93
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
93/100
220 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
Head-to-head
Updated May 2026
Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac vs Michelin Defender LTX M/S — Compared (May 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
VS
95
/ 100
Objective (60%)
–/100
No test data yet
User signal (40%)
95/100
109 owner reviews
Prices change daily — check the retailer for your size.
VerdictWinner: Michelin Defender LTX M/S — better comfort, noise and handling. Pick the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac if snow matters most to you.
Read full
TireWheelGuide may earn a commission from purchases made via links on this page.
Category breakdown
7 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Score (0–100)
Defender LTX M/S leads by 2
Why this score
| Source | Wrangler DuraTrac | Defender LTX M/S |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 85 | 92 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 84 | 94 |
| SimpleTire owners | 93 | – |
Wet
Score (0–100)
Defender LTX M/S leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Wrangler DuraTrac | Defender LTX M/S |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 89 | 83 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 91 |
| SimpleTire owners | 89 | – |
Snow
Score (0–100)
Wrangler DuraTrac leads by 8
Why this score
| Source | Wrangler DuraTrac | Defender LTX M/S |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 86 | 94 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 89 | 80 |
| SimpleTire owners | 91 | – |
Comfort
Score (0–100)
Defender LTX M/S leads by 6
Why this score
| Source | Wrangler DuraTrac | Defender LTX M/S |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 86 | 84 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 73 | 87 |
| SimpleTire owners | 89 | – |
Noise
Score (0–100)
Defender LTX M/S leads by 5
Why this score
| Source | Wrangler DuraTrac | Defender LTX M/S |
|---|---|---|
| SimpleTire owners | 78 | – |
Treadwear
Score (0–100)
Defender LTX M/S leads by 3
Why this score
| Source | Wrangler DuraTrac | Defender LTX M/S |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 78 | 92 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 90 | 97 |
| SimpleTire owners | 88 | – |
Handling
Score (0–100)
Defender LTX M/S leads by 4
Why this score
| Source | Wrangler DuraTrac | Defender LTX M/S |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 78 | 85 |
| DriverReviews owners | 86 | – |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac | Michelin Defender LTX M/S |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 93 | 95 |
| Dry | 96 | 98 |
| Wet | 93 | 96 |
| Snow | 90 | 82 |
| Comfort | 90 | 96 |
| Noise | 90 | 95 |
| Treadwear | 94 | 97 |
| Handling | 93 | 97 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Personalize
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Recomputed
Headline score
93
/ 100
Tire A
95
/ 100
Tire B
From owners
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac is widely regarded as a top-tier performer for off-road enthusiasts and those living in harsh winter climates, consistently praised for its exceptional traction in snow, mud, and loose terrain. While many users find the ride quality and noise levels surprisingly manageable for such an aggressive tread, some report increased road noise as the tires wear and a noticeable impact on fuel efficiency. Overall, it remains a go-to choice for drivers prioritizing rugged capability and reliability over maximum highway comfort.
Pros
- Exceptional traction in deep snow, ice, and mud
- Aggressive, rugged aesthetic that appeals to truck and SUV owners
- Strong off-road durability and puncture resistance
- Surprisingly quiet and smooth ride for an aggressive all-terrain tire
- Reliable performance for heavy-duty towing and work-truck applications
Cons
- Increased road noise as the tread wears down
- Potential for uneven tread wear over time
- Noticeable reduction in fuel economy (MPG)
- Stiffer ride quality due to reinforced sidewall construction
- Performance can degrade on wet pavement as the rubber compound ages
Observations
- Users with 3-ply sidewall variants (often on trucks like the Frontier PRO4X) reported a firmer, sometimes harsh ride compared to standard tires.
- Owners of heavy-duty or diesel trucks frequently cite the tire's longevity and stability under load as a primary benefit.
- Jeep Wrangler owners noted that while the tires improve off-road capability, they may cause minor rubbing in wheel wells depending on the specific size and suspension setup.
The Michelin Defender LTX M/S is widely regarded as a premier all-season tire for trucks and SUVs, consistently praised for its exceptional tread longevity and balanced performance across various weather conditions. While the vast majority of users report superior ride comfort, stability, and fuel efficiency, a small minority of owners have noted issues with increased road noise as the tires age or inconsistent traction in specific wet-weather scenarios.
Pros
- Exceptional tread life often exceeding 60,000–80,000 miles
- Strong all-weather traction, particularly in dry and light snow conditions
- Improved fuel efficiency due to low rolling resistance
- High level of ride comfort and stability for heavy vehicles
- Reliable performance that often outperforms original equipment (OE) tires
Cons
- Increased road noise reported by some users as the tire tread wears down
- Higher price point compared to competitors
- Occasional reports of reduced wet-weather grip or traction loss during turns
- Limited off-road capability in mud or deep sand
Observations
- Heavy-duty truck owners (RAM 2500/3500) report high satisfaction with durability, even under heavy usage or towing conditions.
- SUV owners (Expedition, Highlander) frequently cite the tire as a significant upgrade over factory-installed rubber, specifically noting improvements in cabin quietness and fuel economy.
- Users recommend running higher tire pressures (40-45 psi) to optimize performance and handling on certain truck platforms.
Specifications
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac | B · Michelin Defender LTX M/S |
|---|---|---|
| Category | All Season All Terrain and Off Road tires | Premium Touring All Season tire |
| Vehicle type | SUV and 4x4 | SUV and 4x4 |
| Sizes available | 15 | — |
| Rim diameters | 16″ – 20″ | — |
| Tread depth | 14 - 18/32″ | — |
| UTQG | 320 - 500 A - B B | — |
| Treadwear warranty | 50,000 mi | — |
| Sidewall | Black Side Wall - Serrated Black Lettering | — |
| Max pressure | 35 - 80 psi | — |
Final verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
93
/ 100
Goodyear
95
/ 100
Michelin
Winner: Michelin Defender LTX M/S — better comfort, noise and handling. Pick the Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac if snow matters most to you.
Pick tire A
You drive through snowy winters
Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac scores 90 vs 82 on snow.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 96 vs 90 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want a quieter cabin
Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 95 vs 90 on noise.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Defender LTX M/S scores 97 vs 93 on handling.
Tire A · Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac
Tire B · Michelin Defender LTX M/S
More comparisons
Also compared with
Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac also compared with
Michelin Defender LTX M/S also compared with
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.