When selecting tires for a four-wheel-drive "vehicle" with a high center of gravity, it is not enough to consider the diameter, rim size, and speed indexes of the tires. You can read more about "Tire Marking From A to Z" in the relevant material. When choosing suitable off-road tires, it is necessary to start from the intended conditions of your "iron horse's" operation. Adaptability of the tire to different types of road surfaces is brought to the forefront in such tires.

The marking of off-road tires takes into account the adaptability of tires to certain types of road surfaces.

1. Highway Terrain

Highway Terrain (or Half Terrain) tires are essentially reinforced highway tires designed specifically for off-road vehicles. Their tread pattern is largely borrowed from passenger counterparts. The only difference is that HT tires have a higher profile, reinforced rigid sidewalls, and a strengthened cord construction (to withstand the heavy weight of the vehicle and high loads).

Highway Terrain tires have a classic shallow tread pattern
and are adapted for comfortable rides on powerful four-wheel-drive vehicles on asphalt roads.

Highway Terrain tire is adapted for comfortable rides on asphalt roads with occasional forays onto dirt roads. They are designed for a calm ride. Those who like to drive fast in SUVs should look at off-road tires with the additional notation HP (High Performance), which are inherently suitable for dynamic high-speed travel. An even better option is to equip the vehicle with specialized "high-speed" tires Sport Terrain. Note that this requires compliance with prescribed traffic rules.

Off-road conditions are contraindicated for HT tires—due to their low tread and insufficiently convex blocks, these tires will immediately bog down in the nearest mud. Highway tires for SUVs are intended to be used in the city and on highways. In other habitats, the tread on Highway Terrain tires quickly deteriorates.

The HT and ST markings are more of a considered marketing move. In fact, any off-road tire with a classic tread pattern belongs to the Half Terrain segment. The Sport Terrain designation is also rarely encountered in practice. It is used when it is necessary to highlight the "racing" ambition of a specific tire model.

2. All Terrain

Versatile All Terrain tires have average driving qualities — they are well-suited for both smooth asphalt surfaces and country roads. AT class tires hold up confidently on various types of road surfaces, and they can be used indefinitely on highways and unpaved roads, while remaining quiet on asphalt.

All Terrain tires are a "golden mean" in terms of driving qualities —
they perform well on asphalt as well as on dirt surfaces.

Key features of All Terrain tires include large tread blocks with a sparse "placement," deep water-draining channels capable of removing decent amounts of mud, broad and powerful sidewalls. These tires are an ideal option for rural areas with alternating types of road surfaces.

Typically, AT tire manufacturers recommend using them in specific proportions on asphalt and off-road (50/50, 60/40, etc.). The vast majority of All-Terrain tires are released in all-season designs. Tires with this marking can be used on crossovers and "muscular" SUVs of any class. The driver will only have to endure a slight increase in noise levels on asphalt and a deterioration in handling at high speeds. In contrast to what has been said are the assured driving properties of AT tires on gravel, country dirt roads, and loam.

Popular All Terrain tires

3. Mud Terrain

The Mud Terrain marking is applied to all-terrain tires that can easily conquer even complete off-road conditions. Tires of this class are designed to master mud and dirt roads. There are no equals to them in terms of passability. The only competition for MT tires might come from massive tractor wheels.

The aggressive tread pattern on Mud Terrain tires consists of high massive blocks placed at significant distances from each other, which increases the tires' contact with poor road conditions. MT tires' sidewalls are equipped with powerful mud catchers, and accumulated dirt is channeled away through large grooves and channels. A vehicle equipped with Mud Terrain tires behaves obediently on soft soil, eagerly climbs steep inclines, and effortlessly clears away water, dirt, small stones, and debris.

Mud Terrain tires are recognizable among their "classmates" by their aggressive tread pattern with large blocks,
which accounts for their confident passability in complete off-road conditions.

The weakness of mud tires for SUVs is their less than ideal performance on asphalt roads. The large blocks in the tread of these tires contact poorly with uniform surfaces, hindering braking and cornering. Additionally, on typical roads, there is an increased level of noise and vibration from MT tires. The maximum safe travel speed for Mud Terrain tires is considered to be 150-160 km/h.

Tires of this class are recommended to be used on four-wheel-drive vehicles that are pre-prepared for harsh off-road conditions. They will be appreciated by fans of exploring clay, sandy, and boggy terrain, adherents of conquering mountainous areas, as well as avid hunters and fishermen.

Popular Mud Terrain tires

4. Rugged Terrain

Something in between AT and MT tires is the cross-country tire subclass Rugged Terrain. They are truly versatile for off-road vehicle owners. Such tires appeared relatively recently. Their tread pattern is indeed designed in the typical mud tire style, providing reliable traction, handling, and acoustic comfort on ordinary asphalt (hard road surfaces).

A sensible compromise between All Terrain and Mud Terrain tires is the tires
for cross-country RT (Rugged Terrain).

RT tires have more large blocks and deep grooves than AT tires, yet they are less aggressive compared to MT class tires. Rugged-Terrain tires offer off-road capabilities without sacrificing "road manners." These tires are an ideal option for four-wheel-drive SUVs, pickups, and crossovers, whose drivers often switch types of road surfaces. However, note that RT tires often cost more than classic AT and MT tires.

Popular Rugged Terrain tires

5. Conclusion

In choosing the right off-road tires, you can follow one simple rule: the more aggressive the tire tread, the better it is adapted for off-road movement. At the same time, mud tires perform poorly on asphalt and are quite noisy. A reasonable compromise between ride comfort and off-road driving properties are offered by All Terrain and, especially, Rugged-Terrain class tires. For strictly asphalt roads, models from the Highway Terrain category are suitable. And for severe off-road conditions, Mud Terrain tires take the stage.