choose The Best All-Terrain (A/T) Tires For Your 4x4

1. Understand-- and be realistic with-- your needs

• Driving Conditions: Assess the types of terrain you'll be driving on (mud, snow, rocks, sand, pavement). While A/Ts do have a categorical divide containing them, they do still also have a lot of variance within. Some are better on-road, some better off-road, and so on.
• Climate: Consider the weather conditions in your area (e.g., wet, dry, icy). Not every A/T carries the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol indicating it’s snow-rated.
• Usage Frequency: Determine how often you'll be off-roading versus on-road driving.

2. Key Tire Features

• Tread Pattern: Look for aggressive tread patterns for better grip on loose surfaces. Large, deep lugs are ideal for mud and snow, while tighter patterns work better on rocks and sand.
• Sidewall Strength: Strong sidewalls resist punctures and abrasions on rough terrain. The ply number is usually indicative of strength, but not always. Still, a higher number usually means a tougher sidewall.
• Load Rating: Ensure the tires can handle the weight of your vehicle, including any cargo. You also may want to seek a higher load rating if you’re towing frequently or hauling heavier, near-payload cargo.

3. Brand Reputation and Reviews

• Manufacturer Reputation: Go for reputable brands known for quality and reliability. Popularity frequently means availability, so if you’re stuck with a flat and need a replacement tire in a remote location, a tire from a more well-known brand is likely to be easier to find. The same goes for sizes, too.
• User Reviews: Read reviews from other 4x4 enthusiasts to learn about real-world performance and durability. If possible, specifically seek out thoughts from those who drive and off-road in similar conditions to what you will be using your tires for.

4. Performance Ratings

• Traction Rating: Check for ratings on traction in different conditions (mud, snow, wet, dry).
• Temperature Rating: This indicates how well the tire can handle heat and prevent blowouts, and similarly, how it performs when the weather drops. All-terrain tires aren’t magic in the cold, so be cautious when selecting them for a year-round choice.
• Treadwear Rating: Higher numbers indicate longer-lasting tires.

5. Special Considerations

• Noise Level: Aggressive treads can be noisy on highways. Look for tires with noise reduction features if you do a lot of on-road driving.
• Price: All-terrain tires vary wildly in price. There’s something for everybody, and the middle of the range tends to be the sweet spot.
• Fuel Efficiency: Larger and heavier tires translate to low gas mileage, which means more money spent at the pump. However, heavier tires are, in many cases, more durable and more aggressive. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons when deciding if better traction and longevity is worth the tradeoff in gas mileage.
• Appearance: Yes, the way a tire looks matters. Those buying all-terrain tires usually care to a fair degree about the performance of their vehicle and the way it looks, so make sure that you buy something you enjoy seeing every day (or every time you get a glance at the rig in question).

As for our recommendations? We will throw our hat into the ring and say we have two favorites in the all-terrain category: The Toyo Open Country A/T III and the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2.

The Toyo is a near-perfect compromise between everyday driving manners and competence when the tarmac ends, while the KO2 forgoes a few road manners for a slight improvement in wheeling abilities. In any capacity, today’s A/Ts are leaps and bounds better than what they used to be, and it’s hard to go wrong with almost any tire from a major manufacturer.