Find Tires For Your Off-Road Icon, The Jeep Wrangler

We’ve done a host of research about these tires and have put in time on the trails and highways with many of them to determine which of these are good tires for Jeep Wranglers. Different driving styles, modifications to the vehicle, and terrain types will determine buyers’ choices, so we’ve taken a holistic view regarding which of these tires are best for Jeep Wranglers.

We have also taken into account online opinions and reviews of each of these tires in order to come up with the best Jeep tires. This includes hands-on experience, manufacturer data, ratings, and online reviews. You can read the full account of our methodology here.

The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 is a great overall Jeep Wrangler tire. With lots of sizes, great performance, and a rugged style, it is my top pick. Yokohama’s Geolandar A/T G015 has lots of bang for the buck and is my pick for best value. 

When buying Jeep Wrangler tires, consider how you’ll be using the vehicle. Will it be mostly used on highway, both highway and off-road, or is this going to be your dedicated off-road toy? Also consider which size you’ll be choosing. Are you looking to simply replace what was on the Wrangler? Maybe you want to retain the stock tire size but got to something with more off-road prowess. Are you going to a bigger, more aggressive size for increased trail performance? Each of these will determine which type of tire you’ll choose and what features you decide are necessary. 

Here’s how to make sense of all of them. 

The term “off-road tires” can mean a host of different things to people. But they generally refer to the most aggressive tires with larger, blockier tread patterns. This usually includes mud-terrain tires, which are designed to provide maximum performance off the pavement.

Off-road tires are best for use in dirt, sand, rock, and mud, and for off-road racing. They are typically much louder than other types and won’t provide as comfortable of a ride due to stiff, strong sidewalls. They are also not known for their performance in icy conditions. This is due in part to the large tread blocks. Off-road tires are also generally the most expensive Jeep rubber. However, buyers looking for absolute maximum off-road traction should definitely be shopping for this kind of tire.

For those who aren’t taking their Wranglers off-road, a good standard tire, such as an all-season, is a completely logical choice. With a huge variety of brands, multiple size options, and plenty of features, all-season tires are a jack of all trades. However, they’re also masters of none, as they won’t excel at any one condition (such as mud, snow, etc.).

Standard tires will be the most comfortable, longest lasting, and least expensive rubber. They’re available nearly everywhere tires are sold. Many feature the mud and snow (M+S) rating, signifying deeper tread grooves — a good thing to look for on a four-wheel drive vehicle.

These aren’t the tires you’d want for regular or difficult off-road driving. They aren’t designed to clear dirt and mud the way an off-road tire is, and the sidewalls aren’t as strong making them prone to damage. But if your driving is done mainly on highways and byways, standard tires are perfectly fine.

If you regularly drive snowy, icy, slushy, or cold conditions (under 45 degrees Fahrenheit/7 degrees Celsius), winter tires provide the best traction possible. This is due to specifically designed rubber compounds engineered to deliver performance in cold conditions. The tread patterns will have lots of siping (slits in the tire blocks) to help channel snow and slush away from the tire’s contact patch. Some brands also sell studded winter tires. These are tires showcasing metal nubs to claw at ice and snow. While they provide great traction in specific conditions, they’re also not legal in all places. Check your local regulations before buying studded tires. 

Winter tires are typically louder than standard all-season tires — especially when equipped with studs. When used at temperatures above 45 degrees Fahrenheit/7 degrees Celsius, they will wear faster, and most do not carry a tread life warranty. Studded winter tires can also wear down road surfaces faster than non-studded winter tires, which is why they’re banned in certain locales. 

If you’re looking to replace the tires on your Jeep Wrangler, consult your owner’s manual to make sure you are getting the correct tire size. Wranglers came with a host of different tire sizes depending on the year and Wrangler model (Sport, Sahara, Rubicon, etc.) you have. If you’re considering adding larger tires for increased off-road performance, research is key. Ensure the tire size you’re buying will fit without rubbing against the vehicle’s fenders or other parts. Tires sizes will be displayed as a set of letters and numbers on the sidewall. Learn more about how to read tire sizes. Also remember larger-than-stock tire sizes will affect performance and fuel economy both on the road and in the dirt. 

Clearly, all tires are going to be made of rubber. But not all rubber is the same. Different tires use specific rubber compounds depending on their intended use. Some are harder for longer service lives, such as on all-season tires. Some are softer for maximum traction, like a mud-terrain tire. Winter tires offer some of the most specific rubber material, which is why they are best in colder temperatures. This rubber compound is designed to stay pliable in frigid conditions. Whereas some rubber compounds will get hard and slick. Be sure to do your research on which tire material is optimal for your specific Jeep Wrangler application.

There will be vast differences in tread styles between all-season, all-terrain, mud-terrain, winter, and rugged-terrain tires. Each design is going to be optimized for specific conditions. However, some tread patterns are more versatile (all-season, all-terrain, etc.), whereas others are very specific (mud-terrain, winter tires). Highway tires, for example, are going to have tread layouts meant to provide comfort, fuel economy, and long tread life. But that design is not good at handling the rigors of off-pavement driving and doesn't “clean out” mud like off-road tires will. Additionally, some tread patterns simply look cooler than others. But that’s entirely subjective. 

Thankfully, you don’t have to worry about getting the right kind of tread, so long as you stick with the proper kind of tire needed for the terrain in which you’ll be driving. Of course, some tread patterns may look better or more aggressive than others, but that’s completely in the eye of the beholder.

A tire’s sidewalls are an integral part of its design. While many tire buyers are only concerned with the tread, sidewalls are exceptionally important. Many truck tires will have an LT “light truck” rating. This signifies the sidewall is stiffer and will stand up to the forces imparted on them during off-road or heavy-duty use.

As many off-road enthusiasts will encounter hazards such as rocks, stumps, and logs on the trails, having a sturdy sidewall is important. While the LT tire is going to be sturdier than a non-LT tire, they also won’t provide the ride comfort.

Tire prices will vary wildly depending on brand and size. In general, a smaller originally sized highway tire is going to be the least expensive. A larger-than-stock off-road tire is going to be the most expensive. Name-brand tires typically offer the best performance and longevity too, but you’ll also pay more for them.

Tires can be looked at as a safety feature, not just black rubber circles. A good set of tires will last longer, provide better braking and cornering, and have better overall traction. And while everyone has a different budget, I don’t recommend skimping on tires whenever possible. After all, they’re the only thing between your Jeep Wrangler and the road (or trail).

You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers!

A: Check your Wrangler owner’s manual to get the correct original size. Because there were so many different Wrangler models with different tire sizes over the years, the manual will be your best source. If you’re going to install larger tires, ensure you have the right amount of fender clearance before purchasing.

A: This will depend entirely on how often you drive, and what tire style you brand. Some tires have warranties that guarantee a specific tread life, while others do not. Tires with big blocky tread and winter tires often don’t last as long as a highway tire, however. 

A: There’s no clear-cut answer for this. It depends on a host of factors including which year and model Wrangler you own, or if you’ve lifted the Wrangler. Lifted Jeep Wranglers can accommodate a larger tire size. Keep in mind larger tires may require regearing the differentials to maintain performance. 

A: Keeping tires clean and driving them regularly will help keep their service life as long as possible. Additionally, regular tire rotation will make them last as long as possible.