Real-world test data, technical breakdowns, and use-case recommendations — from a former Bridgestone test engineer
There’s been plenty of curiosity around Falken’s newest all-terrain tire, the Wildpeak AT4W, and how it stacks up against the long-proven AT3W. On paper, both target similar buyers: drivers who want year-round traction, balanced road manners, and serious winter capability. But looking at the numbers, the strengths are split — making the “better” choice highly dependent on your vehicle, climate, and usage.
I’ve driven and tested both tires in varied conditions — from wet coastal highways to snow-packed mountain passes — and paired that with benchmark data. This breakdown goes beyond marketing claims, giving you the clearest answer possible.
🛞 Falken Wildpeak AT3W
The AT3W has been Falken’s flagship all-terrain for years, known for its deep tread depth, excellent snow/ice grip, and quiet road manners for its class. It leans slightly toward winter-biased all-terrain drivers who want reliable year-round use without sacrificing too much off-road capability.
✅ Best for snowbelt drivers, light truck/SUV owners, and anyone prioritizing winter traction and ride comfort.
🛞 Falken Wildpeak AT4W
The AT4W is the next evolution, pushing more toward durability and off-road toughness. Falken revised the compound for better chip resistance, updated the shoulder lugs for loose-surface grip, and stiffened the casing for heavier load handling. It trades a touch of winter finesse for better trail performance and tread longevity.
✅ Best for heavier rigs, overlanders, and those driving more gravel, rock, or desert terrain.
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 Overview
Performance Metric | AT3W | Rank (out of 12) | AT4W | Rank (out of 12) |
Dry Stopping (60–0 mph) | 126.6 ft  | 2nd | 132.0 ft | 6th |
Dry Cornering (g-force) | 0.80g | 1st | 0.72g | 7th |
Noise & Comfort | 6.84 | 4th | 6.58 | 6th |
Wet Stopping (60–0 mph) | 187.9 ft | 7th | 171.0 ft | 4th |
Winter Stopping (25–0 mph) | 74.5 ft | 4th | 82.3 ft | 10th |
Snow Acceleration (0–12 mph) | 44.5 ft | 2nd | 49.1 ft | 8th |
Ice Stopping Distance | 48.0 ft | 6th | 47.5 ft | 5th |
Looking for the bigger picture? Check out my Best All-Terrain Tires for 2025 guide for full rankings.
🚗 Dry Performance — AT3W Takes the Lead
The AT3W clearly outperforms the AT4W in dry braking and cornering, offering a more planted feel in emergency maneuvers. Its higher g-force in cornering (0.80 vs. 0.72) means more grip in sharp turns, which matters for highway stability and evasive actions.
Dry Performance Test Data:
| Tire | Dry Stopping | Dry Cornering |
|---|---|---|
| AT3W | 126.6 ft ✅ | 0.80g ✅ |
| AT4W | 132.0 ft | 0.72g |
Verdict: If most of your driving is highway or city, the AT3W’s better dry road manners make it the safer, more responsive choice.
🌧️ Wet Performance — AT4W Shows Strength
While the AT3W posts excellent overall wet scores, the AT4W’s updated tread design actually stops shorter in a straight-line wet braking test (171.0 ft vs. 187.9 ft). That’s a big plus for emergency highway stops in the rain. However, AT3W still feels more composed in cornering and wet traction from a standstill.
Wet Performance Test Data:
| Tire | Wet Stopping | Wet Cornering | Wet Traction |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT3W | 187.9 ft | 0.61g ✅ | 0.55 ✅ |
| AT4W | 171.0 ft ✅ | 0.57g | 0.52 |
Verdict: Straight-line wet braking edge goes to AT4W, but AT3W still wins in grip and balance. Pick AT4W for heavy rain braking confidence, AT3W for overall wet handling.
🌊 Hydroplane Resistance — Chart + Explanation
| Tire | Hydroplane Resistance (mm water depth at loss of traction) |
|---|---|
| AT3W | 10.4 mm ✅ |
| AT4W | 9.8 mm |
AT3W’s angled siping helps resist hydroplaning better in deep water. AT4W’s shoulder blocks improve wet braking but allow earlier planing.
❄️ Winter & Ice — AT3W Remains the Snow Leader
The AT3W is still the more capable winter tire, with shorter snow stops and faster snow acceleration times. On ice, the AT4W barely edges it out in stopping distance, but the difference is negligible in real-world feel.
Winter Performance Test Data:
| Tire | Snow Stop | Snow Accel | Ice Stop |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT3W | 74.5 ft ✅ | 44.5 ft ✅ | 48.0 ft |
| AT4W | 82.3 ft | 49.1 ft | 47.5 ft ✅ |
Verdict: If snow is your main concern, AT3W is the easy pick. If you’re more concerned about ice braking, AT4W has a fractional advantage.
🪨 Off-Road Durability — AT4W Steps Up
The AT4W’s tougher casing and revised shoulder lug geometry make it better suited for rocky trails and loose sand. The more open shoulder voids clear mud better and improve side-bite when aired down.
Key Technical Differences:
AT4W: Stiffer carcass for load handling, more chip-resistant tread.
AT3W: Slightly softer compound for winter grip, deeper tread in some sizes.
Verdict: Frequent off-roaders with heavy rigs will appreciate AT4W’s reinforced build. Occasional trail drivers in mixed climates will be fine with AT3W.
🚙 Fitment & Use Case Guide
| Use Case / Vehicle Type | AT3W ✅ | AT4W ✅ |
|---|---|---|
| 3/4-Ton & 1-Ton Trucks | 🚫 Softer casing | ✅ Stiffer, better for load |
| Mid-Size Trucks (Tacoma, Ranger) | ✅ Better ride | 🚫 Harsher on-road |
| Snowbelt Daily Driver | ✅ Best choice | 🚫 Slightly less winter grip |
| Desert / Rocky Terrain | 🚫 Softer sidewalls | ✅ Better chip & cut resistance |
| Balanced Year-Round Use | ✅ Comfort + traction | 🚫 Trades comfort for durability |
📈 Evolution Timeline — How AT4W Evolved from AT3W
| Year | Model | Key Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | AT3W | Launched with deep tread depth, 3PMSF rating, and soft silica-rich compound for winter grip. |
| 2024 | AT4W | Introduced stiffer casing, chip-resistant compound, revised shoulder lugs, and new void geometry for off-road clearing. |
Key Takeaway: AT4W is durability-first; AT3W is balance-first.
🛡️ Sidewall & Casing Durability — Structural Breakdown
AT4W: Dual-layer polyester casing + thicker nylon overlay; better at resisting pinch flats.
AT3W: Single-layer polyester casing in many sizes; more flexible for winter grip but slightly less trail-tough.
Verdict: If you air down often or haul heavy gear, AT4W’s sidewall integrity will matter more.
⏳ Tread Life & Wear Pattern Insights
AT4W: Slower wear on coarse gravel due to harder compound.
AT3W: Wears evenly in mixed driving but loses block edges faster off-road.
Tip: 5-tire rotation every 5–6k miles is key for both.
📅 Seasonal Use Matrix
| Season | AT3W | AT4W |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Highway | ✅ Comfortable & quiet | ✅ Stable under load |
| Heavy Rain | ✅ Better hydroplane resistance | ✅ Shorter wet braking |
| Light Snow | ✅ Best-in-class grip | 🚫 Slightly less |
| Deep Snow | ✅ Strong acceleration & braking | 🚫 Trades bite for durability |
| Ice | ✅ Very good | ✅ Slightly better braking |
| Off-Road | 🚫 Softer sidewalls | ✅ Superior durability |
💬 What Drivers Say
“The AT3W feels like it was made for snow — it’s planted and predictable.” — u/SnowTacoma
“AT4W just takes abuse better. I’m running them on my overland 2500 and love the stability.” — u/RamRockCrawler
“AT3W is quieter, but AT4W feels more solid on washboard gravel.” — u/TrailDad87
🧠 Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy in 2025?
Choose AT3W if you…
Drive mostly on-road with regular snow/ice exposure.
Value comfort and balanced all-weather grip.
Want better dry and cornering stability.
See Wildpeak A/T3W Deals on Tire Rack
See Wildpeak A/T3W Pricing on SimpleTire
Choose AT4W if you…
Drive heavier trucks or tow frequently.
Spend more time off-road, in gravel, rock, or sand.
Need tougher tread for high-mileage abuse.
See Wildpeak A/T4W Deals on Tire Rack
See Wildpeak A/T4W Pricing on SimpleTire
I hope the article was helpful. Hit me up if you have any further questions!
