Falken WildPeak A/T Trail Review

When you’re looking for the right tires for your vehicle, the Falken WildPeak A/T Trail might catch your eye. It’s especially appealing if you need both off-road toughness and on-road comfort. But what makes this tire stand out in the crowded all-terrain market? Could it be the best choice for your crossover or SUV?

The Falken WildPeak A/T Trail offers a solid mix of off-road ability and on-road comfort, making it a versatile choice for crossover and SUV drivers who want reliable all-season performance. However, some users have noted concerns like increased road noise and less confident handling in heavy rain.

In this article, we’ll take a close look at the Falken WildPeak A/T Trail. We’ll examine how it performs on different terrains, its durability, and comfort levels. We’ll also compare it to other tires in its class. Plus, we’ll point out any drawbacks and suggest some alternatives so you can make the best choice.

Understanding All-Terrain Tire Categories

All-terrain tires come in four main types:

1. On-Road All-Terrain: These tires are focused on on-road driving but can handle some off-road use. They offer a comfortable ride and low noise. They’re designed for drivers who mostly stay on paved roads but occasionally go off-road. They also have reasonable winter traction.
2. Off-Road All-Terrain: These tires are balanced for both on-road and off-road use. They’re tougher than highway tires and can handle more off-road conditions. They might be a bit noisier and less comfortable than on-road tires, but they still have good on-road manners and reasonable winter traction.
3. Rugged Terrain (R/T): These tires look aggressive and have moderate off-road ability. They’re focused on off-road toughness and traction in loose terrain. Drivers may notice more noise and less comfort on the road, but they perform well off-road. They have modest winter traction.
4. Mud Terrain (M/T): These tires are made for maximum off-road traction, especially in mud. They sacrifice on-road comfort, noise, and wear life. They have modest winter traction and are less suitable for everyday driving on paved roads.

The Falken WildPeak A/T Trail is an On-Road All-Terrain tire. It’s designed to give you good on-road performance and comfort, with some off-road capability.

Side-By-Side Comparison

Price Comparison

Off-Road Performance

Wet Performance

Dry Performance

Winter/Snow Performance

Comfort Performance

Treadwear Performance

Falken WildPeak A/T Trail

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Customer Rating

Overall Rating

9.0 of 10

Wet Weather

9.1 of 10

Winter Weather

8.7 of 10

All Terrain

9.0 of 10

Tread Wear

8.9 of 10

Dry Weather

9.2 of 10

Ride Comfort

8.8 of 10

UTQG

Uniform Tire Quality Grade

UTQG Treadwear Rating: 680

UTQG Traction Rating: A

UTQG Temperature Rating: A

Mileage Warranty

6 Years / 65,000 Miles

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Key Performance Metrics

The Falken WildPeak A/T Trail is an impressive On-Road All-Terrain tire designed for crossover and SUV drivers who want a good mix of off-road ability and on-road comfort. Falken has worked hard to create a tire that aims to meet the expectations in its category.

This tire stands out because it performs well on different terrains, thanks to its special tread design and materials. It gets high ratings in off-road conditions like dirt, sand, mud, and rocks, showing it can handle challenging landscapes. It also does well in wet and dry conditions, offering good hydroplaning resistance and traction.

Falken’s focus on safety and performance is clear in the tire’s winter ratings. It performs above average in light and deep snow, and has decent traction on ice. The A/T Trail is also made for comfort, with a smooth ride and efforts to control noise for a pleasant driving experience.

However, some drivers have noted that the tire can be noisier than expected, especially at higher speeds. There are mixed reviews about its handling in heavy rain or standing water, with some feeling less confident compared to other tires. While it does well in light snow, its performance in deep snow may not match that of dedicated winter tires.

Overall, the Falken WildPeak A/T Trail offers a solid blend of off-road readiness and on-road comfort. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for versatility, but it’s important to consider these points based on your driving needs.

OFF-ROAD PERFORMANCE

The Falken WildPeak A/T Trail does a great job when you take it off-road. It has excellent ratings in this area:

• Dirt Traction: 9.2/10 – The tire grips well on dirt roads, giving you confidence when driving on loose surfaces.
• Sand Traction: 8.9/10 – It performs well on sandy terrain, helping you avoid getting stuck.
• Mud Traction: 8.8/10 – The tire handles muddy conditions reliably, though it’s not as aggressive as a mud-terrain tire.
• Rock Traction: 9.0/10 – It provides good grip on rocky surfaces, reducing slippage and improving control.

These high scores show that the WildPeak A/T Trail is capable on various off-road terrains. However, since it’s an On-Road All-Terrain tire, it balances off-road ability with on-road comfort. If you need maximum off-road traction in very rough conditions, you might consider a more aggressive tire.

TREAD WEAR AND LONGEVITY

The Falken WildPeak A/T Trail has a Treadwear rating of 8.9/10, which is excellent. This means the tire is durable and should last a long time.

• Durable Construction: The tire is made with tough materials that help it stand up to rough trails and everyday driving.
• Even Wear: Its design helps the tread wear evenly, so you get consistent performance over the life of the tire.

However, some drivers have noticed that the tread life could be better, especially if you mostly drive on paved roads. If you plan to use these tires mainly for highway driving, you might find that they wear a bit faster than expected.

WET WEATHER PERFORMANCE

In wet conditions, the Falken WildPeak A/T Trail scores high, with an overall Wet rating of 9.1/10.

• Hydroplaning Resistance: 9.0/10 – The tire is good at channeling water away, which helps prevent hydroplaning.
• Wet Traction: 9.2/10 – It offers confident handling and braking in rainy weather.

However, despite the high average scores some drivers have reported that in heavy rain or standing water, the tire’s wet traction isn’t as strong as some leading all-terrain or dedicated highway tires. While it performs well in light to moderate rain, you might notice less confidence in very wet conditions.

DRY WEATHER PERFORMANCE

In dry conditions, the WildPeak A/T Trail performs exceptionally well, with a Dry rating of 9.2/10.

• Corner Stability: 9.1/10 – The tire holds steady during turns, giving you confidence on winding roads.
• Dry Traction: 9.4/10 – It grips the road strongly, improving control and acceleration.
• Steering Response: 9.1/10 – The tire responds well to steering inputs.

However, some drivers have noticed that the steering feels a bit less direct or slightly “soft” on pavement. This is a common trade-off for tires that focus on off-road grip. If you’re used to a more precise steering response, you might find this takes some getting used to.

WINTER PERFORMANCE

The Falken WildPeak A/T Trail has a Winter rating of 8.7/10, which is excellent.

• Light Snow Traction: 9.1/10 – The tire handles light snow very well.
• Deep Snow Traction: 8.8/10 – It performs well in deeper snow.
• Ice Traction: 8.2/10 – It has decent traction on ice.

While the tire does well in winter conditions, some users have noted that in very deep snow or severe winter weather, its performance is only moderate. It’s a solid choice for mild to moderate winter conditions, but if you often drive in heavy snow or icy roads, a dedicated winter tire might be better.

RIDE COMFORT AND NOISE LEVEL

The WildPeak A/T Trail offers good comfort, with a Comfort rating of 8.8/10.

• Ride Quality: 9.0/10 – The tire provides a smooth ride, absorbing bumps and road imperfections.
• Noise Level: 8.6/10 – It minimizes road noise for a quieter cabin.

However, some drivers have reported that the tire produces noticeable road noise, especially at higher speeds. This is somewhat expected with all-terrain tires, but if you’re used to very quiet highway tires, you might find the noise level higher than expected.

PROS

• Excellent off-road performance in various terrains.
• Strong wet and dry traction for reliable all-season performance.
• Good winter capability in light and moderate snow.
• Durable construction with even tread wear.
• Comfortable ride quality.

CONS

• Ice traction could be better for severe winter conditions.
• Some drivers notice increased road noise at higher speeds.
• Mixed reviews on wet traction in heavy rain or standing water.
• Slight drop in fuel efficiency due to aggressive tread pattern.
• Tread life may be shorter when used mostly on paved roads.
• Steering response may feel less direct compared to highway tires.

Falken WildPeak A/T Trail Problems

While the Falken WildPeak A/T Trail is a great all-around tire, there are some areas where it could be better. Here are some common concerns that drivers have mentioned:

Road Noise

Some drivers report that the tire makes noticeable road noise, especially at higher speeds. While it’s designed to be quieter than some other all-terrain tires, if you’re used to very quiet highway tires, you might find the noise level higher than expected.

Wet Traction in Heavy Rain

Although the tire performs well in light rain, some drivers feel less confident in heavy rain or standing water. They note that wet traction isn’t as strong compared to some leading all-terrain or highway tires.

Fuel Efficiency

A few drivers have noticed a small drop in fuel efficiency after switching to the WildPeak A/T Trail. This might be due to the tire’s more aggressive tread pattern designed for off-road traction.

Tread Life

While many users praise the tire’s durability, some have noted that the tread wears faster when the tire is used mainly on paved roads. If you mostly drive on highways, you might find that the tire doesn’t last as long as expected.

Winter Performance in Deep Snow

The tire does well in light snow, but some drivers say its performance in deep snow is only moderate. If you live in an area with severe winter weather, you might need a dedicated winter tire.

Steering Response

Some drivers feel that the tire’s steering response is a bit less direct or “soft” on pavement. This is common with tires that focus on off-road grip, but it might affect how the vehicle feels if you’re used to more precise steering.

Falken WildPeak A/T Trail Alternatives

If you’re considering the Falken WildPeak A/T Trail but want to explore other options, here are three alternatives that might suit your needs:

VREDESTEIN PINZA AT

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• Overall: A great choice if you want a tire with similar capabilities but with a focus on comfort and slightly better winter performance.
• Performance Highlights:
  • Off-Road: Very good, with strong dirt and sand traction.
  • Wet Weather: Excellent wet traction and hydroplaning resistance.
  • Winter Performance: Slightly better in deep snow and ice traction.
  • Ride Comfort and Tread Wear: Offers a quieter and smoother ride.

CONTINENTAL TERRAINCONTACT A/T

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• Overall: A good option if you mostly drive on roads and want excellent on-road performance and comfort.
• Performance Highlights:
  • Off-Road: Good, but not as strong as the WildPeak A/T Trail.
  • Wet Weather: Excellent wet traction and hydroplaning resistance.
  • Dry Weather: Outstanding handling and steering response.
  • Winter Performance: Good in light snow, but not as strong in deep snow or ice.
  • Comfort and Tread Wear: High marks for ride comfort and low noise.

Nitto Nomad Grappler

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• Overall: A good alternative if you want similar performance at a comparable price.
• Performance Highlights:
  • Off-Road: Excellent, with good dirt and rock traction.
  • Wet Weather: Excellent wet traction.
  • Dry Weather: Good in light snow, but not as strong on ice.
  • Winter Performance: Excellent dry traction and handling.
  • Comfort and Tread Wear: Comfortable ride with good noise control.

Each of these alternative tires brings its own set of features, focusing on different driver priorities like extra comfort, quieter rides, or better winter traction. Depending on what matters most to you—whether it’s off-road ability, handling in different weather conditions, or everyday driving comfort—these options are good choices to consider alongside the Falken WildPeak A/T Trail.

Resources

Below are some links you may find helpful when learning about tires

• Falken Product Page
• Consumer ratings – Tire Rack

Final Thoughts

Picking the right tire means balancing performance, durability, and comfort. The Falken WildPeak A/T Trail offers a strong mix of off-road ability and on-road comfort. It’s a great option if you like to go off-road but also want good on-road performance.

While it does well in many areas, you should consider its road noise and wet traction in heavy rain. If these are important to you, alternatives like the Vredestein Pinza AT or Continental TerrainContact A/T might be better choices.

Remember to think about your driving habits, your vehicle’s needs, and the weather where you live when choosing tires.

Good luck and happy motoring.