Armstrong Desert Dog MT: Everything You Need In a Mud-Terrain Tire

Promising off-road capabilities above and beyond what can be delivered by the typical all-terrain tire, mud-terrain tires are the weapon of choice for the most committed off-roading enthusiasts. Equipping a set of rugged mud-terrains, you do surrender some amount of on-road comfort and dry pavement handling, but what you give up is arguably more than made up for with enhanced mud-throwing, rock-crawling, go-anywhere prowess.

In the rather specialized field of mud-terrain tires, there is one model in particular that manages to funnel an advanced design and composition, aggressive good looks, a proud history, and a competitive price tag all into one particularly well-balanced package – even though it likely wasn’t on your list in the first place. That model is the Armstrong Desert Dog MT.

Founded in New Jersey back in 1912, Armstrong Tires is one of the US’s most storied tire brands, now mounting a comeback with an impressive portfolio of passenger car, truck, and SUV tires. The Desert Dog MT is one of those offerings. An homage to Armstrong’s original Desert Dog, today’s Desert Dog MT is both worthy of the name, and yet completely and utterly a step above. Let’s take a look at some of the Desert Dog MT’s best features, and explore whether it’s right for your needs.

Features

Zig-Zag Stone Ejectors – Stone ejectors are a practical necessity for any good mud-terrain tire; they help keep the tread clear for maximum effectiveness by removing small stones and other debris from between the tread blocks. The Desert Dog MT has well-designed stone ejectors placed strategically between tread blocks around the circumference of the tire to do just that, effectively clearing the tread and helping prevent damage from stones and other objects.

TUFF Tusk Tread Blocks – Armstrong says that the tread block design on the Desert Dog MT was inspired by Tuffy the Rhino, and looking at them, one can see the resemblance. More importantly, these tread blocks have been developed to maximize grip, traction, and pulling power on muddy terrain, with serrations, sipes, and multiple hard biting edges all working in concert to cut through mud and power over rocks and other slick surfaces.

3-Ply Sidewall Blocks – The Armstrong Desert Dog MT boasts some rugged, protruding shoulder blocks with a 3-ply polyester construction, meant to provide a shield against lateral impacts and rubs with off-road obstacles. They’re remarkably effective, and they add to the tire’s aggressive good looks.

Wide Shoulder Scallops – High-void-ratio shoulder scallops designed into both shoulders of the Desert Dog MT help ensure superior off-road traction and give the tire self-cleaning abilities to impede the buildup of traction-robbing dirt and mud. They also help with water drainage, Armstrong says, lessening the risk of hydroplaning.

Special Tread Compound – You don’t get to be a more-than-100-year-old tire manufacturer without learning a thing or two about chemistry, and Armstrong’s highly trained scientists and engineers have selected a special tread composition for the Desert Dog MT. Developed to offer maximum protection against wear and tear, this special compound also provides exceptional grip on rocks and other slippery surfaces.

Who Is It For?

The Armstrong Desert Dog MT is aimed at those who need a true workhorse of an off-road tire, rugged, built-to-last, keen to tow, and capable of traversing difficult terrain. It’s a tire for the savvy shopper who wouldn’t consider a lesser-quality, no-name brand tire, but who recognizes a capable, high-quality mud terrain that punches well above its weight. If you drive a moderately upgraded four-wheel-drive truck or SUV and you like to rough it, get dirty, and explore the ORV trails, the Armstrong Desert Dog MT is for you.

The Armstrong Desert Dog MT is available in a range of sizes for wheels measuring 17 to 20 inches in diameter, accommodating a wide array of the most popular trucks and SUVs on sale today.