Falken Wildpeak A/T4W Review: The New All-Terrain King

If you drive a truck or SUV, you have almost certainly heard of the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W. For years, it was the “gold standard”—the tire that proved you didn’t have to sacrifice highway comfort for off-road grip.

But now, the successor has arrived: the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W.

Whenever a legendary product gets an update, enthusiasts get nervous. Did they ruin it? Did they make it softer just to sell more tires? In this comprehensive Falken Wildpeak A/T4W review, we are diving deep into the specs, real-world performance, and the critical differences between the new A/T4W and its predecessor to help you decide if this is the right rubber for your rig.

The Verdict Up Front

If you are in a rush, here is the bottom line: Yes, the A/T4W is better than the A/T3W. Falken took the few complaints people had about the old tire—mostly regarding towing stability and tread life—and fixed them without ruining the amazing snow capability.

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Pros:

Best-in-Class Wet Traction: Incredible grip in rain.
Winter Rated: 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol on all sizes.
Tougher: New 3-ply sidewalls on heavy-duty sizes.
Warranty: Improved to 65,000 miles.

Cons:

Weight: It is heavy. You will likely see a small drop in gas mileage.
Price: Slightly more expensive than the outgoing model.

What’s New? A/T4W vs. A/T3W

The most common question is, “Should I upgrade?” Let’s look at the raw data.

Feature	Wildpeak A/T3W (Old)	Wildpeak A/T4W (New)	The Winner
Tread Warranty	55,000 Miles	65,000 Miles (Non-LT)	A/T4W
Sidewall	2-Ply (mostly)	3-Ply DURASPEC (Select sizes)	A/T4W
Snow Rating	3PMSF	3PMSF	Tie
Towing Stability	Good	Excellent (Stiffer sidewall)	A/T4W
Weight	Moderate	Heavy	A/T3W

1. The “Duraspec” Upgrade

The biggest technical change is the expansion of Falken’s DURASPEC Sidewall Technology. Previously reserved for mud-terrain tires, this is a 3-ply construction now available on select A/T4W sizes (mostly LT/Heavy Duty sizes). This provides massive protection against sidewall punctures from sharp rocks—a feature overlanders have been begging for.

2. Improved Tread Life

Falken engineered a new rubber compound that is slightly more rigid. This results in a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty for non-LT sizes, a 10,000-mile jump over the previous generation.

Real-World Performance

On-Road: The Daily Driver Test

Most of us spend 90% of our time on the pavement. If a tire sounds like a jet engine on the highway, it doesn’t matter how good it is in the mud.

Noise Levels: Surprisingly, the A/T4W remains one of the quietest all-terrain tires on the market. Falken uses a “staggered shoulder block” design that breaks up wind noise. It isn’t silent like a standard highway tire, but for an aggressive A/T, it is very livable.
Wet Traction: This is where the Wildpeak series truly shines. The tire features “full-depth sipes” (tiny cuts in the tread blocks). These sipes act like squeegees, clearing water away so the rubber can grip the road. You won’t feel that terrifying “float” sensation when hitting puddles at highway speeds.

Towing: The Secret Weapon

This is the biggest improvement over the old model. The previous A/T3W had softer sidewalls, which made heavy trailers feel like they were swaying or “squishy.”

The A/T4W features Heat Diffuser Technology in the sidewall. When you tow heavy loads, tires generate heat, which can weaken the rubber. This technology dissipates that heat, keeping the tire cool and the sidewall stiff. If you tow a boat or camper, this upgrade alone is worth the price.

Off-Road: Snow, Mud, and Rocks

Snow and Ice (The Winter King) The “W” in A/T4W stands for Winter. Like its predecessor, this tire carries the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol.

Deep Snow: The aggressive shoulder lugs act like paddles, clawing through fresh powder.
Packed Snow/Ice: The silica-rich compound stays flexible in freezing temps, allowing the sipes to bite into hard-packed surfaces.

Mud and Rocks The new alternating shoulder blocks provide more biting edges for rock crawling. The stone ejectors in the tread voids do a decent job of keeping the tire from holding onto gravel, though you will still hear some clicking after driving down a gravel driveway.

Competitor Comparison: Falken vs. The Rest

How does it stack up against the other big names?

Falken A/T4W vs. Toyo Open Country A/T III

Buy the Falken if: You want better wet traction and a longer tread life warranty. It is also generally about 10-15% cheaper than the Toyo.
Buy the Toyo if: You care about MPG. The Toyo is significantly lighter, which puts less strain on your engine and saves gas.

Falken A/T4W vs. BFGoodrich KO3

Buy the Falken if: You drive in the rain or snow. The BFG KO3 is legendary for dry rocks, but it often struggles on wet pavement compared to the Falken.
Buy the BFG if: You want the absolute toughest sidewall for desert racing or sharp rock crawling.

The One Downside: Weight and MPG

We promised an honest review, so here is the reality check. The Falken Wildpeak A/T4W is heavy.

To get that 65k mile warranty and the 3-ply durability, Falken had to add material.

The Impact: Heavier tires increase “rotational mass.” Your engine has to work harder to spin them.
The Result: You may see a 1-2 MPG drop compared to a standard highway tire or a lighter competitor like the Toyo Open Country.
Is it worth it? If you tow or off-road, yes. The peace of mind knowing you won’t puncture a sidewall is worth the gas money. If you never leave the mall parking lot, you might feel the sluggishness.

Who Should Buy This Tire?

✅ Buy the A/T4W If:

You live in the Snow Belt: You want a tire that can handle a blizzard without needing to swap to dedicated winter tires.
You Tow Heavy: You need the stability of a stiff sidewall for hauling campers or boats.
You Hate Punctures: You drive on sharp gravel or rocky trails and need that 3-ply armor.

❌ Look Elsewhere If:

MPG is your #1 Priority: You are a hyper-miler who wants to save every penny at the pump.
You are Strictly Highway: If you never touch dirt, a Michelin LTX or Firestone Destination LE3 will be smoother and more efficient.

Final Thoughts

The Falken Wildpeak A/T4W isn’t just a facelift; it’s a reinforcement. Falken took a class-leading tire and toughened it up for the heavy-duty demands of modern trucks. While the weight penalty is real, the trade-off gives you a tire that is virtually unstoppable in snow, rain, and dirt, all while backed by one of the best warranties in the business.

Have you run the new A/T4W on your rig? Let us know your MPG numbers in the comments below!

FAQs: Falken Wildpeak A/T4W Review

1. Is the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W a good snow tire?

Yes, it is excellent in snow. It carries the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) rating, which means it meets severe snow service standards. While it’s not a dedicated winter tire (like a Blizzak), it is one of the best all-terrain tires for snow and ice.

2. Does the A/T4W have a 3-ply sidewall?

It depends on the size. Falken’s DURASPEC 3-ply sidewall is included on select Heavy Duty (LT) sizes. If you are buying a standard passenger (P-metric) size for a lighter SUV, it will likely have a 2-ply sidewall. Always check the specific specs for your tire size before buying.

3. How long do Falken Wildpeak A/T4W tires last?

Falken offers a 65,000-mile warranty for P-metric/Standard sizes and a 60,000-mile warranty for LT sizes. With proper rotation every 5,000 miles, you can expect to get close to or exceed these numbers.

4. Will these tires hurt my gas mileage?

Likely, yes. Because the A/T4W is built with thick rubber and heavy sidewalls for durability, it weighs more than many competitors. Most drivers report a drop of 1-2 MPG after switching to these from stock highway tires.

5. What tire pressure should I run?

If you buy the standard size listed on your driver’s door jamb, start with the manufacturer’s recommended pressure (usually 30-35 PSI). If you upgrade to a larger or heavier “LT” size, you may need to run higher pressure (40+ PSI) to maintain proper wear. We recommend performing a “chalk test” to find the perfect pressure for your setup.