Off-road tire selection is not one decision — it is three. How much of your driving is on-road vs off-road? What terrain do you mostly encounter? And how much are you willing to trade highway comfort and fuel economy for capability? This guide maps the categories and the best tires in each.
The four off-road tire categories
Highway Terrain (HT/AT1): light truck tires that look slightly aggressive but are primarily highway-focused. Good tread life, quiet on-road, very limited off-road capability. Examples: Michelin LTX M/S, Bridgestone Dueler H/L.
All-Terrain (AT/AT2/AT3): the most popular off-road category. Designed to handle both highway and moderate off-road use — gravel roads, dirt, light mud, light rocks. Best balance of capability and daily drivability.
Mud-Terrain (MT): aggressive open tread optimized for mud, rocks, and serious off-road terrain. Highway noise and wear rate both increase significantly. For trucks and Jeeps used regularly off-road.
Ultra-performance off-road (competition/hybrid): tires like the Falken Wildpeak AT4W and BFG KO2 push the category boundaries — they carry 3PMSF winter ratings, rock-crawling sipes, and full Load Range E construction while still being street-legal daily drivers.
Best all-terrain tires
BF Goodrich KO2: the all-time benchmark AT tire. Outstanding off-road capability in mud and rocks with a surprisingly civilized highway ride. Available in a massive range of sizes including LT Load Range E. The default recommendation.
Falken Wildpeak AT3W: 3PMSF-rated, excellent mud and snow traction, competitive price. The best value in the AT category. Consistently tops value-focused AT comparisons.
Michelin LTX AT2: for AT buyers who prioritize highway comfort over capability — the most refined driving experience in an AT package. Less aggressive off-road than KO2 or Wildpeak.
Toyo Open Country AT3: strong off-road capability with one of the longer tread lives in the AT category. Good choice for high-mileage truck owners.
Best mud-terrain tires
BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3: the best MT tire overall. Genuine mud capability, strong rock traction (Krawl-Tek sidewall compound), and the most highway-usable ride in the MT segment. 3PMSF rated.
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss M/T: extreme terrain capability with Sidebiters sidewall traction. Less highway civilized than KM3 but outstanding for serious trail users and rock crawlers.
Toyo Open Country M/T: large size availability, excellent rock protection, popular in the Jeep and truck trail community.
Frequently asked
Should I get all-terrain or mud-terrain tires?
If 80% or more of your driving is on-road (highway, city streets, paved rural roads), all-terrain tires are the right choice. They handle most off-road situations you will actually encounter while keeping highway performance and fuel economy acceptable. Mud-terrain tires make sense for vehicles that regularly see actual mud, deep ruts, or rock crawling — not just occasional dirt roads.
Will off-road tires hurt my fuel economy?
Yes. All-terrain tires typically reduce fuel economy by 1–2 MPG vs highway terrain tires. Mud-terrain tires reduce it by 2–4 MPG. Heavier LT tires with stiffer sidewalls require more energy to rotate. The trade is unavoidable — off-road capability costs efficiency.
Last updated 2026-06-27. General guidance only — confirm specifics with a local shop for your exact vehicle.