The 10 Best All-Terrain UTV Tires on the Market
Find reasonably priced rubber to take on any challenge in your side-by-side in our All-Terrain UTV Tire Buyer's Guide.
For the UTV driver who wants a Jack-of-all-trades tire which can handle a variety of terrains, we’ve put together a list of the best all-terrain UTV tires on the market. Whether you ride trails or mud, we picked out UTV tires that are perfect for your needs with a wide range of prices your wallet will love.
As UTV enthusiasts, we all like to tackle some rugged terrain. Some days we’re driving in sand, and other days we’re driving in hard-packed dirt. We might go from extreme rocks, to extreme mud in the same ride. Planning out the right tire for all of these conditions would be impossible. The solution is an all-terrain tire that performs well in a wide range of terrain and conditions.
Luckily, this is the broadest assortment of tires out there and your machine usually comes stock with something that will work pretty good. Are there better options out there? Of course, and you can get tires that work well in any terrain, but have an advantage over another tire in select terrain types.
We would absolutely consider some of these offerings to be among the best UTV tires available today at any price point. And unless you drive your UTV primarily in one specific type of terrain (extreme mud, rocks, sand dunes, etc.), any of these choices will provide you with solid overall traction and performance.
Check out the full list below for our picks for the best all-terrain UTV tires.
Table of contents
1. Editor's Choice: GBC Kanati Mongrel
The GBC Kanati Mongrel stands out with its 10-ply construction and all-terrain tread design, offering a rare combination of on-road comfort and off-road capability. First introduced as a truck tire, the its DOT approval makes it adaptable for both street and trail use, which adds to its appeal for versatile riders. It was apparent that these UTV tires were great for extreme terrains on high-performance machines, and the newest version has been updated to work even better.
What has since set the Mongrel apart is its proven durability and reliability across various terrains, from hard-packed trails to loose dirt and rocky surfaces. The Mongrel is a 10-ply tire with a re-engineered carcass to have a tougher sidewall while reducing the overall weight. For those of us who are frequently testing UTV tires, the Mongrel might be a top choice due to its consistent performance, making it a dependable option for those who demand both ruggedness and flexibility in their tire selection.
2. Best Bargain Tire: Tusk Aramid Terrabite
Tusk is a product line well known for providing great value to the purchaser. With Tusk products, you often get some of the same features of a higher-priced product at a lower price without sacrificing the performance you’re looking for. Their Terrabite UTV tires have great standard features, but the addition of bead-to-bead Kevlar banding makes this tire a great buy for the price. Radial 8-ply construction and a tread pattern that work across a wide range of terrain types add to the pot. Throw in DOT compliance and an aggressive shoulder and sidewall tread, you’ve got some great all-terrain UTV tires for just over $100, making it one of the best UTV tires for the money.
3. The Jack-of-all-trades: Maxxis Carnivore Radial
Normally you might expect to see the Bighorn tire from Maxxis here, but that tire comes stock on a lot of machines. However, it’s not the only badass all-around tire that Maxxis makes. The Carnivore is a design brought in from its truck division and is one of the best UTV tires being produced today. It is a tough 8-ply, super-aggressive tire that has specialized rubber for gripping rocks, roots and other trail stuff you’d run into in extreme terrain. It has a lot of sidewall tread, and will work ok in mud, too. While designed for western terrain, the Carnivore is proving to work well just about anywhere making it a hallmark of all-terrain UTV tires.
We recently had the opportunity to test these tires on a trip with Yamaha in the latest Wolverine RMAX2 in Taylor Park, Colorado, and everyone in the group was quite impressed with the performance of these. This trip offered up a wide variety of terrain that ranged from sharp rock gardens, narrow forest trails, wide-open silty roads, and even through a few water features like creeks, lakes, and a fast-flowing river. The Carnivores provided great bite on every terrain we encountered. The tires clawed away at the jagged rocks during climbs, sliding through tight corners, and waded through water-crossings all the same, giving the UTV a planted feel at all times.
4. Best Ride Quality: BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 All-Seasonal
The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is a top choice for UTV riders who demand both performance and durability in their tires. Don't let the name fool you, this isn't a one-trick pony. Featuring an aggressive tread design, this tire is engineered to provide maximum traction in challenging conditions, whether you're navigating through mud, rocky trails, or sandy terrain. Its tough sidewalls are built to withstand the harshest impacts, offering excellent resistance against punctures and tears, which is crucial for off-road adventures.
The tire's compound and deep tread patterns are designed to grip surfaces with authority, ensuring stability and control even in the most rugged environments. What sets the KM3 apart is its ability to balance extreme off-road capability with long-lasting durability, making it one of the most dependable options available. For UTV riders who push their vehicles to the limit, the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 is a reliable choice.
5. EFX MotoClaw Radial 8ply Radial
The EFX MotoClaw is one of those all-terrain UTV tires that will leave you really glad you made the call to put them on. This is one of those tire designs that seems to excel in almost any condition, including not-so-serious mud. In other words, if you’re not a serious mudder, these UTV tires are perfect for you and everywhere you ride. These are 8-ply, DOT-approved radials that will dig in to anything and the sidewall tread will help pull you out of some seriously nasty ruts. They have a strong rubber compound and combined with the 8-ply, can feel a little stiff, but the trade-off is great traction and durability.
6. Sedona Rip-Saw R/T Radial
The Rip-Saw is one of our favorite all-terrain UTV tires because it works really well in every terrain we’ve thrown at it. It’s a 6-ply tire with 1-1/8” deep tread, a pattern that is spaced well for cleaning, and wraps around the sidewall for superior bite. The knobs are siped for slick surface traction, as well. We’ve used them in sand, mud, snow, hard-pack soil, deep woods and on rocky terrain, and have zero complaints. They work well for performance machines and utility work, making them, what we consider, some of the best UTV Tires.
7. Pro Armor Crawler XG Radial
Remember how we said that some all-terrain UTV tires work better in certain conditions? The Crawler XG is one of those tires. It works best in hard-pack and rocky terrain, as you might expect with rock crawling implied in the name. Pro Armor designed these tires to be seriously tough and puncture resistant with an 8-ply, belted-radial construction and .78-inch tread depth. The Crawler XG is constructed with a dual rubber compound that mixes tread life with slick-rock grip making them some of the best UTV all-terrain tires that excel in hard pack.
8. Tensor Regulator Radial
Tensor is a unique company. While they’re widely known for making durable tires for the desert-racing world, they’ve also added a line of UTV tires to their lineup. The Regulator line of UTV all-terrain tires that meet DOT standards and feature a nylon-reinforced 8-ply construction. The tread pattern is based off of a light truck tire design as opposed to an ATV design, which is interesting since Tensor doesn’t make truck tires. What it did was make a tire with a quiet ride, good handling, braking, and a wide footprint for excellent traction in every terrain.
9. System 3 XTR370 X-Terrain Radial
The System 3 XTR370 X-Terrain tire is a solid choice for UTV riders seeking a dependable all-terrain option. Its 8-ply radial construction offers durability and strength, making it well-suited for various terrains. The tire features advanced sidewall construction for a comfortable ride and stability over rough surfaces. With deep tread blocks, ranging from 0.75 to 1.25 inches depending on tire size, and multi-angle tread patterns, the XTR370 provides reliable traction in mud, rocks, and gravel. The super-deep rim guard adds an extra layer of protection for the wheels. While the XTR370 may not be the top performer in every category, it delivers consistent handling and comfort, making it a strong contender among the best all-terrain tires of 2024.
10. Kenda Bearclaw Radial
Yes, this one is a bit more mud-centric, and we have an entire article dedicated to that subject, which you can read here. But when it comes to choosing good UTV all-terrain tires, some locations lean a little harder towards one type of terrain than the others. So, we wanted to give a slightly more 'muck-ccessible' option for those of you who live in wetter conditions more often, but want a set of tires which don't have to immediately be replaced as the ground begins to dry. And even when you're a do-it-all sort of rider, how serious you are about the mud you encounter plays a huge factor into which UTV tires are best for you.
The most aggressive UTV mud tires can be a little rough for extended trail riding, so if you occasionally play around in the slick stuff, you likely prefer a tire that has more of a focus on comfort than aggressiveness. One tire that fits the bill is the venerable Kenda Bear Claw. These are tough, super affordable UTV mud tires that are reasonably adept in the muck, but also offer great performance on the trails.
Qualities to Look for in Every UTV Tire
When selecting UTV tires, there are a few critical features you’ll want to keep in mind, regardless of the type you’re considering. These include:
- Size: UTV tires are available in various sizes, so it’s crucial to match the tire size to both your vehicle and the terrain you plan to navigate. Tire size can greatly influence your UTV's performance. Using the wrong size can negatively impact traction, ground clearance, speed, and stability. Additionally, ensure that the tire dimensions are appropriate for your UTV, and verify that the wheel's bolt pattern and offset align correctly.
- Tread Pattern: The tread pattern significantly affects how well your UTV tires will perform. If you need a tire that can handle all types of terrain, opting for one with an aggressive tread pattern is wise. This type of tread ensures good grip regardless of the surface. Tread widths vary, with some having wider gaps to better handle rocky or hard-packed ground, while others are designed for speed and quieter rides but may offer less grip on muddy, snowy, or sandy terrain.
- Lugs (Tread Depth): For general use on turf, a tread depth of less than an inch is ideal. For snow, a depth between one and 1.5 inches is preferable. Tires with treads deeper than 1.5 inches are better suited for soft soil. However, be aware that large lugs can damage turf and lead to faster tire wear.
- Rolling Resistance: Rolling resistance is influenced by factors like tread design, tire weight, height, and width. It plays a key role in determining your UTV’s top speed and acceleration. Due to friction and drag, narrower tires tend to roll more easily than wider ones. If speed is a priority, consider lighter, smaller tires.
- Load-Carrying Capacity: It’s important to know your UTV’s maximum load-carrying capacity before purchasing tires. You can find this information in your owner’s manual, online specifications, or by consulting with a dealer. For instance, if your UTV can carry 1,000 pounds, select tires that can support that weight or more for optimal performance.
- Construction: Bias and radial tires are both excellent choices for trail and mud riding. Bias tires excel on steep climbs and rugged terrain, while radial tires provide a smoother ride on flat or paved surfaces. Radials generally last longer if properly maintained but are more expensive to replace and harder to repair compared to bias tires.
Choosing Between Bias and Radial UTV Tire Construction
Deciding between bias and radial tires depends on a few key factors, mainly the terrain and how you plan to use them.
Radial tires excel at handling higher speeds, offering more flexibility in their structure, and reducing vibrations on the road. They are designed to absorb impacts and manage pressure more efficiently due to their unique tread design, making them a preferred choice for on-road driving. Many radial tires also meet DOT standards for highway use, though they often come with a higher price tag. Conversely, if your vehicle operates at lower speeds and needs to carry heavy loads, bias tires might be the better option. Traditionally, bias-ply tires were standard on earlier ATVs and UTVs because their rigid construction provides increased traction and better forward movement.
Do UTV Tires Differ from ATV Tires?
Yes and no. Many of the best UTV tires will fit across the board. However, UTVs typically have more weight and can fit taller tires than ATVs. Plus, many are much higher in horsepower, so the construction of the tire has to be able to handle the extra power. So while you will see ATV tires that are specific to ATVs, especially sport models, you’ll find far more UTV tires that are specific to UTVs. Any that are DOT approved are meant for UTVs only, for example.
Do I have to run the same tire size that came on my UTV?
While manufacturers pick UTV tire sizes to optimize the performance of their package, you can absolutely run a larger or even smaller tire size than what came on your UTV. Of course, you have to take into consideration the clearance and turning ability of your machine for the tire size you want to run. We recommend asking others who have the same machine what they're running or their opinions before making your purchase.
How can changing my wheel size affect my UTV?
Altering your wheel size can affect your UTV in a number of ways. First off, is appearance. If your UTV came from the factory with what used to be the standard 12" wheels, upgrading to a larger wheel can definitely improve the look of your machine. Just know that increasing the wheel size will also increase your wheel weight, and if you're going with a larger tire you'll likely have increased weight there as well. This will affect the performance of your braking system and will require you to brake earlier if not need to upgrade your brake system with things like steel braided brake lines and even better brake pads.
One other thing to think about is your brake caliper clearance to the wheels. If you stay with the same wheel diameter, you should be just fine but know that you can't go any smaller of a wheel. Increasing your wheel size can provide more clearance between the inside of the wheel and brake caliper minimizing the possibility of rocks getting in between them and causing catastrophic damage.
As far as handling is concerned, wheel size can also make a significant difference in the way that your UTV rides. Let's say you've gone from a 12" or even a 14" wheel to a 15" wheel. Increasing your wheel diameter can lessen the amount of sidewall of the tire you're using. By doing this you can cause your UTV to have a stiffer ride because you've essentially reduced the sidewall cushion and made the ride more firm. This also affects the roll of the tire in cornering.
Recent Updates:
Sept 9, 2024: Updated products, descriptions, photos (to include lead photo); added additional information like differences between tires and what to look for
May 2, 2023: Eliminated obsolete products (ITP Baja Cross XD, STI X Comp ATR) and replaced with (GBC Parallax and STI Chicane RX), updated product links for better UX and added to FAQ.
March 18, 2021: Updated some text for clarification.
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Kyra Sacdalan is an editor and journalist by day, and a PR & marketing wiz by night - with a passion for people, places and things. Someone coined the term 'Cultural Bloodhound,' which is a title she wears with pride. From discovering Haikyos in Japan on a dual-sport motorcycle, to exploring the booming culinary scene of Baja California, racing Go-Karts in Italy to doing donuts in an Ikea parking lot in Russia with professional drifter, or documenting races like the Dakar Rally; the list goes on and with every new experience and interesting idea, she's ready to say 'yes.'
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