The Best Mud Tires for Your Car

Nitto Trail Grappler M/T, General Grabber X3, and Firestone Destination M/T2 are just some of the best mud tires available for your car.
Written by Claire Beaney
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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With so many options on the market, finding the right mud tires for your SUV or truck can be challenging—but some of the best models worth considering include Nitto Trail Grappler M/T, General Grabber X3, and Firestone Destination M/T2.
When picking out the right tires for any kind of car, it's important to think about how—and where—you like to drive. Tires made for one type of weather usually don't do well in others. If you want tires that can handle mud, you'll need to look for tires that work well in messy terrain.
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What to look for in a good mud tire

First, it’s important to figure out what exactly makes for good mud tires. Here’s a breakdown of some factors you should keep an eye out for when shopping for mud tires:
  • Ability to perform well in numerous terrains: These include off-roading, on-roading, snowy conditions, rainy weather, and wet and dry roads
  • Significant tread blocks and an aggressive tread pattern: Helps dig through and cling onto difficult off-road terrain
  • Stone and mud ejectors: These are embedded in the tread voids to expel debris that might otherwise cling to the tread blocks
  • Sidewall lugs and tread: Provide additional biting edges to grasp onto the ground laterally
  • Cut, chip, and puncture resistance: Maximum resistance to cuts, chips, and holes are built-in to protect against off-road dangers
  • Multiple ply layer construction: Mud tires often have 3-ply sidewalls, which adds another level of protection against punctures
Other surface-level elements that can make a difference when purchasing mud tires are comfort and noise levels when driving.

1. Nitto Trail Grappler M/T

With a tough 3-ply construction, it's easy to see why drivers enjoy spending time on trails, river beds, and other muddy areas in their trucks or SUVs using
Nitto Trail Grappler M/Ts
. This tire goes through it all, giving you maximum control. 
Driving along the highway with this tire also makes for a really pleasant and peaceful experience.
Pros:
  • Reduced rolling resistance
  • Noise reduction on terrain
  • Off-road performance is outstanding
Cons:
  • Performance on wet roads is subpar

2. Cooper Discoverer STT Pro

Driving in the mud with this tire gives the impression of a high-end tire. The tread pattern and lugs of the tire provide excellent performance in deeper mud spots. They are placed strategically at the shoulders of the tire, allowing it to sink into the mud and gain grip.
In terms of other off-road surfaces, the
Discoverer STT Pro
performs admirably, thanks in part to the company's Armor Tek3 technology.
Pros:
  • Excellent performance at a reasonable cost
  • Amazing mud performance
  • Quiet and comfortable
  • On-road performance is adequate
Cons:
  • Winter performance could be improved

3. Toyo Open Country M/T

Because of the larger tread blocks that extend over the shoulders, the
Toyo Open Country M/T
performs exceptionally well in mud. It is built with stone ejectors that help reduce mud building in the tread to provide a steady grip and avoid mud and stone buildup.
On the road, it performs well with lots of grips, but it may be hesitant to respond to inputs. Wet performance is also superior, particularly in terms of hydroplaning.
Pros:
  • Durable
  • Outstanding performance on muddy terrain 
  • Superb performance on snow
  • Can withstand hydroplaning
Cons:
  • Can be quite loud

4. Goodyear Wrangler MT/R With Kevlar

The
Wrangler MT/R
tire provides excellent traction in muddy conditions, regardless of depth.
Because it's reinforced with Kevlar, the tire is tough and can withstand a beating. The sidewall is far more robust, with Goodyear claiming a 35% increase in cut and puncture resistance. As a result, rock climbing is fantastic and will not disappoint.
Pros:
  • Mud performance is among the best
  • Kevlar reinforcement ensures durability
  • Outstanding on-road performance
  • Comfortable
Cons:
  • At greater speeds, they can get rather loud

5. General Grabber X3

The
Grabber X3
is an excellent mud tire, capable of delivering plenty of performance. As a mid-range tire, it's surprisingly capable of competing with premium rivals in some situations.
It’s also excellent off-road. Dirt roads, sand, and rock climbing are all scenarios where the tire doesn’t struggle. The sidewall is adequately reinforced, so sharper rocks will not easily damage it.
Pros:
  • Rock-crawling sidewalls that are stronger
  • Affordable
  • Long-lasting
  • Outstanding mud performance
Cons:
  • Not the best on-road performance

6. Federal Couragia M/T

The
Federal Couragia M/T
is an entry-level mud-terrain tire with good performance but a few drawbacks.
When compared to its competitors in its class, the performance on mud is remarkable. It has deeper tread patterns that aid with traction and digging in even when the muck is deeper. The tread shape is especially beneficial in unpacked snow since it can dig in and find grip.
Pros:
  • Excellent mud-terrain performance
  • Performs admirably in both compacted and unpacked snow
  • Relatively inexpensive
Cons:
  • Unsatisfactory dry and wet performance

7. Firestone Destination M/T2

The
Firestone Destination M/T2
is one of the best mud terrain tires due to its ability to withstand the weather while providing a comfortable driving experience. Firestone created this tire with a tread block pattern that provides excellent traction on all surfaces.
Mud and snow traction is excellent, and this tire cleans out better than other models in its class. On-road comfort and drivability are also noteworthy.
Pros:
  • Smooth ride on roads and highways
  • On all surfaces, the stability and handling are superb
Cons:
  • After some time, drivers may notice road noise
  • Prone to premature wear

8. BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3

The mud performance of the
BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A
is its highlight, and it does not disappoint. It has excellent traction even when pushed through deeper dirt and performs admirably in snowy weather.
Its off-road performance is unrivaled, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a tire that can compete. The Terrain-Attack symmetric tread design allows the tire to perform well in a variety of off-roading settings.
Pros:
  • Outstanding performance in both wet and dry conditions
  • Quiet and comfortable
  • Durable
Cons:
  • Among the priciest mud-terrain tires

9. Pro Comp Xtreme MT2

The tire has an aggressive tread design that provides exceptional mud performance. Even if you need to drive through deeper areas, the
Xtreme MT2
is up to the task. This is also due to the self-cleaning grooves, which keep mud and rock free to give maximum performance.
It's built with a 3-ply construction, resulting in a tire that can handle serious off-roading even when deflated. As a result, rock-crawling can be a risk-free adventure as the tire will not be damaged.
Pros:
  • Inexpensive price point
  • Fantastic snow performance
  • Excellent wet performance
  • Extreme off-road durability
Cons:
  • At higher speeds, the tire can become quite noisy

10. Hankook Dynapro MT2

The
Dynapro MT2
performs well in mud and is capable of handling most circumstances. To create an adequate grip, the tread pattern works alongside the shoulder blocks. Deeper mud patches may cause minor issues as the tire struggles for traction.
Surprisingly good road performance. Wet performance is actually better, as the tire seems to have better traction on wet roads. The aquaplaning resistance is good in heavy rain, resulting in a stable tire at faster speeds.
Pros:
  • Traction is good both dry and wet
  • Amazing resilience against aquaplaning
  • Reasonably quiet
  • Will handle the majority of off-roading circumstances
Cons:
  • Ride quality isn't the best

How to find all the best car insurance savings with Jerry

No matter which mud tire you choose to go with, there are plenty of other ways to make sure your car is performing at its best. One of the best ways is to have a high-quality car insurance plan to protect your ride—and finding the best policies is easier than ever thanks to the
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After providing you with a comprehensive cross-analysis of the best policies across providers, Jerry will handle the phone calls, paperwork, and renewals for your top pick so that you don’t have to. They can even help cancel your old policy! 
So why do all that extra work when Jerry can do it better?
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FAQ

Mud tire models in their smallest sizes, and at the lower end of the spectrum, will cost between $900 and $1,100 for a set of four or around $225 to $275 per tire. Expect to pay between $1,300 and $1,700 for a luxury end set with beefier fitments.
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