The Subaru Forester is a very capable crossovers you can take off the pavement, but the all-season tires it ships with leave a lot of that capability on the table. Swapping to a proper all terrain tire transforms how the Forester handles gravel forest roads, muddy trailheads, snow-covered driveways, and the occasional rocky two-track, all while keeping it civil on the daily commute. The trick is finding an A/T tire that fits common Forester sizes like 225/60R17 and 225/55R18 without ruining ride comfort or fuel economy.
We focused on tires that real Forester owners actually run, weighing off-road bite against on-road manners, noise, winter traction, and how long the tread lasts. Below are seven all terrain tires that genuinely suit the Forester’s weight, gearing, and modest lift potential, ranked best first so you can match the right set to how you actually drive.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail Best Overall Crossover-specific A/T, 3PMSF rated, 65,000 mile tread warranty |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A Best On-Road Comfort Touring-biased A/T, 3PMSF rated, 60,000 mile warranty |
9.3 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S Best All-Weather Value All-weather A/T, 3PMSF rated, 65,000 mile warranty |
9.1 | 🛒 Check Price |
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General Grabber A/TX Best Off-Road Bite Aggressive A/T, 3PMSF rated, 60,000 mile warranty |
8.9 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 Best Tread Life Long-wearing A/T, 3PMSF rated, up to 60,000 mile warranty |
8.7 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Toyo Open Country A/T III Best All-Around Toughness Adaptable A/T, 3PMSF rated, up to 65,000 mile warranty |
8.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse AT Best Budget Pick Value A/T, 3PMSF rated, 50,000 mile warranty |
8.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail: Best Overall
The Wildpeak A/T Trail is the rare all terrain tire engineered from the ground up for crossovers, which is exactly why it tops our list for the Forester. Where most A/T tires are designed for trucks and SUVs and then squeezed into smaller sizes, the A/T Trail uses a lighter casing and a tread compound that keeps the Forester feeling like a Forester. On gravel and packed dirt it digs in confidently, and the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating means it actually earns its winter stripes rather than just looking the part.
The honest weakness is depth of off-road ability. If your weekends involve deep mud bogs or sharp rock crawling, a more aggressive truck-derived tire will outbite it. For the vast majority of Forester owners who mix daily commuting with gravel roads, snow, and moderate trails, though, that trade buys you noticeably quieter highway cruising and a more composed ride. It is the safest all-around recommendation here.
- Built specifically for crossovers and CUVs like the Forester, not a trimmed-down truck tire
- 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rated with sipes that bite in snow and slush
- Lighter construction than truck A/Ts to protect ride and fuel economy
Pros: Excellent balance of trail grip and quiet highway manners; Genuinely strong winter and light snow traction for an A/T; Sizing tuned for crossover fitments including the Forester
Cons: Less aggressive on deep mud and rock than full truck A/T tires; Tread pattern is mild looking if you want a rugged appearance
2. BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A: Best On-Road Comfort
If your Forester spends most of its life on pavement but you want it ready for the cabin, the campsite, or a snowy commute, the Trail-Terrain T/A is the sweet spot. BFGoodrich built this tire to bridge their touring and KO2 lines, and the result rides almost like a premium all-season while still adding real capability on gravel and dirt. The serrated shoulders give you grip when the road turns loose, and the 3PMSF rating means winter is covered.
The limitation is right there in the name: this is a trail tire, not a terrain tire. Push it into deep mud or over loose rock and it gives up ground to chunkier rivals quickly. But for the Forester owner whose priority is a quiet, comfortable daily driver that can confidently handle forest service roads and snow, the comfort and refinement here are class leading.
- Tuned for crossovers and SUVs with a quiet, refined highway ride
- 3PMSF rated for confident cold-weather and light snow traction
- Serrated shoulder blocks add bite on gravel and dirt without road drone
Pros: Among the quietest and smoothest A/T tires you can fit; Trusted BFGoodrich brand with proven all-season grip; Looks rugged without the noise penalty of aggressive treads
Cons: Not meant for serious mud or technical off-road use; Shoulder bite is modest compared with hardcore A/T tires
3. Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S: Best All-Weather Value
The Discoverer AT3 4S is the all-weather specialist of this group, and it represents outstanding value for Forester owners who see real winter. The 4S in the name signals four-season intent, and Cooper backs it up with a 3PMSF rating and a tread design that grips snow and ice better than most tires in this segment. The Whisper Grooves feature genuinely cuts the highway hum that makes some A/T tires tiresome on long drives.
It is not flawless. The tread blocks can feel a touch squirmy in the first few hundred miles before they settle in, and mud clearing is merely adequate rather than exceptional. For a Forester that needs to conquer snowy mountain passes one weekend and a gravel campground the next, though, the AT3 4S delivers a remarkable amount of capability and refinement without asking much in return.
- Whisper Grooves technology reduces the road noise typical of A/T tires
- 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rated for serious four-season use
- Available in passenger-rated sizes ideal for the Forester's lighter weight
Pros: Strong four-season and snow performance for the money; Quieter than most A/T tires thanks to noise-reducing grooves; Long tread life backed by a solid mileage warranty
Cons: Tread can feel slightly squirmy when brand new; Mud clearing is average versus dedicated off-road tires
4. General Grabber A/TX: Best Off-Road Bite
For the Forester owner who actually leaves the pavement often, the Grabber A/TX brings the most off-road bite in this lineup. The aggressive tread, stone bumpers, and reinforced sidewalls let it dig through mud and claw over loose, rocky terrain far better than the touring-leaning tires above it. It carries a 3PMSF rating too, so it handles snow with the same confidence it shows in the dirt, making it a genuine do-it-all choice for adventurous drivers.
That capability comes with the usual A/T trade-offs. The Grabber A/TX is noticeably louder on the highway than the Wildpeak or Trail-Terrain, the ride is firmer, and you will give back a little fuel economy. If you treat your Forester as a budget overlander and prize trail performance over hushed cruising, those compromises are easy to live with, and the value here is hard to beat.
- Aggressive tread with stone bumpers and a more rugged look
- 3PMSF rated and engineered for snow, mud, and loose surfaces
- Durable construction with strong sidewall and chip resistance
Pros: Excellent traction in mud, dirt, and snow for the price; Tougher, more aggressive appearance suits a lifted Forester; Solid build resists cuts and chips on rocky trails
Cons: Noisier on the highway than touring-focused A/T tires; Slightly firmer ride and a small fuel economy penalty
5. Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015: Best Tread Life
The Geolandar A/T G015 has earned a loyal following because it simply lasts. Yokohama’s Triple Polymer compound is tuned for durability and even wear, so Forester owners who put on big highway miles between adventures will get more seasons out of a set than they would from softer rivals. Despite a fairly rugged tread pattern, the quiet pitch design keeps it from droning on long drives, and the 3PMSF rating covers winter duty.
The catch is that all that longevity comes from a harder-wearing compound, which means it does not bite as fiercely in deep mud or loose rock as a softer, more aggressive tire. Sizing for the smaller 17-inch Forester wheels can also be a little thin depending on stock. But if your priority is a dependable, long-lasting A/T that quietly handles gravel and snow for years, the G015 is one of the smartest buys here.
- Triple Polymer compound built for long, even tread wear
- 3PMSF rated with enduring grip in light snow and slush
- Quiet pitch tread design keeps highway noise in check
Pros: Exceptional tread life and even wear over the long haul; Quieter than its aggressive looks suggest; Reliable wet and light snow traction
Cons: Off-road grip trails the most aggressive tires in deep terrain; Available sizing for smaller Forester wheels can be limited
6. Toyo Open Country A/T III: Best All-Around Toughness
The Open Country A/T III is Toyo’s well-rounded workhorse, and the third-generation update added the snow siping and 3PMSF rating that earlier versions lacked. On a Forester it brings a reassuring sense of toughness, handling washboard gravel, rutted trails, and snowy roads without drama. Toyo also offers it in one of the broadest size catalogs in the business, so finding the right fit for stock or lightly modified Forester wheels is rarely a problem.
Because it is fundamentally a truck-and-SUV tire adapted across many fitments, it carries a bit more weight than the purpose-built crossover tires at the top of this list. That can slightly dull steering crispness and adds a touch of road noise on the highway. For Forester owners who want a durable, do-everything A/T from a respected brand and value easy availability, those minor trade-offs are well worth it.
- Updated tread with improved snow and wet-weather siping
- 3PMSF rated and built to shrug off rough trail surfaces
- Available in a variety of sizes including Forester fitments
Pros: Tough, confidence-inspiring build for mixed terrain; Strong winter rating with a long mileage warranty; Huge size catalog makes fitment easy
Cons: Heavier feel can slightly blunt steering response; More road noise than crossover-tuned A/T tires
7. Goodyear Wrangler Workhorse AT: Best Budget Pick
The Wrangler Workhorse AT is the practical, accessible choice for Forester owners who want genuine all terrain capability without overspending. Goodyear’s Durawall sidewall reinforcement helps it survive the cuts and punctures that ruin cheaper tires on gravel and trails, and the 3PMSF rating means it is rated for real winter driving rather than just dry-weather light duty. For a daily-driven Forester that occasionally heads off the beaten path, it covers the bases honestly.
You do feel where the savings come from. The 50,000 mile warranty is shorter than the premium tires here, and off-road grip in mud or technical terrain is competent rather than impressive. But as a no-nonsense, brand-name A/T that delivers reliable all-season performance and a bit of trail toughness for a Forester, the Workhorse AT is a sensible way to get most of the capability for a fraction of the fuss.
- Durawall technology helps resist sidewall cuts and punctures
- 3PMSF rated for dependable traction in winter conditions
- Balanced tread offers solid all-season grip at an accessible value
Pros: Trusted Goodyear name at an approachable value; Good wet and snow traction for everyday driving; Tougher sidewalls than many entry-level A/T tires
Cons: Shorter mileage warranty than premium rivals; Off-road and mud performance is basic rather than standout
Frequently Asked Questions
What size all terrain tires fit a Subaru Forester?
It depends on your model year and trim, but the most common factory Forester sizes are 225/60R17 and 225/55R18, with some older models running 225/65R17. Always check the placard inside your driver’s door jamb for the exact recommended size before ordering. Many owners run the factory size in an A/T tire for a plug-and-play upgrade, while those with a small lift sometimes step up to a slightly taller size like 235/65R17. If you change diameter much, be aware it can affect your speedometer accuracy and trigger the all-wheel-drive system, so it is best to stay close to stock unless you know what you are doing.
Will all terrain tires hurt my Forester's fuel economy and ride?
There is usually a small penalty, but it is more manageable on a Forester than on a heavy truck. A/T tires have more aggressive tread and often weigh a bit more than the factory all-seasons, which adds rolling resistance and can shave a little off your fuel economy and make the ride slightly firmer. The good news is that crossover-tuned tires like the Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail and BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A are specifically built to minimize this, so the difference is modest. If quiet comfort and efficiency are your top priorities, lean toward those touring-biased A/T options rather than the most aggressive truck-style tires.
Do I need to replace all four tires at once on a Forester?
Yes, and this is more important on a Subaru than on most vehicles. The Forester’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system relies on all four tires being very close in diameter and tread depth. Mixing significantly worn tires with new ones, or running different models front and rear, can cause the center differential or clutch pack to work overtime and lead to expensive driveline damage. Always replace all four tires as a set with the same make, model, and size to keep your AWD system healthy and your handling balanced.
Are all terrain tires good in snow on a Subaru Forester?
Many of them are excellent, especially when paired with the Forester’s all-wheel drive. Look for tires that carry the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, which means they passed a standardized snow traction test. Every tire on this list is 3PMSF rated, so options like the Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S and Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail give you genuinely strong snow and slush performance. That said, an A/T tire is not a substitute for a dedicated winter tire in severe ice and deep snow. If you live somewhere with brutal winters, a separate set of dedicated snow tires will still outperform any all terrain tire in the worst conditions.
How long do all terrain tires last on a Forester?
Most quality A/T tires on a Forester will last somewhere in the range of their mileage warranty, which is typically 50,000 to 65,000 miles depending on the model, with longevity-focused tires like the Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 often reaching the top of that range. The Forester’s relatively light weight compared to a truck or large SUV is actually an advantage here, since less load means slower tread wear. To get the most life out of them, rotate your tires every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, keep them properly inflated, and check your alignment, since uneven wear from poor alignment is the fastest way to cut a tire’s life short.
Our Verdict
For most Subaru Forester owners, the Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail is the clear top pick, because it was engineered specifically for crossovers and nails the balance between real trail and snow capability and quiet, comfortable daily driving. Our runner up is the BFGoodrich Trail-Terrain T/A, which is the one to choose if on-road comfort and a hushed highway ride matter most to you while still adding genuine all-weather grip. Whichever you choose, remember to replace all four tires as a set to protect your Forester’s all-wheel-drive system, and match the size to your door-jamb placard for a worry-free fit.
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