Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05 vs Cooper Discoverer STT Pro tires

When it comes to choosing tires from the best brands, you are bound to get confused. Hankook Tire and Cooper Tire are established brands with an extensive portfolio of proven tire lines. While Hankook is a South Korean brand, Cooper is a subsidiary of Goodyear and is a century-old American brand. They roll out tires in several categories, such as all-season, all-terrain, UHP, mud-terrain, and more. The Dynapro MT2 RT05 and Discoverer STT Pro are their frontline mud-terrain tires that promise superb performance on mud and other loose surfaces.

Designed for SUVs and light trucks, the Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05 and Cooper Discoverer STT Pro take on challenging muddy terrains where all-terrain tires struggle. Featuring aggressive tread designs, they offer high durability, solid traction, and a long-lasting tread compound. As both are neck-and-neck in terms of features and service life, let’s compare Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05 vs Cooper Discoverer STT Pro based on our proprietary SimpleScore to determine which one is the best pick between the two.

Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05 tires

Launched in 2019, the Dynapro MT2 RT05 is the successor of the original Dynapro MT and is engineered using 3-D simulation software and the latest technology for optimum performance on mud, rock, dirt, gravel, and sand. Enhancing its durability is an integrated linking system that blends sidewall and shoulder blocks to boost rigidity, traction, and protection against cuts, chips, and punctures. While the built-in stone ejectors and scooped shoulder design enhance traction by resisting stone drilling within the grooves, the sidewall protection shields and wraparound tread provide extra biting edges and safeguard the tire against punctures and off-road abrasions.

Boasting an overall score of 8.3 out of 10, the Hankook tire assures durable construction, longevity, and solid traction on muddy trails.

Cooper Discoverer STT Pro tires

Introduced in 2015, the Discoverer STT Pro replaced the Discoverer STT with a promise to provide better mud performance than its predecessor. Featuring an aggressive tread pattern and high void ratio, the Cooper tire has mud slingers along the shoulder block walls to resist mud-sticking and boost self-cleaning. While Rock Climber Sidewall technology helps conquer off-road challenges, the Stone Armor tech limits damage by sharp debris and rocks. For extra durability, the Discoverer STT Pro features Armor Tek3 tech, which imbibes incredible strength to tread and sidewall on tough terrains.

Managing to score 8.3, the Cooper assures great traction, stability, durability, and a longer service life.

Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05 vs Cooper Discoverer STT Pro tires on traction

Traction is the most critical aspect of a tire as it keeps the fundamentals of a tire – to keep a vehicle grounded – intact and not let it skid. Whether on the road or off the road, traction is of paramount significance.

With an 8.2 traction score, the Hankook tire features an aggressive tread with scooped shoulder blocks and wraparound tread that increases traction and grip in tough conditions of mud, gravel, sand, dirt, and rocks. The wraparound tread and sidewall protection shields provide extra biting edges for maximum traction and grip when crawling over rocky terrains. Reinforced shoulder lugs go deep inside the muddy terrain to boost traction in challenging terrains.

Boasting 8.3 out of 10 in traction, the Cooper tire features mud-slinging, mud-release dimples that limit mud-sticking and promote self-cleaning for maximum performance on muddy terrains. While the side-biter cleats improve grip and traction on soft, muddy, and rocky terrains, the anti-stone retention resists stone drilling and promotes self-cleaning for consistent traction.

The Cooper has a slight edge over the Hankook (0.1) and is the winner of the traction section.

ADVANTAGE: Cooper Discoverer STT Pro

Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05 vs Cooper Discoverer STT Pro tires on durability

When facing the tough challenges of mud, rocks, and gravel, durability can be termed as the next best tire trait for controlled and safer rides on such surfaces.

With a solid 8.5 durability score, the Dynapro MT2 RT05 features an integrated linking system that blends the sidewall and shoulder blocks to boost rigidity and traction and protects against off-road abrasions. While the sidewall puncture protectors safeguard sidewalls against snags, chips, and tears on gravel, the mud and stone ejectors enhance grip and protect the tread from punctures.

Scoring 8.4 in durability, the Discoverer STT Pro is laced with Armor Tek3, which provides high strength to the sidewall and tread to bear off-road challenges. While the Stone Armor tech protects damages to the tread by limiting sharp objects, rocks, and debris, the Rock Climber Sidewall tech safeguards the sidewall from any damage.

The Hankook settles the score in durability by racing ahead of the Cooper by a marginal difference (0.1) and wins the durability section.

ADVANTAGE: Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05

Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05 vs Cooper Discoverer STT Pro tires on longevity

While some may not consider longevity important for mud terrain tires, most drivers would want an MT tire that lasts long. Despite no mileage warranties, the Hankook and Cooper assure decent tread life.

The Dynapro MT2 RT05 scores 8.1 in longevity thanks to the ProMileage technology that improves the tread life by providing maximum road contact and evenly distributing the driving force during braking, acceleration, and cornering. Designed with the 3D simulation tool, its optimized tread pattern resists uneven wear and promotes uniform wear throughout the tire's lifecycle.

With an 8.3 longevity score, the Discoverer STT Pro features a high tread-to-void ratio that allows quick evacuation of water, mud, and dirt and stone ejectors that safeguard the tire against cuts, chips, and punctures. With no cuts and punctures and no settling of stones, the Cooper tire scores great in longevity and lasts long.

Putting up a good show, the Discoverer STT Pro takes home another section, pinning the Hankook by a small margin (0.2).

ADVANTAGE: Cooper Discoverer STT Pro

When to use each

Mud-terrain tires are qualified to sail you through thick mud, slush, sand, gravel, and dirt without any hassle. If you frequently drive through muddy terrains, you should go for mud-terrain tires as they have a high void ratio and open shoulders to clear mud and water from the tread and deliver consistent traction.

If you have a mix of on and off-road travel with more on-road driving, you can go for all-terrain tires, as they provide excellent traction, grip, handling, durability, and stability on paved and unpaved roads. They often come with the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol that assures superb performance in severe winter weather conditions of ice and snow.

Which one should you choose?

In a nutshell, the SimpleScores of the Hankook and Cooper are leveled at 8.3 out of 10, indicating no clear winners. However, given your preferences, you can pick the one that offers better durability, traction, or longevity. While the Cooper is ahead in traction (8.3 vs 8.2) and longevity (8.3 vs 8.1), the Hankook scores more in durability (8.5 vs 8.4).

Comparing prices for the tire size LT245/75R16 120/116Q E: The Dynapro MT2 RT05 costs $267 per tire, and four such tires will cost $1068, while a single unit of the Discoverer STT Pro will cost $276, a set of four will cost $1104. The difference of $36 on four tires would hardly compel anyone to buy the other tire, so we leave it up to your preference.

Based on the SimpleScore, you should go for the Hankook Dynapro MT2 RT05 if you:

• Drive vehicles like Chevrolet Avalanche 1500, Dodge Ram 1500, and Ford F-150
• Want a durable tire (8.5 vs 8.4)
• Drive more on challenging terrains than on paved roads
• Prefer Korean technology

On the other hand, you should pick the Cooper Discoverer STT Pro if you:

• Drive vehicles like Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Toyota Tundra, and Jeep Wrangler
• Want better traction (8.3 vs 8.2) and longer service life (8.3 vs 8.1)
• Drive more on paved roads than on tough terrains
• Prefer American technology

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.