I researched and tested dozens of tires to find the top 35 inch tires available today.
So, you’ve got your eyes on the best 35-inch tire.
But here’s the thing—what’s “best” really depends on your needs, your vehicle, and the driving conditions you’ll face.
When it comes to wheel size, the 35×12.5R 20-inch setup is by far the most popular choice.
Why?
Well, a 35-inch tire gives you excellent ground clearance and improved traction and stability, which is why it’s typically favored for off-roading.
However, plenty of drivers choose 35-inch tires for daily use or highway driving simply for the rugged, muscular look they give their vehicles.
A 35-inch tire offers a bold, aggressive aesthetic, which is why many people install them purely for style.
While these tires are most often seen on SUVs and trucks, they’re also becoming a favorite for modified Jeeps like the Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator.
Even off-road beasts like the Ford Wildtrak, Chevrolet ZR2 Bison, Toyota Land Cruiser Heritage Edition, and the Ram 1500 TRX are riding the 35-inch tire wave.
What are the best 35 inch tires?
For those looking for the perfect fit, here’s a quick guide:
- For daily driving and highway use (no off-roading): Michelin Defender LTX M/S
- For a versatile, lightweight option: BFGoodrich ALL TERRAIN T/A KO2
- For top performance in snow and wet conditions: Falken Wildpeak A/T3W
- For serious off-roading: Nitto Ridge Grappler
- For a specific 35×12.5R20 tire: Cooper Discoverer S/T MAXX
Personally, I’m focused on finding tires for daily driving and highway trips—no off-roading for me.
If you’re in the same boat, I highly recommend the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. It’s a proven, popular choice for a reason: it’s an all-season tire, exceptionally quiet, and very comfortable. With over 14,000 reviews on Discount Tire for its 35-inch sizes, and 98% of them being positive, it’s safe to say this tire is a crowd favorite. That’s right—this tire is basically the rockstar of the road.
1. Michelin Defender LTX M/S
Simply put, if you’re looking for a tire that delivers the quietest experience for daily highway driving, the Michelin Defender LTX M/S is the one for you.
It’s worth noting that the Michelin Defender LTX comes in two versions: the M/S (Mud and Snow) and the A/T (All-Terrain).
I went with the M/S version because my primary goal was 0% off-roading and 100% soundless, comfortable daily driving. You won’t have to worry about that annoying tire tread noise on your commute home or during long trips.
Why is it quieter and smoother than other tires?
Typically, 35-inch tires are built for SUVs and trucks, focusing on off-road performance. These are usually either mud terrain or all-terrain tires, both of which tend to be louder—mud tires even more so.
However, all-season tires, like the Michelin Defender LTX M/S, are designed for regular passenger vehicles. Their main purpose is to provide a smooth and comfortable ride on paved roads.
The tread design on the Defender LTX M/S is not aggressive at all. The aggressiveness of a tire’s tread pattern, combined with the rubber compound used, directly impacts how loud or harsh the tire noise will be.
The Defender LTX M/S features a conventional 5-rib design, giving it a more refined, everyday look. This ribbed pattern enhances road traction, offering grip and stability on paved surfaces—three times better than your average all-terrain or mud tire. Thanks to this ribbed tread structure, the Defender M/S is a remarkably smooth tire.
Additionally, its grooves aren’t too deep, reducing the chances of the rubber breaking and decaying from friction with stones and other objects, which helps it last longer than all-terrain and mud tires.
The tire is also equipped with plenty of deep interlocking sipes and soft, offset edges. Sipes serve to improve grip on wet, snowy, or icy roads, helping prevent skidding. The more sipes a tire has, the better it performs in snow and ice. Sipes also reduce road vibration, which means less noise during contact between the tire and the road.
Simply put, the Defender LTX M/S is the ultimate tire for on-road use. It performs great in dry, wet, snowy, and icy conditions.
However, it’s not suited for off-roading. While you technically can use it off-road, the tread will wear down quickly, and you’ll lose half its expected mileage as the rubber deteriorates rapidly.
The tire weighs only 59.1 pounds but comes with a few limitations: it’s 12.5 inches wide and is only available in a 20-inch rim size. So, if you’re looking for sizes like 22, 18, or 17 inches, you’ll need to explore other options.
Its tread depth is 13.5/32, which is typical for road tires. The good news is that it’s rated M+S (Mud and Snow), so it can handle light mud and snow without any issues.
2. Nitto ridge grappler
If I were to name a popular tire, Nitto Ridge Grappler would certainly be on the list.
While it might not be as popular as the BFGoodrich KO2, it’s a new breed of hybrid tire that blends the best of all-terrain and mud-terrain designs.
There are two types of hybrid tires: those built on an all-terrain platform and those based on a mud-terrain platform. The Ridge Grappler falls under the all-terrain category, making it a versatile hybrid tire with aggressive tread that still manages to be quiet and smooth on the highway.
While it has its share of negative reviews, many users who left them still agree that it’s quieter than most mud-terrain tires.
But what makes this aggressive-looking beast so surprisingly quiet on paved roads?
It comes down to Nitto’s variable pitch tread pattern. This tread design was crafted with advanced sound equipment, fine-tuned to minimize harsh noise.
The result?
Instead of a loud, rasping noise from the aggressive tread, the tire produces a more mellow sound, with a mix of low and high-pitched tones that help it remain fairly quiet on highways.
Off-Road Performance
The Nitto Ridge Grappler is built for off-road performance, providing excellent grip and traction on surfaces like mud, sand, gravel, and rocky terrain.
Its biting edges, with tapered block edges in the middle of each tread block, generate extra traction.
While its muddy performance is solid, it really shines in deep mud, likely due to its hybrid nature blending mud-terrain capabilities with all-terrain characteristics.
The tire’s lateral grooves, arranged in a zigzag pattern, help clear mud and maintain traction, and it performs even better on normal clay surfaces.
From my experience, when dealing with sticky mud, you’re better off with either dedicated mud tires or a reliable hybrid like the Ridge Grappler. Mud tires come with their own drawbacks, such as softer compounds that can make high-speed pavement driving feel slippery. The Ridge Grappler’s proprietary compound, on the other hand, is tough enough to avoid this instability.
On-Road Comfort
One thing that sets the Ridge Grappler apart from traditional mud tires is its smoother highway ride.
Mud tires typically have wide, massive lugs, which can make the ride bumpy and uncomfortable. But the Ridge Grappler’s lugs are more moderately sized, allowing for a smoother, more stable ride on paved roads while still providing excellent off-road traction.
Tread Life
As for treadwear, you might find my next statement surprising, but from what I’ve observed, this tire can easily hit 60,000 miles. While that might seem unbelievable, I’ve confirmed it myself.
The Nitto Ridge Grappler has an impressive tread life, much like the Falken Wildpeak AT3W and the BFGoodrich KO2. These tires are made from high-quality compounds and well-researched tread designs, so they don’t wear out prematurely like cheaper options.
You can find negative reviews online, but you’ll rarely see complaints about the treadwear life of these tires.
Stone Dispersion and Sidewall Design
One standout feature of the Nitto Ridge Grappler is its stone dispersion ability. This is a functional feature that actually works, unlike the BFGoodrich KO2’s stone ejectors, which tend to hold onto gravel and nails. With the Ridge Grappler, you won’t have to worry about stone sticking to the tread.
Another unique aspect is the tire’s dual sidewall design: one side has a traditional pattern, while the other has a more aggressive look. While I can’t say for sure what practical difference this makes, it’s a nice aesthetic option.
Snow and Wet Performance
Here’s where things get tricky:
The Nitto Ridge Grappler doesn’t perform well in deep snow, and it struggles with hydroplaning in rainy conditions.
Its snow traction is about as poor as a typical mud tire, so if you live in an area with heavy winters, this may not be the tire for you.
The reason for its mediocre wet performance is the tightly packed blocks in the middle of the tread, which reduce its ability to resist hydroplaning.
In contrast, the BFGoodrich KO2 performs much better in snowy conditions, though my personal favorite for a well-rounded tire is the Falken Wildpeak AT3W—it’s good in almost all conditions and tends to be more affordable than its competitors.
Final Thoughts
The Nitto Ridge Grappler is primarily an off-road tire, designed for about 70% off-road use and 30% on-road driving.
It’s a mixed bag of strengths and weaknesses, but for off-roading and highway performance, it’s a solid choice.
Plus, with high-quality construction, this aggressive tire comes with a 50,000-mile warranty, making it a reliable option for those who need a tough tire that can handle the rough stuff.
3. BFGoodrich ALL TERRAIN T/A KO2
Next up is the BFGoodrich ALL TERRAIN T/A KO2, often regarded as the “father” of all-terrain tires and one of the most popular tires ever made.
Despite being a true all-terrain tire, it’s surprisingly quiet and smooth on the highway. Now, it’s important to note that the BFGoodrich KO2 won’t be as quiet as a passenger car tire, but for an all-terrain option, it’s remarkably quiet.
This makes it an ideal choice for those who enjoy off-roading or trail driving but also want a tire that performs well in daily driving.
With its aggressive tread and smooth ride, the BFGoodrich KO2 strikes a balance between off-road capability and on-road comfort.
The All-Rounder Tire
This is why I consider the BFGoodrich KO2 an all-rounder tire.
What sets the BFGoodrich KO2 apart is its versatility, making it a true all-rounder. Thanks to its 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake) and M+S (Mud and Snow) ratings, this tire performs well in various conditions.
- 3PMSF means the tire offers enhanced traction and acceleration in severe winter conditions.
- M+S indicates solid performance in mud and snow, though the 3PMSF rating ensures better grip on snow-covered roads compared to regular M+S tires.
The M+S rating also makes the BFGoodrich KO2 an all-weather tire, performing well on packed snow and slush during winter, as well as in rainy or muddy conditions.
Strengths and Trade-offs
Like all all-terrain tires, the BFGoodrich KO2 does come with compromises.
While it handles light mud well, it doesn’t provide the same confidence in deep, sticky mud as a dedicated mud tire.
On the flip side, it’s much quieter than a typical mud tire.
No, it’s not as quiet or smooth as a passenger tire, but it’s a reliable option both on and off the road.
In other words, as an all-terrain tire, the BFGoodrich KO2 manages to combine the strengths of both mud and passenger tires while minimizing their downsides.
While many modern all-terrain tires deliver similar performance and look quite similar, the BFGoodrich KO2 stands out for its reliability. It’s a best-selling, widely popular tire, and when it comes to 35-inch flotation-size tires, it’s a clear winner.
With so many people using and reviewing this tire, it’s easy to assess its strengths and weaknesses.
Common Drawbacks
So long I have sung the praises of this tire, now let’s know about some of its common shortcomings.
Of course, no tire is perfect, and the BFGoodrich KO2 has its share of downsides.
One of the biggest complaints is its performance on wet roads, particularly its long stopping distance in rainy conditions. Many users have reported their vehicles sliding on wet tarmac, which is a significant safety concern.
The likely cause of this issue lies in the BFGoodrich KO2’s tread pattern, where the center tread blocks are closely spaced. This design limits the water flow between the tread blocks, reducing the tire’s hydroplaning resistance. As a result, wet-weather performance can be questionable, especially during heavy rains.
Weight and Fuel Efficiency
One advantage of the BFGoodrich KO2’s 35-inch size is its relatively light weight. It weighs about 7 to 10 pounds less than other 35-inch tires, which means a full set of tires will be 28 to 40 pounds lighter.
While most drivers won’t notice a significant change in fuel economy or speed, those who understand rotational weight know that lighter tires are generally better for performance and efficiency.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the BFGoodrich KO2 is an excellent all-around tire, offering a great balance between street, highway, and off-road performance.
It’s particularly ideal for those looking for a tire that can handle diverse driving conditions while maintaining fuel efficiency. While it may not excel in wet conditions, its versatility, durability, and popularity make it a favorite among all-terrain tire options.
4. Nitto Trail Grapplers
So far, we’ve covered all-season, hybrid, and all-terrain tires, highlighting different models.
Now, let’s shift our focus to a full mud tire.
There are countless mud tire options from various brands, and choosing the best one can be quite confusing. Since mud tires are primarily designed for off-roading, many 35-inch models are available in a wide range of rim and width sizes, offering plenty of choices.
However, this abundance of options can make selecting the right tire even more challenging.
Mud tires are known for their aggressive tread, which often leads to increased noise and vibration.
So, I set out to find a mud tire that not only provides robust off-road performance but also offers a quieter, smoother ride—similar to that of an all-terrain tire. After all, off-road enthusiasts still have to drive on highways or paved roads to reach the trails.
For those of us who frequently drive on rugged terrain or in rural areas for work or farming, a good mud tire isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. That’s where the Nitto Trail Grappler comes in, meeting all these requirements.
Nitto Trail Grappler: A Balanced Mud Tire
The Nitto Trail Grappler offers excellent traction in sticky mud while being, on average, about 35% quieter on highways and trails compared to other mud tires.
While all-terrain tires may struggle in deep, sticky mud, mud tires like the Trail Grappler are built for such conditions. Thanks to its large void areas, this tire self-cleans, preventing mud from clinging and ensuring superior traction in both deep and shallow mud.
The sharp, aggressive tread blocks provide excellent grip on rocks, making it a solid choice for rock crawling and traversing rocky trails.
The tread blocks are neatly arranged around the tire to help control noise levels. Nitto’s engineering shines here, as they’ve clearly made an effort to reduce noise without sacrificing performance. By using 3D computer simulations, they’ve managed to make the Trail Grappler up to 35% quieter than other mud tires, all while maintaining its aggressiveness and traction.
While quieter than most mud tires, the Trail Grappler is still not as quiet as an all-terrain tire. Mud tires lack the wide grooves and full-depth sipes that help reduce noise, so you can expect about 1 to 3 decibels more sound, which is completely normal for a tire of this type.
That said, with its aggressive tread design, deep grooves, and ample clearance, this tire excels off-road, offering maximum traction on beaten paths, mud, sand, and rocky terrain. It’s a true off-road “terminator.”
The tire also performs well in loose, unpacked snow, the kind typically found off-road. However, in compact snow—more commonly encountered on paved roads—it struggles a bit, particularly in braking and acceleration, which raises some safety concerns in winter driving conditions.
Tread Wear Concerns
One common complaint about the Nitto Trail Grappler is its tread wear rate, especially for those who spend a lot of time off-roading. For the price, its tread life can be disappointing. While it’s a top-tier performer for off-road adventures, frequent users may notice the tread wearing down faster than expected.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the Nitto Trail Grappler is an outstanding 35-inch tire for off-roading, offering exceptional traction and a quieter ride than most mud tires. However, its tread wear life may leave some off-roaders wanting more, especially considering its cost.
5. Falken Wildpeak A/T3W
Typically, 35-inch tires fall into two categories: all-terrain and mud-terrain. These tires are designed for trucks, SUVs, and four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Today, we’ll focus on the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W—one of my favorite all-terrain tires.
If I had to summarize why it’s my favorite, I’d compare it to the best-selling all-terrain tire, the BFGoodrich KO2. Let’s see how the Wildpeak A/T3W stacks up against it.
Price Comparison
First off, while the price of the Wildpeak A/T3W has increased recently, it’s still relatively more affordable than the BFGoodrich KO2, even though the price gap has narrowed.
Performance
In terms of performance, the BFGoodrich KO2 is undoubtedly an all-rounder tire, but it struggles with hydroplaning resistance in wet conditions. On the other hand, the Wildpeak A/T3W performs better in rain and wet road performance, making it a standout choice.
In fact, not just compared to the BFGoodrich KO2, but among most all-terrain tires—like the Toyo Open Country A/T3, Nitto Ridge Grappler, General Grabber AT2, and Hankook Dynapro AT2—the Wildpeak A/T3W offers superior handling in wet conditions.
What Makes the Wildpeak A/T3W Better in Wet Conditions?
The key lies in its uninterrupted lateral grooves, which allow water to flow freely across the tire, preventing water retention and greatly improving aquaplaning resistance. This results in shorter braking distances on wet surfaces.
In contrast, other tires tend to have closely packed blocks in the middle of the tread, which, when faced with heavy water, can’t clear it quickly enough, causing the vehicle to slip.
Noise and Comfort
The Wildpeak A/T3W is also quieter and smoother than most all-terrain tires, partly because its open block design allows air to flow more freely, reducing noise. The tire’s full-depth sipes further contribute to noise reduction by increasing its aerodynamic efficiency.
In terms of both wet condition handling and noise reduction, the Wildpeak A/T3W is comparable to the BFGoodrich KO2. In all other areas, they perform neck and neck, with both tires being solid all-around choices. Despite this, the BFGoodrich KO2 remains the more popular tire in terms of sales—though it’s hard to understand why more people aren’t choosing the Wildpeak A/T3W.
Quality and Snow Performance
One area where the BFGoodrich KO2 stands out is its quality. The materials and construction feel superior, making it a better-quality tire overall.
That said, the Wildpeak A/T3W is no slouch, especially when it comes to snow and ice. As a 3PMSF-rated tire, its longitudinal traction is far better than that of an M+S-rated tire, giving you confidence in both compact and loose snow conditions. The tire’s extensive use of interlocking sipes also enhances its grip in wet, snowy, and icy conditions—much like a dedicated winter tire.
Off-Roading Capabilities
Off-road, the Wildpeak A/T3W does great as well.
Its mildly aggressive tread pattern, deep grooves, and large voids provide excellent traction on light mud, dirt, gravel, rocks, and rough terrain. Despite its off-road prowess, it manages to produce minimal cabin noise on highways, making it my top pick for daily driving.
Its steering response is also impressive for a 35-inch tire, making it a great option for dry road driving.
Additionally, the tire is stable on long hauls and can handle heavy towing without going flat—something many other tires struggle with.
Tread Depth and Durability
The Wildpeak A/T3W boasts a tread depth of 19.7/32 inches, which is the deepest among 35-inch all-terrain tires.
In comparison, the BFGoodrich KO2 has a tread depth of 15/32 inches, yet both tires offer similar real-world tread wear life.
That’s an impressive feat, considering the Wildpeak A/T3W‘s deeper tread.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W is an almost perfect all-terrain tire in every respect. While the BFGoodrich KO2 may be slightly ahead in terms of overall quality, the Wildpeak A/T3W outshines it in terms of wet road traction, making it a safer option in those conditions.
One standout feature is the Wildpeak A/T3W’s stone ejector system, which is more practical and effective than any other tire. Each block edge has three steps that act as stone ejectors, helping to remove stones and debris. You won’t fully appreciate how effective this system is until you use it yourself.
Combined with its deep tread depth, the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W offers the same tread life and longevity as the BFGoodrich KO2, but at a lower price.