Best LT AT Tires in 2025

[re_guderian]

...Took the FJ55 from Bremerton around the Sound to Seattle to join the REI Coop in 1980 it wasn't the flagship store then it was THE store...

I started shopping there as a kid in 1979, the store with the wood cobble floor, and the pass-throughs to another building. Loved it. Bought my snow shoes, backpack and tent from Eddy Bauer before they went clothing-only.

We'll have to move this to the boot thread in chat, but I've given the whole "ankle support" (along with arch support) a re-think, and gone minimalist. My arches ARE my support (and mechanical engineering would agree), and I've strengthened the crap out of my ankles. We've bought into some serious marketing. We all know that immobilization for support leads to muscle atrophy (think long-term casting of joints/bones), yet we eat it up for feet. Hardcore mountaineering aside, where you need support for crampons, kick-stepping, heel plunging, etc. But for general hiking, let your feet move (after strengthening them).

And I'm a believer in the Falken AT3W's in C-load 275/70/17. Had way, way, way too many flats on BFG AT KO2's to ever go back to those. A tire's main purpose is to hold air, after all.

And here's a C-load Falkens wrapping around a rock...

 

[K Dub]

Thanks for the info. I need a good climbing / mountaineering boot with hood ankle support that's not Chinesium. I've already got arthritis and I roll my ankles too easy as well.

On the left are the Raichle boots that took me to the summit of Whitney, as well as dozens of other peaks across the West. They literally don't make 'em like they used to, so don't bother looking for them. I lived in those things for about a decade. On the right are the Zamberlan boots that replaced them. Now those are a decade old, but still relatively fresh because they don't get as much use. I'll wear light hikers, or even trail runners pretty often. Especially when hiking with my 8 year old, it's a helpful handicap to remember her abilities aren't in par with an adult's. But when the going gets rough, I need a decent boot. They're heavy, and sweaty, and have saved my life more times than I can count.

 

[Cold Iron]

If you're concerned about MPG then the Falkens are not the way to go. Those extra 10# per corner hurt more than you think.

You can offset the weight with the wheels that is what I did. Of course you can get even better mpg with both lighter tires and lighter wheels. From my notes last year comparing with what it came with and what I ended up with:

Defender 265/60/18 37 lbs. 110T SL 30.5”
AT3W 265/70/17 46.5 lbs. 115T SL 31.7” (9.5 pounds heavier)

Stock wheels 32 lbs.
TRD Pro wheels 25 lbs. (7 pounds lighter)

Shooting heated 5 stand last year I monitored my mpg after each change, wheels & tires, bumper cut and sliders. I had no real change in gas mileage driving the same 75.5 mile trip each way before and after each mod

Before-

After-

Now if I could only get that in town or towing....

 

[cfsds]

Has anyone considered the just-launched Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent? They're lightweight in both P-metric and LT varieties (under 40 and 50 lbs, respectively), and appear to have (at least visually) very good snow performance from all the sipes.

 

[Roody]

Has anyone considered the just-launched Bridgestone Dueler A/T Ascent? They're lightweight in both P-metric and LT varieties (under 40 and 50 lbs, respectively), and appear to have (at least visually) very good snow performance from all the sipes.

Unfortunately it looks like 285/70/17 is the largest size they offer for 17s, but 54# for an E-rated 285 is pretty light

 

[Banandalorian]

Definitely focused more on the road than any other terrain, but assuming the tread compound is good the tread design looks like it would be good in the snow.

 

[r2m]

I believe it was E rated boots with sidewall strength for your ankles. You are onto something there. Mountaineering boots have always had stiff sidewalls since I can recall and the originals we used to call waffle stompers. Normally made in Italy and some of the best still are.

From the 70's until ~25 years ago I wore Vasque Sundowners everywhere. Then Red Wing who owns Vasque moved production to China and they went to hell in a handbasket. 8 years ago I rolled my ankle badly in the woods and ended up bone on bone grinding in my left ankle and now degenerative arthritis in it. Ended up at Mayo Clinic Sports Med and they build custom orthotics for me along with cortisone and platelet replacement therapy injections. My days of busting brush for 10-12 miles a day and side hilling are in my rear view mirror.

I can only get 5-6 miles a day in with the right boots. Which are Crispi mountain boots and only the models with A.B.S.S. Ankle Bone Support Support System. They are marketed to sheep, goat and elk hunters. I live in them all year and all day.

When the ankle gets really bad I will switch to Kenetrek Eversteps which are the Mountain Extreme with fiberglass ankle support braces developed for veterans with foot damage. They are considered durable medical equipment so get a pair once a year through insurance but the Kenetrek last doesn't fit my feet quite as well as the Crispi do. Close but not as good.

All of the above are made in Italy.



View attachment 3733997
Took the FJ55 from Bremerton around the Sound to Seattle to join the REI Coop in 1980 it wasn't the flagship store then it was THE store.

Good wool socks with wicking socks under them help a lot with the heat even though it doesn't sound right it works. Can't help on the weight but eventually you get used to them at least I did. Rocker soles help also but they can take awhile to get used to them. Once I did love me some good rocker soles.

Ha-ha-ha! We've gone from AT tires to AT boots!
I climbed in these with Vibram soles: I've been wearing these Merrell's decades! As they wear out, I think I've had at least 4 or 5 pairs of them.

Considering we did Mt. Whitney in one day, hitting the trail head about 0300 and returning back to camp somewhere around 1900 hrs. It would have been sooner but had to slow down for my Dad and go at his pace. He did it the day before his 74th birthday!
Wearing these trail runners, is a lot easier when you're not doing a multi day climb with a light day pack. If I were doing it over a weekend, I'd have worn boots with ankle support for all the extra backpacking weight.

Tip for those who want to do this, primarily for a one day up and back. I've done this for 2 separate climes on the Whitney and it works:

1. First, you have to get a permit for the day/s you'll be climbing. Seeing and Climbing Mt. Whitney - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (U.S. National Park Service) - https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/whitney.htm There are only so many permits per season and many don't get the day/s they want to climb. When you apply, you're given the opportunity to write down about 5 more dates if you can't get the one you want.
2. Now this is the "tip" that I use: plan your climb just after school starts in the Fall, early to mid September. Most folks will be done with all their vacation and time off till the holidays. Doing this helps preserves the experience without crowds. Doing this, you're not going to feel like you're on a cattle trail with a thousand of your closest friends on the trail, all at the same time.
3. Select your climbing day on a Monday. Go home on Tuesday.
4. Arrive and camp at Whitney Portal on Friday or early Saturday to climatize over the next several days. Enjoy the fishing and the huge pancakes that hang over the plate at the little restaurant/gift shop there.
5. Saturday and Sunday, do some hikes up the trail several miles to get your lungs and legs ready. Don't worry that the date of your permit is for Monday if you're just doing climatizing for Monday.
6. Monday: drink a liter/32 oz of water at your camp before you start. Start before 0300. AND keep drinking! It will help with not getting altitude sickness.
7. When hiking, find a pace that can be maintained. DO NOT rest every 5 or 10 minutes! If you are, then you're hiking too fast. You should only need a couple of rests, one being for lunch.
8. Lunch on the trail: bring something moist, e.g. tuna salad with lots of mayo, chicken salad, again lots of mayo. You don't a dry sandwich/lunch.
9. STAY HYDRATED!

 

[K Dub]

Ha-ha-ha! We've gone from AT tires to AT boots!
I climbed in these with Vibram soles: I've been wearing these Merrell's decades! As they wear out, I think I've had at least 4 or 5 pairs of them.
View attachment 3734259
Considering we did Mt. Whitney in one day, hitting the trail head about 0300 and returning back to camp somewhere around 1900 hrs. It would have been sooner but had to slow down for my Dad and go at his pace. He did it the day before his 74th birthday!
Wearing these trail runners, is a lot easier when you're not doing a multi day climb with a light day pack. If I were doing it over a weekend, I'd have worn boots with ankle support for all the extra backpacking weight.

Tip for those who want to do this, primarily for a one day up and back. I've done this for 2 separate climes on the Whitney and it works:

1. First, you have to get a permit for the day/s you'll be climbing. Seeing and Climbing Mt. Whitney - Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (U.S. National Park Service) - https://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/whitney.htm There are only so many permits per season and many don't get the day/s they want to climb. When you apply, you're given the opportunity to write down about 5 more dates if you can't get the one you want.
2. Now this is the "tip" that I use: plan your climb just after school starts in the Fall, early to mid September. Most folks will be done with all their vacation and time off till the holidays. Doing this helps preserves the experience without crowds. Doing this, you're not going to feel like you're on a cattle trail with a thousand of your closest friends on the trail, all at the same time.
3. Select your climbing day on a Monday. Go home on Tuesday.
4. Arrive and camp at Whitney Portal on Friday or early Saturday to climatize over the next several days. Enjoy the fishing and the huge pancakes that hang over the plate at the little restaurant/gift shop there.
5. Saturday and Sunday, do some hikes up the trail several miles to get your lungs and legs ready. Don't worry that the date of your permit is for Monday if you're just doing climatizing for Monday.
6. Monday: drink a liter/32 oz of water at your camp before you start. Start before 0300. AND keep drinking! It will help with not getting altitude sickness.
7. When hiking, find a pace that can be maintained. DO NOT rest every 5 or 10 minutes! If you are, then you're hiking too fast. You should only need a couple of rests, one being for lunch.
8. Lunch on the trail: bring something moist, e.g. tuna salad with lots of mayo, chicken salad, again lots of mayo. You don't a dry sandwich/lunch.
9. STAY HYDRATED!

It's a harmless threadjack. If I ever start a thread about tire spare tire placement or opinions on a roof rack, feel free to highjack that one too. Jake felt so bad about this thread he's changed his name and gone into witness protection.

Your Merrils look similar to a good pair of Danner light hikers that I had recently. I go through a pair every year or so, and I'm currently on some Oboz that I don't think I like as much. For me, the deciding factor is weight: If I'm carrying any more than a day pack with a picnic lunch, I break out the boots. With 50-70lbs on my back, there's no question about footwear. That's where the Zamberlans come alive, as if they've optimized the boots for 300lbs instead of just body normal weight, they actually get more comfortable the more weight I pile on.

Agree on all your points above. My best advice for climbing Whitney is, "don't." Almost any other peak in the range can give you thrills and views equal to Whitney without all the hullabaloo. The traffic to the summit is 24hrs/day, thanks to you 3am start sickos, so if you do sleep at Trail Camp like I did you can expect people tripping over your tent lines and shouting all night. It felt like going to a popular sporting event, and in a way it was, but that's not what I'm looking for in the mountains.

Meanwhile, just a few miles to the South, Mt. Langley sits over 14k feet with an easier approach and very little traffic. Just saying.

 

[Rednexus]

Thanks for the advice. I'd still like to bag Whitney, but probably during the offseason. Our recent trip to CO was just after Labor Day. There were still quite a few people out there, but nowhere near as many as in July when we normally go. The 14er we did - Handies Peak - selected as it's the easiest in the San Juans and I had a group of folks with me who had never done a 14er before - was still pretty packed (20+ ppl summiting), despite being located ~20 miles of 4x4 trail and dirt road in from pavement.

Still, there is something a bit more appealing about climbing a white granite mountain in a sculpted alpine environment instead of something that's made of brown and loose volcanic rock.

FYI, you guys are really loaded up with 50-70#! I've been out for 13 days before and my pack was at 42# with water. October hiking here in the Ozarks so we were able to leave the real cold-weather gear at home.

 

[r2m]

Agree on all your points above. My best advice for climbing Whitney is, "don't." Almost any other peak in the range can give you thrills and views equal to Whitney without all the hullabaloo. The traffic to the summit is 24hrs/day, thanks to you 3am start sickos, so if you do sleep at Trail Camp like I did you can expect people tripping over your tent lines and shouting all night. It felt like going to a popular sporting event, and in a way it was, but that's not what I'm looking for in the mountains.

My point exactly, I go for the experience, not to do a cattle trail with people getting altitude sickness, blisters, dehydrating, not bringing the right clothing or not bringing layers, and the list goes on, as they sit blocking the trail. Going soon after school starts and doing the climb on a Monday, will 99.9% guarantee you your first choice date on your permit and minimal traffic. I did on both my permit requests!

Still, there is something a bit more appealing about climbing a white granite mountain in a sculpted alpine environment instead of something that's made of brown and loose volcanic rock.

I felt the same way about the "moon scape" feeling when I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2005. It was all volcanic and I felt like I was walking on the moon, especially since I was the only one on the team that didn't take Diamox. I felt like I had a wee bit of a hangover at summit, 19,341 feet.
Agree with you, love being in the Sierra's and even the Rockies, (although I have not had a chance to spend much time in the Rockies) with the pine and granite.

 

[K Dub]

Thanks for the advice. I'd still like to bag Whitney, but probably during the offseason. Our recent trip to CO was just after Labor Day. There were still quite a few people out there, but nowhere near as many as in July when we normally go. The 14er we did - Handies Peak - selected as it's the easiest in the San Juans and I had a group of folks with me who had never done a 14er before - was still pretty packed (20+ ppl summiting), despite being located ~20 miles of 4x4 trail and dirt road in from pavement.
View attachment 3734318
Still, there is something a bit more appealing about climbing a white granite mountain in a sculpted alpine environment instead of something that's made of brown and loose volcanic rock.

FYI, you guys are really loaded up with 50-70#! I've been out for 13 days before and my pack was at 42# with water. October hiking here in the Ozarks so we were able to leave the real cold-weather gear at home.

I'm typically around 45lbs for solo trips, the most I've shouldered was 70lbs and it kicked my butt. It was a bigger group, and I had the "young back" and so played Sherpa for the team. Either way, the Zamberlans are real stiff unless you load up some. They're sort of like the OME "J" springs I had on my 80 series: too stiff and stinkbug stanced when empty, but just right with a heavy load in the back.

I grew up in the front range around 9000ft elevation, and the Colorado Rockies will always be my home range. I've hiked and summited peaks in every state west of Nebraska. But there's something special about the Sierras. John Muir said, "of all the mountain ranges I have climbed, I like the Sierra Nevada the best." He seemed to know his stuff, and the quote has borne out in my experience too.

 

[rav8]

At one time I convinced myself that I could do anything in a pair of polished G.I. jungles. For a long time it was trail/cross trainer sneakers. Finally I settled on Rainbow sandals and Minnetonka slippers. Always had Falkens on my Toyotas.

 

[r2m]

At one time I convinced myself that I could do anything in a pair of polished G.I. jungles. For a long time it was trail/cross trainer sneakers. Finally I settled on Rainbow sandals and Minnetonka slippers. Always had Falkens on my Toyotas.

Ha-ha! We live about 1.5 miles from Rainbow sandals original factory. Now that is the store and they've moved manufacturing up the street. I've been wearing them since the mid 1970's.
Summer time, my wife and I get tan lines from the straps of the sandals, we wear them so often. We usually won't put shoes on till late October/early November unless we're wheel'n and hike'n.

 

[WTITW]

Jake felt so bad about this thread he's changed his name and gone into witness protection.

Nah, just got bored with you all talking about shoes. Now here’s 1000 words on why I swear by Low-top waterproof hikers:

I like them. (Im better with jokes than math)

 

[Arailt]

I've logged thousands of miles in Lowa Renegades since 2011. Probably on my 5th pair at this point, and I replace them when the Gore-Tex develops holes and they start leaking. They are super-light, easy to break in, and enough ankle support to handle really rocky terrain around here as well as loaded, multi-day backpacking trips as well. They also do a good job in hot weather and my feet still stay warm when I'm hiking in the teens around here. In my late 20s and early 30s I'd knock out 20 mile days - often with a pack on - no problem. Now at 40 it's harder to find that much time to hike, but I still had no problems making it up a CO 14er a few weeks ago. I do use trekking poles exclusively, even when just day hiking, as they make a huge difference.

I love my Lowa Renegades. I've had them for years. Wore them all the time in PA. Now in TX, I wear them in the "winter months."


I also have Scarpa Kenisis Pros for backpacking. They're a little rigid for everyday, but a great boot. Made in Italy.

 

[Rednexus]

I love my Lowa Renegades. I've had them for years. Wore them all the time in PA. Now in TX, I wear them in the "winter months."


I also have Scarpa Kenisis Pros for backpacking. They're a little rigid for everyday, but a great boot. Made in Italy.

I don't know what I'll do when they stop making them. Right now I have 2 pairs - one I'm wearing and a pair I bought when I thought I had lost a pair. Luckily the lost pair showed up, giving me a spare pair. I can usually get 3-4 years out of them, depending on how much I'm hiking. They are much better with Superfeet insoles in them, which usually last me through 2 pairs of boots .

 

[Arailt]

I don't know what I'll do when they stop making them. Right now I have 2 pairs - one I'm wearing and a pair I bought when I thought I had lost a pair. Luckily the lost pair showed up, giving me a spare pair. I can usually get 3-4 years out of them, depending on how much I'm hiking. They are much better with Superfeet insoles in them, which usually last me through 2 pairs of boots .

Stop making them?? They're easily the most comfortable shoes/boots I've ever owned. Lightweight, flexible, supportive, durable. Say it ain't so. I'm going to have to stock up if they do.

 

[Rednexus]

Stop making them?? They're easily the most comfortable shoes/boots I've ever owned. Lightweight, flexible, supportive, durable. Say it ain't so. I'm going to have to stock up if they do.

I have no idea if the will! Considering that I've been wearing them for 13 years, they are approaching even Toyota's schedule for model updates . To you point, I might proactively grab another pair next time I see them on sale somewhere.

 

[VentoGT]

The dealer had put brand new Michelin LTX on it and the ass end slid sideways pulling into the driveway on the first snow.

I hate the LTX on our Sequoia and can't wait until they are worn enough to warrant replacement. They are garbage even in light rain the ass end slides everywhere. Terrible in snow

 

[r2m]

I hate the LTX on our Sequoia and can't wait until they are worn enough to warrant replacement. They are garbage even in light rain the ass end slides everywhere. Terrible in snow

But seriously ... can you tell us how you really feel about them??