The Best Off-Road Tyres For Your 4×4

Driving off-road isn’t for the faint-hearted, and you most certainly need to have both the correct vehicle and tyres in order to get you through the tougher terrains. If you are already a proud 4×4 owner, you are halfway there. However, knowing which tyres are the best for your vehicle is highly important when you are looking to safely drive on varying terrains off-road. You certainly don’t want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere with a puncture and be stranded with little help and little tools due to having standard tyres fitted. This is why choosing an off-road alternative is your best and safest choice. Many premium brands have specifically designer tyres suitable for your 4×4 and in this article, we are going to cover a few and why these should be your top choices for an off-road tyre. 

What are 4×4 tyres? 

When it comes to 4×4 tyres in comparison to road tyres, there are a few key differences. Whilst road tyres are built for speed, economy and a smoother driving experience, 4×4 tyres have been expertly developed to offer additional grip, toughness and stability. Although many premium brands offer excellent steering and control for road tyres, 4×4 and off-road tyres provide additional accuracy in steering on difficult terrain. This is thanks to their specially designed, rugged tread pattern, deeper tread depth, high rubber ratio and reinforced side walls.

4×4 or four-wheel-drive allows the front and rear wheel axles to interlock, and although this limits the driver’s handling and manoeuvrability on normal tarmac roads, it handles difficult terrains perfectly. The majority of 4×4 vehicles are designed to allow the driver to switch between 2 and 4-wheel drive as required, either manually or automatically. 

What is the difference between all-terrain tyres and mud tyres?

All-terrain tyres do exactly as they say on the tin. They are great for off-roading adventures but also perform well on normal tarmac roads. The tread pattern on all-terrain tyres is appropriate for handly tricky terrain but can also withstand mileage on regular roads. 

Mud tyres however have a more aggressive tread and are designed to easily manoeuvre through extreme mud or snow. The sidewall of mud tyres is also tougher and has been designed to absorb the impact of rocks and other obstacles you are likely to encounter on the more obscure roads. 

What to look for? 

If you are only just entering the world of off-road tyres, the choices and decisions needed may seem overwhelming. However, we have a little trick on how to make your choice process slightly easier. When comparing tyres and deciding what your vehicle needs, remember TCC. This stands for tread design, carcass construction and compound. These three factors will differ from tyre to tyre. You will need to ensure all these match what you want to do and where you will be driving. Other factors to look for when choosing the right 4×4, off-road tyre includes looking at flex grooves, mud scoops, release dimples and raised rubber ribs. 

The last thing you want when you are driving off-road or find yourself in the middle of the wilderness is for something to go wrong. This can be the downside to possibly choosing either the cheapest option or second-hand tyres. While it seems like they may be a bargain in the short term, in the long run, it might end up costing you either in an accident or in having to regularly replace your tyres at a higher expense. So when it comes to something as important as tyres, always make sure you buy from a trusted brand and a reputable dealer an off-road tyre. The tyre market is full of brands these days but not all tyres are equal and differ in performance. Here are a few brands and patterns we would recommend. 

Trusted 4×4 off-road tyre brands

The Dunlop Grandtrek AT3 – The Grandtrek AT3 is a great choice if you are looking for an excellent all-terrain performance tyre. This tyre allows your 4×4 to grip both on-road and off-road, making it ideal for models such as the Ford Ranger or the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The tyre has a straight centre rib that helps improved speed stability while its flatter tread profile ensures that the tyre is durable. 

The Grandtrek AT3 also has hybrid overlay technology incorporated into the design in the form of a jointless belt. This helps reduce circumferential deformations when you are driving at high speeds. 

The Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure – The Wrangler All-terrain Adventure is a powerful summer tyre designed to deliver high performance. This tyre has exceptional grip even on snow-covered roads which helps reduce the braking distances. The Wrangler All-terrain Adventure is a tough and durable tyre with both on and off-road abilities and improved mileage.

The BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 – The BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is a tough all-terrain tyre with aggressive traction that allows you to drive with confidence on any off-road adventure. The tyre has a robust sidewall design with staggered shoulder blocks for greater manoeuvrability. Shop our range of Budget to premium tyre brands here to find the perfect off-road tyre for your 4×4.