We don’t suppose there have been many of us who drive who haven’t had the experience. It might be at a friend or family member’s house after a rainstorm or driving down an unmade country road. On poor unmade surfaces, rain equals mud. Our road tires can’t cope, and we can slip and slide around. And then we leave with our tires caked in mud.
They then proceed to deposit some of it over the windscreen of the guy behind us as we go back on the highway. It is probably a rare occurrence, and so there is no need to buy special tires. But what about those who spend a lot of time, if not all of it, off-road. They will need tires that can handle it.
So, let’s take a look at the Best Mud Tire and find the perfect ones for you…
Contents
- 1 Top 10 Best Mud Tires On The Market Reviews
- 1.1 1 BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 Mud Tire – Best Daily Driving Off-Road Tire
- 1.2 2 Firestone Destination M/T Mud-Terrain Radial Tire – Best Firestone Tires for Mud
- 1.3 3 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 Radial Tire – Best Value for the Money Mud Tires
- 1.4 4 General Grabber AT2 Radial Tire – 215/65R16 98T – Best Budget Mud Tires
- 1.5 5 Goodyear Wrangler AT/S Tire – 265/70R17 113S SL – Best Goodyear Mud Tires
- 1.6 6 Cooper Discoverer STT Pro All-Season 35X12.50R15LT 113Q Tire – Best All-Season Mud Tires
- 1.7 7 General Tire Grabber X3 All-Terrain Radial Tire – Best All-Terrain Mud Tires
- 1.8 8 Continental TerrainContact A/T All-Season Radial Tire-275/60R20 115S – Quietest Mud Tires
- 1.9 9 Atturo Trail Blade X/T Mud-Terrain Tire LT33/12.50R20 – Best Mid-Range Mud Tires
- 1.10 10 NITTO Ridge Grappler All-Season Radial Tire – Best Premium Mud Tires
- 2 Best Mud Tire Buying Guide
- 3 Looking for more superb motoring products?
- 4 So, what is the Best Mud Tire?
Top 10 Best Mud Tires On The Market Reviews
1
BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 Mud Tire – Best Daily Driving Off-Road Tire
BFGoodrich has been around for a few years. Over a hundred to be more accurate. They have built tires for various environments over those years, including airplane tires as well as cars and trucks. They were the first American company to make a radial tire, and are owned by the French company Michelin.
Ready for anything…
This tire is built to take just about all of the punishment you can throw at it. It is one of the most used tires these days because of its off-road abilities. It is principally bought for use in poor and muddy conditions. But in dry environments where there is a dry loose soil or sand or similar, it still excels.
The traction that it achieves in not only mud but also snow is exceptional. And that makes it a contender for the Best Tires for Mud. The tread life is also something that is impressive, which makes these tires an attractive option. This particular tire has a 15-inch rim. It also has a specially manufactured compound for the tread that allows the tire to clean itself.
Built tough…
It has a very tough build quality that has two steel belts and a nylon ply design. It is also fitted with strengthened sidewalls. That will help to ensure there is no damage incurred to the tire wall by loose dry rocks or other material.
There can be no doubting the quality of its performance off-road. In a dry on-road situation, it is still a decent tire. Given the thickness and aggressive nature of the tread, it is remarkably quiet. It also handles well and allows responsive steering.
Something to consider…
If there is one downside, it is the handling on a wet road. It doesn’t seem to like the hard road so much when it is wet. The response of braking and steering in the wet is only average. Something to consider is how much time you will spend on the highway.
Pros
- A good strong tire.
- Good performance off-road in poor conditions.
Cons
- Not so good on wet roads.
2
Firestone Destination M/T Mud-Terrain Radial Tire – Best Firestone Tires for Mud
The Firestone Destination Radial tire has been designed to work well on all surfaces and in all conditions. It has been given a rugged block patterned tread that provides a strong grip on just about all surfaces. It is proving itself to be a worthy contender for the Best Tires for Mud.
Why?
This is based not only on its performance in poor conditions and in off-road situations. But also in its comfortable performance driving on the highway.
The traction it achieves in the mud is exceptional, and its ability to excel is down in the main to its design. It has been given tire edges with extra bite. These will assist in maintaining a good grip and traction not only in the mud but also in the snow.
What else?
The block tire tread is designed so that the tire can naturally eject any mud or loose debris it might collect. This is an important design feature when creating traction. Tread that fills up with unwanted material will just not perform as well. The sidewalls of the tires are also given extra strengthening and support to reduce any impact from loose material.
But let us not consider just its off-road persona. There is another side to this tire that makes it a winner. The on-road performance of the Firestone Destination Mud Terrain Radial is just as impressive. The handling and stability are good, and on the highway, when the tires are new, they do not produce a lot of road noise.
But you should also know…
It has to be said though that this does increase with the age of the tire. They have a sporty look for pickups and conversions. And on the highway handle well in the wet with precise steering and effective braking. In the wet, the design of the tread reduces the possibility of aquaplaning. On corners, they are secure in wet or dry weather.
They are an excellent tire, and the only drawback we can see is that they might not last as long as some of their competition. This though, must be put into context. It is a bit of swings and roundabouts. They might not last as long, but they are much more efficient in other areas. Especially in what we might consider the important areas.
Pros
- A well-built tire that is good on or off-road.
- A good design that has great grip and traction.
Cons
- Can get noisy when they get a bit older.
3
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 Radial Tire – Best Value for the Money Mud Tires
This is a tire that is a firm favorite with a lot of off-road enthusiasts. This is more than just a tire for use in the mud. It is what BFGoodrich describes as an All-Terrain tire. They aren’t far wrong.
This is a tire that doesn’t specialize in one surface. It deals with just about all of them. Mud, loose sand, rocks and gravel, and more mud. No problem with this tire. But unlike some tires in providing a good off-road surface, it is still a good ride on the highway.
So what makes it so special?
A specially designed rubber for the tread makes the tire a rugged competitor. The interlocking design not only gives increased traction, but it also produces a more even wear pattern. And the block in the design assists in removing stones and other materials, providing its own cleaning and protection from embedded articles.
On the sidewalls are extra rubber blocks. These give you an added dimension to traction in mud and snow. They raise the shoulders helping to remove any materials that become compacted. It has a 3PMSF symbol, which is a certification for use in snow.
What else?
Further design in the shoulders of the tire offer blocks that are staggered. These are for maneuvering in deeper snow or very thick mud. The tread compound is toughened to resist any cuts or tears.
Like most tires of real quality though, its off-road abilities extend to on-road driving. It has a very stable grip on the road and grips well at higher speeds. Braking is efficient and not affected by smooth surfaces. It provides a reasonably comfortable ride, given that it is working outside the area it was designed for.
Was there anything we didn’t like?
If there is one negative, it is what we often find with these tires. Driving on the road, they can be much noisier than the usual road tire. But this is a small price to pay for those who want off-road and poor weather excellence.
Pros
- A strong and rugged tire that works in all environments and conditions.
- Good design features promoting safety and stability.
Cons
- Can be a bit noisy on the highway.
4
General Grabber AT2 Radial Tire – 215/65R16 98T – Best Budget Mud Tires
This is a Radial tire designed for poor, but especially muddy off-road conditions. It is manufactured by The General Tire company of North Carolina. The General Tire company is a subsidiary of the Continental Tire brand. It was formed in 1915. They have been providing tires for a range of vehicles and circumstances for many years.
But how do they handle in the mud?
This tire is for light trucks and pickups for use as an all-terrain tire. As such, it will provide good and stable traction in mud, loose materials like sand and earth. It is also going to perform well in snow or ground that is affected by heavy rain. It is specially designed to be sufficiently competent in the mud. The tread compound General Tire has used for this tire is very robust.
The tire has a surface that is resistant to the usual chips and tears you can get off-road. The tread design is made so that it will be self-cleaning. An important point, especially when you come off-road and back on the highway. The last thing you want is the tread of your tires filled up with mud and loose gravel.
Whatever the conditions…
These tires are also made to be long-lasting and offer an all year round, whatever the conditions reliability. There are multiple edges and sips on the tread blocks to further increase traction. They are molded into a design shape that will also take on metallic studs. These can be fitted in case of very extreme winter conditions. The studs are not supplied.
Being it is such an aggressive pattern for the tread, there is bound to be some road noise when driving on the highway. They are, therefore, not the quietest ride you will enjoy.
Pros
- An all-terrain tire that is rugged as well as very stable.
- A well-designed tire with some good safety features.
Cons
- Not the quietest when driven on the highway.
5
Goodyear Wrangler AT/S Tire – 265/70R17 113S SL – Best Goodyear Mud Tires
The Wrangler from Goodyear is an All-Terrain tire. When you design and build a tire for all possible surfaces, and add on some highway use, there must be priorities. All-terrain and off-road tires need to be made differently by nature of what they will face as tires.
The tread on an AT tire will usually generate a lot more noise on the highway. So do you make the tire a little less rugged, so it is better on the road? Or do you make it tough and accept it will be a bit noisier in road usage. Not an easy choice. This tire though, seems to fit with both of the choices.
Harsh environments?
The Wrangler is an excellent offroad tire. It is strong and very durable and is capable of dealing with some harsh environments. The compound used in the tread is durable and hard-wearing. It has a self-cleaning design with traction channels to ensure materials encountered do not get stuck in the tread.
The tread itself has an aggressive design. It has been formulated to make this tire suitable for just about every surface, be it wet or dry. Mud, rocks, snow, or sand offer no problems.
More than just off-road…
It seems then that these tires have been designed for off-road environments but not entirely. As a highway tire, it offers good on-road traction and steering control in the wet. They produce a high level of responsiveness and are very secure on cornering.
The ride is relatively comfortable though you might expect it to be a little harder, which they are. But noise levels at highway speeds are quite low. Rather strangely, Goodyear appears to offer no tread warranty with this tire.
Pros
- A good strong tire can handle some difficult off-road conditions.
- It will handle well on the highway.
Cons
- No warranty for the tread.
6
Cooper Discoverer STT Pro All-Season 35X12.50R15LT 113Q Tire – Best All-Season Mud Tires
The Cooper Discoverer STT was a very popular tire for those using off-road vehicles. The Discoverer STT Pro is the follow-up and replacement to that tire.
These are 6 ply radial tires with a ‘C’ Load range and a fifteen-inch rim. This tire is primarily designed for SUVs, and they are built to be used in extreme conditions. They are ideal for rugged and rocky terrain, as well as muddy ground and shallow rivers.
On or off…
This tire will give you great performance in its off-road activity. But in building a tire capable of handling some tough conditions, they have ensured it is good for road use. It is made to be durable with its Armor Tek3 construction, but it is still able to give you a smooth ride on the highway.
The tread is designed to ensure it doesn’t retain stones and other materials that can be collected off-road. This will inevitably increase the life of the tire.
And the shoulder…
The shoulder has been given mud scoops that remove mud and surface fluids as you drive. They also, of course, increase the traction in mud and loose sand. It has a very aggressive design with its thick and prominently designed tread. There is also white lettering on the tire, though some will not like that.
Its design, apart from being a rugged tire, is also giving thought to its appearance. Off the road, then the performance is impressive. On the road, as we have said, it also performs well.
But does it last?
We mentioned that the design of the tire and its self-cleaning method should increase its life. That might be so. But the life of this tire is sometimes not what you might expect and is a little low.
Pros
- Will handle a variety of conditions offroad.
- Drives well on the highway without too much road noise.
Cons
- Some questions about its durability.
7
General Tire Grabber X3 All-Terrain Radial Tire – Best All-Terrain Mud Tires
General Tire is a part of the Continental Tire company in Germany. They know a thing or two about manufacturing tires having produced worldwide quality for years. They have really pushed the boat out on the design of this tire.
This is a tire that is special, and it knows it. It has to be included as a contender for the Best Mud Tire. This is an off-road tire that delivers maximum traction and isn’t shy about telling you so. Even the name, the X3, is given to describe the extra traction on three surfaces, mud, dirt, and rocks.
Excellent traction…
It is designed with channels in the tread that clear mud and any debris from the tire. And the compound designed with its symmetrical pattern for the tread on this tire gives it excellent traction. Its offroad credentials are then well established, but they are no slouch when it comes to the highway.
The comfort and quality of the ride are quite surprising given the design and structure of the tire. Driven at reasonable speeds then, the General Tire Grabber produces very little in the way of excess noise. It’s only at high speeds where you might notice the difference.
What else did we love?
Its handling on the highway in wet conditions is also good. The drive is stable, and it corners well. So there must be a downside because there always is. There isn’t much with this tire, but if you were to pick something, it would be snow. It is great in the mud on the sand and on rocks, but packed snow is not its favorite surface.
A bit like Roger Federer on French Clay. He can play great on it, but he prefers to be somewhere else. The traction certainly isn’t as good as it is in the mud. A very good tire though with great durability.
Pros
- Well made with good off-road design features.
- Performs well on the highway.
Cons
- Not so good in the snow.
8
Continental TerrainContact A/T All-Season Radial Tire-275/60R20 115S – Quietest Mud Tires
Continental is the 4th largest manufacturer of tires in the world. Based in Hanover in Germany, they were founded in 1871 as a manufacturer of rubber goods and then moved inevitably into tires. All their tires are still made in Germany.
This tire is one where the decision we discussed in another review comes into play. When you design a multi-purpose tire, it will inevitably favor one type of use. With the previous tire we looked at, the emphasis was on off-road performance.
Ruggedly built…
This tire is built for offroad, but it is certainly more ‘highway-friendly’. Because of that, it doesn’t offer the best traction and grip when used off-road. This has not made it the number one choice for those who want that style of tire. It can be said its design does lose some points in the mud or in loose dirt or sand.
But what it loses it makes up for when it hits the road. You could call it the best all-terrain tire that’s driving down the road. The majority of people actually spend more time on the road than they do off-road unless you happen to work in that environment, of course.
Where will you use it?
Most people will be using their tires on the highway. There is some sense, therefore, in getting the best tire for where it will spend most of its life. That is not offroad. It will depend on how often you take to the hills, or the desert, and the extremes of the conditions. If the conditions are not extreme, then this tire could be a great choice.
On the road, it is stable and very good in wet and in dry conditions. It is also very quiet, and you are going to struggle to notice the difference between this and an ordinary tire. But don’t think this cannot go up on the grass verge. It is pretty good off-road and handles the mud as well as gravel and small rocks with no problem.
What’s the best part?
The best deal though, is the 60,000-mile warranty for treadwear. That takes some beating and makes it a contender for the Best Tires for Mud.
Pros
- Great stability and very quiet for driving on highways.
- Adequate offroad without being exceptional.
Cons
- Won’t suit those who drive in extreme conditions.
9
Atturo Trail Blade X/T Mud-Terrain Tire LT33/12.50R20 – Best Mid-Range Mud Tires
Atturo might not be the most recognizable tire manufacturer for most people. But they certainly know how to build a multi-terrain tire.
It can happen quite often. In the efforts to produce a tire for a number of scenarios, some elements necessary for those conditions are overlooked. As an example, a mud tire has got certain design characteristics. These differences set it apart from other tires that may have been designed for snow as an example.
The best of both worlds…
This tire has been designed and made using the best from all-terrain and mud specialist tires and put them together. Off-road in muddy conditions, it just cuts through the mud, loose materials, and small rocks. It has a tough build, and to back up the manufacturer’s claims, they give it a treadwear warranty for 45,000 miles.
What about on the road?
On the road, it copes quite well though you can feel it is more at home elsewhere. The traction and grip are all good in dry or wet weather. Its stability at speed is also quite good.
But even though it can handle the small bumps you get on the roads, it is rather noisy. Even at lower speeds, you get a lot of road noise. A tire that is going to be more at home off the road than on it.
Pros
- Good off-road performance.
- Tough and durable build with good treadwear warranty.
Cons
- Not so good on the highway.
10
NITTO Ridge Grappler All-Season Radial Tire – Best Premium Mud Tires
This is a tire that is made in Japan by Nitto. They have combined the best of two design technologies. They have done this to produce a tire that is both all-terrain and mud-terrain at the same time.
The design features block foundations that are reinforced to reduce tread flex. It has shoulder lugs that are staggered that give a great grip on poor surfaces and mud.
Goes the distance…
It is also designed with a tread design that is self-cleaning and removes stones. This increases the longevity of the tire. It has good traction in the muds but will also handle dry materials like sand and loose rocks.
On the road, it is also a decent performer and gives a smooth performance. The variable pitch pattern of the tread aids the quality of the ride. The noise levels from the tires are quite acceptable, but they are noticeably louder than standard tires.
Comfort on and off-road…
However, they are not as loud and uncomfortable as some of their competition. It is a comfortable experience driving on the road and a decent performer off-road. However, it doesn’t come with a treadwear warranty.
Pros
- The traction and grip off-road are very good.
- On the road, it is a smooth and very quiet ride.
Cons
- No warranty for the life of the tread.
Best Mud Tire Buying Guide
Tires that are made especially for the mud usually have a deeper, more aggressive tread pattern. This also makes them ideal for other offroad conditions like sand or dirt. You should look for tires with a stiffer sidewall that can handle the extra stresses.
Self-Cleaning
You should also look for a tire that is self-cleaning. This is a term used a lot, but it simply means ejecting unwanted materials as you go. It cannot ‘clean’ as such, but it removes the mud and anything else out of tread pattern. An important issue, especially if after you’ve been off-road, you go back on the highway.
All-Terrain
You may want to consider all-terrain tires. These are not strictly designed for the mud but usually cope quite well. They are designed with a variety of conditions in mind. This could be a bonus.
Highway Driving
The last thing to consider is driving on the highway. There is going to be an increase in noise. The tread designs automatically produce that. However, some are quieter than others and are a bit more road-friendly. However, these are tires that, whilst doing ok off-road are not considered the best.
Your choice will probably depend on the amount of time you spend offroad. How long you spend on the highway and also the extremity of the conditions. There are plenty of options.
Looking for more superb motoring products?
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So, what is the Best Mud Tire?
Well, as we are not going to join Hannibal crossing the Alps or driving up the Cresta Run, we have been conservative. Our vehicle would spend most of its time on the highway. A small amount of time off-road. It, therefore, needs to be road-friendly.
We have therefore chosen the …
Continental TerrainContact A/T All-Season Radial Tire-275/60R20 115S
A great all-rounder that will serve you well in all conditions.
Happy motoring.