Best Tires for Subaru Forester: Complete Guide

12 Best Tires for Subaru Forester

The Subaru Forester hit the streets in the USA in 1997, making it one of the first crossover body styles seen in the states. With great gas mileage and four wheel drive capabilities, this vehicle became a popular choice for people as soon as it was released.

The biggest challenge with owning any vehicle is knowing which tires to purchase to help your car shine while matching with your driving style. The categories listed are there for your convenience to try and help decide which type of tire you will need to maximize your time on the roads.

Knowing which tires are best for your Subaru Forester depends on what kind of weather you frequently experience as well as what you want out of your vehicle. If you enjoy taking your vehicle off road, then you need a tire that can accommodate those needs, just like you would if you only drove on the highway.

Below is a list of the top twelve tires on the market for the Subaru Forester, which will hopefully help you narrow down your search and choose one for purchasing. These tires are all tried and tested and proven to be the top of the line choices for this particular vehicle.

Continental TrueContact - Best All-Season Tire

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If solid traction, great handling, long lasting tread and comfort from within the vehicle are things you are looking for, then you are in the right place. Most all-season tires provide drivers with these things, as well as peace of mind while out on the roads that you are driving with safe tires on board.

The Continental TrueContact tire is a great option for people looking for all-season tires, because on top of everything previously listed, they also increase your fuel efficiency. With all of these features, you really can’t pass them up!

With traction in dry, wet, and even snowy conditions, the Continental TrueContact tires can handle any weather condition during any season of the year. You will have the grip you need in light snow, but they are not the safest option if you are going to be driving in deep snow frequently.

The Continental TrueContact tire delivers a quiet ride for passengers by using a single ply polyester casing on the tire. With a smooth ride comes a lot of enjoyment while out on the roads.

Specifications:

• Warranty: 80,000 miles
• Max Inflation Pressure: 44 PSI
• Tread Depth: 11”
• Tire Weight: 22 lbs
• Load Index: 98
• UTQG Treadwear: 800
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: B

FAQ

What sizes are available in this tire?

The Continental TrueContact tire is available in sizes 15”-19”.

What is the load capacity?

These tires can carry a max load of 1,653 pounds.

How is the road noise?

The Continental TrueContact tires were given an 8.8 on a scale of 1-10 for road noise as well as an overall ride quality rating of 9.2.

Michelin Defender T+H - Best All-Season Tire

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When you think about quality tires, the Michelin brand might quickly come to mind, and for good reason. This brand has perfected the tire over the years and is able to deliver a quality, sought-after tire for many customers.

With capabilities to thrive in any weather condition, the “all-weather king” tire, also known as the Michelin Defender T+H tire, is at the top of the list. With zigzag sipes, this tire can easily push away excess water in order to prevent hydroplaning in wet road conditions.

The Michelin Defender T+H tire creates little to no road noise for passengers, making it a very enjoyable ride from within the vehicle. Too much road noise can be distracting and sometimes just down right annoying for drivers. With these tires on board, you can expect nothing but high quality driving experiences.

You can expect a high level of traction at all times as well as even tread wear over time when you purchase Michelin Defender T+H tires. Backed with a warranty of 80,000 miles, you can expect many miles of enjoyment.

Specifications:

• Warranty: 80,000 miles
• Max Inflation Pressure: 44 PSI
• Tread Depth: 10”
• Tire Weight:  17-31lbs
• Load Index: 83-103
• UTQG Treadwear: 820
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: B  

FAQ

What sizes are available in this tire?

The Michelin Defender T+H tire comes in a range of sizes from 14”-18”.

What is the load capacity?

These tires can carry a max load of 1,074- 1,929 pounds, depending on which size you purchase.

How do these tires handle deep snow?

These tires are designed to handle light snow or ice, so do not try to drive them through thick, deep snow as you might not have as much traction that is necessary to safely navigate these conditions.

Continental PureContact - Best Touring Tire

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Much like the Continental TrueContact, the PureContact tire also offers a number of great features that helps to improve your time on the roads. This particular tire was designed for luxury vehicles and with the use of ComfortRide technology, you can expect a smooth and comfortable ride.

With EcoPlus features in the tread, the tires are able to stay in contact with the road, even when conditions are less than ideal (aka wet or snow). The Continental PureContact tire can grip in light snow conditions, but it is not suitable for deep snow driving.

Touring tires are important for people who spend a lot of time on the roads in either long commutes or on long road trips. Even tread wear over all four tires is crucial as well as comfortable, luxurious driving conditions from within the vehicle. With the Continental PureContact tire, you get it all!

Backed by a warranty of 70,000 miles, you will want this tire with you when you hit the roads for some long distance driving.

Specifications:

• Warranty: 70,000 miles
• Max Inflation Pressure: 51 PSI
• Tread Depth: 10”
• Tire Weight: 23 lbs
• Load Index: 94
• UTQG Treadwear: 700
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: A  

FAQ

What sizes are available in this tire?

The Continental PureContact tire is available in sizes 16”-20”.

What is the load capacity?

The max load capacity for this tire is 1,477 pounds

How is the road noise?

On a scale of 1-10, the Continental PureContact tire was given a rating of 8.7 for road noise and an overall ride quality rating of 9.1.

Michelin Premier A/S - Best Touring Tire

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Touring tires are for people seeking longer tread life, great traction in all weather conditions, as well as a tire that can go with them several miles as they travel long distances.

The Michelin Premier A/S tire is able to do all of these things for drivers. Just because the weather changes does not mean that you have to worry or change your driving habits at all, with the exception of being more aware of your surroundings. The traction in any weather condition is why so many choose Michelin Premier A/S tires.

With Evergrip Technology, you can expect traction year round, as well as in light snow conditions. For deep snow driving, these are not the ideal tire. The tread life, however, does last for a long time and wears evenly over time.

The warranty for Michelin Premier A/S tires is 60,000 miles, so any issues that arise will be taken care of by the manufacturer.

Specifications:

• Warranty: 60,000 miles
• Max Inflation Pressure: 44 PSI
• Tread Depth: 9”
• Tire Weight:  21 lbs
• Load Index: 87
• UTQG Treadwear: 640
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: A  

FAQ

What sizes are available in this tire?

This tire is available in sizes 15”-19”.

What is the load capacity?

Depending on the size of tire purchased, they can carry anywhere from 1,074 to 1,477 pounds.

How is the road noise?

These tires were given a rating of 8.5 for road noise and 8.9 for overall ride quality on a scale of 1-10.

Falken Pro G4 A/S - Best High Performance All-Season Tire

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High Performance tires are typically purchased by people who enjoy the thrill of driving and enjoy traveling at higher speeds. These people need a tire that allows for short braking distances as well as turning at high speeds.

The Falken Pro G4 A/S tire provides all of these things and more. With the ability to navigate every snow condition, with the exception of deep snow conditions, you can expect this tire to navigate water on the road with ease.

The tire’s tread is divided into three sections that all have different jobs to make the tire function at a high level. The outer zone is for handling and response time, the middle is for traction in rain or snow, and the inside section is for keeping stability while driving.

The divided tread zones work together with a long lasting tread life to make for a tire that can handle anything that comes its way, all while delivering a quiet drive for passengers within the vehicle.

Specifications:

• Warranty: 65,000 miles
• Max Inflation Pressure: 50 PSI
• Tread Depth: 10”
• Tire Weight: 24 lbs
• Load Index: 93
• UTQG Treadwear: 600
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: A  

FAQ

What sizes are available in this tire?

The Falken Pro G4 A/S tire comes in 15”,17”, and 18”.

What is the load capacity?

The max load capacity is 1,433 pounds for this tire.

How is the road noise?

You can expect little to no road noise for the Falken Pro G4 A/S tire.

Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season - Best High Performance All-Season Tire

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People who enjoy spending time on the road will most likely need a high performance all-season tire to keep up with your driving style. Traveling at quicker speeds, turning sharply and braking at the last minute are all supported and made easier by high performance all-season tires.

The Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season tire is one that helps accomplish all of these things plus helps you save on fuel costs. When driving a bit more aggressively than the average driver, you want a tire that has great response and handling time. Goodyear has mastered this tire’s design and function!

When traveling at higher speeds, having a tire that helps you stay on a straight line is important, so Goodyear included a solid center rib for stability on that straight line.  The Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season tire has traction year round on all different road qualities.

Backed by a warranty of 50,000 miles, this tire will improve your time on the roads and help make for more memories while keeping you safe.

Specifications:

• Warranty: 50,000 miles
• Max Inflation Pressure: 50 PSI
• Tread Depth: 10”
• Tire Weight: 37lbs
• Load Index: 105
• UTQG Treadwear: 560
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: A  

FAQ

What sizes are available in this tire?

The Goodyear Eagle Sport A/S tire is available in sizes 15”-22”.

What is the load capacity?

The max load capacity is 2,039 pounds.

How is the road noise?

This tire does not create much road noise and was rated 8.2 for road noise and 8.6 for ride quality on a scale of 1-10.

Goodyear Assurance Max Life - Best Touring All-Season Tire

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A touring all-season tire is typically purchased by the same category of people as those who want a touring tire. Generally speaking, this tire is built to drive many miles while providing all-season capabilities and traction year round.

A great option in this category is the Goodyear Assurance Max Life tire, as it is fuel efficient as well as long lasting. The last thing you want to think about while out driving is whether or not your tires can handle the mileage you are putting on them.

This tire comes with Goodyears Wear Gauge, allowing drivers to see exactly where the tread life is at all times. When it is time to replace your tires, you will get a notification telling you to do so. This helps prevent unexpected problems while out on the roads.

The Goodyear Assurance Max Life tires are backed by a warranty of 85,000 miles and will be worth the investment when you travel in such comfort and protection.

Specifications:

• Warranty: 85,000 miles
• Max Inflation Pressure: 51 PSI
• Tread Depth: 11”
• Tire Weight:  20-36 lbs
• Load Index: 91-107
• UTQG Treadwear: 820
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: B  

FAQ

What sizes are available in this tire?

This tire comes in a wide range of sizes from 15”-20”.

What is the load capacity?

Depending on which size you purchase, the max load capacity is 1,356-2,149 pounds.

How is the road noise?

These tires do not create much road noise and were given a rating of 8.6 out of 10 for road noise and 9.1 for ride quality.

General Altimax RT43 - Best Touring All-Season Tire

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Have you ever noticed the road quality changing as you drive down a road? Have you ever thought about how this affects the tires on your vehicle? Being able to smoothly change road conditions is a difficult thing for tires, but something the General Altimax RT43 tires can do without a problem.

This “RT” or “road touring” tire allows you to drive to your destinations without the stress of whether or not your vehicle will perform in different weather and road conditions. Rain or shine, this tire is there to perform and help keep passengers as safe as possible.

With a built in Low Surface Abrasion Technology, not only are you safe, but you will also experience a very smooth and comfortable drive. Replacement Tire Monitors tell you when you need to get to the shop and replace the tires and Visual Alignment Indicators let you know if your vehicle is staying in alignment.

Driving in light snow conditions is also possible with General Altimax RT43 tires as well with a grip on the road like no other. With a warranty of 65,000 miles, these tires are an excellent choice.

Specifications:

• Warranty: 65,000 miles
• Max Inflation Pressure: 51 PSI
• Tread Depth: 10”
• Tire Weight: 26 lbs
• Load Index: 100
• UTQG Treadwear: 700
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: A  

FAQ

What sizes are available in this tire?

The General Altimax RT43 tire is available in sizes 13”-20”.

What is the load capacity?

The max load capacity for this tire is 1,356 pounds.

How is the road noise?

A rating of 8.3 for road noise and 8.6 for ride quality was given for this tire, on a scale of 1-10.

Continental TerrainContact A/T - Best Summer Tire

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Speed + Agility: two things you need your summer tires to deliver. Oftentimes these tires help you to have great handling, quick response time, slow distance braking as well as the ability to overall drive quicker.

Enter the Continental TerrainContact A/T tire, a tire that not only provides all of these things but has the ability to go on different terrains when needed. This on/off-road tire  will maximize your adventures in your Subaru Forester and will not make you skip a beat if you decide to take your vehicle off of the paved roads.

These tires have an excellent grip on the road and can easily push water away in the event of driving in rainy conditions. You will experience a long lasting tread as well as even tread wear over time with the Continental TerrainContact A/T tire.

While some off-road tires do not have a warranty, the Continental TerrainContact A/T tire comes with a great warranty of 60,000 miles.

Specifications:

• Warranty: 60,000 miles
• Max Inflation Pressure: 44-80 PSI
• Tread Depth: 12-16”
• Tire Weight:  27-50 lbs
• Load Index: 99-120
• UTQG Treadwear: 680
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: B  

FAQ

What sizes are available in this tire?

The Continental TerrainContact A/T tire comes in sizes 16”-22”.

What is the load capacity?

The max load capacity for this tire depends on the size purchased but can be anywhere from 1,709 to 3,086 pounds.

How is the road noise?

This tire was rated 9.0 for both road noise as well as ride quality on a scale of 1-10!

Goodyear Eagle LS-2 - Best Summer Tire

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Summer tires allow for maximum comfort, handling and enjoyment while out on the roads. From little to no road noise to the ability to handle dry or wet roads with ease are a few of the top things customers look for with their summer tire purchase.

The Goodyear Eagle LS-2 tire is an excellent choice for this category if you are looking for a luxury tire for your Subaru Forester. With wide grooves in the tread, the water from the roads is easily pushed away, allowing no opportunity for hydroplaning.

In the summertime, the weather can be unpredictable and can change on the drop of a hat. When you purchase Goodyear Eagle LS-2 tires, you are purchasing peace of mind that you will be safe, regardless of the weather outside. On the off chance that it happens to snow, your tires will be able to handle the conditions as well.

For a tire that was built for driving at high speeds, the Goodyear Eagle LS-2 tire truly soars like an eagle as you drive down the road.

Specifications:

• Warranty: N/A
• Max Inflation Pressure: 44-51 PSI
• Tread Depth: 10-11”
• Tire Weight:  17-33 lbs
• Load Index: 100-109
• UTQG Treadwear: 400
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: A  

FAQ

What sizes are available in this tire?

The Goodyear Eagle LS-2 tire is available in sizes 15”-20”.

What is the load capacity?

The max load capacity for this tire is anywhere from 1,764 - 2,271 pounds, depending on the size of tire purchased.

How is the road noise?

Unfortunately, this tire creates more road noise than other options on the market. On a scale of 1-10, it was given a rating of 6.4 for road noise and 6.6 for overall ride quality.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady - Best Winter Tire

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Being prepared for the weather conditions is crucial at any time of the year, but especially if you live in an area that experiences a lot of heavy winter weather conditions. The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady tires are exactly what the name states: ready for the weather!

Goodyear has worked to create a tire that not only handles any weather condition, but also saves drivers on fuel costs. This is a reliable and trustworthy tire that is marked by a 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake Rating that proves how well this tire can perform in extreme ice or snow conditions.

With an asymmetric tread pattern, your tires will have great contact with the road at all times. Braking on ice can often be tricky and dangerous for drivers, but when you have traction with the road through these weather elements, it is much safer for everyone involved.

Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady tires are backed by a warranty of 60,000 miles, making them a great investment if you plan to drive in extreme winter weather conditions.

Specifications:

• Warranty: 60,000 miles
• Max Inflation Pressure: 51 PSI
• Tread Depth: 10”
• Tire Weight: 20 lbs
• Load Index: 91
• UTQG Treadwear: 700
• UTQG Traction: A
• UTQG Temperature: A  

FAQ

What sizes are available in this tire?

The Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady tires are available in sizes 15”-20”.

What is the load capacity?

The max load capacity is 1,356 pounds.

How is the road noise?

With these winter tires, you can expect very little road noise. On a scale of 1-10, they were given a rating of 8.4 for road noise and an overall ride quality rating of 8.9.

General Altimax Arctic 12 Studdable Snow Tire - Best Winter Tire

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When you purchase a tire that has a studdable option, you know you are getting the most amount of traction possible in severe winter weather. These tires have an option to add the studs if necessary, but must be done by professionals. If they are not installed properly, they can puncture the tire.

General Altimax Arctic 12 Studdable Snow Tires are a great option for the Subaru Forester if you are needing superior winter traction. Typically speaking, people who live in areas with a lot of snowfall and ice will need to look into this type of tire for their vehicles.

The design of the tread is such that the tire can help push excess water or slush away to allow for the tire to have contact with the road. The tread also helps to prevent hydroplaning, something that is very likely in icy conditions.

As with most winter tires, be sure to always install them in sets of four for maximum performance and traction at all times. With a 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake Rating, you can trust that these tires are an excellent choice to stay safe when the roads are not in the best condition.

Specifications:

• Warranty: N/A
• Max Inflation Pressure: 51 PSI
• Tread Depth: 12”
• Tire Weight: 18 lbs
• Load Index: 92
• UTQG Treadwear: N/A
• UTQG Traction: N/A
• UTQG Temperature: N/A

FAQ

What sizes are available in this tire?

The General Altimax Arctic 12 tire is available in sizes 14”-19”.

What is the load capacity?

The max load capacity for this tire is 1,389 pounds.

How is the road noise?

These tires do create a little more road noise then other winter tires on the market, especially with the studs installed. On a scale of 1-10, they were given a rating of 7.7 for road noise and 8.7 for overall ride quality.

Buyer’s Guide

Things to Consider When Purchasing Tires

• Driving Style - Your driving style matters when selecting tires because you want to choose a tire that matches how you spend your time on the roads. Whether you drive fast or slow, it all matters!
• Driving Conditions - Different areas of the country have different weather conditions at various points in the year. If you live in an area that is mostly cold, for instance, then you need a tire that is able to stay flexible and expand or contract as necessary.
• Driving Plans - For those that plan to embark on very long road trips, you need to make sure your tires can handle the mileage and will experience even treadwear over time. If you are just commuting to and from work, then a touring tire might not be what you need, but if you have a cross-country road trip planned, it might be exactly what you are looking for!