Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05 vs Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ tires

Hankook and Mickey Thompson are known for their variety of tires that deliver solid performance. While Hankook was founded in the 1940s and has its headquarters in South Korea, Mickey Thompson was established in 1963 and is based in Stow, Ohio.

Hankook offers tires for use on passenger cars, SUVs, CUVs, light trucks, commercial vehicles, trailers, and EVs, and its portfolio consists of all-season, winter, all-terrain, UHP all-season, UHP summer, all-weather, mud-terrain, and highway tires. On the other hand, Mickey Thompson caters to passenger cars, CUVs, SUVs, pickup trucks, Jeeps, vintage muscle cars, EVs, and specialty competition vehicles. The portfolio of Mickey Thompson includes all-terrain, mud-terrain, all-season, UHP summer, track competition, racing, and performance tires.

When it comes to offering enthusiast-centric tires for driving in off-road conditions, both Hankook and Mickey Thompson have two dependable mud-terrain tires on offer, the Dynapro MT2 RT05 and the Baja Legend MTZ, respectively. Designed for use on SUVs, light trucks, and Jeeps, these tires can perform in challenging off-road environments in conditions like mud, gravel, sand, dirt, and rocks. They both sport aggressive tread designs and strong construction, which makes them good at crushing off-road terrains and resisting impacts.

But, for off-roading purposes, which of the two tires is better? Let’s find out in this Dynapro MT2 RT05 vs Baja Legend MTZ tires comparison using our tire rating system SimpleScore.

Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05 tires

Introduced in November 2016, the Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05 is a mud-terrain tire for use on full-size SUVs, Jeeps, and pickup trucks. The tire is optimized for aggressive off-road performance and uses an all-season rubber compound for driving in dry, wet, and light snow conditions. The manufacturer claims the tire to be exclusively built for the wild and has features that restrict punctures, prevent damage, provide increased off-road traction, decent on-road comfort, remove stones and other debris, and offer improved braking, acceleration, and cornering. The tire has bagged the Red Dot Design Award and has an appealing and rugged styling.

Thanks to the above features and abilities, the Dynapro MT2 RT05 gets an 8.2 SimpleScore rating overall!

Get Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ tires

Another contender in the comparison is the Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ, suitable for use on SUVs, Jeeps, and light trucks. It comes with various impressive features that boost off-road traction and performance. Sporting an innovative tread design, the Baja Legend MTZ is engineered for great traction on- and off-road, quicker steering response, long-lasting tread life, cut and chip resistance, better handling and braking performance, reduced noise levels, and aggressive and muscular appearance to enhance the looks of your drive.

Overall, the Baja Legend MTZ is achieves an 8.4 SimpleScore rating because of its longer tread life, solid traction, and enhanced durability.

Get Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05 vs Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ tires on traction

Mud-terrain tires are made to combat the most challenging conditions like mud, sand, gravel, dirt, and rocks, and therefore, they must be good at traction to perform movement in the most rugged environments. Let’s try and understand which of the two tires is better in traction.

Starting with the Dynapro MT2 RT05, the tire scores an 8.3 in traction and assures a reliable off-road experience and great surface biting ability. The all-season rubber compound provides increased grip and traction in dry, wet, and light snow conditions, and the Mud and Snow (M+S) rating ensures solid traction in muddy and snowy conditions. The massive tread pattern optimized with 3D engineered technology offers ultimate off-road traction. In the toughest terrains, the shoulder lugs on the tread further scale the traction performance.

On the contrary, the Baja Legend MTZ is rated scores an equal 8.3 SimpleScore rating in traction, ensuring an equally exceptional performance off the roads. Its innovative tread design scales the standards of on- and off-road traction, and the variable length and depth of four-pitch Sidebiters provide increased crawling ability in conditions like mud, loose sand, and rocks. Mickey Thompsson has used the proprietary T4 Silica-reinforced compound to further boost the grip and traction in wet trails and roads, and the self-cleaning tread expels mud and debris for increased surefootedness in varying conditions.

In traction, both tires give each other tough competition, resulting in a tie!

ADVANTAGE: Tie

Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05 vs Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ tires on durability

Both the Dynapro MT2 and the Baja Legend MTZ are equally good in traction, but which one out of the two is better in durability for an aggressive off-road experience and better impact resistance? Let’s find out!

First, let’s talk about the Dynapro MT2 that scores a great 8.6 SimpleScore for its exceptional durability. The tire features sidewall puncture protectors that prevent chips and tears. There are reinforced shoulders for better performance in the toughest terrains. As this tire is designed to go harder, it features mud and stone ejectors that resist stone drilling and other damage. Additional protection is provided by the massive shoulder lugs so that the tire can combat the most rugged conditions easily.

On the other hand, the Baja Legend MTZ scores an 8.3 SimpleScore rating in durability, which is also decent enough to prove that it can resist impacts and off-roading pressures. Thanks to the advanced PowerPly 3-ply construction, the Baja Legend MTZ can resist punctures. The T4 Silica-Reinforced compound comes as another advantage and restricts cuts and chips. The inner construction of this mud-terrain tire is also reinforced enough to provide increased durability for an uninterrupted off-roading experience. Likewise, the rubber compound and sturdy tread blocks also scale the toughness standards in the Baja Legend MTZ.

When it comes to durability, it is the Dynapro MT2 RT05 that excels!

ADVANTAGE: Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05

Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05 vs Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ tires on longevity

The mud-terrain tires need to last longer as they usually confront the hardest of terrains and have to climb rocks and resist impacts, and do much more. So, let’s understand which of the two tires can serve longer.

Starting with the Dynapro MT2 RT05, the tire is rated an impressive 8.1 SimpleScore, indicating its great service life. There are features like sidewall puncture protectors, reinforced shoulders, and mud and stone ejectors that promote a long-lasting use. The wider, flat footprint is another big advantage that helps in even wear. The massive V-shaped shoulder lugs amplify protection for a long-lasting use, and the use of ProMileage Technology further increases the tread life.

Contrarily, the Baja Legend MTZ bags an 8.6 SimpleScore rating in longevity and comes as a better option for enthusiasts who want to enjoy off-road adventures for a longer period. The T4 silica-reinforced rubber compound is there to slow down the wear rate, and the tread pattern is adequately optimized to allow a larger area in contact with the terrain and prevent uneven wear. Additionally, the tread blocks are engineered to absorb off-roading pressures and control the wear rate for an increased service life.

So, in longevity, it is the Baja Legend MTZ that surpasses the Dynapro MT2 RT05 and leads.

ADVANTAGE: Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ

When to use each

Both the Dynapro MT2 RT05 and the Baja Legend MTZ are made for off-road driving and can be used in the most extreme conditions like mud, rocks, sand, gravel, and dirt. These tires can also allow you to drive with confidence on paved roads, but they are not the tires you would want to drive on such paved surfaces. They both get all-season rubber compound, which means you can use them in dry, wet, and light snow conditions. However, none of the tires is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified, so don’t expect them to be the best winter driving companions in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, on thick layers of snow or ice.

As far as the sizes are concerned, the Dynapro MT2 RT05 is available in 15- to 22-inch rim choices, while the Baja Legend MTZ is available in 15- to 20-inch options. So, the Dynapro MT2 RT05 is better on the vehicle compatibility part.

Which one should you choose?

Looking at the overall SimpleScore, the Baja Legend MTZ is a better choice than the Dynapro MT2 RT05 (8.4 vs 8,2). But, it is to be noted that both tires have their own strengths, and you must buy the one that best meets your driving requirements and budget.

Talk about the prices, the Dynapro MT2 RT05 is available at an initial price of at least $191 per tire, whereas the Baja Legend MTZ is offered at a starting price of at least $238 per tire. This means there’s clearly a big difference in the pricing of both tires, with a set of four Dynapro tires costing you at least $764, while a set of four Baja Legend tires costs you at least $952.

Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Dynapro MT2 RT05 if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the Ford F-150 or Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
• Want a tire that doesn’t disappoint with its traction performance (8.3 vs 8.3).
• Want a tire that’s better in durability (8.6 vs 8.3).
• Want a mud-terrain tire that’s affordable yet offers decent performance in challenging conditions.
• Want a tire that’s compatible with 15- to 22-inch rims.

Comparatively, you should consider the Baja Legend MTZ if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the Ford F-150 or the Jeep Wrangler.
• Want a tire that’s better in longevity (8.6 vs 8.1).
• Need a tire that’s equally good in traction (8.3 vs 8.3).
• Are comfortable spending more to buy a tire that’s an overall better choice.
• Need a tire that’s available in 15- to 20-inch rim size options.

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.