Best Lawn Mower Tires for Hills of 2022: Complete Reviews With Comparisons

Choosing simple, smooth tires for riding mowers is one thing. Selecting the best zero-turn tires for traversing rocky paths and steep hills is quite another.

Some may think that an ordinary ribbed tire will do.

That is until they realize they can get the job done more efficiently and enjoyably with a set of wheels with strong construction and an aggressive tread pattern.

You may have long found the right lawn mower for your needs, but have you discovered the set of tires to handle your expanding garden?

The market holds a wide range of offers for handling the rocky and hilly sections that have now become part of your property.

Let’s go over the best lawn mower tires for hills that can help you work on your yard’s rougher and bumpier sections more efficiently.

Best Lawn Mower Tires for Hills: A Review

1. Carlisle Super Lug Lawn & Garden Tire

For decades, the Carlisle corporation has been offering quality products to the world.

Today, they’re a leader in garden and lawn equipment manufacturing, commercial roofing, and more.

With their wide range of garden vehicle offerings comes an assortment of tire sizes to fit your mowing needs.

In particular, the Super Lug Lawn & Garden tire is excellent to use all year round on your zero-turn mowers.

Product Highlights

What makes this Carlisle tire stand out even among the standout tires on this list is its ability to take on almost any terrain with relative ease.

High grass, swampy ground, steep hills, you name it; this set of wheels can handle it.

These aggressive tires have an eight-inch rim diameter that makes them both strong and flexible.

They’re made of durable material that can handle any type of surface roughness.

These aren’t the standard rubber wheels made strictly for flat terrain; these are adaptable turf tires that perform well on hills.

The tire has big biters that allow it to climb steep hills and reach high cliffs with little effort.

It doesn’t wear out easily, either. A year into using it, its traction on hills will be just as good as on the day you bought it.

The Good

The tire has many qualities that make it great for mowing and gardening, but two stand out in particular: the eight-inch-diameter rim and strong and flexible material.

These qualities make this wheel especially great for navigating hills and rocky terrains.

The Bad

A lightweight tire isn’t normally a bad thing, but it is in this case.

A lighter tire means it won’t be as stable as a heavier tire, though that would also depend on the overall design of the mower.

Pros:

• Eight-inch rim diameter
• All-year-round use
• Wide range of sizes
• Strong material

Con:

• Lightweight tire (affects stability)

2. MaxAuto Heavy Duty Lawn Tractor Tires (Set of Two)

Gardeners often look to MaxAuto for quality tires for tillers, trenchers, mowers, or garden tractors.

This is one of their bigger, heavier tires for navigating rough terrain at relatively high speeds.

Product Highlights

The tire’s construction ensures there is less kickback, which is significant when you’re riding larger, heavier machines.

These machines need to be kept as stable as possible.

Compared with other models, these tires have tread depth that is deeper and larger.

They have sturdy tread lugs for exceptional traction and grip.

The tire’s pulling power also increases the more angled the terrain gets and the more stress placed on the tire.

That means you should be able to make your way across swamps and high hills with these wheels with little trouble.

The Good

These MaxAuto lawn tractor tires are large, heavy tires with low kickback, which means they’re pretty great at keeping your machine stable across all terrain.

They’re also capable of handling a variety of rough-road obstacles, from deep holes and rocky patches to high bumps and loose gravel.

The Bad

As great as this set of tires are, they’re not compatible with all garden vehicles.

They especially won’t be an option for the smaller riding mowers.

Pros:

• Huge, powerful tires
• Low kickback for more stability
• Handles all kinds of rough-road obstacles

Con:

• Not fit for all mowers

3. Kenda Turf Rider Lawn & Garden Bias Tire

This zero-turn mower tire has a two-ply design and is manufactured by none other than Kenda, a big name in the lawn, gardening, and racing industries.

As a known manufacturer of bicycle, trailer, motorcycle, automobile, and lawn mower tires, you can be sure of nothing but the best products from Kenda.

That is especially true with this tire, a particularly durable model that stays in condition longer than many others.

Product Highlights

Kenda sponsors some of the best cycling and racing teams in the world.

Many professionals flock to Kenda for their racing needs.

Although that might not be what you need from the company, it still gives you an idea of how top-notch their products are.

The Kenda Turf Rider Lawn & Garden Bias Tire is one with a two-ply design, making it more resistant to punctures and abrasions than tires with no such feature.

The two-ply design also contributes to the item’s overall lighter weight, which leads to greater flexibility for riding on hills.

You can count on it to navigate through bumps, potholes, and rocky patches with little trouble.

It also installs quickly and easily, so you can get to the lawn cutting right after buying it.

It’s a wheel designed for high-grade stabilization, which is what every gardener needs to safely and efficiently operate large riding mowers.

Additionally, it’s a tubeless tire that doesn’t require specific care and maintenance.

You should be able to use it or store it in your garage for years without experiencing any technical issues.

It also doesn’t require frequent replacement because it’s made of some of the toughest materials.

With a capacity of 415 pounds and quite a large body, you may opt to use the tire with a commercial mower.

That said, make sure to pick out the rims separately, as they need to be at least eight inches in diameter.

The Good

The tire’s two-ply design makes it stronger and more durable than many tires on the market.

It also lends the tire a level of flexibility that makes it capable of handling all types of rough terrain with relative ease.

Not to mention, it’s easy to install.

The Bad

A lightweight tire can be both a good and a bad thing.

In this case, it’s bad because it takes away from the stability of the mower.

Pros:

• Easy installation
• Great flexibility
• Durable; will last years
• Superb two-ply design

Con:

• Lightweight (takes away from mower stability)

4. Wanda 2 New Lawn Mower Cart Turf Tires

Wanda has been striving to produce high-performance tires that make a difference for 30 years, and they continue that trend with this model.

This tire ticks all Wanda’s boxes: innovation, concentration, dedication, confidence, and responsibility.

Thus, it has made the company among the leading providers of high-quality tires today.

Product Highlights

Wanda is committed to meeting customers’ expectations when it comes to tire quality, and they don’t let up with their new lawn mower cart turf tires.

It’s a tire that can fit all kinds of garden utility vehicles due to its standard height and width dimensions.

Thus, you can use it as an all-around tire replacement.

The tire has an eight-inch rim diameter, making it strong and flexible enough to handle rough roads.

Plus, eight inches is the golden standard when it comes to rim diameter, so you can’t really go wrong with that.

When coming up against rough terrain, like hills, potholes, rocks, and bumps, the machine needs to exert more effort to get across.

This effort placed on ordinary tires with low traction won’t lend to good results.

What you need are tires like this one with shoulders spaced farther apart and smaller tread depth to boost the already-excellent traction and distribute weight evenly.

As a result, your mower rides more smoothly across all surfaces.

Even the most powerful zero-turn mowers can be uncomfortable to use on paths wrought with potholes.

Most garden equipment comes with a high kickback even on the slicker surfaces, but this one provides a lower kickback for better stability, especially on hills.

Like all Wanda tires, this one is heavy-duty and distributes weight evenly, so you’ll feel how smoothly it rides right away.

The Good

This high-traction tire comes with the standard dimensions that make it fit as an all-around tire replacement for any garden vehicle.

The Bad

What you probably won’t like about this tire is that it does not come with a rim.

You have to purchase the rims separately.

Pros:

• Low kickback for better stability
• Compatible with a wide range of mower models
• Delivers exceptional traction
• A quality tire replacement for any garden equipment

Con:

• Does not come with a rim

5. Premium Four-Ply Turf Tech Tire

One of the best designs for garden vehicle tires is the four-ply.

It’s a design that’s heavy but not too heavy that it takes away from the protection tires provide against potholes, bumps, hills, and other rough road obstacles.

Product Highlights

Four-ply means four layers of top-tier rubber that is incredibly durable and won’t wear out quickly.

These tires are meant for several seasons of use and all types of environments.

You can also store them in your garage for as long as you need—nothing will happen to them.

Unlike ordinary mower tires, a long time on standby won’t ruin this tire’s shape.

It’ll maintain its structure and traction no matter how long it sits in the shed.

The tire’s tread design also ensures high traction for a long time.

Its biters aren’t as large, but they have a curve pattern that makes gripping on hills easier.

They’re perfect for swamps, too, because the tire won’t get stuck.

So, whether you need to reach the highest hill or cross the muddiest swamp, a set of these tires will have you covered.

They’re also puncture-resistant, so don’t worry about riding them through some of the roughest roads.

The Good

The four-ply design is what really makes this tire special.

It makes it a little heavier, which is great for machine stability and gives it a high level of resistance against rough and sharp surfaces.

The Bad

Your purchase won’t include a rim, so you need to buy it separately.

Pros:

• Four-ply tire
• Excellent durability
• High traction
• Grade-A material

Con:

• Does not include rims

Considerations for Choosing the Best Lawn Mower Tires for Hills

Since there’s no shortage of zero-turn mower tires on the market, choosing the right one for your hilly yard can be a bit overwhelming.

This buying guide narrows down the top factors to look out for when picking such a tire.

1. Size

Size is of utmost importance when choosing tires for your garden equipment.

Your tire needs to be exactly the size you need, so do the necessary measuring to ensure that.

Measure the diameter of the rim first and go from there. Ideally, you want to pick out diverse back and front tires.

The tires on the front should be smaller, as they would make it easier for the machine to get on the hill.

The rear wheels should be larger to provide more stability.

These days, tire models are larger than the standard used back in the day, but that should be fine as long as the front wheels are larger than the rear wheels.

2. Weight

Lightweight tires are never any good, as they don’t provide enough stability.

Similarly, excessively heavy tires pose their own problems for your machine.

While stable, they are less flexible and might not be able to cope with potholes and rocky terrain.

Most pieces of garden equipment have a high kickback, particularly when climbing up hills.

Thus, tires that are too light won’t allow for even weight distribution and will make the machine more unstable.

This would make for an incredibly inconvenient and uncomfortable ride.

The goal is to find a tire that’s neither too heavy nor too light.

You want it to be just the right weight to provide the right balance of stability and flexibility needed for an uphill drive.

3. Ply Rating

A powerfully designed tire is necessary for climbing up steep hills, and this is determined by the ply rating.

Machines typically use a lot more power when traversing hills, so you’d need a set of wheels that can take on this power.

More plies mean a tougher tire exterior that won’t wear out quickly.

It should have at least two layers or a two-ply design to ensure your tire can take well to the beating.

A four-ply design would be even better because it will be a bit heavier, which adds to the stability and makes it more resistant to abrasions and punctures.

Don’t go overboard with the ply number and for a six-ply tire.

While it is sure to be tougher and more puncture-resistant, chances are it will also be too heavy to climb up hills effectively.

4. Material

Top-tier tire rubber can make a significant difference in terms of safety and how smoothly the mower operates.

For instance, pneumatic tires are made up of incredibly solid material strong enough to hold up to regular uphill climbs.

That said, don’t forget to consider the elasticity of the tire. You have to get one that’s both strong and flexible enough to overcome rough and steep slopes.

5. Tread Design

There are a variety of tire designs, some more suitable to your needs than others.

You typically want tires with large biters and tread depth for climbing up hills.

However, aggressive tires can also have small biters, which could be more suitable for your garden vehicle.

Additionally, some tires come with curved designs, which also work very well for navigating hilly terrain.

6. Radial and Bias-Ply Tires

In radial tires, the sides and tread function independently of each other.

In bias-ply tires, the plies sit on top of one another.

Thus, radial tires are more susceptible to heat and don’t possess the flexibility of the former.

7. Round or Flat Tires?

Round tires offer excellent traction, while flat tires provide better stability.

Flat options also last a while, while round ones tend to wear out faster.

That makes this another important factor to consider when making your choice.

FAQs About Lawn Mower Tires for Hills

1. Do you need to purchase two tires even if only one needs to be changed? 

If you buy a tire that’s the same model as the one you’re replacing, you only need to buy one tire.

However, if you are unable to purchase the same tire model for some reason and need to look for another brand, it would be best to replace two tires.

Tires from different manufacturers may not work well together.

2. How are flat and round tires different from each other?

Both round and flat tires are great for climbing hills, and each has its own advantages.

A more rounded provide offers better traction on account of the reduced side bite, but it also tends to wear out faster.

On the other hand, flat-free tires provide excellent turning and rotation.

They also last longer than their counterparts.

That said, their bite is more forward, making them susceptible to getting stuck in swampy terrain during wet conditions.

3. How do you know your tires need replacement?

More often than not, you’ll get a recommendation from the manufacturer as to when to replace the tire.

However, zero-turn tires tend to wear out quicker.

Once you see cracks or bulges forming on the side wall or the tread depth becoming deeper, that’s usually a sign that your tires are starting to give up.

Rides on hills aren’t going to get easier on your tires, so it would be best to replace them once you see these signs.

4. How do you tell the difference between the various tires for zero-turn mowers?

Tires for zero-turn lawn mowers differ in the depth of their treads, diameter of their rims, and size.

Depending on these factors, these tires could be for the vehicle’s front or rear.

Smaller tires tend to go in the front.

The tread can take different forms; they may have small curved biters or large ones.

Still, both are excellent options for climbing hills. 

5. How do you choose the right size tire?

When deciding on the size of your tire, it’s important to look at your mower’s rim diameter.

Zero-turn tires for hills tend to be larger than the standard tires.

Of course, you have to pick out smaller tires from the front and larger ones for the back.

This combination should ensure a smoother and more comfortable ride uphill.

6. What tires should you choose for a zero-turn mower?

It usually doesn’t get any better than the Carlisle Super Lug Lawn & Garden Tire.

It provides close to a universal fit for garden and utility vehicles and possesses a tread design that practically cleans itself.

It can latch on to loose soil quite well, too, with its three-rib design.

7. How do you get better traction on your zero-turn mower?

The answer is simple: you get the right set of tires.

Sturdy, flexible tires with the right tread design for your property should get the job done swimmingly.

Also, aim for at least a two-ply tire for sufficient protection against punctures and abrasions.

Which Among the Best Zero-Turn Mower Tires Should You Choose?

There can be none other than the Carlisle Super Lug Lawn & Garden Tire to occupy our top spot.

It’s as close to an across-the-board tire replacement solution as you can get and even has a self-cleaning feature to boot.

It offers excellent steering even on loose soil and has an elevated center that boosts the durability of your tires.

If you’ve been mowing your lawn for some time, you know how important it is to choose an affordable, all-around tire for your mower.

Carlisle tires are among the most versatile of the bunch and provide one of the best lawn mower tires for hills with their super lug model.