3 days ago
All-Terrain vs. Mud-Terrain: What's the Difference, and Which is Best?
So, you need to upgrade your off-roader's tires. There are all kinds of off-road tires, but the two most common types for rigs are mud-terrain and all-terrain tires. Both are excellent, versatile options, though each one has what I call a "but" factor. For instance, all-terrain tires are less expensive than mud-terrain tires, but they're not as good in extreme off-roading conditions. Mud-terrain tires can be more effective off-road, but they're louder at highway speeds. No matter which one you choose, they are purpose-built tires that will serve you well.
I did some deep diving looking into which would be best for my Jeep, since my BFGoodrich KO2s are from 2011 and in dire need of replacement. Since it rides on 35s, though, replacing them with new KO2s or KO3s would cost me a pretty penny. This inspired me to look at mud-terrain tires, like the Kumho Road Venture MT71 or Les Schwab RAZR MTs, which aim to get the best of both worlds, but at their core, are still aggressive mud-terrain tires. Let's look into how they differ in price, application, versatility, and everyday use.
The name probably got you thinking that mud-terrains were designed to only tackle deep, boggy, and sticky mud. And you'd be right, but as tire technology and off-roading evolved, drivers started realizing that a mud-terrain's aggressive tread pattern paired with a softer rubber compound made them excellent companions for rock crawling. A softer rubber compound means they're more capable of conforming to the terrain they're conquering, and therefore, have more traction over most all-terrain tires, which are typically made with a firmer rubber to be better suited for daily use.
Given the name, mud-terrain tires are exceptional in muddy conditions, too, thanks to their wider spaced tread blocks, which are designed to "fling" mud out of the tire's way. Large treat blocks act like fingers that dig into the mud, helping to increase traction. Sidewalls on mud-terrains are generally stronger than all-terrain tires, and typically come with "side biters" that allow for lateral grip in ruts, bogs, and deep mud, especially when the tires are aired down. Large, chunky tread also helps clean the tires, too, since mud can be flung off as the tires rotate. Like all-terrain tires made specifically for off-roading, they're designed to withstand being used at low PSI to widen the contact patch.
All this is to say that mud-terrain tires come from the factory designed and manufactured to handle a lot of abuse. They're excellent at rock crawling because of the softer compound, they're efficient self-cleaners, and especially proficient when the road gets really, really muddy. Most mud-terrains have a reputation for being exceptionally loud in comparison to all-terrain tires, but the Kumho tire is designed to be quieter than typical mud-terrain tires at highway speeds, thanks to the center tread pattern and stiffer blocks-that's what attracted me to them the most. Mud-terrain tires are known for their noise level and "floating" at highway speeds, but Les Schwab claims to have fixed that with the RAZR M/T tires.
Aside from a higher entry point cost and infamous road noise, mud-terrain tires aren't known for their multi-season functionality. In fact, in my research, I haven't found a single mud-terrain tire that was three-peak mountain snow flake (3PMSF) rated, although several were M+S rated. In case you're not savvy to tire lingo, 3PMSF means it's been tested for deep snow and ice and performance, mainly turning and braking, and passed. M+S stands for "mud and snow," which is a cool way of saying it can handle light snow and mud conditions, but it hasn't been tested for braking and turning in deeper snow or on ice. If you live in an area like Arizona or California that rarely sees snow or have no plans on camping or wheeling anywhere that might have deeper snow, there's nothing to worry about.
For me, a resident of Central Oregon who regularly has snowy winters, it can be a deal breaker. However, I've had my BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires for years, and when it snowed, I'd rather drive my Subaru with the Bridgestone Blizzaks than an AT tire. Especially since my Subaru is all-wheel drive, and the automatic lockers in my Jeep can be tricky in snow. Off-road, it's great, but not so much in snow. So, for me, a mud-terrain is looking more and more appealing, especially since I have a different car for the winters and summers to move my kids around. If I didn't, I'd definitely lean more towards a 3PMSF-rated all-terrain tire. The thicker, softer tread also means they're not known for their stability in wet or rainy conditions, either.
Then there's the wear factor. Like dedicated winter tires, mud-terrain tires are softer, so they wear faster than an all-terrain tire would. If you commute in your rig, a mud-terrain tire might not be the wisest choice, especially since they're notably more expensive than all-terrain options. If you have to travel long distances to hit the road, that can complicate things too, since you'd have to deal with road noise and faster wear.
You'll notice I mention pricing a lot in this comparison, and that's because in this economy, that's a pretty big deal. All-terrain tires aren't designed for extreme off-roading like mud terrain tires are, but they're like the all-weather tires of the off-road community-they're pretty good at just about anything. They're decent at rock crawling, especially when tire pressure is lowered, they perform well with mud, and they're fairly impressive in snowy conditions, too (depending on the brand, of course). Before I assumed ownership of my Jeep from my Uncle, he ran all-terrain tires for years and was able to conquer every single trail in Moab, Utah, without a single hiccup.
He had even done several road trips with them to California, Nevada, Colorado, and more, and didn't have a negative thing to say about them. The only thing he said they weren't good for, though, was traversing muddy trails during the fall and winter months. And that's because, as I've mentioned before, mud requires a softer, more malleable rubber with thicker, chunkier tread blocks to grip. All-terrain tires aren't meant to be as aggressive as mud-terrain tires, so naturally, their tighter tread pattern and firmer rubber compound make them less capable in mud. That's fine, as long as you don't plan on driving through mud bogs. Now, they're certainly more capable in the rain, because of the channels made to redirect water away from the tires instead of flinging mud and rocks.
If you commute in your rig, you'll definitely enjoy a quieter ride right off the bat and the increased mileage over mud-terrains because of the less aggressive tread. They're a great all-around option, as long as you're not planning on hitting a "hard" trail after a decent downpour. Otherwise, all-terrain tires are a pretty versatile (and more affordable) choice.
All-terrain tires are considered the jack-of-all-trades tires because they can handle pretty much anything, except for deep mud or extreme rock crawling. As long as you're not the kind of off-roader who frequents those kinds of trails, you can't really go wrong with an all-terrain tire, especially one as versatile as the BFGoodrich KO2. If you do live in an area that sees a lot of rain, like the Pacific Northwest or the American South, a mud-terrain might work better for those just-in-case moments. There have been plenty of times I've been off-roading and wished I had a more aggressive tire due to something unexpected.
There's no real wrong answer here, as both mud-terrain and all-terrain are good choices for your off-road rig. What should help you decide on which tires to splurge on is what kind of off-roading you typically do. Did you struggle on more extreme, rocky, and muddy trails and want something that can handle nearly any trail? Mud tires might be something worth exploring, especially if your rig isn't your daily. If you don't plan on going on any extreme trails and frequent light-duty trails with mild rock-crawling sections as an overlander, an all-terrain tire would make more sense, especially for longer drives or commuting.
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