Best LT AT Tires in 2025 (2 Viewers)

[K Dub]

Key differences between your local species of CCW-bro and our speciesᵗ that is endemic to Southeast Missouri include:

Merrell Moabs = Steel-toe cowboy boots*
5.11 Polo = Nine-Line Apparel T-shirt -OR- Under Armor polo
Viktos Gunfighter Jeans = Ariat Jeans*
Tacoma = Emissions-deleted diesel 2500 truck -OR- Wrangler with angry-eyes grille

ᵗFull disclosure - I'm friends with several guys who fall squarely within this camp
*Denotes something that I personally own

If we're being honest, this probably describes a lot of us to some extent. I enjoy outdoor sports but I won't buy camo or tan accessories, so that usually leaves me with black/grey as the only alternative. When I gear up for a hike, I look like a SWAT member ready to execute a no-knock warrant on some poor unsuspecting gamer.

Outdoor gear used to have style & panache. Those were the days.

 

[r2m]

If we're being honest, this probably describes a lot of us to some extent. I enjoy outdoor sports but I won't buy camo or tan accessories, so that usually leaves me with black/grey as the only alternative. When I gear up for a hike, I look like a SWAT member ready to execute a no-knock warrant on some poor unsuspecting gamer.

Outdoor gear used to have style & panache. Those were the days.

My usual wear is practical, not tactical. When we're out wheeling, hiking or whatever, I'm usually in zip-off cargo pants that are quick dry and I layer my shirts to peal off as it gets warmer or reverse as it gets cooler. I always keep two fleece jackets packed in my rig for the unexpected. Mostly all I have is in earth tones.
Where we live the pants are perfect. As it gets warmer, I'll zip off the legs, and when it gets cooler or hiking through a narrow single track trail with a lot of brush I'll zip them back on. Being quick dry, if we hike to a watering hole, it's easy enough to go for a swim and the pants will be dry in about 15 minutes, weather dependent. I swear by them.

 

[Rednexus]

If we're being honest, this probably describes a lot of us to some extent. I enjoy outdoor sports but I won't buy camo or tan accessories, so that usually leaves me with black/grey as the only alternative. When I gear up for a hike, I look like a SWAT member ready to execute a no-knock warrant on some poor unsuspecting gamer.

Outdoor gear used to have style & panache. Those were the days.

I was out camping with a buddy of mine a few years ago and realized I was wearing a pair of Prana Zion hiking pants (I must have 4 pairs of those and 4 more pairs of the shorts) and an Ariat pearl snap (best cotton flannels <$100 by far). Needless to say, those two pieces of clothing have very, very different target customer demographics.

I like good stuff, no matter which side of the political spectrum it comes from. Probably a result of growing up around lots of hippies and lots of hillbillies deep in the Ozarks, and appreciating both lifestyles.

FYI, Pendleton shirts are flat out awesome for hiking and look way better than tech fabrics. I had one of their wool pearl snaps for a long time and used it as my outer layer when hiking in the winter here (teens through 30s). Super-breathable, didn't get stinky, easy to temperature regulate with the snaps, and kept me warm when wet. Unfortunately, I that one got washed hot and shrunk, their new ones don't seem to fit my long arms.

 

[r2m]

I was out camping with a buddy of mine a few years ago and realized I was wearing a pair of Prana Zion hiking pants (I must have 4 pairs of those and 4 more pairs of the shorts) and an Ariat pearl snap (best cotton flannels <$100 by far). Needless to say, those two pieces of clothing have very, very different target customer demographics.

I like good stuff, no matter which side of the political spectrum it comes from. Probably a result of growing up around lots of hippies and lots of hillbillies deep in the Ozarks, and appreciating both lifestyles.

FYI, Pendleton shirts are flat out awesome for hiking and look way better than tech fabrics. I had one of their wool pearl snaps for a long time and used it as my outer layer when hiking in the winter here (teens through 30s). Super-breathable, didn't get stinky, easy to temperature regulate with the snaps, and kept me warm when wet. Unfortunately, I that one got washed hot and shrunk, their new ones don't seem to fit my long arms.

I agree, with performance wear, spend the money. I swear by The North Face, Mountain Hardware, Julbo sunglasses and some others.
Their warranties and customer service is outstanding! Especially The North Face. I've had a couple of warranties with them for equipment I've had for over 20 years and they had no problem replacing with equal or better product!

 

[Banandalorian]

I agree, with performance wear, spend the money.

Outdoor clothing is a lot like tires (this is apparently a tire thread). You don't have to buy the most expensive option just because its the most expensive, but there is a range where you definitely get what you pay for and the cheap stuff is cheap for a reason.

A lot of my outdoor clothing and gear is from various hunting and/or tacti-cool companies because I generally like earth-tones and I find that they often have some differences in overall design or construction that I think improve durability or usability vs a "regular" outdoor gear/wear company. I just enjoy poking fun at people who generally take things way too far or way too seriously.

 

[Cold Iron]

I shoot a lot of clay targets with shotguns, and birds. I do own a few "black" guns but for hunting like my side by sides

I compete in side by side events which are usually 3 days, people come from all over the Country and competition is stiff. Last summer I came in second place at one shoot in Wi. beat most of the young kids, well except for one so was the first place looser. But at least I looked good shooting it

Couple of weeks ago someone on an upland hunting forum posted the latest greatest hot selling home defense shotgun

WTH?! A 18.5" side by side complete with picatinny rails. Turned into a huge thread and the winning answer on who would own such a thing would be "that guy" who also has a drawer full of tacticool underwear. Only answer that makes sense.

I was out camping with a buddy of mine a few years ago and realized I was wearing a pair of Prana Zion hiking pants (I must have 4 pairs of those and 4 more pairs of the shorts) and an Ariat pearl snap (best cotton flannels <$100 by far). Needless to say, those two pieces of clothing have very, very different target customer demographics.

I like good stuff, no matter which side of the political spectrum it comes from. Probably a result of growing up around lots of hippies and lots of hillbillies deep in the Ozarks, and appreciating both lifestyles.

FYI, Pendleton shirts are flat out awesome for hiking and look way better than tech fabrics. I had one of their wool pearl snaps for a long time and used it as my outer layer when hiking in the winter here (teens through 30s). Super-breathable, didn't get stinky, easy to temperature regulate with the snaps, and kept me warm when wet. Unfortunately, I that one got washed hot and shrunk, their new ones don't seem to fit my long arms.

Pearl snaps?! In the words of General Patton “Son, only a pimp in a Louisiana whore house carries pearl handled revolvers. These are ivory!” Sorry couldn't help myself I'm not a fan of ivory or pearl buttons or snaps. Unless on a Western style shirt, which isn't my style. But if you can pull it off that is great!

When I was in Washington State in the 70's bought my first 2 Pendleton shirts I lived in them they were my favorite shirts. When I got married the now Ex ran them through the washer and then the dryer. GI Joe couldn't fit into them by the time she was done with them.

Eventually I replaced them. My closets have the typical suits and work wear but for the most part it is Bean, Orvis, etc. Underwear drawer is mainly silk and wool. Not going to even start to admit how many socks I have but they are all wool. Winter weather advisory it has been snowing since 1 and will go to 0600 tomorrow. Then temps will be below zero most of next week. I'll be putting the Duluth flannel lined firehose pants on in the morning and they aren't coming off for awhile.

 

[Rednexus]

Pearl snaps?! In the words of General Patton “Son, only a pimp in a Louisiana whore house carries pearl handled revolvers. These are ivory!” Sorry couldn't help myself I'm not a fan of ivory or pearl buttons or snaps. Unless on a Western style shirt, which isn't my style. But if you can pull it off that is great!

When I was in Washington State in the 70's bought my first 2 Pendleton shirts I lived in them they were my favorite shirts. When I got married the now Ex ran them through the washer and then the dryer. GI Joe couldn't fit into them by the time she was done with them.

Eventually I replaced them. My closets have the typical suits and work wear but for the most part it is Bean, Orvis, etc. Underwear drawer is mainly silk and wool. Not going to even start to admit how many socks I have but they are all wool. Winter weather advisory it has been snowing since 1 and will go to 0600 tomorrow. Then temps will be below zero most of next week. I'll be putting the Duluth flannel lined firehose pants on in the morning and they aren't coming off for awhile.

Yup, snap-front, western-style flannels (not the lightweight ones). Freaking love them. There is a reason why snaps became popular in the 19th century - super easy to button and un-button with gloves on, making them great for temperature regulation. I have two "work" ones I used when doing outside stuff and one "nice" one I wear out and about. Basically replaces a fleece, but looks much better and is much tougher. I also have a nice Patagonia flannel, but it cost 2X as much as the Ariat flannels, doesn't fit as well, doesn't look as good, and has annoying buttons as opposed to snaps.

FYI - I gave my stepdad a Pendleton I bought that didn't quite fit me right (also a wool pearl snap). He said he wore Pendletons back in the 60s when he was in high school! He wears it all the time. You might like one as well when out shooting .

 

[r2m]

Outdoor clothing is a lot like tires (this is apparently a tire thread). You don't have to buy the most expensive option just because its the most expensive, but there is a range where you definitely get what you pay for and the cheap stuff is cheap for a reason.

A lot of my outdoor clothing and gear is from various hunting and/or tacti-cool companies because I generally like earth-tones and I find that they often have some differences in overall design or construction that I think improve durability or usability vs a "regular" outdoor gear/wear company. I just enjoy poking fun at people who generally take things way too far or way too seriously.

Speaking of people who, "... take things way too far or way too seriously." In my early years of surfing (early '70's), back when surfing was more of a cult lifestyle. You were defined by the clothes you wore, the surf racks on your car (with probably a board on them too!), hair style, and of course a golden tan, that told what crowd you hung out with. It drove me crazy when inlanders and hodads (hodads: Definition of HODAD - https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hodad ) would show up in their spiffy new OP (Ocean Pacific brand) board shorts or Hang Ten T shirts on and try to look the part. Or they'd just cruise around with a surfboard strapped to the top of the their car to look cool for the 'chicks'.
I knew our unique cult like lifestyle was going mainstream when some of the big surf ware companies were showing up in the malls and big name department stores. Now I'd consider it a bygone era.

 

[rav8]

Key differences between your local species of CCW-bro and our speciesᵗ that is endemic to Southeast Missouri include:

Merrell Moabs = Steel-toe cowboy boots*
5.11 Polo = Nine-Line Apparel T-shirt -OR- Under Armor polo
Viktos Gunfighter Jeans = Ariat Jeans*
Tacoma = Emissions-deleted diesel 2500 truck -OR- Wrangler with angry-eyes grille

ᵗFull disclosure - I'm friends with several guys who fall squarely within this camp
*Denotes something that I personally own

Decent belt supporting a Milt Sparks Summer Special II and a Les Baer is my first layer. After that, it can range from a duck pool float to Levi jeans and a flannel or hoodie. I've gone to the ranges or competitions in some pretty colorful stuff but back to tires...Falken Wildpeak are good.

 

[McDuff123]

Nobody knows that I'm a tactical greyman conceal-carrying for everyone's safety as I lace up my Merrell Moabs, tuck my 5.11 Polo into my Viktos Gunfighter Jeans with an AR mag pocket for some reason, and climb back into my desert tan Tacoma with a punisher skull and gun silhouette stickers on the back window. I adjust my Oakleys, check my six, then I check your six because 2 is 1 and 1 is none before I head to my favorite sports bar where I only sit with my back against the wall.

Just remember to keep your booger-hook off the bang switch of your shottie.

 

[PoindAxster]

I picked up a set of Toyo Open Country ATIII today and my first impression is, "meh."

On the right is my old Falken Wildpeak with about 17k miles on it. It still won't fit underneath with a factory hitch, and it has a nail in it, but that's not my point. The new Toyo has similar tread depth to the mid-life Falken, and the sidewall relief is just sort of drawn on compared to the chunky blocks on the Falken. I don't know how they perform yet, but cosmetically they're much less aggressive than Wildpeaks. I gotta figure out a spare, again, but I feel like returning these in exchange for the new Falkens. The Toyo cost a few bucks more, but the lighter weight appealed to me. What a conundrum.

My car had the Toyo Open Countries on it when I bought it. After a few thousand miles and lots of wintry condition driving, I'm going to second your "meh" and add - these suck in icy winter conditions! On dry pavement they're quiet. On wet roads they're decent. If I didn't live in Vermont, I'd give them better than "meh."

I only run winter tires on my wife's car, and have been through quite a few ATs on my other vehicles. The Goodyear Duratracs were quite decent on a few F150s. General Grabbers were excellent on my Super Duty. Those were my favorites.

Thinking about the Mickey Bajas for the GX next. The local Tacoma guys on similar lifts love some Coopers.

P.S. For people who are really in-tune with their driving, a set of tires are just like running shoes. Different miles for different drivers.

 

[Rednexus]

My car had the Toyo Open Countries on it when I bought it. After a few thousand miles and lots of wintry condition driving, I'm going to second your "meh" and add - these suck in icy winter conditions! On dry pavement they're quiet. On wet roads they're decent. If I didn't live in Vermont, I'd give them better than "meh."

I only run winter tires on my wife's car, and have been through quite a few ATs on my other vehicles. The Goodyear Duratracs were quite decent on a few F150s. General Grabbers were excellent on my Super Duty. Those were my favorites.

Thinking about the Mickey Bajas for the GX next. The local Tacoma guys on similar lifts love some Coopers.

P.S. For people who are really in-tune with their driving, a set of tires are just like running shoes. Different miles for different drivers.

Wildpeak AT4Ws have been exceptional in the snow for me. MT and Cooper tires are made by Goodyear. Not my favorite tire brand to say the least.