When you’re comparing the Toyo Open Country RT Trail and the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T, it’s like looking at two heavyweights in the tire world, each with its own set of strengths. But which is the heavyweight champion here? Well let’s find out.
Table of Contents
Main Takeaway Here
Toyo Open Country RT Trail (review) excels in:
- Enhanced lateral grip and steering response.
- Effective mud traction.
- Superior hydroplaning resistance.
- Better performance on sandy dunes.
Mickey Baja Boss A/T (review), on the other side, excels in:
- Improved dry longitudinal grip.
- Excellent traction on rocks and gravel.
- Outstanding wet traction.
- Superior winter performance.
- Versatile off-road capabilities.
Tread Structure
The Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T features an asymmetrical tread design, comprising of 4 ribs, (or block columns).
The central 2 ribs, prominently make pretty three wide enough circumferential grooves interconnected with each other, connecting to the outer shoulder voids.
The central 2 ribs are very similar to each other, where lugs are seen with a lot of off-set, and sharp, chamfered edges, along with full depth siping.
Though one of these ribs, also feature additional longitudinal and lateral slits, acting as in-groove notches adding to the tire’s asymmetric tread design.
Moving towards shoulders, you get elongated lugs here, with similar siping, and off-set edges just like the middle.
Though these lugs have wider grooves in between with a lot of triangular shaped stone ejectors.
Moreover, each of these lug is staggered on itself, and they connect towards sidewalls forming very aggressive sidewall lugs.
On the other side, the Toyo Open Country RT Trail offers a relatively more open symmetrical tread pattern.
The tire’s tread design clearly delineates the central region from the shoulder ribs, using wide circumferential grooves.
These grooves, along with the interlocking central independent blocks, ensure that both sides are connected, enhancing the tire’s ability to efficiently clear mud and dirt.
These central lugs feature notches facing in all directions, and linear siping joining them.
Moreover, their structure is reinforced by a secondary, stiffer rubber layer beneath, contributing significantly to the tire’s stability when driven on-road.
Towards the edges, the tire features distinctly squared-off shoulder blocks.
These blocks are relatively simple in their tread design, primarily characterized by linear sipes. However, they compensate for this simplicity with prominent mud scoops and adequately designed sidewall lugs.
And while these sidewall lugs are effective, they are somewhat less aggressive compared to those found on the Baja Boss A/T.
Info on Sizes
The Toyo Open Country R/T Trail comes in 16 to 24 inches rims, having following specs.
- Total sizes: 47.
- Speed ratings: Q, R, S and T.
- Load ratings: SL, XL, C, D, E and F.
- Tread depth range: 13.5 to 16.9/32″.
- Weight range: 43 to 98 lbs.
- Tread warranty: 45k miles.
- Not rated with 3PMSFR, only M+S available.
- UTQG: 600 A B.
On the other hand, the Baja Boss A/T provides 15 to 24 inches rims, with following specs.
- Total sizes: 59.
- Speed ratings: Q and T.
- Load ratings: SL, XL, D, E and F.
- Tread Depth: Sizes seen with either 16 or 18.5/32″.
- Weight range: 36 lbs to 90 lbs.
- 60k miles warranty for non LT sizes, while 50k miles for LT sizes.
- Sizes having below 12.5″ section width have 3PMSF along with M+S.
- UTQG: 600 A B.
Also both tires have 2 ply sidewalls on their P metric, and 3 ply on LT sizes.
Side Note: Out of both tires, the Baja Boss A/T is the only tire here, added to my list of top all-terrain tires.
Wet Performance
Wet performance for tires involves two main aspects: wet traction and hydroplaning resistance.
Now, here, while achieving wet traction isn’t usually a big challenge for rugged-terrain tires, hydroplaning resistance can be tricky, especially with heavier vehicles.
Let’s take a look at both of these aspects.
Wet Traction
One common issue with off-road tires is their low siping ratio, which often hampers wet traction. (Basically lower siping density allow for better chip resistance off-road, so these tires have to find the right balance here.)
And this is what sets Baja Boss A/T apart from the crowd, as the tire besides offering superb cut resistance, also provides you with all-season-tire like siping.
All these zigzag-shaped sipes, the tire has, also extend down (in tread) pretty deep and maintain their flexibility and effectiveness, especially, during abrupt braking or sharp turns.
While most water gets out through groove, the remaining come under the lugs, and is squeezed into those siping slits, drying up the road further, allowing rubber/biters to grip and make contact properly.
In contrast, the Open Country RT Trail is somewhat lacking.
It’s got fewer sipes, and the rubber’s stiffer, so the sipes it does have aren’t as flexible. Because of this, the Toyo tire doesn’t grip as well in wet conditions compared to Mickey’s A/T.
Side Note: Out of all the A/T tires I’ve reviewed, the Wildpeak AT3w, provides you with the best overall wet traction. Review this tire here: https://tiredriver.com/falken-wildpeak-at3w-review/
Aquaplaning Resistance
Now, hydroplaning resistance is all about, how well a tire can remove water from its tread to prevent floating.
And here, the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT performs admirably with its straightforward three longitudinal channels, connected to wider lateral grooves between the shoulder lugs, allowing for efficient water expulsion in all directions.
Though if we’re splitting hairs, the Toyo RT Trail has a bit of an edge. This is because, its grooves are more interconnected, thanks to how the lugs are arranged. Each lug is set up independently, making the water flow better.
I mean, the Mickey Thompson has lugs arranged more like you’d see on regular road tires, with their longitudinally oriented designs.
Dry Longitudinal Grip
So this grip is tire’s linear traction, which, if I give you an example, comes most in action of straight highways.
And since its a directional metric, it depends on the tread’s footprint (especially form the middle), and is measured by braking distances, when stopped from a particular speed, (I use 40 mph for hybrids).
Now, the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T is a better tire here. It’s got more rubber tightly packed in the center for better contact with the road. Plus, it’s loaded with extra biters, arranged both lengthwise and across (check out the section on tread design for more on this).
You’d note that its design’s a bit asymmetrical, but the key thing is, all lugs on two central ribs get lined up, parallel to the tire’s circumference, providing traction. This setup basically gives this tire a solid edge in terms of directional grip.
On the other hand, the Toyo RT Trail doesn’t quite measure up here, as its middle part is more spaced out and doesn’t have as many biters. And yes, its lugs aren’t as streamlined either.
Overall Handling
Overall handling in tires boils down to two main aspects: lateral grip and steering response.
Lateral Grip
Lateral grip is crucial for cornering “ability”, and is significantly influenced by the shoulder lugs. The way these lugs engage with the road, particularly during turns, when the vehicle’s weight shifts to the sides, is key.
Now out of both tires, the Toyo RT Trial shines in this area, with its shoulder lugs offering better/greater surface area for road contact.
Basically, they are closely packed for one, and have minimal features on them, allowing for uninterrupted interaction with the road.
In contrast, the Mickey Thompson A/T struggles a bit. It has broader gaps around its shoulder lugs, and the extensive siping and notching reduce the shoulder’s contact with the road, detracting from its handling capabilities.
Steering Response
Steering response is about the tire’s reactivity to driver inputs. And here, typically, rugged terrain tires have more lag compared to less aggressive all-terrain tires due to their heavier build, often leading to under-steering in sharp turns.
Having said that, although both of these boys here aren’t light (in weight), by any means, the Open Country RT Trail still manages to provides better overall performance, as evidenced in my slalom time tests.
Why does it perform better?
Well, let’s consider high-speed highway driving. If you’ve ever driven a heavy-duty, high-torque vehicle, you might have experienced a “floating” sensation during fast turns.
This sensation is more pronounced with the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T, comparatively. Whereas the RT Trail with its stiffer sidewalls, maintains stability and reliability in turns.
Side Note: The newer Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac R/T, outperforms both of these tires, in terms of steering response. Check this tire here: https://tiredriver.com/new-goodyear-duratrac-rt-review/
Winter Performance
Off-road tires are really stepping up their game in winter conditions, taking cues from winter tires.
They’re made with softer materials now to stay flexible even when it’s super cold. Plus, they’ve got these special notches and sipes that latch onto snow, which is great for snow-on-snow grip.
Now, the Baja Boss A/T comes in those tires, providing you with 3 peak mountain snowflake rating, unlike the Toyo RT Trail.
Mickey’s tire comes with a rubber composition, which is basically, designed to stay soft even in freezing conditions, which is key for maintaining grip.
Also, the tire is generally narrower, which means those aggressive bits on the tire (the biters) can push down harder on the snow, improving traction.
This is important because this way, tire with its plenty of biters, and siping, is able to provide decent snow-on-snow contact. And since snow sticks better on itself, compared to rubber, it provides you with better traction.
And yes, having said that, it now would make sense why the wider Baja Boss sizes that go over 12.5 inches in width don’t have the 3PMSF (3 Peak Mountain Snowflake) ratings.
Now, the Toyo RT Trail isn’t able to provide as good of a traction as Baja Boss A/T, though the tire still provides decent results on deeper terrains.
The tire is actually pretty great at moving excess snow out of the way, and pushing snow backwards, generating forward momentum, in result.
Side Note: If you wish to learn more about A/T tires’ performance on snow, you should check out: https://tiredriver.com/are-all-terrain-tires-good-in-snow/
Off-Road Traction
Off-roading takes you through a mix of terrains, and each one demands something different from your tires. Let’s discuss them all one by one.
On Sandy Dunes
Navigating sand can be a bit of a puzzle, as this terrain not only requires unique driving skills, but also the right kind of tires, to avoid sinking, or I should say, getting stuck, (as its the same thing.)
Now here, you obviously need lightweight-designed tires, with lugs that can paddle or scoop, and provide a good enough footprint, to distribute its overall weight evenly. In other words, you need tires that can float better, especially when it comes to deeper sandy dunes.
Having said that, the Toyo RT Trial gets to have a slight upper hand here, primarily due to its sand-optimized sidewall lugs.
With lowered air pressure, these lugs on Open Country, basically, spread out more effectively giving you better control and stability, even though this tire is a bit on the heavier side.
Though don’t count out the Mickey Baja Boss A/T. It’s no slouch in sandy conditions either. I mean it also offers solid floating abilities, and have powerful rim locks, allowing you to safely reduce air pressure for improved grip.
For Your Info: Learn more about all terrain tires’ performance on sand here: https://tiredriver.com/are-all-terrain-tires-good-on-sand/
On Muddy Trails
Mud is a tough one. You need tires with plenty of cleaning grooves to stop them from getting clogged up. Both tires we’re looking at are pretty good in mud, but the Toyo RT Trail edges out slightly.
Even with a bit less tread depth, the Toyo’s tire delivers better mud traction, as its lug design offers better connectivity between the central grooves, creating spacious channels.
Moreover, its design toward the outer edges is also better optimized for scooping mud. I mean, although its sidewalls aren’t as aggressive as the Baja Boss A/T, they still do a good job at throwing back mud and moving the tire forward.
Speaking of which, the Mickey Thompson is not bad here at all.
The tire offers powerful grooves too, going every which way and features multiple stone ejectors, which are great for breaking down mud so it can be cleared out easier.
And yes, the tire’s deeper tread also helps mud flow out.
On Rocks
When you’re hitting rocky trails, you really need tires that can take a beating and grip like there’s no tomorrow.
And this is where the Baja Boss A/T comes into the spotlight. Actually, this tire is a bit of a rock star here, literally.
It provides superb traction with its deeper and more angular in-groove notches, that chew rocky surfaces more easily (in comparison), thanks to its softer tread compound.
What really sets this tire apart, though, are its aggressive sidewalls. I mean, the V-shaped lugs there, deliver outstanding traction, particularly when you deflate the tires.
On the other hand, while the Toyo RT Trail also has its merits, with plenty of notches for multi-directional grip, it somehow falls short in instilling that same level of confidence.
The biggest difference, however, becomes evident on gravel roads, where the Baja Boss A/T excels with its numerous stone ejectors, enhancing handling and preventing gravel from getting lodged.
Though, on the downside, it doesn’t quite match the Toyo in terms of chip resistance, but that’s a small trade-off for its superior performance.
To Conclude
So we have some really mixed results overall. Speaking of Baja Boss A/T first, this tire provides great dry braking, with solid rocky terrain experience.
Though its main highlighting feature is its overall wet traction, where its performance is even comparable to less aggressive A/T tires out there, thanks to its all-season-like siping and silica rich composition.
But yes, overall hydroplaning resistance is better on its counterpart, still.
Moreover, the tire also does great in winter conditions, which makes sense as its the only one here with 3pmsf rating.
Moving towards Toyo RT Trail, this tire provides you with better lateral grip and steering feedback on dry roads, even though it lacks in braking department.
And although its wet traction is very lacking, the tire interestingly still manages to provide good enough aquaplaning resistance, in comparison.
Though it truly shines off road on mud and sand, as the tire is basically designed well for traction on softer terrain types.
