I read stories like that for every tire on the market, regardless of which tire is being talked about.
MT/R is not the same as Duratrac... i wouldn't say that the Goodyear Fortera would outperform the STT just cause it's a Goodyear. lol maybe your buddy just doesn't know how to drive

In any case, i still wouldn't recommend the Duratrac over STT's if "mud" is the primary terrain. I've seen the STT's on plenty of wheeling rigs and they're nothing to scoff at (IMO of course... experience will vary).