Firestone Destination M/T 2 Tire Review and Ratings

Firestone Destination M/T 2 in Dry Conditions

The Firestone Destination M/T 2 delights with its dry performance.

Which is something that doesn’t come with the territory. Many mud-terrain tires I have tested over the years struggle to replicate their excellent off-road performance on the highway.

Fortunately, the Destination M/T 2 is an exception.

Not only is this tire useful on the highway (a requirement most mud-terrain tires are unable to trick), but it will also keep your vehicle stable on it. What does that mean? Shorter braking distances, even tread wear, and better grip and control.

That is not to say that the M/T 2 can be a replacement for your regular all-season tire. An increased rolling resistance (which, in turn, means low fuel efficiency) and high tread growl (more noise in the cabin) are still big enough cons to prevent you from putting this tire to daily use.

Yet the fact that I’m comparing this tire with regular all-season tires – a comparison I won’t make for nine out of ten mud-terrain tires on the market – should tell you how much I’m impressed with its dry performance.

Firestone Destination M/T 2 on Wet or Slippery Roads

The Firestone Destination M/T 2 replicates its dry performance on wet roads.

Thanks to all those wide and deep grooves in its tread area, it boasts an excellent ability to evacuate water from within the treads, even when you are driving through very deep puddles of water. The result? Class-leading hydroplaning/aquaplaning resistance.

Additionally, the M/T2s are pretty good when driven at leisurely speed in deep puddles of water. Sure, the traction at the edges could be better. But it’s still decent enough to avoid dangerous scenarios, especially if you drive them well below highway speeds. All in all, the Destination M/T 2 is a reliable performer on wet roads.

Firestone Destination M/T 2 in Snow

Given the fact that it’s studdable, it should surprise no one that the Destination M/T 2 performs much better than any non-studdable mud-terrain tire in the snow.

Guidelines issued by Firestone state that TSMI #16 or 17 studs can be used with this tire, where permitted, for enhanced traction in severe snow and ice. I’d suggest that you stick to these tips if you live in an area that receives more than its fair share of snow.

However, that is not to say that only studs are responsible for this tire’s decent snow performance. A tread compound that stays flexible in lower temperatures and sipes that offer additional biting edges for added grip on snowy surfaces also deserve mention.

Moreover, its attack angles help it plow through snow the same way it does with off-road dirt, regardless of whether it’s dealing with dry or wet snow. As a result, the snow traction on offer is good enough for light-hearted driving at 40 to 60 MPH.

Firestone Destination M/T 2 for Off-Roading

Since most of its features are designed to boost off-road performance, it isn’t surprising that the M/T 2 excels on dirt roads, loose terrains, and rock-strewn tracks.

Here’s how the M/T 2 performs in different off-roading conditions:

Dirt

Thanks to the 23-degree attack angles (which help it dig into the sand and establish contact with the hard surface underneath), the M/T2 delights with its performance on dirty tracks.

Even when you’re starting at above-average speeds, it will not get stuck altogether. Or, if the sand is sticky enough to pull in the tire, it won’t need more than 3 seconds to get out, or even less, provided you’re driving at faster speeds.

True, some parts of its sidewall are a bit too stiff and may pose an issue in cornering situations where extra flexibility is more welcome. But that problem has an easy solution: staying in the 3^rd or 4^th gear.

Rock

If you’re a rock crawling enthusiast, the way the MT2 handles itself on rocky terrains would please you very much.

The stone ejectors within the tread are capable enough to throw small pebbles out and help it maintain adequate traction. At the same time, the extra biting edges offered by the serrated lugs enable it to tackle rough, massive rocks with as little drama as possible.

Also, thanks to a contact patch that stays glued to the road, come what may, even constant speed changes won’t hurt its performance on rocky terrains. However, if you press too hard on the accelerator, the loud thudding noises may unnerve you.

Sand

All the things that gave me very little to complain about its performance on dirt tracks also help the M/T 2 maintain its equilibrium on sand terrains.

For instance, the 23-degree attack angles, with the aid of serrated side lugs, boost this model’s self-cleaning abilities. Their joint partnership is the main reason why the chances of soft sand particles getting inside the grooves and hurting traction are slim.

Yet there are areas where its sand performance could be better. On wet sand, the moisture-laden particles have a habit of sticking to the larger grooves rather than falling off. However, that isn’t too big an issue and won’t hurt the sand performance by much.

Mud

After putting the M/T2s through a heavy dose of stubborn mud, I can report with confidence that it’s one of the best mud-terrain tires out there.

There is no slip and no sliding on muddy terrains, and the M/T2s also do a phenomenal job of clawing their way out of muddy ruts. Furthermore, with both mud and stone ejectors helping with mud, there is minimal risk of mud caking into the tire and hurting performance.

Even post-rain mud – the undoing of many a mud-terrain tire over the years – cannot get the better of the M/T 2s. True, the slipperiness may increase in the immediate aftermath of the rain, but that is something that the intricate tread blocks and sturdy sidewalls could easily take care of.

Firestone Destination M/T 2 for Sporty Driving

The Firestone Destination MT 2 isn’t ideal for sporty driving on paved roads.

The primary reason for this is an aggressive and deep tread pattern. Containing large, widely-spaced lugs, it can wear unevenly and quickly due to high-speed driving. As you might guess, this will hurt tread life and eventually necessitate earlier-than-expected tire replacement.

Also, its soft sidewall may be useful for enhanced traction on loose terrains. But it will also reduce this tire’s handling characteristics, especially compared to summer tires. As a result, this model’s cornering performance and stability on the road will be lackluster.

Although it should go without saying, here’s a suggestion for everyone who needs it: If you regularly engage in sporty driving on paved roads, summer tires will be a much better bet.