Best All Terrain Tires (Review & Buying Guide) in 2018

And there you have it – the top all terrain tires on the market right now. With so many options about, it can be difficult to know which tire will best stand up to your needs. That’s why we’ve put together this handy buying guide, which addresses some common questions about these versatile pieces of kit.

Features to Consider When Buying All Terrain Tires

The features you look for in an all-terrain tire will depend very much on what you use your vehicle for. Below are some common features of all-terrain tires, coupled with what they mean for day-to-day use.

• Large Tread

All-terrain tires typically feature a chunky-looking tread pattern. They typically have deeper grooves than highway tires, with more space between the raised parts. The purpose of this design is to increase the tire’s surface area as much as possible: the greater the area of contact between the tire and the ground, the greater traction is achieved. Look out for the tread size when buying all-terrain tires.

• Reinforced from the Inside

Many all-terrain tires feature internal steel bands, to heighten its rigidity over tough terrain. Often, these bands are wrapped in nylon; a fiber with a very high tensile strength. This feature makes all-terrain tires far more durable than standard higheay tires, but it also makes them heavier.

• Stone Ejectors

Many models of all-terrain tire are designed to prevent stones from entering the wheel, or becoming lodged in the treads. This prevents damage such as stone drilling, as well as keeping the treads clear. Clogged treads reduce the tire’s surface area, hence traction.

• Treated Rubber

The rubber used to produce all-terrain tires is often treated with a silica or carbon compound. This acts to give the tire’s surface more gripping power on wet surfaces, and certain compounds help to prevent mud and detritus becoming lodged in the tire’s treads.

• Self-cleaning

To the delight of off-road enthusiasts, many modern all-terrain tires are designed to, effectively, be self-cleaning. Their treads can be designed so that any mud, dirt, or other detritus caught in the treads works its way out as the wheel continues to turn. This ensures high traction is maintained at all times, as well as reducing the need to hose down your tires, saving a lot of time.

Benefits of Using All Terrain Tires

Obvious as it might sound, before you go ahead and purchase a set of all-terrain tires, it’s important to ask whether you really need them. These tires can be a great option in many different circumstances, but for drivers who rarely stray from the roads, they probably aren’t the most efficient, or comfortable option. This is because all-terrain tires, whilst they do handle well on the road, tend to be noisier than their standard counterparts, and often reduce the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

That being said, all-terrain tires do offer drivers a whole host of benefits:

• Versatility

If you own an SUV, pickup truck, or other four wheel drive vehicle, you can most likely use all-terrain tires. This versatility is certainly an advantage over other types of off-roading tires, which are often only compatible with larger vehicles. As the name “all-terrain” implies, this versatility also extends to their use. The main advantage of all-terrain tires is that they’re equally comfortable on the highway as on the rough track.

• Toughness

Another advantage of all-terrain tires is how tough they are. Most models are equipped with reinforced sidewalls, protecting from chips, scrapes and punctures. Many are also reinforced with steel cables, helping them stay rigid and provide the best traction possible. Certain models of all-terrain tires are also equipped to deflect rocks and pieces of gravel, protecting the vehicle against stone drilling and other rock related damage.

• High Mileage

All-terrain tires also tend to achieve higher mileages than their off-road only counterparts. This is good news for everyone who uses their truck or SUV almost every day. This high mileage capability also ensures great value, since the tires will need to be replaced less often. It’s vital to choose a high quality tire to properly benefit from this.

• Excellent Traction

All-terrain tires manage to achieve superb traction on a wide variety of surfaces – from mud, to rock, to snow – with their large treads and maximised surface area. This traction comes in handy all year round, whether conditions are wet, snowy, or rocky.

• Good Value

All-terrain tires are generally less expensive than their exclusively off-road counterparts. If you use your vehicle on standard roads as much as on rougher terrain, purchasing a set of all-terrain tires rather than a purely off-road set can save you a significant sum, especially since, as mentioned earlier, they generally need to be replaced less often.

• Even Wear

When all-terrain tires wear down, as all tires must eventually, they tend to do so evenly. This is good news for safety, as uneven tire treads can impact how a car handles. Since tires suitable for off-road driving tend to have particularly deep treads, this feature is especially vital. The deeper the tread, the greater the difference in height, if one side of the tread were to wear down before the other.

On the other hand, there are a few disadvantages to bear in mind when considering all-terrain tires for your vehicle:

• Noise

Although manufacturers are becoming more and more conscious of the noise their tires make on the road, larger block-tread patterns inevitably mean more noise when driving on the road.

• Lower Fuel Efficiency

All-terrain tires generally have lower fuel efficiency than touring tires, due to their increased friction, air resistance, and weight. Although all-terrain tires are not as fuel-heavy as off-road tires, this is worth bearing in mind.

• More prone to Cupping

The more aggressive a tire’s tread, the more prone it is to cupping – hills and valleys forming on the tire’s surface. This means that all-terrain tires are more likely to cup than standard on-road tires, but less likely than exclusively off-road tires. Cupping can usually be prevented by ensuring shock absorbers are in good condition and functioning correctly.

• Shorter Tread Life

All-terrain tires are generally made from softer rubber than tires designed exclusively for the road. This means they wear down faster. However, remember that all-terrain tires actually wear down a lot more slowly than their off-road counterparts: they sit in the middle of the tire spectrum in many regards.

The Difference Between All Season and All Terrain Tires

Despite their similar names, there are actually a lot of differences between all-terrain and all-season tires.

All-season tires are more accurately called all-season highway tires. They’re designed to be used year-round, as their name suggests, but only on typical road surfaces. Whilst all-terrain tires can handle similar conditions, all-season highway tires offer a smoother ride, quieter road noise, and greater fuel efficiency. A high-quality all-season tire will also handle much better on roads and highways than an all-terrain tire, since it’s designed for these types of surfaces exclusively. All-season tires have a particular advantage when it comes to wet roads; they handle on these surfaces much better than all-terrain tires would. All-season tires should be used if you drive almost exclusively on normal roads, and can handle wet and snowy conditions on these surfaces better than other highway tires.

On the other hand, all-terrain tires are designed to be as diverse as possible. Naturally, this comes with a few trade-offs. They’re much better equipped to handle off-road surfaces than their all-season counterparts – whatever the weather – but lose their edge on the highways. Only if you frequently drive off-road are all-terrain tires a better all-round option than all-season highway tires.

FAQ

Q:  What are all terrain tires?

A:  All-terrain tires are used to achieve traction on as many different surfaces as possible. They balance the large, open tread design of off-road tires with the handling capabilities of a highway tire. Essentially, all-terrain tires are the closest you can get to an all-purpose tire. They can handle:

• Driving on standard roads and highways
• Rocky or gravelly terrain
• Muddy surfaces
• Wet surfaces
• Snowy conditions

All-terrain tires are typically used on vehicles including:

• SUVs
• Pickup trucks
• Vans
• Campers
• Four wheel drive vehicles generally

They’re usually the best option if your time is split fairly evenly between driving on roads and highways, and taking your vehicle off-road. Not every vehicle is automatically compatible with all-terrain tires. You may need to have adjustments made to the suspension system, for instance.

Q:  How long do all terrain tires last?

A:  How long all-terrain tires last will depend upon how often they are used, and what they are used for. Generally speaking, a high quality all-terrain tire will last for between 20 and 40 thousand miles. Ideally, they should also be rotated every four or five thousand miles. Since the average American drives 1,000 miles every month, these tires have the potential to last for two or three years.

Q:  When to replace all terrain tires?

A:  You can tell an all-terrain tire is worn down and needs to be replaced when:

• Your tread appears shallow
• The tread shows signs of uneven wear
• Your valve caps appear damaged
• When driving, the ride seems rough compared to usual
• A lot of vibration can be felt whilst driving

If the wear on your tires is uneven, this is most likely due to misalignment. Make sure to have your tires properly aligned by a professional when you replace them. If most of the wear has occurred in the centre of the tire, however, this suggests that they have been overinflated. Be sure to check your tire pressure regularly, consulting the manufacturer’s advice for guidance.

When checking the depth of your tire tread, one useful trick is to use a penny. Insert it into the groove; if Lincoln’s head is not partly covered, then the tread depth is under 2/32”, and you should replace your tires. For a more accurate assessment, we recommend investing in a certified tire tread gauge. Since all-terrain tires generally have deeper treads than highway tires, you may need to measure to a different depth. Once again, check the tire manufacturer’s advice for guidance on this.

Q:  How much gas mileage is lost with all terrain tires effect?

A:  How much using all-terrain tires affects your gas mileage depends partly on the type of vehicle you own, the type of all-terrain tire, and how you drive. For instance, driving off-road is not as fuel efficient, since it requires more frequent acceleration and deceleration. For instance, more aggressive all terrain tires will have lower fuel efficiency. Off-road and mud tires will generally have the lowest mpg ratings, highway tires the highest.

Consumer Reports found that putting all-terrain tires on a Chevrolet Silverado truck reduced its fuel efficiency by 2.4 mpg compared to all-season tires of a similar calibre. This change would cost the truck’s driver around $300 a year more in gas, assuming they did an average amount of driving.

These results should be taken with a pinch of salt, since using all-terrain tires can be so much safer and easier in off-road conditions – potentially saving you money on having to be towed! Nonetheless, because of their greater friction and air resistance, all-terrain tires are noticeably less fuel efficient than their all-season counterparts. Ultimately, your individual circumstances will decide whether purchasing a set of all-terrain tires is a good option for your vehicle.

Q:  What weather are all terrain tires good for?

A:  All-terrain tires are designed to perform well under any and all weather conditions. They are often branded with the Three Peak Mountain snow symbol to indicate that the Rubber Manufacturers Association has approved them for safe use in snowy conditions.

This tolerance to mud, rain, and snow can be largely attributed to all terrain tires’ deep, open tread design. This allows a large surface area to be created, which in turn allows for plenty of traction.

One alternative to all-terrain tires are winter tires; these generally perform best on standard roads in the winter, but, unlike all-terrain tires, need to be replaced when the weather turns warmer. If you live in an area with relatively mild winters, then all-terrain tires are probably a good option. They can withstand considerable snowy conditions (although not as well as snow tires), and can also be used off-road all year round.

Q:  How much should I inflate my all terrain tires?

A:  Like all tires, consult the manufacturer’s specifications when deciding what pressure to keep your all-terrain tires at.

Unlike other tires, the ideal pressure will generally depend upon what type of driving you’ll be doing:

• Road Driving

When driving on the road, it’s generally advisable to keep the air pressure in all-terrain tires at the pressure recommended in your vehicle’s handbook. For four wheel drives this will range from 30 to 38psi.

• Rough Gravel

For gravel roads, it’s a good idea to drop the pressure a little, by about 6psi.

• Mud

When driving over mud, tire pressure should be dropped to about 28psi. If the mud is especially deep, you can drop as low as 22psi, provided you tackle it slowly.

• Sand

When off-roading on sand, you can drop you pressure lower still. For fine, loose sand, tires inflated to even 16psi can give you the traction you need.

• Rocks

When traversing rocky terrain, tire pressure should generally be dropped to 22 to 28psi. Lower pressure in this context allows the tires to flex around the rocks more easily, helping to grip and prevent punctures.

Our Top Pick

We think that Hankook’s Dynapro tires find the best balance between rugged versatility, and day-to-day usability. Their symmetrical tread design finds a happy medium between an aggressive tread, and one that handles smoothly on the roads.

They’re also reinforced with two tough, nylon-coated steel bands, keeping them stable on all terrains. They also feature innovative stone ejectors, keeping each tire safe from stone-drilling, chips, punctures, and scrapes. The tread is also designed to resist uneven wear, so you can keep using them for adventure after adventure. Finally, they really can be used in almost any condition, whether it be wet and muddy or cold and snowy.

Overall, Hankook’s Dynapro all-terrain tires offer a smooth ride, are incredibly durable, and look great too.

Sources

1. What All-Terrain Tires Are Used for and How They Differ from Other Tires, Tires.com
2. Picking the Best Tire, Tread Magazine
3.  Snow Tires Vs. all Terrain Tires: Which has the Advantage? Automotive Training Centre