You’ve been cooped up for months. Has there ever been a better time to find a safe way to get outside for some good, clean fun?
If you’re here, maybe your idea of fun isn’t so clean after all. For those who prefer getting off the pavement and into the mud, there is plenty of off-roading to be done. And plenty of mud tires to make your excursions as insane as you could want.
Here are some of the wildest and best mud tires on the market today.
Nitto Mud Grappler and Trail Grappler M/T
Let’s start with the most aggressive, because this is supposed to be fun. In the last several years, Nitto has provided some of the best mud tires for off-road enthusiasts.
You want extreme? Look to the Nitto Mud Grappler. The tread design and massive sidewall lugs provide for ultimate traction and mud clearance. These specific mud tires will make a statement — loud and clear.
Beyond the actual price, you may pay for that aggression in noise and comfort once you return to the pavement. But you’re here to have a good time, right?
Alternate Option
Looking for something a bit more cost-effective? Nitto’s Trail Grappler M/T is still a great option for mud tires. It’s not as crazy, but the Trail Grappler’s 3-ply sidewall offers much of the same reinforcements against punctures in rough terrain. Plus, the tread block arrangement was engineered to produce mud tires that Nitto claims are up to 36 percent quieter than the Mud Grappler.
BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3
It’s hard to find a brand as consistently reliable as BFGoodrich when looking for the best mud tires. The KM2 design has been popular among off-road enthusiasts, but its successor may provide even more adventure.
The KM3 features what BFGoodrich calls “Mud-Phobic Bars” in its tread, designed to release compacted mud and dirt and provide improved grip. Many of the toughest mudders wear mud on their vehicle like a badge of honor. For the rest of us, the worst part of even the best mud tires is hosing them off after you’re done. The “Mud Phobic Bars” are a terrific solution for people that thought they’d never see a self-cleaning tire!
Even beyond the mud, its Krawl-TEK compound improves grip on rocks. All in all, BFGoodrich experiments showed that, compared to the KM2, the KM3 has 5 percent better mud traction, 8 percent better rock traction, and 27 percent tougher sidewalls.
Not too shabby for folks already loyal to the brand.
Firestone Destination M/T2
Another entry for consumers looking to get aggressive in the mud, the Firestone Destination M/T2 has proven to be one of the best-performing off-road tires available.
Like many of the other mud tires listed here, the Destination M/T2 boasts the 3-ply sidewall to resist punctures on rough terrain. But specific to the mud, Firestone added tread blocks with 23-degree angles to go with mud and stone ejectors for better traction.
As with many of the best mud tires on the market, the Destination M/T2 makes some noise when you hit the pavement, but that may not be a deal-breaker.
Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar
Is new always better? Maybe. Maybe not.
For years, the Goodyear Wrangler MT/R was one of the most popular mud tires on the market, thanks to its durability and performance. Though that specific tire model has aged out, Goodyear has evolved that fan-favorite in the last decade into the Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar.
If Kevlar sounds familiar, there’s a reason. It’s commonly used for bulletproof vests. How’s that for extreme?
Incorporating Kevlar into the sidewall design allows for 35 percent more puncture resistance. Then, there’s the unique tread design. The asymmetrical tread pattern features different angles of tread on the left and right half of the tire. This offers more handling in slick conditions and on the road. If you love to go mudding, the wraparound tread is the real dealmaker, giving you more grip on the sidewalls to climb through deep mud and on rocks.
Sometimes, age can be a beautiful thing. These may not be the newest mud tires on the market, but remain some of the most reliable.
Low-Cost Option:
If you’re looking for something less intense, Goodyear also offers the Wrangler DuraTrac. Though not specifically mud tires, these all-terrain and all-season tires can still give you a great on- and off-road experience without breaking the bank.
Make Tire Shopping Easier With Tread Connection
Are you ready to buy tires and get out in the mud? Contact a Tread Connection van in your area and ask about the best mud tires available. Tread Connection’s team of tire experts are happy to meet you at your home to simplify the process and get your adventures started!
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