Ironman Tires Review: Basic Performance for Everyday Driving – Honest Assessment
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase after clicking on my links, I will receive a commission for the sale.
You should constantly address this question to yourself before getting new tires: what do you want and anticipate from the tires you buy? Do you need a solution that you can depend on for your daily drive? Or, are you looking to get the most out of the performance capabilities of your contemporary passenger car, sport utility vehicle, or truck?
If, on the other hand, you have your sights set on the latter, you should be prepared to shell out a greater sum of money for tires. Tires produced by respectable and well-known manufacturers are not inexpensive by any stretch of the imagination, but they provide the very finest performance imaginable.
On the other end of the spectrum, you have businesses such as Ironman, who are primarily concerned with meeting the necessities of individuals who are in need of fundamental transportation. Ironman is aware that not all drivers have the same interest in discovering the capabilities of their own car.
For the benefit of those who aren’t familiar with the company, Ironman is owned by Hercules, which is a tire manufacturer that places itself in a somewhat more upscale market. Both brands, however, are well within the realm of being affordable and do not compete with the likes of Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, Pirelli, or Goodyear.
The question is: do Ironman tires have any redeeming qualities? Because I haven’t had a good experience with relatively inexpensive tires up until now, I was interested to see whether Ironman might change my mind about their quality.
You will, however, need to read the entirety of the evaluation of the Ironman tires in order to provide a response to the question because there are a lot of topics that need to be covered.
Top 5 Best Ironman Tires
1. Ironman GR-906
Best Touring All-Season Tire
The GR-906 is perhaps the most cost-effective option among all of Ironman’s offerings. Because it is so inexpensive, a set of four tires for various vehicles may be purchased for less than $200. Additionally, the GR-906 gives out a positive initial impression because it is incredibly peaceful and cozy to use.
Additionally, the tire provides adequate performance for regular driving, with strong steering, acceleration, and braking capabilities. Additionally, the resistance to hydroplaning is quite high-quality.
However, the treadwear warranty that is normally included with tires in this category is not included with this particular set. Also, you shouldn’t intend on utilizing it when the weather is extremely cold and harsh.
Pros
- Very quiet and comfortable
- Good handling and braking on dry roads
- Good hydroplaning resistance
- Extremely cheap
Cons
- No treadwear warranty
- Treadlife is far from impressive
- Subpar snow traction
Check Price at Amazon.com at TireAmerica.com at TireRack.com at DiscountTire.com at TireBuyer.com at PriorityTire.com at SimpleTire.com
2. Ironman iMOVE GEN2 AS
Best High-Performance All-Season Tire
On dry terrain, the performance-oriented iMOVE GEN2 AS boasts snappy handling and very high levels of grip and traction, making it an excellent choice for driving. In the meanwhile, the tire has a calm and comforting feel to it.
On the other hand, traction is limited on wet roads, especially when there is heavy rain. In addition, driving on snow can give the impression that you’re in danger, and Ironman does not offer any kind of treadwear warranty.
Pros
- Sharp responses
- Good cornering grip on dry roads
- Quiet and comfortable
- Very cheap
Cons
- No treadwear warranty
- Wet traction is limited
- Snow traction is subpar
3. Ironman RB SUV
Best Highway Tire for SUVs and Trucks
Because of its rugged and long-lasting structure, the RB SUV is an excellent option for drivers of larger SUVs or for drivers who frequently travel on ground that are hardpacked. In addition, the tire performs well on dry roads, both in terms of its performance and in terms of the comfort it provides.
Having said that, the premium alternatives provide noticeably superior traction on slippery conditions, longer treadlife, and extremely lengthy warranties on treadwear.
Pros
- Tough construction
- Good stability on the highway
- Quiet and comfortable
- Good for hardpacked surfaces
- Very cheap
Cons
- No treadwear warranty
- Wet traction could be better
4. Ironman All Country AT
Best All-Terrain Tire
Surprisingly, the All Country AT performs rather admirably on hardpacked surfaces, where it offers the driver exceptional grip and helps them to maintain control of the vehicle. Additionally, the tire performs quite well in mud and has decent traction over rocks of various sizes.
Only on dry pavement can the vehicle’s stability perform well when driving. The performance of the vehicle in the rain with regard to hydroplaning is satisfactory for the asking price, although traction is still restricted.
Pros
- Good traction on hardpacked surfaces
- Usable in mud and over larger rocks
- Safe on dry roads
- Good hydroplaning resistance
- Usable over unpacked snow
Cons
- No treadwear warranty
- Doesn’t work over packed snow and ice
- Wet performance is below average for the category
5. Ironman All Country CHT
Best Commercial Tire
On the market for commercial-grade light-truck tires, the All Country CHT is one of the tires that is priced the lowest. This is excellent news for smaller firms, who typically lack the financial resources necessary to buy quality tires.
Even while the All Country CHT works adequately on the road, it does not have the ultimate traction on snowy and wet roads, particularly when compared to premium tires.
Pros
- Good highway stability
- Tough and durable construction
- Quiet and comfortable
- Good hydroplaning resistance
Cons
- Wet traction could be better
- Not suitable for harsh wintry conditions
- No treadwear warranty
Ironman Tires Review: Buying Guide
Ironman offers a diverse selection of tires for use on passenger cars across its product line. Ironman’s SUV and light-truck tires, specifically the All Country A/T and All Country M/T off-road variants, are their most popular products, making them the company’s best sellers overall.
Ironman’s performance tires are also very well-liked in the tuning world. This is primarily attributable to the aggressive appearance of the tires as well as the extremely affordable rates for the higher sizes. Ironman not only manufactures high-performance tires for coupes and sedans, but also for crossovers and SUVs.
The company also manufactures touring tires for sedans and compact cars, as well as highway tires for light trucks and sport utility vehicles. With these tires, the manufacturer places a greater emphasis on comfort and durability than on responsiveness, which plays a supporting role.
Additionally, commercial tires for light trucks and vans are available from Ironman. Recent developments at the company include the introduction of a studded winter tire—an odd product for a low-cost producer but one that is most definitely appreciated.
One thing that sticks out to me about the brand is that, with the exception of a winter model, they only sell compounds that are good for all seasons. If you want to have the finest possible performance and rapid lap times, you won’t find track-focused tires in Ironman’s lineup. At least, you won’t find them if you want to have those things.
Now that we’ve established that, let’s take a look at some of the primary benefits and drawbacks associated with owning a set of Ironman tires.
1. Ironman Tires Positive Aspects
Very Cheap to Buy
Ironman has some of the most competitively priced tires available on the market. The cost reductions are already substantial when purchasing touring tires in lesser sizes, but they grow even more substantial when very large sizes are selected for some SUV-focused models.
In the case of the larger sizes, you could end yourself saving somewhere in the neighborhood of $600 for a pair of tires when compared to those made by premium manufacturers. That is not a trivial sum by any stretch of the imagination. Having said that, the most of the cost savings will be eaten up in the long run because premium tires are certain to have a longer lifespan.
Despite this, even taking into account the fact that Ironman tires have a shorter treadlife, it is indisputable that they are more cost-effective than premium options.
Developed by Hercules Tires
Numerous low-cost tires manufactured in China and currently being used on the world’s roadways have not been developed. In addition to this, they are indistinguishable from one another, at least in terms of the tread pattern. Hercules unquestionably attempted to shake things up a little bit here by designing the tires on their own in-house.
This is fantastic news because Hercules has a wealth of experience in research and development, which is the one factor that stands out above all others in terms of its significance for adding safety to tires. Although Hercules tires are not as powerful as those made by Michelin or Bridgestone, for the price, you are at least getting a tire that has been designed.
Adequate for Everyday Driving
The majority of Ironman tires will be entirely adequate for the driving conditions encountered on a daily basis. To be more specific, they will control the steering, the acceleration, and the braking according to your preferences. Assuming, of course, that you stay below the posted speed limits and don’t put undue strain on your car.
Ironman tires should be able to perform adequately on wet asphalt as well. When driving normally, the vehicle’s handling should be satisfactory, and the stopping distances should be adequate. Premium tires, tires aimed at drivers on a tighter budget (Cooper, General, Hankook), and even Hercules tires will all result in shorter stopping distances for your vehicle. I cannot stress this point enough.
Most Models are Quiet and Comfortable
Ironman models, on the other hand, provide a level of comfort even on uneven terrain and are rather quiet when traveling at highway speeds. As they get older, they make a very tiny increase in volume, but it is still well within the permitted range.
2. Ironman Tires Negative Aspects
Not the Best Choice for Performance Driving
Even though Ironman tires are suitable for the driving you do on a daily basis, their limitations will become immediately apparent if you drive too aggressively. Ironman tires can rapidly alert you that they will lose traction during heavy cornering by squeaking, which can be viewed as a positive feature in some situations.
Because of these factors, if you drive a powerful car, you may find that upgrading to more expensive tires is in your best interest. You may also try driving more carefully, which is especially important when it’s raining outside.
Wet and Snow Performance are Worse than Premium Tires
When compared to their more expensive competitors, Ironman tires perform the worst on wet conditions. This is especially true in the event of an accident. Even while Ironman tires should have sufficient tread depth to prevent hydroplaning, this does not change the fact that overall, the traction will be limited, and braking distances will be higher.
This is especially valid during the colder months. Even though all Ironman tires are designated as all-season, you shouldn’t put them through their paces in severe winter weather when you’re testing them. The traction in snow is far lower than the category average, while the traction on ice is virtually nonexistent.
Treadlife is Far from Impressive
Tires that cost less will never last as long as those that cost more. Naturally, the same is also true for Ironman’s products, which, in comparison to the premium competitors, have a significantly shorter treadlife. The lack of a treadwear warranty on Ironman’s tires is another disappointing aspect of the company’s products.
Conclusion
Even though I freely acknowledge that I most frequently favor premium tires, I try to go into my reviews with an open mind. At least with the Ironman tires, I wasn’t that much of a disappointment.
The Ironman tires will perform admirably for your day-to-day commute. They will be able to accelerate, maneuver, and stop, in addition to being silent and comfy. They might be an excellent choice so long as you don’t anticipate miracles from them, though.
However, you should not for one moment believe that the motorist who spent cash on new Bridgestone tires was the victim of a theft. There is a good reason why premium tires cost so much more than other types of tires: they are virtually defect free.
However, you should put Ironman’s items on your shortlist if you are willing to overlook their flaws and accept them as part of the package.