Cooper AT3 vs BF Goodrich KO2: The BF Goodrich KO2 and the Cooper AT3, both all-terrain tires, excel across various terrains, including snow, courtesy of their M+S and 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake ratings.
However, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 leans more towards on-road performance, delivering superior fuel efficiency, traction, and comfort. In contrast, the BFG KO2 shines in terms of remarkable durability and rock traction.
Examine the treads on these tires closely. They hold the key to knowing which to choose. In fact if you visit my "tread design" page, picking the right tire would never bother you.
Cooper Discoverer’s lineup basically includes three variants: the Discoverer 4S, the least aggressive of the trio; the mid-range LT, and finally, the XLT.
And the Discoverer XLT, with its robust sidewalls, is the closest competitor to the BF Goodrich KO2, although it still falls short in a head-to-head comparison in few scenarios, as you will see.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Sizes and Design
Speaking of sizes, the Cooper AT3 offers a weight range from 44 lbs to a max of 70 lb. It gives you total of 33 sizes compared to BFG KO2’s 90 with the weight range (34.3 to 69.9 lbs).
Find the rest of the info in the tabular form below.
BF Goodrich KO2
Cooper AT3 XLT
| Cooper AT3 | BFG KO2 | |
| Weight (avg) | 59.4 lbs | 55.3 lbs |
| Tread Depth (avg) | 16.6/32″ | 15/32’’ |
| Available sizes | 15 to 20″ | 15 to 22″ |
| Sidewall Construction | 2 ply | 3 ply |
| Load Rating Range | C to E | C to F |
| Width (avg) | 11.8″ | 11.2″ |
So BFG KO2 is heavier, offers more sizes,a nd is more durable, but Cooper AT3 has more tread depth.
Moving on to their tread structure.
Cooper AT3 has a very simple looking design compared to the other. And if we start with the sides, the tire offers serrated design with protruding edges.
On the outer margins, these blocks extend on sidewalls and make prominent lugs, while on the inner, the tire makes saw-tooth edges.
With smaller lateral spacing between the shoulder blocks, it’s not able to have enough area left for stone ejectors.
And instead, it’s shoulder blocks have connectors in between and to further support them, they are also equipped with reinforced foundations.
(These foundation supports are also seen in central ribs).
On the other hand, with BF Goodrich KO2, shows aggressive sides, but both AT3 and KO2 AT have serrated shoulders.
And although the scoop of both tires look very similar, the KO2 offers sharper edges. It’s blocks also have deep incisions in them, which combined with it’s rectilinear siping form stronger biters.
These shoulder blocks grow into lugs which join together to form a sharper sidewall design which is more efficient in comparison (during flexing sidewalls, when pressured/aired down).
All shoulder blocks also have stone ejectors in between. In fact the tire also has triangular shaped ones, strategically placed in it’s wider grooves.
The BF Goodrich provides KO2 with better ejectors where triangular ones are similar to it’s Trial Terrain Version.
(Cooper AT3 does not have them, but they still present with stone ejecting ledges, that still get the job done).
Moving on to the central part of both tires.
The Cooper AT3 is seen with 5 Rib blocky design.
And these multiple-sided blocks then form a 4 way circumferential groove pattern.
(The outer block valleys are more wider in comparison to the inner).
These outer groove blocks also have teeth/biting edges which act as strong grippers for the ground.
Wave like pattern of sipes is also seen on all blocks which give the tire additional grip.
The tire also has reinforced foundations under all it’s blocks, so it’s makes firm on road grip.
Furthermore, there are connectors between the shoulder blocks which restrict the movement of the blocks (keeping tire civilized on road), and with biters like the chamfered edges, the tire still great off road at the same time.
On the other hand, in case of BF Goodrich KO2, you get to see a totally different design. Here the blocks are hook shaped and they are uniform across the tire’s tread.
(The uniformity of these blocks distribute the stress on tires evenly, thus promoting even wear).
All these hook/c-shaped blocks are jagged with sharp notches in them which act as traction bitters.
You also get to see the 3D sipes all over the tire. These are deep and go all the way to the base allowing the blocks to have further move-ability.
The overall design of the KO2 don’t really form a proper upright grooves as seen in the Cooper AT3, instead you get to see a web of grooves giving the tire both lateral and circumferential traction.
Check out:
https://comparethetire.com/how-to-check-tire-tread-with-a-penny/
https://comparethetire.com/do-all-terrain-tires-wear-faster/
Highway Performance
Cooper AT3 had to compromise off road for it’s amazing on road capabilities.
It can be clearly seen from the tread pattern of both that, this tire would make more contact with the road as the blocks have less gap between them.
This allows this tire to have shorter braking distances.
| Tests | Cooper AT3 | BFG KO2 |
| Dry braking distance (from 60 mph) | 154 feet | 156feet |
| Wet (Lap) handling time | 55 sec | 59 sec |
| Float speed (hydroplane resistance) | 46 mph | 48 mph |
| Tread wear warranty | 60,000 miles | 50,000 miles |
The Cooper AT3 XLT besides it’s larger footprint also offers a softer compound, and this combined with it’s biting edges, it simply sticks on roads in a better way.
The softer rubber also make siping more effective, as they are more flexible to wipe water away efficiently.
KO2 on the other side, features a harder compound with rectilinear sipes, which are less efficient in sucking water particles underneath.
But the tire is still better in one aspect here, hydroplaning.
The BF Goodrich KO2 tire offers better float speeds as it’s web of channels allow the water to pass through without any resistance.
It offers wider block valleys especially around the shoulder blocks, so more volume of water can get out of the tire.
But with wider grooves, the tire is also a little loud in comparison.
Cooper AT3 with it’s whisper Groove tech, is better here. It provides connectors b/w the shoulder blocks which don’t allow the sound wave to amplify.
Is Cooper AT3 XLT Durable Enough?
Overall, both of the tires are made out of the silica based compound that give them chip and cut resistance.
In case of their construction, the Cooper AT3 has 2 steel belts covered by 2 ply polyamide wrapped with 1 layer of nylon.
And for BFG KO2, you get 2 steel belts but now 3 ply polyamide covered with 2 ply nylon. So you get 3 ply sidewall construction.
Which tells us that KO2 is tougher.
Off Road Performance
As we saw in the design section, the BFG KO2 features 3D track sides, notches blocks, upper shoulder sidewall armor, and a serrated shoulder design.
All these things allows this tire to have a better off road experience.
And when it comes to off road, 3 things come to mind, mud, snow and rocks. And the tire is better in all of them. Lets see why?
Mud Traction
When it comes to navigating muddy terrain, the BF Goodrich KO2 demonstrates superior performance, as its design incorporates wider grooves which facilitate the expulsion of more mud, enhancing traction.
Additionally, the KO2’s broader shoulder blocks operate as efficient scoopers, while its notches effectively cut through the mud’s surface.
In contrast, the Cooper Discoverer AT3 lacks the interconnected wider grooves and biters characteristic of the KO2.
Although both tires feature serrated shoulders, the KO2’s edges are more pronounced, so its able to “get out”, even if its knee deep in mud, where it’s robust sidewalls also contribute significantly.
Snow And Ice Performance
In snowy conditions, the BFG KO2 again stands out. Let me explain why.
The tire is equipped with deep 3D sipes that grip the snow’s surface, enabling shorter braking distances.
Moreover, the KO2’s notched blocks dig into the snow more effectively than those of the AT3.
Both of these features actually allow for snow to snow contact, and its important because snow sticks better to other snow particles, instead of the tire’s rubber.
That’s why the tire’s more aggressive siping, combined with notches, and its overall hook shaped lug design allow for superior snow grip, even though both tires are branded with 3 peak mountain snowflake ratings.
But keep in mind, the superior KO2’s performance is only on “fluffy/powdery” snow, and not on ice.
So if you are considering icy terrains, the Cooper AT3 does a better job, with it’s more flexible lugs, snow vices, and interlocking siping.
Traction on Rocks
On rocks, you need multi-directional grip and durability, and that’s the reason why the BF Goodrich KO2 shines here.
The tire comes with it’s interconnected web of grooves which provides multi-directional traction, whereas the Cooper AT3 with only circumferential traction, is lacking that feature.
Furthermore, the shoulder blocks of the KO2 with prominent stone ejectors also offers superior gravel traction too.
In fact gravel performance is the best expertise of KO2.
And yes, the tire is more durable with 3 ply sidewalls, offering a more “confidence inspiring” ride compared to Cooper AT3.
So what’s the verdict?
Well, when it comes to Cooper AT3 XLT, it’s aggressive sure, but its high way oriented and not so capable off road especially when compared to KO2.
The BF Goodrich KO2 simply provides you with a more durable construction and a combative design to handle tough terrains off road.
But the tire is also expensive, so if you are mostly staying on road, you may want to consider Discoverer AT3.
