How to Choose Tires for AWD Subaru: What tires are best? 

I have a set of Wild Peaks on my 2015 outback, and they've been AWESOME! Last winter had a couple bad winter storms, and I had ZERO issues getting out. In fact, I helped many get to work, and also helped deliver medicine to people snowed in.

Falken Wildpeak AT Trail are great for CUV's. Great in winter (no tire is good as a dedicated winter tire, but, very good), and no compromises. Great in dry and wet too! Long tread life. Just put them on my wife's Eclipse Cross.

Finally! Someone who doesn’t claim one single tire is the best for all 👍🏻. Depends what you plan to do and what condition to use them. Cheers.

Informative, have a 2020 forester sport live in BC Canada and have been using the falken wildpeak trail since the car was new, 1 yr and 25,000 km, been really impressed on all types of road and forestry road conditions. Been thinking of taking a bit of air out of the tires when on forestry roads, will have to give it a try.

I have Falken Wildpeak AT3W's on my Outback. Awesome in rain, mud, and snow with a minimal MPG hit. Also pretty quiet too.

This is the man I inspire to be. Enjoying the best of life. I am currently 17, living in Australia with a 2015 subaru forester. Starting to do some mods to it but not working out to well. I got a job recently and have been saving up for a while and plan on spending big bucks to be able to get out and enjoy nature. You inspire me man. Keep doing what you do!!!!

This has been one of the most complete videos I have ever found on the internet, when serching information about something so specific. Thanks!

I have a 2019 Forester and replaced 225/60r17 OEMs withPirelli Scorpion AT Plus 225/65r17. Big improvement over the OEM in all aspects on road and obviously on trails. Also have 1.5 inch lift plus 1/2 inch extra from tires to have effective 2 inch lift. The Scorpions are virtually a twin of the Falken Wildpeak Trails.

This man is going places Literally

I grabbed the same ones for mine. You’ll love them.

Some great points , few years back I went from MT to AT and gained 5mpg far quieter smoother and never really found that I had less traction when the trail go tricky

I just got some Falken Wild Peaks for my 2021 Outback. I am 62 and back in the day, I had studded tires and also used chains. Here in NC, we do not have snow anymore and so far this year no ice. I wish it would snow so I can see how these new tires will work. Very good video.

Thank You, really helpful. I am in Melbourne Australia, my standard road tyres have only got about 3-6months in them at my current rate of driving and I was considering A/T tyres. I don't go out much into dirt, but Often take my boat to ramps up and down as well as if go driving inland to fishing destination do venture out off road, but nothing extreme. now it's the choice b/w All Season and A/T.

This is the best explanation of this subject I've found yet and I'm extremely pissed that I didn't stumble upon it until after 5 hours of browsing forums...

I've mounted the less known tyre NOKIAN ROTIIVA A/T, it's a tyre developed and produced in Finland. They are very good off-road and amazing in the snow. Best Regards from Belgium, David

Great video, you really give good, well-researched information. Smaller tires actually cut through the snow, sometimes big fat tires float on the snow. Also, reducing air is great, but you need to warn people not to break the bead. And the most important thing in winter (even more important than 4wd) is good snow tires (like his wife's car, although I'm not sure most people require studs)- I can always tell the cars that have 4wd in the winter that have no snow tires, they have cool cars that slide all over.

Thank you for this breakdown!! Easy to understand and now I feel like I'm not at a complete loss when it comes to tires.

First of all, love your videos! I too have a very similar rig 2021. I doo lots of offroad and hunting in places i probably should not venture off too! Still I am careful and understand that if you want one vehicle that is the most rugged the Outback mperhaps is not the best choice. However for all around utility, daily driver, off road and pushing the bounderies it simply is best for me. When I watch your videos I see the samp philosophy of use and your values reflect mine. I do however tow a 16 foot boat with mine and it does it very well with the 2.4 Turbo. I see all the other vehicles try to do what the Outback does but In my opinion none compare. I too have had Jeeps, and Trucks but still the Outback is my best choice. Thanks for the great information and keep the videos coming!

I have a 2014 Subaru Forester and my summer tires are on their last legs so I've been looking at replacements. I've been researching for weeks and came to either putting the geolanders on my stock 17" rims or buying new 15" rims wrapped in the k02's. I wish I would have found this video a week ago and saved my self some time, but I'm glad my research lines up with your recommendations. I live in British Columbia, Canada, so the snow performance is irrelevant because I have a set of dedicated winters on a second set of rims. I do very little driving in the summer because of my work, but on the weekends I love to go camping. My biggest fear is being a couple hours down a forest service road and having a blowout and being stuck with only the donut to get me out. I'm leaning towards the k02's just for that extra protection and because I do so little driving in the summer (maybe 1500 miles) that the on road performance isn't really an issue, plus they look sick haha. Still trying to decide tho... anyways, great content. I've been enjoying watching your videos.

Awesome run through! Thanks so much for making this.

this is probably the best tires video ive seen, doing my research and this helped so much. also subbed to Nathan as well. great job!

This was so helpful! Thanks for the great video. I’m getting BFG KO2’s for my crosstrek soon. Will be doing a lot of off roading for work. So excited!

Great info. Thanks so much. The Falken's sound like the way to go.

Informative. Thank you... I am in the category '90% hwy 10% sand n dirt' and use the OEM standard tires, with inflator and patch kit on board.

Excellent video. I learned a lot. Loved the Q+A section at the end too.

This might not be a popular choice but I got the Michelin cross-climate 2’s and I love the look of them, they also handle great on and off road. Totally satisfied with the choice

Thank you from a 50 year old women. I appreciate the honesty

Thank you for this very informative video...applies to ALL folks looking for mixed use tires. MUST SEE!!!

2017 Outback on Falken Wildpeak AT3W. Absolutely great tires.

Very informative! Thank you! I grew up in Rajasthan, India..it’s a desert state..so, barely any rains..currently living in British Columbia.. driving in snow, ice & rain is pretty new to me...just this week bought my first new car & it’s a green Outback Limited XT..obviously, Google knew about this & suggested your channel 😊

Thank you Chase! Nice info. I have on 4 new TOYO AT country 3 on my 2016 outback and I am loving it. I was surprised it wasn't mentioned on this forum. I have driven almost 90,000 miles on my all season sets of tires (I am having my daughter to put on the same all season tires for her Outback) before I went with Toyo. I do drive on washboard roads a lot for fly fishing adventures and some rocky areas with some snow in winter. Keep up the good work!

Finally some honest content.

Great video chase!

This video explains why my Crosstrek (with the Geolander tires) ran like a champ during the snow we had in Texas this year.

Have always put BFG AT/KOs on all my Toyota's, but when I got my Outback I didn't want that extra weight and side wall bulk so I tried the Cooper Discoverer and I love them! They feel made for Subarus and are very comparable to the BFGs in gravel/dirt/sand ability IMO. But they absolutely eat snowy roads for lunch. And much quieter than the BFGs. Long term I expect them to wear out faster than the BFGs, and possibly be more prone to trail damage, but we'll see. Great video!

Thank you for the great information. Learned a lot about tires. Awesome video👍

Thank you for this video. Excellent insights! Subscribed.

I appreciate this. Just bought a 2023 subaru forester and have been thinking about taking it out for camping but I also live in a area where it snows for 3-4 months out of the year. So knowing which tires to get for the major seasons is very helpful. The Falken tires for winter and just the generic all season tires will be for me.

Great video. I'm plannng on making a tire and wheel purchase for my Subaru in the next 30 to 60 days and this was very helpful in my decision making.

Hey Chase, great video about Subaru tires. We seem to make a lot of similar choices. I bought a Subaru (Forester), Jasper Green, as my adventure vehicle for camping, road trips, “softroading”, etc. And shortly after I bought it I fitted it with the Falken Wildpeak A/T Trails. I’ve got over 2K miles on them already including some driving in Death Valley (very happy with my choice, both the car & the tires). I stuck with the stock size. And in one of your videos recently I noticed we have the same backpack (Atlas Athlete). And I too use a drone. I still use a tent though rather than sleeping in the car. :). Maybe I’ll try that sometime but I’d have to rig up something for the space between the seats (the Forester is shorter than the Outback, and I’m 6’. Hope you keep up the videos, they’re fun to watch. 😎

Yeap, I rock WildPeak AT3 on my Jeep Cherokee. Love them alot. 5% snow, 10% off-road and 85% on-road. Going on 1 year in January.

Never thought about airing down my 2015 Forester until this video. Just like to do backroad/dirtroad drives. But I did get a full size tire and got rid of the doughnut. Got a Viair air compressor and a plug kit, too, just in case. Thanks for the idea!

Thanks, very informative, now l know what to get for my crosstrek.

Wonderful video! I'm gonna be buying a Subaru Crosstrek and I'll be driving up the Rocky Mountains 5 days a week. I'll be buying the Wildpeaks, Thank you!

The new BFGooodrich Trail Terrains look really good! They are like a slightly less aggressive KO2 optimized for mileage, snow traction and durability

Very good information! During the winter storm here in Texas my jeep has MT patagonia and slid off the road almost causing a very bad accident. I'll most definitely go with falkens for my 2005 outback next. Believe or not I got a subaru because you've inspired me to get one haha! The best vehicle to go camping. Great video man 👍🏼

Love the channel Chase. Thanks for the recommendation of the Falkan Wildpeaks. Just put them on and took my 2017 Outback 3.6 to Mammoth with some heavy snowfall. The tires performed better than expected in some solid snow conditions and ice. They stuck to the road so well and breaking was very good too. Tires also felt very good on dry and wet paved highway.

Great info. Thanks for sharing. I have an Outback, Forester & Tercel 4wd, all needing tires, so I am doing some research.

Nice video, other guy super knowledgeable too!

great shots!

Man, this video was very educational! Crosstrek owner here. Thank you!

Another great post 👍 I have Wildpeak A/T3W 235/65R17 on custom wheels (KMC Alpine 17x8). Smoother than I expected on asphalt and very solid in all backcountry conditions I have hit so far. Since I max out on roof cargo weight most time (or slightly over😀) and I have a 60 lbs ebike on the hitch rack I value 10 mm additional tire width. Also started airing down more frequently on rough gravel roads.

Thanks for the information.

Take a look at the Michelin Climate 2 very good to excellent performer and is rated as a snow tire. This tire you don't have to remove every season because it design to run quiet and has the snow peak symbol. It will last a long time too.

I’m not a fan of Subaru’s but you made a great choice in tires

I have p225/60r17 Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady tires on my 2015 Forester Limited 2.5 Cvt. Tires are excellent in Snow, Ice and Rain. I lower the tire pressure to 20-16 for driving on the beach.

Your photography is on point. Good job!

I put a set of 17" wheels on a set of Michelin Cross Climate 2. They are just perfect for the level of off road I care to travel on. I have the ability to air "up/down" with a portable air pump though.

I put the Toyo Celcious CUV tires on my 21 Forester and they have been great on ice, snow, slush and dry roads , they are on 18” wheels

Great stuff. Love your 3rd person shouting angle. How did you do that while driving? You can do a video about it.

This is some good info. I have Wildpeak Trail tires on my Outback and also had them previously on my RAV4 and love them. I got a 5th wheel so I can have a full size spare along with a compressor, patch kit, bottle jack, shovel, and recovery boards.

I got some bfg mt+s on my Gladiator and they seem to work amazing in the snow, not the best on ice of course. But there not to noisy and handle surprisingly well

Thank you. Very informative

I just set the Trail Terrain BF Goodrich on my Subaru Forester 2019 and feels awesome, in Road and Off-Road trails 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼

Just found this channel and I love the content! I was wondering: What year is your Subaru?

very informative. thanks

My Subaru Ascent is on its second winter with the Wildpeak AT/Trails. They do great in the snow. Combined fuel economy has been impacted by less than 1mpg. Great video

I did so much research before buying my tires with all the brands that they mentioned in this video. The end result was Wild Peaks because of the extra 5000 MI warranty. So total of 55,000 MI took them up the first weekend I had of them and wound up pulling three other Subarus out of the snow. I bought these tires because we had a ice storm coming and they did phenomenal in the ice

BFG FTW. SoCal has tons of deserts and and Rocky locations. Tires are solid.

Awesome video Chase! I have a ‘14 Outback and me and some friends are planning to do a XC road trip in about a month from NJ to Cali and back. Is there anything you recommend getting checked out or serviced before taking long trips on subarus?

I have Wildpeak AT Trails on my 2012 outback 3.6r. I love them so far and they were great in the Wyoming winter. Gas mileage hasn’t been terribly affected either. A little less than a 2 MPG difference between them and street tires.

Good video, thanks! BTW, does your Outback have aftermarket skid plates? Have you done a video on that?

Awesome video

Great video

Good video bro !

I’ve used all terrain and mud terrain in the snow here in Washington and to me the main difference seems to be on braking.

Amazing VIdeo ... Helped alot .... just a small question ... when going for the Falkens (on a Crosstreck) do I actually need a Lift (1" 1.5") ?? and Do I need to change the stock Rims ?

I live in Alaska and run Bridgestone Blizzak on my Subaru legacy and I love then

My outbacks in Alaska needed the studded tires for the amount of ice in the street all summer long but in Colorado it melts during the day and you’re driving around on slush. So you need studless.

I do 0 off roading in my legacy or my outback but when we get up to 8in of snow my yokohama avid ascent gt tires do the job very well

Thank you very much from Germany

Thank you for a very informative video. I too own a Subaru and looking for a new set of tires. I think I will be purchasing the same one as yours. I assume you used the current rims you have now with the new AT tires?

wow….you guys, this was great info. I am planning to live in my 2012 Outback starting within the next 6 months. I plan to travel all over the west and boondock off dirt roads in mountains of Montana, Washington, Idaho, and desert areas of AZ and Utah. I currently have Uniroyal Tiger Paw A/S touring tires. Do you think those will suffice if I deflate as necessary and am careful going over rocks, washboards, etc? I would appreciate your input on this. Thanks!

i have Michelin Cross Climate 2's on my 09 Impreza, i live in New Hampshire. I work for a landscaping company and shovel snow in the winter, and i can tell you these tires are like glue on snow and ice, i also do a lot of dirt road driving, and some class 6 roads as well. it is lifted. for $575. you cant go wrong, they do make a little noise going down the road though, iv seen people look up at the sound of them.

California here 14 forester xt falken wild peak stock size never goes in the dirt but got them fir the look

I PERSONALLY use Yokohama Geolandar A/T G015 235/60/R18. They fit the stock outback 18 inch wheels with no rubbing and have the snow flake rating.

HI, Thank you for this great video. What would you recommend for Outback 2017 in California weather fire truck like terrain?

I am one minute in and I am going to tell you what I have on MY Subaru Forester = Yokohama Geo-Landar X-A/T THESE have be working good! I drive a lot on the road but they work Great in the sand and dirt too.

Thanks for the video and great info.. I've been reading on the new Michelin Crossclimate2 and those seem like a good option too for all season tires for Subaru. I'm debating between those and the WildPeaks. For me it's mostly city/highway most of the year and going snowboarding in the winter.

Great information thanks

I’m currently trying to decide which trim of outback I want to go for coming from my 15 crosstrek. Will likely be for 80% commuting to work, but car camping and getting to trailheads on the weekends (maybe a few road trips sprinkled in too). The new wilderness edition looked great till the mpg hit. Thinking maybe the Onyx XT or one of the 2.5L trims and just throwing some ATs on it. Only thing that’s pushing me to the XT is the added towing incase I decided to get a teardrop down the road.

Hey, Mr Chase! Been watching your clips, and subbed. Your films were influential in my decision to buy an excellent condition '18 Outback. I've ordered a popular 2" lift strut kit, and can't wait to install it, along with off-road tires and less backspaced wheels. Just wondering if you've considered equipping your Outback with an improved, higher clearance suspension, or why you would not?

🥸 The lumpy tread Lookig line around the edge of the sidewalls and close to the tread is to supply some strength against the rocks and sharps when you deflate. It’s designed for when you do so you don’t harm the part of the sidewall that becomes the bottom when deflated. Good information Guy’s be safe! Just a Forester Freak 🤓 and a good 🐕 dog God Bless you from Tulalip Washington State! 😏❤️🖖🏼

Great video guys. Currently running the Yokohama geolander GO15s on my forester and they've been awesome. Once those are gone I'll prob be jumping over to the open country at3. Thoughts on these? Main motivation being extra tread and slight size increase with + smaller wheels to increase sidewall.

Debating on my next tires. Stepping outside of owning cars forever. Bought a 2015 Forester. Factory tires are 225/60 17 I believe. Tires that are currently on are 235/65 17 all season. That are close to rubbing but don't seem to run. Wondering if I went with A/T, if they would be more sticking out to rub. No lifts.

im still debating wether ill go for 15" wheels or 16".. i like the looks of 15", more rugged look but options are KO2s and yoko G015s.. where as 16" I can have AT trails and AT4s.. I'm leaning towards 16"s and my top choices are falken and cooper... thanks for this!

Chase - would appreciate your feedback on the Wildpeak after having them for awhile. I have a 2022 Outback with 40k so near time for a replacement. I’m between the wildpeaks and the Yokohama GO15. Heard Nate say in your video both are great choices but would value your feedback. Leaning a little toward the GO15 for a slightly more mannered choice. Great videos

My Crosstrek came with Geolandar G91s. Not bad traction-wise, but noisy as a coin laundry. The most ambtious off-road I do is a gravel driveway, so when they wear out I'm looking toward Michelin CrossClimate 2. I've head they might have more rolling resistance, but I've been driving Michelins for more than fifty years and they wear like iron and have the traction of an abalone at low tide. And quiet..

Get tyres for your local conditions. For example, here in Sweden it is pretty much standard for all cars to have two sets of rims, one set with summer tyres and one set with winter tyres. There are legal requirements about having winter tyres (though not necessarily studded ones) during certain months of the year. I have studded tyres (Nokian Hakkapeliitta) on my Subaru Outback, and run those from mid/late-November to early April. So 5-ish months of the year. All season tyres is basically not a thing around here. The manufacturers tried to introduce them a decade or ago, but they got universally bad scores in tests and were involved in many accidents. They really don't work for our conditions.

Another thing to point out with Subarus and their AWD systems - it's important to rotate your tires regularly to keep similar tread depth at all 4 corners (and maybe have a full sized spare you rotate in to the mix at each switch too). Sucks having one tire have a fatal puncture and needing to replace all 4 - ask me how I know :)