Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T vs Nexen Roadian ATX tires

Mickey Thompson is an American tire brand famous among drivers of light trucks, SUVs, Jeeps, and 4x4s thanks to its range of great off-road tires. Similarly, the South Korean tire manufacturer, Nexen, has also earned a reputation for being a potential option for drivers wanting superb on and off-road performance without breaking their bank.

Choosing an all-terrain tire that confidently bridges the gap between rugged off-road capability and acceptable daily driving comfort is essential for modern truck and SUV owners. We pit the two capable options from Mickey Thompson and Nexen in the all-terrain segment against each other: the Baja Boss A/T and the Roadian ATX.

The Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T is a solid hybrid all-terrain tire designed for enthusiasts wanting a bold, asymmetric tread pattern that’s built with PowerPly XD 3-ply sidewalls and Extreme Sidebiters for maximized puncture resistance and off-road grip. As a Three Peak Mountain Snowflake-rated (3PMSF) tire, the Baja Boss A/T targets those who need top-tier durability and reliable all-weather capability for trail adventures and daily driving.

Similarly, the Nexen Roadian ATX is positioned as a feature-rich, high-value alternative that excels in quiet road manners. It boasts an industry-leading reinforced 3-ply sidewall construction and also carries the 3PMSF certification for reliable winter traction. The ATX emphasizes longevity with a strong mileage warranty and utilizes specialized tread technology to deliver high-performance grip on wet and dry pavement while maintaining a smooth, quiet ride.

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T tires

Launched in 2021, the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T is an aggressively styled all-terrain tire engineered to boost the performance and traction of SUVs, Jeeps, and light trucks. Featuring a rugged tread pattern, the Baja Boss A/T provides enhanced off-road capability. Backed by up to 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the Mickey Thompson all-terrain tire assures a longer lifespan. Meanwhile, it carries the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification for reliable use in moderate to extreme winter conditions. At an aggressive price tag, the Mickey ensures confident use in diverse weather, and could be the tire you want to have.

Based on its solid all-around performance, the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T earns a superb 8.6 overall SimpleScore.

Get Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Nexen Roadian ATX tires

Introduced in June 2022, the Nexen Roadian ATX is a robust all-terrain tire boasting strong construction and material advancements for superior grip in both dry and wet conditions. Featuring technologies that ensure reliable on- and off-road performance, the Nexen all-terrain tire provides pickup truck and SUV drivers the confidence to navigate muddy, slippery, or dry surfaces. The Roadian ATX is severe weather certified to tackle moderate to severe winter conditions. Backed by an excellent 70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the Nexen tire offers fantastic tread life and great durability.

Earning a respectable 8.8 overall SimpleScore rating, the Nexen Roadian ATX assures solid traction, grip, handling, and tread life on and off the road.

Get Nexen Roadian ATX tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T vs Nexen Roadian ATX tires on traction

Traction is defined as the tire’s ability to hold the ground without skidding. The Mickey Thompson and Nexen tires deliver great grip and traction both on and off the road. Let’s do the traction analysis to know who offers a better grip.

With a fantastic score of 8.6 in traction, the Baja Boss A/T features an asymmetric tread pattern that significantly boosts off-road grip and performance. This Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certified tire features deep and wide grooves, along with multiple sipes, which ensure effective evacuation of dirt, mud, rocks, and stones from the tread for enhanced grip and traction across varying driving conditions, including deep snow and ice.

Going slightly higher, the Nexen Roadian ATX delivers an 8.7 in traction, assuring decent on- and off-road grip. The Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification assures adequate grip and traction in moderate to severe winter weather. New tread technology helps maintain grip throughout the tire's lifespan, while side lugs and deep grooves boost performance in snowy, rainy, and off-road conditions. A wider footprint with sharper tread block edges enhances its ability to bite off-road surfaces and utilize sipes for increased grip on wet paved roads.

With a marginally better score, the Nexen Roadian ATX registers its first win over the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T in the traction section.

ADVANTAGE: Nexen Roadian ATX

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T vs Nexen Roadian ATX tires on handling

Better control and steering response make your drive confident, both on paved and unpaved roads. The Baja Boss A/T and Roadian ATX are nearly equally matched in terms of handling and maintaining tire integrity on rough roads. Let’s check their handling performance.

Securing a fine 8.5 handling score, the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T provides great control during maneuvering and cornering on paved and unpaved roads. With a PowerPly XD construction, the Mickey Thompson tire utilizes a heavy denier cord fused with the 3-ply construction for improved stability, control, and steering response in different driving conditions.

On the other hand, the Roadian ATX scores 8.6 in handling and assures great control and response year-round, both on- and off-road. The combination of deep grooves, sidewall lugs, and advanced tread technology enhances handling and control. A flat contact patch promotes stability on highways, while optimized sipes and blocks reduce stopping distance. Furthermore, solid shoulder blocks and three parallel center blocks help improve stability during lane changes.

Scoring slightly better, the Nexen Roadian ATX wins this as well, with the scoreboard now reading 2-0.

ADVANTAGE: Nexen Roadian ATX

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T vs Nexen Roadian ATX tires on longevity

One of the critical aspects of tire buying is the service life of a tire. Often, drivers are confused over which tire to choose, and it’s the longevity or mileage warranty that tilts the battle in a particular tire’s favor. Let’s do the tread life analysis of both tires.

The Baja Boss A/T achieves a strong 8.8 in longevity, assuring a longer service life. This durability stems from the innovative PowerPly XD technology, which involves using a heavier denier cord with an angled third ply for enhanced strength and improved resistance to snags, punctures, and tears. The special rubber compounds of the Mickey Thompson tire are formulated to promote uniform wear while limiting uneven wear. While the LT-metric sizes are backed by a generous 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, the P-metric sizes are covered by a 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.

With an exceptional longevity score of 9.1, the Roadian ATX is an excellent option for drivers wanting a longer tread life. This durability is backed by an excellent up to 70,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty. Reinforced inner construction and solid blocks promote even longer wear, while the robust sidewall construction prevents cuts and chips, ensuring a long-lasting service life.

Scoring an incredible longevity score, the Nexen Roadian ATX wins this section too. It’s a clean sweep! 3-0.

ADVANTAGE: Nexen Roadian ATX

When to use each

All-terrain tires are versatile tires designed for trucks and SUVs, balancing on-road civility with capable off-road performance. They feature deep, interlocking treads for traction on pavement, gravel, and dirt, offering reliable, year-round grip for mixed driving conditions.

The Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T is a decent all-terrain tire for someone looking for solid traction, handling, and longevity on paved and unpaved roads. However, the Nexen Roadian ATX is equally comparable to Mickey in traction and handling, but takes the battle a notch higher in the longevity section by scoring exceptionally.

Which one should you choose?

To sum up, the Nexen Roadian ATX wins all three sections – traction, handling, and longevity – and beats the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T. However, each tire has its unique attributes, which should be considered before you pick one. Let’s drill down to the last deciding factor of any deal, the price!

For the LT235/75R15 109T XL size, the Mickey Thompson costs $189 per tire, totaling $756 for four tires. Similarly, the Nexen costs $155 per tire, while four tires cost $620 (a difference of $136 on four tires).

Based on the SimpleScore, you should choose the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T if you:

• Drive a RAM 3500, Ford F-250, and Chevrolet Tahoe
• Want a quiet and comfortable all-terrain tire comparatively
• Are ready to pay extra for a decent all-terrain tire

On the other hand, you should consider the Nexen Roadian ATX if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the Toyota Tundra, Subaru Crosstrek, or Nissan Frontier
• Need a tire that’s better in longevity (9.1 vs 8.8)
• Want better handling (8.6 vs 8.5) and traction (8.7 vs 8.6)
• Prefer a tire that’s backed by a better tread life warranty (70,000 vs 60,000 miles)
• Need an affordable yet superb all-terrain tire

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.