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Recovery boards (traction boards) are the first tool most overlanders reach for when a wheel spins in sand, mud or snow: the cleats grip the tire tread and the ground so the vehicle can drive back out. The six below come from two Australian makers and range from a 3.9-pound board to a board with replaceable metal teeth.
Every specification on this page comes from the manufacturer’s own product page, checked on 26 October 2026. We have not used these products ourselves, so the picks are based on published specifications only.
For the full recovery process and safety rules, read off-road recovery basics.
How we chose these
- Material and construction stated by the maker.
- Size, weight and what is in the box listed.
- Load rating or strength claim published where the maker gives one.
- Warranty stated.
Load ratings are the makers’ own and are not measured the same way by both companies, so treat them as a guide rather than a direct comparison. TRED states its ratings per axle and per vehicle.
Comparison table
| Board | Material | Size | Weight | Teeth / grip | Rating or strength claim (maker) | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAXTRAX LITE | Impact-resistant thermoplastic | 35 in long | 3.9 lb each | 66 teeth | Not stated | Lifetime |
| MAXTRAX MKII | UV-stabilized engineering-grade reinforced nylon | 45 x 13 in (1150 x 330 mm) | 7.5 lb (3.4 kg) each | Large cleats | Wraps around a 33 in tire without breaking (University of Queensland, per MAXTRAX) | Limited lifetime |
| TRED GT | Automotive-grade polypropylene | Not listed in text | Not listed in text | Not described | Max 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) per axle | See TRED |
| TRED Pro | Engineered nylon (custom blend) | Not listed in text | Not listed in text | Not described | Max 2,250 kg (4,960 lb) per axle; vehicle to 4,500 kg (9,920 lb) | See TRED |
| TRED HD | Engineered nylon (custom blend), high flex | Not listed in text | Not listed in text | Not described | Max 2,250 kg (4,960 lb) per axle; vehicle to 4,500 kg (9,920 lb) | See TRED |
| MAXTRAX XTREME | Heavy-duty reinforced nylon with alloy teeth | Not listed in text | 9 kg per pair | 88 replaceable hard-anodized alloy teeth | Not stated | Lifetime |
“Not listed in text” means the product description does not give the figure; check the maker’s spec sheet.
1. MAXTRAX LITE: for light vehicles and tight storage
The LITE is MAXTRAX’s lightweight board: 3.9 pounds each, which MAXTRAX says is 48% lighter than its MKII, and 35 inches long. It keeps a shovel at both ends, four handles and mounting pin holes, and it can be linked to other MAXTRAX boards.
- Australian made (MAXTRAX).
Pros: lightest board here; links with other MAXTRAX boards; lifetime warranty.
Cons: shorter footprint than full-size boards; MAXTRAX gives no load figure on the page.
Check the MAXTRAX LITE on Amazon
2. MAXTRAX MKII: the standard full-size board
The MKII is the board most people picture: 45 inches long, flexible reinforced nylon, six built-in handles, a shovel at either end and keyhole points for mounting. A pair stacks to 3.5 inches tall. MAXTRAX says the University of Queensland found it can wrap completely around a 33-inch tire without breaking.
- In the box: 2 boards and 2 orange telltale leashes, so you can find buried boards (MAXTRAX).
- Limited lifetime warranty against faulty materials and workmanship.
Pros: full-size footprint; flexible nylon; leashes included.
Cons: almost twice the weight of the LITE.
Check the MAXTRAX MKII on Amazon
3. TRED GT Recovery Board: for travelers in mild climates
TRED’s GT board is made of automotive-grade polypropylene with a rigid profile. TRED rates it for ambient temperatures from 0 to 55 °C (32 to 131 °F), so it is aimed at warm-weather trips, and sells it as a pair with leashes.
- TRED states a vehicle-weight limit as well; its page gives 4,500 kg alongside 8,800 lb, which do not match, so check with TRED.
- Sold as a pair, leashes included.
Pros: pair with leashes; clear per-axle rating.
Cons: narrowest temperature range here, not for snow; size and weight not in the description.
Check the TRED GT Recovery Board on Amazon
4. TRED Pro Recovery Boards: for a nylon board with a higher rating
TRED Pro is the company’s main nylon board, developed and made in Australia, for 4WDs, ATVs and equipment stuck in sand, mud or snow. TRED rates it at 2,250 kg per axle or a vehicle up to 4,500 kg, and sells it as a pair with leashes.
- Made in Australia; sold as a pair with leashes (TRED).
Pros: higher load rating than the GT; nylon build.
Cons: TRED’s description does not give size, weight or working temperatures.
Check the TRED Pro Recovery Boards on Amazon
5. TRED HD Recovery Boards: for flex on uneven ground and cold weather
The HD is TRED’s flexible board: TRED says its nylon blend lets it flex under a vehicle on uneven ground while keeping pressure on the tire. Its all-season formulation is rated from -15 to 70 °C (5 to 158 °F), the widest range TRED lists.
- Sold as a pair with leashes (TRED).
Pros: flexes on uneven ground; wide temperature range for snow trips.
Cons: size and weight not in TRED’s description.
Check the TRED HD Recovery Boards on Amazon
6. MAXTRAX XTREME: for the hardest use, with replaceable metal teeth
XTREME boards have 88 hard-anodized alloy teeth over-molded into a heavy-duty nylon body. If a tooth is damaged it can be replaced in the field with a T-50 Torx bit. MAXTRAX says the XTREME was developed with feedback from military units, off-road racers and expedition leaders, and it nests with MKII boards and fits MAXTRAX mounting pins and linking kits.
- Six glove-friendly handles; 9 kg per pair; 2 boards and orange leashes included (MAXTRAX).
- Designed and made in Australia; lifetime warranty.
Pros: metal teeth for grip; field-replaceable teeth; nests with MKII.
Cons: heaviest option here.
Check the MAXTRAX XTREME on Amazon
Which one fits you
| You drive | Look at | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A small SUV or crossover, limited space | MAXTRAX LITE | 3.9 lb each, 35 in |
| A mid-size 4WD on mixed trips | MAXTRAX MKII or TRED Pro | Full-size nylon boards |
| Snow and cold-weather trips | TRED HD | Rated down to -15 °C (5 °F) |
| Heavy rigs, hard use, deep sand | MAXTRAX XTREME | Alloy teeth you can replace |
Practical tips
- Keep the leashes attached so buried boards are easy to find.
- Learn the recovery steps before your trip; see off-road recovery basics.
Sources
Specifications from each manufacturer’s product page, checked 26 October 2026: MAXTRAX LITE, MAXTRAX MKII, TRED GT Recovery Board, TRED Pro Recovery Boards, TRED HD Recovery Boards, MAXTRAX XTREME. Makers can change specifications; check the product page before you buy.
