Best Traction Boards · head-to-head

MAXTRAX MKII 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 MAXTRAX MKII 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.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.

Full spec sheet

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

Spec MAXTRAX MKII Recovery Boards (Pair) Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair)
US price $279 $169.99
BrandMAXTRAXSmittybilt
Released
Load capacity (lb) 20000
Material (nylon / tpo) UV-stabilized, fiber-reinforced engineering-grade nylon Heavy-duty nylon-reinforced plastic
Length (in) 45 47
Width (in) 13 13
Thickness (in) 3.5
Weight (lb, per pair unless noted) 16
Tread / nub design Aggressive large cleats with double-edged (reversible) tread face, keyhole accessory mounting points, six built-in carry handles and an integrated shovel/dig-out blade on each end High-traction grip surface; boards double as an emergency dig-out shovel
Temperature resistance
Mounting pin compatibility Keyhole-style accessory mounting points; compatible with MAXTRAX-branded mounting hardware Not specified; universal (vehicle-agnostic) fit
Sold as pair pair

Sources — MAXTRAX MKII Recovery Boards (Pair): maxtrax.com.au (verified 2026-08-09). Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair): smittybilt.com (verified 2026-08-09).

What's the difference between the MAXTRAX MKII Recovery Boards (Pair) and Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair)?

Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (4 of 10). Matching specs are omitted.

  • Material (nylon / tpo): MAXTRAX MKII Recovery Boards (Pair) UV-stabilized, fiber-reinforced engineering-grade nylon vs Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair) Heavy-duty nylon-reinforced plastic
  • Length (in): MAXTRAX MKII Recovery Boards (Pair) 45 vs Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair) 47
  • Tread / nub design: MAXTRAX MKII Recovery Boards (Pair) Aggressive large cleats with double-edged (reversible) tread face, keyhole accessory mounting points, six built-in carry handles and an integrated shovel/dig-out blade on each end vs Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair) High-traction grip surface; boards double as an emergency dig-out shovel
  • Mounting pin compatibility: MAXTRAX MKII Recovery Boards (Pair) Keyhole-style accessory mounting points; compatible with MAXTRAX-branded mounting hardware vs Smittybilt 2890 Recovery Traction Boards (Pair) Not specified; universal (vehicle-agnostic) fit

← All traction boards compared · Open data