Goodyear Off Road Tires

In the first installment of my Goodyear versus Michelin comparison, I focused on car tires. Now, let's take a look at the truck and SUV tires offered by these two heavyweights of the tire industry.

Category: Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season

Contenders: Goodyear Assurance CS TripleTred All-Season vs. Michelin Latitude Tour

Verdict: Goodyear wins this close match-up with superior traction in wet and wintry weather. The same aggressive tread that helps it gain better traction in the worst weather conditions comes with a trade-off in ride and noise comfort. Customers who value a luxury ride and do most of their driving in moderate climates may find that the Michelin suits them better.

Category: Highway All-Season

Contenders: Goodyear Wrangler RT/S vs. Michelin LTX M/S2

Verdict: The Michelin LTX M/S2 wins this category by a wide margin. It's consistently rated near the top of the category for an excellent all-around combination of ride, traction and treadwear.

Category: On-/Off-Road All-Terrain

Contenders: Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor vs. Michelin LTX A/T2

Verdict: Michelin's LTX A/T2 squeaks ahead with better balancing, road manners and longevity with traction on loose surfaces. The Goodyear has a more aggressive tread and would be a more popular choice for those who spend more time off the pavement.

Category: Off-Road Maximum Traction

Contenders: Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar vs. Michelin (none)

Verdict: The highly capable Goodyear wins this one unopposed.

Roundup: In this very close match-up, Michelin wins two categories, while Goodyear also wins two. These categories were extremely close and selection often come down to a driver's preference.

If you ask a random person to name a few tire brands off the top of their head, odds are one of the first to come to their mind is Goodyear. Goodyear tires come as Original Equipment on many makes and models of cars, trucks, SUVs and crossover vehicles. In addition to being one of most well-known brands worldwide, Goodyear makes some of the top tires on the market in various categories.

An oldie but goodie, the Goodyear Eagle GT (V-Speed Rated) is still holding its own against the competition in the High Performance All-Season category. It's currently ranked fourth out of seventeen tires in our Tire Survey Results. During our in-house testing, we liked the tire's reasonable ride quality and good winter weather traction.

The Goodyear Eagle GT has an asymmetric tread pattern so you can rotate them for longer treadlife and help maintain an even treadwear for a quieter ride. To learn more about tire rotation, see my blog post titled "Should I Rotate My Tires?"

Take a look at what some of our customers are saying about the Goodyear Eagle GT (V-Speed Rated):

"These babies are sweet. I've got 20,000 on a set of four and it's like I'm riding on rails still. Treadwear looks normal for my "spirited" driving, probably 50-60% left and looks totally even. For my mom's Hyundai we ordered the Kumhos... On my Mustang I just couldn't do it. Goodyear Eagle GT's go a lot better on Sally."  -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2000 Ford Mustang Convertible.

"Good price, a great tire and good wet road and dry road ride." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2004 Honda Accord Sedan EX V6.

"These are my second set of Goodyears. Old set went over 40,000 miles, much better than the Original Equipment which I only got about 12,000 miles out of. I also tried Yokohamas, which were good but extremely noisy and went about 30,000-35,000 miles; so the Goodyears are great and superior to the other two and I recommend them on your small car." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2005 Suzuki Reno LX.

Shop by vehicle to see if the Goodyear Eagle GT is available for your application.

While I will not go over every facet of tire construction in one post, there are several traits that I look for that are more likely to lead to a pleasant and quiet driving experience. When looking for a quiet tire, I try to avoid tires that have large tread blocks with spacing far apart. This pattern, which is commonly seen in aggressive all-terrain and off-road truck tires, offers a huge amount of biting edges. It also tends to produce a roar as the tire travels along the road surface. A tire doesn't have to be overly aggressive to be an effective all-season option. In most cases, finding a tire with balance is best. 

Even though directional tires serve their purpose at evacuating water effectively, they also tend to have a negative effect on noise quality. This type of tread pattern also reduces your ability to effectively rotate the tire. With symmetrical or asymmetric tires, you're able to rotate front-to-back and side-to-side. With a directional tire, you may only rotate front-to-back.

Consider the following options when looking for a tire that provides a quiet ride.

Michelin Defender

Bridgestone Ecopia EP422

Kumho Ecsta 4X

Passenger All-Season and Standard Touring All-Season:

• Michelin Defender
• Goodyear Assurance ComforTred    
• Continental ProContact with EcoPlus Technology

Grand Touring All-Season:

• Michelin Primacy MXV4     
• Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus      
• Bridgestone Ecopia EP422

Ultra High Performance All-Season:

• Continental ExtremeContact DWS     
• Kumho Ecsta 4X

Take a look at our Tire Survey Results to compare options and find the tire that's right for you.

Dedicated winter / snow tires perform better than non-winter tires on snow- and ice-covered roads. The downside is that winter tires aren't designed for year-round use, therefore an additional set of tires is needed.  

In light of this, some light truck and SUV drivers choose to compromise and use one set of tires all 12 months of the year. Many will choose a tire from the Highway All-Season or Crossover/SUV Touring All-Season category because of their quiet ride and long wear. 

However, for drivers who are willing to deal with more road road noise and slightly reduced road handling, On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tires are worth considering for their better snow traction. On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tires (commonly referred to as A/T tires) typically have snow and ice traction that's better than street all-season tires but fall short of the winter performance of a dedicated winter / snow tire. 

Which of the On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tires have the best snow traction? The following are my top three choices:

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO

General Grabber AT 2

Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor

As you can see, all three tires have a fairly aggressive tread pattern with many small tread blocks and multiple sipes for better snow, ice and off-road traction. Based on our extensive customer survey data, the General Grabber AT 2 has higher ratings for deep snow traction, light snow traction and ice traction, while being a bit louder and slightly stiffer riding than the other two options. However, these differences were separated by very few points, so it's hard to go wrong with any one of these tires. 

Take a look at what some of our customers are saying about their experiences with the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO, General Grabber AT 2 and Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor:

"I bought these to replace my Original Equipment which honestly were horrible in snow. I slid everywhere, even in the rain. Bought these (BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO) and it is like a whole different truck. I love these tires and will buy them for every truck I ever own as long as they stay this good. Have had them on for about 10,000 miles and they still look new, and I am what they call an aggressive driver. I really love these tires. If they made them to fit all my vehicles, I would buy them for all of them. Best tires I have come across for my truck hands down! Buy them, you won't be disappointed." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2008 Ford F150 XLT Super Cab 4wd (BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO)

"These tires are amazing! i just put a new set on my truck because I was so happy with the performance of the last set. I live in rural North Dakota, so they get plenty of time to play in the mud, gravel and snow. My tire size is mountain/snowflake rated and I see why. They go through deep snow. When it starts snowing in town and you see all the other cars unable to get traction, I can keep it in two-wheel drive and go like it's dry pavement. Even blizzards can't slow them down!" -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 1999 Nissan Frontier XE 4wd (General Grabber AT 2)

"Best tires I have ever bought! Awesome traction in any condition: wet, dry, snow and even ice. Goodyear hit a home run with this design. 5 stars. I can't say enough good about this tire." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review (Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor)

Shop by vehicle today and upgrade your vehicle's snow and ice traction!

Qualified winter / snow tires have the mountain/snowflake marking on their sidewall. In short, it indicates a higher level of winter capabilities, including traction in snow and on ice compared to an all-season tire. The spirit of the marking is intended for dedicated winter solutions, however there are a few models out there that meet or exceed the threshold and sport the severe snow mountain/snowflake symbol.

Listed below are the non-dedicated winter / snow tire options that meet the severe snow service requirements with the mountain/snowflake symbol. Currently, the only options are for SUVs and light trucks. The following tires can be great solutions if you want a higher level of winter element traction without swapping tires back and forth twice a year. Certain sizes of the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO and General Grabber AT 2 do not have the mountain/snowflake symbol and those sizes can be found under the "Specs" tab.

On/Off Road All-Terrain

• BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO (Specs)
• General Grabber AT 2 (Specs)
• Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor
• Kumho Road Venture SAT KL61

On/Off Road Commercial Traction

• Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac

I am a firm believer in the dedicated winter solution, and have been installing winter tires on my personal vehicles for years. There is one exception to that, and that is the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac on our pick-up. It's as close to a winter tire that I have used.

To find the right tire for your vehicle and how you drive, shop by vehicle.

The Jeep has been around for decades and is loved by many. It's easily one of the most modified vehicles on the road and has a very strong and enthusiastic group of owners. Many owners look to their tires as one of the modifications they want to make. Going with a larger and more aggressive tire is one of the most popular and easiest ways to customize your Jeep.

If you're looking for a tire that delivers traction in any direction on gravel roads and dirt trails, while also providing all-season versatility, take a look at tires that are good on and off the road. The first tire that comes to mind when I think of the Jeep is the BFGoodrich All -Terrain T/A KO. This tire seems like it's been around as long as the Jeep, and is easily the most popular tire for the Jeep. These two go together hand and hand, so to speak.

Are you looking to mix it up and go with more of a modern tire? Take a look at the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac. This On-/Off-Road Commercial Traction tire is really aggressive and is awesome for some serious off-road use. Branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol, the tire meets the industry's severe snow service standards and can also accept optional metal studs to enhance ice traction.

Another very popular option is the General Grabber AT 2. This tire is fairly aggressive and provides great on- and off-road manners at a more cost-effective price. Its internal structure includes twin steel belts on top of a two-ply polyester cord body to combine strength and durability with a quiet ride.

BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO

Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac

General Grabber AT 2

What if you desire a super aggressive tire that can handle tough challenges such as muddy surfaces? Getting through mud is needed by most Jeep owners and tires in the Off-Road Maximum Traction category are the perfect option. 

Goodyear's Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar is designed to increase tire toughness when it conquers mud, crawls over rocks and explores trails, thus making it a top choice for rock climbers. The Kevlar helps stabilize the sidewalls when drivers return to the pavement for the ride home.

Another tire in the category worth considering is the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2. This tire features open and deep lugs that will plow through any off-road condition. It features a cut- and chip-resistant sidewall compound and BFGoodrich's TriGard carcass (three-ply polyester construction) with sidewall cords that are up to 33 percent stronger than the previous Mud-Terrain T/A KM tire.

Firestone's Destination M/T uses UNI-T Technology to combine off-road traction with enhanced on-road capabilities. UNI-T is a combination of technologies that merge a comprehensive design with innovative manufacturing to enhance tire comfort, performance and wear.

Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar

BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2

Firestone Destination M/T

Shop by vehicle to find the tire that's right for your Jeep.

Most often, one of the biggest concerns when replacing tires is winter weather performance. If you're the owner of a light truck or SUV and need an On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tire that can perform to an exceptional level in winter conditions, then choosing a tire branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol will assure you have the very best winter traction offered.

In 1999, the U.S. Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) agreed on a performance based standard to identify passenger and light truck tires that attain a traction index equal to, or greater than 110 (compared to a reference tire which is rated 100) during the specified American Society for Testing and Materials traction tests on packed snow. The new standard helps ensure that drivers can easily identify tires that provide a higher level of snow traction.

On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tires typically have as much capability off the road as they do on the road. These tires feature multifaceted tread blocks to help deliver traction in any direction on gravel roads and dirt trails, as well as are branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol indicating their ability to provide all-season versatility, including traction in snow.

Currently, three well-received options in this category include the General Grabber AT 2, Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor, and BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO. Certain sizes of these tires display the mountain/snowflake symbol for severe snow service requirements and will be suitable for all-season use.

General Grabber AT 2

Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO

The General Grabber AT 2 has a chip- and tear-resistant tread compound molded into an aggressive, symmetric tread design featuring five rows of independent tread blocks that blends on-road handling with off-road traction. Its internal structure includes twin steel belts on top of a two-ply polyester cord body to combine strength and durability with a quiet ride.

Wrangler SilentArmor tires feature Goodyear's Durawell rubber compound molded at the base of the tread grooves to increase resistance to stone/rock drilling. The tire's internal structure is designed with an Armor Zone that consists of twin, high-tensile steel belts that are reinforced by a layer of DuPont KEVLAR cord to combine strength with comfort.

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO tires are designed to deliver go-anywhere traction along with outstanding durability and great wear. The tire is ranked in the top ten of our Tire Survey Results and our customers have great things to say about it, including the owner of a 2003 Ford F150 Super Crew 4wd who says "This is my fourth set of BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO tires. These tires are rugged. Despite the rugged tread design, they are quiet on the highway. They will get you anywhere you want to go: sand, mud, light snow, deep snow...bring it on!"

NOTE: While most General Grabber AT 2, Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor and BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO tires meet the industry's severe snow service requirements (and are branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol), selected tires do not. Specific tires/sizes not meeting the industry's severe snow service requirements are identified with a "Not Rated For Severe Snow" notation under the Sizes & Pricing, as well as the Specs tab.

To find the tire that's right for your on-road and off-road travels including snow-covered roads, view all On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tires.