Toyo Open Country AT3 vs Falken Wildpeak AT3W: What Is the Difference?
Falken Wildpeak AT3W and Toyo Open Country AT3 represent off-road all-terrain tire options that are well-suited for various vehicles. These come highly recommended as a way to upgrade your SUV, pickup truck, or Jeep. Since they are close-rated tires, they both have their pros and cons.
The Toyo AT3 offers an excellent dry grip with stable lateral traction. Moreover, its solid footprint translates to better control and responsiveness whenever you are steering. It is also quieter, which is a great advantage. Meanwhile, the Falken AT3W offers superior performance on wet surfaces thanks to its smart multi-channel siping pattern. It also has the capability of holding its own on dry ground.
This article discusses the different ways in which the Toyo Open Country AT3 and Falken Wildpeak AT3W tires differ.
Toyo Open Country AT3 vs Falken Wildpeak AT3W
For the Toyo Open Country AT3 and Falken Wildpeak AT3w, you will realize that although they have a similar design, they offer different experiences on both rugged terrains and highways. Their treads are built to offer dependable traction and tailored voids and siping patterns for better slip resistance. However, the two differ in several aspects.
What Are the Key Differences Between the Toyo AT3 and Falken AT3W?
Some aspects set the two tires apart.
Durability
Ideally, all-terrain tires should be tough to enable them to tackle rugged terrains when off-roading. Hence, durability is a very important determinant. The Falken Wildpeak AT3w shines in this respect.
This tire is designed with a thicker tread and a strong 4-ply inner construction—there are two layers of polyester casing with high tensile steel belts topped with another two layers of durable polyester. Its counterpart, Toyo AT3, only features a 2-ply inner polyester casing and two steel belts. Without anything covering the sidewalls, the Toyo AT3 features weak sides hence less durable.
Tread Appearance
There is a visible difference in the tread appearance of the two tires. For Toyo AT3, the tire features S-shaped ribs with the surrounding ones resembling an F. The shoulder blocks do not have notches and are not as aggressive. There are also no stone ejectors on Toyo AT3.
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W features dual siping which explains why the tire has excellent wet performance. Moreover, the shoulder blocks have a zigzag shape to the sipes that interlock in the middle. This gives the shoulder blocks flexibility. The blocks also feature sharp biters in the form of ramps.
Tread Longevity
Both tires adopt a computer-optimized tread design that promotes even wear given the reduced rolling friction. The rubber on the tires features long chained carbon—a chemical composition that makes the treads cut and chip-resistant.
However, when it comes to tread longevity, Falken Wildpeak has the upper hand. Its deeper treads increase the amount of time it would take to wear down the tire. Toyo AT3 counters wear by making its treads stiffer and adding ridges between the blocks. This does not achieve much as the tires are more susceptible to wear this way.
Comfort Performance
Contrary to the popular opinion that AT tires are unable to provide decent highway comfort, Falken AT3W is designed to offer an impressively smooth experience on both wet and dry roads. Its smooth ride can be attributed to the silica-infused compound that offers a softer and more elastic rubber. The tread depth also directly affects the comfort levels, and Falken’s AT3w deeper treads ensure that you do not miss on the comfort.
Unfortunately for the Toyo AT3, it fails in both tread depth and rubber composition. Hence, it is not the most comfortable ride.
On Road Performance
Since you are looking for a tire that can handle tough terrains, it should not compromise on the on-road performance. Generally, highway performance is not always expected of all-terrain tires, but these tires appear to have broken this norm. For one, Falken AT3W offers good handling thanks to its larger shoulders. Toyo AT3 offers a superior dry grip thanks to its stable rib placements on the tread.
Off-Road Performance
Off-road performance is the main determining factor when it comes to choosing all-terrain tires. Both tires offer decent biters, but the Falken Wildpeak stands out. It offers a unique gripping compound with its shoulder lugs and saw tooth edges offering the best traction on all terrains.
Final Verdict
The ultimate choice will come down to your preferences and frequent usage. Toyo AT3 provides considerably better performance and stability on dry roads. Off-road, however, it lacks the durability and aggressiveness required. Falken Wildpeak AT3W, on the other hand, is great for both dry and wet conditions. Its deeper treads offer more resistance to hydroplaning. Also, it is more durable and superior off-road.
Which Tire Provides Better Fuel Efficiency?
The rolling resistance of a tire has a direct impact on the fuel efficiency. Several factors affect the rolling resistance including grip, tread width, biting edges, weight, and tire composition. The Toyo AT3 offers a better fuel economy out of the two tires. This can be attributed to its lower rolling resistance made possible by its stiffer compound and less overall weight.
What Is the Price Difference Between the Two Tires?
Given the fact that Falken AT3W and Toyo AT3 are both mid-tier tires, their prices are expected to be close to each other, and they are. The AT3W is priced at around $272 while its counterpart has a price tag of $277.
Conclusion
Despite having an almost similar design, the two tires appear to differ in very important aspects. If you are looking for a reliable all-terrain tire, then either of these two is a good place to start.
