July 21, 2022
For drivers who split their time between pavement and variable off-road surfaces, sometimes a more aggressive On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tire best fits their needs. The combination of enhanced traction in off-road conditions, durability, and respectable on-road manners delivers versatility and capability that may be absent from more highway-focused tires. The rugged good looks that tend to go along with the category typically don’t hurt, either. Even with more than just a modicum of off-road emphasis and prowess, these types of tires still focus on striking a balance between traction requirements and the demands of the daily commute.
Aimed squarely at the center of this market, the new Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T looks to blend aggressive features and bold off-road traction with civilized road manners. It utilizes a cut-and-chip resistant compound for off-road toughness, plus a functional and attractive upper sidewall treatment that protects against punctures and enhances traction in loose terrain. Additionally, its asymmetric pattern is engineered to help reduce on-road noise for day-to-day satisfaction.
To see how the Baja Boss A/T compares to the strong competition it will face in the segment, we tested it against two consumer favorites, the Falken WildPeak A/T3W and the Toyo Open Country A/T III. Our comparison used 2022 Ford Explorer ST test vehicles fitted with new, full tread depth 265/60R18 tires mounted on 18x8.0 wheels.
Our 6.0-mile loop of expressway, state highway and county roads provides a great variety of road conditions that include city and highway speeds, smooth and coarse concrete, as well as new and patched asphalt. This route allows our team to experience noise comfort, ride quality and everyday handling, just as you would during your drive to school or work.
In terms of on-road refinement, the WildPeak A/T3W led the group by delivering a satisfying balance of traits. The ride was perceptibly firmer than the other tires in the test, though our drivers appreciated its ability to dispatch imperfections quickly and succinctly. Despite the aggressive, all-terrain tread pattern, tire noise was commendably low. It created some distant, indistinct tones in most situations, with nothing that stood out over any surface on our route. The steering was nicely weighted and direct, with a solid sense of on-center and straight-ahead on the highway. Our drivers would have liked it to be a bit more responsive, but it’s likely to satisfy in the real world. The Open Country A/T III followed closely behind the Falken, and it earned the highest score in two of our on-road metrics. Ride quality was surprisingly plush for an On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tire, soaking up imperfections with very little drama. Where tire noise was concerned, it created some high-pitched vibrato over most surfaces, with a low-volume growl that could be heard everywhere, as well. Overall, it was medium in volume and somewhat distinctive. The steering felt alert and responded quickly to inputs, with a commendable amount of precision, as well. Ideally, we would have liked a little bit more resistance, but it stood out with the top score from our team. Mickey Thompson bills the Baja Boss A/T as a step up from On-/Off-Road All-Terrain, placing it in between that segment and Off-Road Maximum Traction tires. With that in mind, it was impressively close to the other two competitors in on-road characteristics, even tying with the Toyo for the highest score in Ride Quality. Our drivers praised it for being comfortable and accommodating while still retaining the composure one would expect from the category. Noise Comfort was a small step back from the competition, with multiple tones that stood out more than the other tires here. The aggressive pattern created a cyclical drone and a low-pitched growl that combined with a higher-pitched reverberation on smooth surfaces. Overall, it was an acceptable tradeoff for the presumably enhanced off-road characteristics. The steering and on-road handling also scored at the back of the pack, but once again, it wasn’t out of place for the type of tire. The response was light and quick, though it had some non-linearity around on- and off-ramps, and it could have used a more solid sense of on-center at highway speeds, as well.
Our 1/3-mile per lap test track course includes 90-degree street corners, a five-cone slalom and simulated expressway ramps. Run in both dry and wet conditions, the test track allows our team to experience the traction, responsiveness, handling, and drivability normally only encountered during abrupt emergency avoidance maneuvers or competition events.
While most On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tires, in addition to the vehicles they’re usually installed on, aren’t judged based on their performance handling prowess, our on-track testing helps reveal traits and behaviors that can’t be obtained through straight-line braking or acceleration metrics alone. Similarly, it helps our team identify how a tire can be expected to perform in an emergency, should the need arise. This is all the more relevant in terms of wet traction and characteristics. In that regard, the WildPeak A/T3W was a significant step beyond the competition. In addition to wet lateral traction that was noticeably superior, its braking distances from 50 mph were more than 20 feet shorter than the next closest tire. Subjectively, our test drivers liked the precise, direct steering and front-to-rear balance that felt very stable while also engaging the rear axle just enough to be useful and fun. The Open Country A/T III was in the middle of the pack in lateral traction on the skid pad and had the longest 50-0 mph braking distance by a minor 1.5 feet. Around the track, the front end was initially responsive, but if the driver tried to ask too much, it would quickly wash out and lead to understeer. When driven within its limits, however, the highly responsive steering allowed for quick changes of direction. Surprisingly, the handling balance leaned strongly to oversteer, particularly under power, which required a lot of driver concentration and quick counter steer to keep the rear end of the vehicle in check. Conversely, the Baja Boss A/T understeered almost exclusively. Similar to the Toyo, the steering was responsive for the first small amount of a turn-in, but it quickly saturated and dissolved into front-end push. While this trait would be safe and stable on the road, it was frustrating for our drivers.
Dry track performance isn’t a high priority for On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tires, but emergency handling, lateral traction, and braking distances are important characteristics for any tire. Here, all three tires were closely grouped, but the WildPeak A/T3W once again led in all objective metrics. The Baja Boss A/T only required an additional foot to stop from 50 mph, and it was a mere one-one hundredth of a g behind the leader on the skid pad. The Open Country A/T III required another three feet beyond the Mickey Thompson to come to a stop, but it was our test team’s subjective favorite on the track thanks to its athletic steering and relatively satisfying dynamic balance.
All three tires in our test were branded with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, indicating they have met the industry’s severe snow service requirements. While non-winter tires featuring the 3PMSF may provide additional snow traction beyond what a standard all-season (M+S) tire can deliver, they do not match the capability of a true winter tire in all adverse weather conditions.
When it came time to give these tires a chance to perform in more frigid conditions, Mickey Thompson’s Baja Boss A/T made a good show of the testing and displayed the ability to put down power, accelerate and ultimately move in inclement road conditions, though not without a bit of slippage. The Toyo Open Country A/T III stayed within competitive range of Mickey Thompson’s offering, although our team found it needed more consideration on the throttle to maintain control, falling just short of the Baja Boss A/T in the corners. Falken’s WildPeak A/T3W was able to accelerate in the snow, but required a deft hand in corners as it gave up a fair bit of lateral stability. Our team found the steering soft and comparatively unresponsive.
On the ice, the Baja Boss A/T led the show in braking distance, though the Open Country A/T III and WildPeak A/T3W showed the ability to keep the grouping tight, with stopping distances for all three tires less than five feet away from one another.
In this test set, the three On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tires place a higher emphasis on off-road capability than their "milder" counterparts. While on-road refinement and wet and dry traction are still a very high priority, in this group we begin to see some of the tradeoffs that exist when seeking to enhance traction once the pavement stops. The Falken WildPeak A/T3W provides a firm and controlled ride along with commendably low noise and direct steering. Its wet traction leads the group by a large amount, and our drivers like its poised confidence in dynamic handling situations. We would like to see the Falken’s winter handling improve, as it struggles somewhat in the snow. The Toyo Open Country A/T III features a ride that is comfortable with light, eager handling. It delivers respectable ice and winter traction, while still providing a fun tire to drive in the snow. The tread noise it creates is about average for the category of tire, and we would like some additional wet traction. Mickey Thompson’s new-for-2022 Baja Boss A/T is surprisingly plush on the road, boasting an impressive combination of comfort and composure. It continues to impress in frigid conditions, taking top marks from our team in nearly all winter categories, with the slight exception of 12-0mph braking on the ice. The steering is a little non-linear, though still acceptable for the category, and it generates the most on-road noise of the test. Similar to the Toyo, wet traction leaves something to be desired, but it may be enough to satisfy on the daily drive.
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