If there is one upgrade that changes everything, it is tires. Traction, safety, comfort, and confidence all start where rubber meets dirt. Whether you daily a Toyota Tacoma, wheel a Jeep Wrangler on weekends, or tow with a “Full-Size” truck, the right tire will make your rig feel planted and predictable. The “best” tire is the one that fits your driving, your terrain, and your rig.
A quick primer: A/T vs. M/T vs. Hybrid R/T
- All-Terrain (A/T): Balanced road manners, solid trail chops, often quieter, many carry the 3PMSF winter rating for real snow performance.
- Mud-Terrain (M/T): Big voids and tough sidewalls for rock and mud. Louder and heavier, but serious off-road traction.
- Hybrid R/T: In-between option that blends open tread with more road-friendly manners. Great for mixed use and bigger rigs.
How to choose in the real world
- Daily driving and weekend exploring: Lean A/T or hybrid.
- Rocky washes and technical crawling: M/T or an aggressive hybrid with strong sidewalls.
- Snow and four seasons: Look for the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol.
- Towing and heavy builds: Mind load range, weight, and sidewall construction.
- Bigger tires planned: Talk gearing and brakes. A properly set up 35-inch tire with the right gears and brakes will actually perform and drive better than a 37-inch tire that hasn’t been re-geared or upgraded. Bigger isn’t always better if the rest of your setup can’t handle it.
Popular Tires We Trust and Why
-All-Terrain standouts
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2
The benchmark A/T for a reason. Durable sidewalls, predictable on dirt, and widely available with the 3PMSF winter rating. A go-to for Jeep off-road tires and Toyota Overland builds.
⭐️ Summit Stars: 4.5 out of 5 for balance and durability.
Falken Wildpeak A/T4W
The next evolution of a shop favorite. Strong off-road grip with legit wet and snow manners in many sizes. A confident pick of All-Terrain tires for Tacomas, 4Runners, Jeep Wranglers and most mid-size 4x4s that still see lots of pavement.
⭐️ Summit Stars: 4.5 out of 5 for value and real-world performance.
Toyo Open Country A/T III
Quiet, composed, and tough. Excellent wet traction and gravel control make it a smart choice for high-mileage rigs that still explore on weekends. Great for full-size truck A/T tires.
⭐️ Summit Stars: 4.5 out of 5 for road feel and longevity.
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T
One of the grippiest aggressive A/T options with a winter rating on many sizes. Strong sidewalls and serious bite without feeling sketchy on the highway. A killer choice for Jeep Wrangler A/T tires.
⭐️ Summit Stars: 4.5 out of 5 for traction without the usual noise.
Close-up of a Falken Wildpeak A/T tire mounted on a bronze off-road wheel inside Summit 4×4 Company’s shop.
-Hybrid R/T favorites
Nitto Ridge Grappler
A go-to hybrid. Strong sidewalls, quiet for how aggressive it looks, and dependable off-road. Perfect for Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 builds.
⭐️ Summit Stars: 4.5 out of 5 for daily usability and trail bite.
Toyo Open Country R/T Trail
Built for heavier rigs that still see real dirt. Confident steering on road and a tread pattern that clears when the trail gets sloppy. Ideal for Tundra tire upgrades.
⭐️ Summit Stars: 4.5 out of 5 for stability and toughness.
Summit 4X4 team installing a lift kit and rugged off-road tires on a Jeep Wrangler for enhanced trail performance.
-Mud-Terrain workhorses
BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3
The latest evolution of a mud-terrain icon. Strong sidewalls and excellent grip aired down in rocks, mud, and roots. Road noise is noticeable, but the trail performance makes it worth it. A staple for both Jeep and Toyota builds.
⭐ Summit Stars: 4 out of 5 for crawling and durability
Nitto Trail Grappler M/T
Aggressive tread for serious mud and rock traction with a 3-ply sidewall that can take a beating. What sets it apart is how quiet and comfortable it is on pavement compared to most M/Ts. A reliable choice for rigs that see daily use and weekend trails.
⭐ Summit Stars: 4.5 out of 5 for versatility and durability
Toyo Open Country M/T
A proven favorite for heavy rigs and hardcore builds. Hooked tread blocks bite into loose terrain, while reinforced construction holds up under abuse. Surprisingly composed on the highway for a true mud terrain, making it a go-to for overland and off-road explorers.
⭐ Summit Stars: 4.5 out of 5 for rugged capability and road manners
Cooper Discoverer STT Pro
Built for abuse with an aggressive tread and Armor-Tek3 sidewall protection. Hooks up in rocks, mud, and loose dirt, though it is heavier than most. A trusted option for desert and rock crawling rigs.
⭐ Summit Stars: 4 out of 5 for strength and off-road traction
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss M/T
One of the most aggressive M/Ts out there. Extreme traction in rocks, mud, and loose terrain, with reinforced sidewalls for durability. Surprisingly manageable on-road for how wild it looks. A top pick for any serious rock crawler.
⭐️ Summit Stars: 5 out of 5 for extreme performance and confidence.
Tire size, load range, and the details that matter
- Load range and sidewalls. Choose C or D for lighter SUVs that wheel often. E for heavy trucks, towing, or frequent highway miles.
- Weight and gearing. Heavier tires affect braking and acceleration. If you jump in size, talk regear, big brake kits and alignment.
- Snow and rain. The 3PMSF mark signals proven winter performance. Many top A/T options carry it.
- Spare fitment and rotations. Run a matching spare and rotate on schedule to keep wear even and handling consistent.
So what should you run?
If you live in the dirt on weekends and drive to work all week, start with an A/T. If your trails are rocky and technical, or you air down often, look at a hybrid or M/T. If you tow, haul, or run heavy armor, match your load range to the job.
When in doubt, come by the shop. We have mounted and balanced all of these on Jeeps, Toyotas, and full-size trucks here in Northern Arizona. We are happy to talk through sizing, gearing, and the tradeoffs that do not show up on a spec sheet.
Obviously, you will have to match your choice of tires to the right wheels, but that is a topic for another day.
Bring your questions, a photo of your rig, and where you like to wheel. We will help you pick the tire that fits your build and your life.
Summit 4×4 Company sign displayed between two lifted off-road tires at the Prescott, AZ shop.
