The legendary BFGoodrich KO2 has been the benchmark A/T for a decade. With its 3-ply sidewalls, snow-proven bite, and bulletproof off-road durability, it’s long been the go-to for truck and SUV owners who want a tire that just won’t quit. But 2025 brings fresh competition — and drivers are asking if the KO2 still holds up against newer designs.
That’s where the all-new Falken Wildpeak AT4W rolls in. Built as the successor to the AT3W, it keeps the snow chops Falken fans loved while dialing up wet and dry grip and smoothing out highway comfort. For many, it’s becoming the sweet-spot choice: balanced performance without giving up trail credibility.
Time to put both tires through the same yardstick and see what shakes out.
Quick Look
Quick Look🛞 BFGoodrich KO2
KO2 is still the durability champ. It digs into snow, shrugs off sharp rocks, and inspires confidence when towing. The trade-off is older road manners: longer braking distances and less grip in the rain. If you value off-road armor and winter safety more than on-road sharpness, KO2 remains relevant.
🛞 Falken Wildpeak AT4W
AT4W feels like the modernized KO2. It brakes much shorter on dry and wet pavement, corners with more grip, and rides smoother. It’s not as indestructible off-road and gives up some snow braking, but it’s the better all-rounder for daily-driven trucks and SUVs.
See Wildpeak A/T4W Deals on Tire Rack
See Wildpeak A/T4W Pricing on SimpleTire
All-Terrain Tires Cheat Sheet
Finding the ideal all-terrain tire among the plethora of options available can be overwhelming. But don’t worry, my team and I have taken on this challenge head-on. Besides our hands-on experiences with these tires, we also analyze thousands of customer reviews and test reports.
Please note that: Light-Duty is 1500 series, Medium-Duty is 2500 series and Heavy-Duty is 3500 series. If you do towing or hauling, I recommend considering at least Medium-Duty tires.
Mobile users can scroll the table to the left to see the whole data.
Table of Contents
📊 Head-to-Head Test Data & Rankings
| Metric | KO2 | Rank | AT4W | Rank | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Stopping (60–0 mph) | 144.4 ft | 12/12 | 132.0 ft | 4/12 | AT4W |
| Dry Cornering (g-force) | 0.69 g | 11/12 | 0.72 g | 6/12 | AT4W |
| Noise & Comfort (1–10) | 6.60 | 6/12 | 6.58 | 7/12 | KO2 (slightly) |
| Wet Stopping (60–0 mph) | 213.8 ft | 12/12 | 171.0 ft | 4/12 | AT4W |
| Wet Cornering (g-force) | 0.50 g | 11/12 | 0.57 g | 5/12 | AT4W |
| Wet Traction (Standing) | 0.43 | 11/12 | 0.52 | 5/12 | AT4W |
| Winter Stopping (25–0 mph) | 76.0 ft | 7/12 | 82.3 ft | 11/12 | KO2 |
| Snow Acceleration (0–12 mph) | 46.0 ft | 7/12 | 49.1 ft | 12/12 | KO2 |
| Ice Stopping Distance | 51.0 ft | 9/12 | 47.5 ft | 4/12 | AT4W |
👉 For the full landscape, see our Best All-Terrain Tires for 2025 guide.
Dry Performance — AT4W Is Safer and Sharper
📊 Test Data:
KO2: 144.4 ft (12/12) | 0.69 g (11/12)
AT4W: 132.0 ft (4/12) | 0.72 g (6/12)
Driver Feedback:
The AT4W felt noticeably sharper in everyday driving. It required less steering correction on highway sweepers, and emergency braking distances were reassuringly short. KO2 felt stable but heavy — the truck wanted more space to stop, and steering felt slower to respond.
🧠 Root Cause:
The AT4W benefits from a silica-rich compound and continuous center rib, which keep more rubber on the road. Less tread block flex (block squirm) means more consistent grip. KO2, with its wide tread voids and stiffer carcass, prioritizes gravel and rock traction. That’s why it feels less precise on clean pavement.
🏁 Verdict:
If you do most of your miles on asphalt, AT4W is hands down the safer pick. The KO2 still feels planted under load, but it’s no match for the shorter braking and tighter handling of Falken’s updated design.
🌧️ Wet Performance — AT4W by a Mile
📊 Test Data:
KO2: 213.8 ft (12/12) | 0.50 g (11/12) | 0.43 (11/12)
AT4W: 171.0 ft (4/12) | 0.57 g (5/12) | 0.52 (5/12)
Driver Feedback:
The KO2 was steady but uninspiring in rain. Braking distances were the longest in our test group, and while it held its line, the steering felt vague. AT4W, on the other hand, stopped much shorter and felt more secure mid-corner, inspiring confidence even on soaked asphalt.
🧠 Root Cause:
This comes down to compound and siping. The AT4W uses higher silica content and more effective siping that evacuates water quickly, keeping tread blocks rigid under load. KO2, designed for durability and cut resistance, simply doesn’t generate as much wet-road friction.
🏁 Verdict:
For drivers in rainy climates like the Pacific Northwest or Southeast, AT4W is not just better — it’s safer. KO2’s wet braking is its Achilles’ heel, and it shows up clearly in testing.
❄️ Winter & Ice — KO2 Still Holds Its Ground
📊 Test Data:
KO2: 76.0 ft (7/12) | 46.0 ft (7/12) | 51.0 ft (9/12)
AT4W: 82.3 ft (11/12) | 49.1 ft (12/12) | 47.5 ft (4/12)
Driver Feedback:
On packed snow, the KO2 felt more controlled, digging in during braking and launches. The AT4W needed longer distances to stop in snow but surprised with solid ice braking, stopping shorter than KO2 on glare ice.
🧠 Root Cause:
KO2 is 3PMSF-certified with a pliable winter compound and siping density tuned for snow. AT4W, while also 3PMSF, shifts its balance toward ice performance, giving up some snow bite.
🏁 Verdict:
If you live in the snowbelt and regularly see deep snow, KO2 remains the safer bet. If icy commutes matter more than snowy trails, AT4W is a stronger performer.
🪨 Off-Road — KO2 Still the Benchmark
Driver Feedback:
KO2 felt indestructible aired down on rocky terrain. Sharp gravel and ledges didn’t faze it. AT4W handled dirt and mild trails well but didn’t have the same armored feel in technical terrain.
🧠 Root Cause:
KO2’s 3-ply sidewall and thick shoulder lugs are designed to resist punctures and flex at low PSI. AT4W favors balance, giving up some armor for better highway manners.
🏁 Verdict:
For rock crawling, overlanding, and towing on rough ground, KO2 remains king. The AT4W is fine for light trails, but it isn’t built for punishment like the KO2.
🎧 Noise, Comfort & Fuel — AT4W Friendlier
📊 Test Data:
KO2: 6.60 (6/12)
AT4W: 6.58 (7/12)
Driver Feedback:
Both tires were livable, but AT4W soaked up bumps a little better and transmitted less road harshness. KO2’s stiffer feel wasn’t uncomfortable, but lighter vehicles noticed it more.
🧠 Root Cause:
The AT4W benefits from optimized tread pitch sequencing and lighter casing options in P-metric sizes. KO2’s LT-heavy lineup emphasizes stiffness for towing and durability, which shows up in ride quality.
🏁 Verdict:
For daily commuting, AT4W is easier to live with. KO2 makes sense if you tow or haul frequently, where a stiffer carcass is actually a benefit.
Size & Fitment Availability
BFGoodrich KO2: Heavy LT focus (15–22″), popular with Jeep, Tacoma, Silverado, and ¾-ton & 1-ton pickups.
Falken Wildpeak AT4W: Wide P-metric & LT lineup (16–22″), appealing to SUVs, crossovers, and half-ton trucks.
💬 What Drivers Say
“KO2s are tanks off-road, but braking in the rain was sketchy.”
“AT4W rides smoother and feels safer on pavement. Big upgrade over KO2.”
“KO2 is still my winter and towing tire. Nothing else feels as tough.”
🚙 Best Application — Who Benefits Most
KO2: Heavy-duty truck owners, off-roaders, towers/haulers, and snowbelt drivers.
AT4W: Daily-driven SUVs and half-ton pickups, especially in wet climates or mixed-use driving.
Final Verdict — Which Should You Buy?
Choose BFGoodrich KO2 if you:
Need bulletproof off-road durability and sidewall strength
Tow or haul regularly
Live in deep-snow regions and want proven winter bite
Choose Falken Wildpeak AT4W if you:
Daily drive in wet/dry conditions and want shorter braking
Drive an SUV or half-ton truck and value comfort
Want a modern balance of looks, traction, and livability
See Wildpeak A/T4W Deals on Tire Rack
See Wildpeak A/T4W Pricing on SimpleTire
I hope the article was helpful. Let me know if you need any further information.
