Best All Around Tire (+Snow)

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I know a ton has been written about this but not recently.

I have an 02’ Runner. Need new tires. I don’t do much off roading but may go on a few gravel trails here and there. I live in the North East and go to Vermont/Colorado in winter and need to be able to get through snow.

Im considering the Michelin Defender LTX M/S. Is this tire going to help me get through the snow? Or should I go with BF’s A/T KO2’s?

Imagine you’re on top of a snowy mountain and you want to get down safely. Would you rather have the LTX or the KO2’s?
 
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There are recent threads where people give their thoughts. Use the search method described here: Alternate Search for T4R - 3rd Gen Section

I think the two tires you mentioned are apples and oranges in that the the Michelin only comes as a P tire and the KO2 as an LT tire. You probably don't want an LT tire based on the fact that you don't go off-road too much. Tire Rack has lots of reviews and charts to peruse.
 
I have the Michelin LTX M/S, and I've been very happy with them, but I don't need to worry about snow. If your primary concern is snow, the LTX M/S is not severe snow service rated while the KO2 is.
 
The ko2 is not all that highly regarded in snow either. Maybe for occasional snow use. Ask [MENTION=124615]3bears[/MENTION].
 
I have duratracs and I don't think they are very good on HARD PACK snow/ice.
I had a few braking issues with them activating the ABS and sliding past a turn. Not in an area where anything would have happened though.

They are good in deeper stuff where they can get a bite. I just dont think they are siped for it.
 
It doesn’t seem to be a popular tire on this forum, but I absolutely loved my Hankook Dynapros on both vehicles I had them on. Wet weather, drive weather, dirt, PNW snow. They don’t look real aggressive but they were great.
 
For all these "best tire" questions, my answer is the same, what are people in your area running? The best tire for Alberta is different then the best tire for upstate New York, or Park City Utah, or Boise Idaho. Our winters are different, and our fire roads are different.
 
LTX is a very good tire and are long wearing. If you are doing a lot of miles (>20k/year) that's what I would go with.

However if driving less than that, have you checked out the Cooper AT3/4S? It might be the smooth riding, light offroading snow capable tire you're looking for. Not to mention $50-$60 less expensive than the Michelins.
 
I’m in the lower Hudson Valley of NY and went with Michelin Defender LTX last year and have zero regrets.
Not many snow miles at this point but as an all around daily driver i’m really happy with the ride comfort, noise level and handling they provide.
 
Sarki said:
I’m in the lower Hudson Valley of NY and went with Michelin Defender LTX last year and have zero regrets.
Not many snow miles at this point but as an all around daily driver i’m really happy with the ride comfort, noise level and handling they provide.
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Thanks for comments so far.

I'm also considering the Pirelli Scorpion A/T Plus. Anyone have any experience with it?
 
biggestmexi said:
I have duratracs and I don't think they are very good on HARD PACK snow/ice.
I had a few braking issues with them activating the ABS and sliding past a turn. Not in an area where anything would have happened though.

They are good in deeper stuff where they can get a bite. I just dont think they are siped for it.
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Agree, however I do think the Duratrac is excellent in the snow otherwise. When mine were near new I was driving back from UT to Denver in November....when passing through Vail late at night, I caught up to a major winter storm that I drove through all the way into Denver. At ~50MPH, I was the fastest thing on the road. I was very impressed with their performance. I still have the same set and I'd buy them again.
 
I know a lot like to recommend the K02's on here as an all around tire, but they are downright terrifying in snow, and especially on anything glazed/ice. Living in MN/WI with the Ko2's for about a month of snow was bad. Needed 4wd everywhere because the back end of the truck is so light they pack up fast and just spin. I do not have a heavy right foot either. Absolutely would NOT recommend the K02 as a 4 season tire. I know I'm probably in the minority.
 
sjwelna said:
I know a lot like to recommend the K02's on here as an all around tire, but they are downright terrifying in snow, and especially on anything glazed/ice. Living in MN/WI with the Ko2's for about a month of snow was bad. Needed 4wd everywhere because the back end of the truck is so light they pack up fast and just spin. I do not have a heavy right foot either. Absolutely would NOT recommend the K02 as a 4 season tire. I know I'm probably in the minority.
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When you get down to it, if you have proper winter, then you really don't want a four season tire for the snow, you want 2 sets of tires one set of snow tires for the snow, and one set for the rest of the year. Nothing but a proper snow tire will be as good as a snow tire when you really need it, and driving a snow tire in warm weather will just chew through the rubber because it's not meant to be driven in warmer temperatures.
 
If considering the Cooper AT3/4S be aware they make several models under the AT3 designation and they are not all rated the same M&S vs 3mtn snow peak, The AT3 4W was on my shortlist until I heard of to many issues with keeping them balanced.

M&S does not really mean anything any more as most all seasons carry the designation.

For snow use the 3mtn peak as a minimum which still does not = a dedicated winter tire which also has the 3 mtn peak designation but is a softer compound which has better grip in the cold but cannot be used in the warmer/hotter months.

I run all seasons on the car and van during the summer and dedicated winter tires in the winter, When headed into work to get to the plow truck I drive my Toyota running Hercules Terra Trac ATII with the 3 mtn snow peak designation year around but I dont do much wheeling other than minimum maintenance and forest roads during hunting season northern Wisconsin in November.
 
Skulking said:
When you get down to it, if you have proper winter, then you really don't want a four season tire for the snow, you want 2 sets of tires one set of snow tires for the snow, and one set for the rest of the year. Nothing but a proper snow tire will be as good as a snow tire when you really need it, and driving a snow tire in warm weather will just chew through the rubber because it's not meant to be driven in warmer temperatures.
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Wish I could agree, but I can't. While not 4runner specific, I have direct experience with running 2 sets of rims/tires and just a single "does it all" tire over a decade in Wyoming, Montana and Colorado... with the "one tire for all" finishing out life with a move to Georgia were I've been back to rain focused all-seasons.

At the bleeding limit, a dedicated snow/winter tire Might be technically better, but I couldn't tell with my trips to the ski slopes and my wife couldn't tell doing her ~1000 mile commute weeks. Studs were absolutely worse as a daily driver, only being good/great in a tiny range of conditions. The winter rated all seasons we ran were the Nokian WR line (3 different generations), and they were good enough to get me off the 2-set merry-go-round. I was astonished at how well they handled the heat of Georgia too (got the full rated life, with ~25k miles being in GA), were phenomenal in heavy rains/flooded roads where I expected hydroplaning.

And that's for tires from 9 years ago, I can only imagine how much better that "winter rated, all season" segment has gotten.

Since we all only know the best we've tried, opinions can be vastly different. But please, don't poopoo a product you have no experience with. There look to be several offerings out there in this "Winter rated, all season" category, and they are absolutely what I'll be running when I manage to extract myself from Georgia and get back to a real winter state.
 
The KO2 tires are my all time favorite. Back and forth over the Oregon mountain passes with compact snow/ice, playing in deep snow, and all around use. I have had good luck getting lots of miles out of them too. Important to use the proper air pressure (with any tire actually).
 
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