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Tire reviews & comparisons

Ozmen

Hi Folks. I'm Ozmen, and I work as a tire designer. I understand finding a tire isn't easy, as there are so many variables involved. But with me around, tire selection would never bother you again.

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Michelin Pilot Sport 4s

Pirelli P Zero vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4s

While it's essential to consider all the above aspects, let me still summarize for those in a hurry. Both tires perform admirably in terms of dry performance, but the P Zero comes out ahead in dry braking due to its full-depth sipes on the middle ribs. However, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S offers superior dry handling due to its enhanced understeering and oversteering balance, along with a quicker steering response. On wet roads, the roles are reversed: the Michelin Pilot 4S delivers shorter braking distances while the P Zero boasts superior handling. However, the Pilot Sport 4S also outperforms in hydroplaning resistance. In terms of rolling resistance and fuel efficiency, the P Zero leads due to its lighter structure and shallower tread depth. However, these features also result in quicker wear. Therefore, the Pilot Sport 4S offers a longer tread life. Lastly, when evaluating road comfort, the P Zero is superior in noise reduction due to its smaller tread voids on the shoulders and better absorption of road irregularities. Conversely, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S could use some improvements in this area.

Sumitomo Encounter

Sumitomo Encounter AT vs Encounter HT

The Sumitomo Encounter H/T and A/T tires cater to different performance needs. The Encounter H/T, with its optimized tread design, provides superior traction on paved roads, resulting in improved on-road comfort, better fuel efficiency, and longer tread life. On the other hand, the Sumitomo Encounter A/T shines in off-road conditions across various terrains. It delivers impressive tread durability, especially for Light Truck (LT) sizes. And its all-season compound also offers enhanced winter traction in deeper terrains, making it a versatile choice for those who frequently traverse off-road paths.

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A T

Mickey Thompson Baja Legend EXP vs Baja Boss A/T

In conclusion, both the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T and Baja Legend EXP offer distinct advantages and disadvantages across different terrain types and driving conditions. The Baja Boss A/T stands out for its superior traction in muddy and rocky conditions, owing to its self-cleaning design and numerous ejectors. However, its heavier weight hinders its performance on sandy terrains. The Baja Legend EXP, with its packed shoulder design, encounters difficulties with mud expulsion. Nevertheless, its lightweight structure and smoother edges enhance its performance in sandy conditions. It also offers quieter ride and fuel efficiency due to its harder tread compound. Ultimately, the choice between these two tire models will depend on the specific driving conditions and performance priorities of the individual driver.

Kanati Trail Hog AT

Kanati Trail Hog AT vs Milestar Patagonia XT

The Milestar Patagonia XT proves superior in areas such as: Dry grip, thanks to its interlocking triangular lugs resulting in shorter braking distances. Dry handling, with its closed lateral tread voids enabling quicker lap times. Wet grip, due to numerous sipes and biting edges for improved efficacy. Fuel efficiency and tread life, attributed to the firmness of its lugs reducing bending and energy waste. Winter traction, as its design promotes a better "snowball effect." In contrast, the Kanati Trail Hog stands out in: Mud-filled tracks, with its voided structure and thicker lugs providing superior mud expulsion and paddling. Rock traversing, its softer tread composition and wider groove mouth offering increased biting efficacy. Sandy terrains, with its lighter weight, softer compound, and sidewall lugs aiding in flotation. Fluffier snow traction, as its lug design offers effective scooping abilities. However, despite these strengths, the Kanati's wider grooves lead to more rolling resistance, negatively impacting fuel economy and tread life.

Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ

Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ vs Cooper Discoverer STT Pro

In summing up, both the Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ and Cooper Discoverer STT Pro show exceptional performance across various terrains, each with distinct strengths. The MTZ excels in steering response, fuel efficiency, and wet traction, while the STT Pro shines on muddy, rocky terrains and sandy areas. So what will be your pick?

Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac

Goodyear Duratrac vs Adventure vs Ultraterrain

This analysis focused on evaluating the performance of Goodyear DuraTrac, Wrangler AT Adventure, and UltraTerrain variants. Here all the factors including grip, handling, and performance across varying terrains were examined. The Wrangler AT Adventure demonstrated superior road adhesion and handling due to its specific design features. In other words, its a better on-road tire, with its streamlined longitudinally aligned lugs. The DuraTrac, although under-performed in grip and handling, excelled off-road, performing well in desert and gravelly conditions. Performance in rocky and muddy conditions favored the DuraTrac and UltraTerrain, while snow performance was strongest in the UltraTerrain tire.

Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4

Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 vs BFGoodrich G-force Comp-2 A/S plus

In this comparative analysis between its evident that both tires have their distinct strengths and weaknesses, and that the selection ultimately depends on the driver's specific needs and driving conditions. The Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 exhibits superior performance in the context of dry handling and grip, primarily due to its compact and longitudinally aligned ribs. It also excels in wet traction, courtesy of its specialized tread design and higher number of sipes. Further, its harder rubber composition and lighter weight ensure lower fuel consumption and greater durability. Conversely, the BFGoodrich G-force Comp-2 A/S Plus emerges as the top choice for winter performance, specifically on softer snowy terrains, thanks to its elongated lugs, which also offer a better resistance to hydroplaning. Moreover, the tire special tread compound provides better absorption of road vibrations, contributing to a smoother ride. In the realm of durability, and tread life, both tires offer a warranty for 45k miles, indicating their manufacturer's confidence in their longevity, although the Michelin tire's harder compound and additional structural reinforcements offer it a slight edge. And lastly, for noise reduction, the Michelin tire takes the lead with its advanced pitch sequencing technology. However, the softer compound of the BF Goodrich G-force Comp-2 A/S Plus means it produces a more cushioned ride.

Continental ExtremeContact DWS06

Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 vs DWS06 PLUS

Through extensive testing, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus has showcased a significant performance improvement over its predecessor across various key parameters. It consistently excelled in areas such as dry and wet traction, road comfort, noise reduction, and fuel efficiency. The tire's enhanced dry performance is largely credited to its new-gen compound and robust lugs, while improved siping design and wider lateral grooves augment its wet traction abilities. It further ensures a quieter and more comfortable ride, thanks to its cleverly designed tread voids and prominent notches. Moreover, the newer tire also offers slightly better tread life, and fuel economy.

Atturo Trail Blade XT

Most Aggressive All Terrain Tires

So there you have it. All these tires are mostly considered hybrid, or rugged terrain tires. These tires basically come in between the mud and all terrain. So you can expect better off-road performance, on sand, mud, and rocks, compared to average A/T tires, whereas at the same time, these tires offers superior on-road performance, in terms of dry and wet traction, ride comfort, noise reduction abilities, fuel economy and tread life, compared to M/T tires. Note: Keep in mind, that, I've extensively reviewed each of the tire above in more detail, where you'd note that each of them bring their unique set of strengths (and weaknesses) to the table.

Kanati Mud Hog M/T

Kanati Trail Hog vs Mud Hog

In essence, while many consider the Kanati Trail Hog to be a mud tire, it's not designed for that specific purpose, despite its commendable performance in the category. On the other hand, the Kanati Mud Hog, a truly aggressive mud terrain tire, unsurprisingly surpasses its counterpart in almost all off-road scenarios, especially on mud and rocks. Though on sand, I have both tires similar ratings. All in all, Trail Hog does better on wet, snow, and dry roads, and offers a quieter ride, superior fuel economy, and tread longevity.

Kanati Armor Hog

Kanati Trail Hog AT vs Armor Hog ATX

The Kanati Armor Hog excels in the following areas: Durability: Thanks to its robust sidewall lugs, the Kanati Armor Hog has shown to be more resistant to abuse, particularly punctures. Dry Handling: The Kanati Armor Hog ensures excellent steering response. Its lugs are supported by reinforced foundations that enhance their stability, maintaining their form during cornering. Fuel Usage: Despite being a heavier tire, the Kanati Armor Hog is more energy-efficient, reducing its rolling resistance and channeling energy more effectively into the tire's rotation. Rocky Traction: With triangular lugs and Z-shaped grooves, the Kanati Armor Hog provides grip from various angles, with its sidewall lugs flexing under decreased air pressure for additional lateral traction on rocky terrains. The Kanati Trail Hog A/T performs better in the following aspects: Directional Grip: With its closed central lugs, the Kanati Trail Hog A/T has superior traction while moving straight, offering a better rubber-to-road contact. Wet Grip: The Kanati Trail Hog A/T's dual, full-depth siping design provides more effective traction on wet roads. Mud Traction: The Kanati Trail Hog A/T's design features broader longitudinal grooves and numerous middle biters, making it more efficient at expelling mud and cutting through it. Sand Performance: With a softer tread compound and lighter structural weight, the Kanati Trail Hog A/T performs better on sand surfaces, with its pliable lugs offering superior contact. Winter Traction: The Kanati Trail Hog A/T showcases superior capabilities in various winter terrains and carries a 3 peak mountain snowflake rating. In the case of Tread Wear, both tires showed similar results, neither clearly outperforming the other. And for Hydroplaning, both tires also performed similarly well due to their aggressive tread voids, which help to quickly and efficiently evacuate water.

Kenda Klever AT2

Kenda Klever AT2 vs Kanati Trail Hog

In conclusion, the choice between the Kenda Klever AT2 and the Kanati Trail Hog depends on the intended application and driving conditions. I mean both tires have their strengths and weaknesses across different terrains and driving situations. The Kenda Klever AT2 outperforms in wet and dry traction, with its superior siping providing an excellent grip on moist roadways and improved handling. Furthermore, it performs better in wintry conditions, specifically on hard-packed snow, and offers superior fuel economy due to its lighter weight and tightly packed tread voids. This tire also provides a more comfortable ride on smooth pavement and shows excellent traction on soft sand, making it ideal for most road driving conditions and desert performance. On the other hand, the Kanati Trail Hog shines in challenging off-road conditions. Its robust sidewalls and abundance of biters make it an excellent choice for rock climbing. Moreover, its aggressive tread voids and thicker lugs provide superior performance in muddy conditions and deep snow terrains. Although it consumes more fuel due to its aggressive tread voids and higher weight, it offers excellent off-road impact absorption abilities and performs better on rugged terrains.

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