In my experience, both the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT and Falken Wildpeak AT3W offer good on-road and off-road performance. However, the Geolandar X-AT excels in rugged terrain, and Wildpeak AT3W is better for general onn-road use, each in line with its design as a rugged-terrain tire and an off-road all-terrain tire, respectively.
As a former Bridgestone engineer, I’ve observed that Falken Wildpeak AT3W is the superior choice for those seeking a smooth and quiet ride. Additionally, it offers better lateral traction in mild snow and wet conditions. While it may not have the aggressive look of Yokohama Geolandar X-AT and doesn’t excel in extremely challenging terrains like mud or rock crawling, its longevity is a significant advantage.
Conversely, Yokohama Geolandar X-AT is a powerhouse in terms of traction. It effortlessly handles the harshest terrains. Despite its aggressive tread pattern, its on-road manners are surprisingly decent, making it a viable option, particularly for larger vehicles.
Table of Contents
Sidewall Analysis - Inner Structure
In my analysis, the WildPeak A/T3W‘s unique feature is its heat diffusing technology in the lower sidewall, designed to dissipate heat during heavy towing or hauling. It also has twin steel belts and two robust polyester body plies, reinforced with a secondary bead apex, ensuring confident handling and extra protection in dynamic off-road environments. A polyamide reinforcement ply further enhances its high-speed handling.
The Geolandar X-AT, on the other hand, benefits from Yokohama’s Geo-Shield™ Construction. With three polyester body plies and a strong hexagonal bead, it creates an elliptical contact patch for balanced off-road traction and longevity. Two high-strength steel belts, supported by a full-width nylon cap, add to its durability.
So, while the Geolander X-AT boasts a 3-ply sidewall compared to the Wildpeak AT3W’s 2-ply sidewall, this doesn’t necessarily mean the Wildpeak AT3W has weaker sidewalls. Its second bead apex and heat diffusing technology are quite effective, especially for towing and hauling. However, for severe off-roading, my preference leans towards the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT.
Available Sizes
| Yokohama Geolandar X-AT | Falken Wildpeak AT3W | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Rugged-Terrain Tire | Off-Road All Terrain tire |
| Available Sizes (Rim) | 15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”, 22” | 15”, 16”, 17”, 18”, 20”, 22” |
| Weight | 35 lbs to 84 lbs | 40 lbs to 83 lbs |
| Made In | Japan | Thailand, China, Japan |
| Severe Snow Rated (3PMSF) | No | Yes |
| Warranty (P-metric) | 45,000 Miles | 55,000 Miles |
| Warranty (LT Sizes) | 45,000 Miles | 55,000 Miles |
In comparing the size options, I found that the Falken Wildpeak AT3W is available in a wider range of sizes, totaling 76 different options. In contrast, the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT offers 46 different sizes. This disparity largely stems from the availability of p-metric sizes like XL and SL load ranges in the Wildpeak AT3W.
Notably, the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT is only available in the XL load range for one p-metric size, specifically the 265/60R18. This limited p-metric size range for the Geolandar X-AT contrasts with the broader selection offered by the Wildpeak AT3W.
Tread Appearance
Both the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT and Falken Wildpeak AT3W offer an aggressive look, but in my opinion, the Geolandar X-AT appears slightly more aggressive due to its larger lugs and more aggressive shoulder design. However, both have highly aggressive sidewall scoops that enhance traction in air-down conditions on loose ground.
On the other hand, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W’s smaller and more numerous center lugs boost its biting capability. Additionally, its increased number of sipes on the shoulder and center lugs enhance performance in wet conditions and light snow.
While the Geolandar X-AT’s larger lugs and greater void area provide superior performance on loose ground, I’ve noticed that its elliptical contact patch tends to wear more quickly in the center section. Therefore, maintaining the correct air pressure is crucial for this tire.
In summary, while both tires have an aggressive appearance, I’m not a fan of the elliptical contact patch design of the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT, as it can impact the tire’s longevity.
On-Road Performance
For me, on-road performance is a critical factor when considering all-terrain tires. Considering that most drivers, including those who aren’t hardcore off-roaders, spend the majority of their time on paved roads, it’s a game-changer. Therefore, the key metrics I focus on are wet performance, lateral grip, and handling capability. These aspects are crucial for everyday driving and overall driving safety and comfort.
Wet Performance
From my perspective, when it comes to hydroplaning resistance, both the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT and the Falken Wildpeak AT3W excel, and there are two main reasons for this. First, their deep treads enhance hydroplaning resistance. The angled shoulder blocks and elliptical contact patch of the Geolandar X-AT are particularly effective. Meanwhile, the Wildpeak AT3W’s zigzag lateral grooves are also impressive in water evacuation from the tread.
As for wet braking, I don’t notice a significant difference between the two, thanks to the soft compound of the Geolandar X-AT, even with its lack of siping. However, when it comes to lateral wet traction, the 3D siping technology of the Wildpeak AT3W really shines. The differently shaped lugs and notches of the Geolandar X-AT perform well, but they don’t quite match up to the Wildpeak AT3W in this regard.
Overall, while both tires provide a decent level of wet performance, for more aggressive drivers, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W’s superior lateral traction could be a deciding factor.
Handling
When it comes to steering response and cornering stability, these are my main considerations. Both the Falken Wildpeak AT3W and Yokohama Geolandar X-AT have similar tread depth and width, but I lean towards the Wildpeak AT3W for its stiffer compound and more compact tread pattern, which I find enhances responsiveness. However, the Geolandar X-AT’s elliptical pattern also provides impressive responsiveness.
In terms of cornering stability, the strong sidewall of the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT is well-recognized. The Falken Wildpeak AT3W holds up well in this aspect too. There’s not a huge difference, but for larger vehicles, the Geolandar X-AT might be the better choice due to its sidewall strength.
Overall, both tires offer excellent handling characteristics. My recommendation would be the Falken Wildpeak AT3W for its quicker response time and the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT for more secure cornering, especially in larger vehicles.
Winter Performance
In my assessment of winter performance, self-cleaning capability is crucial, and the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT excels in this regard, particularly in slush and deep snow conditions. However, in lighter snow conditions on paved roads, its lack of ground contact and lower sipe density puts it at a disadvantage compared to other options.
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W, with its 3PMSF-rated compound and more compact contact patch, provides more reliable handling and braking in light snow conditions. This tire offers superior wet and ice traction on paved roads.
Overall, while the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT delivers a very acceptable winter performance, especially in harsher conditions, I find the Falken Wildpeak AT3W to be a safer and more reliable option for winter driving, particularly on icy roads.
Road Noise & Riding Comfort
n terms of ride quality, even though both tires can handle bumps easily, my preference leans towards the Falken Wildpeak AT3W for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT’s highly aggressive shoulder design and angular offset center blocks aren’t as effective at reducing airborne noise inside the tread, resulting in a slightly noisier ride. Additionally, its elliptical design can be problematic if you don’t maintain the right tire pressure. For me, that’s too much hassle.
Secondly, the step-down feature of the Falken Wildpeak AT3W impresses me. The tire blocks don’t squirm as much, which significantly enhances riding comfort, particularly when the vehicle is loaded.
Overall, if road noise and riding comfort are your top priorities, I definitely recommend the Falken Wildpeak AT3W. However, the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT still stands out as a decent option, particularly for its aesthetic appeal.
Fuel Efficiency
In this scenario, while both the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT and the Falken Wildpeak AT3W have similar tread depths, there are differences affecting fuel consumption. The Geolandar X-AT, with its more aggressive shoulder blocks and softer compound, tends to have higher rolling resistance, which in my experience, can lead to increased fuel usage.
However, it’s worth noting that the Falken Wildpeak AT3W is not necessarily a standout in this aspect either. In fact, it might even be less efficient among LT off-road all-terrain tires.
Overall, while the difference is subtle, I find the Falken Wildpeak AT3W to be slightly better regarding fuel efficiency, but it’s a minor advantage.
Mileage
In my experience, mileage greatly varies depending on the tire size. However, I’ve consistently observed that off-road all-terrain tires tend to last longer than rugged terrain tires, primarily for two reasons.
Firstly, these tires usually feature a more elastic and soft compound, which might seem prone to quicker wear. However, this doesn’t necessarily lead to increased susceptibility to chucking or cracking; in fact, quite the opposite. Their high silica compound also significantly boosts resistance to chipping.
When it comes to p-metric sizes, I can confidently state that the Falken Wildpeak AT3W stands out as a superior option.
For LT sizes, while the 3PMSF compound may reduce mileage by about 10-15% due to higher rolling resistance, I still believe the Falken Wildpeak AT3W offers better wear and, consequently, a longer tread life.
The design of the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT is excellent for traction, but it poses challenges in terms of wear. So, if longevity is a major concern for you, I strongly recommend the Falken Wildpeak AT3W.
Off-Road Performance
In my analysis, both the Falken Wildpeak AT3W and the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT handle mild off-road conditions like dirt and gravel quite effectively, largely thanks to their self-cleaning capabilities. However, I believe it’s important to consider different off-road conditions individually for a more comprehensive understanding of each tire’s performance in specific environments.
On Mud
On mud, as a rugged terrain tire, the Yokohama Geolander X-AT has an advantage due to its angled, differently shaped, and aggressive shoulder blocks and sidewall biters.
While more void area works perfectly regarding evacuation, Yokohama Geolandar X-AT’s strong and 3-ply sidewalls works better on air-down conditions.
Overal, for a challenging and thick mud, I definitely recommend Yokohama Geolandar X-AT.
On Gravel
In my experience with gravel roads, both the Falken Wildpeak AT3W and the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT handle them quite well.
Personally, when driving on gravel, I tend to favor higher tire pressure over lower to avoid bulging. So, if you’re like me and prefer not to frequently adjust PSI, then the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT would be your go-to tire.
That said, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W also delivers excellent traction on gravel roads. Plus, a notable point for both tires is their tendency not to retain stones.
Overall, I find both tires to be strong contenders for gravel conditions.
On Sand
In my opinion, if you’re not venturing into challenging dunes, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W should more than suffice for your needs. It’s a robust tire for standard off-road conditions.
However, for those who aim to tackle more challenging terrains, I’d recommend the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT as the safer choice. It allows for a greater reduction in PSI, offering a wider contact patch, which is crucial in tough off-road environments.
Conclusion
In my assessment, both the Falken Wildpeak AT3W and the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT are reliable and well-crafted for their intended purposes. The Yokohama Geolandar X-AT excels in challenging terrains, while the Falken Wildpeak AT3W is superior in terms of on-road performance.
I hope you found this article informative. If there are any further questions or if you need additional support, please feel free to leave a comment below. Safe travels, folks!