All-terrain tires are all-purpose pavement and off-road tires, while mud tires are off-road specialists. Mud tires excel on rocky, sandy terrain, loose soil, deep snow, and (of course) mud -- but at the price of a bumpy, noisy ride on highways. All-terrain tires offer more comfort and better handling on highways, but at the price of a lower level of off-road traction. But there’s one off-road scenario where all-terrains beat mud tires: driving over ice, packed snow, or slush. That’s because AT tire treads are somewhat similar to snow tire treads, with siping and small tread blocks. (Caveat: dedicated snow tires offer even more winter traction.)