Why 35″ Tires Are My Favorite for Overlanding (After 4 Years of Testing on My 2020 Jeep Gladiator)

If you’ve spent any amount of time in the overlanding world, you’ve probably noticed that tire size is one of the first topics people love to debate…

Ask five Jeep owners which size is best, and you’ll get seven opinions — and at least one of them will involve a lecture about gearing and axles.

I’ve been there!

Over the past four years with my 2020 Jeep Gladiator, I’ve run 33” tires (Falken Wildpeak A/T3W tires, sized LT285/70R17), 35” tires (Nitto Trail Grappler), and 37” tires (Milestar Patagonia MT 02; Interco IROK) in a variety of conditions, from desert washes and forest trails to snow-packed backroads and long highway stretches with a trailer in tow. I’ve taken notes, broken in more than one set of sidewalls, and learned exactly what each size brings to the table.

And after all that, my verdict is simple: 35-inch tires are the sweet spot.

Here’s why, from someone who’s lived with all three sizes and put them to work in real-world overlanding.

Table of Contents

• The Sweet Spot for Ground Clearance with 35” Tires
• Better Ride Quality Without the Bulk of 37s
• Off-Road Traction & Footprint of 35” Tires
• Less Strain on the Gladiator’s Drivetrain with 35” Tires
• Looks That Just Work
• More Versatility for Everyday Use
• Bonus Reason: MPG — The Gas Pump Doesn’t Cry as Much
• Living With 35” Tires: The Verdict
• FAQ

The Sweet Spot for Ground Clearance with 35″ Tires

When you move up from 33s to 35s, you get an immediate and noticeable boost in ground clearance without the compromises that come from going all the way up to 37s.

With 33s, I found myself catching on rocks and scraping skid plates more often than I liked. Sure, it’s part of the off-road soundtrack, but there’s only so much “clang” and “thunk” you want to hear in a day. The 35s solved that. Suddenly, the Gladiator could roll over obstacles I used to have to tiptoe around.

The nice part? I didn’t have to chase that clearance with a massive lift kit. The moderate lift I was already running for 33s handled the 35s just fine. My Jeep stayed stable on off-camber trails, and I didn’t have to worry about turning it into a top-heavy skyscraper like you risk with 37s.

Ground clearance is one of those upgrades that pays off in every environment, be that rocks, ruts, washouts, and even deep snow. For me, 35s hit that perfect middle ground between “enough clearance to matter” and “still easy to live with.”

Better Ride Quality Without the Bulk of 37s

Ride quality is one of those things you don’t think about enough until you’ve spent six hours on a rough road.

With 33s, the Gladiator always felt a little busier — more bumps made it through the suspension and into the seat. The smaller tire just didn’t have as much sidewall to soak up the chatter. When I swapped to 35s, the difference was immediate. The extra cushion in the sidewall smoothed out washboard roads and trail chatter without feeling floaty or sloppy.

Now, compare that to 37s (like my Milestar Patagonias shown above). Yes, the ride is cushy, but you start to feel the penalty in responsiveness. Bigger, heavier tires take more effort to turn, and the Jeep loses a bit of that tight, controlled steering feel.

For me, 35s give you the comfort upgrade without the “slow and vague” steering that can creep in with 37s. You get a quieter, smoother ride on rough ground and still keep a direct, confident feel when driving fast on gravel or pavement.

Off-Road Traction & Footprint of 35″ Tires

One of the best things about a 35″ tire is how it performs when aired down. The wider footprint gives you more rubber on the ground, which means more traction — whether you’re crawling over rocks, slicing through mud, or floating across sand.

Compared to 33s, the contact patch on 35s feels noticeably more stable in soft terrain. The Jeep stays planted, and you can carry momentum with more confidence. And unlike 37s, you don’t have to drop your PSI as much to get that great “bagged-out” footprint — which means your beadlocks (if you run them) or tire beads are under less stress.

There’s also a balance here with rotational weight. With 37s, you can add a ton of weight, which can make spinning them up in sand or climbing steep hills more taxing on your drivetrain. The 35s keep the Gladiator responsive while still providing a big enough patch of traction to matter.

Less Strain on the Gladiator’s Drivetrain with 35″ Tires

When you start getting into 37-inch territory, you’re almost guaranteed to need a re-gear if you want to restore factory-like performance. That’s not just an expense; it’s also extra wear on parts if you skip it.

With 35s, you can often get away without re-gearing, especially if you’re not hauling heavy loads all the time. The Gladiator’s gearing is just close enough that you can still merge, pass, and tow without feeling like you’re wringing the engine’s neck.

And let’s talk about stress. Bigger tires put more strain on axles, driveshafts, U-joints, and steering components. That strain multiplies with every inch you add. There’s more weight with 35s, but they’re not that heavy. You’re still in the “manageable” zone where your factory parts can handle the load with good maintenance.

I’ve wheeled 35s hard for years without needing to constantly replace or upgrade components, which is something I can’t say about my 37-inch phase.

Looks That Just Work

Looks aren’t everything, but I’d be lying if I said they didn’t matter…

A Jeep on 33s can look a little undersized once you’ve added bumpers, sliders, and a roof rack. On the flip side, 37s can push you into “mall crawler” territory if you’re not actually using all that size off-road. Plus they make the proportions look a bit exaggerated unless you’ve built the rest of the Jeep to match.

With 35s, the stance just feels right. Aggressive enough to turn heads, proportional enough to look purposeful. It’s the kind of setup that looks great both on the trail and in the grocery store parking lot without screaming “overbuilt.”

More Versatility for Everyday Use

Overlanding rigs don’t just live on the trail. They have to handle daily life, too. And this is where 35s really shine.

With 37s, I was constantly dealing with clearance issues in parking garages, tighter turning radius in parking lots, and the occasional “this thing barely fits” moment on narrow city streets. The extra width also meant more stone chips and mud spray on the doors.

The 35s are a breeze by comparison. I can still fit a full-size spare under the truck (depending on bumper setup), maneuver in tight spots without a multi-point turn, and pull into just about any garage without measuring the opening first.

For a rig that sees both trail miles and daily driving, this versatility is hard to beat.

Bonus Reason: MPG — “The Gas Pump Doesn’t Cry as Much”

Let’s be real: tire size and fuel economy are mortal enemies.

With 33s, the Gladiator’s MPG was decent (for a lifted Jeep). When I went to 37s, my MPG dropped like a rock off a cliff. The gas pump would see me pull up, sigh heavily, and mutter something about “this is going to hurt.”

With 35s? The pump still isn’t happy, but at least it doesn’t look like it’s about to call in a therapist after every fill-up. I like to think of it as a compromise; you get most of the performance and clearance benefits of a big tire without completely emptying your wallet every time you drive across the state.

If you’re running long trips or overland expeditions, this matters. Lower fuel costs mean more budget for actual adventures, or, let’s be honest, more budget for the next round of mods.

Living With 35″ Tires: The Verdict

Here’s what it all comes down to…

33-inch tires are fine for lighter builds and easier trails, but they start to feel like a limitation when you push deeper into technical terrain. The big boys —37s— are incredible for certain environments, but they bring a laundry list of compromises, like gearing, component stress, parking hassles, and a fuel bill that’ll make you question your life choices.

But 35s hit the goldilocks zone.

They’re big enough to make a tangible difference off-road, improve ride comfort, give the Jeep a purposeful stance, and handle real-world use without feeling like you’re piloting a lifted dump truck.

For me, after four years of swapping, testing, and living with each size, 35s are the tires I’d choose again in a heartbeat. They give my Gladiator the best mix of capability, comfort, and livability — which is exactly what I want in an overlanding rig.

So if you’re on the fence about your next tire upgrade, here’s my two cents: try the 35s. They might just be the happy medium your Jeep’s been waiting for!

FAQs

Do I need to re-gear when running 35″ tires on a Jeep Gladiator?

Not always. Many Jeep Gladiator owners can run 35s without re-gearing, especially if they don’t tow heavy loads frequently. However, re-gearing may improve performance in certain conditions.

Can I fit 35″ tires with a stock suspension?

It depends on your Jeep’s trim and wheel setup. In many cases, a small lift or leveling kit helps avoid rubbing and gives better clearance for off-road use.

How do 35″ tires affect fuel economy?

Fuel economy will drop compared to 33s, but the impact is much less dramatic than moving up to 37s. Many drivers find the trade-off acceptable given the performance benefits.

Are 35″ tires good for daily driving?

Yes. 35s strike a great balance between trail capability and everyday practicality. They fit in most garages, handle city driving well, and are less cumbersome than 37s.

What’s the biggest advantage of 35″ tires for overlanding?

The biggest advantage is versatility. 35s provide solid ground clearance, improved ride comfort, and excellent off-road traction while still being manageable for daily driving.

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