The Best All-Terrain Tires For On & Off-Road Adventure

As the only medium connecting you to the pavement or backcountry trails you’re navigating, the tires on your vehicle are ironically one one of the more overlooked aspects of the vehicle. Frankly, it shouldn’t be this way. From ice and snow to slick rain-washed freeways to off-road muddy throughways relying on the trusty tires beneath your feet is just as important as fueling up the vehicle in the first place. And with winter behind us, many of us, unfortunately, think there’s nothing but smooth sailing ahead in term of road conditions. But what about the occasional off-road adventure, wet pavement, or dusty and questionable desert road? The answer lies in all-terrain tires.

Outfitted to grip both the asphalt and the rough terrain while keeping you sturdy and the friction high, all-terrain tires are purposed to perform exactly how you think they should. That is, provide enough utility for everyday use through the urban and suburban landscape but with enough clout to keep you from embarrassingly getting stuck when off-road. These aren’t your overly-ambitious swamper tires. Instead, the options outlined in this list of the best all-terrain tires bridge that gap to the best of their ability.

What Exactly Is An All-Terrain Tire?

All-terrain tires are a type of automotive tire made for cars, trucks, and SUVs. Like the segment’s name suggests, these tires are enginerred specifically for use on all terrain types — which basically means both on-road and off-road use. Combining elements from mud tires and highway tires, these all-arounder tires all feature a general level of competence on both roads and in the mud, gravel, and dirt — with different tires being more or less focused on on or off-road use. Not to be confused with all-weather tires, all-terrain tires typically work year round. And while they provide much better off-road traction than regular road tires, there are several drawbacks of using them — such as generally mediocre on-road handling and grip. 

Though different types of all-terrain tires lend themselves to different types of uses and applications, there are a handful of key areas that should always be taken into account when shopping — the most crucial of which we’ll be highlighting directly below. 

Sizing: No matter the type, tires are far from a one-size-fits-all type of product. In fact, a lot of tires are only made in specific sizes and not offered broadly across the board. As such, it’s absolutely essential that you review the size of tires that you’ll need, as this alone will narrow down your search — especially if you aren’t buying all-terrain tires for a super popular pickup or SUV model. The measurements to review here are a tire’s width (in millimeters), aspect ratio, and wheel diameter (in inches). Your vehicle’s tire size will readily be available in your owners manual (or can easily be found online). 

Intended Use: All all-terrain tires offer some on and off-road capabilities, though different models are sometimes engineered with a greater focus on one area, such as ultra-off-road-capable all-terrain tires that offer limited road-going performance (though are road legal), or, on the other side of the coin there are road-leaning A/T models that great performance on the tarmac but limited go-anywhere prowess. Determining your intended use should help you figure out which type of all-terrain tire will best suit you. 

Noise: Traditionally, one major downside to running all-terrain tires is that they tend to be extremely loud when driven on the road — especially at freeway speeds. While it may not sound like a big deal, noise tires can be incredibly annoying — especially in an open-top vehicle like a Jeep.What’s more, in recent years advancements have allowed tire manufacturers to deliver increasingly quiet A/T models without compromising on longevity or performance. 

Compound & Construction: The type of rubber compound that a tire is made from is also of immense importance, as this element directly determines a large number of performance capabilities and qualities such as wet-surface traction and road noise — making it beyond crucial to review when shopping. Likewise, in addition to the material the tires are made from, the manner in which said materials have been pieced together can also be of extreme importance, with many tires featuring elements such as reinforced sidewalls, multiple steel carcass reinforcement belts, and even tires that have been ruggedized via the addition of Kevlar reinforcements. 

On & Off-Road Performance: All-terrain tires tend to offer solid off-road performance across the board, though this type of rubber can massively vary when it comes to on-road use. For this reason, it’s imperative to look into a tire’s capabilities on the road (such as traction and braking). Many of the more off-road-leaning A/T models also noticeably hinder a car or truck’s fuel economy (or miles-per-gallon). 

Snow & Rain Performance: Another manner in which A/T tires differ from model to model is in their focus on wet weather performance — so much so, in fact, that an industry standard/rating has been created for snow performance. Known as the “Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake” symbol — or “3PMSF” — this little marking signifies that an all-terrain tire has been rated for use in snowy weather, both on and off-road. 

Durability: Another aspect that separates A/T tires from regular road models is the former’s immense durability. Because all-terrain tires are exposed to rocks, boulders, logs, branches, and other objects with the potential to puncture or flatten a tire, most A/T manufacturers craft their respective all-terrain rubber with impressive levels of durability, thanks to reinforced side-walls, shoulders, and even reinforcements at a tire’s coupling joints. 

Mileage: 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. It’s also important to note that how, when, and where you use these tires will massively impact their lifespan, as on-road use doesn’t cause the same level of aging or wear and tear as riding on untamed gravel. 

Special Tech: On top of their primary features, there are also all-terrain tires that come loaded with proprietary features or technology that can increase performance or ease maintenance. Examples of these types of cutting-edge offerings include Goodyear’s Durawall Technology, BFG’s tread-life-bolstering CoreGuard tech, Bridgestone’s off-road-focused Traction Claw tech, just to name a few. There are also plenty of all-terrain tires that utilize special self-cleaning setups and other similar amenities to help set themselves apart from the competition. 

General Grabber AT2

Best Affordable Tires: If you thought that a tire called The Grabber was built for superior off-road adventuring then you certainly wouldn’t be mistaken. In fact, these reliable all-terrain tires are actually designed with self-cleaning treads that simultaneously provide superior traction while out and about. Specifically, a 5-row tread pattern enhances grip in the backcountry, the tire’s double-v tread pattern increases the life of the tire, and the acoustic pattern of the Grabber’s tread also helps to keep things quiet during highway driving. In addition, select tires meet RMA and RAC requirements.

Hankook Dynapro AT2

Best Mileage Tires: You might recognize these all-terrain tires from a prior-gen Ford F-150 pickups as they were introduced as Original Equipment on that series. Now, Hankook is back with the even more impressive Dynapro AT2 tires that are available in a range of sizes and their best grip yet. Basically, the new offering boasts a wide independent block with an enlarged footprint that both enhances grip and your acceleration. The new design also prevents uneven wear from occurring and they boast an all-around rugged appearance thanks to the wraparound tread design. Also internally, two high strength steel belts enhance strength and quality of the ride. Biting edges also improve winter weather performance as well.

Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo 3

Best Mixed-Use Tires: Designed specifically for drivers who prefer Jeeps, crossovers, SUVs, and pickups, this all-terrain option is designed specifically to tackle your favorite mountainous trail but also maintain on-road handling capabilities. Simply put, whether it be dry, wet, or wintry out there the gen-3 Revo is equipped to get you to your destination in one piece. These tires feature stable shoulder blocks for handling on the asphalt, open shoulders for enhanced traction on loose surfaces and to evacuate water, sweeping lateral grooves around the circumference of the tire to prevent hydroplaning, and biting edges for improved traction on those snow covered wintry roads.

Michelin LTX A/T2

Most Comfortable Tires: Keeping up with their reputation as a go-to source for reliable rubber treads, Michelin continues to impress with the variety of offerings the tire manufacturer releases into the market. And with their LTX A/T2 option, both on and off-road needs are met in a fantastic manner. All while helping you maintain ideal fuel economy. Initially, they feature a light truck tread rubber compound that hosts an independent tread block design for superior traction across all mediums. Also, their branded Biting Edges keep you steady during those snowy winter months while Michelin’s Comfort Control Technology reduces unwanted vibrations and road noise that results in an easy-going ride no matter where the paved or dirt road leads you.

Nitto Terra Grappler G2

Best Technical Off-Roading Tires: Outfitted as a light truck tire that’s as dependable in all conditions as it is rugged, the Terra Grappler G2 tire is the next generation of all-terrain tires from Nitto. Here, Nitto is looking to be your one-stop shop for reliable rubber. In doing so, they built a tire that allows you to keep your footing while upping the performance – be it commuting to work, towing a heavy load, or cruising through the uplands to a preferred trailhead. Block edge rigidity is enhanced here thanks to the tire’s coupling joints, shoulder lugs provide you with biting edges in off-road conditions, strategically arranged tread blocks reduce tire noise on the highway, and new sidewall designs provide the Grappler G2 with a more aggressive look.

Goodyear Wrangler

Most Rugged Tires: Goodyear is no sleeper brand. They’re visible all across America and maintain a presence at practically any petrol-powered event. So it’s no surprise one of their most off-road-ready tires made this list. Each Wrangler tire comes equipped with DuPont Kevlar for additional rugged strength but also helps with traction through rain and snow. Also, the tire’s Durawall Technology helps prevent cuts in the sidewall, an open tread pattern provides premier traction in both wet and muddy conditions, and biting edges grip the road year-round. Best of all, Goodyear offers it all-terrain Wrangler tires in an enormous number of different regular and specialty versions including Light Truck, Kevlar, and Workhorse specs. 

Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ P3

Best Hardcore Off-Road Tires: You know you can trust the integrity of a Mickey Thompson tire named after one of the most unforgiving regions in North America. And you better believe they’re serious as well due to their 45,000-mile warranty. Each Baja ATZ tire is a hybrid tire that combines both all-terrain and mud terrain characteristics into a reliable means to get you through the backcountry during the next weekend adventure but with a smooth ride on the pavement. It features a silica-reinforced tread compound for performance in slick conditions, aggressive side biters for both on and off-road traction, and scalloped shoulder lugs to keep the friction going when the time comes to leave the pavement behind.

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A K03

Best Overall Tires: Anyone who’s familiar with off-road adventuring has heard of BF Goodrich. Their rugged treads have been a part of custom backcountry builds and rough rally car races through the unforgiving desert for some time now. And their All-Terrain T/A K03? It’s one of their most accessible and toughest tires ever built. It comes prepared with even tougher sidewalls featuring race-proven CoreGuard Technology, longer tread life that will help extend any amount of on-road/off-road adventuring you may plan on tackling, and exceeds RMA severe snow traction requirements. A definite trustworthy purchase for the go-to truck or sport-utility-vehicle.

The Best Off-Road Truck Upgrades For Beginners

While tires can be a great start, new rubber just barely begins to scratch the purpose of the near-endless possibilities that exist when it comes to building out an off-road truck or SUV. For a curated list of today’s latest and greatest options, be sure to head over to our guide to the best off-road truck upgrades for beginners for a handpicked list of lift kits, skid plates, light bars, winches, and other go-anywhere essentials.