For most mixed-terrain riders, the Braven Hellhound Uber XOR® radials are the strongest starting point: radial construction, balanced tread for trail and soft soil, and fitment support from Dirtybirdypowersports. If your riding skews heavier or muddier, the Braven Bloodaxe R/T and Berserker M/T cover those ends of the spectrum. Beyond the Braven lineup, a few models consistently earn their place in any honest comparison.
Quick picks:
- Braven Hellhound Uber XOR® — Best for mixed trails and moderate soft soil; radial construction with trail-friendly tread manners. Publisher’s top recommendation.
- Braven Bloodaxe R/T — Hybrid radial for riders who split time between trails and hauling heavy gear. Reinforced carcass handles occasional hard use.
- Braven Berserker M/T (PDT) — Aggressive lugging and sidewall protection for mud and rock. Not the quietest on pavement, but that’s the tradeoff.
- Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 — 6-ply radial construction, lighter tread, proven trail manners. A reliable pick if you want a well-documented tire with racing heritage.
- Carlisle Terrathon — Documented 90-mile zero-psi endurance test; dimpled lugs and sipes for wet grip. Good for riders who want multi-surface balance with a durability pedigree.
- SuperATV Incursion A/T — 8-ply radial construction with nondirectional tread designed for heavy loads and hardpack with real off-road capability.
Table of Contents
- How do you choose the right all-terrain ATV tire for your riding mix?
- Side-by-side comparison of top all-terrain ATV tires
- Short reviews: which tire fits your riding style?
- Maintenance, care, and the buying mistakes that cost riders money
- What do ply rating and radial construction actually mean for your ride?
- Key Takeaways
- The tire choice most riders get wrong
- Where to buy Braven radials and get fitment help
- Useful sources and manufacturer specs to check
How do you choose the right all-terrain ATV tire for your riding mix?
Match tire construction and ply to your terrain percentage and load first. Everything else, including tread pattern and brand, follows from that.
Terrain percentage decision flow:
- 70%+ hardpack or pavement: Look for a continuous center tread rib that rolls smoothly and reduces wear. Open shoulder lugs still help when you hit soft edges, but a fully open mud tread here will wear fast and get loud.
- 50/50 mixed: A true all-terrain radial with open shoulder lugs and a semi-continuous center tread is the right call. A versatile all-terrain tire balances continuous center tread for smooth rolling with open shoulder lugs that engage in soft soil — that’s the design brief for this category.
- 70%+ mud or rock: Move toward a hybrid or M/T tread. You’ll accept more noise and faster wear on hard surfaces in exchange for the traction you need where it counts.
Ply and load rating:
Industry guidance generally recommends 6-ply for ATVs and 8-ply for UTVs as a starting point. For regular towing, heavy cargo, or winch use, step up to 8-ply regardless of machine type. Always verify the tire’s maximum load rating against your machine’s gross vehicle weight plus typical cargo. A tire that looks right by size can still be under-rated for a loaded machine.
Radial vs. bias construction:
Radials give you a flatter, larger contact patch and more consistent sidewall flex, which translates to better traction and a more comfortable ride on mixed terrain. Bias-ply tires are stiffer, often cheaper, and can handle some abuse, but they don’t conform to terrain the way a radial does. For all-terrain use, radial is the practical choice.
Sizing and fitment:
Common wheel diameters for ATVs run 12" and 14". Confirm your wheel diameter, bolt pattern, and the machine’s clearance before ordering. A tire that’s too wide or too tall creates rubbing issues that no amount of tread quality fixes.
Pro Tip: Choose a non-directional tread pattern when you want easy rotation. Non-directional designs mount in any position, so you can rotate tires to any wheel and even out wear without worrying about orientation.
Side-by-side comparison of top all-terrain ATV tires
The table below covers the key dimensions riders actually use to narrow a purchase: terrain fit, construction, ply, common sizes, price band, and tread character.
| Tire | Best for | Construction | Ply | Common Sizes | Price Range | Traction / Tread Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braven Hellhound Uber XOR® | Mixed trails, moderate soft soil | Radial | Check manufacturer spec | 12"–14" | Mid | Balanced trail/soft-soil tread; on-trail comfort |
| Braven Bloodaxe R/T | Mixed trail + heavy loads | Radial (hybrid) | Check manufacturer spec | 12"–14" | Mid | Hybrid tread; reinforced for mixed conditions |
| Braven Berserker M/T (PDT) | Mud and aggressive terrain | Radial | Check manufacturer spec | 12"–14" | Mid–Premium | Aggressive lugging; sidewall puncture protection |
| Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 | Versatile trail/off-road | Radial | 6-ply | 12"–14" | Mid | Lighter tread; responsive handling; racing heritage |
| Carlisle Terrathon | Multi-surface endurance | Radial | Check manufacturer spec | 12"–14" | Mid | Dimpled lugs + sipes; non-directional; wet grip |
| SuperATV Incursion A/T | Heavy use, hardpack + off-road | Radial | 8-ply | 12"–14" | Mid–Premium | 16 mm tread depth; nondirectional; staggered shoulder |
| BFGoodrich KM3 | Rocky and heavy-duty terrain | Radial | 8-ply | 12"–14" | Premium | Aggressive all-terrain; durable compound |
| ITP Mud Lite XL | Predominantly mud | Bias | Check manufacturer spec | 12"–14" | Budget–Mid | Deep mud lugs; flotation and bite |
| GBC Mongrel | Mixed terrain, long wear | Radial | Check manufacturer spec | 12"–14" | Mid | Balanced tread; durable carcass |
| Kenda Bearclaw HTR / Bear Claw EX | Trail + light mud/snow | Bias/Radial | Check manufacturer spec | 12"–14" | Budget–Mid | Year-round versatility; open tread |
| ITP Holeshot Series | Utility and general trail | Bias | Check manufacturer spec | 12"–14" | Budget | Non-directional; durable for general use |
| Maxxis Bighorn (series) | All-terrain, durable | Radial | 6-ply | 12"–14" | Mid | Proven all-terrain tread; long wear life |
Short reviews: which tire fits your riding style?
Braven Hellhound Uber XOR® — publisher’s top pick for mixed-terrain riders
This is the tire Dirtybirdypowersports recommends first for riders who split time between trails, gravel, and occasional soft soil. The radial construction keeps the ride predictable on roots and rocks, and the tread pattern doesn’t punish you on hardpack the way a mud tire would. Fitment support from Dirtybirdypowersports is a real advantage here: you’re not guessing at compatibility.
Braven Bloodaxe R/T — for the rider who hauls gear and still wants trail capability
The hybrid tread on the Bloodaxe R/T is tuned for the rider who doesn’t want to choose between trail manners and load capacity. Reinforced construction handles the stress of heavy cargo without the ride quality penalty you’d expect from a stiff bias-ply. The tradeoff is that it’s not the lightest option, so steering feel on tight singletrack is slightly heavier than the Hellhound.
Braven Berserker M/T (PDT) — when traction is non-negotiable
Aggressive lugging and reinforced sidewalls make the Berserker M/T the right call for riders who spend most of their time in mud, loose rock, or technical terrain. Sidewall puncture protection matters here because aggressive terrain means more contact with sharp edges. Expect more road noise and faster wear if your approach roads are paved.
Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 — the lightweight versatile option
The Bighorn 2.0’s 6-ply radial construction keeps weight down without sacrificing the durability that made the original Bighorn a long-running favorite. Lighter tread means more responsive handling, which trail riders notice immediately. It’s not built for deep mud, but for mixed off-road use it’s one of the most documented and trusted options on the market.
Carlisle Terrathon — the endurance-focused all-terrain
The Terrathon’s standout claim is a 90-mile endurance test at zero psi, which tells you something about how the carcass is built. Dimpled lugs and sipes add biting edges in wet and slippery conditions, and the non-directional pattern means you can rotate freely. For riders who cover varied surfaces and want documented durability, it’s a strong choice.
SuperATV Incursion A/T — the heavy-duty all-terrain
Eight-ply construction and a 16 mm tread depth make the Incursion A/T the right tire for UTVs and heavier ATVs that carry real loads. The nondirectional, balanceable design is a practical feature for riders who want even wear without worrying about mounting orientation. It rolls smoothly on hardpack and still has enough shoulder lug to engage in soft soil.
BFGoodrich KM3 — proven engineering for rocky terrain
The KM3 is built around a durable compound and an aggressive all-terrain tread pattern. It’s the choice for riders who prioritize rocky, technical terrain and want a brand with a long engineering track record behind the design.
ITP Mud Lite XL — when mud is the primary terrain
Deep lugs and a bias-ply construction focused on flotation and bite. The Mud Lite XL does exactly what its name says. Aggressive mud tires wear fast on hardpack and get loud on roads, so this one belongs on machines that rarely see pavement.
GBC Mongrel, Kenda Bearclaw HTR / Bear Claw EX, ITP Holeshot Series
The GBC Mongrel offers a durable carcass and balanced tread for mixed terrain riders who want predictable wear. The Kenda Bearclaw HTR and Bear Claw EX are year-round trail tires with enough open tread for light mud and snow. The ITP Holeshot Series covers utility and general trail use at a budget-friendly price point with a non-directional, durable design.
Maintenance, care, and the buying mistakes that cost riders money
Check tire pressure cold, before every ride, and follow both the tire’s maximum rating and your vehicle’s door-placard spec. Running even a few PSI low on hardpack accelerates wear on the center tread; running too high reduces the contact patch and kills traction in soft soil.
Maintenance schedule:
- Before every ride: Visual inspection for cuts, embedded debris, and sidewall damage. Check pressure cold.
- Weekly (or every 2–3 rides): Confirm pressure with a gauge. Look for uneven wear patterns that signal alignment or load issues.
- Every 25–30 hours of riding: Rotate tires if your tread is non-directional. This evens wear across all four positions.
- Monthly: Inspect bead seating and valve stems. Clean lugs of packed mud or debris that can cause imbalance.
- At any sign of sidewall cracking or tread depth below safe limits: Replace. Don’t patch a sidewall puncture on a tire you rely on for technical terrain.
Puncture repair: A plug-and-inflate kit handles most tread-area punctures in the field. Sidewall punctures are a different story. A sidewall repair is a temporary fix to get you home, not a long-term solution. Carry a FlexGrip Pro repair kit for trail emergencies.
Common buying mistakes to avoid:
- Choosing for looks: The most common mistake. Tread aggression that looks impressive in photos often means noise and rapid wear on the hardpack you actually ride.
- Wrong ply for your terrain: Under-ply for heavy loads causes premature failure. Over-ply on a light trail ATV adds unnecessary weight and stiffens the ride.
- Ignoring load rating: Verify the tire’s maximum load rating against your machine’s gross vehicle weight plus cargo. A tire under-rated for your loaded machine handles poorly and wears unevenly.
- Buying a pure mud tire for mixed use: Deep mud lugs wear fast on pavement and generate significant road noise. If your trail access involves paved roads, a hybrid or all-terrain tread is the right call.
- Mismatched wheel and tire size: A tire that’s too tall or too wide creates clearance problems. Confirm wheel diameter and machine clearance before ordering.
What do ply rating and radial construction actually mean for your ride?
The single most impactful construction decision you make is radial vs. bias and choosing the right ply for your anticipated loads. Everything else is secondary.
Ply ratings in the market typically range from 4 to 10, with higher numbers indicating increased toughness at the cost of additional weight. For mixed trail riding, 6-ply radials balance durability with handling. For regular heavy loads or towing, 8-ply is the practical minimum.
Industry roundups recommend 6-ply for ATVs and 8-ply for UTVs as a general starting rule; choose higher ply for heavier machines or regular high-speed operation.
Radial construction provides a flatter, larger contact patch and more consistent sidewall flexibility than bias-ply tires, which improves both comfort and traction on mixed surfaces. On roots and rocks, that predictable sidewall flex is what keeps the tire in contact with the ground instead of bouncing off it.
The Carlisle Terrathon’s 90-mile zero-psi endurance test is worth understanding in context. It demonstrates carcass integrity under extreme conditions, but it’s a manufacturer’s test, not an independent benchmark. Use it as evidence of build quality, not a guarantee of everyday performance. What it does confirm is that the Terrathon’s carcass is built to handle more than typical trail stress.
Non-directional tread patterns with sipes and dimpled lugs add biting edges in wet and slippery conditions while allowing free rotation. That combination, traction in wet conditions plus rotation flexibility, is why the Carlisle Terrathon and SuperATV Incursion A/T both use it.
Key Takeaways
For mixed-terrain riders, the Braven Hellhound Uber XOR® radial is the strongest starting point: radial construction, balanced tread, and fitment support from Dirtybirdypowersports.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Match ply to your load | Use 6-ply for general trail ATVs; step up to 8-ply for UTVs, heavy cargo, or towing. |
| Radial beats bias for mixed terrain | Radials deliver a larger contact patch and predictable sidewall flex across roots, rocks, and soft soil. |
| Terrain % drives tread choice | 50/50 mixed needs open shoulder lugs and a semi-continuous center; 70%+ mud needs a hybrid or M/T tread. |
| Non-directional tread simplifies maintenance | Rotate to any wheel position for even wear; sipes and dimpled lugs add wet-condition traction. |
| Dirtybirdypowersports carries Braven radials | The Hellhound, Bloodaxe R/T, and Berserker M/T cover mixed trail, heavy-load, and aggressive terrain needs with fitment support. |
The tire choice most riders get wrong
Most riders overthink tread pattern and underthink ply and load rating. You can find a tire with an impressive-looking lug design that’s technically under-rated for your loaded machine. That’s not a hypothetical: it’s the most common reason riders see premature wear or handling problems after an upgrade.
The other thing worth saying plainly: the “best” all-terrain tire is the one that matches your actual terrain split, not the most aggressive option in the catalog. A mud tire on a machine that spends 60% of its time on hardpack trails is a bad trade. It’s loud, it wears fast, and it doesn’t actually improve your riding. The Braven Hellhound and Bloodaxe R/T exist precisely for riders who want real off-road capability without paying for it in road noise and wear rate every time they leave the trailhead.
Dirtybirdypowersports recommends Braven radials because they’ve seen what happens when riders match the right construction and ply to their actual use case. The fitment support matters too. Ordering a tire that doesn’t clear your machine’s fenders is an expensive lesson. Get the wheel diameter, machine model, and typical load confirmed before you buy.
Where to buy Braven radials and get fitment help
Dirtybirdypowersports stocks the full Braven radial lineup and can confirm fitment for your specific machine before you order. Before reaching out, have your wheel diameter, current tire size, and machine model ready. That information makes a fitment check fast.
The three Braven options cover the main use cases: the Hellhound Uber XOR® for mixed trails, the Bloodaxe R/T for mixed trail with heavy loads, and the Berserker M/T (PDT) for mud and aggressive terrain. All three ship nationwide. Warranty and return details are listed on each product page. If you’re not sure which model fits your machine and riding style, contact Dirtybirdypowersports directly for a fitment consultation before placing your order.
Useful sources and manufacturer specs to check
Before finalizing any purchase, verify the tire’s size chart, load rating, and warranty terms directly on the manufacturer’s page. Specs vary by size variant, and a detail that matters for your machine (load index, speed rating, wheel diameter range) may not be obvious from a general product description.
- SuperATV Incursion A/T product page — full spec table including ply, tread depth, and load ratings.
This article draws on manufacturer specs, independent editorial roundups, and product data from the sources above. For fitment help specific to your machine, contact Dirtybirdypowersports directly.