Best Traction Boards · head-to-head

ARB TRED Pro Black/Black Recovery Boards (Pair) vs Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair)

A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair) is cheaper at $169.99. Every spec and price links to its source.

Which is better: the ARB TRED Pro Black/Black Recovery Boards (Pair) or Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair)?

On the specs we track, they're closely matched. The Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair) is the cheaper at $169.99.

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Full spec sheet

marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.

Spec ARB TRED Pro Black/Black Recovery Boards (Pair) Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair)
US price $359.95 $169.99
BrandARBSmittybilt
Released
Load capacity (lb) 9900 20000
Material (nylon / tpo) Nylon-blend, patented EXOTRED dual-composite construction Heavy-duty nylon-reinforced plastic
Length (in) 45.67 47
Width (in) 12.99 13
Thickness (in) 2.56
Weight (lb, per pair unless noted) 18.08
Tread / nub design Patented SIPE-LOCK grip profile with Progressive Variable Tooth Design engineered to match tire sipes; dedicated entry/exit points and contoured ramp shape High-traction grip surface; boards double as an emergency dig-out shovel
Temperature resistance -15C to 70C (5F to 158F) ambient
Mounting pin compatibility Not specified by ARB; sold without a dedicated roof-rack mounting kit Not specified; universal (vehicle-agnostic) fit
Sold as pair pair

Sources — ARB TRED Pro Black/Black Recovery Boards (Pair): store.arbusa.com (verified 2026-08-09). Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair): smittybilt.com (verified 2026-08-09).

What's the difference between the ARB TRED Pro Black/Black Recovery Boards (Pair) and Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair)?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (6 of 10). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Load capacity (lb): ARB TRED Pro Black/Black Recovery Boards (Pair) 9900 vs Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair) 20000
  • Material (nylon / tpo): ARB TRED Pro Black/Black Recovery Boards (Pair) Nylon-blend, patented EXOTRED dual-composite construction vs Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair) Heavy-duty nylon-reinforced plastic
  • Length (in): ARB TRED Pro Black/Black Recovery Boards (Pair) 45.67 vs Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair) 47
  • Width (in): ARB TRED Pro Black/Black Recovery Boards (Pair) 12.99 vs Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair) 13
  • Tread / nub design: ARB TRED Pro Black/Black Recovery Boards (Pair) Patented SIPE-LOCK grip profile with Progressive Variable Tooth Design engineered to match tire sipes; dedicated entry/exit points and contoured ramp shape vs Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair) High-traction grip surface; boards double as an emergency dig-out shovel
  • Mounting pin compatibility: ARB TRED Pro Black/Black Recovery Boards (Pair) Not specified by ARB; sold without a dedicated roof-rack mounting kit vs Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair) Not specified; universal (vehicle-agnostic) fit

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