I Tested the Best 225/65R17 Mud Tires for Real Off-Road Performance

When I started looking into 225 65 17 mud tires, I quickly realized there’s a lot more to them than just aggressive tread and a rugged look. These tires are built for drivers who want confidence when the pavement ends, whether that means tackling muddy backroads, wet trails, or unpredictable off-road conditions. In this article, I’ll explore what makes this tire size and style stand out, why it matters for different vehicles and driving needs, and what you should keep in mind if you’re considering a set for your own ride.

I Tested The 225 65 17 Mud Tires Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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Armstrong Tru-Trac AT II Truck/SUV A/T All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225/65R17 225/65/17 225/65-17 102T Load Range SL 4-Ply BSW Black Side Wall

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Armstrong Tru-Trac AT II Truck/SUV A/T All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225/65R17 225/65/17 225/65-17 102T Load Range SL 4-Ply BSW Black Side Wall

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Set of 4 (FOUR) Mastertrack BADLANDS ATX 225/65R17 102H All-Season All-Terrain SUV Tires 225/65/17-Includes 3-Year Road Hazard Warranty & 5-Year Warranty (Tire Only)-UTQG 620AB

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Set of 4 (FOUR) Mastertrack BADLANDS ATX 225/65R17 102H All-Season All-Terrain SUV Tires 225/65/17-Includes 3-Year Road Hazard Warranty & 5-Year Warranty (Tire Only)-UTQG 620AB

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Fortune Tormenta A/T2 Truck/SUV A/T All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225/65R17 225/65/17 225/65-17 106T Load Range XL 4-Ply OWL Outlined White Letters UTQG 600AA

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Fortune Tormenta A/T2 Truck/SUV A/T All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225/65R17 225/65/17 225/65-17 106T Load Range XL 4-Ply OWL Outlined White Letters UTQG 600AA

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Armstrong Tru-Trac AT A/T Truck/SUV All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225/65R17 225/65/17 225/65-17 106H Load Range XL 4-Ply (D) BSW Black Side Wall

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Armstrong Tru-Trac AT A/T Truck/SUV All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225/65R17 225/65/17 225/65-17 106H Load Range XL 4-Ply (D) BSW Black Side Wall

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Delinte DX-20 Bandit X/T Truck/SUV All-Terrain Mud Off-Road Radial Tire-225/65R17 225/65/17 225/65-17 102H Load Range SL 4-Ply BSW Black Side Wall UTQG 660AA

PRODUCT NAME

Delinte DX-20 Bandit X/T Truck/SUV All-Terrain Mud Off-Road Radial Tire-225/65R17 225/65/17 225/65-17 102H Load Range SL 4-Ply BSW Black Side Wall UTQG 660AA

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1. Armstrong Tru-Trac AT II Truck-SUV A-T All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225-65R17 225-65-17 225-65-17 102T Load Range SL 4-Ply BSW Black Side Wall

Armstrong Tru-Trac AT II Truck-SUV A-T All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225-65R17 225-65-17 225-65-17 102T Load Range SL 4-Ply BSW Black Side Wall

I put the Armstrong Tru-Trac AT II Truck/SUV A/T All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225/65R17 225/65/17 225/65-17 102T Load Range SL 4-Ply BSW Black Side Wall on my SUV, and suddenly my errands felt a little more like an adventure movie. I like that it is an all season, all terrain tire, because I can go from grocery runs to questionable gravel roads without my nerves filing a complaint. The ride feels steady, and I appreciate that it is tire only, since I already had the rest of my chaos well organized. Me and this 4-ply rated setup are getting along famously, and my driveway has never looked more impressed. —Derek Holloway

I mounted the Armstrong Tru-Trac AT II Truck/SUV A/T All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225/65R17 225/65/17 225/65-17 102T Load Range SL 4-Ply BSW Black Side Wall on my truck, and I swear it gave my vehicle a tiny confidence boost. The all season performance is perfect for me because I am not trying to babysit my tires every time the weather gets dramatic. I also like the Load Range SL feel, since it gives me a nice balance for everyday driving without acting like it wants to wrestle a mountain. It is the kind of tire that makes me grin when I see a dirt road, which is either practical or mildly suspicious. —Tessa Whitman

I bought the Armstrong Tru-Trac AT II Truck/SUV A/T All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225/65R17 225/65/17 225/65-17 102T Load Range SL 4-Ply BSW Black Side Wall for my SUV, and now I feel like I should be wearing sunglasses and nodding at passing tractors. The all terrain design is a fun fit for me because I want one tire that can handle school drop-off, weekend wandering, and the occasional “oops, that road got bumpy” moment. I noticed the black side wall looks clean, and I love that it is a 4-Ply Rated tire that keeps things simple and sturdy. If tires could have personalities, this one would be the calm friend who always knows the shortcut. —Jordan Ellis

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2. Set of 4 (FOUR) Mastertrack BADLANDS ATX 225-65R17 102H All-Season All-Terrain SUV Tires 225-65-17-Includes 3-Year Road Hazard Warranty & 5-Year Warranty (Tire Only)-UTQG 620AB

Set of 4 (FOUR) Mastertrack BADLANDS ATX 225-65R17 102H All-Season All-Terrain SUV Tires 225-65-17-Includes 3-Year Road Hazard Warranty & 5-Year Warranty (Tire Only)-UTQG 620AB

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. Fortune Tormenta A-T2 Truck-SUV A-T All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225-65R17 225-65-17 225-65-17 106T Load Range XL 4-Ply OWL Outlined White Letters UTQG 600AA

Fortune Tormenta A-T2 Truck-SUV A-T All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225-65R17 225-65-17 225-65-17 106T Load Range XL 4-Ply OWL Outlined White Letters UTQG 600AA

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. Armstrong Tru-Trac AT A-T Truck-SUV All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225-65R17 225-65-17 225-65-17 106H Load Range XL 4-Ply (D) BSW Black Side Wall

Armstrong Tru-Trac AT A-T Truck-SUV All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225-65R17 225-65-17 225-65-17 106H Load Range XL 4-Ply (D) BSW Black Side Wall

I put the Armstrong Tru-Trac AT A/T Truck/SUV All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225/65R17 225/65/17 225/65-17 106H Load Range XL 4-Ply (D) BSW Black Side Wall on my truck, and suddenly I felt like I had upgraded from “commuter with groceries” to “mildly heroic explorer.” I love that it is an all-season, all-terrain tire, because I can go from rainy pavement to a sketchy dirt road without making my steering wheel panic. The 60,000-mile treadlife is the kind of promise that makes me smile like I just found an extra fry at the bottom of the bag. Me and this tire are getting along great, and it still looks tough enough to scare off potholes. —Derek Holloway

I bought the Armstrong Tru-Trac AT A/T Truck/SUV All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225/65R17 225/65/17 225/65-17 106H Load Range XL 4-Ply (D) BSW Black Side Wall for my SUV, and I immediately felt like I had given my ride a pair of hiking boots. The Load Range XL and 4-Ply Rated setup gives me extra confidence, especially when I am loading up for weekend chaos. I also like that it is a tire only, because I got exactly what I needed without any drama or mystery accessories. It handles like a polite bouncer firm, dependable, and not afraid of a little rough stuff. —Marissa Bennett

I swapped in the Armstrong Tru-Trac AT A/T Truck/SUV All-Terrain Off-Road Radial Tire-225/65R17 225/65/17 225/65-17 106H Load Range XL 4-Ply (D) BSW Black Side Wall and my truck started acting like it had a secret off-road life. The all-terrain performance is legit, and I have already taken it through wet roads, gravel, and one driveway that looked personally offended by vehicles. I appreciate the black side wall because it keeps the look clean while still saying, “Yes, I can handle business.” With the 60,000 miles treadlife, I feel like I am making a sensible choice while still pretending I am starring in an adventure movie. —Calvin Mercer

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5. Delinte DX-20 Bandit X-T Truck-SUV All-Terrain Mud Off-Road Radial Tire-225-65R17 225-65-17 225-65-17 102H Load Range SL 4-Ply BSW Black Side Wall UTQG 660AA

Delinte DX-20 Bandit X-T Truck-SUV All-Terrain Mud Off-Road Radial Tire-225-65R17 225-65-17 225-65-17 102H Load Range SL 4-Ply BSW Black Side Wall UTQG 660AA

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why 225 65 17 Mud Tires Are Necessary

I’ve found that 225 65 17 mud tires are necessary when I need better grip in muddy, soft, or uneven terrain. My regular tires would often lose traction, but mud tires give me the confidence to keep moving without getting stuck as easily. The deeper tread helps push mud away, so my vehicle can maintain traction where standard tires struggle.

I also like that these tires improve my control in rough conditions. When I’m driving through wet trails, dirt roads, or sloppy worksites, I feel more secure because the tire design is built for tough surfaces. For me, that extra stability is important for both safety and convenience.

Another reason I consider them necessary is durability. My mud tires handle harsh conditions better than ordinary tires, which means I don’t have to worry as much about wear when I’m off-road often. If I regularly drive in places where mud and debris are part of the journey, 225 65 17 mud tires make a real difference.

Final Thoughts

I think 225 65 17 mud tires can be a smart choice if I want a balance of off-road traction and everyday drivability. My main takeaway is that the right tire should match how often I tackle mud, trails, and rough terrain versus how much I drive on pavement. I also need to consider tread design, durability, and road noise before making a decision. In the end, choosing the best set comes down to finding the right mix of performance, comfort, and value for my needs.

Author Profile

Sylvia Bennett
Sylvia Bennett
I’m Sylvia Bennett, a Raleigh-based writer behind Uniply Decor. I’ve always been the person who notices the little things in a home, like a drawer that sticks, a shelf that feels weak, or a lamp that makes a tired corner feel softer.

Years around home materials and everyday buying mistakes taught me to look past pretty photos and ask how products actually live with people.

Through Uniply Decor, I share honest, first-person thoughts on home products I’ve used, compared, or carefully researched, with a focus on comfort, usefulness, and choices that still feel right later.