The Best Traction Boards for Emergency Use and Off-Road Recovery in 2024

Reseating a tire bead with a flammable substance (think starter fluid) also needs to be mentioned, along with an off-road bumper outfitted with a winch. The question is, what if you don't own a true 4x4 such as the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota Land Cruiser, and so forth? In this case, you'll need the right kind of tires and – at the very least – a pair of traction boards.

Compatible with both regular cars and body-on-frame overlanders, traction boards come in either rigid or flexible guises. Easy to transport due to their compact dimensions, traction boards facilitate your vehicle's recovery in many scenarios. Be it sand, rocks, wet grass, mud, snow, and pretty much anything in between, these devices provide additional traction. Rigid boards can also be used as impromptu shovels to dig sand away from the driven tires.

When it comes to snow, also consider creating two snow tracks in front of the traction boards, with said tracks acting as a runway once you regain traction. Airing down the tires also helps because this increases the tire's footprint, which – in turn – spreads the vehicle's weight over a larger surface area. That said, let's go over the best traction boards for off-road recovery and emergency use available in 2024, beginning with an affordable set of traction mats.

Portable Tow Truck Portable Traction Mats

Not intended for serious off-road scenarios, the portable traction mats from Portable Tow Truck are roll-up traction devices that cost much less than a towing service. Especially useful if you live in the Northeast, these mats are foolproof as well.

Engage the parking brake, wedge the traction mats under the vehicle's drive wheels, apply throttle, get to safer ground, and that would be that. Do make sure that the small, angled cleats face the vehicle's tires. Also important is making sure the "This Side Up" markings face the direction in which you need to move.

BUNKER INDUST Foldable Traction Mats

Hailing from Spokane in Washington State, the peeps at BUNKER INDUST offer a variety of recovery devices, including foldable traction mats. Each mat is 10.23 inches (26 centimeters) long folded. Not recommended for mud, these mats are made of low temperature- and UV-resistant polypropylene.

36.3 inches (92.3 centimeters) long unfolded, the BUNKER INDUST foldable traction mats feature wear-resistant teeth. Not as sturdy as traction boards due to their design, these extremely compact mats should be more than adequate for emergency use. At the moment of writing, the mats cost $49.99 on Amazon. You can knock $10 off the aforementioned price upon approval for the Amazon Store Card.

Reliancer Roll-Up Tracks

Boasting 0.15-inch galvanized steel connecting cables, the Reliancer roll-up tracks are constructed of thermoplastic rubber. Incorrectly described as being indestructible, said tracks can support up to 7 tons, which is 15,432 pounds in the imperial system. The anti-skid textured surface offers a firm base against slippery, unstable ground. Suitable for any kind of passenger vehicle, Reliancer's devices measure 31.5 inches (80 centimeters) by 8.6 inches (21.8 cm).

Rolled up, they measure 9 inches (22.8 centimeters) in length, 6.6 (16.7) in width, and 5.6 (14.2) in height. Reliancer sweetens the deal with two carrying bags for easy storage in your vehicle's trunk or bed. Especially good for snowy and icy conditions, these roll-up tracks aren't adequate for boggy mud.

STEGODON Traction Boards

Available in red, orange, and black, STEGODON traction boards can accommodate vehicles no heavier than 10 tons or 22,046 pounds. Designed to bend at up to 130 degrees, the boards are made of reinforced nylon and weigh 10.36 pounds (4.7 kilograms). Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars, these boards double as digging shovels. The thinner ends, however, may put some customers off due to durability concerns.

According to an Amazon customer who bought a set in 2020 and didn't use the boards until 2022 to free their Toyota 4Runner from sand on two separate occasions, "the tip of one of the boards developed two very minor cracks after the second use." However, at $59.99 with free delivery, it's hard to beat the STEGODONs in terms of value for money.

OULEME Traction Boards with Jack Base

OULEME tractions boards may cost a bit more, but as you can tell from their design, these boards are more versatile than the STEGODONs due to their jack base function. The board center accommodates both round and square jacks, providing a stable base for said jacks on soft or uneven terrain.

Made of high-density polyethylene in China, the boards can withstand temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit (-22 degrees Celsius). Although the manufacturer didn't offer any weight rating, an Amazon customer did use OULEME traction boards to get their articulating loader out of soft soil without any cracking on the spade-shaped ends.

ALL-TOP Mini Traction Boards

In case of limited trunk space, ALL-TOP is much obliged to sell you a set of mini traction boards. How mini is mini, though? As opposed to 41.7 inches (105.9 centimeters) for the OULEME, these babies measure 22.6 inches (57.4 centimeters) in length.

Listed with a rather impressive load capacity of 22,000 pounds (9,979 kilograms), the boards can be had with mounting screws and nuts. ALL-TOP mini traction boards are available in black, gray, and orange. They're currently priced at $69.99 on Amazon, including the mounting kit. If you don't need the mounting kit, that would be $49.99 for the pair.

BUNKER INDUST Traction Boards

Contoured for both on- and off-road tires, BUNKER INDUST traction boards feature strengthened teeth, a double ramp design, and four mounting holes. Each board measures 38.38 by 12.9 inches, meaning 97.48 and 32.76 centimeters. The manufacturer promises 120-degree bending without fracture thanks to "engineering-grade reinforced nylon," although there are customers who experienced cracks or worse.

There's no denying that better traction boards do exist, but even the most expensive traction boards will crack or break due to repeated usage. Speaking of which, would you spend $69.99 on these or pony up four to five times more for a more premium set of boards from a well-known brand such as ARB?

ORCISH Traction Boards with Jack Base

Made of automotive-grade polypropylene, ORCISH traction boards can be had for as little as $83.99 at the moment of reporting. Out of 1,192 reviews on Amazon, the average rating is 4.6 out of 5 stars because they're super versatile and super tough.

Amazon user Rebecca B. owns a GMC Sierra 3500 pop-up camper truck, which she recovered by herself multiple times using ORCISH traction boards. She also built a bridge using two sets, leveled her rig while camped, used them as a walkway in the mud, and recovered other trucks. Despite this abuse, "they have not broken, and the nubs are still on them."

BUNKER INDUST Traction Boards with Jack Base

The latest generation of BUNKER INDUST traction boards flaunt an interlocked diamond array that allows the boards to be bent to 120 degrees without giving up the ghost. Weighing in at 14.7 pounds (6.7 kilograms) per pair, they can withstand up to 10 tons on level ground. Emphasis on level ground.

The bottom adopts the same interlocked diamond array as the top, and – unless you're into hardcore overlanding – these $87,99 boards certainly fit the bill. One customer used them twice in the winter of 2022 – 2023 with no cracking whatsoever, whereas a different customer got his Ford F-250 Super Duty with 35-inch tires unstuck from wet mud.

Rough Country Traction Boards

Backed up by a lifetime replacement warranty, Rough Country's traction boards are made from a high-density material and feature prominent studs for increased traction. Gifted with a ramped end for easy entry and exit, the Rough Country traction boards are advertised as "a great first line of defense in any recovery scenario," including snow and ice.

Each set includes an RC-branded carrying case. Similar to the BUNKER INDUST traction boards from earlier, these pricier boards are rated at 10 tons on flat ground. 45 inches (114.3 centimeters) long, the RCs weigh 12.8 pounds (5.8 kilograms).

X-BULL Gen 3 Traction Boards

Slightly more expensive than the Rough Country boards, X-BULL Gen 3 traction boards will set you back $107.90 for the pair. But as opposed to the RCs, these boards come with a 12-month warranty. Available in a choice of nine finishes, the boards are advertised with a bending angle of 90 degrees and operating temperatures of -4 F (-20 C) to 140 F (60 C).

"This is the second snow season for me with the tracks," one customer wrote on Amazon back in January 2023. "I have rescued at least three cars and one 2WD truck that was stuck in snow with them." A different customer used X-BULL traction boards to get a school bus unstuck from a shallow ditch, which is a testament to how durable these boards are.

Fieryred Traction Boards

Yet another brand you probably haven't heard of, Fieryred appears to have taken inspiration from ARB for this set of reasonably-priced traction boards. As opposed to the $328 ARB TRED Pro, the Fieryred traction boards cost three times less. Exclusively black with orange teeth made of high-strength nylon, the traction boards can bend up to 140 degrees.

44.69 inches (113.5 centimeters) long, each board can be securely mounted to your vehicle thanks to 18 keyholes. Only 2 percent of 198 ratings are 1 star, whereas 71 percent came from customers who rated these boards 5 stars. The most relevant of the bunch is from a customer who got his Class A two-wheel-drive motorhome out of soft sand. "Later that weekend, we actually helped a Ford F-250 that was stuck in some dunes. They also worked for him."

DV8 Offroad Traction Boards

Arizona-based DV8 Offroad is one of the most respected off-road equipment manufacturers out there. It should come as no surprise that DV8 Offroad traction boards are relatively expensive at $139.99 for the pair, but then again, these well-designed boards won't disappoint you in off-road scenarios.

Available in black, red, green, and olive, said traction boards feature a built-in jack base. Stackable to save cargo space, DV8 Offroad traction boards can withstand the industry-standard 10 tons of compression. Mounting holes enable mounting on an off-road rack. DV8 Offroad currently offers bed racks for the Jeep Gladiator and 2005 to 2023 model year Toyota Tacoma at $699.99 or a two-piece universal bed rack for full-size trucks at 1,099.99 bucks.

Pinto GoTreads Folding Traction Mats

Manufacturer in Kansas by a family-operated company, the Pinto GoTreads rolled out in 1991. Advertised as the original folding traction tool, the Pinto GoTreads can be used as traction mats or leveling blocks. Made of polypropylene copolymer, which is more durable than homopolymer polypropylene, these mats are rated 4.4 out of 5.

Be it a snowy parking lot, a muddy road, a sandy beach, or an unpaved campsite, you can't go wrong with these folding mats. Better still, the folding design also means that GoTreads fit behind the rear seats of a two-door Wrangler. However, bear in mind this traction tool isn't meant to bridge gaps.

Rhino USA Traction Boards with Jack Base

Rhino USA traction boards also come from an American-owned, family-operated company. 90 cents pricier than the GoTreads, the Rhinos are compatible with tires as large as 44 by 12.50 by 15 inches (as found on custom-built overlanders). For reference, the most you can go with the F-150 Raptor from the factory is 37 by 12.50 by 17 inches.

Made in China rather than the United States of America, the Rhino USA traction boards can be stacked to cross washouts and creek beds. Each set includes two retrieval leashes, yet mounting hardware needs to be purchased separately.

Smittybilt Element Ramps

Smittybilt Element Ramps are held in high regard by off-road enthusiasts. The high-traction surface can get your vehicle out of any type of loose terrain, with each ramp supporting up to 7,700 pounds (3,493 kilograms). Made of heavy-duty nylon reinforced plastic, the Element Ramps retail at $156.24.

Beefy and flexible, Smittybilt Element Ramps were used by Class 11 racer Dennis Hollenbeck in the San Felipe 250, Baja 500, and the far more prestigious Baja 1000. "We used these countless times when we got stuck in the sand or silt," said Hollenbeck.

Maxsa 20322 Escaper Buddy Metal Gripped Traction Boards

The Maxsa Escaper Buddy is also rated highly, regardless of model. 20322 stands for metal grips that provide additional grip to get your vehicle out of any tough spot. Made in Taiwan, the 20322 model is more compact than the Escaper Buddy Heavy Duty, XL, and Connectable siblings. The XL is listed with 59 inches (149.8 centimeters) to its name, whereas the 20322 measures 34 inches (86 centimeters).

The 20322 is tapered at both ends to shovel away sand from the stuck tires, and the heavy-duty construction ensures high-impact strength. Other highlights include treads on both sides and raised tracks that prevent the tires from spinning out.

BUNKER INDUST Traction Boards with Steel Plates

These traction boards were clearly inspired by the 20322, yet level up on the 20322 with steel plates for both ends. They're also much longer at 47.24 inches (120 centimeters), and BUNKER INDUST further waxes lyrical about replaceable teeth. Compatible with a wide range of jacks, the steel-plated traction boards are wide (14 inches or 35.5 centimeters), which prevents sinking in soft ground or fine sand.

They're not exactly cheap, though. At $199.99 on Amazon, you could get four sets of BUNKER INDUST foldable traction mats for the same money. Be that as it may, the mats in question play second fiddle to the boards in extreme off-road scenarios.

MAXTRAX MKII Traction Boards

The Aussies know a thing or two about driving through inhospitable terrain. Despite being equipped with traditional recovery equipment, MAXTRAX founder Bary McCarthy almost lost his vehicle to the incoming tide on a fateful day in 2001. The Australian company's original traction boards rolled out in 2005, winning 4WD 24/7 magazine's award for best new product under 500 bucks. Australian, that is, meaning 335 freedom eagles.

The MKI traction boards have been superseded by MAXTRAX MKII traction boards, which are rated at 4.9 stars out of 5 on Amazon. Offered with a lifetime warranty and large cleats that sink their teeth into the tire tread and terrain under the boards, the MKIIs measure 46 inches (116.8 centimeters) and tip the scales at 17 pounds (7.7 kilograms). The MKII won Best New Product at the 2010 SEMA Show.

ARB TRED Pro Traction Boards

Similarly priced to the MKIIs, the TRED Pro traction boards from Aussie brand ARB are manufactured in Australia as well. These boards feature EXOTRED construction, which refers to flexible yet tough nylon for the board and glass-filled resin for the teeth.

Coming with a lifetime guarantee, TRED Pro traction boards are rated at up to 9,900 pounds (4,491 kilograms). Weighing in at 18.08 pounds (8.2 kilograms), the ARBs are said to outperform any other traction aid in the market. Truth be told, it's really a toss-up between these and the MKIIs.