Sure the Forester is a practical daily runabout, but it’s much more capable than that. Especially if you toss on some all-terrain tires.

If you’re looking for maximum performance from your symmetrical all-wheel drive system, just toss the factory street-focused rubber and equip your Forester with some amazingly capable all-terrain tires, like the selection of offerings we’ve outlined below.

Of note: not every tire on this list will perfectly match with your Forester’s factory tire size, so be sure to double check when ordering. Some may be slightly larger than the factory tires, while some may require unique rim sizes as well.

Toyo Open Country AT III

The next evolution of Toyo’s all-terrain tire the Open Country AT III is even more capable and offers superior on-road grip in the wet. We also like that it now comes winter-rated so you can confidently use these tires in all seasons no matter where you live.

Due to all the off-road advancements, they do lose some on-road responsiveness, but we think it’s worth the tradeoff here.

There’s a tread wear guarantee of 65,000 miles.

As an added note, the AT IIs are still offered so if you don’t mind not having the latest advancements in tire technology, you can probably get a set of those at a bargain now.

   

Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail

While traditional all-terrain tires are built for pickup trucks and true SUVs, there’s an increasing demand for superior capability for today’s off-road capable crossovers – like the Subaru Forester.

To meet that need, Falken recently came out with the Wildpeak AT Trail tire.

Offering off-road traction well-above any all-season tire, the AT Trail lets you push your crossover to the limit off-road. And to that end, it features a durable 2-ply polyester construction to help it maintain its shape when abused.

At the same time, the tire’s on-road characteristics don’t just focus on dry and wet weather grip, but also on noise, comfort and even rolling resistance – ensuring your crossover continues to operate efficiently during daily driving.

It also comes with a severe winter rating and features the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol so you can confidently run these tires all-year round.

And as seems to be the norm on this list, they comes backed with a 65,000 mile tread life guarantee.

   

Cooper Discover AT3 4S

One of our favorite all-terrain tires, these Coopers will give you all the off-road grip you need and still deliver excellent on-road manners. They’re excellently built to resist aquaplaning and come with a solid 65,000 mile tread life warranty from the factory.

We also just love the style of these tires, from the tread pattern to the sidewall.

These Coopers were an easy pick for our list of Subaru Forester off road tires.

 

Pirelli Scorpion ATR

Of the tires on this list, the Scorpion ATR is the most on-road capable – which you’d expect from a high-performance European brand like Pirelli.

In fact, the tread pattern looks more like one belonging to an all-season tire and a high-performance one at that. There’s a significant center rib to the tire, giving it excellent highway stability and responsiveness to cornering, plus sizeable exterior tread blocks to hold up under cornering.

Still offering plenty more off-road grip than an all-season, if you value your on-road performance as much as your off-road grip, these are the right tires for you.

   

Hankook Dynapro AT2

One of the more affordable options on this list, the Hankook Dynapro AT2 will enable you to really explore the great outdoors without investing too heavily in the experience.

The tire comes with a 60,000 mile tread wear warranty, which is about 5,000 miles lower than the majority of other tires on this list. Then again, you’ll save up front with very attractive pricing.

With mid-range capability off-road, it shines in the wet on-road and is even severe winter weather rated for use all year round.

   

BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A

Built for those with an adventurous lifestyle, BFG’s new Trail-Terrain T/A is designed to give on-road comfort and driving dynamics combined with light off-road traction and durability.

More capable than a Highway Terrain tire, but less aggressive than a true All-Terrain option, the Trail-Terrain T/A comes with a tread compound that’s designed to resist cutting and chipping on gravel roads.  The shoulder tread blocks are purposefully designed with a serrated edge to give traction off-road, while their width and plentiful amount of contact patch with the road, means they offer surprisingly good handling on the street.

On top of all this, the siping and tread compound combine to make them winter-capable and they come certified with the three-peak mountain snowflake logo.

A 60,000 mile tread life warranty is quite good, though not quite as high as some of the other options on this list.

   

Tire Buying FAQ

Where can I find the best price on tires?

There is no one answer to this question unfortunately. Sites like Tire Rack and Discount tire offer deals all the time on specific brands. You can also find deals on Amazon though they are much harder to find and often only apply to a specific size or group of sizes. Visit our Tire Deals page for more info.

When is the best time to buy tires?

It’s common that many shoppers buy tires once its already too late. At that point you don’t have a lot of choice and can often over-pay. If you’re planning ahead, generally, retailers offer significant tire deals around major holiday weekends (especially in the summer), as well as Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

How much is Shipping?

Shipping is often included when you purchase tires online. Many retailers offer free shipping if you get your tires shipped to an installer that they recommend. Even if you ship to your home, Tire Rack offers free shipping on purchases over $50. And if you’re buying new tires, that won’t be hard.

How long does shipping take?

Shipping can take just a few days, or over a week in the worst cases. Often it depends on where you live. anyone in a larger urban center or living closer to a tire distribution center can get them quite quickly.

Does anyone offer mobile tire installation?

Depending on where you live, there may be numerous local mobile tire installers available. If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of tracking one down, TireRack offers its own service. You don’t even have to purchase tires from TireRack to use it.

While it’s more expensive than bringing your tires to the shop, it’s also a lot more convenient. Prices start at $25 per tire.

How much does it cost to install a tire?

Generally you’ll pay between $25 and $50 per tire for installation services. This includes mounting and balancing, while using the latest tools so your rims don’t get scuffed or scraped.

Do I need to replace the tire pressure monitoring system when I change tires?

It’s not necessary to replace TMPS sensors when you change tires, but you may want to consider it. The units can fail over time due to damage or corrosion. Also, most units contain a battery and as a sealed unit, they must be replaced when the battery wears down. While most tire installers will handle sourcing these parts for you, you can also buy your own here.

Do online tire retailers offer rebates?

Absolutely! In fact, rebates are offered by most brands (even premium ones). Often these incentives are offered with other deals including up-front discounts and credit card offers.