An off-road trip is always a great way to get away from boredom in the city and experience a little bit of adventure. Unfortunately, not all tires are made to be equal.
While some tires are designed to plow through sludge easily, others do quite the opposite.
But beyond performance, getting the best mud tires for your vehicle is absolutely essential to ensure your safety.
However, given the huge number of models in the market, choosing the right set can be a herculean task.
There’re so many overrated brands out there, and it takes some amount of experience to identify the right tires.
But not to worry, we are here to make things a whole lot easier.
In this article, we will look at some of the top-performing mud tires in the market.
But before we get into that, let’s see why you need a mud tire for your off-road trips instead of your normal 4×4.
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Why Mud Tires?
So why should you choose a mud tire over your regular tire for off-roading?
High-performance
While regular tires can be used for off-roading, they are better suited on-road. Their design and construction make them largely unsuitable for the harsh terrains commonly encountered on off-roads.
They do not have the kind of traction or deep tread level required to get through most off-road conditions.
If you decide to use them, you risk getting stuck in the mud. And even if you were able to maneuver the dirt and mud, it would probably be at the expense of your comfort.
On the other hand, a mud tire is specifically designed for racing through harsh conditions like mud, snow, and rock. Not only do they perform better, but they also ensure you have a better experience as you confidently navigate through such terrains.
Long-lasting
Another reason you should use a mud tire for off-roading is that they are far more durable than traditional tires on muddy terrains. And this is quite understandable when you consider their design.
As earlier indicated, mud tires are built to be aggressive. Their tread patterns and sidewalls are usually designed in a way that makes them sturdy and tough.
The rubber compounds also tend to be stronger and deeper than those of regular tires. As a result, they are able to thrive in conditions that would normally wear out regular tires.
Safety
Another benefit of using mud tires is that they ensure you have a peaceful ride when driving through a muddy terrain.
You don’t have to worry about getting stuck or damaging your truck as you would when using normal 4×4 tires.
Check out more tire guide and review on autonerdsreview
10 Best Mud Tires Review
After a lot of research, we’ve finally come up with a list of the best mud tires for the money. So, if you’re ready, let’s get into it.
Toyo Tire Open Country M/T Mud-Terrain Tire
If you like to go off-roading almost every weekend and want to have a good set of mud terrain tires that will last you a long time, Toyo Open Country M/Ts are the perfect tires for you.
These are by far the best off-roading tires out there and for a good reason. They are made in the USA. This also means that they aren’t going to be cheap. But if you want quality stuff, you surely won’t mind paying a premium price for them, right?
On the pavement, they are loud and make your semi-truck vibrate a lot, but that’s okay because these are mud tires. Nearly everything about this tire is big and aggressive. It has huge shoulder lugs with massive voids for better traction.
For durability, it has a 3-ply polyester construction that makes the tires highly durable, increased handling, and impact resistance. Whether it’s muddy, sandy, or snowy off-road conditions, the open, scalloped design will enhance the overall grip while maintaining great off-road performance.
For off-roading, these are awesome. Even if you have a two-wheel drive, you would want to stick with them to keep up with your four-wheel drive buddies. I would suggest you deflate them a little bit while you are off-roading if you plan to do some serious rock climbing.
If your tires are lower in air, then they will grip the rocks better. And since you have those mud terrain tread design, they will give the extra grip from the deflation and more control over your jeep. Street traction is also very good, but they do make a lot of noise. So if you want great off-road performance, go with them.
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Nitto Trail Grappler M/T all_ Season Radial Tire
The only tire that can rival the Toyo Open Country M/T is the Nitto Trail Grappler. It has the looks and performance of a mud tire but with a slightly better road manner and a little less noise. Still, it’s a mud-terrain tire, so expect them to be somewhat loud. Just like the previous one, they are available in different sizes too.
Designed for mud-terrain use, these tires perform well on snow and wet surfaces. The Grappler series of off-road tires are pretty expensive but worth every penny. It has a nice balance of off-road aggressiveness and on-road capabilities without excessive noise on the pavement.
To achieve this aggressive tread pattern, Nitto took some bits and pieces of other Grappler tires and combined them to formulate the Trail Grappler. The shoulder grooves on the tire are going to help you get some additional steering response and stability both on and off-road. You can really push these tires pretty hard.
The center siping design helps you evacuate from those extra water or snow in those inclement situations. In between the tread blocks, there are huge voids, and along with that, there are some raised portions in the shoulders. This is going to help you inject all the debris out of the tire.
In short, when you really start spinning these tires, they can clear themselves up from the mud, the snow, or the first as well as rocks. A feature that is unique about them is the sidewall design. Instead of one, they have two different sidewall designs. I think it’s really cool to have this kind of design features. This is one of the great-quality all-season tires.
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Federal Couragia M/T Mud Terrain Radial Tire
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have the Federal Couragia M/T, and by the opposite, I mean regarding the price. So far, all you have seen are expensive, high-end tires. But this one is very affordable. These tires have a lot of good reviews, and in terms of performance, they are worth buying.
If you want these tires to last, just rotate them every 2500 miles, and you can easily get 20000 miles on them. It’s an off-road tire that has an aggressive tread design for traction and grip while maintaining a low noise level on the paved roads. In rough terrain, you need strong protection, especially on the sidewalls.
And this tire has just that. With its 3-ply sidewall and a high-tread ply rating, you will get the protection where you mostly need when you are off-roading or climbing rocks and mountains. It has large voids that can clean any excess mud or snow when you really start to spin them.
Not only that, the tread pattern has large, sipped lugs that offer excellent mud traction. The tires have a nice look and really give you that aggressive mud tire vibe when you install them. It doesn’t have that fancy tread pattern like the high-end M/Ts have, but it does the job well.
You need traction; you got it. You need strong grip; you got that too. The tread digs in deep and pushes snow really well. These are also all-season tires, which means you can use them throughout the year. As long as you remember to rotate them every 2500 to 3000 miles, you can put lots of miles.
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Milestar Patagonia M/T Mud-Terrain Radial Tire
Transform the look of your vehicle completely with the Milestar Patagonia M/T mud tires. These tires are silent on the road and a beast on the mountains and off-road terrains. They also perform really well in the snow. A mud tire needs to have a very aggressive tread pattern, and this one has got just that.
It has the look and the feel of a mud-terrain tire, and on top of that, this one is very affordable. I wouldn’t go so far as to call them cheap or inexpensive, but compared to other tires in this list, they are on the affordable side of the price point.
For mud tires, the performance is on par with most high-end brands while being surprisingly quiet. You can use them for your daily commutes, and they will stay silent on the freeway.
Thanks to the siping in the tread design, these tires not only have self-cleaning properties, but they also provide better traction and grip on heavy snow. Due to the large, heavy tread, you will need to rebalance them after three months.
The only issue is the noticeable wear after 3000+ miles or so. I mean, you are not paying a whole lot of money for them, so this is the durability you will get. This isn’t bad in any way. If you properly balance them and rotate them as instructed, you will get more mileage with them.
To protect the tires from impact damage, they have a 3-ply construction sidewall as well as stone ejectors. This combination allows for better rock climbing while combating stone drilling. You can also use these tires for all-terrain exploration. For the money, these are excellent, high-quality, inexpensive mud tires.
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Mastercraft Courser MXT Mud Terrain Radial Tire
If you want aggressive off-road performance, the Mastercraft Courser MXT offers you just that. This is an extreme mud tire that has the looks and the performance while still maintaining a decent level of highway handling and low on-road noise. This is a tire that is designed for aggressive drivers and perfect for muddy terrains.
To provide lateral grip, it has alternating traction edge design that increases the number of biting edges. Every mud tire should have some sort of self-cleaning properties, and this one has a genius way of doing that. To move snow, soil, and gravel, it has large and wide shoulder groves that quickly cleans the tires.
The tires have optimized rubber to void ratio that allows better traction and handling in all road conditions. For maximum highway control, especially in the rainy season, the sipings are increased in size that also bites well in the snow and provides better off-road traction.
After you have put some miles with these tires, they will wear out a bit, but the sipes will be still active and kicking. You might have noticed the aggressive side biter design. This isn’t just for show. There are two main reasons for this design. One is to provide additional traction when you are rock climbing.
Another is to protect the tires from sidewall damage. If you want to get your hand on the best mud tires without paying a premium, the Mastercraft Courser MXT is for you. This is a sort of decent tire that is not outrageously noisy. The only downside is you will need a lot of weight to balance them out.
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Hankook DynaPro ATM RF10 Off-Road Tire
There are a few reasons why you should go with the Hankook DynaPro ATM off-road tires for your pickup. The first reason is the tread life this tire gives. It has a low noise level when you are driving on the highway and then, of course, the performance. These are the main three reasons, in my opinion.
Let’s talk about the tread life and tread pattern of these tires. If you take a look at the tread pattern, you can tell that it’s a fairly aggressive tire. Although this is a top-rated all-terrain tire, the tread design is more similar to a mud tire. It doesn’t have very deep grooves, but they perform well on mud terrains.
The tread pattern also comes over to the sidewall, which adds more to the look. If you are in some really deep snow or mud, this sidewall design might help a little. But overall, I just like the looks of the sidewall. The best feature of these tires is the mileage. They can really survive for a long time.
If you want a tire with amazing tread life, go with the Hankook DynaPro. As far as tire noise goes, whenever you are traveling down the highway, these are quieter than standard mud-terrain tires. If you are the type of person that commutes daily with your SUV or pickup, go with these tires.
As far as performance goes, these won’t let you down. The performance is even better in snowy and icy conditions. They have a good grip and won’t slide your truck when you are accelerating or turning your vehicle on icy roads. Another reason to get this is for the price. It’s affordable.
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Falken Wildpeak AT3W all_Terrain Radial Tire
If you prefer to drive mostly in the winter or live in a place like Alaska where it is snowy half the year, you will love the Falken Wildpeak AT3W. It has a ton of siping for better control on the snow as well as mud. This tire has big tread blocks, and grooves are very wide that almost gives you the aggressive mud tire look.
However, the tread blocks are significantly smaller in the center with equal gaps. This is an all-terrain tire, which means you can use this all year round. Although it is technically an A/T, this one looks and feels more like a mud terrain. Mileage depends on how you handle them.
The sidewall has an aggressive pattern, which is rare for an A/T tire. Its shoulder block design sticks out a little bit, which also protects the most important parts of the tire from impact damage. This also makes the tire abrasion-resistant. The only downside would be that they wear out a little faster.
Depending on the price you will pay for them, and if you don’t drive that much, these tires might be a good deal for you. As far as performance goes, they do pretty well in snow and wet surfaces. They will also hold up well in off-road conditions. Don’t expect a similar level performance of a mud tire because they are not.
You do get some of the traits of an M/T without paying the premium for a high-end aggressive mud terrain tire. One cool feature I really like about them is their heavy loads carrying capacity. Falken uses something called heat diffuser technology that keeps in the important internal components cool by dissipating heat.
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Patriot Tires MT All- Best Terrain Radial Tire
This mud terrain tire is meaty and aggressive. They might be a new brand in the industry, but that doesn’t make them inferior to the big fishes. As a matter of fact, this will be the best budget mud tire you can get your hands on right now. These are heavy tires with quality construction.
The aggressive and deep tread design looks amazing on any vehicle, but surprisingly this tire has better road manners than most other mud tires in this list. Whether you are doing 75 MPH on the highway or cruising around the town at 30 MPH, they don’t do any sort of howling noise mud tires make.
They are easy to balance, and you can expect a lot of mileage from them. You will notice the humming noise that comes from them when you are on the pavement. This is the same road noise that the Toyo’s or the Nitto tires make. However, this one isn’t that expensive compared to those two giants.
These aren’t the ones made by the Diesel brothers. They are made by Omni, but you can expect the same level of quality from these Patriot tires. Most truck owners who have owned Toyo tires in the past and are looking for a cheaper replacement option tend to go with these tires.
You will get better control over your vehicle because the tires will provide better stability and off-road handling. Further, will be surprised at how smooth the drive will be once you mount them. The wear is great even though it has aggressive tread patterns. Overall, these are great tires for the money.
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Ironman All Country M/T all_season Radial Tire
The Ironman All Country mud terrains are considered as budget tires, and if you are just looking to build your jeep quick and not spend a whole lot of money, I would recommend you go with these tires. They are good both on and off-road. Are they loud on the highways? Yes, but they ride good and give you better handling.
As with all mud tires, they are kind of loud, which won’t probably bother you. However, they have solid traction in wet weather, and you can feel the tires sway going around a turn. The tires have a longer-lasting tread life, which makes them a good value option. If you want an aggressive mud tire look, this one has got that.
The traction is incredible both off-road and in the mud. Since they have amazing tread quality, you can ride the hell out of these tires before they wear out. For a weekend adventurer, this will probably be the only set of tires you will need. The design is similar to the BFG KM2s but at half the price.
They have large block & sipe lugs that grip well and ride great in sand, dirt, or muck. These tires are self-cleaning, and you can see that yourself when you really start to spin them. The tires have nothing but good reviews, so if you are hesitant and don’t feel like putting them on your semi-truck, then you are a rare truck owner.
Don’t worry if these tires give you the great quality knockoff vibes, because they are not. Although you should also consider the price you are paying. If I were you, I would keep my expectations low. They have a real macho aggressive stance, and you will definitely love how they look.
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Goodyear Wrangler Radial Tire
According to Goodyear, this radial tire is improved in every way to meet the demands of extreme off-road adventurers. The tire was designed to have 80% on-road and 20% off-road capability with the added features of quietness and wet road handling. It feels a little stiff, and that’s why you need to put some miles with them.
The break-in period isn’t that long, and after that, this will give you a smooth ride. If you look at the tread pattern, you will see that this tire is ready for both snow and mud. It has a rugged tread pattern for traction on different kinds of terrain, and the large shoulder blocks help keep the vehicle stable on snowy roads.
Handling is improved for both wet and dry road conditions. Although the treadwear is rated at 50,000 miles but as you know, that can all depend on temperature, monitoring the air pressure, how aggressive of a driver you are, and the surface you will be driving on and all that. They do have the outline white letters.
This is one of the least expensive off-road tires you can buy that runs well on all conditions. The tires are quiet, and they don’t hum like a mud tire. However, as you rake up some miles, the noise will increase. In terms of traction, this is a solid product. If you drive in a wet climate, you will find these tires more to your liking.
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Considerations to Make while Buying
As earlier indicated, finding the right mud tires for your ride can be a bit overwhelming, especially if this is your first time.
In this section, we’re going to be looking at the key things to consider while choosing off-road tires for mud and snow.
Thicker Tread Pattern
Muddy terrains generally tend to be very slippery. So, the need for a set of tires that provides a strong grip is of paramount importance.
The level of grip a tire has on the road is greatly dependent on its tread pattern. Therefore, it’s extremely important to go for the best mud tires with aggressive tread design.
Such tread patterns usually have a lot of empty space between the blocks of tread, which helps to keep your vehicle from getting stuck in the mud or snow. A deep tread design also helps to keep the tire free from stones and stubborn mud.
Apart from the rifts between blocks, also pay attention to the thickness of the tread.
Tires with thicker treads usually offer a smoother ride and are less likely to get punctured by debris.
Tread thickness ranges from 6 to 10 ply. It’s advisable to go for a higher ply, the deeper, the better.
Tougher Sidewall
Another important feature that is vital to the performance of a mud tire is the sidewall. It basically makes drifting smooth and a lot easier.
Generally, muddy terrains tend to be rough and difficult to navigate due to so many obstacles and sharp points.
That’s why it’s so important to have a set of tires with shoulder treads and sidewalls that are solidly built to resist punctures.
Mud tires with the thickest sidewalls are usually more durable and tend to offer a better driving experience.
You want to go for tough mud tires with a sidewall of 3-ply or more as they offer more resistance against puncture.
A deeper rubber sidewall also ensures the protection of the tire interior, which will ultimately result in a longer lifespan.
Shoulder Tread
Another feature in a mud tire that helps it to withstand abuse is the shoulder tread.
The best shoulder tread designs are those that have the tire tread pattern that wraps all the way to the shoulder. This basically does two things; first, it widens the footprint of the tire. Secondly, it enables you to make smoother turns by providing a greater grip.
Shoulder tread on some tires may also be elevated to provide even greater control.
Performance in Mud and Snow
In addition to mud, it is also important to evaluate how your off-road tires will perform in the snow.
This is because, during winter, you’re most likely to be driving through snow most of the time. So, it’s very important you choose a good set of tires that are adaptable to both mud and snow conditions.
Luckily, most mud tires adapt well to deep snow. And this is because snow conditions usually require a good amount of traction and a tough tread.
Load Range
There are times when you will need to tow a heavy load through mud or snow; this is where the loading capacity of your mud tires will be tested.
The load range of a tire is basically a measure of how much load or weight it can handle. It is also commonly referred to as loading capacity.
For any off-road vehicle, you want to go for mud tires that have a high loading capacity.
The reason for this is quite obvious. A mud tire with a higher load range makes towing a whole lot easier. They generally do better with a lot of weight.
More importantly, a high load range is an indicator that a tire is sturdy and will provide better grip and control without sliding.
Terrain
Another key factor to consider when choosing the best mud tires for your vehicle is the type of terrain you’ll be traveling on. In other words, your proposed terrain should determine the type of tires you eventually go for.
There are generally two types of mud tires – mud tires for street and heavy-duty mud tires.
The heavy-duty mud tires are more targeted for harsher conditions.
Apart from mud, they generally perform better on more difficult terrains like rock, snow, and desert conditions. Such tires do not do well on pavement or other street conditions.
Many heavy-duty mud tires usually come with a diffuser technology that makes self-cleaning more efficient.
Price
Just like every other product, mud tires come in various price options, ranging from the highly priced models to low-cost ones.
While it’s true that price is not always an indication of quality, it is safer to stay away from ridiculously cheap tires.
Unfortunately, many people tend to opt for cheaper models since they’re likely not going to be using the tires for a long time. While this might sound reasonable, it is not a wise move.
Apart from safety, you also have to worry about performance when you purchase low-quality mud tires. Such wheels don’t usually possess the kind of traction and grip you need to navigate through muddy terrains. Also, they may not be well-protected against puncture.
We advise staying away from such products because there is a risk for you being held by the mud or getting stuck in the middle of nowhere.
Luckily, there are still many reasonably priced tires out there, starting from the ones on the list.
Types of Mud Tires
Not all mud tires perform well in slippery conditions. And this is simply because they do not all have the same design and purpose.
There are basically two types of mud tires – heavy-duty, and street.
Heavy-duty Mud Tires
These are the normal hardcore mud tires that are designed for off-road applications.
They are generally broad and usually have large deep treads. As a result, they perform well on wet surfaces such as mud and snow.
Their tread pattern is usually aggressive and features large blocks that help to provide strong grip and traction. Some models may come with ejectors to keep the tire free from stones and other debris.
Apart from snow and muddy terrains, these tires are also suitable for rock climbing.
Street Mud Tires
Due to their design, most mud tires may cause a lot of discomforts when used on pavement or similar surfaces. However, there are still some that are designed to perform well in all terrains, including street and muddy surfaces.
These models are commonly referred to as street mud tires.
If you’re going to be spending more time on the highway than off-road, then the best mud tires for the street will probably be a better choice for your truck.
Top Rated Brands on the Market
The market is filled with so many brands of mud tires. However, there are some that have performed better than others over the years.
Below are some of the top-rated brands on the market today.
BFGoodrich
BFGoodrich is a US-based company that specializes in the manufacture of mud-terrain radial tires. They have been around since 1870, which is obviously a long time in the game.
The company is well recognized and has won a lot of awards. They have some of the best mt tires in the market.
Milestar
Milestar is another company that specializes in the manufacture of high-performance radial tires for trucks. They produce both passenger and commercial-grade tires of various sizes and thicknesses.
The company has been around for more than 45 years.
Carlisle
Carlisle is another incredible brand that has managed to build a solid reputation in the industry since they came on the scene.
They are known for producing high-grade tires that cover thousands of miles. The Carlisle AT489 is probably their best mt tire so far.
ITP
ITP is one of the most popular tire producers in the world and without doubt, a top contender in the mud tire market. They have an extensive product line of quality mud and all-terrain tires that are top performers in different categories.
As you can see, there are more than four ITP tire models on the list for all the solid reasons.
Cooper
Another brand you will likely hear about is Cooper. And although we haven’t featured any of their products on this list, they are still one of the best brands out there.
If you decide to check out Cooper, then one of the best cooper tires to consider is the Discoverer STT Pro Mud Radial Tire.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do mud tires differ from all-terrain tires?
All-terrain tires are designed to handle various terrains, both on-road and off. In other words, they are more like general-purpose tires, which you can use both highways and muds.
On the other hand, mud tires are more targeted at off-road applications. They come with thicker sidewalls and larger treads, which make them more suitable for harsher conditions such as mud, snow, and rock.
Are mud tires suitable for pavement and highways?
As earlier indicated, the design and construction of mud tires make them generally unsuitable for other terrains besides mud.
That said, you can still use them on pavement or similar surfaces, however, they tend to cause a lot of noise and discomfort in such conditions.
Are mud tires suitable for snow?
Mud tires are usually built with aggressive traction, which makes them perfect for wet and slippery conditions. So apart from mud, they also do well on snow.
However, for icy surfaces, you’re better off with a tire that is designed for all weather conditions.
Is it alright to tow with a mud tire?
Yes. However, not all mud tires do well with a heavy load. To know if your tires are fit enough, check the sidewall for their load range. A high-load range is usually desirable for this purpose.
How long do mud and all-terrain tires last?
This largely depends on the tire brand and the condition of the terrain you plan to use the tires.
A standard mud tire should be able to go 40,000 miles before it wears. This could be anywhere between 1 – 3 years depending on how much you go off-road.
An all-terrain has a similar lifespan (20,000 – 40,000 miles) depending on the quality.
Final Words
When it comes to anything that has to do with an automobile, it is always better to prioritize quality over price. Make sure you invest in a tire that can actually deliver in terms of performance, cost, and usability.
Hopefully, we’ve cleared all your doubts on what the best mud and snow rated tire is and the key things to consider.
Even though we’ve tried to present the best products available, it is up to you to determine the tire that best suits your vehicle.
Whatever model you end up with, we’ve no doubt you will get the best value for your money.