BFGoodrich KM3 VS Cooper STT Pro Top Comparison 2023

In this article We’ll Briefly Cover the Latest Comparison between BFGoodrich KM3 VS Cooper STT Pro. BFGoodrich KM3 has better traction on rocky surfaces, while Cooper Discoverer STT Pro performs better on-road.

As the KM3 has a smaller contact patch, it is less able to perform well on the road, while the Cooper has few stone ejectors, which makes it less able to handle rocky terrain.

The KM3 stands out when it comes to durability because of its better-built standards. In the following section, you’ll learn more about the unique design of both tires.

Table of Contents

Comparison of BFGoodrich KM3 VS Cooper STT Pro

Since BFGoodrich KM3 has a smaller contact patch with the road, it does not perform well on the road. Each tread block has a single large sipe that enhances its performance in wet conditions.

Water can pass through the high gaps between the tread blocks, preventing hydroplaning in wet conditions. Off-road performance is enhanced through its aggressive symmetrical tread design that throws mud and soft soil backwards, allowing the tires to move forward.

Stone ejectors on the KM3 prevent stones from getting inside grooves, which improves traction on rocky terrain.

Under dry conditions, Cooper STT Pro has a decent contact with the ground despite having a dense block pattern with a lower void ratio (compared to KM3).

There are deep grooves and microsipes on the shoulder blocks that run deep into the tread, which prevents hydroplaning.

STT has deep grooves that prevent mud from getting stuck inside, making them suitable for off-roading (not as efficient as KM3). In deep snow and muddy terrain, its grooves are not as wide as the grooves of KM3.

Comparison of on-road traction

As BFGoodrich KM3 has less surface area in contact with the road, it doesn’t provide great traction. Due to a high void ratio, the tire does not have a decent tread face, so the area in contact is reduced.

In dry conditions, the large gap between the tread blocks prevents good grip and handling.

Because more of the tire’s surface area is in contact with the road, Cooper STT Pro offers slightly improved on-road performance. STT has a lower void ratio than KM3.

Because it has wider patches of blocks, it has better grip and handling on-road than KM3.

Its higher void ratio allows a considerable amount of water to pass beneath the tires, preventing hydroplaning when wet. By wiping away the water, the large sipes within the grooves also assist KM3 in efficiently navigating on watery surfaces.

As STT Pro has a lower void ratio than KM3, its water navigation properties are somewhat lacking. Due to its Micro-Gauge Sipes that are thinner than regular sipes and run deep within the tires, some water is wiped off, making its wet traction less than Goodrich’s.

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Comparison of off-road traction

Mud Terrain

In muddy terrain, the KM3 has wider grooves that come in handy. By throwing mud backwards between the treads of the tires, the grooves clear the path of the tires, improving their traction.

Its highly optimized design and wide shoulders allow mud to pass through, improving its handling. STT’s grooves are slightly narrower but deeper than KM3, making its performance inferior to that of its competitor.

Mud particles are thrown backwards by its deeper grooves, preventing them from sticking between the tread blocks. As a result of Cooper’s angled shoulder scoops, mud is cleared out of the tire faster, increasing handling in muddy terrain.

Because of the narrow groove design, the mud may not be removed as efficiently as with KM3 tires. A KM3 is clearly a better choice in muddy terrain due to its wider grooves.

Snow Terrain

Due to its wider grooves, KM3 works well on snow, but not in deep snow. The wider grooves allow snow to be gripped more firmly and thrown backwards more effectively. As KM3 tires lack sipes, they may lose traction in deep snow due to grooves filling with snow and grooves filling with snow.

It also performs better in snow, but only on light snow due to its narrow and deep grooves.

As STT tires have narrow grooves (compared to KM3), they don’t provide much traction on snowy roads. Due to the snow stuffed into the grooves, the vehicle will lose control.

Rocky Terrain

It has wide grooves and bold stone ejectors that prevent stones or pebbles from getting stuck inside the grooves, giving it incredible grip from any angle of approach. As a result, it has good traction on rocks due to this feature.

As a result of the narrow and deep grooves, STT is able to expel stones and debris, increasing traction. A combination of raised rubber ribs and angled groove walls further ejects stone and gravel to maintain grip. In rocky terrain, however, KM3’s stone ejectors give it an edge.

Comparing comfort levels

Due to large gaps in its tread design, KM3 makes a lot of noise. After hitting the tire, air gets trapped inside the grooves and particles hit the walls back and forth, causing a lot of noise, especially on highways.

With its narrow grooves, STT cancels excess noise, making it less noisy. As the gap between the treads is comparatively smaller than KM3, fewer air particles are trapped, so the tire produces less noise.

Treadwear and durability

As compared to STT, KM3 has a lower rolling resistance, meaning less force is needed to move or roll the tire, mainly because the tire has less contact patch with the road, therefore reducing treadwear.

In addition, KM3 has CoreGard Max Technology, which helps prevent sidewall splitting and punctures. A thicker sidewall increases durability by protecting the critical sidewall failure zone.

The STT tire design prevents stones from getting stuck inside the tire, which improves wear and prevents tread damage, and its unique design of serrated edges improves treadwear.

Compared to the STT, it has more rolling resistance due to a larger contact patch, resulting in less durability. Its treadwear is also greater due to the high rolling resistance.

Which tire has the lowest price?

Tires in the MT category are generally more expensive. BFGoodrich KM3 is slightly more expensive due to its extensive off-road capabilities. KM3 is more preferred by off-road enthusiasts than Cooper STT Pro when it comes to off-roading.