Best UTV Tires for Trail and Mud

‍If you're looking to ride on mud, you must look for the best UTV tires for trail and mud. These tires will give you a smooth driving experience.

The tires you purchase must have more than just good mud traction. In addition, they must have a decent "ply" rating and be extremely robust. Furthermore, tires with a long tread life can be used for extended periods of time, saving money in the long run. Finally, the best UTV trail and mud tires should have a smooth road ride.

Some of the best UTV tires you can get for trail and mud include the Maxxis Carnivore, Carlisle All Trail UTV Tire, GBC Kanati Mongrel, Fuel Gripper T/R/K Kevlar, EFX MotoClaw Radial, BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 UTV, ITP Mud Lite II ATV/UTV, ITP Cryptid, Kenda Executioner, and Maxxis Mudzilla.

Of course, there are differences between the tires on this list, but we always do our best to provide you with reasonably-priced tires, good for off-roading, rugged, robust, and safe to drive. Although UTVs are already built to handle severe circumstances, they must be partnered with high-quality tires to ensure that you have enough traction wherever you go. And there's no better way to deal with mud than with the right mud tires.

Fortunately, we've already done the legwork for you and found the best UTV tires after testing them out on our UTVs. Here, you'll find both high-end and low-cost models.

‍What You Need to Know about UTV Tires for Trail and Mud

While some may consider it ineffective and chaotic, playing in the mud with your UTV is a thrilling experience. However, driving a UTV in trail and mud can be tricky because you never know when you can move from a small amount of (read: shallow) mud to deeper pits.

For most UTV drivers, the element of unpredictability, together with the speed and external forces they encounter, is only part of the excitement. However, with that said, you won't be going anywhere without a nice set of tires, whatever your notion of fun is.

Fortunately, there are numerous models to pick from nowadays. Aside from the well-known premium UTV and ATV tire manufacturers, some new names have recently arrived on the scene, selling products at extremely low costs.

Those models may be appealing, but in our experience, really low-cost tires are rarely worth the money. Even so, several low-cost UTV mud tires function admirably in challenging off-road conditions.

The sort of mud tire you require for your UTV is mostly determined by the type of terrain you regularly drive your UTV over. Look for the more aggressive options on our list if you're always hunting for the baddest and the biggest mud holes around. To dig into the mud and simply clear it out, so it doesn't weigh down your tire, you'll need tall treads with plenty of space between them.

If you spend more of your time possibly rock crawling and casually hitting the trails, we've found some alternatives that will provide an even driving journey with enough bite to play in a few more moderately muddy conditions. Nothing beats taking your ATV off the beaten path! It's all about getting muddy, racing across trails, and letting go!

It's not difficult to get UTV tires that are suitable for mud paths. However, in a perfect world, you'd select the greatest tires that can easily handle both types of terrain. So, we've been on the hunt for some of the most popular and, in our opinion, greatest UTV tires on the market today.

10 Best UTV Tires for Trail and Mud

Maxxis Carnivore

The Maxxis Carnivore UTV tire is known to be among the most versatile products currently available. The Carnivore's tread pattern makes it suitable for practically every surface, including sand, grass, muck, pebbles, gravel, and even dirt.

The Carnivore was designed using influence from the company's truck tires. This is demonstrated by the 8-ply rating, which is more advanced than several other UTV tires. This rating means that these tires can be driven for longer periods of time and can handle a lot more weight with very low pressure.

The Maxxis Carnivore is always there for you when it comes to off-roading. This set of tires will perform quite well even in rain, so you won't have to take any extra precautions. The tire provides adequate traction on light mud, dirt, as well as gravel.

In addition, the Carnivore performs admirably on hard-packed rocks and ground, which isn't something most tires can boast about. On rapid trail sections, the Maxxis Carnivore is highly stable and responsive; be ready to go on a joyride with a set of Maxxis Carnivore tires!

The Carnivore is so good that it can even be used in public. Its traction and stability are amazing and are DOT-approved, so they're totally legal to use. Finally, Maxxis tires are well-known for their tough design and long tread life.

GBC Kanati Mongrel

The GBC Kanati Mongrels are now the best UTV tires for trail and mud. This tire has a one-of-a-kind design that combines durable and robust construction with an all-around tread pattern.

The Kanati Mongrel has a 10-ply structure, which makes it more durable than many of the tires on our list. However, this implies that it is also more expensive than most competitors.

On the plus side, the Kanati Mongrel is one of the best trail tires, particularly on hard-packed ground. The response is great, and there is plenty of traction and grip for quick cornering.

The Kanati Mongrel can also handle minor mud, which is something that most all-around tires can't do. Deep mud shouldn't be an issue, but in certain situations, we'd recommend a suitable mud-terrain tire.

The Kanati Mongrel also surpasses and meets DOT requirements, allowing it to be used on any street. On the road, the handling is adequate but not up to the standards of true street tires. Fortunately, the journey is relatively comfortable and pain-free, so you won't have any major issues with a set of these Kanati tires.

Carlisle All Trail UTV Tire

The Carlisle All-Trail, as its name implies, is built to handle a wide range of off-road terrain, including mud, rocks, sand, gravel, and dirt. The Carlisle All-Trail, unlike mud tires, has a great number of grooves and lugs on the tread, giving it an all-around appeal. On hard-packed surfaces, whether wet or dry, you can anticipate high responsiveness and great stability demonstrated by these tires. You might notice that the ultra-high-performance tires used by UTVs for mudding are slightly narrower. Manufacturers use the same concept as swamp buggy racers while producing these tires: the faster you travel in the mud, the smaller the tire should be, so it burrows through the mud rather than floats over it.

Moreover, the grass under the tires will not be ruined by the tires, thanks to its short lugs, and you will get sufficient braking and traction. However, while the Carlisle is suitable for driving in mild mud, it will struggle in very deep mud. Therefore, you'll need a special mud tire for this.

On the plus side, the Carlisle All Trail performs admirably on the road, allowing the driver to have a secure and smooth ride. The aggressive direction and tread design make this a tire that can be ridden to the mud pit, not simply through it. To put it another way, the Carlisle All-Trail UTV tire is one of the best UTV tires for trail and mud.

EFX MotoClaw Radial

The MotoClaw from EFX is one of the most distinctive tires on this list, having a tread pattern unlike any other in the category.

The business claims that the tire's lug strength is exceptional, making it suitable for use on mud, gravel, and hard-packed terrains. We can attest to this: the MotoClaw is incredibly responsive on all trails. The drives can enjoy exceptional stability and responsiveness behind the wheel.

Moreover, the same tread pattern performs quite admirably in mud as well. While not quite as good as a true mud tire, the MotoClaw offers adequate braking and traction in most situations. This tire does not stop at anything (unless it's on thick and deep mud).

Furthermore, the tread design provides a very smooth ride on the road, which is something that other tires with deep lugs can't claim. Despite this, the EFX MotoClaw is a little more expensive than its competitors, and we can't blame it for the price given its features.

Fuel Gripper T/R/K Kevlar

Thanks to the puncture-resistant and synthetic aramid fiber technology, the Fuel Gripper T/R/K Kevlar is clearly the most durable and toughest tire on this list. It also has a 10-ply rating, meaning it may be driven at extremely low pressures.

Aside from its exceptional longevity and hardness, the T/R/K Kevlar performs admirably on a variety of trails. There is plenty of traction on hard-packed and intermediate terrains, the performance is quite impressive, and the tire is very responsive.

Despite having a tread pattern optimized for hard-packed ground, the T/R/K Kevlar performs admirably in mild mud. Deep mud, on the other hand, should be avoided. The Gripper is incredibly steady and responsive on the road. In addition, the ride is incredibly comfy and smooth.

ITP Mud Lite II ATV/UTV

ITP is a low-cost UTV tire manufacturer that doesn't skimp on performance or features. One of the most popular tires for trail driving is their Mud Lite II variant. It's made to handle difficult situations, such as damp gravel, grass, and mild mud.

The tread pattern of these tires was designed using computer engineering, which pays off handsomely when driving on the route. The same design includes a unique center tread contact that gives a smooth ride for both passengers and drivers on the road.

Fortunately, we can affirm that when driving on pavement, the ITP Mud Lite does not feel like a mud tire. Sure, performance will be inferior to that of hard-packed or all-terrain tires, but the ITP Mud Lite is one of the best street tires in the category.

The Mud Lite II is a trail champion. During our testing, we discovered that the tire is quite responsive, even on the most difficult surfaces. The deep and angled lugs are great for driving on wet gravel and trails, but they're also great for mud. ITP also modified the tread pattern to improve mud cleanout, which we can attest to working quite well in challenging portions.

However, there are better tires on the market for extremely deep muck. None, however, can match the versatility of the ITP Mud Lite II, which can be used on practically any surface except intermediate and hard-packed trails. The ITP Mud Lite II is similarly 6-ply rated and constructed with durable and robust materials. According to many owners, the tread life is great, and the casing is durable and sturdy.

BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 UTV

BFGoodrich is a tire company well recognized for its truck and SUV tires. However, they have just begun to introduce UTV and ATV tires, each of which is unique.

The Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 tire has the same name as the truck option, but it has a distinct design. This tire's tread pattern differs from that of its mud competitors: instead of huge, deep lugs, the KM3 has shallower, smaller lugs.

This design makes the KM3 slightly less capable of driving in deep mud, but the difference isn't significant. On the plus side, the BFGoodrich model is far easier and more responsive to maneuver in light mud.

This tire is also one of the best for fast driving on a variety of trail roads, including gravel and dirt. In these conditions, high-speed stability is unrivaled, and responsiveness is exceptional. When you try this tire on dirt roads, you'll understand why it's one of the best UTV tires for trail and mud.

The nicest part about the KM3 is that it can also be used on the street. The ride is silky smooth, almost as if you're driving on pavement, yet there's plenty of traction and grip for furious driving. The KM3 even comes with a 6-year warranty, something most of its competitors don't offer. However, the BFGoodrich tire is significantly more expensive than the competitors.

Kenda Executioner

If you're looking for the most excellent UTV mud tires, Kenda should always be at the top of your list. The Taiwanese firm specializes in UTV and ATV tires and currently has one of the greatest model ranges.

The Kenda Executioner is a mud tire designed exclusively for UTVs. It is currently one of the best tires for adventure-seekers who are into wet off-roading.

Kenda made a unique tread design decision. They opened a space inside the lugs, in addition to the deep-angled lugs, to improve traction even further. This design is also beneficial when driving on sand, thanks to the ability of the reinforced knobs to perform at lower pressures. Other mud tires would burrow into the surface, but these will stay on top. And believe us when we say you don't want your tires to dig into the sand the next time you go off on a desert exploration.

But let's get back to the mud and trail since that's where the Executioner shines the brightest. This is one of the most responsive UTV tires available, giving the driver a superb steering feel. Even at high speeds, the vehicle maintains excellent stability.

The unusual lugs provide superb side-to-side grip as well as exceptional traction in thick mud in tight turns, as expected. The Executioner also performs admirably on grass, wet gravel, and damp trails. The Kenda Executioner has rim protection to safeguard your rims, an extra-tough casing for greater puncture resistance, and a 6-ply rating. However, the tire is not particularly designed for city driving. The handling is merely adequate, and the ride isn't particularly smooth.

ITP Cryptid

The ITP Cryptid is unquestionably the finest alternative for drivers who demand the best mud traction possible. When it comes to mud-terrain performance, this tire is a game-changer since it can go almost anywhere.

When you first glance at it, the chevron-style tread pattern with incredibly deep lugs appears to be capable of churning through anything you throw at it. Perhaps more crucially, the lugs at the shoulders are deeper, which should help with traction.

The grooved center lugs also channel debris and mud away from the tire, keeping it ready and clean for the next big puddle. Finally, the paddle-like shoulder shape gives maximum side bite for mud climbing while maintaining on-road dynamics and comfort.

But first, let's talk about mud traction because this is where the Cryptid really outperforms most of its competitors. Even when submerged in 20 inches of water, this tire performs admirably in the deepest mud. When you step on the gas, the Cryptid will immediately begin churning, providing you a huge traction benefit over similar tires.

Despite its emphasis on deep mud, the Cryptid performs admirably on grass and trails. The tire's response is excellent, thanks to the rigid sidewalls. Plus, its high-speed steadiness is outstanding. Surprisingly, the ITP Cryptid performs admirably on the road despite the exceptionally deep lugs, with a smooth ride and good stability.

Owners of these tires claim that the lugs can withstand a lot of abuse and that the case is extremely durable. This is critical since the Cryptid will mostly definitely be deployed in extreme settings. With that said, driving on these tires will necessitate a highly strong UTV. Deep lugs generate a lot of resistance, putting a lot of strain on the transmission components and the engine.

Maxxis Mudzilla

Maxxis' mud-terrain model is up there with the ITP Cryptid and Kenda Executioner as one of the best in its class. The Mudzilla, like its competitors, has very deep grooves with an incision in the middle, which aids traction in extremely deep mud.

The step-down tread also increases lug strength and improves cleaning, while the innovative rubber formula boosts straight-line traction, which is a common problem with typical mud tires. Last but not least, the strong sidewalls aid stability and response.

In the real world, the Mudzilla gives the driver excellent traction in deep muck, even when it is heavily soaked. Furthermore, the Mudzilla works admirably on trail roads, on both wet and dry ground. On-road traction is likewise excellent but not outstanding.

Also, the ride isn't as smooth as drivers would like, especially considering the ITP Cryptid's exceptional performance in this area. On the plus side, the Maxxis Mudzilla has an extremely rough and tough rubber and a 6-ply rating for long-term performance.

What Should You Look for In UTV Tires for Trail and Mud?

If you have experience driving UTVs, you might already know what to look for in UTV tires for trail and mud. But just to be sure, we'll go through some of the important factors to consider.

Tire Construction

The tires of your UTV must be well-made in order to manage all of the terrain's demands. Remember, trails aren't built to deliver a comfortable and smooth ride. Look for tires that have a minimum of 6 ply rating and are manufactured using premium rubber. This is what gives them their much-needed abrasion and puncture resistance. Every tire on our list has at least a 6-ply rating, which is ideal.

Deep tread Pattern

UTV tires, especially those designed for usage in mud and trail, must have a deep tread pattern. Deep tread blocks give exceptional maneuverability and traction in any terrain, while wide gaps between the tread blocks allow the tread blocks to shape and flex to the ground below and help drain muck away from the tire, resulting in maximum maneuverability and traction. Fortunately, the tread patterns on all of the items on our list are deep.

Shoulder Lugs

The tire rubber is in contact with the ground from every angle; therefore, aggressive shoulder knobs on the outer edge of the tire can give your UTV exceptionally good traction and side bite. Even in severe rutted, muddy conditions, they help to boost traction. Furthermore, these shoulder lugs aid in the protection of the sidewall as well as the wheel trim.

Directional vs. Non-Directional

When it comes to directional vs. non-directional, it's all about preference. The tread pattern on directional tires is designed to rotate in only one direction. Typically, the tread pattern on such tires is completely forward and downward. In both rainy and dry circumstances, directional tires are supposed to provide greater handling.

The disadvantage of directional tires is that they wear out faster than tires without a direction, which can be rotated to have a longer lifespan and obtain more wear. It's difficult to determine which the best option is, but we've included both types in our recommendations for the sake of inclusivity.

Size

You must, we repeat, must, take into account tire size. If your tire doesn't fit the wheel, you've squandered all of your money. Although it may seem self-evident to some, we still felt the need to highlight the importance of tire size.

Customer Feedback

Before you spend your hard-earned money on UTV accessories and parts, we recommend that you do your homework and read any user reviews. We're not suggesting that you read every review (that could take a long time!), but rather get a sense of what people are saying about the item you're considering.

We find that Amazon is a good place to look at customer reviews, not only because there are usually a lot of them, but also because the manufacturer's website only displays positive reviews, whereas Amazon displays both critical and positive reviews.

Money-Saving Suggestion

If at all possible, search for tires that are sold in a full pack of four, as this might save you a lot of money. You could get a terrific deal on a bundle of four tires that would otherwise cost several times as much if you bought them separately.

Extending Tire Life

Also, if your tires' outer edges start to wear out, you can try demounting, rotating, and remounting them to give them a new outer edge, which will give them a longer lifespan.

Who Makes the Lightest Mud Tires for UTVs?

All of the rubber molded into mud tires to create that severe tread adds a significant amount of weight. When you add in the tire casings to make them puncture-resistant, you end up with a really heavy tire. Manufacturers will utilize various chemicals to reduce weight in order to get rid of the problem. If a 6-ply tire can provide the same level of protection as an 8-ply tire, it will save weight. They also reduce the tread depth to save weight in some cases. A fraction of an inch can save a pound on a tire.

You'll also notice that the more powerful machines have smaller tires. This is because these are such large, heavy equipment; no amount of tire flotation can help. Conversely, a broader tire on a heavy machine causes the tire to drive and not get too much mud bite. The narrower tires cling and dig into the ground.

There is no single tire that will perform well on all surfaces. Hence, there is a compromise in every tire design. As a result, most manufacturers offer a wide range of tire options for UTVs and ATVs. All-terrain UTV tires are the most popular, as they are built to perform on any terrain. They won't give you the best results in every category, but they'll suffice for most people.

Sand tires are built specifically for sand driving and, in our opinion, are the least useful. You need to be a desert driving fanatic to get specialized sand tires. Intermediate and hard-packed terrains are made for dry and hard surfaces like rocks, gravel, and dirt. These tires perform admirably in light mud and streets.

Mud-terrain tires are designed specifically for use in mud. They have deep, large lugs that can churn through even the deepest mud. However, most mud-terrain tires are almost unsuitable for driving on city streets and aren't ideal for driving on hard-packed ground.

Benefits of UTV Tires

Although UTVs can be used for military and commercial purposes, they are primarily built for rough terrain driving. Here are some of the benefits of UTV tires:

Versatile  

The best all-terrain tires for UTVs can handle a wide range of circumstances. The greatest tires are those that pump the water away while still providing sufficient traction.

Durable

If you install the wrong tires, you may incur excessive tread or tire damage and wear. However, the right tires are highly durable and will last a long time provided that you take proper care and precautions as guided by the manufacturer.

Replaceable

It's very simple to replace your UTV tires with new ones. Even the best all-terrain UTV tires have a limited lifespan – like every other tire out there. Therefore, you will eventually have to replace them with new ones.