If you’re shopping for off road tires, you need to know the basics about choosing the best ones for your vehicle. You’ll need to consider not only the road (or off-road) terrain that you’ll be driving, but also the kind of vehicle you have. The best tires allow you to traverse any terrain, from mud to rocks, and rough roads.

For the best off-road experience, you want the best off road tires you can get, and there are an amazing number of options available on the market. In the end, you’ll want to choose the tires that serve your needs and accommodate your personal taste. Keep in mind that the vehicle you drive has as much to do with the kind of tire you’ll need as the environment in which you’ll be driving. What you’ll find below is a set of guidelines that I recommend you follow while choosing your tires.

First things first, you need to prioritize what you want in a set of off-road tires. A lot of people prefer function over style, but some people do buy off road tires simply because they like the way they look on their trucks. As a result, the market has opened up to accommodate both kinds of buyers. Because you don’t want to become overwhelmed by the number of available options, you’ll have to be honest about which you prefer, form or function. The following list is really tailored to those off road tires who are shopping for peak performance tires.

Weight and Size

Choosing tires can be compared to choosing shoes, you want the right fit. The goal here is to find the lightest possible wheel you can get. Weight has a tremendous impact on performance. The heavier the wheel, the harder your engine has to work. Forged wheels are often the lightest you can get. Don’t forget to pick one with a bolt pattern that matches your hubs. Putting the wrong size tires on your vehicle is like wearing the wrong size shoes. It just doesn’t make sense.

Design

The hard truth is that the best looking tires aren’t always the best performing off road tires. Major factors to consider when buying a tire include the amount of effort required to push your vehicle along smooth floors. The more effort required, the harder your engine will be working. You’ll also want to consider the amount of push needed to move on rough surfaces. Again, the more push that is needed, the harder the engine will work. This is where tread design is important. Certain tread designs make it easier for your vehicle to travel along rough terrain, thereby easing pressure on your engine. Finally, don’t eliminate ride comfort from your criteria. No matter which tire you select, you always want the most comfortable ride possible.

Bounce/Spring

Tires with a lot of bounce (often called resilience) require less effort to go over obstacles. The act of resilience (or bounce) allows the tires to exert their own energy, thereby demanding less from your engine. Consider this factor while buying off road tires.

Budget

Analyze your budget for buying tires. Keeping in mind that good off road tires are expensive, you can still find good deals if you know where to look. Visit your dealer and ask about sales or specials. A lot of times either the stores or manufacturers will run special promotions that aren’t widely advertised, so you won’t know about them until you stop by and visit. Also ask about discontinued models. A discontinued model isn’t always a bad tire, and you might get a really good price. Once you’ve set your budget, it’s time to consider where you’ll get your tires.

Buy off road tires from trusted sources

You can (and probably have) put a lot of effort into trying to get the best deal for your tires. I don’t blame you. There are probably a number of auto parts or specialty dealers within a reasonable distance from you, and there are an almost immeasurable amount of online dealers from which to choose. Remember not to sacrifice quality for price. A lot of retailers you’ve never shopped with might offer exceptional prices on brands you’ve never heard of. But, believe me; getting stuck in the rough isn’t worth what you might save on a discount or “cheap” tire. Buy from a source you trust. If you’re willing to take a leap with a retailer or brand you’ve never used before, then take a few extra moments (you’ve already put in enough time) and do some homework on their reputation. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed. Look online for customer reviews. Or, simply put their name into your favorite search engine and see what, if anything pops up.

Off-roading is an exciting hobby, and having the right off road tires makes it all the more enjoyable. Good luck and have fun!