Comparison Test: Best All-Terrain A/T Tires For Winter, Snow & Ice

[BRuby]

My as-delivered cost for a set of four new studded General Grabber Arctic snow tires, mounted and balanced on new wheels, was just $1,400.00. That figure is little more than a Jeep accessory order that is just getting started.

How do you like the Arctic studded and what are the pros and cons you have experienced? We have the Arctic 12 on the Subie and Arctic gen 1 on a previous vehicle. Both Arctics have proven to be fantastic for our daily driver winter use non-studded. Wear has been fantastic as this compound is not mega soft wears down like an eraser. Haha! Our tread almost looks like new after years and years and a lot of very safe snow and ice and wet and dry miles.

Unfortunately the only 33” OEM size option looks to be the Nokian. Otherwise you can get a couple more less optimal 32” full snow options. TR has some great test info on studs vs non-stud for the Artic. Bottom line is still the same for us. If it works - it works. Who cares otherwise. Same applies for summer tires on our Porsche. Who cares if yours get a 9.7 score vs 9.8 as tested. A tire is a tire. The skill of the driver plays the biggest role in the overall driving equation. By far.

Edit: Here was from the tire change yesterday. My understanding is the tread pattern changed very slightly in year 2 to the current. This is wear after 8 years of winter usage! An eternity for a dedicated snow tire. The wet and ice performance is exemplary. Notice the stud location and snowflake design - the tread wear is minimal considering how many dry miles are on this snow tire. Almost is unbelievable. Siping and pattern and tread compound are fantastic.

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[F4Flyer]

I have the KO2s o the JL and will run them till they need replacing. On the 4Runner I also have the KO2s but I run Michelin snow tires which smoke any AT in any winter condition I encounter, by a mile. I have run DuraTracs and several others as well. When the JL's KO2s wear out, I may consider the MT Baja Boss ATs unless they feel stiffer than the KO2s. That is my only factor between those two.

 

[Ratbert]

When the JL's KO2s wear out, I may consider the MT Baja Boss ATs unless they feel stiffer than the KO2s. That is my only factor between those two.

They shouldn't feel stiffer than the KO2s unless you go with a stiffer load rating.

 

[F4Flyer]

The Baja Boss is a D and no C. The KO2 is a C.

 

[zouch]

depends on what size we're talking about.

in the sizes i'm using both the KO2 and the Mickey BB A/T are Ds.

The Baja Boss is a D and no C. The KO2 is a C.

 

[F4Flyer]

That’s what I mean. The Baja Boss only comes in as low as a D. I won’t use a D unless it is a DuraTrac Ds are heavy and stiff…not for my Jeep.

 

[Ratbert]

That’s what I mean. The Baja Boss only comes in as low as a D. I won’t use a D unless it is a DuraTrac Ds are heavy and stiff…not for my Jeep.

My D-rated Mickey Thompson BB A/Ts flex incredibly well. Significantly better traction on the trail than KO2s. Yes, they're heavy, but they feel much lighter than my "same size" KO2 Ds.

 

[zouch]

you said "The KO2 is a C" and that is simply not always true; point being, it depends on what size you're talking about.

you also said "Ds are heavy and stiff"; having tried them, i can tell you you might be surprised at how nicely a Mickey 'D' rides.
but understood; not everyone is concerned about sidewall strength.

That’s what I mean. The Baja Boss only comes in as low as a D. I won’t use a D unless it is a DuraTrac Ds are heavy and stiff…not for my Jeep.

 

[F4Flyer]

The MT BB ATs are heavier and stiffer than the C KO2 in 35. I don't like that or need that. Bene offroading for 20 years and never needed more than Cs and I run 10-13 PSI. Some may prefer thicker tires...I just can't stand the on-road ride of most Ds and Es, with the exception being Duratracs

 

[F4Flyer]

My D-rated Mickey Thompson BB A/Ts flex incredibly well. Significantly better traction on the trail than KO2s. Yes, they're heavy, but they feel much lighter than my "same size" KO2 Ds.

The KO2s in Ds - I probably would not run those either unless I added 600-800 lbs in armor and I don't doubt they feel stiffer than the BB Ds. Too bad they did away with the MTRs. Those felt pretty nice for a C-rated MT.

 

[Mountainwalk]

I am always interested in tires. Would love to get a new set every other year because I love how new tires drive. Ideally would like dedicated snow tires too but due to expense and space for storage find it challenging. I have a stock 2 door jeep rubicon with KO2 that have 18k and down to 9/32 depth. I live in an area that generally gets a fair amount of snow and the city provides crappy road clearing and de icing service. Last year was my first winter but really unusually warm low precipitation so no real opportunity to test out the 2 door and KO2 in snow/ice, This year just had our first real snow and then warm enough to partially melt and freeze. Driving home from work at 3am I was a little nervous as my drive home includes curvy roads, up and down hills. Really icy for long stretches but handled great and I’m no longer as concerned about the KO2 (or the 2 door) for winter driving.

 

[jadmt]

I am always interested in tires. Would love to get a new set every other year because I love how new tires drive. Ideally would like dedicated snow tires too but due to expense and space for storage find it challenging. I have a stock 2 door jeep rubicon with KO2 that have 18k and down to 9/32 depth. I live in an area that generally gets a fair amount of snow and the city provides crappy road clearing and de icing service. Last year was my first winter but really unusually warm low precipitation so no real opportunity to test out the 2 door and KO2 in snow/ice, This year just had our first real snow and then warm enough to partially melt and freeze. Driving home from work at 3am I was a little nervous as my drive home includes curvy roads, up and down hills. Really icy for long stretches but handled great and I’m no longer as concerned about the KO2 (or the 2 door) for winter driving.

I live 200 miles east but spend a lot of time there as my brother in-law lives in liberty lake..you get a bit milder weather than we do but I remember this pretty well lol..

 

[jadmt]

I went to my daughter's place over thanksgiving (missoula to Bozeman) and there was emergency travel warnings out and never had an issue with my little bitty skinny pizza cutters....255/85-17 baja boss at's.....

 

[Aonarch]

I am always interested in tires. Would love to get a new set every other year because I love how new tires drive. Ideally would like dedicated snow tires too but due to expense and space for storage find it challenging. I have a stock 2 door jeep rubicon with KO2 that have 18k and down to 9/32 depth. I live in an area that generally gets a fair amount of snow and the city provides crappy road clearing and de icing service. Last year was my first winter but really unusually warm low precipitation so no real opportunity to test out the 2 door and KO2 in snow/ice, This year just had our first real snow and then warm enough to partially melt and freeze. Driving home from work at 3am I was a little nervous as my drive home includes curvy roads, up and down hills. Really icy for long stretches but handled great and I’m no longer as concerned about the KO2 (or the 2 door) for winter driving.

KO2s are great in the snow.

The internet LOVES discussing KO2s and you either think they are God's gift to the earth, or the worst tires ever created. Crazy polarizing.

I've had numerous sets of KO2s and the original KOs and I've always really enjoyed them.

The internet also claims the KO2s are terrible in the wet.

It rains here 1/3 of the year and I've never once had a compliant about wet performance on multiple vehicles.

Now Toyo ATIIIs? They suck ass in the rain. Objective testing backs that up. Yet I'll see online, mainly Facebook, of people claiming they are the best rain tires ever.

This is why I trust tire testers like Jonathan at Tire-reviews.com, Tirerack (Not user reviews), ADAC, Autobild, etc.

 

[BRuby]

KO2s are great in the snow.

The internet LOVES discussing KO2s and you either think they are God's gift to the earth, or the worst tires ever created. Crazy polarizing.

I've had numerous sets of KO2s and the original KOs and I've always really enjoyed them.

The internet also claims the KO2s are terrible in the wet.

It rains here 1/3 of the year and I've never once had a compliant about wet performance on multiple vehicles.

Your KO2 comments pretty much align with our JLUR actual user experience over the past 7 years. Even the KO comment. Have been looking at the Hakka LT3 with studs but am having a real hard time justifying buying based on our real world problems on ice with the Jeep.

Only had 1 time in 7 years where the KO2 lost grip downhill on pavement. But then was ok as it went back onto slush and snow piled up on the side of the road. This is going up and down ski resorts all winter for 7 winters in the Jeep. With a ton of ice in resort parking lots which is normal.

Will see how it goes for another year on 50% worn KO2s. My guess is it should be fine again or can swap to my full tread depth take-off set. Even with ice on roadways uphill - have been ok going up - and surprisingly down. Thinking back - this has been due to the amount of ice and temps and salt laid down. Actually was stunned it could go down our local steep hill with curves without slipping. So a multitude of factors playing into the equation incl driving expertise and winter experience - and actual at the time - road conditions.

So position is still the same. Any 3PMSF AT is fine when driven prudently. A JLUR is a true beast in snow vs most all other vehicles. All we have is our Subie with snows is way better and a ton more fun on ice. In snow and horrendous winter conditions - preference is the Jeep easy. This without chains. Haha!

Wifey always chooses the Jeep vs Subie when conditions get real nasty. That says a lot. But then we are pretty much the only ones on the road. Which is super pleasant and very relaxing. Those times - yeah we have traction boards and get out of jail chains and full length shovels on board.

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