Top Picks for 4x4 and Off-Road Tires and Wheels
Compare and review Winter and Summer Tires for Off-Roading
Contents
Introduction
This guide dives deep into the world of tires for 4x4 vehicles, focusing on selecting the perfect summer and winter options. Whether you own a Land Rover, Subaru, Toyota, or any other capable SUV, the core principles remain the same. We reference our Land Rover in this post but the tire brands can be used on other vehicles.
Wintery Muck Giving Off-Road Tires a Good Test
4x4 Tires for Each Season
Summer Tires
We have had success with a few brands of Summer tires, listed both of these below.
Cooper Discoverer ST Studdable 265/75/R16
No modifications are required to fit these large tires with a 2” suspension lift. We run these on our 2001 Land Rover Discovery 2.
- All around good tire that works well on mud, rain, dirt, rock and pavement
- These are a low noise sturdy 10 ply tire
- They wear well, after many many hwy KMs these still have lots of tread
- The stiff sidewalls have made for decent to very good high speed steering feel and driving compliance even for a lifted truck like ours
- The tread pattern on the sidewall make the tire look more aggressive and provides better traction when in or trying to get out of ruts
- We do not use these tires in the winter, our winters are long with snow and ice. Many highways we travel require snow tires by law from October to May. These could be all year tires depending on where you live
Don’t Like
- Nothing, they have worked great, wish I had something constructive to say but they don’t have a flaw yet
Toyo Open Country A/T3 275/70R18
No modifications are required to fit these large tires with a 2” suspension lift. We run these on our 2013 Toyota Sequoia that has a 2” lift.
What We Love
- The A/T3 offers a good balance of grip, fuel efficiency, and noise reduction
- 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certified for winter traction, however we use these only for the summer months. Due to snow even in June and September where we live the traction works well in these conditions
- Aggressive tread pattern for enhanced traction in challenging terrain
Don’t Like
- Nothing for function but the cost is more than others on the market
Winter Tires Review
Nokian Hakkapeliitta Studded
Our Land Rover and Toyota Sequoia winter tires are Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT2 Studded 265/75/R16. We are big fan of Nokian tires have them on our Subaru too.
What We Love
- Unbelievable grip on Winter Mountain Road conditions, equipped with steel studs for enhanced traction on ice and snow
- Very quiet for a studded tire
- Plowed through deep snow, ice and slush in these
- We haven’t found a tire with better traction on black ice and horrible winter highway conditions
- Deep tread pattern with aggressive sipes for optimal grip in winter weather
- Provides puncture resistance and durability for a longer service life, we find they last a VERY long time
- Great road feel when driving on hwy at high speeds due to stiff 10 ply sidewall
- Very good quality. Best winter tire out their in our opinion!
Don’t Like
- Expensive…. most expensive I think
- With that said, you get what you pay for
More about Nokian Tires… For winter we have Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV studded tires on our 2012 Subaru Forester xt. I am not sure if this vehicle has less insulation but they sound significantly louder on pavement than our Land Rover. If there is no music on it sounds as if there is a quiet popcorn machine in our vehicle. Although these tires are a little noisy they provide a very confident driving feel with no vibration at any speed. They are great on ice and on dry pavement. 5 out of 5. We can live with the noise of studs for the performance they provide.
Our 2010 Toyota Rav4 Sport V6 has Michelin X-ice tires. Contrary to their name these tires aren’t great on ice but I’m comparing them to Nokian Studded Hakka’s. Decent on dry pavement and they have worn very well over the winter seasons of 122000 KMs.
Off-Road 4x4 Adventures
Off-Road Wheels
When it comes to off-road vehicles, the wheels you choose play a crucial role in both performance and style. Here’s a breakdown of the two most popular options: Steel and Aluminum.
Steel Wheels:
Pros:
- Budget-friendly: Generally cheaper than aluminum wheels.
- Durability: Can withstand heavy impacts and are easier to repair from dents.
- Weight: Heavier weight can improve stability off-road.
Cons:
- Weight: Can decrease fuel efficiency.
- Aesthetics: Simpler appearance compared to aluminum.
- Rust: More susceptible to rust than aluminum.
Aluminum Wheels:
Pros:
- Lightweight: Reduced weight improves fuel efficiency and handling.
- Aesthetics: Wide variety of styles and finishes available.
Cons:
- Cost: More expensive than steel wheels.
- Durability: More prone to cracking or breaking upon high impact.
- Repairs: Typically require replacement, not repair.
Choosing the Right Wheel:
The best choice for you depends on your priorities:
- Budget: Steel is a clear winner for cost-conscious off-roaders.
- Performance: Aluminum offers weight advantages for handling and fuel efficiency.
- Durability: Steel can handle heavy abuse, while aluminum prioritizes lightness.
- Aesthetics: Aluminum offers a wider variety of styles to personalize your vehicle.
Summer Wheels
Our summer wheels are Range Rover P38 OEM punctured 5 spoke, Alloy. We wanted to give them a new look so we painted with a Dupli-color wheel paint and clear coat system and it worked really well. We painted the wheels when the tires were already on, it would have been easier if they were off but we wanted to get them done and not wait to remove them. Our two year old at the time thought taping the tires was a fun activity. We likely used double the tape but the whole family could be in the garage to help.
Prep For Painting Wheels
Painted Wheels with Dupli-color, Looking Shiny and New
Winter Wheels
Our winter wheels are the original Land Rover Discovery wheels, Alloy. We decided to give them a fresh look and painted them with the Dupli-color system which worked really well. After using the system I would say it is quite important to use the clear coat within the time recommended relative to the application of the color. The clear seems to dissolve slightly into the color making for a high quality look. If you wait too long to apply the clear it may not provide the same depth of clear.
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