UAE is the perfect country to be in for an amazing off-roading experience. But first, you must have the right rubber under your feet.
You cannot experience driving through muddy terrains or climbing rocky hills without the right off-road UAE tyres.
There are two main types of off-road tyres: all-terrain and mud-terrain tyres. Both of these tyres have their pros and cons.
Therefore, stick to this article if you want to know the differences between these tyres and determine the best one.
Let’s start with all-terrain tyres first:
What are all-terrain tyres? What are their benefits?
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All-terrain or all-purpose tyres have aggressive tread patterns and deeper grooves that help them grip rocky terrains and highway surfaces equally well.
They are a perfect pick if you are looking for tyres to help with your everyday work commute and a weekend adventure in the desert.
They are sturdier and more reliable than highway counterparts as their tread and grooves do not fade out easily, thanks to their tough rubber compound.
These tyres have a high braking power allowing them to come to a halt quicker than normal tyres on snowy and wet terrains.
Limitations
The problem with all-terrain tyres is that it is a hybrid product. In other words, it is not dedicated to specific terrain.
For example, if you run these tyres on smooth highways, you will have higher fuel consumption. On the other hand, if you run them in mud, they can easily get stuck as their tread and grooves are less deep than that of a mud terrain tyre.
Therefore, they are a feasible option only if you are looking for a light off-roading experience, such as in a desert where the trail is moderately uneven.
What are mud-terrain tyres? What are their benefits?
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Mud terrain tyres have bigger tread blocks and deeper grooves than all-terrain tyres. They are dedicated to muddy terrains only.
Its sidewalls are extensively reinforced, giving them a firm grip over an unstable surface like mud. Aggressive tread configuration allows drivers to propel in the forward direction without getting stuck.
Moreover, their lug spaces are wider than that of all-terrain tyres. Wider lug spaces allow tyres to clean the mud and move forward without much resistance.
You can rely on these tyres to get you through the toughest trails without fuss.
Limitations
Being the costlier of the two, mud-terrain tyres are not meant for paved roads. They are very noisy compared to all-terrain tyres and do not offer much friction on snowy and wet roads.
Mud terrain tyres consume much more fuel and get worn out quicker than all-terrain cousins.
Given that people mostly drive on roads, these tyres are not meant to give you a comfortable driving experience with high manoeuvrability and control.
Therefore, buying these tyres is feasible only when you constantly travel through muddy terrains.
Which one is best for you?
Both these tyres hold importance on their respective terrains. Therefore, if you want to drive more on paved highways and less on rocky trails, their all-terrain tyres are best for you.
But if you are looking to drive on muddy and rocky terrains more often, you would be better off with mud terrain tyres.
However, given that people mostly drive on roads, it would be wise to go for an all-terrain tyre that can give you a mix of on and off-road experience.
Final Thoughts
Both mud and all-terrain are advanced forms of tyres. They are meant for specific terrains. Therefore, it would be best to talk to an expert before installing any of the two.
