Budget mud tires for the field

The well-known VAZ-2121 Niva car has managed to establish itself as one of the most popular SUVs, characterized by an excellent price/quality ratio and high off-road performance.

And Niva owners often face difficulties in selecting the appropriate tires, because the car is bought mainly for driving in difficult terrain, and the all-season tires installed by the manufacturer are not at all suitable for such harsh conditions.

Niva and dirt - romance

It is very important to approach the choice of tires with caution, because not every model can be installed on a car without appropriate modifications and lifting, so you cannot do without knowledge of tire markings and what sizes can be installed, both with and without lifting. Let's start with the fact that the standard tire size is 175/80 R16 and 185/75 R16 , and most VAZ-2121 owners switch from 16 to 15 wheels, because there are quite a lot of choices, especially models with an aggressive tread for driving in conditions off-road.

A few links on the topic for reference:

All-season tires: why are they bought in Russia if in fact they are useless?
Rain tires: features of this rubber and difference from ordinary summer tires
Road tires - which drivers need them?
Universal summer tires for off-road and asphalt
Summer off-road mud tires - what's good for mud?
Reinforced tires with run flat technology - cool technology or marketing perversion?

Mud tires for Niva

Mud tires are all-season tires for SUVs, in this case for the Niva. These tires are designed for use on powerful and off-road vehicles, such as the VAZ-2121, in the most extreme conditions: completely off-road, on dirt roads, country roads, forest roads, and in wild nature.

Mud wheels on Niva

The Niva is equipped with classic mud tires, characterized by a rather large tread pattern and powerful lateral lugs. It is soft enough, which is necessary for adhesion to surfaces in off-road conditions. It is used by motorists in cases where they drive about 80 percent of their journey on mud and dirt roads and only about 20 percent on highways and city roads. When using these tires on asphalt, they wear out extremely quickly. On asphalt, almost all models of mud tires are characterized by increased noise.

Advantages and types of mud tires for Niva

Mud tires for Niva come in the following variants:

A/T tires are universal rubber designed for movement on both asphalt surfaces and various light off-road options. Tires of this type have a moderately aggressive tread pattern and protected sidewalls. Tires are suitable for asphalt, dirt roads, sand, stone, snow. They get stuck in deep ruts and clay. This is an ideal option for drivers who mostly drive on city roads and occasionally go off-road.
M/T tires are a more classic version of mud tires. They have a tractor-type tread and fairly powerful side lugs. These tires are much more difficult to clog with dirt than regular ones and tend to self-clean when driving. They are much harder than All Terrain tires and perform poorly on asphalt and highways (they wear out quickly), as well as on ice. These tires are perfect for off-road driving, mud, rough roads, and solid snow.
Extreme tires. This includes tires for tractors and special equipment. They have a diagonal cord design, their tread pattern is quite thin and quite large. Tires have a center track. The size range of the vast majority of these tire models starts from 29-31 inches. Some Niva owners install tires up to 31 inches in size, first changing a number of car structures, for example, filing the wheel arches. In addition to mud, these tires also work well on rocks and clay; they can also be used on asphalt.

Video comparison of A/T and M/T tires

Key words: Niva tires

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To choose tires for mud, you must correctly take into account the operating parameters of the vehicle. The 4x4 wheel arrangement of an SUV has an advantage over a 2x4. The lack of a track is not a hindrance for Niva at all. Next, we will look at which tires the 2-axle Niva is capable of showing results on on-road and off-road tests.

The Niva, shod with high-profile tires, can easily overcome rolling deep ruts; wide-profile tires are indispensable for driving on snow and mud.

The most effective tires for off-road driving on the Niva

The most effective options for off-road wheels for the Niva are the following models:

Ya-569 Medved is a budget-class model made in Russia; the price of these tires starts from 3,700 rubles*. Installation does not require adjusting the arches to the tire size. This tire is quite suitable for winter conditions: it is quite soft in the cold and performs well in the snow. The tires of this model pass ice and summer asphalt quite poorly, showing poor handling. Available in a single standard size 235/75 R15;
Cordiant off Road are also domestically produced M/T tires. It can be used both on asphalt and off-road. Cost per unit from 4000 rubles*. These tires tolerate asphalt well. Available in standard size 225/75 with dimensions R16-R15;
Hankook Dynapro MT RT03 M/T tires, produced in size 235/75 R15, prices start from 4,500 rubles*. For installation on the Niva, a 5 cm mini-lift is used. On asphalt, the tires of this model show high wear resistance and are perfectly cleaned off-road. The tires are equipped with holes for self-studding and are very soft;
Kumho Road Venture mt kl71 – M/T tires made in Korea, characterized by a rather aggressive tread pattern. Available in size 235/75 R15 (28.9 inches). The cost starts from 5800 rubles*. They are distinguished by good self-cleaning even in clay, the tread is quite large with large distances between the blocks. The rubber is quite soft, the sidewalls cling well to the ground, and there are lateral lugs. It wears off quite quickly on asphalt;
BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 is considered one of the most successful choices of mud tires. For Niva, size 215/75 R15 is suitable (cost from 5,200 rubles*). The tires do not wear out on asphalt and are quite durable and self-clean well;
Federal Couragia m/t is one of the standards of mud M/T tires; its tread is as close as possible to extreme. This rubber has lateral lugs and fairly large self-cleaning tread blocks. It is very soft and squishes very well in liquid mud. For the Niva, the standard size is 205/80/R16 (28.9 inches), its cost starts from 4,200 rubles*. The option is less common than other tires with the traditional Niva size 15, but is welcomed among supporters of installing mud tires on the Niva 4x4 size R16;
Simex Extreme/Jungle Trekker is an extreme type of off-road tires that is installed on a Niva after lifting and cutting arches, replacing pairs and other modifications to the car. Installed in standard size 320 x 95 R15, cost per unit starts from 12,000 rubles*. The model is professional, passes well through clay, and the tread has a high degree of self-cleaning. The tread has a directional off-road type pattern. It is one of the most optimal options for mud tires for Niva 4x4;
Forward Safari 500 is a domestic model of extreme tires for installation on the Niva, which requires a significant lift. On the VAZ-2121 it is installed in standard size 235/75 R15, the cost of which starts from 4900 rubles* per unit. Installation of this size requires spacers. Rubber is hard, quite heavy, and self-cleaning well.

Forward Safari 500

Which tires will perform best on this SUV in winter?

Nordman Velcro winter tires

Experts presented a series of new budget tires. The modern brand Kumho I'Zen KW22 offers products at very reasonable prices. Many motorists even compare branded analogues, for example, Nokian or Pirelli, with, claiming that the cost of the products is much less than half. Studded tires have a large range of sizes in modern models, which also differ in their unique design. For fans of this brand, there are several interesting options from 15 to 16 inches. They can be purchased for about 3,650 rubles. The most popular wheels for Niva are 4x4 R16. For example, if you purchase 15-inch products, then you can pay up to 2900 rubles*.

Among the advantages described above, we can highlight a good price, as well as exchange rate stability. By installing these components on your car, you can safely drive on ice. Among the disadvantages is the noise when driving the vehicle. In addition, the spikes fall out many times more often than with more expensive analogues.

Budget winter studded tires for a Niva 4x4 with a diameter of 16 Amtel NordMaster ST-310 can be purchased for 2,000 rubles. Experts consider only one drawback - noise when driving a car over 70 km/h. As a rule, large studded winter tires are much cheaper. You can also highlight advantages, for example, excellent cross-country characteristics. A Niva car owner can brake sharply on ice or snow without losing stability.

Tires for an SUV in winter

These tires are quite high quality. They are durable and reliable. These models are mainly suitable for driving on asphalt. It is not recommended to install in winter. As a rule, thorns are practically not lost. The manufacturer guarantees a long service life.

The cost of a Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000 tire size 215/65 R16 averages 4,500 rubles. These developments are highly expensive, because Bridgestone is an already proven company that guarantees high quality. Studded tires are not too noisy, like other cheaper analogues.

A mid-segment tire with a cost of approximately 5,000 rubles is perfect for SUVs. Winter wheels for Niva Goodyear Ultragrip Ice Arctic 215/6516 are a little more expensive than Bridgestone. Studded tires have a fairly decent speed index. The main difference from their analogues is that the studs are square, which allows them to grip more tenaciously on an icy track. This tire makes noise when driving at speeds above 70 km/h. Most studded tires have sound. The spikes do not get lost, even if you drive on bare asphalt.

Nokian Nordman 4 is very popular both abroad and in the domestic market. Experts claim that this company is a competitor to the Hakkapelitta brand. In terms of popularity, Nordman 42 is even higher than all the previously mentioned tires. Excellent quality, low price - all this makes Nokian Nordman tires one of the best in the middle price segment.

The popular Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 brand is in demand all over the world. The company's products are sold in more than 120 countries. The product has a quality certificate. Before releasing new products, specialists use advanced technologies. In all respects, the performance is at the limit and is included in the top ratings of winter tires. Modern products can be purchased at a cost of 5,500 rubles and above. The most popular model is the 215/65 R16 tire. Winter studded tires for Niva 4x4 with size R16 hold the car confidently on any surface. Therefore, the owner of a Niva car can drive freely on unpaved surfaces and uneven roads.

*Prices are current as of February 2022.

Off-road tires 215 75 15 for the domestic car "Niva" 21213

For the VAZ-2121 car, the non-standard tire size is tires for size 15 wheels, namely 205/70 R15 or 205/75 R15. When switching to these sizes, the choice becomes more extensive, the width and height of the profile increases, cross-country ability and grip on the road surface increase.

Car owners who install off-road tires of this size on their Niva recommend the following models:

Goodyear Wrangler A/T Adventure

The Goodyear Wrangler A/T Adventure is great for off-road use, with large tread blocks and deep drainage channels for fairly quick and effective self-cleaning. The tires have a reinforced frame, and powerful sidewalls greatly increase resistance to deformation. The rubber has a special composition of silicon and polymers, which reduces noise and vibration during movement and also extends its service life. The price is about 7,000 rubles* per unit;
YaShZ Ya-569 are also off-road tires of size 15, installed on the Niva. They have a special tread pattern with characteristic sharp edges, allowing the tread to cut through a layer of dirt and thereby provide outstanding cross-country ability. There are large channels between the tread blocks that allow the tire to quickly clean itself. The tires have a reinforced frame and sidewalls, which provide resistance to deformation and additional stability. The price per unit is from 7,000 rubles. It is one of the most passable off-road tire options for the Niva.

Which tires are better to put on the Niva 2121 - MT or AT?

The choice of the type of off-road tires for a Niva M/T or A/T directly depends on the type of roads on which the car owner will drive more often.

A/Ts are good for rural conditions and occasional off-road trips. In conditions of viscous clay and swamps, these tires can simply get stuck. Each model has its own recommendations for the ratio of asphalt and off-road - 50/50, 60/40, 40/60, etc.

A/T tires

M/T are more suitable for unpaved and off-road conditions. They are characterized by high noise on asphalt roads, long braking distances on asphalt, comparatively worse handling when driving only on asphalt road surfaces, and wear out and wear out extremely quickly. These tires show excellent driving performance in mud.

What's the difference

In addition to the difference in the purpose of roads and handling in certain conditions, tires differ in tread pattern. A/T have a medium aggressive tread pattern. M/Ts have a more powerful and aggressive tread pattern, which provides them with greater cross-country ability in mud.

Mud tires are an indispensable option for those owners of the Niva car who have to travel in the absence of roads, along rural, country roads, dirt roads, and forest clearings. These tires are indispensable for tourists, hunters, fishermen and travelers. They are an excellent way out of situations where ordinary wheels are powerless.

*Prices are valid for February 2022

Of course, Niva 2121 has already become a classic of the Russian automobile industry. But it’s too early to write this car off. Even in our time, this car remains the optimal combination of price and quality for our road, or more precisely, off-road, conditions. And the more optimally you choose “mud bast shoes” for the Niva, the better it will “trample” our Russian off-road terrain with them.

Classic mud tires, have a large tread pattern, lateral lugs, and are soft enough to handle off-road use. Designed for use when you ride 80 percent of the way on dirt and only 20 percent on the highway. It wears out very quickly when driving on asphalt.

A budget-class model of domestic production, the price of which starts from 3,700 rubles. Installation does not require adjusting the arches to the tire size. This “mudovka” is not inferior to many foreign analogues, and is ideal for a beginner SUV. Quite suitable for winter: very soft in the cold and loves snow. It does not tolerate ice and summer asphalt well: it is almost uncontrollable on both surfaces. There is one dimension - 235/75 R15 (about 29 inches), so here you either cut the arches (but without a lift), or make a minimal lift, but without interfering with the body.

Cordiant off Road

A worthy version of the domestic “mudokha”. Suitable for use on asphalt and off-road. It flattens well in any swamp. It is an alternative to Goodrich at a price of about 4,000 rubles. Tolerates asphalt surfaces well. For such tires, it makes sense to “lift” your Niva a little. Thanks to this, it will be possible to “shod” the car in size 225/75 R16. This alone will increase the clearance by almost 3 cm.

Hankook Dynapro MT RT03

Another successful “mudokha”. It has won trust and respect among off-road fans. It will cost 4,500 rubles in size 235/75 R15. This size will not fit on the Niva without a 5 cm mini-lift. The best option for those who do not often go out to knead “shit”. It wears out little on asphalt and cleans well off-road. It floats a little on clay, but not much. Equipped with holes for studding. Very soft, squishes perfectly. In general, excellent M/T tires, no worse than Goodrich, but cheaper.

Kumho Road Venture mt kl71

A tire with a pronounced aggressive tread. In the size for a small lift with spacers and springs from Shevik 235/75 R15 (28.9 inches in American) it will cost about 5,800. If you don’t want to lift, then you can just cut the arches)) A more serious option. Suitable for professional riding on obvious off-road conditions. It has good self-cleaning even in clay “shit”, the tread is very large with a decent distance between the blocks. You can safely bleed up to 1 atmosphere. Moderately soft. The sidewalls cling well, there are side lugs. Not suitable for normal travel: the asphalt quickly “eats” the tread. Ideal for 80 percent off-road/20 percent hard surface travel.

BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2

It is the standard of real mud tires. It's expensive, but it's "worth it." For the native version of the Niva, size 215/75 R15 (costs 5200) is suitable. And for pumped-up Nivas there will be just the size 30 x 9.50 R15 (240/80 R15) costing 7100 rubles. Rubber is a universal mud. It will be “in time” for both a professional and an ordinary fisherman. Asphalt doesn't eat it. It flattens to the limit (some vented to 0.5 atmosphere). Very durable. Damage to the top layers does not affect the overall integrity. It can only “get washed out” on “plasticine” clay. Then the tread becomes completely clogged. It cleans itself decently, because the protector is quite large. In general, Boris Fedorovich (as BF jeepers are affectionately called) is a decent tire, but expensive. Therefore, you can always find a cheaper alternative. But if you don’t want to save money, then Goodrich would be a good choice.

Federal Couragia m/t

- the most muddy of all the rubber presented, the tread is close to extreme. It has everything - side lugs and large self-cleaning blocks. The rubber is very soft, so it flops perfectly on liquid mud. For a Nivovod, the dream would be size 205/80/R16, costing 4200 per cylinder (28.9 inches), so Nivko will have to prepare it - lift or cut the arches. very cool tires for dirt, the only negative is that they wear out quickly on asphalt, if you use 60/40 city/dirt, then 40 thousand will be enough. Not enough, considering that the tires are not cheap.

Most often used on large SUVs, because the size range of most models starts from 29-31 inches. Nivovoda fans also install 31″ tires, having seriously modified the car beforehand. Extreme tires have a very large tread pattern, powerful lugs for driving out of ruts, are very soft and are absolutely not intended for driving on the highway.

Simex Extreme/Jungle Trekker

For such an off-road vehicle, it is better to “pump” your Niva properly - there is a lift and cutting of arches, replacement of pairs and multiple modifications to the car, there is no other way. In dimensions 32 x 9.5 R15 will cost 12 thousand. Expensive, but for those who decide on such tires, this is nothing, their life is off-road.

Professional model of sports off-road “slippers”. Most of all he loves clay batches. Has a high degree of tread self-cleaning. Has a directional off-road pattern. Suitable for slow driving on regular roads. To increase tenacity due to the sidewalls, the air is vented to the atmosphere. Perhaps the most famous extreme tires, which are suitable for all SUVs. Most often, of course, they bet on the UAZ, but for Nivovodov nothing is impossible. Nivko looks really menacing on such wheels.

Forward Safari 500

Domestic analogue of the previous Simex, only 2.5 times cheaper. You'll have to lift it underneath it anyway. The minimum size for Niva is 235/75R15, costing 4,900 rubles. requires installation of spacers. Or up to 29″ you can limit yourself to sharp arches, because not everyone likes and considers it right to make an elevator. Cutting the arches is the lesser evil, so to speak. oak rubber. Many people prefer it to Simex. Heavy, self-cleaning well. Poorly balanced and too noisy on asphalt. But on any off-road it rows perfectly. Doesn't like ruts. It holds course well on a normal road and wears out slowly. We can conclude that if you want to go extreme, but don’t have the money to pay 10k for a bottle of extreme tires, then take Safari - it’s quite an option, certainly better than any M/T tire.

Silverstone MT-117 XTREME

In dimensions 31 x 10.5 R16 costs 11,500 rubles. For the cornfield you need a lift and cutting arches. Suitable for any off-road use. It holds its course well and does not get washed out on clay. It has a durable sidewall with a large pattern. Six row cord. And of course, the strongly protruding side lugs allow you to get out of the rut. The tread pattern shows that it is very similar to the Simax (which is its ancestor). Almost unsuitable for highway driving. Poorly balanced. On normal roads it hums and wears out a lot. Pure mud extreme tires, very soft and very toothy.

Choosing tires: where to start?

Why change tires at all? An experienced VAZ 2121 driver does not have such questions. Nivovod begins to think about replacing tires not because of a good life, nor in search of extreme sports or unusual sensations. The thing is that all-season factory tires 185/70 R16, being the result of compromises, unification and budgetary frameworks, turn out to be a very mediocre assistant both on the city highway, and when driving off-road, and in winter.

Off-road variant of Cordiant

Here you already have to choose tires for yourself, based on a number of basic parameters:

in what operating conditions will the future wheels be used, whether the car will have to cut through asphalt road surfaces or more, after all, off-road;
how far the driver is ready to go in the matter of tuning his iron horse, will the owner’s heart tremble to send his brand new VAZ 21214 under the knife (some tire sizes require widening the wheel arches or bending their sides outward, lifting the suspension, as well as lifting the body of the VAZ 21214 directly above the frame );
based on the budget (a lift kit costs about 3-4 thousand rubles, it can be easily installed even in your garage, a completely acceptable set of tires can cost 3.5-4.5 thousand rubles, and the most “juicy” offers reach up to amounts of 8-12 thousand rubles);
take a thorough look at the offers of various brands (it’s worth paying attention to already proven brands, since good tires are not just a beautiful tread pattern, but also the correct chemical composition. And you can be sure that you won’t get a “pig in a poke” only by trusting a manufacturer with a good reputation).

You can’t do without basic knowledge of tire labeling. Typically, the name of the tire indicates three main parameters (for example, 185/70 R16). Where 185 is the tire width in mm, 70 is the profile height expressed as a percentage of the width and R16 is the radial diameter of the rim in inches. There is also almost a dozen additional information, incl. regarding the type of tire (M+S - all-season, AT or MT, these abbreviations are discussed in more detail below), manufacturer, operational and technical characteristics, braking coefficient (A - good, B - acceptable, C - so-so) and much more.

Tire sizes

The Niva SUV leaves the factory with standard rollers with a diameter of R16. Their size is 185/75 P16 with an outer tire diameter of 28 inches. However, many owners prefer to install tires with sizes 215/70/R16, 215/75/R16 or 215/65/R16. Increasing the tire width provides a larger contact patch and better off-road traction.

Some people refuse rollers with this radius, preferring smaller R15 wheels with typical sizes 205/70/R15 or 215/75/R15. This choice has a positive effect on the smoothness of the ride and reduces the noise from the tires making its way through the wheel arches.

Tires for lifting and without

The cornerstone of the tire selection issue is the need for additional modifications. There are a number of proposals that fit perfectly onto a standard VAZ 21214 car wheel and do not require widening of wheel arches, etc. work. It is important to understand which tires require mandatory lifting, and which ones will become like native tires on your Niva without any problems.

If you are one of those drivers who don’t need an extra headache, then the almost standard version of tires like 205/70 R15 or 205/75 R15 is exactly your choice. Having a large profile width and height, they absolutely painlessly replace standard wheels, seriously adding cross-country ability and aesthetic power to your iron horse. If you select tires for standard rims, then the 215/65 R16 option is perfect; a further increase in the tire profile, even by reducing the radial diameter, will certainly lead to rubber rubbing during deep turns on the wheel arch protectors (we are talking about 215/75 R15 and higher , it’s better not to install such wheels without modifications).

Some tire options can only be installed by widening the arches

Lifting slightly expands the range of choices and also significantly increases the cross-country ability of your car. A spartan kit that allows you to raise the height of the suspension costs about 4 thousand rubles and is easy to install with your own hands right in the garage thanks to detailed instructions. The clearance of the VAZ 2121 increases and it becomes possible to install really serious off-road tires (235/70 R16, 235/75 R15 or 240/80 R15).

Choosing between MT and AT

A couple of words should also be said about the correct marking of tires for the VAZ 21214. Initially, it comes in several types:

universal, AT (from the English word All Terrain - Any Terrain), well suited for cases when the driver travels more on an asphalt road and to a lesser extent off-road;
mud, MT (from the English word Mud Terrain - Mud Terrain), this is already heavy Russian off-road, swamps, sandy surfaces, etc.

The problem of choice is that normal off-road tires on the VAZ 2121 are only good off-road. You can’t really accelerate with it on an asphalt road; it consumes extremely quickly and uneconomically on hard asphalt, has an extended braking distance, and performs poorly in cornering and handling. But all this only applies to city roads and highways; on muddy and swampy terrain, MT tires simply flourish, allowing you to confidently storm even the most unrealistic obstacles for conventional AT wheels.

The main differences between mud tires on the VAZ 2121:

increased off-road capability of the vehicle;
special tread pattern, more reminiscent of a tractor, special rubber edging;
a special rubber compound that provides increased softness (VAZ 21214 mud tires can also be operated with reduced pressure and can easily withstand collisions with rocks, towing on clay, sand, mud, etc.);
self-cleaning anti-pollution system;
increased fuel consumption.

Which power bumper to choose for UAZ 469? Or do it yourself?

From this list, “Medved” is, in my opinion, the most worthless tire. Its only advantage is the price, and even then, for this money it is better to take a standard Kirov K-156. It's much better for summer. Of the ones presented here, the best choice is “Goodrish”, in my opinion. I had the pleasure of driving it. And also, for those who have decided to bother buying real extreme tires, I advise you to think carefully about whether you really need it? Remember, these are extreme tires only. For all other conditions it is of little use. Well, I’ll add on my own that no extreme tire can replace skill. An experienced breeder will rake the same K-156-1 in any conditions, believe me.

Well, dear Vladimir, “an experienced crop grower” is, of course, a given. But, honestly, it’s funny to read about Kirov standard tires. Well, for asphalt and primer in the summer, it will work, of course, but further... I remember that once a respected magazine put it in first place, and not only for summer, but also for winter! This somehow immediately brought me to certain thoughts about the objectivity of the material.

I partially agree with you about “Bear”. I myself ride the Forward Safari presented here. Inexpensive and really versatile! I also drive around the city in it - no harm done. Well, it’s funny to read about noise. On the Niva, everything that can be noisy is already! We don’t attach importance to such little things!

I was thinking about buying a Safari, the only thing that stopped me was the weight of the wheel, I don’t want to turn the hub bearings into the hubs themselves into consumables. I couldn’t find any specific weight figures, so I actually bought goodrich.

It is difficult to object to you, colleagues. You are all right in your own way. For example, I know people who consider I_511 the best tire for the Niva, moreover, its non-studded version, and now not produced, it seems, the studless one. Many people simply get used to their tires, adapt, and begin to consider them the best. Personally, I somehow don’t think that domestic tires are better suited for the Niva. I drive a “Bear”, and I don’t consider it “show-off”.

Safari rides are a bit heavy for the Niva, I agree. I think the optimal solution here would be either Cordiant Offroad or imported Goodrich, of course.

Bears in the mud are many times better than I-511 - I think hardly anyone will argue with this. By the way, “Bears” are also very soft and will also be reliable slippers for winter. But for some reason, they often use I-511 for winter, and I-569 for dirt in summer/spring/autumn. The thornless version of the Kama is not an option for mud, even if the tread is cut through the checker. All the same, they are far from the Bears' ability to cross mud.

Breachstone x 235 by 75 by 15 Song is a swamp, snow just needs to be cut off the arches on the asphalt, also good.

enough for 80,000 km 20% on shit, the rest on asphalt, ice, snow.

The only downside is that they are expensive and poorly balanced.

Cordiant off road (and its analogue - forward safari 540) - can finally be thrown out of the list - because it is the worst tire that you can wish for your rogue. Safari 500 rakes clay more or less, but still quickly wears out on asphalt. I don’t understand why the following domestic shit mixes are not on the list: “Vl-30”, “Ya-358″, fBelok”. Real shit climbers, a good alternative to chopped Boggers and Simaks.

I was impressed by the Federal, the sand and mud are very good, there is almost no buzz on the asphalt, but with sharp braking it tints.

If I understood everything correctly, then Forward Safari 500 235/75R15 does not exist. Yeah?

GUYS PLEASE tell me - if I intend to stud tires with a tread like Forward Safari 500, for example, is it expensive and is there any point in it or not? I periodically go out on a regular road with ice, so the question has arisen about studding these wheels!

There is no point in studding Forward Safari 500 class tires, since they themselves are oak. It's only for summer! One of those that can be studded and ride in mud is the Hankook Dynapro MT, it is very soft and makes the most hay in winter, and it also rides well in mud. And it has special holes for studding. The cost is just upsetting))

Guys, I need some advice. I have a VAZ 2131 lifted 5 cm. Summer tires 235/70 R16 BFGoodrich All-Terrain. The winter studded Kumho in the same size is almost hairless. It seemed that for winter we needed something narrower, because it floated in the snow slurry on the asphalt. It spun around a couple of times. I’m thinking of taking something in size 205/80 R16 with studs for next winter. What will be your opinions?

Safari530 is the same bear, whether you want it or not, whether you want it or not………….

How long does Kumho Road Venture mt kl71 last on asphalt?

I drive about 50/50 dirt asphalt

I had cordiant and bears, otherwise I bought Nexen MT and the difference became noticeable, size 235/75/15

I have had several fields in my life, now the sixth in a row, if you count the first, Father’s. And I had all sorts of tires: K-156, Kama 232, Bear, Cordiant off-road, BFG KM2. Of the entire list, naturally, BFG was the most popular, and having bought a new Niva in the fall of 2015, I was going to take them. But the price, taking into account the dollar exchange rate, cooled my ardor. I started looking for something good, but cheaper, and then I saw a Bontyre Stalker M/T on Hunter from my father’s friend. They were immediately interested in the drawing and general appearance of the car, and began asking what and how. According to my father's friend, the tire is great. I figured out the price for it, almost one and a half times cheaper than BFG. I didn’t look any further, I took it in size 235/75 15. And I’ll tell you, friends, it was not for nothing that I chose it. The tire is cool both in appearance and in essence, in spirit, so to speak. It plows through mud much better than the BFG, the well-directed pattern allows the tire not to get washed out and can be cleaned quickly, the side lugs are also better, they are more pronounced than the BFG KM2, which allows it to get out of ruts better. I ride mostly on asphalt, and therefore it was very pleasant when it turned out that it does not hum on it at all. It is also soft and comfortable. The sides are, of course, a little soft, so I try to drive on rocks carefully, taking this fact into account.

I have never installed extreme mud because... We don’t climb into wild shit, but the M/t tires were different. Since the spring of 2015, I also have Bontyre Stalker M/T in size 215/75R15. The tire is satisfactory on all counts. The price tag is fair compared to imports, the design is competent, the size is correct (niva without a lift). I’m not an extreme person, deliberately looking for deep viscous shit is not my thing, but we don’t disdain fishing and hunting, as well as other outdoor activities. For these purposes, I was looking for a passable MTeshka, but one that I could ride on an everyday basis. The stalker has completely approached. So, brothers fishermen and hunters, I advise you to pay attention to these tires.

On the first day of driving, we installed Cordiand Off Roud 215/65/16 on a simple Niva. She’s so beautiful, well, we think we’ll move on. But it was not there. It doesn’t work in a swamp, in clay the tread gets clogged, and it just floats on a slippery road. On the second day we installed the original Nivovskaya and, lo and behold, we were off! These are the observations. The guys next door were using forward safari 540, these were a little more aggressive due to the side hooks and height, it was easier for them.

Selection of tires for non-standard wheel sizes

For 15 inch wheels the choice of tires is much larger than for 16 inch ones. According to reviews from Niva 4×4 drivers, the YOKOHAMA 215 r16 (summer tire) model is in demand. These are budget and reliable tires that are suitable for both asphalt and off-road.

They are installed without unnecessary manipulations with the car, that is, lifting is not needed. Although, for tires on 16-inch wheels, lifting is still required. Moreover, whether to install such wheels or not can be decided by answering the question “Is everything okay with the car’s ride?” and if so, then, of course, it is possible. According to reviews of the Niva 4×4 with this tire model, the car drives smoothly and there are no potholes felt. The downside is that the tread on this model is wide and collects all the small stones on the road. The price is in the range of 4700-5000 rubles.

The following tire models are suitable for winter: Nokian Nordman 5 (Finland), Hakkapeliitta 7 and 8. Hakkapeliitta is more expensive than Nordman, but in general both models exceed the price tag of 5,000 thousand rubles.

The Russian manufacturer Cordiant offers a cheaper model for 3,500 rubles. Tires from foreign manufacturers are much more expensive and are not always available in stores. If you only drive in the city, then it is better to buy Kama I-511 tires, and the price is around 3,400 rubles apiece.

Features and purpose of mud tires

The main thing that distinguishes tires for driving on mud is their special pattern with large, deep lugs. Similar wheels can be seen on a tractor.

Thanks to the large distance between the tread elements, the tires are independently cleaned of dirt.

Mud tires are made of harder rubber. This provides them with high off-road durability.

Unlike standard ones, they do not tear when exposed to stones and other hard elements.

Typically, mud tires are higher than standard tires. They provide greater ground clearance and make it easier to overcome high obstacles.

With off-road tires you can easily get out of a muddy rut. However, they are not intended for permanent use on asphalt.

Mud tires on hard surfaces have three serious disadvantages:

High noise level.
Poor handling.
Accelerated tread wear.

Therefore, installing such tires on a Chevrolet Niva only makes sense for those who constantly have to drive off-road. For use in urban conditions, it is better to buy road tires.

Popular manufacturers in Russia

Rating the popularity of mud tires is not an easy task.

Firstly, too much depends on the car on which the tires are installed. Even on different models of the same brand, tire behavior can vary significantly.

Secondly, as already mentioned, operating conditions significantly influence. Tire models that are popular among residents of cool and swampy areas are poorly suited for conquering hot deserts and arid steppes. And yet, we will try to highlight the manufacturers of automobile mud tires, whose products have earned a certain authority among car owners of our large country.

In the video, winter tires for 4x4 SUVs:

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Types of mud tires

Depending on the type of tread and purpose, SUV tires are divided into 3 classes:

HT (short for Highway terrain or Half Terrain - tires for highways and poor quality asphalt roads. It can be used on dirt roads, but it will be difficult to overcome off-road on it. But such tires do not make noise and have a speed limit of 180 km/h. Therefore, these tires are bought by those who drive mainly on asphalt.
AT (short for All Terrain) are tires designed for asphalt, dirt and light off-road use. Manufacturers recommend different mileage ratios on hard and unpaved surfaces: 60/40, 50/50, 40/60. This is a good tire for those who have to drive in rural areas. The AT tire tread provides average off-road capability.
MT (short for Mud Terrain) is a tire with an aggressive profile that is designed exclusively for driving on dirt and off-road. Although you can find MT tires with a speed rating of R (160 km/h), their use on asphalt is not recommended. These tires are designed to take you off-road and reveal the potential of your car there.

The most famous domestic company that produces MT tires for the Chevrolet Niva is “Bear”. This brand offers mud tires made of high-strength rubber, which are not inferior to many foreign analogues.

Which all-season vehicle is better for Niva?

Since Niva cars come from the factory by default only with all-season tires K 156-1 from the Kirov Tire Plant, the question of alternatives arises. Many Niva drivers prefer to choose the best rollers for the conditions in which their SUV will be used. Therefore, if you want to replace the standard with more suitable tires, advice will not be superfluous due to the abundance of choice and prices of such products.

When looking for all-season tires, you should pay attention to the following criteria:

weather conditions of product operation;
temperature regime;
presence of precipitation;
road conditions;
using the machine for heavy loads.

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We will not take into account driving speeds; an SUV is not a sports car.

For the eldest of the Niv 2121 family, lighter tires are preferable due to lower power. Niva 21213 is equipped with a more powerful engine and a 5-speed gearbox. Larger sneakers are suitable for it - 205/70/R15, or Kama 232. The differences between 2121 and 2131 are that the latter has an injector and 21213 from 21214 too. This will not significantly affect the choice of shoes.

Footwear for a car should be selected depending on the operating conditions. Obviously, stock tires are an average choice and if there are increased requirements, they must be replaced. It is best to pay attention to the markings to understand which tires are the best.

If you often have to drive on asphalt, rarely turning off the road, then it is better to take wheels marked A/T (all-terrain). But such all-terrain tires are universal and lose to mud tires.

The latter are always marked M/T, but they come in different types. The inscription M/T Lite denotes a lightweight version with medium-depth checkers and a small pattern. The Classic version is an average option, and the Extreme type is suitable for lovers of serious off-roading.

VAZ 2121

If we are talking about a standard three-door Niva model, then the inexpensive Ya-569 Bear would be a good choice. A classic tire costs about 4 thousand rubles, does not tan in the cold and copes well with snowy surfaces.

Niva 2131

If we are talking about a five-door version, then it is better to install the Hankuk Dinapro MT RT03. This model has many fans around the world. Excellent for moving on asphalt or moving through mud due to its softness and good self-cleaning system.

Niva 21213

There are good budget tires for this model - Cordiant Off-Road. Despite the low price, it provides good performance on almost any surface. When driving on asphalt, it does not wear out, does not harden in the cold, and in deep mud it provides good grip.

Chevy Niva

The joint model of Russian-Korean production does not have such off-road skills, but an option such as the Bridgestone Dueler D673 is perfect for it. They combine good grip and properties with a stylish design with beautiful white lettering on the sides.

Niva Comforcer

A good option is BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain. It is a universal choice for road traffic, as well as for fishing or hunting trips. An excellent safety margin, a developed tread and a good cleaning system allow you to feel confident in any situation.

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Niva Safari

For this model, Federal Souragia MT would be a good choice, since they are as close as possible to extreme models. There is a developed tread, large blocks and lugs. So excellent cross-country ability in any conditions is simply guaranteed.

Sizes with 15 and 16 diameter discs

Depending on the diameter of the “native” Chevrolet Niva wheels, you can install R15 and R16 tires on the car. It should be taken into account that the height of mud tires is higher than standard ones.

You won't find tires lower than 225/75 R15. However, the space under the Niva's wings is not designed to accommodate nineteen-inch wheels. Therefore, you will have to raise the car a little by doing a “lifting”.

For this purpose, special kits are sold, including some suspension parts and special spacers for springs. As a result, you will get an SUV with increased cross-country ability and increased ground clearance.

Help: there is another way to increase the space for installing wheels - changing the design of the arches. However, this method requires welding and high bodywork skills. Therefore, most car owners prefer lifting.

But you can’t do without cutting the arches when installing R16 mud tires. Their outer diameter exceeds 20 inches, so the rubber will rub against the wheel arches even with the suspension raised.

Hydraulic preparation of Chevrolet Niva main points

Using a car to cross fords is only possible if it is carefully prepared for such a task. An example is the information below:

Snorkel installation. This element of the car is represented by an air intake placed on the roof. It is worth considering that water entering the engine is unacceptable. Even a small amount of fluid will cause the car to simply stall.
In addition, additional protection is provided for the breathers. To do this, they are brought under the hood, rubber hoses and protective filters are put on. This preparation also reduces the chance of fluid getting into the engine.

Of course, it is possible to completely insulate the interior, but this will certainly increase the weight of the car.

When considering tuning a Chevrolet Niva, you should pay attention to the external body kit. Decorative overlays will not in any way affect the protection of the body from mechanical stress, but some body kit is simply necessary

An example is a reinforced bumper with a platform for installing a winch. When making a reinforced bumper, several millimeter steel is often used. Many people install crankcase and transmission protection, which is simply necessary when overcoming difficult off-road areas.

All terrain tire manufacturers

The following models are most in demand for the Chevrolet Niva:

Medved I-569 are budget mud tires, the installation of which does not require modification of the wheel arches. Before installing Medved 235/75 R15, it is enough to do a light lifting. This soft rubber performs well in mud and snow. However, on summer asphalt or ice the car becomes almost uncontrollable. The price starts from 3700 rubles.
Cordiant off Road is another Russian-made mud tire. Unlike the Bear, these tires perform well on asphalt. Its size (225/75 R16) allows it to be used on a Chevrolet Niva after a light lift. Price - from 4000 rubles.
Hankook Dynapro are optimal tires that wear out slowly on asphalt and are capable of pulling a car out of muddy clay or black soil. Installation of these tires (235/75R 15) requires only a small lift. Hankook price - 4500 rubles. The tires are equipped with holes for studs.
Kumho Road Venture is a tire with an aggressive tread designed for professional off-road racing. The side lugs grip the dirt securely. However, on asphalt these tires wear out very quickly. Size 235/75 R15 does not require modification of the Niva's wheel arches. The price of one tire is 5800 rubles.
The BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain is a true mud tire that wears slowly on asphalt. For a lifted Niva, size 215/75 R15 is suitable. After reworking the arches, you can install 240/80 R15. The price of one tire is 7,100 rubles.

Why you shouldn't ride on asphalt with off-road tires

The coefficient of adhesion to asphalt of all off-road tires, regardless of price and manufacturer, is inferior to road tires. As a result, the braking distance increases, the risk of skidding increases and controllability deteriorates. These factors must be taken into account when driving into the city on mud tires.

Another reason why you should not use mud tires on the track is purely economic. Off-road tires are much more expensive than traditional tires and wear out quickly on asphalt. Therefore, before trips to the city and, especially, long trips along the highway, it is advisable to “change” the car to road tires that correspond to the season.

table-01

The braking distance was measured on dry asphalt in the range of 100–5 km/h, although we did not brake to a complete stop - keeping in mind that at very low speeds the ABS may not work correctly. Kalina brakes best on Yokohama tires, and Barum turned out to be on par with Kama-217 - that is why at the first stage we give preference to Barum Brillantis 2 tires: Kalina rolls much better on them (this is the main indicator of our comparison!), and brakes no worse.

AND NOW - Hellas

We evaluate directional stability, controllability and comfort already on an electric vehicle. Ratings on a ten-point scale are given in the diagrams.

The Kama tires received the main comments regarding directional stability: even on a straight line, Hellas yaws unpleasantly from side to side, and reacts to steering turns with a noticeable delay, requiring the steering wheel to be turned ahead of time and at significant angles. The best ratings come from the “wide” Continental.

In terms of comfort, Kama takes the leading position. Most of the complaints were directed at the “narrow” Continental - it is louder than others and transmits more vibrations from road irregularities. Barum and Yokohama received not outstanding grades, but not failures either - equal in all disciplines.