Choosing the Best 4Runner Tires for Off-Road & On-Road – The Complete Buyers Guide

35X12.5 Toyo M/Ts 1.25″ Spidertrax Wheel Spacers on Relations Race Wheels

We Asked the Community and Here are the Most Common Tire Options for the 5th Gen 4Runner (HT, AT, MT, and Snow)

We get questions on a daily basis: What are the best AT or MT tires?

Well, best is all relative. The best for one driver may not be the best for another driver. Instead of looking for the best option, we asked 20K people to gather the most common choices among the 4Runner crowd. In each section of this buyers’ guide, you will find a review and overview from a person that has actually tested and driven those tires. This article is a collection of what 20 unique people had to say about their brand of tire.

Common tires on the 4Runner?

Whether you are looking for a Highway, All-Terrain (AT) or Mud-Terrain (MT), this overview will help you decide which type, style and brands might be best for your driving style. You can refer to this as your ultimate guide when you need an upgrade on your 4Runner, Tacoma, Tundra or FJ as there are similarities between the platforms.

Tires are one of the most important upgrades you can make on your truck or SUV. There are many deciding factors when it comes to purchasing the right option for your exact needs. From on-road and off-road driving habits to price and life expectancy – many factors go into the buying decision.

Size? 

If you have questions about size, check out this size guide for 4Runners.

Call a Shop?

If you don’t want to read about AT and MT tires and want the fast answer – stop here and call your local shop. The best thing to do for some owners is to call a reputable shop (Big-O, Les Schwab, Etc.) give them your make and model, explain your driving habits and let them help you decide. Most of the time, you will get someone knowledgeable but sometimes you will get someone fresh/new. So whatever they recommend just double back and verify real reviews of Toyota truck owners online.

Looking for a Buyers Guide? 

If you are interested in learning more about ATs and MTs along with different brands, this is a great buying guide to start with. In this guide, we will go over many different brands in order to select the brand and style that is right for your 4Runner.

Terminology:

Asymmetrical Tread Pattern (Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT 35X12.5)

• All-Season & Highway: Performs well on-road and not off-road (minimal road noise)
• All-Terrain (AT): Performs well on-road and off-road (more road noise)
• Mud-Terrain (MT): Performs incredibly well off-road (most road noise)
• Mud and Snow (M+S, M/S, M&S): Used to indicate Mud and Snow + Winter rated.
• Three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF): Severe snow service-rated. This passes a minimum required performance test on snow – the so-called “snow grip index”.
• Siping: Thin slits across the surface of a tread block or lug to improve traction for driving in snowy, wet or icy conditions.
• Tread Blocks/Lugs: The raised portion of a tire. The most important gripping aspect of the contact patch.
• Shoulder: Where tread blocks and the sidewall meet.
• Sidewall: The outside edge/wall contains markings, and protects the cords/plies on radial tires.
• Load Range (B, C, D, E, F): A tires ability to hold pressure and carry weight. A higher load range letter typically equals a stronger/stiffer/higher weight rating capacity.

Questions to Ask Yourself:

Cooper Evolution M/T (Mud Terrain) Tires: 35X12.5

• Do you work or play off‑road?
• What’s more important?
  • Tread lasts a long time
  • Tread performs extremely well
• Do you drive through snow or mud?
• Which of the following are priorities for you?
  • Price
  • Tread Life
  • Ride Comfort
  • Dry Road Handling
  • Wet Road Handling
  • Winter Traction
  • Trail/Gravel Traction
  • Rock Traction
  • Mud Traction

Highway & All-Season Tires

Most options in this category are going to be for 4Runner owners that see little to no off-roading, mostly pavement. Highway and All-Season tires usually come on your 4Runner off the lot. These are great for your commuter or a daily driver who drives around town, to and from work, on the highway often or on a mostly paved road with the occasional gravel road terrain. If you don’t need a tire that is rated for severe weather and conditions. In this case, almost any big brand name will do; Bridgestone, Cooper, Michelin, Etc.

If you find yourself commuting or around-town driving on wet, icy or snow-covered road terrain in the winter, a set of 3PMSF rated tires will be for you. On-road driving through icy and snowy conditions is very common for 4Runner owners and having a tire that can perform in such conditions is paramount for safety. Having a 3PMSF rating can be the difference between stopping at 100ft ft or 20ft when hitting the brakes in snowy/icy conditions. If you are looking for a 3PMSF rating in this category consider the Bridgestone Blizzak LT, Michelin Latitude X-ICE, Michelin LTX Winter, or for a cheaper option, look at a Firestone Winterforce variant.

Bridgestone Dueler H/T

Overview by Brenan Greene

• Type: HT – Highway Terrain
• SimpleTire.com (265/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 235/60R17
  • 245/65R17
  • 245/70R17
  • 255/70R17
  • 265/65R17
  • 265/70R17

The Bridgestone Dueler H/Ts is a highway all-season tread pattern built for light SUV/truck duty. This tread was designed to be driven primarily on the road, around town and the highway. It provides decent all-year road traction from light to mild snow and rain. The Dueler H/T features a symmetrical independent block tread design that provides great all-around traction but is by no means a “snow” or severe weather option.

The Dueler H/T has the ability to get you through light winters but they don’t grip very well if there is any sitting snow, sleet, rain pockets or ice. These are more of a light SUV crossover design, not a medium-duty Truck or SUV tire. That may be why Toyota mounts them on most wheels off-the-lot. We took these Dueler H/T on a basic forest service road with a few rocks and humps. They provided minimal traction, however, when really pushed on wet, slick or muddy terrain, they start slipping. They aren’t meant for off-road use or extreme or severe weather. The good thing about the Dueler H/T is they have absolutely zero road noise.

Are they for you?

If you never off-road and occasionally drive through moderate to mild winter conditions then they might be for you. This is a great option for a 2wd 4Runner or for someone that uses 4wd on a very rare occasion or for someone that lives a climate that rarely sees wet, snowy, or muddy conditions.

Michelin Defender LTX M/S & Michelin LTX M/S2

Overview by Brenan Greene

• Type: HT – All-Season Tire
• SimpleTire.com (265/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 225/75R17
  • 235/65R17
  • 235/70R17
  • 235/75R17
  • 245/65R17
  • 245/75R17
  • 255/65R17
  • 255/70R17
  • 255/75R17
  • 265/65R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 285/70R17
  • 295/70R17

Both the Michelin Defender LTX M/S & Michelin LTX M/S2 are highway use all-seasons built for light SUV/truck duty, specifically for wet and snow traction. The Michelin LTX M/S2 is the original design of the two choices. The main difference between the two is while the M/S2 is an overall good design the new LTX M/S has been improved to last 10% than their counterpart.

The LTX M/S uses the same highly functional tread pattern and offers improvements in wear life/longevity to better meet the high-torque demands of modern trucks. Both options are great choices for your 4Runner but the LTX M/S has a much better warranty at a whopping 70K miles. They are offered in a variety of common sizes so you’re set even if you have a lift installed. If your factory tires are coming to the end of there life and you don’t do much off-road but are looking for high quality wet and snow traction, you should take a look at these.

I ran these on the tail end of a purchased 4Runner with 40K miles and then put them through a final winter before replacing them. They were still going strong, they just didn’t look great. I would imagine these would have pushed into their late 60K mile or even early 70K mile mark if you asked them.

Are They For You?

If you are looking for a tire to replace your factory set but you’re not looking for an off-road option, these Michelin Defender LTX M/S are something to consider. They are a great year-round choice for daily 2wd driving and they can be used for the occasional 4WD use. Just like the Bridgestone Duelers, it’s a highway/all-season option designed for commuting, however, the Defender LTX M/S is better suited to handle more wet and snow-covered surface scenarios.

Goodyear Wrangler SR-A

Overview by Brenan Greene

• Type: HT – Highway Terrain
• SimpleTire.com (265/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 235/65R17
  • 245/65R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 245/70R17
  • 255/75R17
  • 235/75R17
  • 265/65R17
  • 235/80R17
  • 245/75R17
  • 245/70R17
  • 265/70R17

One of the smoothest and quietest rides you will find for a highway-focused option. The Goodyear Wrangler SR-A (SRA) features wide grooves in the tread design with lots of siping (zig-zag micro-groove pattern) to push water away from the tire – preventing hydroplaning in the rain, snow, and ice. This tire is designed for wet roads. Battling all of the wet elements, the SLA will take you through the most severe on-road conditions yet still keep it quiet in the cabin.

The SRA comes stock on some 4Runners from the factory and it’s no wonder why. It’s a very capable all-season highway and on-road tire. Goodyear backs this with a 50K mile warranty but through some reviews online you will see people say this Wrangler SR-A can push upwards of 70-80K miles. Not a bad option if it can last through almost 100K miles. I wouldn’t trust all that but no first-hand experience – hard to say. If you want them to last, you better be precise about alignment, rotation, and regular pressure checks.

Are They For You?

This is another great on-road/highway choice. If you’re primarily driving around town and on the free freeway along with commuting through wet seasons in the winter all while looking for a long-lasting option – the Wrangler SR-A is a great choice. With a name like Goodyear backed with the warranty it has, this is a great option for wet conditions on the road that will last you quite some time depending on your maintenance schedule.

All-Terrain Tires (AT)

Toyo Open County AT 2 (285/75R17 – 33.8″)

Designed to accommodate most terrain which gives them the “all” terrain title. I wouldn’t call them fully prepared for every terrain type though. All-terrains are great for the road, loose rock, gravel, moguls, sand, and different types of dirt or even clay. Once you get into mud and snow, typically ATs lose their traction. However, some ATs are more aggressive and are designed to act more like a Mud or even M+S variant.

Which AT to buy will depend on your driving habits. All-terrains typically provide great on-road (highway and city) traction while also offering great off-road traction. For most 4Runner owners, a well-rounded AT is going to offer the best of both worlds. All-terrains are not loud (hum) like your typical MTs and should perform well when you need them to off-road, but this doesn’t apply to all of them. Thankfully there are many ATs to choose from so use this reference to find the option that most accurately fits your style.

I personally really enjoy a good all-terrain because, for the most part, they have great road manners while providing great performance off-road.

Nitto Terra Grapplers

Overview by Brenan Greene

• Type: AT – All Terrain
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 235/80R17
  • 245/65R17
  • 245/70R17
  • 245/75R17
  • 265/65R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 285/70R17
  • 285/75R17
  • 295/70R17
  • 305/70R17
  • 315/70R17
  • 35X12.50R17
  • 37X12.50R17
  • 37X13.50R17

The Nitto Terra Grapplers come on many upgraded Toyota 4Runner models including the TRD line up depending on the dealership. We ran these on our Trail Edition Premium 4Runner in 2014. The Nitto Terra Grapplers are great for both on-road driving and off-road driving, but not perfect as they didn’t last that long for us.

On-Road:

On the road, this is a great all-terrain really designed for the highway and around town driver with occasional light off-road terrain trips. These Nitto Terra Grapplers are quiet, soft and stick well on dry conditions and will remain that way through the better part of their lifecycle. They provided good traction in all-seasons (dry, wet, snow, ice) conditions at the early stages of their life but towards the 20k-25k mile mark – they showed signs of lost traction. Generally speaking – they did great on-road in most conditions unless there were major patches of ice or snow.

Off-Road:

Off-road the Terra Grapplers are going to offer additional tread over a highway tire for example, but don’t expect them to push through extreme terrain or last into the 50k+ mile mark (again – they didn’t for us). At first, as with most, they perform incredibly well out of the gates. But, after putting about 20K miles on them, the performance in wet, snowy and icy conditions started to decline drastically. These were great tires both on and off-road up until about 20k-30k miles. At that 20k-25k mile mark, I noticed these slipping on slightly snowy patches in Tahoe in which I had to engage 4HI. Their performance off-road at about 30K-40K miles was almost non-existent and provided next to no traction, even when aired down. Additionally the siping had almost disappeared.

Nitto has a large line of Grapplers, including this model, the Terra Grapplers G2, along with the Ridge, Trail, and Mud models. Check these other models out if you are looking for more traction.

Are They For You?

If you are looking for a Nitto that is going to offer moderate-extreme off-road performance, you may want to consider one of the other Grappler variants. If you are looking for an all-terrain Nitto that offers great on-road performance, and very minimal road noise with the occasional off-road adventure, then the Terra Grapplers might be for you. The major decline in traction I noticed was around 30k-40k on wet, snow, icy conditions but they did perform great when new.

Wild Country XTX All Terrain

Overview by Sloan Click

• Type: AT – All Terrain
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • LT 265/70/17
  • LT 285/70/17
  • LT 235/80/17

A well-rounded AT backed by a bigger brand name in production (Cooper). The Wild County XTX All-Terrain has great snow and ice traction but by no means is this an off-road option. They are priced well for a 10 ply but may take finesse getting them to balance well.

On-Road: 

The Wild Country XTX has excelled on the road for an all-terrain. Some have made 50-60k miles on a set when regularly maintained. The siping and pattern make for good handling and dependable control. This is a sleeper as it is not necessarily a big well-known name. However, it is believed that this model is made by Cooper. Many of light truck and SUV in the “sticks” have run these budget-friendly tires for all the basic things needed.

Off-Road: 

The Wild Country XTX is not overly aggressive and plays more to a street happy AT but it has the pattern to get you through light mud, gravel, dirt roads, light snow, and ice, and can be aired down as much as you need it. I certainly would not hit the Rubicon with these – but farm to town, I don’t think anyone could beat it for the price.

Are they for you? 

If you need a dependable AT option at a great price that can get you safely down the road and capable to make trips on the trail, dirt roads, gravel, and across a well-packed field, then you can get a steal with the price on this one. Stay away from overly sharp rocky terrain or med-heavy mud as this tire is for the 70-80% on-road driver.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT

Overview by Max Sheehan

• Type: AT – All Terrain
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 285/70R17
  • 285/75R17
  • 295/70R17
  • 305/70R17
  • 315/70R17
  • 37X12.50R17

The AT3 XLT’s are the most robust option in Cooper’s AT3 line-up. If you are looking for a well-rounded all-terrain, built for hauling/towing, well-mannered on-road, and fully capable off-road – this is truly a special tire you may want to consider.

On-Road: 

They are very smooth and quiet on the pavement with excellent wet traction. Designed to perform well with constant loads, which is why Cooper makes so many load range E options. This well-mannered on-road tire will last well into the 50K mile mark and possibly beyond. This is one of those long-lasting all-terrains that many of us strive for but still offer performance off-road. The on-road performance with Cooper is pretty impressive in their AT3 lineup. The AT3 XLT specifically is designed to stop on average at least 10 feet shorter on wet roads compared to other LT models.

Off-Road: 

Off-road, the deep tread and rugged traction shoulders give tons of grip for an all-terrain while also being resistant to punctures. Although being a stronger compound, you may not see the same soft, sticky grip as you would with some other AT or MT options.  The tough sidewall and main tread make this option not only perform well in the rocks but durable over miles of rough terrain.

Are they for you?

If you need a tire that performs well off-road but still needs to drive on the highway to get there, the Discoverer AT3 XLT is your best bet. This is also a great option if you are towing anything or putting lots of weight on your 4Runner. This is a strong compound built for the challenge of withstanding weight. It may not be the softest off-road-focused option in the book, but it sure will last.

Firestone Destination X/T

Overview by Brooke Niccoli

• Type: AT- All Terrain
• Firestone.com: Check Price
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 235/80R17
  • 245/70R17
  • 245/75R17
  • 255/75R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 285/70R17
  • 315/70R17

On-Road:

The Firestone X/T was built specifically to give “anywhere” traction and durability. The main stand out for on-road handling comes from the open shoulder slots. This provides an easy way for water to escape in order to help reduce the risk of hydroplaning. As with some of their other Destination options, this also has 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certification.

Off-Road:

These are an all-terrain light truck and SUV tire built to give dependable off-road traction as well as long-lasting durability. This model features an aggressive staggered off-shoulder tread design to give extra bite around the edges while off-road. The open shoulder slots, as mentioned above, also provide better traction off-road.

Are they for you? 

The “anywhere” traction allows a great option for people who are on-road as well as off-road frequently and want something that can handle both terrains well. This model comes with a 50,000-mile warranty as well as the Firestone 90-Day Buy and Try Guarantee for those who want to give these tires a test run but aren’t sure if they are completely suited to fit their needs.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S

Overview by Max Sheehan

• Type: AT- All Terrain
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Walmart.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Cooper: Check Specs
• Load Range: STD, XL
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 235/60R17
  • 235/65R17
  • 235/70R17
  • 235/75R17
  • 245/65R17
  • 245/70R17
  • 255/65R17
  • 255/70R17
  • 255/75R17
  • 265/65R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 285/70R17

An all-season climate demands an all-season tire; the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S meets that demand.

On-Road:

On pavement, the 4S shares great road manners with the rest of the 4S line-up, especially in adverse conditions. Specifically geared towards vehicle owners that spend time in the snow and wet conditions, the 4S is 3PMSF rated making it a great overall tire for time on the mountain where winters are long and wet.

Off-Road: 

It holds it’s own off-road as well, with a proven tread pattern that is capable of getting you farther down the trail than you’d think. The AT3 4S features a 5-rib all-terrain pattern that provides enhanced off-road driving capability and improved wet/dry traction. When aired down, this all-season performs like a rugged all-terrain.

Are they for you?

Overall, the Discoverer AT3 4S will best benefit the 4Runner owner that commutes to the mountains for the weekend with their family, getting there and back without issue. These are quiet, well-mannered and continue to prove a well-balanced solution for consistent on-road driving with the occasional off-road driving on light to mild terrain. This is your go-to for a well-rounded option that will grip any rocky or smooth surface all under the most severe weather, rain or shine. This will be a great option for many 4Runner owners.

Toyo Open Country A/T 2

Overview by Brenan Greene

• Type: AT – All Terrain
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price 
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 235/65R17
  • 235/75R17
  • 235/80R17
  • 245/65R17
  • 245/75R17
  • 255/70R17
  • 255/80R17
  • 265/65R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 285/70R17
  • 285/75R17
  • 305/70R17
  • 35X12.50R17

Available in three different versions, the P, LT, and Xtreme – the Toyo AT2 are a commonly ran option on light to medium-duty trucks. The Xtreme version is their most aggressive sidewall and deeper tread depth. I ran the Xtreme variant for just over 10K miles.

On-Road:

With lots of zig-zag sipes on the top of the tread blocks, this tire has lots of traction in wet, snowy and icy conditions. The Toyo AT2 is on the harder side compared to other rubber compounds which means the tread will last a long time. In fact, Toyo has an impressive warranty – backing the P rated version 65K miles and te LT sizes 50k miles. The AT2 is louder than most AT options but nothing compared to your typical MT. With an AT expected to last this long – something has to give.

Off-Road: 

The tread blocks, shoulder, and sidewalls on the AT2s are aggressive enough to handle most of what you throw at them. And for a hard compound, they do perform well on most surfaces, including jagged sharp rocks. For the dry, forest service roads, loose rock, boulders, sand, and gravel along with medium difficulty trails, they perform great. They provided a comfortable ride all while gripping the surface they were pushed through. Even on light mud and light snow terrain, these ATs did quite well.

When it comes to thick wet/muddy, snow-packed trails they were OK – their hard compound fails to deliver when conditions get wet and rough. Even aired down to 15PSI on 285/75R17 – the tire lugs and sidewall struggled to grip the snow. Deep snow and mud will get stuck in the lugs leaving you wanting and often needing more.

Are they for you? 

After putting 10K miles on these, I truly enjoyed these and for ATs would buy them again. If you are looking for a well-rounded AT that will last a long time and can live with above-average sound, these are great. If you are looking for an ultra-quiet AT for your commute, these are not for you. These are also not a good choice if you foresee yourself in a deep snowpack or thick mud.

Firestone Destination A/T 2

Overview by Brooke Niccoli

• Type: AT – All Terrain
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 235/65R17
  • 235/70R17
  • 235/75R17
  • 245/65R17
  • 245/70R17
  • 255/65R17
  • 255/70R17
  • 255/75R17
  • 265/65R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 285/70R17

On-Road: 

The Firestone A/T2 was built specifically to handle wet performance and on-road handling by increasing the surface to help water evacuation and increase performance with wet stopping and handling. If you are looking for a fully capable option in the snow, the Firestone A/T2 has you covered with a 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certification.

Off-Road:

I was given the opportunity to take this new tire for a test ride before it was released, and let me tell you these things had amazing grip and traction performance off-road! We took a few corners pretty quickly and never felt like I was losing control of the vehicle. This model features an aggressive shoulder tread pattern which helps to improve off-road handling.

Are they for you? 

These Firestone A/T2s would best be suited for someone who wants the best of both worlds. Someone who wants a more aggressive tire with great performance off-road as well as great day-to-day on-road performance. These have a longer-lasting performance rating compared to the original Destination A/T. This model comes with a 55,000-mile warranty as well as the Firestone 90-Day Buy and Try Guarantee.

General Grabber A/T 2

Overview by Sloan Click

• Type: AT – All Terrain
• Walmart.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 235/80R17
  • 245/70R17
  • 245/75R17
  • 255/65R17
  • 255/70R17
  • 265/65R17
  • 265/65R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 285/70R17
  • 315/70R17
  • 33X12.50R17
  • 35X12.50R17

On-Road:

At low speeds, vibrations are a bit annoying however above 25mph they smooth out for a “normal” range of moan on the road due to the larger blocking. This tire definitely errs on the side of MT due to the lack of siping and larger blocks. However, the handling has proven just fine in dry conditions and okay-ish in wet conditions. I would say this is a “middle of the road” performer on the street. It meets an interesting middle ground between aggressiveness and consistent block pattern to keep good contact with the asphalt.

Off-Road:

This tread pattern is obviously is built for meeting off-road needs. Once again, it does several things well without necessarily excelling in one or another. The blocky-ness pulls well through low to moderate mud hole scenarios. The tire does have the Baja look similar to the KO2 which also features consistency for regular surface contact. This allows the tread to carry you over rock, gravel, dirt, sand, and icy situations pretty well, if that’s what you need. Hill climbs certainly benefit from good surface contact and softer rubber bud beware of overly muddy or loose slopes.

Are they for you?

This option is for those who want a uniform AT tread pattern (a Baja look) that can handle most situations. Those who regularly ride mud that needs to dig in or are timid in rainy conditions on the road should probably look elsewhere. Daily commuting-weekend warriors will fair fine with this selection if its the look they want. Fire roads, hard-packed trails, desert terrain, sand roving, and non-skid rock climbing will be no problem. The red letters are unmistakable.

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

Overview by Ryan Gibburnz

• Type: AT – All Terrain
• Size: 285/70R17
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Walmart.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 225/65R17
  • 235/80R17
  • 245/65R17
  • 245/70R17
  • 245/75R17
  • 255/65R17
  • 255/70R17
  • 255/75R17
  • 265/65R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 275/65R17
  • 275/70R17
  • 285/70R17
  • 285/75R17
  • 305/65R17
  • 315/70R17
  • 33X12.50R17
  • 34X10.50R17
  • 35X12.50R17
  • 37X12.50R17

One of the most well-known all-terrains on the market, the BFG KO2. This has been a go-to tire in the light truck, crossover, and SUV category for decades which dates back to 1977.

On-Road:

The BFG KO2’s are a go-to for a variety of reasons, but mainly because they’re great on and off-road. They sport a knobby tread block with thick sidewalls (E-rated- although you can get them in a lower load range with the 265) but aren’t deeply treaded enough to make significant noise driving down the highway. In fact, you can barely hear them – they have great road manners and are comfortable on the ears.

The lower load range is going to offer you a “more comfortable ride” although that is to be debated. Load range C comes on 265s and smaller. Load range D and E come on 275s and larger although they have made changes to their line so this may not be 100% exact. In any case, load range D would likely be enough for most of our needs.

They feature robust 3d sipes in the tread blocks and have earned the 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) which prepares them for server wet and snow surfaces.

Off-Road:

Depending on the size you go with (275 being common before you go up a level to 285 and start needing a BMC), the weight can be on the higher side. They’ll get you through mild to extreme terrain and because of the design but don’t expect them to perform like a true MT with deeper tread blocks and sidewalls. The new BFG KO2 is supposed to be their toughest KO yet. Their CoreGard Technology sidewalls are 20% tougher than the previous KO AT. The KO2 features a tougher split & bruise resistant sidewall rubber, derived from BFGoodrich’s race proven Baja T/AKR2 tire. The thicker, extended shoulder rubber and Increased rubber thickness extends down the sidewall to protect more of the critical sidewall failure zone. Its race-proven and 4Runner trail tested. You can’t go wrong with a KO2. But, with so many other options out there, there may be better options for you.

Are they for you?

Usually, the KO2 fits the weekend warrior well. Someone who daily drives their 4Runner 90% on-road and 10% off-road. There may be better options out there for extreme to extreme terrain but that’s not what the BFG KO2s are intended for. If you want an aggressive look, want to test the limits of your 4Runner but still want to keep it as a daily driver, start here. If you’re looking to climb significant rocky terrain or foresee yourself pushing through extreme wet, slick, muddy, and snowy off-road conditions – check out some of the other MT tires listed here.

Kanati Trail Hog A/T

Overview by Matt Mitchell

• Type: AT – All Terrain
• PriorityTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Walmart.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 2457517
  • 265/70R17
  • 285/70R17
  • 305/70R17
  • 315/70R17
  • 35X12.50R17
  • 37X12.50R17

On-Road:

The Kanati Trail Hogs have substantial road noise for an AT and sometimes feel rigged/bumpy while driving, more like an MT. The pro is that they can handle pretty much anything an on-road experience can throw at them. When pushed through rain, snow, ice, the Kanati’s provide solid traction and stability with minimal wear over time.

Off-Road:

The Trail Hogs do quite well off-road. They have deeper grooves/knobs than a standard a/t and rarely slip on most surfaces. I’ve been able to tackle most trails without using 4wd with these because of their ability to bite. I’ve only slipped in these twice off-road: once on a wet 50% grade climb, and another on an icy mountain summit. Both were in 2wd and were fixed immediately by switching to 4wd. These Trail Hogs get the job done.

Are they for you?

The Trail Hogs are for the driver who spends most of their time off-road. I wouldn’t recommend these for your daily driver to work if you’re not getting off-road at least monthly, as that’s where these Trail Hogs really shine. You can get a lower road noise with a Terra Grappler or Goodyear Wrangler, but these make up for it in strength. If you’re having trouble choosing between an AT or MT, the Trail Hogs are a great option to get the best of both.

Milestar Patagonia A/T

Overview by @wrench.n.wheel

• Type: AT – All Terrain
• Walmart.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 235/65R17
  • 235/80R17
  • 245/65R17
  • 245/70R17
  • 245/75R17
  • 265/70R17

On-Road:

The Milestar Patagonia (pats) perform great on the road, they have a softer compound than most – so they stick well to dry pavement. Even though they have a mud terrain tread pattern, the tire’s center patch seems to resemble more of an all-terrain. During twisty roads, while heading down to a trail, the sidewall has a little more give than what I was typically used to so you get adjusted to that. In the rain, they aren’t my favorite, but that’s only because of the tread pattern; rain likes tons of tread with siping everywhere and this pattern is more blocky with huge gaps (less overall contact patch on the road). Finally, the road noise is something to be adjusted to as well as coming from an all-terrain. The noise isn’t overbearing, but a hum that you just need to get used to or turn the music up.

Off-Road:

I think these pats were made for rock crawling and dry dirt – not a full wet and snow capable option. They stick so well to dry rock and I have found tons of grip on dry and they stand up to the beating that rocks provide. On wet rock they suffer, slip and slide everywhere due to blocky tread pattern and the softness of the tire can’t assist there. Though in the snow they do well, they don’t dig in and get me stuck, but they don’t really get me out if I do get stuck due to over throttling.

Are they for you? 

The pats were made for the rock crawler or the guy on the budget. They come in a range of sizes from 33s to 40s and are priced very well. They stick to rock and conform well to it as well as having less noise than the typical tire. Those that daily their rigs would enjoy these, but keep in mind its not an all-terrain when talking about road noise.

Falken Wildpeak AT3

Overview by Tim Parke

• Type: AT – All Terrain
• Walmart.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 235/80R17
  • 245/65R17
  • 245/70R17
  • 245/75R17
  • 255/65R17
  • 255/70R17
  • 255/80R17
  • 265/65R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 275/70R17
  • 285/70R17
  • 285/75R17
  • 315/70R17
  • 35X12.50R17
  • 37X12.50R17

On-Road:

The Falken Wildpeak AT3 performs exceptionally well on-road. For a rig that spends a decent portion of its time on pavement, these tires are an excellent option. Great treadwear, low road-noise, a high level of ride comfort & all-weather performance contribute to their pleasant on-road manners.

Off-Road:

Durability and grip are key strong points to this Falkens performance off the pavement. Add in the benefit of their snow-rated capability and you can be confident that this tire will get you back home after a trip into the woods. Just be wary of sticky, clay-like mud, where these Falken Wildpeaks tend to become more like drag slicks once the tread clogs up.

Are they for you? 

The Falken Wildpeaks best suit the likes of those who daily drive their rig, but also need to feel confident on the trail. The added benefit of their snow rating is great for those who live in or travel to wintry climates. They’re also a great value for money – so if you’re on a budget, but know better than to cheap out on your tires entirely, these are definitely for you.

Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx AT

Overview by Max Sheehan

• Type: AT/MT  – All Terrain Hybrid
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Cooper: Check Specs
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 235/80R17
  • 255/80R17
  • 245/75R17
  • 255/75R17
  • 285/75R17
  • 245/70R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 275/70R17
  • 285/70R1
  • 295/70R17
  • 315/70R17
  • 265/65R17
  • 305/65R17
  • 37X12.50R17

The S/T Maxx was developed in Australia for the toughest conditions imaginable. It was put to use as a tire that could provide the traction of a mud-terrain and the durability of an all-terrain. This hybrid tread (technically an AT but has many MT characteristics) design with deep lugs performs superb off-road, gripping just about everything it rolls over. The Armor Tek3® carcass is tough as nails, endlessly resisting sharp punctures on both the tread and the sidewalls. On the highway, the Maxx performs well for its tread design with a surprisingly quiet ride and sure-footed feeling in the corners. The Discoverer S/T Maxx is perfect for a 4Runner owner who is planning a long trip and needs to go just about anywhere without the risk of tire failure.

On-Road:

Good, fairly quiet and well mannered for a mud terrain-like design. They seem to be wearing well for an AT hybrid, I put about 10K on the set. The particular ones I ran are on a 1-ton dually dump-truck, so most of my experience has been on-road. They do very well with heavy loads, in fact, these impressed me several times.

Off-Road:

The S/T Maxx seems to clear mud and debris well, as expected for this hybrid tread pattern – which is actually closer to an MT. My personal off-road experience with these has not been on trails or Overlanding. That said, I have spent lots of time getting loads of material delivered on un-improved trails through someone’s property. The S/T Maxx have performed well in those situations.

Are they for you? 

I see the S/T Maxx on PG&E trucks and other work trucks all the time. They are very heavy duty and have a reputation for long on-road life – as far as mud terrains are concerned. As I said above, they are well suited for hauling lots of weight. I have never aired them down or tried any local off-road trails with them.

Mud-Terrain Tires

Cooper STT Pro Mud Terrain Tires (295/75R17)

This style of tire is truly designed to claw at the rock, mud, snow – or any other severe terrain you may find yourself on. Mud Terrains are typically going to provide the most amount of traction possible for a street-legal radial. There is a balance when buying an MTs. Buyers usually want to find an MTs that is very aggressive off-road with a well-manned on-road behavior, in other words; not loud.

MTs have a reputation for being louder than ATs and all-season. They produce a “hum” or in some cases, a “howl” depending on the tread pattern. This isn’t always a turn off though. Some people actually enjoy the sound of their beloved MTs. Whether you like the hum/howl or not comes down to personal preference. For reference, hum is a little less severe than a howl. For some drivers, a hum is ok but a howl is not. On a scale from 1-10, I would place the “hum” at a 3-5 and a “howl” at a 7-9… if that makes sense.

Another buying signal to look at is the life and performance of the tire. Some MTs don’t make it to 30K miles without showing extreme signs of wear and some will last well into the 60k mile mark. This really depends on how you drive the tire and tire compound. Typically speaking the harder the compound, the stiffer the tire, the longer it lasts. Alternatively, the softer the compound, the smoother the ride, the shorter life it has. It all goes back to driving habits and driving style. What’s the best MT tire? Only you can decide.

Goodyear Duratracs MT

• Type: MT – Mud Terrain
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 235/80R17
  • 245/70R17
  • 245/75R17
  • 255/75R17
  • 265/65R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 285/70R17
  • 285/70R17
  • 295/70R17
  • 315/70R17
  • 35X12.50R17

All Terrain meets Mud Terrain with a very soft rubber compound and much to be desired off-road. By being a soft tire we noticed a little bit of sway in the vehicle from side to side. For the serious off-roader who is looking to wheel in the snow or rocky terrain with a need for great on-road traction getting there, the Goodyear Duratracs have been depended on for decades and maybe a good option.

On-Road: 

Goodyear claims that this is a smooth sailing on-road choice in terms of noise, but from personal experience, I would say it is about average for road noise to most MTs. This is going to be above what you would find in a typical all-terrain. The provide Designed as primarily a snow and mud-terrain, these will provide excellent traction on wet roads and snow or ice-covered pavement.

Off-Road: 

Handles amazing off-road (in the early stages of their life) as they are soft and squisher so the footprint is bigger. They worked amazingly in the snow. This is a studded-ready option with lots of siping along with little teeth on the base of the tire (TractiveGroove technology) made and designed for enhanced traction in deep mud, and snow.

Are they for you?

I think the Goodyear Duratracs are great for someone who is looking to have a good off-road option and drive through loose dirt, mud or snow. If it is a daily driver and occasionally you are going off-road, this is a good option, but the downside is that they wear out quicker than some others. The harder you push these softer tires off-road – the faster they wear. If you really abuse your rubber then look for a stronger compound. If you arent going to push them through harsh terrain, these will be great for the long-haul

TreadWright Guard Dog MTs

Overview by Brenan Greene

• Type: MT – Mud Terrain
• Walmart.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Amazon.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 315/70R17
  • 285/70R17
  • 35×12.5R17

This Treadwright is a budget-friendly MT that offers many great characteristics off-road but can be challenging in other areas. The soft rubber compound allows for extremely impressive off-road performance at the 3k-10k mile mark but this same feature that makes them great can make them wear fast.

On-Road:

They provide great traction on the road in all conditions. I have personally put about 5k miles on these Guard Dogs and have a love/hate relationship with them on road. I feel like at every corner, stop, turn and brake – they do their job quite well. So what’s the problem? They bark man, they bark. For an on-road daily driver or even commuter – these are loud. They grip on road well through thick and thin but damn do they make some noise.

Off-road: 

Holy smokes they perform great when aired down. Get these puppies down to 18-15PSI and hit the rocks – they perform. And for a soft tire, they do great on mud, snow, sand, gravel, loose rock and general fire roads as well. This is a great off-r0ad option FOR THE MONEY as they will perform and for the most part, get you through whatever section you throw at them. The only downside off-road is they may bust lugs if you spin them hard on rocks.

Are they for you? 

Keep in mind this is a budget option so budget comes with some type of downfall right? Yeah, they are a comfortable tire on-road but at the same time, can drive you nuts if you don’t like tire hum. If your only drive is around town, in short bursts or even to just the trailhead, and you are looking for an affordable off-road option, these Guard Dogs are for you. The Guard Dogs are great for a weekend project 4×4 truck – not your daily driver.

Kumho MT71 MT

Overview by Felix Chen

• Type: MT  – Mud Terrain
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 255/75 R17
  • 265/70 R17
  • 285/70 R17
  • 295/70 R17
  • 315/70 R17
  • 35X12.50 R17

The Kumho MT71 Mud Terrain is new to 2020. Released Jan 1 of 2020, the MT71 boasts off-road traction, on-road handling, and durability.

On-Road:

On the road, the Kumho MT71 rides smoothly but road noise due to the large tread voids is noticeable. As you increase to highway speeds, tire noise takes over as the primary vehicle sound. It’s not super irritating, but those looking for quiet tires may want to look for an alternative.

Off-Road: 

The Kumho MT71 features an incredibly aggressive tread pattern with large voids and increased block stiffness for better traction. The sidewalls and shoulders feature equally aggressive biting edges to aid in traction when aired down. It would seem the primary focus of the MT71 is the maximum off-road grip. Off-Road, the MT71’s grab and grab even through the soft sticky Texas red dirt and the high voids and stone ejectors clean the tires easily allowing for continuous traction.

Are they for you? 

This Kumho MT71 would be a great choice for the more hardcore off-roaders who prioritize performance over noise and are looking to gain every little bit of traction they can.

Nitto Ridge Grappler MT

Overview by Steve Offutt

• Type: MT/AT  – Mud Terrain
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 255/80R17
  • 265/65R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 285/70R17
  • 285/75R17
  • 285/75R17
  • 295/70R17
  • 305/70R17
  • 315/70R17
  • 33X12.50R17
  • 35X12.50R17
  • 37X12.50R17
  • 37X13.50R17

On-Road:

The Nitto Ridge Grappler’s popularity stems from the fact that it is a hybrid mud/all-terrain, which translates to better on-road manners than your typical mud terrain. It’s known for its quietness and smoothness when driving on road. The C-load ridge grappler is often chosen because it’s load rating is better suited for mid-size vehicles versus an e-load that you typically see on heavy-duty trucks. I have personally had great experiences with balancing these Nitto Ridge Grappler’s as opposed to a set of KO2s that would never balance properly. All these factors translate into a great road option.

Off-road: 

Being a hybrid, it has various traits that also make it a decent off-road. It has a beefy sidewall that aids in traction when aired down. The outer tread is what makes it a hybrid MT. It has lugs that are more spaced apart which makes it great for clearing mud and gripping rocks. Nitto is known for its robust sidewalls so you can have more confidence airing them down and going into rock sections without worrying about impaling the sidewall. They are however not perfect, they have been known to not have the best performance in snow and icy conditions. This could be attributed to the lack of siping that you might find on tires like the Duratracs, AT3 XLT, and the popular KO2s, which are the popular 3 peak mountain snowflake rated tires.

Are they for you? 

These are great for the offroader who daily drives their rigs to and from work, then takes their rigs off-road on the weekends. The person who doesn’t want to compromise between a loud MT and a less aggressive AT. Great for people who don’t experience much snow but may encounter mud or sharp rocks often.

Firestone M/T 2

Overview by Brooke Niccoli

• Type: MT – Mud Terrain
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 245/75R17
  • 255/75R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 285/70R17
  • 295/70R17
  • 315/70R17
  • 33X12.50R17
  • 35X12.50R17
  • 37X12.50R17

The Firestone M/T2 was brought to the market a couple of years ago to replace the original Destination M/T. These were engineered to be tough and perform on-road as well as off-road. I have had these on my 4Runner for two years now and the performance on-road specifically has been amazing.

On-Road:

They perform well no matter if it is dry or wet and they’ve even done pretty well in the snow for the typical “mud-terrain”. I have had issues with snow and ice on-road with other tires but these Firestone M/T2 have yet to let me down. These are louder on-road then your typical A/T but they are quieter on-road than many other M/Ts.

Off-Road:

Off-road performance of these irestone M/T2s is amazing. They are by far the best options I have run in terms of off-road handling. They have features such as mud and rock rejectors which keep the tread cleared out giving you that constant traction. Also, durability is top-notch. These were built with an advanced construction to help resist chips and tears to maximize life. People are constantly asking if my tires are new because they wear so well. The M/T2 also features 20% more biting edges along the sidewall to help keep you in control in snowy weather and on slick surfaces.

Are they for you? 

These Firestone M/T2 are for those who want an aggressive look, typically seen on off-road vehicles. They are probably better suited for someone who uses their vehicle off-road more frequently but could also work for a daily driver. I haven’t seen any negatives with these tires, on-road or off-road. They have amazing performance, traction, durability and wear. Even if some people consider being “loud” a negative, I can hardly hear them over my exhaust and radio.

Cooper Evolution MT

Overview by Brenan Greene

• Type: MT – Mud Terrain
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Cooper: Check Specs
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 265/70R17
  • 285/70R17
  • 295/70R17
  • 35X12.50R17

Cooper has a wide variety of offerings including their Discoverer line, but recently they launched this Evolution MT. This new EVO MT is more or less an upgrade from the STT Pro which is saying something. The STT Pro is a great off-road tire, but cooper took it a step further with the EVO MT.

On-Road: 

I have only put about 500 miles on these, but these are impressive so far. Coming from a Toyo AT2 Xtreme, these EVO MT tires had better manners on the road which was somewhat shocking. They are quieter than the Toyo AT which isn’t saying much because the Toyo AT2 is known for being on the loud side. So far the EVO MT has acted like an AT on-road while providing great traction with large siping on their earth digger tread blocks. In the rain, and wet surfaces the EVO MT has performed as expected. This is also a “studdable” option.

Off-Road: 

I’ve only aired them down once, but they claw through mud and loose muddy rock extremely well. The large alternating scoops on the tread blocks just continue to grip and tear through what’s in front of them. They feature a “mud slinger” which provides a fresh grip in the mud, continuously throwing out the old mud. They also have their trail grip sidewall design which helps in the deep mud, sand, and snow. Finally, they have small stone ejectors that throw rocks from getting stuck in or puncturing the tread blocks.

Are they for you? 

If you are looking for an aggressive tread block design for extreme off-roading while maintaining that well mannered on-road behavior – this is an option to consider. I was shocked at the lack of noise these produced. Granted they are only at 500 miles but compared to the Treadwright Guard dog MT tires, those were 5X as loud new. There is not a lot out there on the internet when it comes to the overall lifecycle of these so that is yet to be determined. They are not the cheapest option but given the Cooper reputation, I am excited to see how far we can push these EVO MTs.

Toyo Open Country MT

Overview by Jeff Steffens

• Type: MT – Mud Terrain
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 255/75R17
  • 255/80R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 285/70R17
  • 285/75R17
  • 295/70R17
  • 315/70R17
  • 33X12.50R17
  • 35X12.50R17
  • 37X12.50R17
  • 37X13.50R17
  • 40X13.50R17

This is a great mud-terrain, but might be a little pricey for some. They have an aggressive sidewall and large tread blocks but are surprisingly not that loud for your traditional MT. This is one of the better-looking more aggressive-looking tires in my opinion.

On-Road: 

These Toyo Open Country MTs feel great on the road but they do have a hum, and you can hear them once you start picking up speed.  If you keep up with rotating them about every 4k miles they will last a long time. I got close to 60k miles with mine. They are a harder compound so you can feel a bit more bumps with them but I will take that as a trade-off for longer life expectancy. Working and driving through work sites – I have put many nails and screws in these Toyo Open Country MTs and not once did I get a flat. Very reliable!

Off-Road: 

Although this is more of my daily driver truck – I have taken these off-road. I would go to the snow and they had no problem in the snowpack, Ice and stush. They will rip through just about any terrain you throw at them. They are built to tear through the thick stuff. They have big and aggressive shoulder lugs, and deep siping. Off-road traction is excellent with this MT.

Are they for you? 

Gravel roads they handled great but just like any wide lug or tread block, they tend to pick up more rocks due to the bigger grooves. These would be great for someone who wants that aggressive look and performance for off-road but still uses their truck as a daily driver and wants that street life expectancy. These Toyo Open Country MTs come in a wide variety of sizes so you have plenty of options to choose from here. The biggest downside of this tire is probably price. Seeing how Nitto is a sister company of Toyo – you may be able to save some money with a Trail Grappler.

BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3

Overview by Matt Zoll

• Type: MT – Mud Terrain
• SimpleTire.com (285/70R17): Check Price
• DiscountTire.com: Check Price
• Size Offerings (17″ Wheel):
  • 245/70R17
  • 255/65R17
  • 255/75R17
  • 265/65R17
  • 265/70R17
  • 285/70R17
  • 285/75R17
  • 295/70R17
  • 315/70R17
  • 33X12.50R17
  • 35X12.50R17
  • 37X12.50R17
  • 37X13.50R17
  • 39X13.50R17

The KM3 is a huge upgrade from BFGoodrich’s KM2. Many people complained about the KM2’s rough ride and horrible road noise. The all-new KM3 was released in early 2019 and has destroyed its predecessor.  It offers 5% better mud traction, 8% better rock traction, and 27% stronger sidewalls.

On-Road: 

The ride is phenomenal for an MT. From my personal experience and working with customers at Discount Tires (my job), the road noise is just as quiet as some high-end all-terrain. The quality of the ride is extremely smooth with zero vibration or shaking. 

Off-Road: 

With the KM3, BFGoodrich ditched the old school block sidewall and replaced it with the sidewall design from the aggressive KO2 and updated the tread design.  I have put the KM3 through its paces going over large boulders, through slushy mud pits and general dirt trails, it just keeps going.

Are they for you? 

So, whether you’re looking for a mud terrain that can take you to hell and back or just look badass while you’re shopping at the mall, the BFGoodrich KM3 is the all-around winner in my opinion.  The KM3 ranges in price from $172 per to $508; of course, size plays a factor in the cost. 

Final Thoughts?

If you got this far, you should now have a much better idea as to which tire fits your driving style best. We came up with this list of the most common ATs and MTs gathered by responses from actual 4Runner owners on Trail4Runner.com. If you would like to add a tire to this list, please contact us.