top of page

5,000 Mile Review: Are Baja Boss A/T Pizza Cutters the Ultimate Overlanding/Daily Driver Tire?

  • Writer: Muddy Ruttzz
    Muddy Ruttzz
  • 2 days ago
  • 6 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

 The Fuel Economy Secret: Why Baja Boss A/T Pizza Cutters are Perfect on a Gladiator EcoDiesel


Welcome back to the Muddy Ruttzz Gazette, where we put off-road gear through the kind of real-world testing that separates the wheat from the chaff.

When I was first looking for new rubber for my daily-driver-turned-overlanding-rig—that trusty Gladiator EcoDiesel—I felt like a prospector searching for gold. I needed a tire that could handle the sharp desert rock near our Las Cruces home, but one that wouldn't suck the fuel tank dry on the long hauls to adventure (like our recent trip from southern New Mexico to the high rocks of Colorado).


.Muddy Ruttzz Youtube Channel



Check Out My Youtube Video On This Subject Here


Support Us! Use my ✅ affiliate links throughout and at the end of this article. You don't have to buy the listed product. I get credit if you click and purchase anything within 24 hours. Your support means the world to me! Learn More 

First Impressions Are Over: Rolling Past the 5,000-Mile Mark


After pulling my hair out with indecision, I settled on a choice many folks call the "Pizza Cutter" size: the tall and skinny 255/85R17 Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T. The general wisdom says bigger is better, but this narrow profile is engineered to be a premium extreme hybrid all-terrain tire with an E-rated sidewall that promised performance, longevity, and a 50,000-mile treadwear warranty. Now that we've clocked 5,000 hard miles, including an eye-opening stint at the Ouray Jeep Jamboree, it’s time to see if these Baja Boss A/T Pizza Cutters are truly the real deal.


Jeeps drive on a rocky forest trail, surrounded by tall green trees. Sunlight filters through branches, creating a rugged adventure feel.
The Baja Boss A/Ts had no problem providing tractions and handling the sharp rocks on Governors Basin Trail when we attended the Ouray Jeep Jamboree.

The Black Top Test: Smooth Sailing to Colorado

Let's face it, most of us spend more time on the highway than on the trails. When a daily driver doubles as a overlander it makes tire choice that much more critical. If a tire is going to be a faithful servant, it has to excel on the black top as well as the trails.

As a retired sheet metal worker, I appreciate things that are installed right and stay that way, and I'm happy to report these tires have been truly smooth. I was concerned that the robust E-rating—which is like wearing a steel-toed boot instead of a hiking shoe—would make for a horse-and-buggy ride. But the asymmetric tread pattern is quiet, stable, and held their balance perfectly after the first four-tire rotation. No death wobbles, no shimmy, just the satisfying, predictable feel you want when you’re laying down highway miles.


Close-up of a rugged vehicle tire on a rocky path with dry grass to the side. "Outdoor Adventure" text in corner badge. Sunny setting.
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T have a Asymetric tread design lowers road noise. the tires can only be with the correct side facing out.



The Mileage Meter: How the Pizza Cutters Pay Their Keep


Here’s where the narrow profile of the Baja Boss A/T Pizza Cutters really starts to sing. The lighter weight, skinny design, and unique tread pattern were all meant to save fuel, and they’ve delivered in spades.


Car dashboard shows Apple CarPlay, 68°F, 24.1 MPG, 376mi range, PRND, 47004 miles. Gauges on either side. "Outdoor Adventure" sticker visible.
I had Nitto Trail Grapplers on the Gladiator. We got pretty good mileage, like 21 or 22 highway, less around town with them. The Baja Boss tires get us way more mileage. What you see in this photo is all around mileage. We get up to 26 mpg diesel driving 80 per.

I'm consistently averaging a solid 24.1 MPG around town in my EcoDiesel. When we unhook from the daily grind and head out on a long overlanding trek, that number only gets better! That kind of fuel economy is more than a small victory; it's like a discount on every mile, making those far-flung destinations feel a little closer to home.

When the Asphalt Ends: Rock-Crawling Confidence

If the highway is a gentle handshake, the rocks of Ouray are a full-on wrestling match. This is where Mickey Thompson’s pioneering technology—the aggressive sidebiters—stepped up to the plate.


Close-up of a muddy tire with "Mickey Thompson" text and rugged treads, suggesting off-road usage. Warm, earthy tones dominate. There is closeup of the tires side biters tire lugs.
Side Biters On these tires are super effective especially when the tires are aired down to 20 PSI.
Stacked black tires on pavement; text reads "Mickey Thompson" and "Baja Boss." Sunlit setting with a logo in the corner. Rugged texture.
These Side Biters are said to be 150% bigger than the old A/T tire. They make the sidewall nearly bombproof and the look cool as heck.

These deep, armor-like protrusions wrap around the sidewall, giving maximum traction and protection where the tread runs out. They bit hard into the obstacles we faced, proving that these hybrid all-terrains are wearing a truly tough suit of armor. Plus, the revolutionary PowerPly XD 3-ply sidewall—the tire's spine, if you will—gave me all the puncture resistance and stability I needed to crawl through that mess with zero worry. It's a combination of engineering prowess and pure grit.


Verdict After the First Stretch: Durability and Confidence

Five thousand miles is just the first hill climb, but the wear so far is impressive. The tires are wearing perfectly flat, a testament to their tough build and proper rotation. That's the kind of confidence you want in a tire with a 50,000-mile warranty—it's built true.

Off-road vehicle climbing rocky terrain, muddy tires visible. Rugged landscape in background. Badge reads "Outdoor Adventure Muddy Ruttzz".
We climbed to the top of Yankee Boy Trail and it ended in this tight area with sharp rocks we had to maneuver on. The Pizza Cutter Mickey Thompsons just worked great on all the different terrain we encountered.


No Tire Is Worth It If It Can't Be Mounted And Balanced Properly - Can You Say Death Wobble?

Jeep getting tire changed in a garage. Mechanic works beside a tire changer with a blue hose. "Muddy Ruttzz" logo in corner.
New Tire Day is awesome! I was on cloud nine when these 35x10x17 Baja Boss were getting installed. We took the highway to the desert as soon as these were mounted and I had a even better feeling.

The Mickey Thompsons balance perfectly and have stayed that way. They are wearing flat but I will do a chalk test just to see if how good they really are. It made me happy when we got our first 5,000 mile 4 tire rotation front to back and there was no vibration at all. Testament to the quality build. Another good thing about these tires, Made In The Good Old USA!

Close-up of a black tire showing "MADE IN THE U.S.A." in raised lettering. Additional safety warning text is visible below.
I like to buy USA made whenever possible.

One Quick Disclaimer: We haven't had them in deep mud or snow yet. While the 255/85R17 size carries the 3PMS symbol, certifying it for severe winter service, we’ll save that test for the high peaks with our little dog in tow. That full, complete review will have to wait for the 10,000-mile mark and a full year of hard use.


Close-up of a tire sidewall with winter tire symbol, M+S, LT25, and logo for "Muddy Rutzzz Outdoor Adventure" in the corner.
The 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol - 3PMSF - lets you know this tire in this size 255/85/17 is severe snow rated.

Conclusion:

The early verdict is clear: these Baja Boss A/T Pizza Cutters have delivered on their promise. They are a tough, efficient, and smooth performer on the road, with plenty of off-road bite when you need to leave a new trail.


White Jeep Gladiator Rubicon parked on a gravel path in a desert landscape. Blue sky, mountains in the background. "Muddy Rutzzz" logo visible.
2022 Gladiator Rubicon EcoDiesel with Mickey Thompson 35x10x17 Baja Boss A/T Tires Mounted on stock Rubicon Wheels. Took me 3 years to get this Gladiator built but I think it achieves a great balance between being a Daily Driver and Overlanding Rig.

Call to Action


This article is a companion piece to my video, "Pizza Cutters WIN? Baja Boss A/T 5K Review" For a visual guide, be sure to check out the video on my Muddy Ruttzz YouTube Channel! You can also find more of my DIY and bike-related content on my blog at MuddyRuttzz.com.



Merch Section

Support Muddy Ruttzz in Producing Quality Content. Use My Links. I will get a small commission when you do. (No extra cost to you.) Does not matter if you purchase the linked product I get credit for anything you purchase within 24 hours. Thanks!


Amazon Shopping


✅ - Great Selection Of Airdown Tools - https://amzn.to/4htQim1 (Amazon)

- Viar 400P Off-Road Compressor- https://amzn.to/47blh2D (Amazon)

- Warn Elite Bumper - https://amzn.to/4ns95PM (Amazon)

- Warn Winches - https://amzn.to/42ZuubO (Amazon)

- Use This Link To Shop On Amazon (https://amzn.to/4hinMDx)



- Dana Performance Diff Cover Wrangler JL Gladiator JT - https://ebay.us/DlpfWm

- Amasoil 75-90 Differential Fluid - https://ebay.us/jW9jka (eBay)

- Reinzosil Universal RTV - https://ebay.us/dv3vWr (eBay)



Smiling man sitting in car holding on to steering wheel. Car is yellow color and door is open. Grass is visible on the other side of the car. There is also add for ebay Motors.
Click Here To Find Parts On Ebay Motors!

✅ - Zarges Aluminum Cases - Best Made Overlanding Storage Cases. When you require the best protection for you gear. Bear Resitant available. (Zarges)


Stacked Zarges Aluminum Cases sitting next to a Jeep Gladiator.
Zarges Aluminum Cases

✅ - MERCH Availabe on Spreadshop - Awesome Original Design Shirts and Merch - Muddy Ruttzz Clothing.

Click Here to See my Zarges Blogpost.


As a Amazon Affiliate and Ebay Partner I receive a commission if you use my links to make a qualifying purchase. It does not raise the price you pay.






bottom of page