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Last updated 9/08/2022 - Originally published 9/08/2022
Written by SimpleTire
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If you're new to off-roading and considering a new SUV, truck, or ATV, it’s important to have the right tires. As you look at different trims and off-road packages, you may wonder about mud tires vs. all terrains and how they stack up in terms of performance, versatility, and price. However, you'll find some key differences when evaluating all terrain vs. mud terrain tires that you should be aware of before spending a dime, as they may significantly affect your off-roading experience.
No tire is ideal for every off-road situation, so selecting the type best suited for your individual use is important. Mud tires (as their name implies) are ideal for traversing muddy surfaces, as they have a bold tread, large blocks, and wide channels designed to plow through sludgy conditions.
On the flipside, all-terrain tires are best for those who plan to drive their vehicle off-road and on highways. These versatile tires can last for approximately 50,000 miles, whether those miles are traveled on paved roads, or through sand, mud, and rocks.
Mud tires perform well on swampy surfaces because of their unique features, including:
Their unique construction is ideal if you'll need to move through muddy areas, marshlands, wetlands, and bogs.
However, if you plan to use your vehicle in a broader range of settings, you'll be better served investing in a set of aggressive all-terrain tires. Their unique construction endows them with a few signature features, which include:
All but the most aggressive all-terrain tires start to dip in performance as temperatures drop. If you live in an area that sees heavy snowfall and frigid weather, you may want to swap your all-terrain tires for winter tires during colder months. However, all-terrains will get you where you need to go when facing moderate winter road conditions.
While these key differences may have already helped you decide which is a better option for you, you may have additional questions about all-terrains and mud tires to help you choose. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions we hear about the differences between the two:
Mud terrain tires do tend to wear out faster than all-terrain tires. The reason? Mud terrains are made from special rubber compounds that make the tires softer than all-terrains. That softness allows them a better grip in mud compared to all-terrain tires. However, that softness also means that they wear out at around 40,000 miles (compared to 50,000 for all-terrains).
All-terrain tires are great for off-roading, given their open-tread design – however, they’re not always the best choice for specific road conditions. While all-terrain tires can drive through mud, they won’t perform as well as a mud tire made with more extreme off-roading in mind. Their reinforced sidewalls help heavier vehicles maneuver better on various surfaces – and if one of those surfaces happens to be mud, there are several excellent all-terrain tires for mud available on the market today. All-terrains can offer good traction in low snow and ice conditions if they are branded with a Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, but snow tires perform better in heavy winter conditions.
If your vehicle sees a lot of mileage and you plan to equip it with mud tires, you may wonder how long mud tires last on-road. Mud tires aren't meant for regular road use. And while you may be able to get 40,000 miles out of a set when off-roading, you'll get half that – about 20,000 miles – if you're regularly driving your mud tires on paved stretches of highway.
There is no easy answer to this question. In many cases, the type of vehicle you drive – coupled with the type of tires you use – will impact your fuel efficiency. You can expect to see a 3% drop in fuel efficiency when using all-terrain tires. That percentage increases for mud terrains. Furthermore, the size of your mud tires will also impact fuel efficiency. The bigger the tire and more aggressive its tread and rolling resistance, the less fuel-efficient that mud tire will be.
Winter weather patterns can be unpredictable. In some instances, you may not be able to outfit your vehicle with winter tires before the first snowfall. However, if you live somewhere where snow is a sure thing in the winter, you'll want to invest in an all-terrain tire rather than a mud tire. Mud tires can become quite rigid in the cold, making it more difficult for them to flex and grip an icy or snowy road.
So what's better, all-terrain or mud terrain tires? The truth is, both are great choices and neither is better than the other. It truly depends on their use cases and specific conditions.
All-terrain tires are a great option if you plan to do a bit off-roading, but the bulk of your driving will be on highways and streets. Because all-terrain tires’ unique treads keep sand, gravel, and dirt from impeding their performance, you can rest assured that your weekend adventuring won't hamper your daily commute. And while they aren't ideal for snow and icy conditions, their treads will help you gain more traction than regular tires (or mud tires).
On the other hand, if you plan to go mudding or trek through swampy or marshy surfaces, mud tires are your best bet.
Right now, you likely have a much clearer idea of which type of tire is best for your needs. From here, it’s all about finding the right set of mud tires or all-terrain tires that are the right size, have the load range, style, speed, and warranty coverage for your needs. all-terrains or mud tires that are the right size, with the right amount of load range, speed, style, and warranty coverage.
Fortunately, SimpleTire makes finding the perfect tire easy and convenient. Pick and pay for your tires and installation online. We'll ship them either to your front door or to a shop near you for a smooth installation and you’ll be driving in no time! Any questions? Contact SimpleTire today!
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