When it comes to desert racing and high-speed off-road adventures, tire durability can make the difference between reaching the finish line and sitting on the side of the trail with a puncture. MRT (Moto Race Tire) developed the Sonora DS UTV Tire for racers and aggressive recreational riders who demand maximum durability without sacrificing performance.
Designed by desert racers and tested in some of the harshest conditions in the Southwest, the Sonora DS combines reinforced construction, Kevlar protection and race-developed technology. MRT has now expanded the lineup with a redesigned 35-inch version created for modern high-horsepower UTVs.
New 35-Inch MRT Sonora DS
At the 2026 Sand Sports Super Show in Costa Mesa, California, MRT Tires introduced the new 35×9.5R15 Sonora DS. Although it retains the Sonora DS name and familiar narrow profile, this is more than a larger version of the original 33-inch tire. MRT redesigned the belt package, reinforced the sidewall and developed a new compound intended to provide greater longevity.
The new 35-inch Sonora DS begins with three NYCORE™ belts that allow the carcass to retain the flexibility needed to conform to rough terrain. MRT then adds a Kevlar belt wrapped from bead to bead for puncture protection. This construction is designed to combine the compliance needed for traction with the strength required to survive rocks, high-speed impacts and long desert races.
Stronger Sidewall Protection
MRT reinforced the sidewall of the new 35-inch Sonora DS to make it stronger than before. The carcass is supplemented by MRT’s D-Fense Sidewall Protection, which places additional protection along the exposed sidewall to help defend against cuts, punctures and impacts.
The tire is backed by MRT’s one-year sidewall warranty, an important benefit for racers and recreational riders traveling through remote desert terrain where a sidewall failure can end the day.
New Longer-Wearing Compound
In addition to the revised construction, MRT developed a new 63-durometer compound for the 35-inch Sonora DS. The new formulation is intended to increase tire life for racers and owners of powerful UTVs without compromising the durability and performance expected from the Sonora DS.
The tire uses 14mm of tread depth, equivalent to approximately 17.6/32 inch. Its relatively narrow 9.5-inch width should help it track inside desert ruts while limiting the steering effort and rotating mass associated with wider 35-inch tires.
35-Inch MRT Sonora DS Specifications
- Size: 35×9.5R15
- Weight: 48 pounds
- Construction: Three NYCORE belts with a Kevlar belt wrapped bead to bead
- Ply rating: 8-ply
- Compound: New 63-durometer formulation
- Tread depth: 14mm, or approximately 17.6/32 inch
- Load rating: 1,610 pounds per tire
- Sidewall: Reinforced construction with D-Fense Sidewall Protection
- Warranty: MRT one-year sidewall warranty
Durability Without Excessive Weight
At a claimed 48 pounds, the new Sonora DS is relatively light for a 35-inch desert tire with reinforced sidewalls and bead-to-bead Kevlar protection. Keeping tire weight under control is especially important on a UTV because heavier tires increase rotating and unsprung mass, which can affect acceleration, braking, steering response and suspension performance.
The combination of a 48-pound weight, 1,610-pound load rating and narrow 9.5-inch profile should make the new Sonora DS particularly appealing for powerful sport UTVs used in high-speed desert terrain. Moving from a comparable 33-inch tire to a 35-inch tire can also provide approximately one additional inch of ground clearance.
The new 35-inch Sonora DS is available through participating MRT dealers and directly from MRT Tires.
MRT Sonora DS UTV Tire
Original 33-Inch Sonora DS
The original 33×9.5R15 Sonora DS was developed with a clear goal: build a tire capable of handling the punishment of desert racing while maintaining the traction, stability and reliability needed for long-distance off-road competition. MRT collaborated with experienced racers to develop a tire capable of withstanding sharp rocks, cactus, high-speed impacts and extreme heat commonly encountered in desert environments.
MRT Sonora DS Tire
The original 33-inch Sonora DS uses MRT’s 6X Kevlar construction wrapped from bead to bead. This construction is intended to provide puncture resistance and durability throughout the carcass while retaining the flexibility needed for traction in rough terrain.
33-Inch Sonora DS Key Features
- 6X Kevlar wrapped bead-to-bead construction
- D-Fense Sidewall Protection
- Reinforced Apex Bead design
- DOT-compliant construction
- 8-ply rating
- 17.5/32-inch tread depth
- Load rating of 1,480 pounds per tire
- MRT one-year sidewall warranty
MRT’s D-Fense Sidewall Protection adds another layer of defense against the cuts and impacts commonly encountered during aggressive off-road use. The reinforced Apex Bead is designed to reduce the likelihood of pinch flats when navigating rocks, ledges and rough racecourses.
MRT Sonora DS Tire
Lightweight Strength
In the off-road world, durability often comes at the expense of weight. MRT sought to balance strength and performance through advanced materials and race-inspired engineering. The original 33×9.5R15 Sonora DS weighs approximately 45 pounds while providing the puncture resistance and structural integrity required for desert use.
The relatively narrow 9.5-inch section width helps reduce steering effort while maintaining precise handling. This profile can also help the tire follow established desert ruts instead of continually trying to climb out of them.
MRT Sonora DS Tire
Race-Proven Performance
MRT’s racing program has helped validate the durability and performance of the Sonora DS in real-world competition. The company developed the tire using experience gained in demanding desert and Ultra4 events, where puncture resistance, sidewall strength and predictable handling can determine whether a team reaches the finish.
Lessons learned through racing also contributed to the continued development of the Sonora DS and the revised construction used for the new 35-inch model.
For riders who regularly encounter sharp rocks, desert terrain and long-distance off-road routes, the Sonora DS is designed to provide a combination of puncture resistance, sidewall protection and predictable high-speed performance.
MRT Sonora DS Tire
MRT Sonora DS Sizes and Specifications
The Sonora DS lineup includes two narrow UTV tire sizes for 15-inch wheels, but each uses its own construction and specifications:
- 33×9.5R15: Original 6X Kevlar construction, approximately 45 pounds and a 1,480-pound load rating
- 35×9.5R15: Updated three-belt NYCORE construction with a bead-to-bead Kevlar belt, 48 pounds and a 1,610-pound load rating
Buyers should compare the specifications for each size rather than assuming the new 35-inch tire is simply a scaled-up version of the original Sonora DS.
Final Thoughts
The introduction of the redesigned 35×9.5R15 model expands the Sonora DS beyond its original 33-inch desert-racing application. Its new NYCORE and Kevlar belt package, reinforced sidewall, 63-durometer compound and 1,610-pound load rating are designed for the increased speed, weight and power of current high-performance UTVs.
Just as importantly, MRT held the claimed weight to 48 pounds. That gives racers and aggressive recreational riders a larger tire with approximately one inch of additional ground clearance over a comparable 33-inch tire without the excessive rotating mass associated with many heavy-duty 35s.
Whether competing in desert races, exploring remote backcountry routes or looking for additional protection against punctures and sidewall damage, the Sonora DS lineup offers two distinct options built around durability and high-speed off-road performance.
About MRT
MRT (Moto Race Tire) specializes in high-performance off-road tires and wheels developed through racing and real-world testing. Its UTV lineup includes Kevlar-reinforced tires designed for desert racing, rocky terrain and demanding recreational use. For more information, visit MRT Tires.
