All-Terrain Tires

All-terrain tires are the most popular upgrade for American pickups and SUVs. The tread uses larger, more open blocks than a highway tire so it can dig into dirt, gravel and snow, and the sidewalls are usually reinforced against cuts. A modern all-terrain like the BFGoodrich KO3, Falken Wildpeak A/T4W or Toyo Open Country A/T III is quiet enough for a daily commute and capable enough for a hunting trip, a boat ramp or a snowed-in driveway.

Who they are for

They are for truck and SUV owners who actually use the vehicle: towing, gravel roads, job sites, camping, ski trips. They are also bought for looks, which is fine as long as you understand the cost. Compared with a highway tire, an all-terrain is heavier, louder, wears a little faster and typically knocks one to two miles per gallon off fuel economy.

What to know before you buy

The category has quietly split. Traditional all-terrains carry 50,000 to 65,000-mile warranties and the 3PMSF winter symbol on most sizes. Hybrid or rugged-terrain tires like the Nitto Ridge Grappler and Atturo Trail Blade X/T sit between all-terrain and mud-terrain, with more aggressive tread, more noise and often no mileage warranty.

When shopping, check whether you need an LT (light truck) size with load range C, D or E for towing or a heavy truck, or whether a P-metric or Euro-metric size is fine for a crossover; check the 3PMSF symbol if you see snow; and compare weight, since a heavy tire hurts ride and economy. Prices run from about 110 dollars for a budget 16-inch tire to 350 dollars or more for 35-inch LT sizes.