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TL;DR
- Every tire here carries the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF), chosen from the 30 current 3PMSF-rated all-terrains in our tire library using aggregated owner reviews.
- 3PMSF means the tire beat a standard reference tire by at least 10% in a packed-snow traction test; M+S has no traction test.
- Neither marking rates ice, and Transport Canada advises against running tires worn close to 4 mm (5/32") on snow-covered roads.
- Deepest tread: Falken Wildpeak A/T4W, 13/32" to 19/32" by size. Pirelli doesn't publish tread depth for the Scorpion All Terrain Plus.
- Check your size: two Scorpion All Terrain Plus sizes lack the snowflake, per Pirelli's size data.
| Product | Best for | Buy (paid link) |
|---|---|---|
| Falken Wildpeak A/T4W | Deepest Tread Snow Pick | Price |
| BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 | Snow + Trail Toughness | Price |
| Toyo Open Country A/T III | Long P-Metric Warranty | Price |
| Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 | Siping That Ages Well | Price |
| Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus | Quieter-Ride Snow Pick | Price |
Start With the Snowflake, Not the Brand
Most all-terrain tires are stamped M+S, for mud and snow. Under the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association's definition (TISB 10), that marking only requires tread geometry: slots or pockets at the tread edge reaching at least 1/2" toward the center, and a void area of at least 25%. No traction test is involved.
The 3PMSF symbol (TISB 37) requires a test. The tire has to reach a snow grip index of at least 1.10 against a standard reference tire in the ASTM F1805 traction test on medium-packed snow, which means at least 10% better grip than the reference in that test. It's the only snow benchmark with a performance test behind it, which is why no tire without it was considered for this page. It isn't an ice rating, and it doesn't make an all-terrain a dedicated winter tire.
Snow-Relevant Specs Side by Side
| Tire | Snow rating | Tread depth | Treadwear warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falken Wildpeak A/T4W | 3PMSF | 13–19/32" (varies by size) | 65,000 mi (non-LT); 60,000 mi (LT) |
| BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 | 3PMSF | 15/32" (all 10 listed LT/flotation sizes) | 50,000 mi |
| Toyo Open Country A/T III | 3PMSF | 12.7–17/32" (varies by size) | 65,000 mi (P-metric/Euro-metric) / 50,000 mi (LT & flotation) |
| Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 | 3PMSF | 11–18/32" (varies by size) | Up to 60,000 mi (P-metric/Euro-metric) / 50,000 mi (LT-metric & flotation) |
| Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus | 3PMSF | Not published by Pirelli | 50,000 mi |
Starting Tread Depth and Winter Life
Transport Canada notes that a tire loses traction as it wears, and advises against running tires worn close to 4 mm (5/32") on snow-covered roads. Starting depth therefore sets how much usable winter tread a set has:
| Tire | Published starting depth | Usable depth before 5/32" |
|---|---|---|
| Falken Wildpeak A/T4W | 13/32" to 19/32" | 8/32" to 14/32" |
| Toyo Open Country A/T III | 12.7/32" to 17/32" | 7.7/32" to 12/32" |
| Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 | 11/32" to 18/32" | 6/32" to 13/32" |
| BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 | 15/32" (every listed size) | 10/32" |
| Pirelli Scorpion All Terrain Plus | Not published | Check the spec sheet for your size |
The ranges come from each maker's size data, and depth usually rises with size and load range. Federal tire standard FMVSS 139 also requires treadwear indicators that show when a tire is down to 1/16" (2/32"), but that is the legal wear-out point, not a winter one.
Siping That Keeps Working as the Tire Wears
Sipes are thin slits cut into the tread blocks that add biting edges. Two makers here make specific claims about how theirs age. Yokohama says the Geolandar A/T G015's triple 3D sipes change shape as the tread wears to keep biting edges. Falken says the Wildpeak A/T4W's full-depth sipes provide traction for the life of the tire.
Pick by the Kind of Winter You Get
Heavy snow plus serious trail use. The BFGoodrich KO2 pairs its 3PMSF rating with CoreGard sidewalls, which BFGoodrich rates 20% tougher than its earlier All-Terrain T/A KO in an internal sidewall-splitting test. The Falken Wildpeak A/T4W has the deepest published tread here.
Heavy trucks that tow in winter. The Falken Wildpeak A/T4W comes in LT sizes up to Load Range F, with a 60,000-mile warranty on LT sizes. (The Nokian Rotiiva AT Plus that used to fill this slot is discontinued; Nokian's North American all-terrains are now the Outpost APT and Outpost nAT. The Wildpeak A/T3W is also discontinued, replaced by the A/T4W.)
Mostly plowed roads, quieter ride. Pirelli describes the Scorpion All Terrain Plus as having minimal road noise, with conical stone ejectors for self-cleaning. The Toyo Open Country A/T III carries a 65,000-mile warranty on P-metric and Euro-metric sizes for owners who don't need LT construction.
When a Dedicated Winter Tire Is the Better Call
Transport Canada notes that below 7°C (about 45°F), all-season and summer tires begin to lose elasticity and traction, while winter tires keep their elasticity and grip at much lower temperatures. It also recommends installing winter tires in sets of four. If you regularly drive on ice, face long cold spells or use unplowed mountain roads, a 3PMSF all-terrain is a compromise. Our winter and snow 4WD hub covers when a second, dedicated winter set is worth it.
The Five Snow-Rated Picks in Detail
Best for Falken's current Wildpeak all-terrain (successor to the discontinued A/T3W), with heavy-duty LT-rated sizes for on- and off-road use.
- 3PMSF severe-snow rating with full-depth sipes designed to last the tread's life.
- Tread depth up to 19/32in on the deepest sizes.
- Load ranges from SL through F, including heavy-duty LT sizes.
Best for Extreme off-road performance for trucks, SUVs and Jeeps that still need capable daily-driving manners.
- CoreGard sidewalls rated 20% tougher than BFGoodrich's previous All-Terrain T/A KO (BFG internal test, LT265/70R17).
- Strong mud, sand, snow and rock traction reported across owner reviews.
- 3PMSF-certified severe snow rating.
Best for Off-Road All-Terrain tire for pickups, Jeeps, crossovers and SUVs wanting off-road traction with responsive on-road handling.
- 3PMSF-rated for severe snow.
- Longer 65,000-mile warranty on P-metric/Euro-metric sizes.
- Spans passenger, LT and flotation sizes, including an EV-specific variant.
Best for All-terrain tire for SUVs and light trucks wanting confident off-road traction without a harsh highway ride.
- Severe snow service (3PMSF) rated for confident wet and winter traction.
- Enduro compound and flatter profile aim for longer tread life.
- Triple 3D sipes adapt as the tire wears to keep traction consistent.
Best for All-terrain tire for trucks and SUVs wanting reliable on- and off-road performance with a quieter ride.
- Rated for severe snow service with the 3PMSF symbol on all sizes except 245/45R19 and 295/40R20.
- Conical stone ejectors keep the tread self-cleaning.
- Aggressive tread and sidewall design for mud, gravel, wet and sandy surfaces.
How We Rank Snow-Rated All-Terrains
This list is based on aggregated owner reviews and each manufacturer's published specifications, including its 3PMSF status. We don't buy, mount or physically test tires, in snow or anywhere else. See how we rank for the method and our affiliate disclosure for how we earn. For the wider field, including models without the snow rating, see the best all-terrain tires list.
Sources
- USTMA — TISB 37: severe snow (3PMSF) definition (PDF) — 3PMSF criteria: snow grip index of at least 1.10 against a standard reference tire in the ASTM F1805 test on medium-packed snow.
- USTMA — TISB 10: M+S snow tire definition (PDF) — M+S criteria: tread-edge slots of at least 1/2 inch and at least 25% void area; no traction test.
- Transport Canada — Using winter tires — Tires lose traction as they wear; avoid tires worn close to 4 mm (5/32") on snow; below 7°C all-season tires lose elasticity; install winter tires in sets of four.
- 49 CFR 571.139 (FMVSS 139) — Light vehicle tires (Cornell LII) — Treadwear indicators show wear to 1/16 inch.
- Falken — Wildpeak A/T4W product page and size list — Tread depth 13/32 to 19/32 inch; full-depth sipes for the life of the tire; 3PMSF; LT sizes to Load Range F; 60,000-mile LT warranty.
- BFGoodrich — All-Terrain T/A KO2 official spec page — 15/32-inch tread on every listed size; 3PMSF; CoreGard 20% sidewall claim (internal test).
- Toyo — Open Country A/T III official spec page — Tread depth range, 3PMSF qualification and 65,000-mile P/Euro-metric warranty.
- Yokohama — Geolandar A/T G015 official spec page — Tread depth range, 3PMSF and triple 3D sipes that change shape as the tread wears.
- Pirelli — Scorpion All Terrain Plus official spec page — 3PMSF (with size exceptions in Pirelli's size data), minimal road noise and conical stone ejectors.