The best off-road tires for Niva of various modifications, sizes and models

Mud tires for Niva

Mud tires are all-season tires for SUVs, in this case for the Niva. These tires are designed for use on powerful and off-road vehicles, such as the VAZ-2121, in the most extreme conditions: completely off-road, on dirt roads, country roads, forest roads, and in wild nature.

Mud wheels on Niva

The Niva is equipped with classic mud tires, characterized by a rather large tread pattern and powerful lateral lugs. It is soft enough, which is necessary for adhesion to surfaces in off-road conditions. It is used by motorists in cases where they drive about 80 percent of their journey on mud and dirt roads and only about 20 percent on highways and city roads. When using these tires on asphalt, they wear out extremely quickly. On asphalt, almost all models of mud tires are characterized by increased noise.

What's most important

What is the difference between winter tires and summer tires How to distinguish winter tires from summer tires a few simple recommendations
When choosing mud tires, you should pay attention to the following features:

Tread pattern and depth. Large lug spacing provides better traction on loose or wet soil

It is critical that the lugs are developed along the side edge of the tire, as this arrangement allows for movement in deep ruts.

Durable sidewall. When driving off-road, the wheels experience strong lateral loads.

Sharp rocks found in the ground can cut or pierce a weak sidewall.

Reinforced cord. It is clear that it will not be possible to determine its design by eye. But as a rule, the heavier the tire, the more powerful the structure of its frame. Metal cord, which demonstrates its advantages at high speeds, will not last long in the absence of roads. Preference should be given to Kevlar, Mylar or combined cord.

You should not install wheels on a car whose outer diameter is significantly larger than the dimensions specified in the technical specifications. The point here is not only that the tires will cling to the wheel arches. As the outer diameter of the wheels increases, the load on the transmission increases, which can lead to its breakdown.

Tread material rigidity. It is selected based on specific operating conditions.

In the video - all-season tires for 4x4 SUVs:

For high temperatures, driving on gravel, sand or steppe salt marshes, it is better to prefer a stiffer option. For cold weather, mud or snow, a softer material is suitable.

Advantages and types of mud tires for Niva

Note! The advantages of mud tires for all types are excellent cross-country ability on dirt roads, mud, clay, swamps, and snowdrifts. For areas with no roads, this is an ideal option for traveling by car.

Mud tires for Niva come in the following variants:

• A/T tires are universal rubber designed for movement on both asphalt surfaces and various light off-road options. Tires of this type have a moderately aggressive tread pattern and protected sidewalls. Tires are suitable for asphalt, dirt roads, sand, stone, snow. They get stuck in deep ruts and clay. This is an ideal option for drivers who mostly drive on city roads and occasionally go off-road.
• M/T tires are a more classic version of mud tires. They have a tractor-type tread and fairly powerful side lugs. These tires are much more difficult to clog with dirt than regular ones and tend to self-clean when driving. They are much harder than All Terrain tires and perform poorly on asphalt and highways (they wear out quickly), as well as on ice. These tires are perfect for off-road driving, mud, rough roads, and solid snow.
• Extreme tires. This includes tires for tractors and special equipment. They have a diagonal cord design, their tread pattern is quite thin and quite large. Tires have a center track. The size range of the vast majority of these tire models starts from 29-31 inches. Some Niva owners install tires up to 31 inches in size, first changing a number of car structures, for example, filing the wheel arches. In addition to mud, these tires also work well on rocks and clay; they can also be used on asphalt.

Depending on the terrain and conditions in which the car owner will have to travel, you can make the appropriate choice of the type of mud tires for the Niva car.

Mud tires on Niva 4x4 Attention! On certain models of off-road tires there are often recommendations for use in the ratio of asphalt roads to off-road conditions: 60/40, 50/50, etc.

Which tires are better to put on the Niva 2121 - MT or AT?

The choice of the type of off-road tires for a Niva M/T or A/T directly depends on the type of roads on which the car owner will drive more often.

A/Ts are good for rural conditions and occasional off-road trips. In conditions of viscous clay and swamps, these tires can simply get stuck. Each model has its own recommendations for the ratio of asphalt and off-road - 50/50, 60/40, 40/60, etc.

A/T tires

M/T are more suitable for unpaved and off-road conditions. They are characterized by high noise on asphalt roads, long braking distances on asphalt, comparatively worse handling when driving only on asphalt road surfaces, and wear out and wear out extremely quickly. These tires show excellent driving performance in mud.

Note!

M/T tires have low speed ratings, the highest of which is R. It is recommended to drive on these tires at speeds of up to 160 km/h.

M/T tires

Choosing tires: where to start?

Why change tires at all? An experienced VAZ 2121 driver does not have such questions. Nivovod begins to think about replacing tires not because of a good life, nor in search of extreme sports or unusual sensations. The thing is that all-season factory tires 185/70 R16, being the result of compromises, unification and budgetary frameworks, turn out to be a very mediocre assistant both on the city highway, and when driving off-road, and in winter.

Off-road variant of Cordiant

Here you already have to choose tires for yourself, based on a number of basic parameters:

• in what operating conditions will the future wheels be used, whether the car will have to cut through asphalt road surfaces or more, after all, off-road;
• how far the driver is ready to go in the matter of tuning his iron horse, will the owner’s heart tremble to send his brand new VAZ 21214 under the knife (some tire sizes require widening the wheel arches or bending their sides outward, lifting the suspension, as well as lifting the body of the VAZ 21214 directly above the frame );
• based on the budget (a lift kit costs about 3-4 thousand rubles, it can be easily installed even in your garage, a completely acceptable set of tires can cost 3.5-4.5 thousand rubles, and the most “juicy” offers reach up to amounts of 8-12 thousand rubles);
• take a thorough look at the offers of various brands (it’s worth paying attention to already proven brands, since good tires are not just a beautiful tread pattern, but also the correct chemical composition. And you can be sure that you won’t get a “pig in a poke” only by trusting a manufacturer with a good reputation).

You can’t do without basic knowledge of tire labeling. Typically, the name of the tire indicates three main parameters (for example, 185/70 R16). Where 185 is the tire width in mm, 70 is the profile height expressed as a percentage of the width and R16 is the radial diameter of the rim in inches. There is also almost a dozen additional information, incl. regarding the type of tire (M+S - all-season, AT or MT, these abbreviations are discussed in more detail below), manufacturer, operational and technical characteristics, braking coefficient (A - good, B - acceptable, C - so-so) and much more.

Tire sizes

The Niva SUV leaves the factory with standard rollers with a diameter of R16. Their size is 185/75 P16 with an outer tire diameter of 28 inches. However, many owners prefer to install tires with sizes 215/70/R16, 215/75/R16 or 215/65/R16. Increasing the tire width provides a larger contact patch and better off-road traction.

Some people refuse rollers with this radius, preferring smaller R15 wheels with typical sizes 205/70/R15 or 215/75/R15. This choice has a positive effect on the smoothness of the ride and reduces the noise from the tires making its way through the wheel arches.

Tires for lifting and without

The cornerstone of the tire selection issue is the need for additional modifications. There are a number of proposals that fit perfectly onto a standard VAZ 21214 car wheel and do not require widening of wheel arches, etc. work. It is important to understand which tires require mandatory lifting, and which ones will become like native tires on your Niva without any problems.

If you are one of those drivers who don’t need an extra headache, then the almost standard version of tires like 205/70 R15 or 205/75 R15 is exactly your choice. Having a large profile width and height, they absolutely painlessly replace standard wheels, seriously adding cross-country ability and aesthetic power to your iron horse. If you select tires for standard rims, then the 215/65 R16 option is perfect; a further increase in the tire profile, even by reducing the radial diameter, will certainly lead to rubber rubbing during deep turns on the wheel arch protectors (we are talking about 215/75 R15 and higher , it’s better not to install such wheels without modifications).

Some tire options can only be installed by widening the arches

Lifting slightly expands the range of choices and also significantly increases the cross-country ability of your car. A spartan kit that allows you to raise the height of the suspension costs about 4 thousand rubles and is easy to install with your own hands right in the garage thanks to detailed instructions. The clearance of the VAZ 2121 increases and it becomes possible to install really serious off-road tires (235/70 R16, 235/75 R15 or 240/80 R15).

Choosing between MT and AT

A couple of words should also be said about the correct marking of tires for the VAZ 21214. Initially, it comes in several types:

• universal, AT (from the English word All Terrain - Any Terrain), well suited for cases when the driver travels more on an asphalt road and to a lesser extent off-road;
• mud, MT (from the English word Mud Terrain - Mud Terrain), this is already heavy Russian off-road, swamps, sandy surfaces, etc.

The problem of choice is that normal off-road tires on the VAZ 2121 are only good off-road. You can’t really accelerate with it on an asphalt road; it consumes extremely quickly and uneconomically on hard asphalt, has an extended braking distance, and performs poorly in cornering and handling. But all this only applies to city roads and highways; on muddy and swampy terrain, MT tires simply flourish, allowing you to confidently storm even the most unrealistic obstacles for conventional AT wheels.

The main differences between mud tires on the VAZ 2121:

• increased off-road capability of the vehicle;
• special tread pattern, more reminiscent of a tractor, special rubber edging;
• a special rubber compound that provides increased softness (VAZ 21214 mud tires can also be operated with reduced pressure and can easily withstand collisions with rocks, towing on clay, sand, mud, etc.);
• self-cleaning anti-pollution system;
• increased fuel consumption.

I-192 is a “toothy” extreme domestic tire. And the price is just pennies.

Content

Off-road tires measuring 31 inches costing 3,200 rubles per cylinder? How is this possible? But there is one option - the well-known Ya-192, popularly known as "Yashki" - mud tires with a large tread pattern and a huge diameter - the profile width is as much as 90 mm. An excellent cheap tire for extreme riding. Find out more in our review...

When you decide to buy a 4x4 car, you, of course, don’t think that you will only drive it on asphalt. This purchase is made for the purpose of frequent off-road trips: to the country, to the river, to pick mushrooms. But a regular AT vehicle can cope with these conditions, but what happens when a fishing trip turns into a battle for every kilometer of off-road? Not every tire can perform well in mud, and imported tires are also quite expensive.

We would like to draw your attention to the most suitable option in this case - the Ya-192 tire, produced by the Yaroslavl Tire Plant in size 215/90/R15. In addition to the Yaroslavl plant, the Ya-192 tire model is also produced by Omskshina. The Omsk model is known for the fact that, according to reviews from its owners, it is much softer than the Yaroslavka, it flattens better for driving through swamps and liquid mud, and it weighs 3-4 kilograms less. Read more about “Yashka” in our review.

Rubber characteristics

• This tire with an all-season tread is designed to be comfortable to ride on both hard surfaces and moderate off-road conditions.

• In inch dimensions, its size corresponds to 30*8.5 R15 and is the original size for UAZ. The tire profile is as much as 90 centimeters, so very often the car needs to be specially prepared to install this tire - you need a lift, cutting the arches and tapping the bottom under the driver with a sledgehammer. On the other hand, you should understand that the rubber is large in diameter and quite narrow. For the Niva, it’s impossible to find an analogue in such a size that the tire is narrow. Therefore, for those Nivovods who want ground clearance and do not need wide tires, the Ya-192 will be the optimal choice.

• Reinforced tire that can withstand a load of 775 kg per wheel and with a maximum permitted speed of 110 km/h is suitable for use on small trucks.

• The Ya-192 tire has a radial cord structure and a non-directional mud tread type M/T, withstands a maximum inflation pressure of 2.6 atmospheres. The very large tread pattern ensures excellent self-cleaning ability of the tire in mud.

• According to the tire width, the wheel rim should be no wider than six inches.

Where can it be used

• Size 215/90 R15C can be installed on small SUVs weighing up to three tons. Among domestic cars, these are various modifications of the Niva: VAZ-2131, pickup truck VAZ-2329, VAZ-2121/213/214, Niva-Chevrolet; UAZ-3160, UAZ-469, Patriot and, of course, “Loaf” (UAZ 452 and 3309). As mentioned above, you cannot install a standard converted Niva and Chevrolet Niva on a standard converted Niva; the car will need to be prepared for off-road use, and not poorly prepared in this way.

• As for foreign cars, there is an impressive list of pickups, trucks and SUVs with all-wheel drive, with engines up to 3 liters. Americans have especially many cars of this type. These are the Dodge Dakota II and RAM; several types of Ford: Explorer, Ranger, Bronco; Jeep Wrangler and Cherokee.

• Size 215/90 R15C can also be equipped with some Japanese cars, especially Nissan brands: NP 300, Patrol/Safari, Navara, Terrano. In general, about twenty representatives of the global automobile industry produce cars of this type.

Additional Information

The Y-192 model has two distinctive features: Deep, almost two centimeters, tread and unusually hard rubber composition. Believe me, she doesn’t know the word “hernia”, and it’s almost impossible to puncture such a tire.

An empty tire, without a disc, weighing 26 kg does not deform even under significant weight. Not every tire workshop will be able to install it; the machine may not be able to carry the load. By the way, Omskaya I-192 is noticeably lighter - 17 kg and that’s really cool. Here every kilogram counts, which has an impact on the suspension and components of the car. With heavy tires, CV joints, rods, and axles can quickly become “consumables.”

And why not be surprised, these tires were created by order of the defense industry, for transporting weapons and shells on wartime spring vehicles with a very stiff suspension. Our Russian all-terrain vehicle GAZ-66 still rides on this tire today.

Such a tread, of course, has its drawbacks: on city highways it is better not to exceed the speed - it will be quite noisy, and it is also difficult to control the car. The pressure in the wheels must be checked regularly with a device, since it is impossible to visually determine a flat tire due to hard rubber.

But on rough terrain and clay soil, the Ya-192 tire simply has no equal.

Video - UAZ on Ya-192 rushing through the mud

An ordinary standard UAZ, it drives well, once there was a moment of slipping, but the tires pulled out.

What about Niva, you ask? Yashkas are placed on Nivasas only on the road and the car drives very cool. Check out the video of Niva conquering the stream:

As for the price niche, among domestic analogues in this standard size it occupies the golden mean. Foreign analogues, even smaller ones, cost an order of magnitude more. Let's give an example:

Altai ShZ Forward Safari - 3800 rub. NKSH Ya-245 — 2600 rub. USHZ Ya-245 — 2750 rub. YaShZ Ya-192 — 3190rub

It is very difficult to find an imported tire in this size; car manufacturers regularly change the equipment, increasing the radius of the wheels.

You can buy such tires through online stores, I have made for you a selection of stores (Yandex Market data) that sell these two tires - Omskaya Ya-192 and Altai ShK Forward Safari 510. You can go straight to the store and order these rare cool tires.

We cut “Yashki” and get “Extreme” tires

Now let’s figure out how to make rubber “even cooler.” Of course, it is already quite good; Nivovody and Uazovody have already sufficiently tested the tire, comparing it with all domestic and even imported analogues. And everyone agrees that if you “cut” the rubber, then in terms of cross-country ability in mud it becomes analogous to the super-cool and super-expensive Simex tire.

It turns out that we take a tire for 3200, spend 40-50 minutes per wheel, cutting off the outer tread after one and at the end we get “feisty” rubber, very toothy and damn passable. And if we take into account that the ground clearance will become really extreme (tire height is 800 mm), then in combination with an improved tread pattern we get an “extreme” car, ready to conquer off-road conditions.

How to cut rubber - look at the photo below:

You can cut rubber either with a heated chisel or with a red-hot string, depending on who you choose. The output should be the following - a real example of a cut Ya-192. Oh yes, according to people’s measurements, when you cut off all the marked pieces from one tire, the tire becomes lighter by another kilogram and this is another plus, mind you.

I will never tire of reminding you of the following:

“Yashkas” are good for everyone - huge ground clearance, monstrous cross-country ability through mud and muddy fields and swamps. Cheap, but the size is 31 inches, try to find such a cheap tire with that size. But!!! Due to its size and heaviness, it requires SIGNIFICANT modifications on the Niva, because the entire chassis of the Nivka is weak for such a powerful tire. And these alterations will be quite affordable. don’t think that you bought a tire, lifted the car a little, put the tires on and drove off. Not at all! The weight of the tire and the size are carried by the complete components of the Niva - CV joints, rods, tearing boxes, axles. Keep this in mind if you want to put “Yashki” on the Niva.

Well, we will continue:

As soon as the rubber was cut, its passable properties increased significantly. In terms of cross-country ability, they began to compare it with the expensive Simex Extreme Trekker, but if you look at the resulting tread, there is no doubt about it. The side hooks are already very high, and now there is also a huge distance between them, so the rubber self-cleans just fine, it will be difficult to “wash it out” in the mud.

For dirt, it is advisable to apply a pressure of 0.5 atmospheres if you are using a Niva. The Nivka is light, weighing about 1.3 tons, so you need to release the pressure harder. The rubber is hard, so the chance of disassembly is very low.

At this pressure, the Yashkas flatten perfectly, the contact patch with the surface increases, and the car drives where others, even on Goodrich MTs, slip. Although comparing cut Ya-192 with regular MT tires is the wrong thing to do, as a result of cutting you already have “extreme” class tires.

After cutting on asphalt, the Niva drives no more than 80 km/h, the noise is very terrible, there are two options to choose from - either take the Yashki as a second set, or install it as the main one, but get used to the howling of the tires on the asphalt.

Other tire and wheel reviews:

I-569 Bear - wide tires for mud. Ideal for lifted Nivas.

Which mud tires are better?

Footwear for a car should be selected depending on the operating conditions. Obviously, stock tires are an average choice and if there are increased requirements, they must be replaced. It is best to pay attention to the markings to understand which tires are the best.

If you often have to drive on asphalt, rarely turning off the road, then it is better to take wheels marked A/T (all-terrain). But such all-terrain tires are universal and lose to mud tires.

The latter are always marked M/T, but they come in different types. The inscription M/T Lite denotes a lightweight version with medium-depth checkers and a small pattern. The Classic version is an average option, and the Extreme type is suitable for lovers of serious off-roading.

VAZ 2121

If we are talking about a standard three-door Niva model, then the inexpensive Ya-569 Bear would be a good choice. A classic tire costs about 4 thousand rubles, does not tan in the cold and copes well with snowy surfaces.

Niva 2131

Another extended model, but with 5 doors. Its popularity, judging by the copies sold, has not yet surpassed the VAZ-2121, but is already close to it.

Factory tire size is 175/80R16.

Replacement tires:

• 185/75R16,
• 195/70R16,
• 205/70R16,
• 215/65R16.

VAZ-21214 (LADA 4×4)

This model is one of the few that was produced for export. It was also supplied to Japan, which is why it is right-hand drive. And this is the only Russian car allowed into the country, which is the queen of the global automobile industry.

For reference: On a Niva 4x4, regardless of the model and restyling, all four wheels are driven and must have the same profile.

That is, the car has all-wheel drive. Which wheels are suitable:

Factory parameters are 175/80 R16.

To replace:

• 185/75 R16,
• 195/80 R15,
• 195/70 R15,
• 205/75 R15,
• 205/70 R15.

VAZ-21215

This car with a diesel engine from Peugeot was produced only until 2007. It was also exported, so small batches were produced and better assembled than for the domestic market. Nevertheless, such Nivas also run along our roads.

Factory dimensions: 175/80 R16.

Replacement options:

• 185/75 R16,
• 205/75 R16,
• 195/80 R15,
• 195/70 R15,
• 205/75 R15,
• 205/70 R15.

Niva 2123

The production of a pilot batch of this car was carried out in 2002. However, it ended up in the series when, due to financial difficulties, the production license was sold to General Motors.

As a result, a Chevrolet badge began to appear on the car’s bumper. This also affected the size of the wheels.

Base tires:

• 205/70R15,
• 205/75R15,
• 215/65R15.

What to replace:

• 215/75R15,
• 215/70R15,
• 225/65R16,
• 225/60R17.

Chevrolet Niva Trophy

Previous Chevy Niva models were not adapted to off-road conditions in the same way as the Trophy model.

There are many features used here that help you drive on bad roads: a snorkel that protects the car from water hammer when driving through water, a chain tensioner that has become mechanical (it was hydraulic), transmission breathers under the hood and much more.

Factory tires:

• 205/70R15,
• 205/75R15,
• 215/65R16.

To replace:

• 215/75R15,
• 215/70R15,
• 225/65R16,
• 225/60R17.

Niva Comforcer

A good option is BF Goodrich Mud-Terrain. It is a universal choice for road traffic, as well as for fishing or hunting trips. An excellent safety margin, a developed tread and a good cleaning system allow you to feel confident in any situation.

Chevy Niva

The joint model of Russian-Korean production does not have such off-road skills, but an option such as the Bridgestone Dueler D673 is perfect for it. They combine good grip and properties with a stylish design with beautiful white lettering on the sides.

Chevrolet Niva after restyling

In 2009, the Chevrolet Niva was updated, which was worked on by Italian designers. This mainly affected the appearance - the car began to look the way it is customary in the orderly ranks of General Motors. The wheels for the Chevrolet Niva remain the same.

Basic sizes:

• 205/70R15,
• 205/75R15,
• 215/65R16.

Replacement:

• 215/75R15,
• 215/70R15,
• 225/65R16,
• 225/60R17.

Some readers are interested in what large wheels can be installed on a Niva? If you cut the bridge and remove the arches, you can get such a miracle of technology as in the photo. But first, think carefully: is this necessary, and how much will it cost?

Some people believe that the best wheels on a Niva can be removed from a tractor

Chevrolet Niva FAM-1 (VAZ-21236)

In 2006, a new Chevrolet Niva model was released, now with an Opel engine. However, after a couple of years it was discontinued. What wheels should I put on the Niva Chevrolet FAM-1? The same as the predecessor.

The factory installs tires with the following dimensions:

• 205/70R15,
• 205/75R15,
• 215/65R16.

Replacement tire sizes:

• 215/75R15,
• 215/70R15,
• 225/65R16,
• 225/60R17.

Chevrolet Niva

Later, the Americans made some changes to the design of the VAZ-2123, due to which it began to be considered a different model and received the proud prefix Chevrolet to the name Niva.

Factory tires:

• 205/70R15,
• 205/75R15,
• 215/65R16.

To replace:

• 215/75R15,
• 215/70R15,
• 225/65R16,
• 225/60R17.

Niva Safari

For this model, Federal Souragia MT would be a good choice, since they are as close as possible to extreme models. There is a developed tread, large blocks and lugs. So excellent cross-country ability in any conditions is simply guaranteed.

Kama Flame tires for Niva, winter or summer

Winter tires for VAZ

Both winter and summer tires are available for each car model.

And it is very important to have both sets. Of course, there are also all-season options, but they are inferior to specialized competitors and are far from the best choice

If we talk about winter tires, the most popular model of the Russian manufacturer Kama is the Flame.

This tire belongs to the category of winter non-plucked rubber or “Velcro”. Best suited for use in mild to standard winters, providing excellent traction on both dry, cold roads and snowy surfaces.

The well-developed tread feels excellent in loose and deep snow, and the special pattern allows it not to become washed out and quickly cleans itself. A clear advantage of the model was that in 2007, it was on these tires that a speed record for driving on ice was set. Moreover, the tire has a symmetrical pattern, which allows it to be installed on any wheel, so this option is excellent as a spare tire.

Among other advantages is a reinforced frame, which is responsible for durability, as well as protection from damage and deformation. Additionally, the tire has the ability to re-cut the tread after the pattern wears out. This property allows you to increase the service life of rubber by 15%.

Pros of Kama Flame:

• good grip when driving on snow or cold asphalt;
• excellent resistance to low temperatures and preservation of its properties even at critical values;
• possibility of cutting a new tread.

However, there is no perfect choice and every tire has its own disadvantages. The disadvantages of Kama Flame include:

• increased noise when driving on asphalt at high speed;
• increased wear after cutting the second tread.

Summer tires

Smart car enthusiasts put summer tires on their cars in the warm season. It features a low profile, providing a large contact patch, as well as a harder rubber compound. This allows the tires to not float at high speeds. The Russian manufacturer Kama offers model 232 for the VAZ Niva. It has its own characteristics that make it the optimal choice:

• the rigid central rib perfectly resists wear and tear when driving over rough terrain;
• reinforced frame and breaker minimize the risk of cord damage;
• the reduced tire weight had a positive effect on fuel consumption;
• Natural rubber components improve elasticity and grip properties, and also guarantee improved grip when driving on wet asphalt.

Winter tires

Winter tires are divided into several subcategories. If the car “winters” under standard conditions, then ordinary Velcro is sufficient. But if an SUV has to work in harsh winter conditions, then it is better to opt for studded tires.

An excellent option is the Kama I-511 model, which was designed specifically for the VAZ Niva model. The tire performs well when going off-road or driving on ice and packed snow due to its developed tread, as well as several rows of steel studs.

The advantages of the 511th model include:

• high cross-country ability, especially in off-road or icy conditions;
• durable rubber compound, allowing you to travel about 50,000 kilometers;
• good braking and directional stability even in the most difficult conditions.

The disadvantages of the tire are:

• poor acoustic comfort;
• increased abrasion and studs flying out when driving on asphalt;

All-season

Some drivers prefer to use all-season tires. However, this is a justified move only if the car is used rarely and in normal mode (short trips at low speeds). The fact is that it is impossible to be the best in everything - universal tires are inferior to profile tires in all conditions. They swim at high temperatures and quickly tan in the cold.

However, if you take a good option, such as Kama Euro-224, then you can be satisfied. This tire matches the quality of its European counterparts and provides good handling on dry and wet roads thanks to its non-standard tread pattern. Also designed for off-road travel. The disadvantages include less-than-ideal braking and the potential for lockup, as well as increased rolling resistance, which leads to increased fuel consumption.

Mud tires

An additional advantage is the low cost of the model - one wheel is estimated at about 3 thousand rubles. Disadvantages include increased fuel consumption, poor acoustic comfort and unpredictable behavior on ice.

Hiking tires for Niva

Since the old models are no longer produced, you don’t have to remember about the tires on which they came off the assembly line. VLI-5 has been out of production for a long time, and it is unlikely that anyone has survived to this day. Therefore, we will not consider them even as wheels for a used Niva.

The Yaroslavl Ya-192, which also appeared as a first-equipment tire, may still be available on old Nivas. But it is only good on hard ground, and if the car gets on sand or peat, it will certainly get stuck.

There are other purely domestic tires - not the fruits of joint production with eminent companies, but invented by Russian minds. Even those tire models that are declared by their creators to be OFF ROAD (off-road tires) are not actually such.

For example, Cordiant. Next to a good off-road tire, it pales in comparison – not only in appearance, but also in performance.

Pictured are Cordiant Off Road mud tires

The tread of the same Cordiant Off Road seems to be deep, but due to the mediocre composition of the rubber, when artificial rubber is used instead of natural rubber, the tires do not get the properties they need.

In addition, they are very unsuited to working at low pressure, which worsens the car’s well-being on real off-road conditions. This tire is not used for the first configuration, and if you are driving outside the city, we do not recommend installing it on such a car.

Then what wheels can be installed on the Niva so that it copes with the task as well as possible?

Off-road tires 215 75 15 for the domestic car "Niva" 21213

For the VAZ-2121 car, the non-standard tire size is tires for size 15 wheels, namely 205/70 R15 or 205/75 R15. When switching to these sizes, the choice becomes more extensive, the width and height of the profile increases, cross-country ability and grip on the road surface increase.

Car owners who install off-road tires of this size on their Niva recommend the following models:

Goodyear Wrangler A/T Adventure

• The Goodyear Wrangler A/T Adventure is great for off-road use, with large tread blocks and deep drainage channels for fairly quick and effective self-cleaning. The tires have a reinforced frame, and powerful sidewalls greatly increase resistance to deformation. The rubber has a special composition of silicon and polymers, which reduces noise and vibration during movement and also extends its service life. The price is about 7,000 rubles* per unit;
• YaShZ Ya-569 are also off-road tires of size 15, installed on the Niva. They have a special tread pattern with characteristic sharp edges, allowing the tread to cut through a layer of dirt and thereby provide outstanding cross-country ability. There are large channels between the tread blocks that allow the tire to quickly clean itself. The tires have a reinforced frame and sidewalls, which provide resistance to deformation and additional stability. The price per unit is from 7,000 rubles. It is one of the most passable off-road tire options for the Niva.

Top 10: Off-road tires for Niva

Below is a rating of the most popular mud tire options, which includes both cheap Chinese options and products from world-famous brands.

Domestic manufacturers are represented by the following models:

• I-569 Bear;
• Kama 232b VLI-5.

There are many more foreign options - here:

• Cordiant Of Road;
• Kumho Road-Venture MT KL71;
• Goodrich Mud-Terrain KM2;
• Hankuk Dinopro MT RT03.

Fans of extreme tires, which are aimed at serious off-road use, can turn their attention to the following models:

• Simex Extreme;
• Forward Safari 500;
• Silverstone MT-117 Extreme.

I-569 Medved

A budget-class model of domestic production, the price of which starts from 3,700 rubles. Installation does not require adjusting the arches to the tire size. This “mudovka” is not inferior to many foreign analogues, and is ideal for a beginner SUV. Quite suitable for winter: very soft in the cold and loves snow. It does not tolerate ice and summer asphalt well: it is almost uncontrollable on both surfaces. There is one dimension - 235/75 R15 (about 29 inches), so here you either cut the arches (but without a lift), or make a minimal lift, but without interfering with the body.

The most effective tires for off-road driving on the Niva

The most effective options for off-road wheels for the Niva are the following models:

• Ya-569 Medved is a budget-class model made in Russia; the price of these tires starts from 3,700 rubles*. Installation does not require adjusting the arches to the tire size. This tire is quite suitable for winter conditions: it is quite soft in the cold and performs well in the snow. The tires of this model pass ice and summer asphalt quite poorly, showing poor handling. Available in a single standard size 235/75 R15;
• Cordiant off Road are also domestically produced M/T tires. It can be used both on asphalt and off-road. Cost per unit from 4000 rubles*. These tires tolerate asphalt well. Available in standard size 225/75 with dimensions R16-R15;
• Hankook Dynapro MT RT03 M/T tires, produced in size 235/75 R15, prices start from 4,500 rubles*. For installation on the Niva, a 5 cm mini-lift is used. On asphalt, the tires of this model show high wear resistance and are perfectly cleaned off-road. The tires are equipped with holes for self-studding and are very soft;
• Kumho Road Venture mt kl71 – M/T tires made in Korea, characterized by a rather aggressive tread pattern. Available in size 235/75 R15 (28.9 inches). The cost starts from 5800 rubles*. They are distinguished by good self-cleaning even in clay, the tread is quite large with large distances between the blocks. The rubber is quite soft, the sidewalls cling well to the ground, and there are lateral lugs. It wears off quite quickly on asphalt;
• BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 is considered one of the most successful choices of mud tires. For Niva, size 215/75 R15 is suitable (cost from 5,200 rubles*). The tires do not wear out on asphalt and are quite durable and self-clean well;
• Federal Couragia m/t is one of the standards of mud M/T tires; its tread is as close as possible to extreme. This rubber has lateral lugs and fairly large self-cleaning tread blocks. It is very soft and squishes very well in liquid mud. For the Niva, the standard size is 205/80/R16 (28.9 inches), its cost starts from 4,200 rubles*. The option is less common than other tires with the traditional Niva size 15, but is welcomed among supporters of installing mud tires on the Niva 4x4 size R16;
• Simex Extreme/Jungle Trekker is an extreme type of off-road tires that is installed on a Niva after lifting and cutting arches, replacing pairs and other modifications to the car. Installed in standard size 320 x 95 R15, cost per unit starts from 12,000 rubles*. The model is professional, passes well through clay, and the tread has a high degree of self-cleaning. The tread has a directional off-road type pattern. It is one of the most optimal options for mud tires for Niva 4x4;
• Forward Safari 500 is a domestic model of extreme tires for installation on the Niva, which requires a significant lift. On the VAZ-2121 it is installed in standard size 235/75 R15, the cost of which starts from 4900 rubles* per unit. Installation of this size requires spacers. Rubber is hard, quite heavy, and self-cleaning well.

You might be interested in this About the tire manufacturer Roadstone

Forward Safari 500

What is the difference between OFF-Road tires and off-road tires?

Despite the fact that off-road tires allow you to realize the all-terrain potential of a car, mud tires are more suitable for driving in difficult conditions and overcoming obstacles. This is facilitated by:

• a specifically designed tread that consists of intersecting grooves;
• unique tire edging;
• the composition from which rubber is made. Tires are quite soft and elastic, it all depends on the percentage of rubber composition;
• protects the tread from dirt while driving.

Those who are planning to buy mud tires should take into account that they are most suitable for off-road driving, because... when used on hard surfaces (asphalt), it is noisier.

Mud tires are not included with vehicles and must be purchased separately. Before buying mud tires, it would be a good idea to inquire in advance what they are like.

Where is it profitable to buy mud tires?

Mud tires in China

Recently, tires for off-pavement travel have become increasingly popular among motorists who would like to save money but not on quality. Chinese manufacturers successfully distribute their mud tires around the world and Russia is no exception.

A pleasant surprise awaits those motorists who are ready to abandon stereotypes about the quality of Chinese products. Manufacturers from the Middle Kingdom are actively looking for and finding ways to improve quality without affecting the cost. Judging by the huge number of positive reviews, Chinese mud tires are durable, which can only be guaranteed by the level of technology and careful attention to the quality of the materials used.

For example, Durun was tested by independent experts and passed all tests with flying colors. The car behaves equally confidently in various weather conditions: on a wet road, on a dry road, on gravel, on a snowy surface. With excellent performance, the cost does not exceed ten thousand rubles, which is very pleasant for SUV owners.

Mud tires in Russia

Unfortunately, the quality level of domestically produced mud tires leaves much to be desired. Manufacturers often do not properly process the tread pattern, which affects self-cleaning ability and service life. In addition, an important factor is the lack of minimum comfort when driving on smooth roads. The vehicle becomes more difficult to drive. According to reviews, driving an SUV equipped with Russian mud tires is compared to driving a tank. The only bonus is the low price. But it corresponds to the quality, so motorists do not have high expectations regarding the Russian mud tire market.