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Put Better Tires On Your Crosstrek Without Buying New Wheels

One of the most effective upgrades you can do to your Crosstrek is adding a set of off-road tires. Usually this involves sizing down and getting a new set of expensive “rally” style wheels. But what if you don’t want to do hardcore wheeling in your Subaru and you want to stick close to stock size for reliability purposes? You can still put a good set of all-terrain tires on your 2013-2017 Crosstrek stock wheels. Adding all-terrain tires will improve the capability of the vehicle on trails and even in snowy conditions. 

There are some important benefits to using an all-terrain tire on your Crosstrek:

  • Extra grip in heavy snow
  • Improved durability against punctures
  • Less likely to get stuck in the mud and dirt
  • Aggressive appearance (nothing wrong with looking good!)
We’ve compiled a short list of the best all-terrain tires to put on your Crosstrek.We even shopped around to see where you can get them and found the best prices for these tires.
 
Each of the tires on this list is available in the stock Crosstrek size of 225/60R17. You can go up to a 225/65R17 if you like, but our goal with this article is to help people find an aggressive tire that fits with no issues or modification.
 
The best part: You can fit these all-terrain tires on your Crosstrek without a lift kit. If you stick with a 225/60R17 tire, you will be able to explore more rugged roads without having to perform additional modifications to your car.

Best Off-Road Tires For Stock Crosstrek Wheels:

(Best overall value)

Toyo Open Country Tire for lifted subaru or 4runner

The Toyo Open Country has become a favorite among truck owners, Jeep wheelers, and more recently, Subaru owners. 

Before the AT3 came out, we had the Open Country AT2 and LOVED them. The styling is great and they are 3MPSF rated for exceptional winter capability. The sidewall design on the AT3 looks fantastic. It also adds extra grip in deep snow and provides protection against sidewall punctures. In fact, I was out on a trail run and got tangled up in some sharp rocks that cut into the sidewall. Thankfully the strong reinforcement kept it from doing anything other than removing some small chunks without breaching the sidewall. We can only imagine how much better the AT3 will be, and can’t wait to get a set!

In 225/60R17 the Open Country only weighs about 29lbs. We really appreciate the alternating tread pattern that provides extra grip and a quieter ride. Toyo also put deep siping in the tread that won’t fade within the first 1000 miles.

This tire is good for the following uses:

  • Moderate off-road abuse
  • Snowy trails
  • Getting to hiking trail heads
  • A healthy mix of pavement and off-road driving

 (Best dedicated trail tire – most aggressive)

The Razr AT was introduced by Maxxis after the widespread success of the Razr Mud Terrain as an option for CUV owners and SUV drivers who want a more pavement-friendly tire. We recommend this tire for you if you plan to hit rugged, technical off-road trails in your Crosstrek. 

The alternating tread blocks offer superb grip and allow for a quiet ride when on the road. The sidewall on the Razr AT is the most aggressive option on our list. Not only does the sidewall look good, but it helps protect against punctures while affording extra traction in mud and snow. You’ll also notice the deep siping throughout the tire. They’ll help you stop faster and grip better in all situations. Not to mention the benefit of evacuating rain away from the tire in wet conditions.

This tire is 3PMS rated for snow use. So you will be meeting local guidelines where “snow rated” tires are required.

(Best mix of drivability and off-road capability)

Want a tire that can get you to the office on Monday, take you into the mountains on Friday, and look good doing it? The Nitto Terra Grappler G2 was designed to do just that. Weighing in at just 29lbs the Terra Grappler is one of the best kept secrets among small SUV drivers. Nitto backs it with a 65,000 mile warranty and they are 3PMS rated so they’re ready for even the worst snowy conditions.

Features we like:

  • Stability provided by staggered shoulder lugs  connected all the way down to the sidewall
  • 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake rating
  • Aggressive sidewall design for extra biting edges and a burly appearance
  • Unique design sets it apart from the majority of other Crosstreks running all-terrain tires
 

(Great daily driver tire with an aggressive sidewall design)

If you want to walk the line between a nice daily drivable tire and a solid off-road option, the Wild Peak AT Trail is a good option. Not to be confused with the Wild Peak AT3W, the AT Trail provides a wide range of stock-friendly sizes and a comfortable drive. This tire is perfect for anyone who wants to tackle gravel roads, mellow dirt trails, and even mild snow. The aggressive siping creates fantastic off-road traction and great wet pavement grip.

One thing to consider about the AT Trail is that it does not have very large voids or overly aggressive tread blocks. This makes for a more comfortable pavement experience, but they will not perform optimally in muddy conditions.

(Great daily driver tire with an aggressive sidewall design)

The Geolandar AT was developed for those looking to buy one tire for a wide range of needs. Whether you’re looking for a meaner looking tire to complete your car’s look and get you around town, or you are actually planning to push your car to the limits on the trails, the Geolandar can handle it.

The Enduro Compound that Yokohama has developed allows the tire to resist wear for much longer than the average tire. They stand behind this claim by offering a 50k mile warranty against treadwear.

We’d recommend this tire for anyone who needs something comfortable on the freeway, but can still handle pretty substantial off-road abuse. It’s become a crowd favorite among off-road Subaru owners – and for good reason.

(Best aggressive tire for road trips)

Want to be able to jump in your Crosstrek and drive across the country without worrying about what kind of terrain you’ll encounter? The Terrain Contact ranks insanely high in all areas of performance among consumers.

You may find yourself at the beach on your adventures, or you might experience snowy conditions. Luckily the Continentals have aggressive tread and are 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake rated. They’re ready for anything that the average road trip might throw your way.

This tire may be perfect for the following people:

  • Campers
  • Hikers
  • Light off-roaders
  • Road trippers
  • Skiers & snowboarders

Hopefully as you shop around for your next set of tires, these recommendations will serve as a helpful guide. If you have questions or want to share your experience, feel free to reach out to us any time! We’d love to hear from you.

Safety And Performance Are #1

As with any modifications, we highly recommend lengthy research and consulting with a trusted professional prior to installing aftermarket tires. Never cut corners or install something that you aren’t comfortable with. Lifted Imports cannot be held liable for any negative outcomes that arise from modifying vehicles. The information on the site is strictly for educational purposes and not intended to take the place of advice from a professional.

Should You Buy Tires Online?

Buying tires online might seem a bit daunting. However, it has become our favorite way to purchase them.

Many of the concerns people used to have about getting wheels or tires on the internet are now a non-issue.

Main benefits of using an online tire dealer:

  • Shipping is almost always fast and free
  • No guessing games with price – shopping around for the right deal is simple
  • No pressure to buy as you educate yourself and research your next set of tires
  • Prices are usually lower with online dealers
  • Many online tire dealers offer affordable deals with local installers
  • Most of the tires people upgrade to on their Subaru have to be special ordered anyway. Ordering online allows you to save a trip and get exactly what you want

Some of our favorite online tire dealers are Simple Tire, Tire Rack, Discount Tire Direct, and Priority Tire. We’ve purchased tires from all of them and have had nothing but good, hassle-free experiences. In fact, we reached out to them and set up affiliate programs with them so that we can recommend their products to our readers. By shopping with them through our links, it helps us continue bringing helpful reviews and content.

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