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When it comes to dominating rugged, untamed terrain, the right tire can make all the difference.
Both the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 and the BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 have earned their reputations as top-tier choices for off-road enthusiasts. Each boasts a storied legacy and delivers exceptional performance, making them trusted companions for tackling the toughest challenges.
But which one is the right fit for your adventures?
To help answer this question, Brandon Sturgis, Global Product Manager at BFGoodrich Tires, takes us through the history, rigorous testing, and unique personalities of these off-road legends. With over a decade of experience as a test driver and a deep knowledge of the off-road industry, Brandon is the perfect guide to break down what sets these two tires apart.
In 1976, BFGoodrich Tires revolutionized the market by launching the radial All-Terrain T/A, the ancestor of today’s iconic All-Terrain T/A KO2 tire. Just a few years later, in 1980, the company broke new ground again with the radial Mud-Terrain T/A, the forerunner of the formidable Mud-Terrain T/A KM3.
Over the decades, these tires have undergone continuous evolution, consistently pushing the limits of off-road performance and design.
Each step of this evolution wasn’t random—every innovation along the way was a purposeful step to improve the off-roading experience.
"We didn't go out and say ‘hey we need to build a tire to make it look cool.’ No. There's actually a legitimate need for people with heavy duty trucks that are going off-road and up and down gravel," explains Brandon Sturgis.
And so, two iconic tires were born—each tailored to excel in different off-road conditions.
Since its launch in 2014, the KO2 has solidified its place as one of the most iconic tires in the world. Its enduring popularity stems from its unmatched versatility—delivering outstanding performance in a variety of conditions.
“[It’s] got really tough sidewalls that can actually go off-roading, that you can air down, you need to go through snow, and relatively quiet on the road. I mean it's just that do-it-all kind of tire.”
For Canadian drivers, this versatility is especially valuable. From navigating icy highways in Alberta to gravel roads in northern Ontario, the KO2 delivers the toughness and reliability to handle Canada’s diverse terrain while maintaining on-road comfort.
If KO2 was a person, who would it be?
“The KO2 is your dad. Your dad does everything. Your parents make things happen. They do everything for everybody. And they do it without complaint.”
Just like a dependable parent, the KO2 is always ready to tackle whatever comes its way—whether it’s rough off-road trails, snowy commutes, or simply the daily grind.
The Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 makes its purpose clear right in its name. But while it’s a standout performer in mud, this tire is far more than a one-trick pony.
“It is good in the mud, but we didn't just focus on mud, we focused on slow-speed rock crawling as well. People like to do all sorts of crazy off-road stuff with this tire, but they drive it on-road a little bit as well. It needed to be capable of all of that.”
Designed for extreme off-road conditions, the KM3 shines on challenging terrains like steep rock faces, deep mud, and rugged trails—making it a top choice for those who crave adventure in the most demanding environments. For Canadian drivers, this tire is perfect for tackling the rocky trails of British Columbia, muddy backroads in the Prairies, or steep climbs in the Laurentians.
If KM3 was a person, who would it be?
“A pro wrestler. He's a badass. He's all ripped and muscular. And just like you can see that the KM3 is purpose built for mud and rock, you can see that he's purpose built for wrestling.”
Like a pro wrestler, the KM3’s design is unapologetically bold, purpose-built for extreme challenges, and ready to deliver high performance under pressure.
The KO2 and KM3 didn’t earn their reputations by chance. These are two of the toughest tires on the road, built to withstand the demands of real-world off-roading.
“We're a little bit different in the all-terrain space because we really focus on sidewall durability and toughness.”
For BFGoodrich, sidewall durability wasn’t just a priority—it became an obsession. Traditional tire testing methods, which involve pushing a plunger into the tread and turning the tire sideways to test the sidewall, didn’t reflect the way tires encounter punctures in the wild.
“Tires are moving, then they hit something on the side and that's what rips the sidewall, so it's a different mechanism for how the sidewall gets damaged.”
To create tires worthy of the BFGoodrich name, the team knew they needed to go beyond the lab. They developed innovative testing methods that simulate real-world conditions, ensuring the KO2 and KM3 could tackle whatever terrain Canada’s wilderness throws at them.
“We were so hell-bent on improving the KO2 and really making it legit that we came up with our own sidewall durability splitting test."
When it came time to develop the KM3, the team knew they had to push the boundaries even further.
“We built the KO2 to have tough sidewalls. But the KM3 has even tougher sidewalls.”
Brandon recalls a defining moment in Baja when the KM3’s toughness faced the ultimate real-world test. During testing, a tire designer hit a massive hole at high speed, causing a catastrophic impact.
“Boom! It ripped the wheel off the car. It was that big and they were going that fast.”
Despite the damage to the wheel, the KM3’s performance remained unmatched.
“They went and found the wheel and brought it back, looking at the tire and they're like, ‘we think the tire's fine.’ So they put it on another wheel… and kept going.”
That moment marked a turning point—the tire was no longer just a prototype. It had proven itself in one of the toughest environments imaginable.
When deciding between the KO2 and the KM3, it ultimately comes down to how you plan to use your vehicle. Are you looking for the parent who can do it all, or the purpose-built pro wrestler?
According to Brandon, “it really gets down to what you plan on doing with your vehicle day in and day out.”
The KO2 offers excellent traction in mud, snow, and gravel, while maintaining superior “road manners” with a quieter ride and more steering precision than its mud-loving counterpart. On the other hand, the KM3 is engineered for better traction in mud and rock, but sacrifices some on-road performance to achieve its off-road dominance.
“You're gonna have to sacrifice that a little bit with KM3 to get that off-road performance.”
For Canadian conditions, the KO2 shines as the ideal all-around performer, excelling in snowy highways, gravel roads, and icy commutes, while remaining quiet and comfortable for everyday use. However, if you’re planning extreme off-road adventures, like low-pressure rock climbing in British Columbia or mud-heavy trails in the Prairies, the KM3 delivers unmatched capability.
Put simply, the KO2 is the dependable, do-everything parent that will keep you covered in almost any situation, while the KM3 is the pro wrestler—unstoppable in extreme off-road conditions but a little rougher around the edges for daily driving.
That answer depends on you and what you’re building for.
So, what are you building for?