Overlanding is About Balance, Not Extremes
When it comes to outfitting an overland vehicle, few decisions spark more debate than tire choice. For many, aggressive all-terrain or mud-terrain tires are the immediate go-to, their rugged tread patterns and beefy sidewalls screaming adventure. Ads from tire companies show slow-motion turns “on a closed course” with aggressive tread that kicks up dirt and leaves ruts on the way to an epic campsite But for a growing number of overlanders, mild all-terrain tires are proving to be the unsung heroes, offering a balanced approach that aligns more closely with the realities of overland travel. My ethos on tire choice has been strongly shaped by an article by Jonathan Hanson on Exploring Overland: Buy the tire you need, not the one you want.
In this post, we will be referencing a few different tire brands and sizes that we have used in the past 8 years of vehicle-based travel.
Unlike rock crawling or dedicated off-roading, overlanding historically has involved extended journeys that often mix pavement, gravel roads, and the occasional challenging trail. While excellent for extreme conditions, aggressive tires can be overkill for this varied terrain. Mild all-terrain tires strike a balance—their moderate tread designs handle off-road trails effectively while providing a smoother, quieter, and more fuel-efficient ride on paved surfaces.
A more mild all-terrain tire is also much more forgiving on the trails and dirt roads that overland travelers frequent. It seems that a new generation of overland travelers is choosing tires that look tough and aggressive on the vehicle, but that wreak havoc on dirt trails. The same can be said for side-by-side UTVs with aggressive mud-terrain tires hooning around the forest at high speeds. The aggressive tire patterns and the spirited driving that often accompanies said tire patterns cause damage and ultimately trail closures—end rant.
Improved Comfort and Noise Levels
Long highway stretches are a reality for most overlanders. Aggressive tires, with their chunky tread patterns, tend to generate significant road noise and can compromise ride comfort. Even our last set of tires, a set of Goodyear Wrangler Duratracs (an aggressive AT) exhibited a massive amount of road noise and made for an uncomfortable ride on most trips. Mild all-terrain tires, like our new set of Bridgestone Dueller AT RSH, are engineered with quieter tread designs and better on-road manners. This means you can enjoy the journey as much as the destination without feeling fatigued by constant road noise and potentially rough rides.
Better Fuel Economy
Fuel efficiency might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning an overland expedition, but it’s an important consideration. When racking up the miles on a multi-week or multi-month trip, fuel costs add up quickly. Consider our travels around the United States and Canada in our skoolie. We traveled approximately 45,000 miles over 3 years. We averaged 15 miles per gallon on our mild AT/HT tires. That worked out to around 3,000 gallons of diesel at an average price of $4/gallon, which meant $12,000 in fuel costs. With an MT tire, our bus would have looked cooler, but it would have cost us $6,000 MORE in fuel plus the extra cost of the tires. We can travel an extra 6 months on the difference so the choice is very simple for the way we travel and what our priorities are.
Aggressive tires are heavier and create more rolling resistance, which can noticeably reduce fuel economy. Mild all-terrain tires are generally lighter and more efficient on paved roads, helping you stretch your fuel tank further—a crucial advantage when traversing remote areas. In our use case, moving from the Duratrac to the Dueller AT netted us a weight savings of nearly 10 pounds per tire, improving efficiency and reducing the amount of wear on driveline components.
Adequate Off-Road Capability
Modern mild all-terrain tires are no slouch when it comes to off-road performance and often perform better in conditions that we face the most. Manufacturers have developed tread designs and rubber compounds that provide reliable traction on dirt, gravel, and light mud while still excelling on the pavement. For the vast majority of overland routes—which rarely involve extreme mud pits or rock gardens—these tires are more than capable. We have experienced a fair amount of rain and snow in our travels and have found that our mild-AT tires have handled rain and weather better than aggressive tires.
There is no doubt that a tire like the 35” BFGoodrich KO2 installed on the Overland Expo Foundation Ultimate Build GMC Canyon is more capable in rough conditions like mud and rugged trails than a milder tire. In my opinion, tires like the BFG KO2 and the General Tire ATX are the most aggressive tires that an overland vehicle should be equipped with for extended overland travel.
Longer Lifespan
Aggressive tires tend to wear out faster, particularly if they’re used extensively on paved roads (where we all spend most of our time driving). The softer rubber compounds and pronounced tread blocks that make them effective off-road are also more prone to wear. Mild all-terrain tires, with their more balanced design, often last longer, providing better value over the life of the tire. On extended overlanding trips, keeping costs down and reducing the need to purchase tires in a foreign country is extremely important.
Cost-Effectiveness
While high-end aggressive tires can command premium prices, mild all-terrain options are often more budget-friendly. Coupled with their longer lifespan and improved fuel economy, they represent a more economical choice for overlanders who prioritize value without sacrificing performance.
For example, the tire we chose, the Bridgestone Dueller in 255/75/17 came as original equipment on a handful of vehicles such as the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler and are often taken off immediately in exchange for huge off-road tires. We picked up our most recent set of 5 unused tires for $600 mounted and balanced. The same tires would have cost twice that or more from a tire shop. That extra $600 can be put toward maintenance or toward fuel on our next adventure.
Realistic Overland Scenarios
One of the biggest arguments for mild all-terrain tires is that they’re better suited to the real-world conditions most overlanders face. Extreme trails may look impressive on social media, but the majority of overland routes involve gravel roads, fire trails, and occasional stream crossings. In fact, on most of our overland trips that last longer than a weekend, we are more concerned about avoiding obstacles and trails that might damage our vehicle and end our trip earlier than planned.
While attending numerous off-road and overland trainings around the country, a common theme in most driving courses is the idea of avoiding sketchy obstacles if possible. For example, on a recent trip on the Alpine Loop with the OEF GMC Canyon AT4X, we climbed up Poughkeepsie Gulch and avoided the wall obstacle by taking an easier line. Could the truck have climbed the obstacle, certainly. However, we still needed to travel 40 miles of dirt to get off the trail and several hundred miles home. In these scenarios, mild all-terrain tires shine, delivering consistent performance without the drawbacks of aggressive alternatives.
Choosing the right tires for your overland vehicle is about understanding your specific needs and travel goals. While aggressive all-terrain or mud-terrain tires have their place in extreme off-road environments, mild all-terrain tires offer a versatile, comfortable, and efficient option that aligns with the diverse demands of overlanding. By prioritizing balance and practicality, you’ll be better equipped to enjoy every mile of your journey, whether it’s on the highway, a dirt road, or somewhere in between.