The 10 Best Tires for Pickup Trucks

#1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S

The list starts with a premium model from Michelin. The Defender LXT M/S isn’t the cheapest option you can find, but it’s among the best touring models you can find.

Driving in dry conditions is something that the Defender LXT M/S does with ease. The grip and traction levels are plentiful, meaning you won’t experience any slip when accelerating. Going around a corner also won’t be an issue in normal conditions, and you won’t have to deal with understeer. Despite not being a performance model, you have some flexibility to push it, but not much. In terms of handling, the responsiveness is solid. With that said, don’t expect a lot of feedback.

Performance in wet conditions is also excellent, and the Defender LXT M/S will deliver on its promises. On damp roads, you’ll experience no slip, as the tire will hold on to the road until you start to push it hard. Even in those situations, once it lets go, it will do that progressively and be easy to handle. The tire also has some of the shortest braking distances, and with excellent aquaplaning resistance, it’s one of the safer options in this class.

The Defender LXT M/S has an M+S rating, meaning you’ll get decent snow performance. In lighter conditions, the tire does a solid job of delivering traction on unpacked snow. There is a bit more slip on packed one, but it’s still better than some of its rivals. You’ll get solidly short braking distances, and the tire will be planted if you’re not pushing it.

As for refinement, the Defender LXT M/S is one of the best in class. The comfort levels are exceptional, and the tire provides a smooth ride. It softens large blows with ease and eliminates the vibrations. The noise levels are also very low. You won’t hear the tire at lower speeds, and it will be quiet enough on the highway.

Regarding the warranty, Michelin does well. The Defender LXT M/S comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is near the top of its class.

#2. Continental TerrainContact H/T

In the same category as the Michelin tire, we have one from Continental. The TerrainContact H/T is a tire that brings some improvements over the French competitor but at a similar price.

The dry performance of the TerrainContact H/T is superb. It offers very high levels of grip and traction, meaning the tire won’t slip in everyday driving. The higher levels also mean that you can push it, and it will remain safe. At a certain point, the tire will let go, but very few people will take their trucks to those limits. The safety of this tire is backed by the short braking distances and the handling characteristics. It’s responsive enough for most people but won’t provide much feedback.

Continental is known for making tires with excellent wet performance, and the TerrainContact H/T is no exception. The tire’s traction levels are among the highest in its class, meaning there won’t be any slip. Cornering grip is another aspect where the tire won’t disappoint. You can go at slightly higher speeds, and the tire won’t result in an understeer. The tread pattern does an excellent job evacuating water, so the aquaplaning resistance is among the best.

The TerrainContact H/T is an all-season tire, so the winter performance is on the table. You can get decent traction levels in lighter conditions like shallow unpacked snow. Surprisingly, the sipe design makes the tire decently well on packed snow. Considering that it’s not a dedicated winter tire, there is a point where the snow is too deep for the tire to offer usable performance.

As a premium model, the TerrainContact H/T excels in terms of refinement. The noise levels are pretty low, and the tire is almost whisper quiet around town. There is a slight hum on the highway, but it’s not overly loud. The comfort levels are excellent, and the tire offers a smooth ride. It can easily absorb the larger bumps and keep the vibrations to a minimum.

The warranty is another area where the TerrainContact H/T doesn’t disappoint. You can get it with up to a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is on the same levels as the Michelin model.

#3. Cooper Evolution H/T

If the previous two tires are out of your budget, you should check out this one. The Cooper Evolution H/T is a mid-range option for your pickup truck, offering solid performance at an affordable price.

The performance in dry conditions is pretty good and will satisfy most drivers. Cooper designed the Evolution H/T to offer high levels of grip and traction, among the best in the mid-range class. As a result, the tire will have no issues in everyday driving scenarios and will handle a bit of aggressiveness. You’ll be getting short braking distances and a stable and planted feel. As for the handling, it does as you’d expect from a touring tire. The responsiveness is solid, but you won’t get a lot of feedback.

In terms of wet performance, the Evolution H/T is a solid performer, considering that it’s a mid-range option. The traction levels are good enough to prevent slip, and the grip will keep the tire planted around a corner. With that said, it falls a bit behind the premium models, which is to be expected. The braking distances are short and safe but still a bit longer than the previous two. One area it comes closer to is the aquaplaning resistance, which will keep the tire stable even at higher speeds.

Winter performance is available, but not something you’d be too happy with. The Evolution H/T is fine in lighter conditions and will deliver usable traction on unpacked snow. Like most of its rivals, it will struggle a bit more on packed one. Going for harsher conditions than these will result in an almost unsafe experience.

Despite the mid-range category, the Evolution H/T is a well-refined tire. It offers high comfort levels, softening large potholes and eliminating vibrations. It’s rougher around the edges than the premium models, but it’s among the best in its category. It’s a similar story in terms of the noise levels. They are low enough for me to consider it as a quiet option. You will hear a hum or a roar, but they won’t be obnoxiously loud.

In terms of warranty, the Evolution H/T is at a disadvantage. The tire comes with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, making it average even in the mid-range segment.

#4. Firestone Destination LE3

Another mid-range option I have for today is the Firestone Destination LE3. The tire offers a good blend of performance and affordability, making it a great option for people on a tight budget.

Considering that it’s a mid-range tire, the Destination LE3 works very well in dry conditions. It offers exceptional traction, preventing slip even in more aggressive scenarios. The cornering grip is also excellent, keeping the tire planted with no issues. It’s stable and offers decently short braking distances. Surprisingly the handling is also pretty good. There is a good amount of responsiveness, and you won’t struggle to figure out what the front tires are doing.

The surprising performance continues in wet conditions as well. On damp roads, the tire offers high traction levels, meaning that the slip will be eliminated. Around a corner, the grip levels will prevent any understeer, so the tire will be fine in most everyday scenarios. Regarding safety, the braking distances are almost as short as the best tires in this category. It’s a similar story when we look at the aquaplaning resistance. The tire will remain planted even in harsh conditions, thanks to the design.

As an all-season model, the Destination LE3 works very well in winter conditions. On shallow and unpacked snow, the traction levels are almost premium-like. Even on packed snow, the tire won’t struggle as much as some of its rivals, especially from the mid-range segment. This is where the positive remarks end, and the tire will struggle a lot more in harsher conditions, which is to be expected.

The refinement of the Destination LE3 is excellent in most cases. Noise isn’t an issue, and the tire will remain quiet in almost all scenarios. Even on rough roads, the growl is minimal, and most drivers won’t notice it too much. The comfort levels are excellent, and the tire will provide a soft ride. My only complaint is when you drive on bad roads, the tire may feel bouncy at times. It’s not too common, so it shouldn’t be an issue for most.

Finally, for the warranty, the Destination LE3 impressed me. The tire comes with a 70,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is on the same level as some premium models.

#5. BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2

Moving away from the dedicated road tires, we have the first all-terrain one. The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is, in my opinion, one of the best on and off-road performers on the market.

Regarding dry performance, the All-Terrain T/A KO2 is a tire that’s among the best in its class. There are more than enough grip and traction levels to provide you with a safe driving experience in normal driving conditions. You can push it, but you shouldn’t expect much as an all-terrain tire. To keep you safe, the tire will offer you short braking distances and excellent stability. The handling is average, and you’ll have to accept the lack of responsiveness and feedback.

In wet conditions, the All-Terrain T/A KO2 continues to deliver excellent results. In non-aggressive scenarios, the tire’s traction levels will prevent it from slipping, and the grip will eliminate any understeer. It won’t do too well in very aggressive scenarios, so I’d advise you against that. The aquaplaning resistance is superb, and the tire will remain planted when driving in heavy rain.

The All-Terrain T/A KO2 comes with a 3PMSF rating, so the snow performance will be slightly better. With this tire, you’re looking at very good traction levels in lighter conditions. This means the tire will deliver almost identical performance on packed and unpacked snow, and you’ll also get short braking distances. As good as this sounds, the tire won’t hold up with the dedicated winter models in harsher conditions like very deep snow or ice.

All-terrain tires are designed with off-roading in mind, and the All-Terrain T/A KO2 doesn’t disappoint. Driving on hard-packed surfaces won’t be an issue, and the tire will offer some of the highest traction levels in its class. Going for something more extreme like mud and the performance will remain on the table. To be fair, in deeper patches, the tire will struggle a bit, but nothing major. Rock crawling is the standard for the most extreme off-roading scenario, and this won’t be the best in the world. Sure, you can do a bit in a pinch, but it’s not a mud-terrain tire.

The refinement of the All-Terrain T/A KO2 is acceptable if you know what you’re getting into. In terms of comfort levels, it will deal with bumps acceptably well to a point where it won’t feel harsh. To be fair, there are more comfortable competitors. The noise levels are also solid. It’s not a highway tire, so the road will be more pronounced due to the tread pattern.

As for the warranty, the All-Terrain T/A KO2 isn’t the best. It comes with a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty, falling behind some of its premium rivals.

#6. Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar

As a direct competitor of the BFGoodrich model, we have one from Goodyear. The Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar, similar to the previous tire, is one of the best in this category.

Dry performance is as good as you can expect from an all-terrain tire. It offers solid levels of grip and traction, offering you an excellent driving experience in daily driving scenarios. With that, you’ll also get short braking distances, meaning the safety won’t be compromised. An option to push it is available, but don’t expect wonders. Similar to the previous model, the handling isn’t the most dynamic. It’s not the most responsive tire, and you won’t get a lot of feedback.

Wet is another aspect of the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar that deserves high praise. The traction is enough to prevent the tire from slipping, even in some slightly aggressive scenarios. Around a corner, the grip levels will keep the tire in check and will eliminate understeer unless you push it hard. The tread pattern does an excellent job and evacuates water, providing superb aquaplaning resistance.

The Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar is a solid performer in winter conditions, but not for all models. If you’re looking at the P-metric models, you’ll get an M+S rating, so the performance will fall behind the LT models, which have a 3PMSF rating. On unpacked snow, the traction is solid with both, so there’s almost no difference. The traction difference on packed snow is a bit more noticeable, and you’ll find that the LT models are slightly better. As all-season models, the tires aren’t a replacement for dedicated winter tires, so don’t expect miracles.

Off-roading is something that the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar will have no issues with. In lighter conditions, like driving on dirt roads, the tire will have no issues delivering the necessary traction to keep things safe, even if you push it a bit more. Going for something more extreme like mud, the positive performance continues, and the tire won’t struggle at all. At a certain point, the mud will be too deep, but that’s not what the tire is designed for. You can take the tire rock-crawling, but it will only do decently well in lighter conditions.

In the all-terrain segment, the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar offers solid refinement levels. The comfort is decent, and it will soften the bumps and potholes acceptably well. As for the noise levels, don’t expect miracles. Even in the all-terrain segment, this tire isn’t the quietest, and you’ll hear a bit more of it.

The warranty of the Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar is solid enough. You get a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, something that’s longer than the BFGoodrich model I mentioned before.

#7. Toyo Open Country A/T III

With the premium models aside, let’s look at a mid-range model. The Toyo Open Country A/T III is a slightly more affordable option that offers good enough performance when compared with the premium options I mentioned.

In dry conditions, the Open Country A/T III is a tire that won’t struggle too much if you drive it normally. The grip and traction levels are solid enough to keep you on the road without any issues. It can handle slightly more aggressive driving, but not as much as some of the premium models on this list. You won’t notice it struggling too much, but you shouldn’t push it too much. The handling is acceptably responsive, but you won’t have much feedback you can rely on. One area where it does very well is the braking distances. In the mid-range segment, they are very short.

Wet is where the Open Country A/T III will deliver the necessary performance to keep you safe. You’ll get solid traction levels that will keep things safe as long as you won’t push it hard. It will hold on to the road, and even in the corners, it will remain planted in daily driving scenarios. The tire will let go at a certain point, but you’ll need to be aggressive to see that happening. Good news here is that the braking distances are short considering the category, and the aquaplaning resistance is excellent.

The winter performance is backed by a 3PMSF rating, so the Open Country A/T III does a solid job. Regardless if you’re driving on packed or unpacked snow, you won’t have massive issues with traction. The tire can hook up and drive without issues as long as you’re not pushing it hard. Surprisingly, you can get some usable performance even on deep snow.

Part of what makes an all-terrain tire good is the off-road performance. The Open Country A/T III delivers excellent traction on dirt roads, making it planted and easy to handle. It will let go at a certain point, but not many people would drive it that hard. The mud performance is also on the table if you’re not driving in the most extreme conditions. Speaking of extreme, rock crawling is something that you shouldn’t rely on too much. The tire will be fine over smaller rocks, but you’ll need a proper mud-terrain tire for the big stuff.

Unlike its premium rivals, the Open Country A/T III refinement isn’t all that impressive. The tire does an acceptable job with the smaller bumps and imperfections, but with the larger potholes, you’ll feel a jolt and some vibrations. Noise also isn’t something spectacular. Even within its class, there are better performers, especially on the highway.

As a mid-range model, the warranty is excellent. The Open Country A/T III comes with a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty, putting it up top with the premium options.

#8. Goodyear Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar

These last 3 tires will be the proper off-roading options, and I’m starting with the one from Goodyear. The Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar is one of the best models out there, despite being slightly older than most.

On paved roads, the Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar does a good enough job of keeping you safe. The traction levels are slightly higher in dry conditions than in wet, which is to be expected. It will deliver the performance you need for normal driving scenarios, and that’s as much as you should expect. The braking distances are short, so most people won’t need any more than this. In terms of handling, you’re getting a surprisingly good tire. Even though it’s not the sharpest or most communicative, it’s not a handful. The larger voids in the pattern can channel more water, meaning the aquaplaning resistance is excellent.

Winter performance is on the table and does a good job in most situations. The Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar will do a pretty good job on unpacked snow or slush with the levels of traction it offers. Packed snow is a bit of an issue, and you’ll notice it struggling a bit more. While this sounds acceptable for a mud-terrain tire, some models do a bit better.

The star of the show with the Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar is the off-roading performance. In lighter conditions, like gravel or dirt roads, the tire doesn’t disappoint. The grip and traction levels are phenomenal, and the tire rarely slips unless pushed hard. With this, you’re also looking at some of the shortest braking distances in this class. The mud performance is also excellent, and there aren’t too many situations where the tire will have issues. Consistency is key, thanks to the self-cleaning pattern, enabling the tire to perform the same at all times. For rock crawling, you won’t find a lot of better tires. It has no problem clawing over larger rocks, and you can deflate it for even more traction.

In terms of refinement, the Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar has a dual personality. On the positive side, you have high comfort levels. It does a decent job of smoothing or softening some of the bumps, considering it’s a mud-terrain tire. The noise levels aren’t that impressive. With the aggressive pattern, you’ll hear the roar a bit more. It’s not the worst in the world, but some mid-range models are quieter.

#9. BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3

In the mud-terrain segment, a direct competitor of the previous tire is the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3. BFGoodrich released the tire as an upgrade over the KM2, bringing several improvements in terms of performance.

Despite being a mud-terrain model, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 does a decent job on paved roads. There are dependable grip and traction levels that will keep your truck in check under normal driving conditions. The levels aren’t too high, so it’s not a tire that you should push hard. In terms of the braking distances in both situations, they aren’t the shortest in this class, but I’d categorize them as short enough to be considered safe. Like the previous tire, the tread pattern does a very good job evacuating water, meaning that the aquaplaning resistance is excellent.

The similarities with the previous tire continue in the winter performance. With the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3, you’re getting solid traction on unpacked snow and slush, thanks to the tread pattern. Despite not being a dedicated winter tire, it will do a solid job even in deeper snow. The struggles begin on packed snow. It has decent traction, so it will get the job done but struggle a bit more.

In terms of off-roading, there aren’t many tires that can outperform the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3. On hard-packed surfaces, the traction is excellent, keeping the tire stable and safe. Even on slightly loose surfaces, the performance will remain one of the best in class. Driving in mud is also not a problem, thanks to the pattern that helps the tire dig in and deliver the necessary traction. The positive review continues in the most extreme situations, like rock crawling. You can air it down to increase the surface area, and the tire will go over anything. The internal construction and cut and chip-resistant compound will ensure you won’t damage it.

Looking at the refinement, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 seems to do a better job than the previous model. It’s not a touring tire, so the noise levels will increase. It’s not terrible around town, but the noise increases on the highway. The comfort levels are solid enough. It absorbs some of the bumps and will reduce the vibrations into the cabin a bit.

#10. Hankook Dynapro MT2

If you’re looking for something that does a good enough job and is affordable, you have the Hankook Dynapro MT2. Even though the performance won’t be on the same level as the premium models, it makes up for the lower price point.

On paved roads, the Dynapro MT2 is a tire that will do a decent job. The grip and traction levels are solid, and the tire won’t slip too much unless you get a bit aggressive. It’s a mud-terrain tire, so the limits aren’t too high. As for the braking distances, they are short when compared with some of its mid-range competitors. In harsh rain, the tread pattern helps the tire offer excellent aquaplaning resistance, which is very close to the premium models.

The weakest point of the Dynapro MT2 is the snow performance. As an M+S-rated tire, you’re getting usable traction, but not in all conditions. If you’re driving on shallow and unpacked snow, it will do a decent enough job. Packed snow seems to be a bit problematic, and the tire doesn’t hook up as well as some of its rivals.

As a mud-terrain tire, the off-road performance is excellent. On gravel, the traction levels are among the best in the mid-range segment. Even though you won’t push it as much as the premium models, many people wouldn’t go that far. The performance in mud is also excellent, and the tire will deliver in almost all situations. There may be some situations where the mud is too deep for the tire to get out of, but those are extreme. Speaking of, rock-crawling is another aspect where this tire won’t disappoint. You can air it down and go over rocks without worrying about massive damage or loss of traction.

The refinement levels of the Dynapro MT2 are a mixed bag. Surprisingly, the comfort levels are pretty good, and it deals with bumps as good as some of the premium models. On the other hand, the noise levels aren’t as impressive. The tire isn’t the most obnoxious one in existence, but it cannot brag about how quiet it is, even when compared with some of its mid-range competitors.