Like Jeep’s iconic, storied Wrangler SUV, the company’s new Gladiator pickup is a supremely capable off-roader – assuming you have the right set of Jeep Gladiator tires, that is. The Gladiator Rubicon comes from the factory fitted with Falken WildPeak AT3W all-terrains as standard, while Falken’s WildPeak M/T tire is available as an option. Both are perfectly capable, competent 33” tires with a 285mm section width, but depending on what sort of terrain you’re up against, there’s always room for improvement.
If you’re starting with a Gladiator Sport, Sport S, or Overland, there’s even more room to grow with a new set of Jeep Gladiator tires. Those models ship with 31.5” or 32” all-season tires by default, with a 245mm or 255mm section width. Same-sized all-terrain tires are an extra-cost option.
So, what size and variety Jeep Gladiator tires are right for your ride? That depends on your goals, model, and modifications. Regarding sizing, Gladiator Sport, Sport S, and Overland models can usually accommodate 285/70R17 tires with no modifications, although having the Max Tow package, which includes Rubicon-width front and rear axles, makes things a bit easier. Big 35-inch tires will fit Jeep Gladiator Rubicon models from the factory, although some rubbing should be expected without a lift of one to two inches. Your truck should be raised even more to accommodate 37-inch Jeep Gladiator tires. It’s a good idea to do your research and check in with other owners if you plan on upsizing your tires.
As for what variety of tire to fit, well, that’s somewhere we can be of some service. Here, we’ve put together a list of the best Jeep Gladiator tires on the market, in no particular order, with a selection of all-terrain and mud-terrain tires to suit all manner of terrain.
Table of contents
1. Editors Choice - BFGoodrich T/A KO2
Legendary in the truck community for their everyday usability and superb all-terrain performance, a set of BFGoodrich T/A KO2s makes for some excellent tires for your Gladiator. The BFGoodrich T/A KO2 delivers exceptional off-road performance with an uncommonly long tread life and good on-road manners thanks to its specially formulated long-wear compound and a stable interlocking tread design. Many a customer has gotten several years and tens of thousands of miles out of these tires, with little tread wear to show for it, and with a split- and bruise-resistant sidewall, a serrated shoulder for maneuverability in soft dirt and snow, stone ejectors, and mud-phobic bars that help reject compacted mud, that longevity doesn’t come at the expense of off-road-worthy features.
2. Best Mud Specific Tire - Pro Comp Xtreme M/T2
Designed as an extremely aggressive tire, the Pro Comp Xtreme M/T2 is a mud-terrain radial that means business, with triple-ply construction for terrific sidewall puncture-resistance and an open, self-cleaning mud-terrain tread optimized using sophisticated computer modeling for excellent grip and control without being too noisy for the street. As a matter of fact, it may not look it, but the Pro Comp Xtreme M/T2 is perfectly well-suited for everyday use, with enough stability and load-resistance to be safe at highway speeds, and a 40,000-mile tread wear warranty. It’s one of the most advanced off-road tires out there, bar none.
3. Best Desert Terrain Tire - Mickey Thompson Baja ATZP3
There’s a difference between a “compromise” and a “hybrid”; a “compromise” leaves everyone wanting for more. As Jeep Gladiator tires go, the Baja ATZP3 doesn’t have that problem, as Mickey Thompson’s boundless tire expertise has resulted in a true all-terrain/mud-terrain hybrid, with scalloped shoulder lugs and sidewall biters for proper mud-terrain performance, 3-ply sidewalls for strength and puncture-resistance, and a hybrid all-terrain/mud-terrain tread design developed for all-around performance. A silica-reinforced tread compound gives the Baja ATZP3 excellent wet performance and longevity, and the tires ship with a 45,000-mile limited warranty.
4. Kanati Trail Hog
Even some of the names you might not know can be classified as some of the best Jeep Gladiator tires, and Kanati is a brand that falls into that category. While not as known as BFG or Toyo, Kanati makes some great tires and their Trail Hog is one of the best all terrain tires you can mount up on your Jeep Gladiator. The Trail Hog features an aggressive angled tread design that provides superior traction for increased handling, both on and off road, and braking. The Trail Hog also features a 3-ply sidewall construction for great durability and puncture resistance when you decided to explore the path less traveled. One of the great things about this brand being a little less known is that you’ll likely pay a little less than many of the others as well.
5. Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac
Another popular, solid all-terrain tire with everyday usability, the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac earns its stripes with a rugged, durable compound specially formulated to resist chipping and chunking on-road, off-road, and even while towing – an invaluable asset if you’re relying on your Gladiator as a do-everything vacation-mobile. They also feature a unique symmetrical tread design with thousands of biting edges and zigzagging sipes, giving the DuraTrac outstanding performance on loose terrain, including even severe snow.
6. Dick Cepek Extreme Country
Looking for maximum off-road traction from your Jeep Gladiator tires? You may have just found it, from legendary off-road-tire manufacturer Dick Cepek: the Extreme Country. Right away you’ll notice the Extreme country’s aggressive-looking tread and its stone-ejecting tread grooves, wide outer voids, and angled shoulder scallops, all of which help make it an adept mud and rock tire. At the same time, the tread blocks are tightly packed to provide an adequate contact patch and a relatively quiet, well-mannered ride on the road, making the Dick Cepek Extreme Country a mud-terrain tire you can take just about anywhere.
7. Nitto Trail Grappler
Looking for a set of high-performance mud-terrain Jeep Gladiator tires that you can live with on a daily basis? The Nitto Trail Grappler was designed using 3D computer simulations to optimize the size, shape, and position of the tread blocks for a comparatively quiet highway cruise. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s not a serious mud tire. The Trail Grappler features a truly aggressive tread design with big blocks and plenty of void area for self-cleaning, shoulder grooves and deep center sipes developed for extra off-road and all-weather performance, and 3-ply sidewalls with two different lug designs.
8. Firestone Destination M/T2
Firestone’s Destination M/T2 is a go-anywhere maximum-traction off-road tire par excellence, and they make for great Jeep Gladiator tires for the off-roading enthusiast. The tire’s calling card is its deep, high-void tread pattern, which lends it excellent self-cleaning characteristics and features 20% more biting edges than its Destination M/T predecessor for superb traction on wet, slippery surfaces and in the snow. Speaking of winter, the Destination M/T2 is studdable for increased ice traction. Stone ejectors between tread blocks help maintain traction and prevent damage on the trail, and it boasts aggressive, serrated upper sidewall lugs to help it bite in any terrain.
I want a good off road tire, but I don’t want all of the noise that comes along with them?
The road noise that you’re talking about will typically come from a more mud specific tire because of the aggressive and spaced out lugs in the tread of the tire. This is why a good all terrain tire might be what you want. An all terrain tire provides more contact surface on the road making a quieter tire. It’s not to say that they won’t do good off road, but the tighter tread pattern will be more prone to packing full of mud if you’re in that kind of terrain.
Can I go with a larger tire without having to install a lift kit on my Jeep Gladiator?
It all depends on how big of a tire you want to go with. In most cases if you’re thinking of going the next one or two tire sizes up from stock, you’ll probably be ok. Our best recommendation is to talk with your local off road shop or even jump on some forums to see what other Jeep Gladiator owners in your situation have done.
Do I need to change my wheels when upgrading my tires?
If you’re going to go with a larger rim diameter, then the obvious answer is yes. If you’re sticking with your stock (or current wheel size), then no. If you’re putting new rubber on your rig now is a good time to explore your wheel options if you want some more style or even if you want to go with beadlock wheels. The best advantage of going with a larger diameter wheel is that you have more tire size options.
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