Best A/T Tires Review: Pirelli Scorpion XTM AT, Nokian Outpost NAT, BFG KO3, Westlake SL369, Wrangler Duratrac RT, Wildpeak AT4, Recon Grappler

[HalfmuleFarmer]

I’ve been eyeing the Nokian for its combo of winter/wet performance and its puncture resistance all at a reasonable weight (I’m in the Utah hills). Had to reject the MT Baja Bosses after reading lots about their poor performance in slippery conditions (which, to be fair, one doesn’t often encounter in Baja). Ditto Yokohama Geolanders. I love both of these tires looks, but I don’t want to end up at the bottom of a ravine once it starts snowing. The Nokians general road worthiness is a nice plus. But I’d be curious to see the Pirellis in a 35. I think @popo_patty runs them?!

Sponsored

 

[timhood]

Would have been nice to see Mickey Thompsons in the test.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I’ve been surprisingly happy with the Goodyears on my 25 BadSas, but when they’re worn out enough I can’t imagine I’d buy them. Would be curious to see how the Mickey Baja Boss AT stack up against the tires above.

I really want to want the K03 but ran K02 on my Ranger build.. loved them for the 1st 20k but after that didn’t matter how much weight I had in the back (full metal topper, tent, gear) I almost always had to pop into 4hi anytime it was raining and I was on the slightest incline. Would run them lower around 30 psi in the wet season to somewhat help this. Was miserable. Off road they were wonderful

Same guy has a comparo between mickey t , nokian and several other AT's last winter.
Mickey T''s were an excellent tire.

I'm a bit disappointed he didn't run the same group through this test from winters test.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Had to reject the MT Baja Bosses after reading lots about their poor performance in slippery conditions (which, to be fair, one doesn’t often encounter in Baja).

That's shocking to read.
Which Baja Bosses?
From everything I've read, the AT'S have been getting stellar reviews EVERYWHERE, professional testers and average Joe's alike.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

That's shocking to read.
Which Baja Bosses?
From everything I've read, the AT'S have been getting stellar reviews EVERYWHERE, professional testers and average Joe's alike.

Maybe I’ve mixed up the MTs with the ATs — I’m not about to purchase with only 10K miles on my GYs, so I’ll look at everything again. It’s a challenge finding the perfect 35” combo of bad weather performance, puncture resistance, and weight under 70 pounds.

 

[RedBeardoh]

Same guy has a comparo between mickey t , nokian and several other AT's last winter.
Mickey T''s were an excellent tire.

I'm a bit disappointed he didn't run the same group through this test from winters test.

Sweet! Thanks for the heads up

 

[MattAttack85]

Love the comparison! Thanks! I

I currently have 70,000 miles on my Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP A/Ts and may need to replace them soon. They've been really great tires and have really lasted way longer than I thought they would. They still have good tread left, so I might still get another 10-20k before I actually replace them. Still on the fence if I were to put the same ones on it again or not......

 

[Brian_B]

Maybe I’ve mixed up the MTs with the ATs — I’m not about to purchase with only 10K miles on my GYs, so I’ll look at everything again. It’s a challenge finding the perfect 35” combo of bad weather performance, puncture resistance, and weight under 70 pounds.

Cooper Discoverer AT3 was high on my list when those were my criteria. It clocks in at 64lbs for the 315/70r17, but it's only in LR E

It's an older tire too though, so not sure how it would compare against some of the newer breeds. But has been generally a well-regarded tire and I see a good number of them on vehicles in the wild - mostly pickups.

 

[RC Bronco]

I’d look into Toyo Open Country AT3

 

[Dan00Hawk]

I've got over 50,000 miles on my Nokian Outpost nAT in 285 70 17. They've been a fantastic tire in nearly all conditions and I'll likely put them on again when they're worn out. I feel like they aren't great in 2wd in the wet (my Bronco doesn't have 4A), but that's my only gripe.

 

[CarGuy]

Been looking for the Pirelli in SAS size and haven’t found any yet (nearby). I’ve had good experiences with Pirelli tires on my other cars.

 

[TruckCamper]

Seems the BFG has lost cool guy popularity somehow... Strange as the ko3 has been significantly improved from the ko2. For a tire seeing all uses (on/off road) this is the one to beat. BFG is owned by Michelin (most innovative, highest quality tire company in the world). BFG more or less created the AT tire designation.

MT Baja Boss AT is great for traction but big compromises on road in range (MPG) and weight (heavy). It seems "looks" are more important so that rarely shows up in reviews.

Falken AT3W / AT4W... Just seems like the go to tire for BFG haters. Never understood this one. Sure it lasts forever as the rubber is poor quality and rock hard. But it performs poorly everywhere and heavy (poor range / mpg). Yes it's cheaper but it's a subpar product compared to BFG.

Durability of the "winning" tires in this review would not survive rock crawling and more extreme off road. But why buy an AT tire if only on road? Get a proper hwy tire that can dominate quiet, mpg, handling and all weather.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

Durability of the "winning" tires in this review would not survive rock crawling and more extreme off road.

The new Pirelli is an unknown, but the Nokian gets very good off-road durability reviews. “Extreme” maybe depends on how you define it. My goal would be significantly more robust than the OEM SAS Goodyears re: punctures while also being less mushy on pavement.

 

[TruckCamper]

The new Pirelli is an unknown, but the Nokian gets very good off-road durability reviews. “Extreme” maybe depends on how you define it. My goal would be significantly more robust than the OEM SAS Goodyears re: punctures while also being less mushy on pavement.

I don't see it. But I guess if you carry a spare and don't mind swapping tires... solid choice.

 

[HalfmuleFarmer]

I don't see it. But I guess if you carry a spare and don't mind swapping tires... solid choice.

It’s interesting. Hard calculus to find the right balance. The local trails where I am (SW Utah) are not what I’d call “extreme” unless I want to go full Sand Hollow. I’ve done Tocqueville Falls and a lot of similar trails with the OEM SAS Goodyears, and consider myself lucky to not have had a flat, after all the complaining I’ve heard here. Lots of very spiky rocks. I definitely carry a full spare (and bottle jack).

But that said, the more serious danger here is the quick onset of unexpected serious monsoon rain, freezing rain, or icy mountain snow. I’m on winding mountain roads quite a bit, so good poor weather performance is self preservation.

And like everyone, I do my share of pavement, not a lot really, but I don’t love the GYs on the highway, especially when it’s hot. They feel soft at speed, mushy. I’ll keep ‘em for another 10-20K miles, but I’ll be not buying them again.

@TruckCamper what do you recommend?

Sponsored