Durometer Rating:
Durometer numbers simply represent a relative comparison of hardness between different but similar materials that have had their hardness measured using the same device and measurement standard. In general, a higher durometer material will be harder than a lower durometer material. Learn more about durometer ratings.
Rubber Compound:
Understanding a tire compound's physical and chemical properties is crucial as it determines the tire's performance, including its grip, wear, rolling resistance, and traction. The choice of compound, whether hard or soft, is a key factor in the intended use of the tire. Harder Compounds while more durable (longer longevity) and offering lower rolling resistance (which can improve fuel economy), come with a trade-off. They offer less grip than softer compounds. Soft Compounds on the other hand, offer more grip, making them ideal for crawling, climbing or tackling difficult off camber terrain. The trade off for incredible grip is that they wear faster and have higher rolling resistance than harder compounds.
Our Compounds
H1 (65A)
Our H1 compound blends the best of all worlds for high performance in almost any terrain. The H1 has a durometer rating of 65A which is considered a medium or "balanced" softness.
Expected Durability: 5,000+ Miles
H2 (55A)
The H2 compound was developed for extreme rock crawling without sacrificing durability. The H2 has a durometer rating of 55A and can easily conform to any texture or terrain for maximum grip.
Expected Durability: 3000+ Miles
If you do any basic searching online, you'll see a wide range of suggested tire durometer ratings via forums, social media and tire manufacturers. It can be overwhelming to parse out the truth in a large pool of opinion. So here's ours:
A lot of tire brands promise their tires are the stickiest, tackiest, gummiest, and offer the very best grip in the galaxy. But, consider this first, are you willing to sacrifice in almost all other areas for a true "sticky"? Are you willing to buy a new set of tires every 800 miles (or less)? Do you like trailering your vehicle to the trailhead because your "sticky" tires cry on asphalt? Some people are going to answer those questions with a resounding "HELL YES", the majority are going reluctantly admit that true sticky tires are a want, more than a real need.
Why did we pick a 55A for our new H2 compound?
We found 55 is the best overall durometer for excellent rock crawling attributes, but still perform for thousands of miles with minimal wear. With the unique tread pattern and spacing of the Alpha tire, you'll outperform others in the rocks, without having to worry about wearing out the tread on the drive home.
So what compound or durometer rating do you really need? Reflect on your last 500 miles of your off-roading, and select the type of terrain you spend the most time in for our suggestions.
SELECT YOUR TERRAIN
TECHNICAL
Rock crawling, one of the most extreme forms of off-roading, is a thrilling challenge that many off-road enthusiasts quickly fall in love with. It's the quintessential off-roading activity, requiring you to navigate your vehicle across treacherous trails littered with formidable obstacles like rocks, roots and boulders. To master this, your vehicle first needs to undergo significant modifications. Attempting to scale steep boulders with a stock vehicle is often a near-impossible task. For those who are drawn to the thrill of rock crawling, larger tires, lift kits, rock sliders, and winch kits are all essential modifications to consider, regardless of specialized tire compounds.
Suggested Durometer Rating: >57
Suggested UTV Tire: Alpha H2 (55A)
All Terrain offroading s exactly what you guessed, typically involving a variety of routes/terrains that span significant distances. Along the way, drivers can experience various types of off-roading. While All Terrain off-roading promises a blend of several different off-roading types, it also presents a challenge ensuring your vehicle is prepared for the diverse terrains it will encounter. Whether you're tackling mild cross-country trails or more rugged terrain, careful consideration of your vehicle's modifications and the equipment you need is crucial.
Suggested Durometer Rating: >70
Suggested UTV Tire: Alpha H1 (65A)
Mudding involves hucking your vehicle into any muddy terrain. If you don’t enjoy getting your vehicle dirty, this is definitely not the activity for you. For those who do, driving through wet mud or clay is not just a challenge, it's a whole lot of fun. The largest challenge that mudding poses to off-roaders is getting stuck, but it's all part of the entertaining experience.
In addition to having low traction, mud and wet clay are very soft, which can cause a vehicle’s wheels to sink into the ground easily. To avoid getting stuck, choosing the right tires is not just important, it's essential. The best tires for the job will depend on the consistency of the mud you are driving through. If you are thinking of getting a snorkel kit, you 100% should be looking at mud specific tires. For those of you who tackle a little mud pit here and there, here are our suggestions:
Suggested Durometer Rating: >70
Suggested UTV Tire: Alpha H1 (65A)
If you are new to off-roading, green laning is one of the best off-roading activities to try. Widely considered one of the easiest types of off-roading, green laning or two-tracking involves driving along unpaved roads or trails designated for off-roading. Green laning gets its name because the infrequently used routes that it occurs on are often covered in grass, weeds, or other overgrown plants.
The activity generally doesn’t involve any challenging obstacles and, thus, is often suitable for any vehicle that has four-wheel-drive capabilities. There also isn’t a need to invest in any significant modifications or additional equipment to enjoy this leisurely form of off-roading.
Suggested Durometer Rating: >70
Suggested UTV Tire: Alpha H1 (65A)
Hardpack terrain, is a type of riding condition where the ground is extremely dry, firm, similar to a road but with obstacles. In western states of the United States, the soil can be loose and pillowy on the first 2-6" however the next layer of is completely solid. Hardpack can include jagged rocks, roots, sticks, boulders, ruts, and mounds.
Suggested Durometer Rating: >70
Suggested UTV Tire: Alpha H1 (65A)
AMERICAN MADE UTV TIRE
The ALPHA A/T
Valor Offroad
Alpha UTV Tire
Wheels and tire kits
