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Firestone Destination M/T2 vs Cooper Evolution MT tires

Last updated 7/18/2024 - Originally published 7/18/2024
Written by SimpleTire

In the tire industry, Firestone tires are legendary not just for their age—they were founded in 1900—but also for being the first to use low-pressure balloon tires, which they pioneered in 1922. Cooper Tires, first introduced in the American market in 1914, has been a constant for many generations. Although the brand also caters to minivans, passenger cars, sports cars, and SUVs, Cooper specializes in providing all-season and winter tires for trucks and SUVs. With over a century of experience, these Western giants, Firestone and Cooper, are among the best mid-range brands.

Mud terrain tires from Firestone are designed to withstand the roughest terrain and offer optimal traction in all circumstances. Rejectors, a feature of Firestone's MT technology invention, force debris out of the grooves for increased grip. Designed to perform on-road and withstand the rigors of challenging off-road terrain, the Firestone Destination M/T2 is a mud-terrain tire classified as "Maximum-Traction."

With a wide range of options available, like the Discoverer ST Maxx, STT Pro, and Evolution MT Cooper mud-terrain tires offer aggressive tread designs for grip in even the roughest terrains, making them ideal for any off-road adventure. To go around uneven rock and rugged terrain, the Cooper Evolution MT produces enough grip to bury themselves in loose dirt, sand, or mud. Additionally, its sturdy design aids with the removal of embedded stones.

Which tire outperforms the other if both offer similar performance? Let us use SimpleScore to compare the Firestone Destination M/T2 vs Cooper Evolution MT tires to reach a conclusion.

Firestone Destination M/T2 tires

Designed to go wherever the route leads, the Firestone Destination M/T2 is ideal for individuals who enjoy off-roading. Mud and stone rejection technology enhances off-road grip and extends tread life, allowing drivers to enjoy more off-road adventures. The Destination M/T 2 features a revised rubber compound, a 3-ply sidewall design, and aggressive upper-sidewall lugs to give drivers more traction in mud and increased resistance to chips and tears. Designed for use on light trucks and SUVs, the Firestone Destination M/T2 can be pinned with TSMI #16 or 17 studs, where permitted, for extra traction in severe ice and snow. In addition, the Destination M/T offers increased biting edges to assist traction on slick, wet, and snowy surfaces and comes with an Outlined White Letter or Black sidewall, depending on the tire size.

On average, the Firestone Destination M/T2 earns a great SimpleScore of 8.3 out of 10 thanks to its reliable traction, superb handling, and great longevity.

Cooper Evolution MT tires

Designed for use on light trucks and Jeeps, the Cooper Evolution MT features a unique rubber compound and tread pattern that offers great mud and off-road terrain traction. Thanks to their earth digger technology, these tires provide enough grip to dig into loose dirt, sand, or mud, allowing you to push through uneven rock and tough terrain while its sturdy design aids in the removal of trapped stones. It is time to go out there and sling some mud with these tires, due to the mud slinger technology. With an Outlined White Letter or Black sidewall depending on the tire's size, the Cooper's Evolution MT can be pinned with studs, where permitted, for extra traction in winter weather. Additionally, its Trail Grip sidewall technology enables climbers to push through trails.

Because of its good traction, great handling, and reliable longevity, the Cooper Evolution MT gets a superb SimpleScore of 8.1 out of 10.

Firestone Destination M/T2 vs Cooper Evolution MT tires on traction

Some drivers frequently navigate mud and other off-road terrain, and they must ensure that their tires are made to provide traction in these conditions.

The Destination M/T 2 has a 3-ply sidewall structure with aggressive upper-sidewall lugs and a new rubber compound that gives drivers more traction in mud. The Destination M/T 2 has a 3-ply sidewall structure with aggressive upper-sidewall lugs and a new rubber compound that offers drivers more traction in mud. For added traction in extremely icy and snowy conditions, it can be secured with TSMI #16 or #17 studs, where permitted. In addition, the Destination M/T2’s more biting edges add better traction in slick, wet, and snowy conditions, helping it receive a great traction score of 8.4.

The Evolution MT's aggressive tread pattern offers traction in mud and other off-road conditions, and it can be pinned with studs, where permitted, for added traction in winter conditions. Because of its mud slingers, which use larger trenches to continuously remove tire buildup, it provides extra grip. Additionally, the Cooper Evolution MT features sidewall technology, which allows climbers to push through trails while increasing traction. As a result, the Cooper Evolution MT secures a good traction score of 7.9.

With respect to traction, the Firestone Destination M/T2 is superior to the Cooper Evolution MT.

ADVANTAGE: Firestone Destination M/T2

Firestone Destination M/T2 vs Cooper Evolution MT tires on durability

Mud-terrain tires do occasionally give greater off-road durability because of their higher rubber content, frequently more sidewall or tread plies, and tighter belt weaving.

With a redesigned rubber compound and aggressive upper-sidewall lugs, the Destination M/T 2 offers drivers increased protection against chips and tears. The Destination M/T2 has a durable compound that is resistant to cuts and chips and also provides outstanding puncture resistance. It has a sturdy tread and a lightweight truck structure with a three-ply sidewall construction to enhance durability. The Destination M/T2 earns a great durability score of 8.3.

The Cooper Evolution MT offers higher off-road resilience because of its robust design, which makes it more resistant to damage from stones and debris. Its robust design helps to withstand off-road debris, stones, and sticks. By removing embedded stones, stone barriers of the Cooper Evolution M/T protect against jagged rocks. With a SimpleScore of 8, the Cooper offers great off-road durability.

In terms of durability, the Firestone Destination M/T2 outperforms the Cooper Evolution MT.

ADVANTAGE: Firestone Destination M/T2

Firestone Destination M/T2 vs Cooper Evolution MT tires on longevity

Mud-terrain tires are subjected to frequent damage, making their longevity uncertain. When spending leisure time off-road, drivers should make sure these tires are long-lasting and resilient enough to handle varying terrain.

The Firestone Destination M/T2 has a great longevity score of 8.2 thanks to the durable compound, sturdy tread, and three-ply sidewall construction whereas the Cooper Evolution M/T gets a longevity score of 8.3 due to its robust design and stone ejectors.

When it comes to longevity, the Cooper Evolution M/T is marginally superior to the Firestone Destination M/T2.

ADVANTAGE: Cooper Evolution M/T

When to use each

Both the Firestone Destination M/T2 and Cooper Evolution MT are mud-terrain tires and are perfect for use in mud and other off-road terrains. The mud-terrain tires are designed to withstand broken glass and jagged boulders on trails, and they are exceptionally durable. Because of the robust tread pattern and stone ejectors, these tires offer better traction in off-road environments. In addition, the Firestone Destination M/T2 and Cooper Evolution MT can be pinned with studs, where permitted, for extra traction in winter weather. As these tires are not Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified they cannot be used in harsh winter weather conditions.

Which one should you choose?

Which of these mud-terrain tires is best suited for you? SimpleScore ranks the Firestone Destination M/T2 higher than the Cooper Evolution MT (8.3 vs. 8.1).

In terms of traction, the Firestone Destination M/T2 outperforms the Cooper Evolution MT. The same is the case in handling. However, the Cooper Evolution MT is slightly better than the Firestone Destination M/T2 in longevity.

Firestone Destination M/T2 costs around $234 per tire, while the Cooper Evolution MT costs around $143. This implies that four Firestone Destination M/T2 tires will cost around $936, and four Cooper Evolution MT tires will cost around $572.

Based on SimpleScore, you should choose the Firestone Destination M/T2 if you:

  • Drive SUVs like the Ford Explorer
  • Want superior traction (8.4 vs 7.9)
  • Prefer better handling (8.3 vs 8.0)
  • Are ready to pay more for a tire from a well-known brand.

On the other hand, you should go for the Cooper Evolution MT if you:

  • Drive light trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado 3500
  • Are looking for a less expensive tire
  • Want a tire with a better longevity score (8.3 vs 8.2)

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.

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