We love all-terrain tires but will be the first to admit that they can get–you know, a little intense. When you need a tire that’ll happily tackle mild off-roading situations (perhaps a gravel road?) and still give you a comfortable, safe on-road experience, you can turn to a set of trail tires.
(Hey, want to know about the best all-terrain tires for daily driving?)
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WHAT ARE TRAIL TIRES?
So, what exactly are “trail-terrain” tires?
Most all-terrain tires feature an LT (light truck) construction, so they’re heavy hitting and very rugged. They’re meant for heavier vehicles who need off-road capability in dirt, mud, rocks, gravel–you name it.
But if you have a lighter vehicle, like a small pickup, SUV or even crossover that needs traction in mild off-road environments, an all-terrain tire is often overkill.
Enter the trail-terrain tire, which gives your vehicle practical capability without all the bells and whistles and heavy construction of traditional AT tires. Trail-terrain tires offer excellent on-road manners and considerable grip and performance off the beaten path.
Whether you need a weekend camping warrior that can handle the trek to the campsite or you live out in the country with tons of dirt or gravel roads, the trail terrain may be the best bet for you and your vehicle.
(If you are looking for an all-terrain tire that offers bonus benefits of a mud-terrain tire, check out our blog on rugged-terrain tires, too!)
BEST TRAIL TERRAIN TIRES OF 2025
While not an official tire category (yet), we call light all-terrain tires “trail” terrain to help our customers decide what tires work best for their needs. We asked our tire experts and came up with a list of their favorites for 2025, and here they are!
BFGoodrich Trail Terrain T/A
The BFG Trail Terrain T/A is top of our list for a reason; it can go anywhere, anytime with comfort and confidence. This tire blends creature comforts with adventure!
The Trail Terrain T/A sits squarely in between your traditional all-season and all-terrain tire categories. It’s perfect for your crossover, SUV or pickup truck with its soft-soil capability (light mud, sand, loose soil). Plus, its three-peak mountain snowflake severe weather rating and full-depth 3D interlocking sipes means it’s a flexible tire option for when the weather runs foul.
Though it features an aggressive tread, its optimized footprint with closed lateral grooves and noise reduction tuning pair together to create a harmonious on-road experience.
It includes a nicely sized 60,000-mile warranty for added confidence on the road (or the trail).
Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail
The Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail is an all-terrain tire designed with rough-and-tumble performance in mind. Commonly a favorite for off-road warriors, the Wildpeak A/T Trail’s on-road manners are a common note with happy customers.
With a rugged two-ply construction and heavy-duty upper sidewall lugs, this tire can take a beating like any all-terrain worth its salt. But its optimized tread design with Falken’s proprietary rubber compound and severe weather capability extends its service life in all conditions. Plus, with a CUV inspired construction means it's a breeze to handle on-road and it includes a 3PMS severe weather rating!
You can expect exceptional wet and dry traction via Falken’s 3D Canyon Sipe Technology. Plus the 65k-mile warranty is nothing to sneeze at, either! Making it an exellent choice for your outdoorsy Subaru Outback, Forester or even Crosstrek!
Nitto Nomad Grappler
Got a crossover or SUV that occasionally needs to hit the dirt? Nitto’s Nomad Grappler is a well-balanced option for trail-terrain coverage.
With great on-road manners and enviable on/off-road traction, it’s an attractive possibility for those looking for the best of both worlds. Staggered sidewall lugs and reinforced circumferential stepped groves with stone ejectors boost traction and resistance against stone drilling.
Want a long-lived, quiet tire? No problem with the Nomad Grappler’s double shoulder edge and variable pitch pattern to reduce irregular wear and minimize pattern noise!
Hydroplaning resistance and a full silica tread compound means this severe weather designated tire is ready to work year round, too.
It includes a 60,000-mile warranty and is the perfect option for your Mazda CX-50 or Ford Bronco Sport!
Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015
A crowd favorite, the Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 gives you a comfortable four-season ride with capable off-road features when you need them.
If you need occasional all-terrain utility for your crossover, SUV or light truck, the Geolandar A/T G015 is for you thanks to its sturdy Endurocore construction which can handle the wear and tear of off-road environments (even under heavy loads).
When you’re on the road, its severe weather rated tread design and optimized tread gives you traction in wet or wintry roads. Plus, a multi-pitch tread means that your drive on the pavement will be comfy and quiet.
Perfect for your commute (especially if it includes some light terrain), the Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 includes a 60,000-mile warranty and a 30-day trial satisfaction guarantee!
Looking for traditional rugged off-road tire options for more difficult terrain? Check out our picks for the best all-terrain tires for 2025!
If you’re still not sure what works best for you, turn to Treadwell, our smart tire buying guide! In just a few short steps, Treadwell can recommend the best tires for what, where and how you drive!
Ready to get rolling? If you buy and book online, you’ll wait less time in-store!
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