Are you an off-roading enthusiast or a weekend adventurer? Do you need to tow heavy loads at work? There are many off-road tires on the market, and we are proud to present you this duel of titans: Falken Wildpeak AT3W vs BF Goodrich KO2. These two manufacturers are well known for their quality tires, so how do these 2 tires compare, and how do they differ?
Blackcircles Canada presents you the features and advantages of each tire. And no matter which model you choose, you can always find the lowest prices on tires on our website!
Overview of the Falken Wildpeak AT3W
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W tire specializes in on- and off-road driving. Available from 15" to 22" in size, it is designed primarily for SUVs and light trucks.
Its tread pattern and silica compound are designed to deliver excellent performance on dry and wet roads, even during the winter! In fact, this Falken tire is winter-rated, and it performs well on hot days and in extremely cold temperatures.
Let’s take a look at its main features:
- Deepest tread in its class;
- Aggressive outer sidewall;
- New exclusive lower sidewall;
- Rugged and rigid blocks;
- 3D siping;
- Heat-diffusion technology.
This tire was designed to deliver an exceptional off-road performance. It stands out from its competitors thanks to its very deep tread, which improves its lifespan, increases its resistance to aquaplaning and strengthen its traction in snow.
The rigid and rugged blocks improve the stability of the vehicle on difficult roads, while the design of the grooves prevents stones from getting stuck in the tire. The 3D sipes also enhance its handling and improve its resistance to wear and tear.
The new sidewall design also contributes to the tire's durability by increasing its protection against sharp rocks or debris on the road. What’s more, it helps deliver optimal traction in the most extreme road conditions.
Lastly, the lower sidewall features an innovative heat diffusion technology to maintain low temperatures inside the tire. Heat is detrimental to tires as it impacts their stability, and that is especially true when towing heavy loads.
Overview of the Goodrich KO2 BF
Like the Falken tire, the winter-rated BF Goodrich KO2 was designed for performance in extreme conditions. It is available in a total of 85 sizes, ranging from 15 to 18 inches and from 20 to 22 inches. It also includes the following features:
- Increased rubber thickness;
- Highly resistant materials along the sidewall;
- Serrated shoulder design;
- Advanced deflection design;
- Self-locking 3D sipes;
- Unique contact patch for even weight distribution.
The KO2 is the second generation of the off-road tire. Its numerous improvements include a 20% more resistant sidewall than the previous model. The thicker tread compound offers it better protection against dangerous obstacles and debris, including rocks. It also helps the tire resist punctures. Even better, its advanced deflection design quickly removes debris and rocks.
Its 3D siping optimizes stability and increases the contact area, helping the tire wear more evenly and, most importantly, never prematurely.
Lastly, it delivers great grip on difficult roads thanks to its serrated shoulder design and interlocking tread elements. Its biting edges help further increase its off-road traction.
The BF Goodrich was specifically designed to deliver excellent off-road handling in snow, mud and trails with rocks and debris.
Falken Wildpeak AT3w
How does the Falken Wildpeak AT3W compare to the BF Goodrich KO2?
First things first we should mention that the Falken Wildpeak AT3W vs KO2 are among the most popular off-road tires on the market. As we’ve seen, they are both designed to deliver outstanding off-road capabilities, and their differences lie in the fine details.
With its 150-year history manufacturing tires, you’ve certainly heard before of the American manufacturer Goodrich. The KO2 tire has in fact become a true classic in its class.
Although Falken arrived more recently on the market with its launch 1983, it has quickly earned an enviable spot in the market thanks to the great quality of its products.
As mentioned above, the Wildpeak AT3W stands out from the competition with the deepest grooves in its class. The grooves are 18 mm deep throughout the tread, compared to the KO2's 15 mm grooves. This depth greatly impacts its ability to drain water as well as its lifespan.
In fact, many professionals who tested both tires quickly noticed the Falken tire’s superior ability to drain water and mud. Although the Goodrich model delivers a good performance, the Falken takes the lead it in this category. The Falken also boasts a slightly longer service life.
bfgoodrich all-terrain KO2
While the Falken model is more responsive on muddy trails, the Goodrich tire proved to be better suited for driving on snow, and its tread compound offers better resistance to extreme cold.
However, while both are suitable for winter driving, note that they are primarily designed for off-road driving. Winter-approved tires are no substitute for winter tires if you need to drive regularly out in the snow. That being said, the KO2 will be more comfortable in the snow, so consider the weather in your region before making your final decision.
If you plan on venturing out on rocky trails or gravel, you will get a great and reliable performance with both models. Both tires are characterized by strong, durable sidewalls and rock-ejecting designs.
Both models have biting edges placed at an angle on the shoulder of the tire. These improve the traction and performance when towing or carrying heavy loads.
In addition to its great performance, the Japanese manufacturer Falken also boasts a model-exclusive technology that is very unusual in other manufacturers: its heat diffusion technology. This technology protects the tires from overheating when towing or carrying heavy loads.
While off-road performance is the main feature of off-roading tires, you shouldn't forget about on-road driving if it’s part of your daily routine. Both offer good traction on paved roads, but the Falken Wildpeak AT3W delivers a less comfortable ride. It is noisier and does not absorb road vibrations. The BF Goodrich KO2 offers better overall comfort on paved roads.
Finally, their dimensions can also be a significant factor in your final choice, as the tire must fit your vehicle. Goodrich offers an impressive 85 sizes, with heights up to 39 inches and maximum widths of 13.5 inches.
Falken also offers a lot of sizes, but not as many: its 66 dimensions include a maximum height of 37 inches and a maximum width of 12.5 inches. So before you settle on your favourite model, make sure it fits your vehicle!
In short, both tires offer exceptional off-roading performance, but they have different advantages and disadvantages. You must consider your habits and the type of terrain you ride on most often before making your final decision!
Warranty Comparison
If you are finding it hard to decide between these two models, their warranty could be one of the deciding factors. Let’s see how the Falken Wildpeak AT3W vs KO2 compare in this regard.
On the one hand, Falken offers a 90,000 km warranty on all tire sizes, and you can replace your tires for free in case of malfunction during 2 years or until 3/32 inches wear out, with certain conditions applying.
On the other hand, Goodrich offers a slightly lower mileage warranty of 80,000 km. The standard warranty covering manufacturing and material defects lasts for 6 years.
As for their satisfaction guarantee, Falken offers a 30-days trial period while Goodrich offers 60 days. That being said, the chances of you being dissatisfied with either of these performance tires are pretty slim!
Lastly, both are also offered at very similar prices, depending on the size you choose. Whatever the model, the bill will be about the same if you compare tires of similar sizes.
Do you drive a pickup truck or SUV designed for adventure? These two tough tires are ready and eager to explore tough terrain and unknown trails!
With blackcircles Canada you can always find the lowest prices for your tires, and you can shop from the comfort of your living room!
