How we researched this guide
We compared six all-terrain tires on the evidence that decides off-road days: each maker’s published spec sheet and warranty terms, and owner reports on retailer review pages — six maker spec sources, ten retailer spec listings and twelve owner-report pages in all. Every tire here carries the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol and is sold in the 265/70R17 fitment used for this guide’s listings.
We do not test tires, and no star ratings are used as evidence. Where a maker does not publish a figure, the tables print “Not published” instead of a guess. Listings are size-specific — check your own size before ordering. For the general-use ranking of the same six tires, see our pillar guide to the best all terrain tires; the budget end of the class sits in our all-terrain tires under the budget band guide, and the full set lives in our all-terrain tires category.
The 30-second answer
For one tire that does every off-road job well, take the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W. Rock and gravel punish sidewalls — that is the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2. Mud and deep snow want the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac. Towing to the trailhead is the Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT. The General Grabber A/TX is the value route onto dirt, and long gravel miles suit the Toyo Open Country A/T III.
Best Overall for Off-Road
Falken Wildpeak A/T4W
The complete off-road brief: 3PMSF snow grip, a 65,000-mile P-metric warranty, and LT sizes with a three-ply DuraSpec sidewall. Best if your trails change with the season.
Best for Rock and Gravel
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
The rock pick: CoreGard sidewall protection, a cut-and-chip compound and 15/32 in of tread for aired-down work. Best if sharp gravel is your normal weekend.
Best for Mud and Deep Snow
Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac
The soft-ground pick: the most open, self-cleaning tread here and a stud option. Best if mud and deep snow end your days early.
Best for Towing to the Trailhead
Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT
The loaded pick: every size is an LT fitment with a 60,000-mile LT warranty and 16.5/32 in of tread. Best if you tow to the trailhead.
Sold through tire stores, not Amazon. The closest buy-on-Amazon alternative is the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W in an LT fitment — same 3PMSF rating, load range E options and a stronger sidewall on select sizes:
Best Value for Off-Road
General Grabber A/TX
The value pick: 3PMSF rating, a studdable tread and a cut-and-chip compound without the premium badge. Best if the trail budget is real.
Best for Gravel Touring
Toyo Open Country A/T III
The distance pick: an even-wearing, wet-grippy tread for long gravel miles between trailheads. Best for overland-style touring.
| Tire | 3PMSF | Mileage warranty | Load ranges | Tread depth (ref. size) | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falken Wildpeak A/T4W | Yes | 65,000 mi (P-metric) | SL, C, E, F | 13/32 in | |
| BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 | Yes | 50,000 mi | C, D, E | 15/32 in | |
| Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac | Yes | 50,000 mi (this fitment) | SL, C, E | Not published | |
| Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT | Yes | 60,000 mi (LT) | C, E | 16.5/32 in | Store only — alternative: Falken Wildpeak A/T4W |
| General Grabber A/TX | Yes | 60,000 mi (metric) | SL, C, E | 14/32 in | |
| Toyo Open Country A/T III | Yes | 65,000 mi (P-metric) | SL, XL, C, E | 13/32 in |
Figures are for the reference fitments and vary by size.
Off-road tire fitment chooser
Tell it your current size, your hardest terrain and how the rig is loaded. Every recommendation is one of this guide’s six tires, with its Check Price button.
How to choose the best all terrain tires for off-road use
Off-road changes the order of the decisions. On dirt, the tire fails at the sidewall, packs with mud, or overheats under load long before the tread wears out. Work through these six in order. If the truck also carries a winch, match the tire to the recovery setup in our winch recovery kit guide, and size the winch itself with our best off-road winch guide.
Sidewall strength for rock and ruts
Sidewalls, not tread, end most rocky-trail days: a cut sidewall cannot be plugged. Look for named protection — BFGoodrich’s CoreGard rubber, Falken’s DuraSpec three-ply construction on select LT sizes, Cooper’s stone-ejector ledges. Rim protectors guard the wheel, not the casing. Drive aired-down lines gently: the softer tire wraps obstacles better but exposes more sidewall to every edge.
Tread void, mud clearing and tread depth
Open, widely spaced tread clears mud at trail speed; tight patterns pack smooth and spin. The DuraTrac’s open tread is the extreme here, the Toyo’s tighter pattern the opposite trade. Tread depth supports that work: the Cooper’s 16.5/32 in and the KO2’s 15/32 in start deeper than the 13/32 in Falken and Toyo reference sizes. Depth is not tread life — compound and rotation decide how long voids stay open.
Load range for loaded rigs and towing
A trail rig rarely runs at curb weight: bumpers, a winch, gear and a trailer all add load. Load range is the tire’s strength class — SL for standard half-ton use, then LT ranges C, D and E. Tow or haul regularly and you need an LT tire whose load index meets or beats the door-jamb placard, at the pressure specified for that load. Our all-terrain tires for trucks guide works the truck-by-truck fitments.
Airing down: what the tire must tolerate
Dropping pressure lengthens the contact patch and transforms grip on rock, sand and washboards — but it flexes the sidewall far more than road driving. Strong casings tolerate it; lightly built tires overheat and can unseat a bead at very low pressures. Air down in small steps, keep speeds low while soft, and re-inflate before highway speeds. A compressor is not optional kit on a trail rig.
Winter trails and the 3PMSF rating
The three-peak mountain snowflake symbol means the tire met an industry snow-traction threshold; plain M+S lettering has no test behind it. All six picks carry 3PMSF, which matters on snow-covered access roads. It does not equal a dedicated winter tire on ice — siping and compound decide that gap, and the studdable DuraTrac and Grabber A/TX add an option where studs are legal.
Size, clearance and the matching spare
Staying at factory size keeps the speedometer, gearing and spare correct. One size up usually fits and adds sidewall; two sizes up can rub at full lock — especially flexed off-road — and strand you with a mismatched spare. Check clearance flexed, confirm the load index, and match the spare diameter. Our best truck wheels guide covers the rim-width half of the decision.
Factory tire sizes for common trucks and Jeeps
The factory fitments readers most often replace with one of the six picks before a trail build. Trims vary, so confirm size and load index on your door-jamb placard before ordering, and never fit a lower load index than the placard states. Bumper and clearance choices interact with tire size — see our off-road bumpers guide.
| Vehicle | Common factory size | Typical load need | Picks sold in this size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 | 265/70R17 | SL for daily use; LT E for regular towing | All six |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 265/65R18 | SL; LT E for towing | Falken, Toyo, General, Cooper |
| Toyota Tacoma | 245/75R16 or 265/70R16 | SL or LT C | Falken, BFGoodrich, Toyo, General, Cooper |
| Jeep Wrangler | 245/75R17 | LT C for trail use | Falken, BFGoodrich, General, Cooper, Goodyear |
| Toyota 4Runner | 265/70R17 | SL or LT C | All six |
| Ram 1500 | 275/55R20 | SL or XL | Falken, Toyo, General, Goodyear |
All terrain tires for off-road use by budget
No prices are printed — tire pricing moves with size and season. The tiers describe what each band of the market usually buys for trail work, with this guide’s pick in it. The dedicated budget shortlist is our all-terrain tires in the mid-budget band guide.
| Tier | What you get | Example pick from this guide |
|---|---|---|
| Value tier | 3PMSF rating, a real mileage warranty and a studdable, cut-resistant tread | General Grabber A/TX |
| Mid tier | Longer warranties plus LT sidewall options for aired-down work | Falken Wildpeak A/T4W or Toyo Open Country A/T III |
| Work tier | Load range E construction and the deepest tread here | Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT |
| Premium trail tier | Named sidewall protection and the most open soft-ground tread | BFGoodrich KO2 or Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac |
Types of all-terrain tire for off-road use
All-terrain is a spectrum. Where a tire sits on it decides whether it survives rock, clears mud, or simply wears evenly over long dirt miles.
| Type | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trail-balanced all-terrain | Real sidewall protection with civilised road manners | Mid-pack in deep mud | Mixed trail and road — Falken A/T4W, General A/TX |
| Aggressive all-terrain / hybrid | Open voids, strong shoulders, mud-terrain flavour | More hum, softer wet feel, wear if rotations slip | Rock, mud, deep snow — KO2, DuraTrac, Cooper AT3 LT |
| Touring all-terrain | Even wear and wet grip over long gravel miles | Tighter tread packs in mud; mild rock protection | Gravel touring and overland distance — Toyo A/T III |
Detailed reviews of the best all terrain tires for off-road use
Each review follows the same order — why it earned its off-road award, published specs, fit, pros and watch-outs, owner reports, who should skip it, and pairings. Listings shown are for the stated 265/70R17 fitment; check your own size.
Best Overall for Off-Road: Falken Wildpeak A/T4W
Best Overall for Off-Road Best for drivers whose trails change with the season.
Why the Wildpeak A/T4W is our pick
Off-road picks usually force a trade: sidewall strength, snow grip or tread life. The A/T4W refuses most of it — a 3PMSF rating for winter trails, the longest mileage warranty here, and LT sizes with a three-ply DuraSpec sidewall for aired-down work. That breadth is why it leads this guide.
Wildpeak A/T4W key specs
- Winter rating: 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake)
- Mileage warranty: 65,000 miles (P-metric); 60,000 miles (LT)
- UTQG (P-metric): 660 A B
- Tread depth: 13/32 in (reference size); LT flotation sizes up to 19/32 in
- Load ranges: SL and XL, plus LT C, E and F
- Sidewall: DuraSpec three-ply construction on select LT sizes
- Reference fitment: 265/70R17 115T, max load 2,679 lb at 51 psi
- Maker part number: 28844300 (reference size)
- Size range: 15 to 22 in rim diameters
- Extras: 30-day ride guarantee
Wildpeak A/T4W: fits and best for
Half-ton and mid-size trucks and body-on-frame SUVs that commute all week and trail at weekends, in regions with real winters. LT versions for regular towing or a loaded rig; P-metric versions ride softer and carry the longer warranty.
Wildpeak A/T4W pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Broadest off-road brief in this guide
- DuraSpec LT sidewall for aired-down rock work
- 3PMSF rating with a strong snow reputation in owner reports
- Longest mileage warranty here
- Very wide size range, 15 to 22 in
Watch-outs
- DuraSpec LT sizes ride firmer than the P-metric versions
- Shoulder less open than the DuraTrac’s for deep mud
- Tread depth mid-pack at the reference size
Wildpeak A/T4W: what owners report
- Retailer review pages credit the A/T4W with strong snow behaviour for a 3PMSF all-terrain, the quality winter-trail drivers lean on most (City Limit Tire).
- Owners of the DuraSpec LT sizes note a firmer unloaded ride — the trade for the stronger sidewall (Tire Discounters).
Wildpeak A/T4W: who should not buy
Skip it if deep mud is your main terrain — the DuraTrac’s open tread clears slop better. Skip the LT versions if you never load the truck; the P-metric rides softer and warrants longer.
Wildpeak A/T4W: pair it with
A trail tire earns a rated recovery point beside it — our D-ring shackle guide explains the ratings: Check the AMBULL shackles on Amazon.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown for 265/70R17 115T — check your size before ordering.
Tip: Rotate every 5,000 to 7,500 miles and keep the receipts — the warranty assumes documented rotation. Our winch maintenance checklist keeps tires and winch on one rhythm.
Best for Rock and Gravel: BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
Best for Rock and Gravel Best for rocky trails, sharp gravel and aired-down driving.
Why the All-Terrain T/A KO2 is our pick
On rock, the question is not tread pattern — it is whether the sidewall survives the line. The KO2’s case is durability: CoreGard sidewall protection, a cut-and-chip compound, stone ejectors and 15/32 in of tread, backed by the longest owner track record here.
All-Terrain T/A KO2 key specs
- Winter rating: 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake)
- Mileage warranty: 50,000 miles
- UTQG: Not published (government UTQG ratings do not apply to LT sizes)
- Tread depth: 15/32 in (reference size)
- Load ranges: C, D and E across the line
- Construction: TriGard three-ply polyester (two-ply on load range C)
- Sidewall: CoreGard technology; serrated shoulder design
- Reference fitment: LT265/70R17/C 112/109S, max load 2,470 lb at 50 psi
- Maker part number: 66255 (reference size)
- Weight: About 45 lb (reference size)
All-Terrain T/A KO2: fits and best for
Jeeps, mid-size trucks and half-tons running rocky or gravel trails and aired-down driving. The load range C reference size suits Wrangler and Tacoma-class trucks; step to E for heavy half-ton work.
All-Terrain T/A KO2 pros and watch-outs
Pros
- The sidewall benchmark in this class
- CoreGard protection and a cut-and-chip compound for rock
- Deep owner evidence base across a decade on sale
- Strong gravel and aired-down traction reports
- 50,000-mile warranty despite the trail brief
Watch-outs
- Wet grip fades as the tread wears, per owner surveys
- Road noise grows late in the tire’s life
- Shorter warranty than the Falken and Toyo
- Heavier steering feel than touring rivals
All-Terrain T/A KO2: what owners report
- Tire Rack’s long-running owner survey credits the KO2 with durability and off-road confidence across very large sample sizes (Tire Rack owner survey).
- Fitment Industries buyers rate it highly for gravel and trail use, the surfaces this award is about (Fitment Industries).
- The recurring complaint in both sources is wet-road grip and noise as the tread wears.
All-Terrain T/A KO2: who should not buy
Skip it if your off-road miles are mostly mud — the DuraTrac clears soft ground better. Skip it if warranty length is the top priority; the Falken runs longer on paper.
All-Terrain T/A KO2: pair it with
Rocky routes demand an anchor you can trust: our tree saver strap guide covers anchor protection: Check the GearAmerica tree saver on Amazon.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown for LT265/70R17/C 112/109S — check your size before ordering.
Tip: Carry a plug kit and compressor on rocky routes. Stuck without recovery gear? Read our guide to getting out of mud without a winch.
Best for Mud and Deep Snow: Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac
Best for Mud and Deep Snow Best for mud, soft ground and deep-snow trails.
Why the Wrangler DuraTrac is our pick
The DuraTrac sits at the aggressive end of all-terrain: widely spaced tread with TractiveGroove edges, a stud option for ice season, and a 3PMSF rating. It gives up some highway polish and returns the strongest soft-ground brief here short of a mud-terrain.
Wrangler DuraTrac key specs
- Winter rating: 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake); pinned for studs
- Mileage warranty: 50,000 miles (listed for the reference fitment)
- UTQG: Not published for the reference fitment
- Tread depth: Not published in the sources checked for this fitment
- Load ranges: SL, plus LT C and E across the line
- Tread features: TractiveGroove technology; highly angled tread blocks
- Protection: Built-in rim protector
- Reference fitment: 265/70R17 115S, max load 2,679 lb at 51 psi
- Sidewall: Black serrated lettering
- Sibling model: DuraTrac RT adds a three-ply sidewall and Kevlar (separate listing)
Wrangler DuraTrac: fits and best for
Trail trucks and Jeeps in mud country and snow belts, for drivers who accept highway hum as the price of soft-ground grip. LT versions suit heavier trucks and loaded rigs.
Wrangler DuraTrac pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Most open, self-cleaning tread here
- Deep-snow traction praised by owners
- Studdable for ice-season security
- Rim protector guards wheels on rocky lines
- Genuine mud ability without mud-terrain manners
Watch-outs
- Highway hum is the standing owner complaint
- Needs strict rotation to keep wear even
- Wet-road feel softer than the Toyo or Falken
- Tread depth for this fitment not published by the maker
Wrangler DuraTrac: what owners report
- Owner pages credit the DuraTrac with deep-snow and mud traction beyond most all-terrains, the exact brief of this award (Extreme Customs owner listings).
- The same sources are consistent about the cost: a tread hum at highway speed that grows if rotations slip (Pep Boys DuraTrac range notes).
- Owners who rotate on schedule report the noise and wear stay manageable.
Wrangler DuraTrac: who should not buy
Skip it if your trails are mainly rock — the KO2’s sidewall is the stronger tool there. Skip it if you will not rotate on schedule; this tread shows skipped rotations fastest here.
Wrangler DuraTrac: pair it with
Soft ground plus a winch is the classic pairing: our best Jeep winch guide covers the Jeep side: Check the WARN Epic snatch block on Amazon.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown for 265/70R17 115S — check your size before ordering.
Tip: Rotate at 5,000 miles for the first year — it sets the wear pattern. Recovery basics: our how to use a winch guide.
Best for Towing to the Trailhead: Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT
Best for Towing to the Trailhead Best for towing a trailer or hauling gear to the trailhead.
Why the Discoverer AT3 LT is our pick
The AT3 LT is the load specialist here: every size is an LT fitment, the tread starts at 16.5/32 in — the deepest in this guide — and stone ejector ledges protect the casing on gravel access roads. If the rig tows or hauls before it trails, this is the brief.
Discoverer AT3 LT key specs
- Winter rating: 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake)
- Mileage warranty: 60,000 miles (LT sizes)
- UTQG: Not published for most LT sizes
- Tread depth: 16.5/32 in
- Load ranges: C and E
- Tread features: Whisper Grooves; Even Wear Arc design; stone ejector ledges
- Compound: Shred-resistant, silica-coupled
- Reference fitment: LT265/70R17 E 121/118S, max load 3,195 lb at 80 psi
- Maker part number: 170003001 (reference size)
- Weight: About 50 lb (reference size)
- Extras: Free 45-day road test
Discoverer AT3 LT: fits and best for
Three-quarter-ton and hard-working half-ton trucks, towing rigs, and any build whose bed is rarely empty on the way to the dirt.
Discoverer AT3 LT pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Work-rated LT construction in every size
- Deepest tread in this guide at 16.5/32 in
- 60,000-mile warranty on LT fitments
- Stone ejector ledges protect the casing on gravel
- Towing stability praised in owner Q&A
Watch-outs
- Firm unloaded ride at full LT pressure
- Heavier than P-metric rivals — steering and economy notice it
- Not sold on Amazon (see the alternative under this review)
- Overkill for light daily use
Discoverer AT3 LT: what owners report
- Retailer Q&A credits the AT3 LT with stable towing manners and long tread life on work trucks (AmericanTrucks).
- Gravel-fleet owners repeat the stone-ejector benefit — fewer drilled stones, fewer slow leaks (TireAgent).
Discoverer AT3 LT: who should not buy
Skip it if the truck is a light trail rig first — the Falken’s P-metric versions ride softer and warrant longer. Skip it if you want to order on Amazon today; use the Falken alternative above or buy the Cooper through a tire store.
Discoverer AT3 LT: pair it with
Towing rigs belong with rated recovery gear too — our best winch for a pickup truck guide matches winch size to the same trucks: Check the WARN Epic snatch block on Amazon.
Store-only pick. The Cooper is sold through tire stores rather than Amazon. If you would rather order online, the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W in an LT fitment is the alternative we would buy instead — 3PMSF rated, load range E options, DuraSpec sidewall on select sizes:
Check Price — Falken Wildpeak A/T4W
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown for LT265/70R17 E 121/118S — check your size before ordering.
Tip: Set pressures for the load carried and re-check them when the trailer comes off — most firm-ride complaints trace to towing pressures run empty. Winch sizing: our what size winch for a truck guide.
Best Value for Off-Road: General Grabber A/TX
Best Value for Off-Road Best for trail capability without the premium badge.
Why the Grabber A/TX is our pick
The Grabber A/TX matches the expensive names on the off-road spec sheet — 3PMSF, a studdable tread, a DuraGen cut-and-chip compound, and 16/32 in of tread in LT sizes — in a lower price band. For a second rig or a first trail build, it is the rational way onto dirt.
Grabber A/TX key specs
- Winter rating: 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake); pinned for studs
- Mileage warranty: 60,000 miles (metric); 50,000 miles (LT and flotation)
- UTQG (metric): 640 A B
- Tread depth: 14/32 in (metric); 16/32 in (LT)
- Load ranges: SL, plus LT C and E
- Compound: DuraGen technology for cut and chip resistance
- Reference fitment: LT265/70R17 121/118S, max load 3,195 lb at 80 psi
- Maker part number: 04505740000 (reference size)
- Extras: Rim protection ring on most sizes; 45-day trial (GT Shield+ plan)
Grabber A/TX: fits and best for
Budget-conscious trail drivers who still face real winters, plus plow and light work use in LT sizes. Metric sizes suit daily drivers that trail at weekends; E-range sizes suit towing and loaded beds.
Grabber A/TX pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Spec sheet matches tires in higher price bands
- Studdable — rare in this guide
- DuraGen compound aimed at gravel chip wear
- Strong snow reports from owners, including plowing
- 60,000-mile metric warranty
Watch-outs
- Tread life past mid-mileage is the open question in owner reports
- Fewer sizes than the Falken line
- Sidewall protection less specialised than the KO2’s
- Road feel less refined than the Toyo at speed
Grabber A/TX: what owners report
- Owner comments credit the A/TX with confident snow work, including plowing in two-wheel drive where a premium rival needed four (ExtremeTerrain owner reviews).
- Several owners describe it as noticeably quieter than the premium tire it replaced (World Tire Review roundup).
- Owners also flag the unknown: tread life in the second half of the tire’s life.
Grabber A/TX: who should not buy
Skip it if rock crawling is the core use — the KO2’s CoreGard sidewall is built for that. Skip the metric sizes for heavy towing; take an LT E version or the Cooper.
Grabber A/TX: pair it with
Money saved on tires is money for recovery gear: our essential winching accessories guide lists the order to buy in: Check the AMBULL shackles on Amazon.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown for LT265/70R17 121/118S — check your size before ordering.
Tip: Have studs fitted before the season if you plow — a worn tire cannot be studded later. See our winch for snow plow guide.
Best for Gravel Touring: Toyo Open Country A/T III
Best for Gravel Touring Best for long gravel and dirt-road miles between trailheads.
Why the Open Country A/T III is our pick
Not every off-road mile is a rock garden. Touring rigs cover hundreds of gravel miles where even wear, wet grip on paved links and a calm ride decide the trip. Toyo built the A/T III for that work — even-wear design, dense siping, a 65,000-mile P-metric warranty — while keeping 3PMSF for snowy passes.
Open Country A/T III key specs
- Winter rating: 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake)
- Mileage warranty: 65,000 miles (P/Euro-metric); 50,000 miles (LT and flotation)
- UTQG: 600 A B
- Tread depth: 13/32 in (P-metric); LT265/70R17 E runs 16.3/32 in
- Load ranges: SL and XL, plus LT C and E
- Tread features: 3D multi-wave sipes; stone-ejecting blocks; staggered shoulder lugs
- Reference fitment: 265/70R17 115T, max load 2,679 lb at 50 psi
- Maker part number: 356260 (reference size)
- Extras: 500-mile / 45-day trial offer
- Sidewall: Two styling designs, one per sidewall face
Open Country A/T III: fits and best for
Overland-style and touring rigs, and commuters who reach trails over long paved and gravel links. LT versions suit lighter towing.
Open Country A/T III pros and watch-outs
Pros
- Even-wear design praised in owner ratings
- Wet-grip focused compound for paved links between trails
- 65,000-mile P-metric warranty matches the Falken
- Quietest brief in this guide for long days
- Trial offer lowers the risk of trying it
Watch-outs
- Tighter tread packs in deep mud
- Shoulder less aggressive than the KO2 or DuraTrac
- LT warranty drops to 50,000 miles
Open Country A/T III: what owners report
- Retailer rating pages credit the A/T III with a quiet ride and even wear over high miles — the touring virtues this award is about (Anovia Wheels ratings).
- Owners on wheel-and-tire fitment pages repeat the wet-weather confidence theme (ARKON Off-Road).
- The recurring watch-out is mud: owners who trail in clay wish for a more open shoulder.
Open Country A/T III: who should not buy
Skip it if your weekends are mud or rock — the DuraTrac and KO2 are built for that. Skip it if you tow at the limit weekly; the Cooper AT3 LT is the work-rated option.
Open Country A/T III: pair it with
Long-distance rigs still get stuck: a tree saver protects the anchor — Check the GearAmerica tree saver on Amazon, and our recovery kit guide builds the full kit.
We may earn a commission at no cost to you. Listing shown for 265/70R17 115T — check your size before ordering.
Tip: Use the 500-mile trial honestly: run one long gravel day and one wet drive in the first two weeks. 4Runner builds pair with our best winch for Toyota 4Runner guide.
Spec comparison
Maker-published figures for the reference fitments in each review — a like-for-like comparison at the stated sizes, not a promise for every size.
| Spec | Falken A/T4W | BFGoodrich KO2 | Goodyear DuraTrac | Cooper AT3 LT | General A/TX | Toyo A/T III |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter rating (3PMSF) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mileage warranty | 65,000 mi (P-metric) | 50,000 mi | 50,000 mi (ref. fitment) | 60,000 mi (LT) | 60,000 mi (metric) | 65,000 mi (P-metric) |
| UTQG (where published) | 660 A B | Not published | Not published | Not published | 640 A B | 600 A B |
| Tread depth (ref. size) | 13/32 in | 15/32 in | Not published | 16.5/32 in | 14/32 in (metric) | 13/32 in |
| Load ranges offered | SL, XL, LT C/E/F | C, D, E | SL, LT C/E | C, E | SL, LT C/E | SL, XL, LT C/E |
| Reference fitment | 265/70R17 115T | LT265/70R17/C | 265/70R17 115S | LT265/70R17 E | LT265/70R17 E | 265/70R17 115T |
| Max load (ref. fitment) | 2,679 lb | 2,470 lb | 2,679 lb | 3,195 lb | 3,195 lb | 2,679 lb |
| Studdable | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Off-road protection | DuraSpec (select LT) | CoreGard sidewall | Rim protector | Stone ejector ledges | Rim ring | Stone-ejecting blocks |
| Our score (out of 10) | 9.2 | 9.1 | 8.6 | 8.8 | 8.5 | 8.4 |
| Check Price | Store only — alternative: Falken Wildpeak A/T4W |
How the score works: each score weights sidewall protection, tread depth and void, load-range coverage, winter rating and owner-report consistency, judged against this guide’s off-road brief. It is editorial judgement, not test results.
Fitment & installation basics
Tires are fitted, not installed at home: a shop mounts each tire, balances the assembly, and torques the lug nuts to the maker’s figure. Budget for valve stems or TPMS service kits so the warning system keeps working. An alignment check belongs with any size change — new tires on a misaligned truck just inherit the old wear pattern, and off-road they show it faster.
Before the appointment, confirm size, load index and pressures from the door-jamb placard, and make sure the spare matches the new diameter. After fitting, re-check lug torque at about 50 miles and set a rotation reminder — the same rhythm as our winch maintenance checklist. If a lift is part of the build, check clearance against our suspension lift kit guide before ordering, and plan the recovery side with our best winch for Jeep Gladiator guide.
Safety essentials
Safety rules
- Never fit a tire with a lower load index or load range than the door-jamb placard states.
- Re-inflate after airing down before any highway-speed driving; sidewalls overheat run soft at speed.
- Run the pressure for the load you are carrying; towing pressures run empty — and empty pressures run towing — are both wrong.
- Replace tires in axle pairs at minimum, and all four on four-wheel-drive trucks, so diameters match.
- Retire any tire with sidewall cuts, bulges or exposed cord — no plug or sealant fixes a sidewall.
- Re-check lug torque about 50 miles after fitting, and after any hard trail session.
Three verified recovery accessories worth carrying once the tires are fitted:
WARN Epic snatch block — doubles a winch line’s pull, safely.
Check Price — WARN Epic snatch block
GearAmerica tree saver strap — protects anchor and rope on self-recovery pulls.
Check Price — GearAmerica tree saver
AMBULL shackles — rated connection points; see our recovery kit guide.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Sidewall cut after a rock section | Pinched against a sharp edge, often aired down | Retire the tire; fit the spare and inspect the rim |
| Tread packs smooth in mud | Tight pattern or too little wheel speed to clear voids | Choose lines with momentum; a more open tread is the long-term fix |
| Both shoulders wear first | Under-inflation, or towing at daily pressures | Use towing pressures when hitched; check for leaks |
| Centre tread wears first | Over-inflation for the load carried | Set placard pressures for your actual load; rotate |
| Vibration at highway speed after a trail day | Mud packed in the rim or a lost balance weight | Clean rims, re-balance, inspect the wheel |
| Bead unseats at low pressure | Pressure dropped too far for the terrain and speed | Re-seat or fit the spare; air down in smaller steps next time |
Who should NOT buy these tires
Dedicated mud-terrain drivers. Even the DuraTrac is a compromise with road manners designed in. If deep mud is the point of every trip, a mud-terrain is the honest tool — and the recovery gear in our off-road winch guide becomes mandatory, not optional.
Pure highway drivers. If the truck never leaves pavement, a highway-terrain tire is quieter, cheaper to run and better in the wet. The general-use shortlist in our best all terrain tires guide explains where the class boundary sits.
Rock crawlers on the mild patterns. The Toyo and the Falken’s P-metric versions are not built for repeated aired-down rock work. Take an LT fitment with named sidewall protection — the KO2 or the Falken’s DuraSpec LT sizes — or expect to buy tires one sidewall at a time.
Anyone planning to skip rotations. Aggressive off-road patterns punish neglect with noise and uneven wear. If rotations every 5,000 to 7,500 miles will not happen, choose the mildest pattern here — the Toyo. Recovery picks for the same build live in our best truck winches guide.
Final verdict
One line per pick, in the order we would buy them for off-road use:
- Best Overall for Off-Road — Falken Wildpeak A/T4W: sidewall, snow grip and warranty in one tire. Check its price.
- Best for Rock and Gravel — BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2: the sidewall benchmark for sharp trails. Check its price.
- Best for Mud and Deep Snow — Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac: the open tread that clears soft ground. Check its price.
- Best for Towing to the Trailhead — Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT: the load-rated specialist, sold through tire stores — see our all-terrain tires category.
- Best Value for Off-Road — General Grabber A/TX: studdable, cut-resistant and sensibly priced in its band. Check its price.
- Best for Gravel Touring — Toyo Open Country A/T III: the even-wearing distance pick. Check its price.
FAQ
What makes an all-terrain tire good off-road?
Three things, in order: a sidewall that survives rock and ruts, tread voids that clear the surface you drive, and a load rating with margin for a loaded rig. A tire that loses a sidewall or packs smooth in mud fails the day regardless of its spec sheet. That order is how the six picks here are ranked.
Can I air down all-terrain tires on the trail?
Yes — airing down lengthens the contact patch and is the cheapest traction gain on rock, sand and washboards. Strong LT casings tolerate it best. Work in small steps, keep speeds low while soft, and always re-inflate before highway speeds: a soft sidewall overheats quickly at pace.
Are all-terrain tires enough for rock crawling?
For moderate rock — ledges, embedded stone, gravel climbs — an LT all-terrain with named sidewall protection, like the KO2 or the Falken’s DuraSpec LT sizes, is genuinely capable aired down. Sustained extreme crawling is mud-terrain and beadlock territory; no all-terrain here pretends otherwise.
Which of these tires is best in mud?
The Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac: its widely spaced tread is the most open here and clears soft ground at trail speed instead of packing smooth. The trade is highway hum and strict rotation. If mud is occasional, the Falken’s balanced pattern is the calmer daily answer.
Do I need LT tires for off-road use?
If the rig is loaded, tows, or airs down regularly, yes: LT construction brings stronger casings, higher load indexes and sidewalls built for the flexing. A light half-ton at daily weight trails well on P-metric versions, which ride softer and usually warrant longer. Never drop below the placard’s load index.
How much bigger than stock can I go for off-road use?
One size up usually fits, adds sidewall height, and keeps gearing close to correct. Two sizes up risks rubbing at full lock and full flex — the off-road case, not just the parking-lot case — plus a mismatched spare. Check clearance flexed and match the spare diameter.
Are all-terrain tires good on snow-covered trails?
The 3PMSF-rated ones are genuinely capable in snow, and every pick here carries the rating. Owners rate the Falken and the DuraTrac strongest in deep snow, and both the DuraTrac and Grabber A/TX take studs where legal. Packed ice remains the class weakness.
How often should off-road all-terrain tires be rotated?
Every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, and the shorter interval if the truck trails hard — aggressive patterns feather quickly. Mileage warranties assume documented rotations, so keep the invoices. Inspect sidewalls at every rotation: cuts found in the driveway are spares fitted calmly.
Should I replace all four tires at once on a four-wheel-drive truck?
Yes. Four-wheel-drive systems are sensitive to diameter differences, and one new tire beside three worn ones can differ enough in circumference to strain the drivetrain. If one tire is destroyed early, a good shop can shave a new tire to match the set.
Sources & changelog
Maker and spec sources: BFGoodrich KO2 page; Tire Rack KO2 specs; Falken A/T4W listing; Toyo A/T III spec sheet; General A/TX LT sizes; Discount Tire A/TX page; Cooper AT3 LT listing; Cooper AT3 LT launch notes; DuraTrac RT listing (sibling model).
Owner sources: Tire Rack KO2 survey; Anovia Toyo ratings; ExtremeTerrain A/TX reviews; AmericanTrucks AT3 LT Q&A; Extreme Customs DuraTrac listings.
Changelog — October 17, 2026: guide first published.
By Leo, Founder, WinchInsider
Leo runs WinchInsider’s research desk: maker spec sheets, warranty fine print and owner reports, checked line by line before anything is recommended. See our about us page.
Related guides
- Best all terrain tires — the pillar guide: the general-use ranking of these six tires.
- Best winch for Jeep Wrangler — the recovery half of a trail build.
- Best winch for Toyota Tacoma — mid-size truck picks.
- Best winch for Ford F-150 — half-ton picks and fitment.
- Best winch for Bronco — Bronco picks and bumper notes.
- Best truck winches — the full winch shortlist.