There’s a reason why SUVs are so popular nowadays. Aside from being practical to use for a variety of purposes, SUVs are also very spacious, hence why the average family loves them. There’s always plenty of space for kids, gear, and other stuff.
What’s interesting is that along with this growing popularity came the resurgence of interest in off-road SUVs that the family can use for everyday activities and commute, to weekend road trips and vacations.
This meant the need for more suited off-road/ mud terrain tires that are not only great in driving over slippery and harsh surfaces, but are also practically usable (and safe) on the road or street while being able to ensure a comfortable ride for driver and passengers alike.
If you’re one of the many who are looking for the best mud tires for road and off-road driving, here’s a comprehensive review and buying guide on all the best mud tires and how to find them.
Best Mud Tires Summary
| Product Name | Image | Ratings | Item Weight | Load Index | Amazon Link | Cooper Discoverer STT Pro All-Season |  |  | 56 lbs | 121 | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firestone Destination M/T2 Max Traction |  |  | 59.9 lbs | 125 | Check Price | |
| General Grabber X3 All-Terrain |  | | 57.9 lbs | 118 | Check Price | |
| Goodyear Wrangler AT/S |  | | 38.4 lbs | 113 | Check Price | |
| BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 |  | | 24.2 lbs | 126 | Check Price | |
| Continental TerrainContact A/T |  | | 43 lbs | 115 | Check Price | |
| NITTO Ridge Grappler All Season |  | | 55.6 lbs | 125 | Check Price | |
| Atturo Trail Blade X/T Mud Terrain |  | | 20 lbs | 114 | Check Price | |
Top 8 Best Mud Tires
1. Cooper Discoverer STT Pro All-Season
Our top pick is none other than the Cooper Discoverer STT Pro, which is ideal for both street driving and off-roading, thanks to being optimized for superior off-road traction no matter the surface or terrain. .
What does this mean? Simple. You can drive on gravel, sand, rocks, and so on. You’ll always feel safe with the Armor Tek2 building technology that gives you the best in terms of strength and durability. There are even puncture resistant casings and anti-stone retention ribs to give you an added peace of mind.
Now, if you’re thinking about on-road handling and everyday driving, you’ll be happy to know that the Discoverer STT pro is responsive and makes for safe braking. You also get to enjoy great grip and traction in both wet and dry conditions, along with high-speed stability and overall ride quality.
Pros
- Superior off-road traction
- Great on-road performance
- Commendable durability and strength
Cons
- Can be slightly noisy
2. Firestone Destination M/T2 Max Traction
Another amazing option for great mud tires is the Firestone Destination M/T2 Max Traction, which is designed with a tough and durable chip, along with a molded treat compound in a deep and aggressive tread pattern with superior tear resistance.
It also features aggressive serrated lugs on the upper sidewall, 23 degree attack angles, and stone and mud ejectors. Not to mention, there are more than plenty of biting edges to make for a better traction on snow and wet surfaces. You can even fit it with metal studs for extra bite!
All of these are why this new and improved model is at the top of the food chain when it comes to outstanding off-road performance on any surface. You’ll see it in the way it easily churns through deep mud and delivers an admirable performance in rock crawling. Of course, it’s also suitable for driving on hard and paved surfaces.
Pros
- Exceptional traction in rocky surfaces and deep mud
- High responsiveness on road/ street driving
- Reliable snow performance with option for studding
- Extremely durable and tough casing
Cons
- Average on-road dynamics with lots of noise on the highway
3. General Grabber X3 All-Terrain
We also really like the General Grabber X3 All-Terrain, a super aggressive model designed for maximum off-road traction. This one proudly boasts of its stunning features and capabilities, including triple traction performance on dirt, rock, and mud.
This is all thanks to its off-road tread compound made with a high void symmetrical pattern, as well as the evacuation channels that are highly effective in clearing mud, and the DURAGEN technology that gives it unparalleled durability and toughness.
But of course, all that off-road ability won’t be complete without sweet on-road comfort, which is exactly what the Grabber X3 offers with its ride quality, safe and reliable driving on wet and dry conditions, good high-speed stability, and low noise at urban speeds.
Pros
- Outstanding triple off-road traction
- Surprisingly reliable street ride quality
- Tough and durable proprietary compound
Cons
- Limited traction on snow
4. Goodyear Wrangler AT/S
Snagging the fourth spot is the Goodyear Wrangler AT/S which is designed to give you unmatched excellence in off-road traction while also offering good abilities on the road. This way, you’ll only ever need one tire (well… four, but who’s counting?) for your SUV no matter where you go.
This one features a tough tread compound that makes it easily one of the most durable among the many all-terrain tires on the market. It also has dual traction lug channels that are self-cleaning, along with strong lateral notches to complete that sleek off-road design.
Plus, this multifaceted and aggressive design makes the Wrangler highly usable on most surfaces, such as mud, sand, and rocks, and it’s also excellent in terms of on-road dynamics. The traction and grip are on point, and turning and braking are reliable even on wet conditions.
Pros
- Durable construction with excellent off-road dynamics
- Reliable and safe in wet and dry conditions
- Suitable for driving on unpacked, deep snow
- Good, quiet ride quality at highway speeds
Cons
- Doesn’t come with treadwear warranty
- Not the most responsive for on-road driving
5. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
Ranking middle fifth is the BF Goodrich all-terrain T/A KO2 with its chip, cut, and tear resistant tread compound that is derived from the racing world. It boasts of the Sidewall Armor that gives it that unparalleled toughness in terms of all-terrain performance.
It even comes with a 50,000 mile treadwear warranty, and a high void all-terrain pattern that ensures you always get the traction you need when you’re doing some extreme off-road driving, such as when churning through mud. The best part? This same tread is optimized to give you greater on-road dynamics.
Among its many other features include innovative siping to help you under rainy conditions, interlocking tread blocks to let you enjoy better grip and stability at high speeds, safe and reliable braking, and the 3PMSF symbol for snow driving.
Pros
- Outstanding off-road capabilities
- 50,000 mile treadwear warranty
- Commendable on and off-road traction
- Extremely safe for on-road driving
- Safe for snow driving
Cons
- Not the most quiet all-terrain tire
6. Continental TerrainContact A/T
You might also want to check out the Continental TerrainContact AT, which is one of the most promising all-terrain tire models with its superiority when it comes to street driving, one thing that is sought after from many all-terrain tires.
Sure, it’s not the best when it comes to off-road traction, but that loss is minor compared to the big gains such as the mild tread pattern, the +Silane enhanced tread compound, the unmatched level of traction and grip on dry and wet conditions, the outstanding stability on the highway, and the total comfort and silence of the drive.
In fact, you’ll be hard pressed to see the difference between this one and your average highway tire in terms of all that on-road ability. It’s even great for those long road trips. And if you’re worried about off-road dynamics, well, this one works just fine on light mud, gravel, and rocks, so you can still take it on plenty of weekend adventures.
Pros
- Best-in-class for everyday street driving
- Very comfortable and quiet on the road
- Durable and reliable tread compound
- 60,000 mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- Not the best in terms of off-road performance
7. NITTO Ridge Grappler All Season
Don’t forget to also look at the NITTO Ridge Grappler all season, which is a great tire that gives you the best of both worlds in terms of mud terrain and all terrain technology. This is all thanks to its shoulder grooves and staggered shoulder lugs that give this tire excellent mud traction while being able to clean itself in real time.
Aside from that, it’s also great on rocks and dirt. The traction is reliable all around, and it comes with stone ejectors. You’ll also like the variable pitch tread pattern that gives you a stunningly smooth and noiseless ride on the road.
Now, its handling performance is certainly not the best out there, but apart from that, all of the Ridge Grappler’s many other features and functionality make it completely usable on most terrains while giving you a safe drive experience.
Pros
- Flexible off-road traction
- Surprisingly smooth and quiet
- Safe and reliable for street driving
Cons
- No treadwear warranty
8. Atturo Trail Blade X/T Mud Terrain
Last but not the least is the Atturo Trail Blade X/T mud terrain, which is a popular favorite thanks to its powerful combination of all the best features from mud-terrain and all-terrain tires. See, when it comes to off-road performance, there’s no question that this one is so much better than most all-terrain tires out there.
It’s so hypnotizing to watch this tire simply and effortlessly cut into dirt, mud, and rocks. The tire is highly durable, and even comes with a great treadwear warranty for 45,000 miles. It’s also really responsive for a multi-terrain tire.
You can definitely rely on its traction, braking, and grip, regardless of wet or dry road conditions. The stability on high speed driving is also top notch, and this tire rides comfortably over bumps. All in all, a great tire for on and off-road driving.
Pros
- Excellent off-road abilities
- Tough and durable construction
- Stable, safe, and responsive on the road
- 45,000 mile treadwear warranty
Cons
- Noisy even at low speeds
Best Mud Tires Buying Guide
These days, it’s not enough that mud tires are great on mud. They should also be functional on the busy urban street, not to mention be completely safe and reliable to drive in both dry and wet road conditions.
Certain things like desirable levels of grip and traction, as well as decent braking performance, have become today’s necessities. Of course, it’s only right, seeing as modern SUVs are more powerful than ever, and this power has to be matched by what’s underneath.
Even comfort and noise levels, plus overall riding quality, are things to look forward to when it comes to the best mud tires. That said, are mud tires really what you need? And if so, how do you find the best brand and model for your vehicle?
Why mud tires?
There are at least three very important things that mud tires are good for: off-roading, durability, and safety. Great mud tires are, in fact, necessary for driving on dirt roads, through rocky or muddy terrain, or over fields, so you don’t get stuck in a ditch and hopelessly wait for a tow.
The most aggressive mud tires are also designed with special compounds and tread patterns, not to mention reinforced sidewalls, to make them really tough and strong in order to navigate certain surfaces that would otherwise destroy or incapacitate other tire types.
And, the best mud terrain tires give you a certain level of confidence to safely tackle on rough and muddy terrains and dirt roads without constantly worrying over damaging your precious vehicle or having your wheels stuck on something while you’re far away from civilization.
Mud tires vs all terrain tires
The thing is, mud tires are designed specifically for off-roading, while all-terrain tires work not only on mud, but on many other surfaces and terrains as well. This doesn’t mean that one is better than the other, mind you.
While all-terrain tires are functional on more surfaces, this doesn’t necessarily mean that they perform better than specialized mud tires, especially when it comes to off-roading. If you want to get off a dirt road after some heavy rain, all-terrain tires would do you just fine, but if you want an all-day off-road adventure, mud tires are what you need.
This is because mud terrain tires are designed with large and knobby treads to let you navigate through mud, rocks, and sand. They also feature thicker sidewalls to prevent puncture from sharp and jagged objects on the trail.
2 types of mud tires
Here are the two main types of mud tires and how they differ from each other:
You’ll find your standard mud terrain tires, which are made for off-road driving, such as rock climbing, mud crawling, and other tough driving conditions. These tires feature deep and aggressive tread patterns equipped with large tread blocks made for gripping surfaces that other types of tires simply cannot.
This tread depth is also what makes for powerful biting edges, and often includes embedded stone and mud ejectors. All these are what make mud tires “hardcore”.
Meanwhile, there are more versatile and flexible versions of mud tires, which are designed to have extra capabilities for all-terrain and road performance. This means that these specialized tires can be used on paved city streets, highways, and other terrains.
How mud tires perform on other terrains
The simple fact is, mud tires are made for off-roading, and as such, even the best ones won’t be as comfortable to drive on pavement. While the responsiveness, handling, and braking are all there, the ride won’t be as comfortable and quiet.
An easy solution is to go for mud tires that feature all-terrain performance, or all-terrain tires. We have presented a few tire models for each of these options in our review above.
Mud tires can also be used on deep snow, since they offer all that aggressive traction. One thing they’re not suitable for, however, is ice. If you’re driving on slick, icy roads, it’s best to buy all-weather tires.
Mud tire mileage
All-terrain and mud tires typically last between 20,000 to 40,000 miles on average, though the actual mileage really depends on how roughly you use the tires, especially from off-road driving, since this is what makes the tires wear out faster.
There are many other factors that affect the mileage you can get out of your tires, including your vehicle’s weight, the weight of all the passengers, cargo, and other load such as whatever you may be towing, and so on. But, generally, the more conservatively you use the tires, the longer they will last.
Towing with mud tires
One more thing that versatile mud tires are really great for is with towing, since the tires are durable enough to handle the extra beating, while still being suitable for regular driving. You just have to make sure that the tire’s weight rating can handle the weight of what you will tow.
First, look at the sidewalls in order to see whether the mud tires come with a high load range. The higher this range is, the better the tires will perform, and the more control and grip you’ll have as you tow heavy loads.
Things to consider when buying mud tires
Ready to buy your SUV a new set of mud tires? Here are the most important things you need to watch out for:
Tread pattern
A mud tire’s aggressive tread design is what gives it that superior grip, especially with all those deep and large voids between each tread block. When it comes to tread thickness, this can range from 6 to 8 or even 10 ply. Deeper and thicker tread patterns will do better in ejecting stone and mud, which can in turn affect traction, as well as prevent puncture from debris.
Shoulder tread
This tread pattern on the tire should also be designed in such a way that it wraps around the tire all the way to the shoulder, so the tire can take all the abuse it’s subjected to. This shoulder tread will give you a wider footprint so you can have more grip to work with in tighter turns. Ideally, the shoulder tread should be elevated to give you more power and control.
Sidewalls
When it comes to mud and all-terrain tires, thick sidewalls are a must in order to protect the tire’s interior and make it more durable. At least a 3 ply rubber sidewall or higher is a must, especially if you’ll be driving over rocks and through mud. This way, you don’t have to worry about punctures and other tire damage.
Clearance
This one’s a no brainer, but you should really not forget to check whether there’s enough clearance in between your fender and the tire. This will be especially important if you’re driving an average SUV as it’s not made to accommodate a larger mud tire.
Construction
One thing that sets mud tires apart from all-terrain tires is that they are built with bias-ply, which makes the tires sturdier and gives it better puncture protection. This strong internal structure also gives the tire a high load range and ply rating, making it more suitable for towing.
Lugs
Another important thing to consider are the lugs, which give the tires that needed support for a firm grip. Deeper, larger lugs that are generously spaced make for better mud-terrain tires. This design offers better traction while also preventing mud buildup.
Tire size
You also need to account for the tire size. Typically, wider is better as it means more ground contact, but you do need to make sure that your wheels’ width and diameter can accommodate wider tires.
Terrain
Again, before you buy mud tires, determine if this is really what you need. Your decision should be based on the kinds of terrain you likely/ are planning to drive on. Really dusty trails require heavy duty mud tires, but driving on pavement would necessitate a more all-around alternative.
Price
A cheap set of mud tires around $100 or less apiece can give you good capabilities for driving through mud, sand, snow, and other terrains. You just need to be careful about what and where you buy. But, if you want better specs, features, and functionality, especially a longer tread wear, expect to spend more with better mud tires that can go for as high as $300.
Final Verdict: Which is the best mud tire brand?
There are lots of amazing mud tires out there, but the best mud tires for us is the Cooper Discoverer STT Pro All-Season. It’s great for pretty much everything, whether that’s on or off-road driving. It handles and performs well, offers a safe and reliable driving experience, doesn’t wear fast, and comes from a reputable brand.