BFGoodrich KO3 All-Terrain Tires – A Top Contender for Daily Driver/Overlanding Tires

BFGoodrich, a long-time leader in off-road tires, last year launched its All-Terrain T/A KO3—the successor to the hugely popular KO2. Many off-road enthusiasts, myself included, have relied on the KO2 for years, so the release of the KO3s was intriguing. With the KO3, BFGoodrich aimed to build on that legacy with a newly engineered tread pattern, compound, and sidewall design that addresses the shifting demands of today’s off-road community.

According to BFGoodrich, the KO3 benefits from a decade of data and testing since the KO2’s introduction. The company highlight improved wear performance, increased gravel-road durability, and better snow traction as the tire’s headline features, without sacrificing the hallmark KO2 benefits of sidewall strength and dependable grip in soft soil. The new design incorporates the brand’s CoreGard Technology—a hallmark of its Baja race-tire lineage—to help protect against sidewall damage and punctures.

BFGoodrich plans to roll out more than 100 sizes of the KO3 through 2026. The company reports that all KO3 sizes will carry a 50,000-mile warranty and a 60-day satisfaction guarantee.

The KO3’s biggest changes lie underfoot. A new tread compound and denser footprint are intended to deliver even wear over time, especially on challenging gravel roads, which can cause early damage on less robust tires.

BFGoodrich also redesigned the internal sipes for better snow traction, helping the KO3 earn a Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating. Mud performance appears to be another key focus, with the addition of “Mud-Phobic Bars” between the lugs to prevent the sticky buildup that can rob tires of grip in sloppy conditions.

For drivers who expect a quieter ride than a dedicated mud-terrain tire can provide, BFGoodrich claims the KO3 uses a staggered lug pattern designed to limit resonance on the highway. Though any all-terrain tire will produce more noise than a typical street tire, BFGoodrich says these changes aim to minimize that familiar hum during daily commutes.

The relatively quiet ride of the tires was the reason I ended up going with KO2s over a mud terrain, and I haven’t had any complaints, though it’s worth noting that I driving over sand and rocks more than mud. If I was mudding a lot, I would likely go with a different, more agressive tire.

At this stage, it remains to be seen if the KO3 will reach the ubiquity of its KO2 predecessor—a tire many off-roaders, including me, depend on for day-to-day and off-pavement use. BFGoodrich appears confident that a new rubber compound, reworked lug pattern, and Baja-inspired sidewall will give the KO3 a noticeable edge in long-term durability and versatility. As the brand expands the size lineup over the next two years, off-road enthusiasts will have a chance to test these improvements firsthand.

For more information on sizes, availability, and pricing, visit bfgoodrichtires.com or check with your local BFGoodrich dealer.