Top 10 Best Mud Tires for Street: Buyer’s Guide & Reviews

Last updated: June 20, 2020 by Tire Deets

SUVs and crossover are becoming more popular by the day, mostly thanks to their practicality and space. However, together with the resurgence of family-oriented SUVs, interest seems to build over off-road-focused cars. Let’s take the Toyota 4Runner as an example. It’s an old vehicle that is bettered than almost every other modern SUV or crossover in terms of driving dynamics and practicality, but it is still extremely popular thanks to its toughness and off-road abilities. The Jeep Wrangler is another great example – today, it’s offered even in a pickup truck version because the off-road fans want it.

With the resurgence of real off-road SUVs came the need for better off-road or mud terrain tires. Sure, there was a lot of choice in this category before, but those tires were specifically developed to work on harsh and slippery surfaces. That made those tires almost unusable on the road – some of them weren’t even safe. Also, driving on the street with a set of off-road or mud-terrain tires was an uncomfortable experience for everybody in the cabin.

We certainly know some people that would sacrifice ultimate on-road performance and comfort for better off-road capability, but they’re few and far between. When you think about it, even the most enthusiastic off-roaders cover most of the miles on paved roads. Finding a good off-road truck almost always means driving a lot of miles on the street to get there.

Okay, we think you get the point here – modern mud-terrain tires must also be good on the street. The best mud tires for street should be completely safe to drive in dry and wet conditions. Good levels of traction and grip, as well as proper braking performance is almost a necessity today, especially when you consider the fact that modern SUVs are much more powerful than before. Then, the best mud tires for the street should also be quiet enough for driving on the highway, and comfortable over bumps.

To help you choose the best mud tires for street driving, we created this article that will contain a short buying guide and a list of the 10 best tires. Read on to learn everything there is about mud tires that also work on paved roads.

The 10 Best Mud Tires for Street You Can Buy: Recommended & Reviews

1. BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM2

Best Mud Terrain Tires for Street

You simply can’t start a conversation about the best mud tires for street without mentioning the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM2. This is a tire that comes with all a technology that the company uses in their racing tires (Dakar Rally). The Krawler T/A KX-inspired symmetric tread design is specifically aimed at driving in mud, and thanks to that, traction in those scenarios is second to none. The mud-clearing ability of the tread also makes the tire more usable in the most extreme conditions. On top of that, the Krawler TEK sidewalls and casing give this tire outstanding toughness and durability.

If you thought that the aggressive tread pattern would worsen the on-road performance, think again. The KM2 is one of the best mud tires for street driving. Grip and traction are sufficient on dry and wet pavement, and the braking distances are very short. Comfort is also very good for a mud tire, and while there is road noise, it’s not as pronounced as on other tires in this category.

2. Cooper Discoverer STT Pro

Best Mud Terrain Tires for Street

The Discoverer STT Pro is another excellent mud tire for street driving, but one that is also supremely usable for off-roading. Unlike the BFGoodrich KM2, this one isn’t specifically designed for off-road driving. Instead, Cooper optimized the tire for excellent off-road traction regardless of the surface. This means that it works on rocks, sand, and gravel, as well. Also, the Armor-Tek2 construction technology takes care of durability and strength, making the Cooper one of the most durable off-road tires around. The anti-stone retention ribs and puncture-resistant casing additionally help in terms of durability and peace of mind.

Despite the focus on off-road traction, the Discoverer STT Pro also offers very good on-road handling. It is responsive enough for everyday driving, and it brakes safely. Grip and traction are also very good in both dry and wet conditions, while high-speed stability is commendable. In the comfort department, the Cooper might be slightly noisier than usual, but still not as loud as other tires in the category. Ride quality is very good, though.

3. General Grabber X3

Best Mud Terrain Tires for Street

The super aggressive General Grabber X3 is a maximum traction off-road tire that isn’t shy about its capabilities. The X3 here stands for extra traction in dirt, mud, and rocks. This is one of the most capable mud terrain tires on the market right now, thanks to the off-road tread compound with a high void symmetric pattern. The Grabber X3 also has evacuation channels for clearing mud, and the proprietary DURAGEN technology for outstanding toughness and durability.

The off-road ability here is paired with very good on-road comfort. The ride quality is one of the best in this category, if not the best, while noise is not an issue at urban speeds. On top of that, the Grabber X3 also offers reliable and safe driving experience in dry and wet conditions and good stability at higher speeds. That said, traction on packed snow could be better.

4. Firestone Destination M/T2

Best Mud Terrain Tires for Street

Firestone finally updated the Destination M/T2 in 2017 after 15 years with the previous version. Fortunately, they addressed many of the negatives of the previous tire, all aimed at better performance for off-roading.

The new model comes with a durable and tough chip- and tear-resistant tread compound that is molded into an aggressive and deep tread pattern. The tire also features 23-degree attack angles, aggressive serrated upper sidewall lugs, and mud and stone ejectors. The engineers also increased the number of biting edges for better traction on wet surfaces and snow.

All of these improvements launched the new model near the top of the category. Off-road performance is simply outstanding, regardless of the surface. The Destination M/T2 performs outstandingly well in deep mud, churning through without a lot of fuss. Rock crawling is another area where the Destination MT2 performs admirably, while also being usable on hardpacked surfaces.

Furthermore, Firestone managed to make the new tire usable over snowy surfaces, which is a nice addition. On top of that, the Destination M/T2 can be equipped with metal studs for even better traction on snow or ice.

That said, while the new model does perform better on the road, it’s still far off the best in the category. Dynamics and handling are only average, and the grip levels aren’t confidence-inspiring. Noise can also be an issue on the highway, despite the fact that the engineers tried to alleviate the issue by changing the frequency.

Overall, though, if you want a super-tough off-road tire that will perform excellently on every slippery surface, the Destination M/T2 is an excellent choice.

5. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

Best All-Terrain Tires for Mud and Street

If you ask off-road enthusiasts and SUV owners to tell you which all-terrain tire is the best, you’ll probably get BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 as the answer. This is a tire that works on almost every slippery surface, including gravel, rocks, sand, and mud, but one that also doesn’t sacrifice in terms of on-road dynamics.

Thanks to the racing-derived tread compound that’s also cut, chip and tear-resistant, and the Sidewall Armor, the BFGoodrich KO2 is the toughest all-terrain tire on the market right now, with treadwear warranty of 50,000-miles. The high-void all-terrain pattern, on the other hand, ensures that the driver gets all the traction he/she needs in extreme off-road scenarios, such as mud.

The same tread is also computer-optimized for better on-road dynamics, unlike most competitors. The innovative siping helps immensely in rainy conditions, while the interlocking tread blocks give the BFGoodrich better stability and grip. Overall, this is one of the safest all-terrain tires for on-road driving. It grips the road very well, it is stable at higher speeds, and it also brakes very well. Unlike most all-terrain tires, this one also comes with the 3PMSF symbol, which means that it’s better for snow driving.

The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is also very comfortable on the street, almost on the level of a highway tire. However, while it’s certainly not loud, some competitors are quieter on the highway.

6. General Grabber AT3

Best All-Terrain Tires for Mud and Street

General Tire’s new all-terrain product brings with itself few advancements that immediately launch it into the upper echelon of the segment.

The TracGen technology with an open shoulder design and traction ridges makes the tire outstandingly usable for off-roading. Right now, the Grabber AT3 has one of the best mud-terrain performances of any other all-terrain tire.

Furthermore, the ComfortBalance technology makes the Grabber AT3 very usable on the road. On the road, you’d be hard-pressed to notice that this is an all-terrain tire. There is almost no vibration at highway speeds and the ride quality is plush. Noise is well-suppressed, too.

When it comes to handling, the Grabber AT3 again performs very well. Responsiveness is good and there is a lot of grip and traction over dry and wet surfaces. The biggest advantage of the AT3 compared to the older model is the improved snow traction. Now, the Grabber AT3 is very usable for winter driving.

General Tire even promises better fuel consumption with the new model and we have no reason not to believe them. However, they don’t mention anything about treadwear warranty, and we’ve seen some owners already complaining on accelerated wear.

7. Goodyear Wrangler AT/S

Best All-Terrain Tires for Mud and Street

If you want a set of tires that will be slightly more capable for off-road driving than the Yokohama Geolandar A/T-S, then the Goodyear Wrangler is one of the best options out there. Designed to offer excellent off-road traction paired with good on-road abilities, the Wrangler might be the only tire you need for your SUV or truck.

Thanks to the tough tread compound, the Wrangler is one of the most durable all-terrain tires out there. The dual self-cleaning Traction Lug Channels and strong lateral notches are another design decision that off-road enthusiasts will like. Finally, the aggressive multi-faceted tread design makes the Wrangler usable on almost every type of surface, including mud, rocks, and sand.

Even though the Goodyear Wrangler is more focused on off-road driving, it still provides excellent on-road dynamics. Responsiveness is only slightly worse than the Yokohama, while grip and traction are on-point. The Wrangler also breaks and turns very well in the rain, and it can also be used in deep and unpacked snow.

Comfort levels are also very good for an all-terrain tire – the Wrangler has good ride quality, and it’s quiet at highway speeds. However, Goodyear doesn’t offer any treadwear warranty, which is a shame.

8. Continental TerrainContact A/T

Best All-Terrain Tires for Mud and Street

The Continental TerrainContact A/T isn’t the most popular all-terrain tire within the off-road community simply because it doesn’t offer the best traction for off-road driving. However, what it loses in the off-road ability it gains on the road. More precisely, this is perhaps the best all-terrain tire for the street.

Thanks to the +Silane enhanced tread compound and mild tread pattern, the TerrainContact provides unmatched levels of grip and traction in the category, both in dry and wet conditions. Stability is also outstanding – on the highway, you’d be hard-pressed to notice the difference between this and a highway tire. The TerrainContact is also the quietest and most comfortable all-terrain tire out there – excellent for long road trips.

Even though it isn’t the best, the TerrainContact is still usable off-road tire for most people. It works in light mud, as well as on rocks and gravel. It also comes with a fantastic 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, best in the category.

9. Atturo Trail Blade XT

Best Multi-Terrain Tires for Mud and Street

The Atturo Trail Blade XT is one of our favorite multi-terrain tires simply because it combines the best stuff from all-terrain and mud-terrain tires. In off-road scenarios, the Trail Blade XT is much better than every all-terrain tire, and it even matches some cheaper mud-terrain tires. Made in collaboration with Quartermaster Knives, this tire simply cuts into mud, dirt, and rocks. It is also very durable and comes with an excellent 45,000-mile treadwear warranty.

On the road, the XT is as responsive as most all-terrain tires, very high praise for a multi-terrain one. Traction, grip, and braking are very good in dry and wet conditions, while high-speed stability is top-notch. However, even though the Trail Blade XT is comfortable over bumps, noise is an issue even at lower speeds.

10. Nitto Ridge Grappler

Best Multi-Terrain Tires for Mud and Street

The Ridge Grappler is a tire that according to Nitto combines the best of their all-terrain and mud-terrain technology, and that luckily translates into real life. Thanks to the staggered shoulder lugs and shoulder grooves, the Ridge Grappler has very good traction in mud, and it is able to clean itself from it. Traction on dirt and rocks is also strong, and the Ridge Grappler even comes with stone ejectors.

Nitto also promises a smooth and quiet ride on the road, thanks to the variable pitch tread pattern. While we can confirm that this is really the case in real-life scenarios, we aren’t as happy with the handling performance. The Ridge Grappler is completely usable on the road and provides a safe driving experience, but it sadly doesn’t come with any treadwear warranty.

Best Mud Tires for Street: Buyer’s Guide

1. What is Mud-Terrain Tire?

Mud-terrain tires are designed specifically for better traction in mud. However, thanks to the deep and aggressive treads of mud tires, they can also be used for driving in other off-road scenarios, such as gravel, rocks, and sand. Normally, due to the deep tread, mud-terrain tires will have more noise on the highway, which is one of the things that sets them apart from other tire types.

Mud-terrain tires also have much stiffer sidewalls to cope with uneven terrain. Despite the “mud” moniker, they have puncture-resistant casing and stone-ejector design for driving on other types of surfaces. Overall, this makes them the best choice for anyone serious about off-road driving. That said, if you want a set of tires that will work better on rocky surfaces, you may want to search for rock-crawling tires, or sand-tires (rare) for driving in the desert.

However, what you’re probably interested in is how mud-terrain tires work on the road. Luckily, most modern tires in this category are good enough for normal driving on the street. Sure, traction and grip will not be on the level of highway or street/sport tires, but you really can’t get everything. Also, while noise will be an issue, the latest mud-terrain tires incorporate noise-suppression technologies that make them much more tolerable at higher speeds. Last, but certainly not least, the best mud-terrain tires also work better over bumps than their predecessors.

All of this means that premium tire manufacturers are becoming increasingly aware of the needs of their buyers and make the adjustments needed to make the tires better.

2. What About All-Terrain Tires?

All-terrain tires are the bridge between mud-terrain tires and highway tires. This means that they take the best of both worlds and incorporate them into one type of tire. That also means that you should expect compromises on both ends.

Let us elaborate. The best all-terrain tires offer sufficient traction for demanding off-road scenarios, like gravel, mud, sand, and rocks. However, there’s a limit to how far all-terrain tires can go, which is why hardcore off-road enthusiasts still prefer real mud-terrain tires. That said, most all-terrain tires still offer the benefit of a puncture-resistant casing and stone ejectors.

On the positive side, all-terrain tires are much better for street driving than mud-terrain tires. Grip and traction will be better both in dry and wet conditions. High-speed stability will also be improved, while the braking distances will be shorter. Most all-terrain tires are also quieter and more comfortable than their mud-terrain counterparts. However, since we already mentioned them, highway tires are in a different league altogether when it comes to street driving.

Finally, all-terrain tires also have longer treadlife than mud-terrain tires, which means that you’ll easily get more miles out of them.

3. Multi-Terrain Tires, the Bridge Between All-Terrain and Mud-Terrain Tires

If all-terrain and mud-terrain tires don’t cut the mustard for you, then multi-terrain tires might be another great option. These tires are a bridge between the previously mentioned tire types. In other words, they offer better off-road traction, strength, and durability than all-terrain tires and better on-road capabilities than mud-terrain tires.

Of course, this also means that multi-terrain tires are worse in terms of on-road dynamics when compared to all-terrain tires, and worse for ultimate off-road traction than mud-terrain tires. However, due to their nature, we think that multi-terrain tires might be an excellent option for people that want reliable and safe driving on the street, without sacrificing too much in off-road ability.

4. The Types of Tires Will be Included in the List

Most tire buyers today have different needs, and there is not one tire type that will satisfy all of them. That’s why, in the list of 10 best mud tires for street, we will include mud-terrain tires for the off-road-focused people, multi-terrain tires for those that want a more comfortable driving experience, and all-terrain tires for people that use their SUVs and trucks mostly on the road, but still want a reliable choice in mud.

Final Words

As you can see from the tires listed above, we only included models from reputable manufacturers. We know, there are low-cost tires readily available online, but they simply don’t offer a safe driving experience. Also, cheap mud tires will wear much faster and might be more expensive in the long run. That’s why, even you don’t choose a set of mud tires from the list above, we strongly recommend choosing from a reputable manufacturer that you trust.