Mud Terrain Vs. All-terrain Tires: What's The Difference?

Madrolly/Getty Images

If you want to conquer immoderate trails, past you whitethorn beryllium reasoning of getting an SUV or a pickup motortruck designed specifically for off-road 4x4 experiences. No matter what exemplary you select, you whitethorn besides beryllium wondering if you should get each terrain tires (A/T) aliases mud tires. The 2 whitethorn stock immoderate akin characteristics, but they're surely not nan same. In fact, many different types of tires can grip off-road conditions, but immoderate are overmuch much suited to challenging environments.

Let's opportunity you person a Jeep SUV specified arsenic a Wrangler aliases a Grand Cherokee. Most of these models travel pinch a Selec-Terrain Traction Management System that tin grip driving successful mud, asphalt, gravel, snow, and sand. These models tin often climb rocks and moreover tread done water. However, simply switching to nan correct mode doesn't guarantee apical capacity — these are nan benignant of off-road conditions that lead galore drivers to wonderment whether they should beryllium utilizing each terrain aliases mud tires. 

While both kinds of tires connection improved traction and handling erstwhile going off-road, their versatility successful different situations tin beryllium an important facet to return into consideration. All terrain offer you capable capacity to spell off-road comfortably, but mud tires are successful a people of their ain — let's return a look astatine really nan 2 designs differ.

Raul Ortin/Getty Images

Depending connected nan type of off-road capacity you want, you'll apt beryllium looking astatine much than conscionable each terrain aliases mud tires. For instance, location are highway-terrain tires, which are made for driving connected asphalt and highways. They tin still grip a small off-road action, though, acknowledgment to a tread shape that's a small deeper than tires recovered connected astir rider cars. Meanwhile, rugged-terrain tires are made pinch thicker rubber that tin grip a beating while stone climbing aliases climbing steep inclines.

All terrain tires are location successful betwixt those two. They tin tackle nan asphalt but still person capable grip to connection tin driving successful snowfall aliases rainfall acknowledgment to their deeper tread patterns. This makes each terrain tires a awesome prime for drivers who could spell off-road astatine a moment's notice. For improved performance, drivers tin get fierce each terrain tires that travel pinch a wraparound tread. This adds much thickness to nan sidewall for added traction and protection. 

Mud tires are a wholly different animal, arsenic they purpose-built for handling mud. As such, these tires are not meant for normal driving connected pavement. Instead, mud tires are manufactured pinch specialized rubber that tin grip astir immoderate type of off-road terrain.  The tread blocks connected mud tires are large and deep, making them much effective astatine expelling mud. Mud tires are stronger overall, and besides travel equipped pinch lugs that supply further grip. They're made to grip each nan unseen dangers that could beryllium hiding successful nan mud.

So location you person it — mud tires are nan much specialized of nan 2 options, but are perfect if you cognize you are going to extremity up tackling immoderate reliable terrain. If you request to beryllium capable to move betwixt an off-road situation and regular driving, however, each terrain tires mightiness beryllium a amended choice.