Off-Road Tires: Mud Tires vs. All-Terrain Tires

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Mercedes Lilienthal

February 10, 2022

Mercedes Lilienthal

February 10, 2022

Options for upgrading your adventure rig are practically endless. But equipping your vehicle with reputable rubber is a top priority. After all, your tires are the only thing connecting you to the trail.

The two most common types of off-road tires - opens in new window or tab. are all-terrain and mud-terrain tires. Many companies offer both variants, but it’s essential to know the difference between the two.

Running worn-out or wrong tires when adventuring off the beaten path can lead to all kinds of problems, including getting stuck.

All-Terrain Tires Are a Happy Medium

All-terrain tires, or A/Ts, offer rugged tread patterns and improved sidewall design. Staggered tread designs help keep grip when traversing bigger boulders or off-camber situations. All-terrain tires, like Cooper Discoverer A/T3 XLTs - opens in new window or tab., have oversized lugs (the block of rubber within the tread) that perform admirably in the dirt. They are also quieter than mud-terrains on the highway, while providing better fuel economy and longer wear.

Most off-road enthusiasts use all-terrains because they’re a happy medium between a highway-runner and trail-traversing tire. However, if your trail adventures regularly lead you through heavy mud, then a mud-terrain tire is the better bet.

Other popular all-terrain tires include the Falken WildPeak A/T3W - opens in new window or tab., BF Goodrich T/A KO2 - opens in new window or tab., and Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac - opens in new window or tab.. Check out this deep-dive video describing the BF Goodrich T/A KO2 design:

Mud Tires Handle the Muck

Mud-terrain tires boast aggressively oversized tread patterns and bolstered sidewalls. Protruding rubber designs keep your rig moving forward in tricky terrain. For instance, BF Goodrich’s KM3 M/T tires - opens in new window or tab. use a pattern that clears mud out of its treads more efficiently than a typical A/T tire. If you're headed into the slop, mud tires get the nod.

Its large blocky pattern with thick sidewalls keep them clean. But there are drawbacks. Mud-terrain tires can be noisier on paved roads, wear faster, and sacrifice fuel economy.

If you're shopping mud tires, you'll also want to consider the Dick Cepek Extreme Country - opens in new window or tab. and Nitto Trail Grappler - opens in new window or tab., along with the Mickey Thompson Baja - opens in new window or tab..

Pricing Off-Road Rubber

Off-road tire prices depend on several factors: quality, type, and size, performance features, and brand. New off-road tires typically start around $120 per tire. Costs vary widely, of course, based largely on brand, size, and quality. The price can climb above $400 if you’re running 40-inch mud tires.

Quality comes at a price. So if you're looking for a set of cheap mud tires, it's worth a look at the wide selection of used off-road tire offerings - opens in new window or tab. on eBay.

Be sure to check the date stamp on the tire because older tires are prone to cracking. Also, some tire shops might refuse to mount them. This article will help you decode the numbers on the sidewall - opens in new window or tab. to determine the manufacturing date.

For an extra measure of safety, consider carrying a full-size matching spare. Many off-road vehicles allow you to mount the back-up securely on a roof rack or via a spare tire carrier.

About the author

Mercedes Lilienthal

Mercedes Lilienthal is an automotive journalist who writes regularly for publications like The New York Times, TREAD magazine, Expedition Portal, and more. Additionally, she and her husband founded and manage two automotive websites: Crankshaft Culture and Subcompact Culture. Mercedes’ freelance work includes writing, marketing services, and photography for various automotive-related clients.

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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.