Firestone Destination M/T2 vs Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ tires

The best way to tackle difficult trails, snowy surfaces, rocks, and mud is to install suitable off-road tires, among which all-terrain and mud-terrain are the most popular. Tread blocks on these tires will be dependent on the degree of difficulty to be expected in off-road areas. Mud-terrain tires are helpful for drivers who regularly tackle mud, snow, rocks, sand, and other debris. We bring to you a comparison between Firestone Destination M/T2 and Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ tires that can fit into Jeeps, light trucks, and SUVs to make them highly capable in difficult conditions. At the same time, the above tires also sport a suitable sidewall construction to protect them from damage on such roads. Find out more details about them and choose the one that best meets your needs.

Firestone Destination M/T2 tires

The Firestone Destination M/T2 has been specially designed to tackle severe off-road conditions, which include ice and snow. These tires are meant to perform and last on changing surfaces, with ejectors clearing the debris for long tread life. A new rubber compound and the sidewall construction help generate extra mud traction and increase resistance to tears and chips. This studdable tire can be fitted with suitable studs for increased traction in severe snow and ice. An aggressive tread pattern and attack angles enable them to move in a focused manner and an outlined white letter sidewall makes it appear good. As per the above, the Firestone Destination M/T2 is good enough for an average SimpleScore of 8.3.

Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ tires

Mickey Thompson has made a huge name for itself in the world of off-road tires, and the Baja Legend MTZ lives up to its name. A cutting-edge pattern on the tire generates high traction on tough surfaces and also protects its sidewall. We are sure that you’ll love the bold and proven styling of this mud-terrain tire. There is a suitable 3-ply construction that ensures good handling and prevents damage to the sidewall as well. Expect protection from cuts and chips due to the silica-based rubber compound. Those who want their Jeep or SUV to look good will be happy after seeing the aggressive appearance of these tires. Many other features are available for generating consistent traction, which you will get to know in the later sections of this comparison. This tire has a ply rating of 10, which is higher than that of the Destination M/T2 and shows that the load-carrying capacity is greater here. We found the Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ ideal for an average SimpleScore of 8.5.

Firestone Destination M/T2 vs Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ tires on traction

Both tires feature suitable sidewalls and rubber compounds that provide traction but also protect them against wear and tear. While the Destination M/T2 receives a 3-ply sidewall construction and aggressive upper sidewall lugs for traction, the Baja Legend MTZ has a Four-Pitch Sidebitter pattern for better off-road grip. It is possible to add TSMI #16 or #17 studs on the Destination M/T2 for gaining extra traction in snow and ice. It also features additional biting edges for increasing traction on wet, snowy, and slick surfaces.

On the other hand, the Baja Legend MTZ can provide consistent traction due to the elimination of dirt, stones, rocks, and other debris from the tread using variable draft angles, angled shoulder scallops, and a high-void tread pattern. For the Destination M/T2 and the Baja Legend LTZ, we have given average traction SimpleScores of 8.4 and 8.2, respectively.

ADVANTAGE: Firestone Destination M/T2

Firestone Destination M/T2 vs Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ tires on durability

You can expect quick steering responses from both tires. Aggressive upper sidewall lugs and the 3-ply sidewall construction make the Firestone tires more durable, increasing resistance to abrasions and tears. Similarly, the Powerply 3-ply sidewall on the Mickey Thompson tires increases sidewall protection. While the Destination M/T2 has a 6-ply rating, the Baja Legend MTZ showcases a higher 10-ply rating, which means that the latter has a higher load-carrying capacity. The above also means that the Mickey Thompson tires will remain in better shape while being subjected to high pressure. This aspect shows up in the ratings as well, with the Destination M/T2 receiving an 8.3 and the Baja Legend MTZ an 8.4 in terms of average durability SimpleScores.

ADVANTAGE: Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ

Firestone Destination M/T2 vs Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ tires on longevity

Mud and stone ejectors in the Destination M/T2’s tread clear debris to increase tread life, thereby giving more off-roading time to users. Additionally, a Debris Shield protects the region between the tire bead and rim from trail debris. On the other hand, you can expect angled shoulder scallops, a high-void tread pattern, and variable draft angles to force stones, dirt, mud, and other debris out of the Baja Legend MTZ’s tread. Firestone Destination M/T2 has a slightly higher tread depth than the Mickey Thompson Baja Legend LTZ. Expect Destination M/T2’s silica-rich compound to ensure slower wear. Overall, the Baja Legend LTZ scores 9.1 instead of 8.2 for the Destination M/T2 in terms of average longevity SimpleScore.

ADVANTAGE: Mickey Thompson Baja Legend LTZ

When to use each

Both, the Destination M/T2 and the Baja Legend MTZ are mud-terrain tires and they are good for off-road driving in conditions like mud, sand, gravel, dirt, and rocks. The Destination M/T2 is studdable and can offer you the additional advantage of performing on snowy or icy terrains. That being said, these tires aren’t Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified and shouldn’t be used in extreme wintry conditions when the temperatures are below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Which one should you choose?

When it comes to pricing, we found the Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ to be slightly more expensive here. While the Firestone Destination M/T2 begins from $230.99 per tire ($935.96 for 4), the Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ starts at $237.69 per tire ($950.76 for 4). Here are the reasons you should consider for choosing the Firestone Destination M/T2:

• You want a more affordable tire
• You want better traction
• You want better wet performance

Compared to the above, the reasons for selecting the Mickey Thompson Baja Legend MTZ are as follows:

• You want higher durability
• You are looking for a longer tread life
• You want the more attractive tire
• You want a tire that does not sacrifice off-road performance for on-street performance

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