Ask any off-road enthusiast and you’ll most likely find that they own a 4x4 vehicle. Despite the popularity of 4x4 vehicles for off-roading purposes, new ones are often fitted with tyres that are better suited for cruising in the city or on highways. This is why off-road enthusiasts tend to replace these new tyres in favour of those that are more well-rounded in dealing with various terrains. It’s important to understand what you want out of your 4x4 vehicle and then select tyres accordingly. Let’s catch you up on the distinct types of 4x4 tyres, so you can have more enjoyable off-road drives.

1.     Highway Terrain Tyres

Highway terrain tyres such as our Dueler H/T 689 and H/T 840 tyres are aimed at paved road usage, much like tyres found in luxury SUVs. Drivers of 4x4 vehicles who prioritise on-road ride comfort and quality often opt for these tyres as they offer reliable steering response, wet handling, and low road noise. This is attributed to their siping, and reinforced overlay between the steel belts that boosts traction and ride comfort respectively. Another option is a run flat tyre, which can be great for highway driving. Although highway terrain tyres can perform well on firm sand, they don’t offer sufficient puncture resistance to withstand rougher terrains when off-roading.

2.     All-Terrain Tyres

Next up are all-terrain tyres which provide the best balance between on and off-road driving. Like Bridgestone’s Dueler A/T 002 and A/T 697, these types of tyres are designed with streamlined grooves that channel water away from the tyre. This improves safety behind the wheel as it enhances traction on wet surfaces. Additionally, their reinforced sidewalls provide better resistance towards cuts, rocks, dirt, and harsh impacts – the usual ordeals of off-road terrains. However, it's important to note that these tyres may not be best suited to deal with muddy terrains.

3.     Mud-Terrain Tyres

Last but not least are mud-terrain tyres, which are best equipped for ploughing through sludgy conditions. This is mainly due to their robust tread pattern, large tread blocks and additional sidewalls that can be seen in the Dueler M/T 674, a great option for truck tyres.  For instance, their dynamic 3D grooves act as a claw – effectively digging into muddy surfaces to improve traction. The tyre’s specially designed tread voids ensure gravel and mud are ejected from the tread, providing a self-cleaning feature of sorts. As mud-terrain tyres are fitted with extra sidewalls, they are significantly resistant to punctures. This allows the tyres to remain durable despite numerous off-roading drives throughout the year. On the flip side, these tyres are not suitable for highway driving. When used for on-road driving, you’ll experience a rougher drive with louder road noise. Thus, we recommend that mud-terrain tyres be kept off-road to fully enjoy what they can offer.

Selecting the right 4x4 tyres is important in optimising the performance of your 4x4 vehicle. However, performance alone won’t assure you a satisfying driving experience. Other matters related to your driving preferences such as road noise and ride comfort, and a long lasting tyre must also be considered. The 4x4 tyres mentioned: highway terrain, all-terrain and mud-terrain each have their strengths and weaknesses to keep in mind. Therefore, we recommend surveying all these tyres so that you can make better-informed decisions on a tyre that will best suit your driving style.

Check out the most suitable Bridgestone Tyres for your next off-roading adventure.