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Sumitomo Encounter AT
  • Sumitomo Encounter AT
  • Sumitomo Encounter AT
Tire Rack Test

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The Encounter AT is Sumitomo's Off-Road All-Terrain tire developed for drivers of pickup trucks, crossovers and SUVs who want go-anywhere capability and durability combined with confident all-season traction, even in snow.

Utilizing a rugged, all-terrain compound molded into a purposeful pattern, the Encounter AT is designed to perform on any surface. The open tread design features stepped edges on the center blocks for added bite in loose terrain, and the open shoulders employ connecting ribs for improved stability. Four wide, circumferential grooves effectively evacuate water from the contact patch for confident grip where standing water is present, and in-block sipes create the additional biting edges needed for traction on slippery surfaces. Winter-focused zigzag sipes in the shoulders and the independent tread blocks work together to provide snow traction. All tires in the Encounter AT lineup meet the industry's severe snow service requirements and are branded with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol.

The Encounter AT's internal construction consists of a two-ply polyester casing beneath two wide steel belts. A spirally wound reinforcement adds increased support for enhanced stability and ride comfort.

Note: While non-winter tires featuring the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol may provide additional longitudinal snow traction beyond what all-season (M+S) tires not bearing the symbol can deliver, they do not match the capability of a true winter tire in all adverse weather conditions.

Related Information: What is the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF)?

Tire Rack Test Results Sumitomo Encounter AT

Testing Off-Road All-Terrain Tires 2021: Sumitomo Encounter AT (2:23)

The Sumitomo Encounter AT is built to offer powerful off-road abilities as an Off-Road All-Terrain tire, but hopes its on-road capabilities have what it takes to compete against two other competitors in the space.

Read the Full Test Report

Ratings Charts & Reviews Sumitomo Encounter AT

Tire Category: Off-Road All-Terrain

Consumer Surveys

 
Best in Category
Miles Reported
Recommended
Treadwear
Sumitomo Encounter AT
Excellent
95%
2.6M
8.3 - Good
8.7 - Excellent
9.0 Dirt Traction
8.6 Sand Traction
8.5 Mud Traction
8.8 Rock Traction
8.8 - Excellent
8.8 Hydroplaning Resistance
8.8 Wet Traction
9.1 - Excellent
9.0 Corner Stability
9.3 Dry Traction
9.1 Steering Response
8.4 - Good
8.8 Light Snow Traction
8.6 Deep Snow Traction
7.8 Ice Traction
8.6 - Excellent
8.8 Ride Quality
8.4 Noise
8.7 - Excellent

Customers Say

User feedback reveals the Sumitomo Encounter AT excels in dry traction (9-10 ratings dominate) with confident steering and stability on rugged terrain. Wet traction earns strong marks (7-10 range), though a few note reduced hydroplaning resistance in heavy downpours. Winter performance impresses in snow and deep snow (8-10), while ice traction shows occasional variability (7-10). Riders praise comfort (7-10) despite some mentioning moderate road noise. Treadwear scores (7-10) highlight durability for off-road use, with many customers reporting minimal wear after aggressive driving. The tire's all-terrain focus aligns with its strongest attributes, delivering reliable performance across challenging conditions.

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Customers Like:

225 customers mention "Wet Traction"

  • 214 positive
  • 11 negative

Customers praise the Sumitomo Encounter AT's wet traction, with most scoring 9s and 10s for confident rain grip. A few 7-8 scores still highlight reliable wet performance, aligning with its all-terrain design.

August 29, 2023 (Verified Purchase)

4.9 out of 5 Star Rating
4.9 out of 5

...They are outstanding in the rain...

Best tires I’ve ever had. I always feel completely in control regardless of where I am. They are outstanding in the rain. They do well regardless of what I’ve used my truck for. I will for sure be purchasing these again.

Vehicle: 2019 Ford Ranger 4X4 Supercab
Miles Driven on Tires: 10,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Off Road/Highway
Location: MERTZTOWN, PA
Driving Style: Average
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June 08, 2024 (Verified Purchase)

4.4 out of 5 Star Rating
4.4 out of 5

...By comparison these tires make less road noise, handle, turn and stop as well or slightly better than the Silent Armor and are better in the wet...

2007 Tahoe 4WD Z71. This is an “early report” with just less than 1000 miles on the tires and no winter conditions. These replaced Goodyear Silent Armor tires, which I absolutely loved, with the 2nd set being removed to install these tires. By comparison these tires make less road noise, handle, turn and stop as well or slightly better than the Silent Armor and are better in the wet. Good tire for 4 wheel drive SUV or Pickup.

Vehicle: 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe
Miles Driven on Tires: 1,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY
Driving Style: Average
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July 27, 2023 (Verified Purchase)

4.7 out of 5 Star Rating
4.7 out of 5

Tread has held up well, excellent traction in wet weather...

Tread has held up well, excellent traction in wet weather. Definitely buy again.

Vehicle: 2013 GMC Sierra 1500 4wd Crew Cab
Miles Driven on Tires: 8,500
Driving Conditions: Combined Off Road/Highway
Location: WEST FORK, AR
Driving Style: Spirited
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146 customers mention "Winter Traction"

  • 135 positive
  • 11 negative

Customers praise the Encounter AT's snow and deep snow traction with most scoring 9s-10s. Ice traction receives mostly 7s-8s, though some note lower performance in severe conditions.

February 24, 2018 (Verified Purchase)

4.5 out of 5 Star Rating
4.5 out of 5

...Quiet on the highway, ride smooth, and grip well in snow and rain... Handled winter in Michigan no problem...

Very happy with these so far. Quiet on the highway, ride smooth, and grip well in snow and rain. Makes my truck look more aggressive too. Handled winter in Michigan no problem. Would buy again. Seem to be wearing great so far.

Vehicle: 2009 Ford F150 FX4 4x4 Super Cab
Miles Driven on Tires: 6,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: COLOMA, MI
Driving Style: Average
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January 20, 2025 (Verified Purchase)

4.5 out of 5 Star Rating
4.5 out of 5

Great winter traction. Even better than the Falken At3W that these tires replaced

Great winter traction. Even better than the Falken At3W that these tires replaced

Vehicle: 2018 Ford F250 4WD Crew Cab
Miles Driven on Tires: 2,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: BRIDGEWATER, NY
Driving Style: Easy Going
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January 23, 2018 (Verified Purchase)

4.8 out of 5 Star Rating
4.8 out of 5

...We got about 12 inches of snow and these tires didn't miss a beat. I was on the road with other trucks slipping and sliding, trying to accelerate. I felt like I was on dry pavement...

I am so impressed with these tires. I have driven in the rain and they were great. Driving on a dry highway, I can't hear any tire noise (I expected to hear noise). I finally got to try them in snow yesterday. We got about 12 inches of snow and these tires didn't miss a beat. I was on the road with other trucks slipping and sliding, trying to accelerate. I felt like I was on dry pavement. I have an AWD drive truck (the traction kicks on when the rear tires slip) I tried to get the rear tires to slip and had a tough time doing so. I pulled 3 cars and 2 trucks out of snow piles (the ridge from the plows) and only one time did my traction kick on and engage the front wheels. To be fair, one truck was a 2wd Chevy and the other one of the trucks, 2014 Ram 4X4, belongs to my neighbor. I suggested he get a set of these tires, he was looking at BFG All Terrain KO's. I've had those tires, also amazing. But for the money these can't be beat. I ordered these with a set of rims, I picked them up and installed them in my garage. One of the rims had a chip out of it and Tire rack stood behind their product and sent me a new rim. They even gave me a credit on my credit card to get the new rim mounted and balanced anywhere I chose. Great customer service and great products.

Vehicle: 2003 Cadillac Escalade AWD
Miles Driven on Tires: 5,000
Driving Conditions: Mostly Highway
Location: SHAFER, MN
Driving Style: Average
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245 customers mention "Dry Traction"

  • 242 positive
  • 3 negative

Most customers give outstanding scores of 9s and 10s for dry traction, highlighting confident grip and responsive handling. A few note scores between 7-8 but still report reliable performance in all-terrain conditions.

February 22, 2025 (Verified Purchase)

4.8 out of 5 Star Rating
4.8 out of 5

...Great response, great traction...

These tires almost instantly impressed me. Great response, great traction. Yes they do have a little more road noise than some of the others, but for 500$ cheaper for a set, I'll take the tiny tiny bit of road noise. I recommend these.

Vehicle: 2019 RAM 1500 4WD Quad Cab (6 Lug) 275/55-20
Miles Driven on Tires: 500
Driving Conditions: Mostly City
Location: SOUTH HADLEY, MA
Driving Style: Spirited
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February 13, 2024 (Verified Purchase)

4.8 out of 5 Star Rating
4.8 out of 5

...Wet and dry traction have been great...

More quiet and comfortable than I thought for an AT tire. Wet and dry traction have been great. They been good for what little off-road driving I have done.

Vehicle: 2008 Lexus GX470
Miles Driven on Tires: 8,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: LAS VEGAS, NV
Driving Style: Average
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June 29, 2018

4.1 out of 5 Star Rating
4.1 out of 5

...They don't break free as easily as the stock tires(Goodyear OEM). No issues with traction, wet or dry...

I like the tires so far. Seems a little heavier than the stock tires. They don't break free as easily as the stock tires(Goodyear OEM). No issues with traction, wet or dry. No noticeable treadwear yet, at 3500 miles. Haven't driven in any ice or snow yet, with these tires. Not very noisy at all.

Vehicle: 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 2wd Crew Cab
Miles Driven on Tires: 3,500
Driving Conditions: Combined Off Road/Highway
Location: HOUSTON, TX
Driving Style: Average
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248 customers mention "Ride Quality"

  • 229 positive
  • 19 negative

Customers praise the Sumitomo Encounter AT's ride comfort and noise levels, with most scoring 9s and 10s. High marks highlight smooth handling and reduced road noise, even in rugged conditions. A few rate 7-8, but overall feedback aligns with its all-terrain design for balanced on-road refinement.

March 05, 2018 (Verified Purchase)

4.2 out of 5 Star Rating
4.2 out of 5

Very solid set of tires so far... quite on the highway... Very comfortable ride.

Very solid set of tires so far. I have limited miles on thus far, but quite on the highway, and great in standing water and rain. Very comfortable ride.

Vehicle: 2003 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer 4wd Standard Model
Miles Driven on Tires: 3,000
Driving Conditions: Combined Highway/City
Location: Loudon, TN
Driving Style: Average
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August 01, 2020 (Verified Purchase)

5 out of 5 Star Rating
5 out of 5

...90% reduction in tire noise. Ride is much smoother over washboard and rough uneven roads. City and highway driving in much improved...

Recently installed a full set of these Sumitomo Encounter AT, replacing the 1/2 worn Hankook Dynapro tires. My first driving impression is 90% reduction in tire noise. Ride is much smoother over washboard and rough uneven roads. City and highway driving in much improved.
I like the deep tread and snow rating, 60,000 mile warranty. I will update my impression of these tires as I put on more miles.

Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Tundra 4wd CrewMax
Miles Driven on Tires: 125
Driving Conditions: Combined Off Road/Highway
Location: EAST HELENA, MT
Driving Style: Average
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161 customers mention "Treadwear"

  • 147 positive
  • 14 negative

Customers praise the Encounter AT's treadwear with most scoring 9s and 10s, highlighting durability in rugged use. Some note 7-8 scores but still report solid long-term performance for all-terrain conditions.

Consumer Reviews

Media Gallery

Testing Off-Road All-Terrain Tires 2021: Sumitomo Encounter AT (2:23)

The Sumitomo Encounter AT is built to offer powerful off-road abilities as an Off-Road All-Terrain tire, but hopes its on-road capabilities have what it takes to compete against two other competitors in the space.

Read the Full Test Report

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