On the road, a vehicle can either be your conduit for fun or it can be your lifeline. If you want to be prepared for either scenario, then your best bet is to find the best all terrain tires that will perform well no matter what the driving conditions.
There are so many tire brands available on the market today that choosing the right one for your needs can prove to be an overwhelming process. Each company claims to be better than all the rest. We have researched and reviewed 12 of the most popular all-terrain tires out there to make it easier for you to make your choice.
In addition to that, we’ve also included a handy buying guide and FAQ section so that you have all the information you need to make an informed decision. On our list, you will find tires from some of the biggest brands at prices to suit every budget.
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10 Best All Terrain Tires: Editor’s Top Picks
Top 12 Best All Terrain Tires Reviews:
1. Goodyear – Wrangler Radial Tire
Goodyear is known by most people to be a producer of some of the best quality tires on the planet. That’s why you won’t be surprised that their product made it to the top of our list. This Wrangler radial tire from the household brand offers a useful and durable, yet cost-effective option.
It has large tread blocks that ensure optimized handling of your vehicle in any conditions both off-road and on – including snow and wet surfaces. If you are looking for rugged strength, economical tread, and all-terrain traction designed specifically for pickup trucks, then this could be the very best option for your needs.
This tire from Goodyear is optimized to provide traction no matter the conditions, and in addition to all-season traction, it also offers confident handling and delivers a stable footprint. There are many reasons why you might want to choose Goodyear tires, not least of which is the fact that they have over a century of experience producing a wide selection of high-quality, premium tires.
They use cutting-edge technology to ensure that the tires not only perform great in all types of road conditions but also that they are durable, strong, and last you a long time. This is undoubtedly a good price for a great tire. If you are looking for the best all terrain truck tires, these are great ones to consider.
Highlighted Features:
- Extremely cost-effective and provides great value for money
- Large tread blocks for the ultimate off-road traction
- Great fuel efficiency when compared to other terrain tires
- Handles well in most terrain and weather conditions
- Great all-rounder suitable for pickup trucks
2. BFGoodrich All Terrain Radial Tire
According to the manufacturer’s description of this product, BFGoodrich’s tires are the toughest all-terrain tires ever! They boast CoreGard technology, which means that they have tougher sidewall rubber that is not only split-resistant and bruise-resistant but also protects the more critical sidewall failure zone.
These tires also come with an advanced deflection design that helps to deflect protruding objects and prevent them from snagging and splitting the sidewall. Yet another great feature of this all-terrain radial tire from BFGoodrich is the tread rubber which is specially formulated and optimally blended to help reduce chips and tears, giving this tire superior endurance on gravel roads.
The tire footprint has an advanced shape which results in more even distribution of stress and therefore longer, more even wears. This tire also has an interlocking grip design to provide higher tread block stability.
The stone ejectors prevent dirt retention and provide enhanced tread cleanout protection which effectively guards against stone drilling. If you are searching for the best light truck all terrain tires, then this product could very well be what you’re searching for.
Highlighted Features:
- Meets and exceeds RMA (Rubber Manufacturers Association) safety requirements
- Serrated shoulder design for greater maneuverability
- Locking 3D siping for more biting edge and increased snow traction
- Mud-repelling bars help to release compacted mud and enhance traction
- Sidewall made from split and bruise-resistant rubber
3. FalkenWildpeak Radial Tire
With a max load capacity of 2679 pounds, this tire from Falken is engineered for consistent performance throughout its entire life span. It offers unlimited adventure in any terrain or weather by combining off-road ability and aggressive, rugged terrain driving – all without compromising your experience on the paved roads.
The grip design is optimized to ensure even wear and durability thanks to the silica tread compound which enables this Wildpeak tire to excel in three specific areas: winter, wet performance, and even wear. Although the tire was designed with severe snow conditions in mind, it performs great on all kinds of terrain and weather conditions.
Qualified by the RMA for the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF), this tire is packed with technology that makes it one of the top three most popular all-terrain tires on our list. One feature that makes it stand out is the patented 3-D canyons sipes technology from Falken, as well as the all-new proprietary sidewall.
The tire has full depth Sipes and grooves that maintain the tire’s performance and appearance for years. If you are looking for the best all terrain tires for snow, this tire is certainly a strong contender for first place.
Highlighted Features:
- The radial tread offers excellent traction
- Suitable for use in heavy snow
- Silica tread helps to resist wear and tear
- Great for SUVs and pickup trucks
- 3-D canyons sipes for enhancing traction
4. HankookDynaPro ATM Off-Road Tire
This premium tire is one of the most aggressive all-terrain tires you’ll find for light trucks, vans, and sports utility vehicles. It has an innovative sidewall and a tread design that helps to enhance the overall style of the vehicle.
Having been designed and developed for high-powered pickups, this tire offers excellent grip and acceleration for both on-road and off-road driving conditions. The wraparound tread gives this tire a rugged look and it also enhances its puncture-resistance.
The tiered site grooves make for cornering that’s more predictable, and the tire has a footprint that is 7- 8% wider than that of other competitors in the same category. This helps to increase road contact and grip. The deep two-step sipes serve to extend the life of the tread while increasing performance on wet and snowy roads.
A lot of thought went into the design of this tire and it resulted in what could possibly be one of the best looking all terrain tires you’ll find anywhere.
Highlighted Features:
- Incredible traction, even on the most challenging of surfaces
- Reinforced using internal steel belts
- Strong flange protectors help to prevent curb damage
- The tire features stone ejectors and is suitable for vans, light pickups, and SUVs
- The symmetrical tread design offers a larger surface area and increased grip
5. Federal CouragiaRadial Tire
This tire has aggressive shoulder lugs and features an upper shoulder with strong protection block to help guard against bruises, impact, cuts and other similar types of damage that can occur during both on and off-road excursions.
It is uniquely designed to help improve the clearance of sand and dirt and ultimately provide constant performance and wear. The sloped radius gradient (SRG) block design helps to increase block stiffness thereby enhancing overall performance and delivering serious off-road traction.
The bottom of the groove has a bar that clears particles of mud and rocks in order to increase traction and provide the ultimate off-road experience. The Federal Couragia MT all-terrain radial tire is specially formulated using advanced tread compound which resists cuts, abrasions, and chips for a much longer lifespan and even wears.
Highlighted Features:
- One of the best cheap all terrain tires
- Protects against bruises, impacts, and cuts
- Incremental blockedge for enhanced debris and sand clearance
- Sloped radius gradient for increased off-road traction
- Advanced tread compound promotes even wear
6. Cooper Discoverer Radial Tire
If you are a keen off-road enthusiast who is looking for an all-terrain tire with an aggressive tread that doesn’t compromise when it comes to on-road handling, then this might be the perfect tire for your needs.
The treads are coated with a silica compound which helps to deliver excellent traction in snow and wet conditions, and also work to provide resistance against chips, abrasions, and cuts. These features make this particular tire ideal for use on gravelly or rocky terrain.
In addition to performing so well on harsh terrain, these tires can also hold their own even on soft surfaces as well. They sport a broken center rib which helps to ensure that the tire gains and maintains traction on surfaces that are soft or muddy. The walls of the tire are designed to help protect against the retention of stones which helps to resist chips and prevent a lot of punctures.
The design of the tread helps to ensure that the snow rolls straight off in order to avoid compromising traction in challenging snowy circumstances. Despite the rugged attributes and appearance of these tires, they handle extremely well on normal roads.
Highlighted Features:
- Ideal for pickup trucks
- Silica-coated tread for enhanced traction on muddy surfaces
- Made from rubber that is resistant to chips, abrasions, and cuts
- Great for most surfaces including mud, gravel, snow, rocky terrain, and roads
- Innovative tread design for maximum surface area and improved traction
7. Toyo Mud-Terrain Tire
This tire is designed to meet the needs of enthusiasts who drive full-size pickups and require additional ground clearance and load-carrying capacity, as well as off-road capability – all the while maintaining great on-road performance.
This tire is M+S-rated which means that it’s suitable for muddy and snowy conditions. It also has a high turn-up and three-ply polyester casing. This is undoubtedly one of the best-rated all-terrain tires that you can get if you’re a serious off-road enthusiast.
The aggressive tread design has U-shaped blocks that help to ensure maximum traction and grip particularly on wet on muddy terrain. The tire comes with open, scalloped shoulder blocks and over the shoulder tread. The deep siping of the tread blocks helps to ensure that you drive safely in snow, icy, or wet conditions and also helps to manage and distribute heat when the road is very hot.
While these Toyo tires are made specifically for heavier vehicles that have at least a 20-inch wheel radius, their speed rating and load index make them perfect for heavy trucks, snowmobiles, and SUVs.
Highlighted Features:
- Deep sipes and shared blocks extend into sidewalls
- High weight index makes the tire ideal for larger trucks
- Optimized for dirt and muddy roads
- Offers ultimate handling and control on all terrains
- The three-ply polyester compound gives tread added durability
8. NexenRoadianRadial Tire
This tire’s on-road handling is every bit as good as its off-road performance. According to the reviews online from actual customers, this is a particularly good tire for anyone who constantly strays off the road for off-road adventures.
The tires perform well in all types of weather conditions and are particularly ideal for snowy situations. The tires not only look great but they perform great, and some customers who have gone over 3,000 miles with them say that they are still showing no signs of wear.
In addition to the extreme durability, these tires are also priced competitively which makes them the ideal choice if you’re on a budget. For anyone looking for the best all terrain tires from a reliable brand, this could well be a perfect choice.
Highlighted Features:
- Great value for money
- Amazing traction on all types of terrains
- Durable and long-lasting
- Designed for even wear to enhance safety
- Offers superb on-road experience as well as off-road
9. Mastercraft Courser Radial Tire
This is a unique tire that works to minimize noise thanks to its tread block pattern which utilizes grooves with a wide circumferential to help to channel water away from the tire while offering excellent grip and traction.
This tire comes with black wall sidewalls made from a rubber that is durable and helps to prevent cuts and abrasions from on road and off-road hazards. The design of the tires makes them look sleek and attractive on your vehicle, and the purchase price – which is significantly cheaper than most other brands in the same category – makes them appealing to the majority of truck owners.
Immediately after installing these tires, you will notice a vast difference in the handling and noise that your vehicle makes. You will experience smooth the handling and significantly less noise which is something that most drivers truly appreciate in a set of tires. These are the best Jeep tires all terrain and a must-have for all off-road enthusiasts.
Highlighted Features:
- Very affordably priced
- High-quality make designed for durability
- Unique noise-minimizing features
- Wide circumferential grooves channel water away
- Excellent grip and traction on all types of terrain
10. Thunderer TRAC Radial Tire
These tires are designed specifically for mud terrain, but they work perfectly well on all types of surfaces. According to a lot of users, they are absolutely worth what you’ll spend on them.
Although some people may be apprehensive about buying a brand of all terrain tires that they are not familiar with, this is among one of the brands that you must check out if you want reliable, high-quality, but ultimately affordable all-terrain tires.
They work great on soft and even ground, and they don’t wear as quickly as most other tires do. The tires ride great and they don’t make too much noise, such as you would expect from most other mud tires when driving on the road.
Highlighted Features:
- Very affordably priced
- Excellent for mud terrain
- Significant noise reduction when driving on-road
- Reduced wear and tear for increased durability
- Designed for enhanced traction in wet conditions
11. Nitto Terra Grappler Radial Tire
The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 is a great all-season radial tire that offers a lot of amazing features at a very low price. Suitable for all types of terrains and seasons, this tire lives up to the promise made by its manufacturer. It offers comfortable handling on-road and smooth tracking over rougher terrain. This is the ideal tire for anyone who goes off-road on a frequent basis.
The tire features a grip design that provides excellent traction for snowy or rainy conditions. Made in the US, it’s durable and versatile enough to please even the most demanding drivers and will last you through thousands of miles as you experience your adventures.
All-terrain tires from this brand not only perform great, but they also look very attractive – something which, while being a smaller factor, is still worth keeping in mind, particularly for those vehicle owners who value aesthetics.
Highlighted Features:
- Great for pickup trucks
- Easy handling on the road
- Reasonably reduced noise while driving
- Superb traction in both snow and rain
- Durable attractive and affordable
12. General Grabber Radial Tire
This is a great all-terrain tire for jeeps, SUVs, and light pickup trucks. It has a five-row tread pattern that has multiple traction edges. The extra-deep tread pattern helps to increase tread lifespan and ensure that you get a maximum grip in all types of conditions.
Highly engineered acoustics deliver a much lower road noise than you would expect from tires of this kind. The general grabber radial tire meets and exceeds all the requirements stated by the RAC and RMA for severe snow service.
If you are searching for the best all terrain tires for Jeep Wrangler, these are worth checking out as they could prove to be the best solution for your needs.
Highlighted Features:
- The extra-deep tread pattern
- Premium quality at an affordable price
- Highly engineered sound reduction for on-road
- Meets RMA and RAC standards
- Great for light pickups, jeeps, and SUVs
Things to Consider When Buying an All Terrain Tire
Now that you know which the top terrain tires on the market today are, it’s time to look at some of the features that you need to consider before making your choice. This is important because while one tire may be better than another in some features there’s no tire that’s the best in every feature, and this means that you have to make your choice according to the features that are most important to you.
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1. Reinforced Tire
A lot of all-terrain tires have internal steel pans that help to heighten their rigidity when going over rough terrain. The bands are typically wrapped in nylon, which is a durable fiber with high tensile strength. While this is a feature that makes all-terrain tires a lot more durable than normal highway tires, it also makes the tires a lot heavier.
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2. Large Tread
You will typically see chunky-looking tread patterns on all-terrain tires that have much deeper grooves and more space between raised parts than highway tires. This design has the main purpose of increasing the surface area of the tire because greater traction occurs when you increase the tire’s area of contact with the ground. So when buying the best all terrain tires for subaru forester, it’s important to consider the thread size.
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3. Stone Ejectors
A lot of the models of all-terrain tires that you see these days are specifically designed to prevent stones from becoming lodged in the treads or entering the wheel. This is great for keeping the treads of your tires clear while preventing damage like stone drilling. You don’t want your treads to become clogged as this will reduce the surface area of your tire, and ultimately the traction.
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4. Treated Rubber
Most of the rubber used in making all-terrain tires is treated with a carbon or silica compound. This serves to make the tire surface more effective for gripping – particularly on wet surfaces. There are also certain compounds that help to prevent debris and mud from becoming lodged in the treads.
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5. Self-Cleaning
Yet another amazing advancement that can be seen in today’s all-terrain tires is the self-cleaning feature that I’m sure every motorist and off-road enthusiast will appreciate. The treads are designed in such a way that any mud or dirt that gets caught in the treads simply works its way out with the turning of the wheel.
This is a great feature that helps to ensure that traction is maintained all the time while reducing the need for hosing down your tires constantly.
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6. Choose the Right Size
A lot of people don’t know what the numbers and letters printed on the side of the tire mean. These numbers represent the tires width, aspect ratio, radius, layer arrangement, weight load index, speed rating, and so on. It’s always a good idea to buy a tire that fits on your rim snugly, leaving just a small space for easy installation.
The size of the tire you choose is ultimately going to depend on the type and brand of car that you drive. The most common width among commercial vehicles is about 200 to 300 mm. The aspect ratio varies from 40 to 70% and most tires these days have a radial arrangement and a radius of 15 to 17 inches.
The speed index and weight load also vary, and these are all things you need to take into consideration before choosing the right all-terrain tire for your needs.
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7. Price
When it comes to all-terrain tires, there are a lot of factors to consider but it’s also important to look at your budget. The good news is that you can find a lot of decent all-terrain tires for under $200. And when you consider that you buy one tire for the whole year and you don’t have to buy different tires for every terrain, these tires certainly do provide great value for money.
But if you’re on a tight budget, you’ll still be able to find some pretty good quality all-terrain tires for about 90 bucks or less although it’s important to note that at this point, you might be compromising a little on performance and safety.
Different Types of Tires
One of the most commonly experienced challenges when trying to buy tires has to do with understanding all the different types available and knowing which one is the best for your type of driving situation. The easiest way to understand all the various kinds of tires is to look at the type of vehicle first.
Being able to determine the types of tires that are possible for your specific vehicle will help you determine which of those tires will be the best for you according to your driving needs.
Listed below are the different types of tires available to choose from:
All-Season:
This type of tire is designed to offer easy handling and comfort on the highway while also offering reliable traction at all times. All-season tires generally feature symmetrical tread patterns as well as circumferential grooves that allow for better grip in wet weather.
Performance:
Performance tires are those that typically have much larger lateral and circumferential grooves to allow for great wet weather traction. These types of tires usually feature siping as well as dense silica-enriched tread compounds. This allows for improved gripping performance no matter the weather. These tires often have higher speed ratings than most touring tires.
Touring:
Also known as grand touring tires, these are designed to give comfortable, reliable, all-season traction. They also offer more responsive handling and generally feature symmetrical tread patterns. These tires typically have a speed rating that is higher than all-season tires.
Track and Competition:
These types of tires are similar to performance tires because they are both designed to offer the ultimate in performance. Track and competition tires aren’t usually used for daily driving, but they are engineered for constant road contact particularly in dry conditions. The construction differs from summer tires and their design often features high-tech sidewall and body reinforcements like aramid or Kevlar.
Highway:
These types of tires come with all-season tread patterns. They are designed to easily handle the heavier loads of trucks or SUVs. They are engineered in a way that provides a lot of comfort on the pavement and most highway tires have extremely durable compounds with tread patterns to resist uneven wear. This helps to deliver enhanced all-season traction and a tread life that is very long.
All-Terrain:
When compared to highway tires or trail tires, these types of tires have a tread pattern that is more aggressive. The tread blocks are larger and there are more voids – all of which helps to provide traction when driving in off-road conditions. All-terrain tires are designed to easily handle sand, gravel, and light mud. The best all terrain tires for subaru forester can offer this off-road traction with virtually no on-road discomfort.
Differences Between All-Season & All-Terrain Tires
Most people who hear the words ‘all-terrain tires’ and ‘all-season tires’ often mistakenly think that they refer to the same thing. That’s because a lot of people assume that the only issue tires can face when it comes to different seasons has to do with the terrain.
But while the two may correspond with regards to terrain, they are definitely two, very different categories, and they should be treated as such if you want the ultimate in performance and safety from your tires.
All-season tires are those that are optimized for the season. This means that they are typically capable of traversing the terrain, but they are also designed to overcome such obstacles as those caused by pressure and temperature drops.
So basically a summer tire isn’t just designed to work on dry roads and send, but it also comes with specific mechanisms designed to help it overcome heat, friction, and bursts. A winter tire, on the other hand, will prevent the rubber from splitting as a result of lower temperatures.
This is essentially what sets the two tires apart. An all-season tire will be able to handle everything from temperatures that are too high to climates that are too cold.
However, all-terrain tires only focus on the terrain. This means that they can reduce friction caused by gravel and sand; they can also expel snow and water creating a smooth and even path even in rocky mountainous regions.
It’s important to note that this type of tire does not have weather optimization. But it is usually made of high-quality rubber, meaning that the chances of the tire cracking or splitting are minimal.
Benefits of Using All-Terrain Tires
All-terrain tires are a great option in various circumstances, provided you are not one of those drivers who rarely ever move away from the roads. While these types of tires handle well and are comfortable on the roads, they do tend to be a bit noisier and they often reduce your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
Because they might not be the most efficient option for everyone, if you’re not sure whether you actually do need all-terrain tires or not, this section of our review and buying guide article will help clear things up for you.
Listed below are some of the many benefits of using all-terrain tires.
- Durability
This is one of the biggest advantages of using all-terrain tires. They are extremely tough and durable, and most models these days come equipped with sidewalls that are reinforced. This helps to protect from scrapes, chips, and punctures.
A lot of tires are reinforced with steel cables which help them provide the best possible traction. Some models are also designed to deflect rocks and gravel, thus protecting your vehicle from rock-related damage such as stone drilling.
- Versatility
For owners of pickup trucks, SUVs, or any other type of four-wheel-drive vehicle, you’ll most likely benefit the most from using all-terrain tires. They offer a versatility that is a clear advantage over any other type of tires for off-roading – many of which are often compatible only with larger vehicles.
This versatility (as the name implies) also extends to the use of the tire. One of the main advantages of all-terrain tires is that they’re just as comfortable on the highway as they are on the rough tracks.
- Great Traction
All the best all terrain tires are designed to achieve excellent traction on all kinds of conceivable surfaces, ranging from snow to mud and rocks. Their large treads and design for maximizing surface area mean that you have traction all year round, whether you’re driving in wet, rocky, or snowy conditions.
- High Mileage
Compared to their off-road counterparts, all-terrain tires have much higher mileage. If you are someone who uses your truck or SUV on a daily basis, this is a feature that you will definitely benefit from since your tires will need replacing a lot less often.
This high mileage ability is something that ensures amazing value. Just keep in mind that it’s important to choose all-terrain tires of high quality if you want to really benefit from the high mileage feature.
- Even Wear
All-terrain tires offer an amazing benefit in that when they wear down (as all tires do eventually) they do so in an even way. This greatly enhances the safety and performance of your tires over time because uneven tire treads have a huge impact on the way your car handles. All-terrain tires typically have deep treads and that’s why this feature is so essential because with the deeper treads there is a greater difference in heights when one side of the tire ways down before the other.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About All Terrain Tires
Q-1: Do I really need all-terrain tires?
- If you have read this article all the way to this point, then the answer should be obvious by now. Most people typically have to buy separate tires for water and snow, or else they have to manually scrape the snow from their tires to avoid skidding across wet roads.
- All-terrain tires are great because you don’t have to purchase different tires for things like that. They provide everything that all the other tires do in one convenient product. In addition to being extremely durable and long-lasting compared to other tires, all-terrain tires are also very affordable and offer great value for money, which makes buying them a no-brainer for most.
Q-2: What does the ‘M+S’ print on my tire mean?
- If you have ever noticed the M and S symbol printed on the side of your tire, it means that it’s ideal for environments that are muddy and snowy. This is typically a great indicator for specific all-terrain tires since some of them are made to only work well on dirt.
- The M+S sign shows you that the tire is a real ‘all-terrain’ candidate. On some tires, you may see either a snow-covered mountain or snowflake to indicate the tire’s compatibility with snow.
Q-3: Which all-terrain tread pattern is the best?
- Your choice of tread depends on your preference. Normally, a design with two or four ribs is enough for most people’s needs. Just ensure that the ribs and sipes are deep and wide enough to allow maximum friction and grip.
- Such a design will also help to keep the gravel and dirt from getting back within the regions of the tire. Yet another great pattern is one that has large rubber blocks that can dig right into the sand for better traction. This type of pattern is more ideal for sandy and rocky areas and is more commonly seen in industrial vehicles.
Q-4: How long do all-terrain tires typically last?
- This can depend on a lot of different factors, but for the most part, all-terrain tires typically last for about 2 to 3 years. One of the factors that determine the longevity of your tires is the type of tread compound that is used. Nylon and silica compounds are among the strongest, while they are also some carbon ones that are in the forefront, too.
- Another factor that will have an impact on how long your tires last is your mileage and the speeds at which you use your tires. You need to check the speed rating as well as the load index of the tires you buy and use them accordingly because misusing the tires drastically reduces their lifespan and, for most tires, the warranty doesn’t cover outside damage or owner damage.
Q-5: Which is the best brand for all-terrain tires?
- There are a lot of different brands that produce high-quality all-terrain tires. In our list of the 12 most popular options available right now, you will find some of the best ones that you can choose from such as Goodyear, Michelin, Cooper, Yokohama, and so on.
- These brands each have a series of reliable affordable products. If you’re not sure which brand to go with, our buying guide is designed to help you make the right choice.
Q-6: When should I replace my all-terrain tires?
- It’s easy to tell when an all-terrain tire has worn down and needs replacing. The first thing to look out for is the tread that will appear shallow and show signs of uneven wear. Another sign to look out for is your valve caps which may appear damaged. Also, the ride might seem rough compared to how your car normally feels while you’re driving and you may experience a lot more vibration.
Q-7: Do the all-terrain tires have an effect on gas mileage?
- This is something that depends on various factors such as the type of vehicle that you own. It also depends on the type of tire as well as the way you drive. For example, off-road driving is obviously not going to be is fuel-efficient because it calls for more frequent accelerating and decelerating. So as a general rule, the more aggressive your all-terrain tire, the lower its fuel efficiency
Final Verdict
The bottom line is that you can benefit from all-terrain tires in every kind of conceivable situation as well as any weather conditions. So whether you’re looking for the best all terrain ATV tires or the best 35 inches all terrain tires, use our buying guide to help you pick one to suit your preferences from our list of the 12 best all-terrain tires on the market today.