Falken Wildpeak AT4W vs. AT3W (Updated 2025) – Which All-Terrain Tire Reigns Supreme?

Is The Falken AT4W REALLY Better Than The Falken AT3W?

We're sure you've heard by now that Falken has recently introduced its newest tire into the fold, the all-new AT4W. But that also means that the brand is reportedly discontinuing its iconic AT3W tire to make way for the brand new model, and if that's the case, is that truly the best move to make?

Well, it's hard to tell without testing them both out first, so before we pile on Falken for making a huge mistake stopping production of the AT3W, we want to take you through the ins and outs of both it and its successor. That's right, it's a good old fashioned comparison today, so saddle in as we take a look at both the Falken Wildpeak AT4W and AT3W to see which one is best for your rig.

Table Of Contents

-1. Cost Differences Between The AT4W and AT3W

-2. AT3W & AT4W Tread Life Comparison

-3. AT4W vs. AT3W Load & Speed Rating Comparison

-4. AT4W and AT3W Weight Comparison

-5. Is The Falken AT4W or AT3W Better For On and Off-Road Performance?

Why The WildPeak AT4W Matters So Much For The Falken Brand

Since we last talked about the WildPeak AT4W, a ton of top industry competitors have entered the space, like the BFGoodrich KO3 and Nitto Terra Grappler G3. Three new tire releases over the span of a year just doesn't happen very often, and to have them all out in the world, it means that Falken's WildPeak offering needs to be top notch, not just to be better than previous generations, but also to be better in its own industry space.

You can click above to read the individual comparisons we put together on the AT4W vs. the KO3 and Terra Grappler, but let's dive in below and see what it brings to the table in all the aspects that matter most to you.

Cost of the Falken AT4W and AT3W Tires

We'll start with how much each of these tires will cost you, because it's probably the most important category to debate after all is said and done. For a 33 inch tire, for example, a set of AT3W tires will set you back around $1400, while the all-new Wildpeak AT4W goes for $1500. If cost effectiveness is your number one goal when picking out a new set of tires, the AT3W just barely pulls ahead - but if the AT4W is really as good as they say, then that extra hundred bucks shouldn't be an issue at all for you. Still, the AT3W gets the point here.

Advantage: AT3W (1 to 0, AT3W Leads)

Falken AT4W and AT3W Tread Life Comparison

Our next category is tread life - after all, if you're gonna spend your hard earned money on a set of tires, they better last a long time. So who lasts longer here between these two tires?

On paper, the lugs of the AT4W are larger and deeper, and that should guarantee you a longer tread life both on the road and off of it. On top of that, the AT4W comes with a longer tread warranty, offering you 65,000 miles of protection compared to the AT3W only having 55,000 miles. But that's on paper - when you take these tires to the real world, do those numbers hold up?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the results are basically inconclusive at this point, and it's hard to sell when it's hard to tell who's better. (See what we did there?) One thing we've learned over the years, though, is that every driver is different, and the way they maneuver the trails will inevitably be unique depending on where they live. Also, the AT4W hasn't had the proper testing done by people like you yet, though based off stats alone, we'll give it the point.

Advantage: AT4W (1 to 1. Tie ballgame!)

Load and Speed Rating Comparison of the Falken AT4W and AT3W

Both of these tires come in the usual suspects of sizes, so you shouldn't have any problems finding one that fits you. The AT3W has a higher speed rating, but the AT4W has a higher load rating, which means that in terms of who wins, really comes down to what you plan to do with your tires.

That's something we tell people all the time - each individual is different, so take that into account when you're deciding on which tire to grab. However, since most of us will be using our tires for all-purpose applications (daily driving, camping, trailering, etc.) instead of racing, we'll give the point to the AT4W.

Advantage: AT4W (2 to 1, AT4W Leads)

Falken AT4W and AT3W Weight Comparison

This is probably the biggest difference between the AT4W and the AT3W. The AT4W is a much meatier tire - there's no doubt about that. It's got bigger tread blocks, a stronger and harder compound, 3-ply construction over the 2-ply that the AT3W offers, and a more advanced alternating outer tread design. Both tires are 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake Rated though, which is a huge plus, but unless you live in Texas, bigger is not always better.

The AT4W, to put it politely, has some weight problems. In a size 33 the AT4W comes in at 67 pounds, a full 7 pounds heavier than the AT3W, which weighs in at 60 pounds. 7 pounds might not seem like too much, but that's just one tire - all four on the same rig will make your off-roader 28 pounds heavier than it would be with a set of AT3Ws.

However, the AT3W isn't a better tire just because it's a lighter tire - again, it'll come down to your application. If you're using your rig as a daily driver, weight will probably be more of an issue for you, especially if you're trying to conserve as much fuel efficiency as you can. But if you want a go-anywhere-do-anything kind of vehicle, the weight of the tires probably won't mean too much towards your final purchasing decision. For the sake of what most people are running, though, the point goes to the AT3W.

Advantage: AT3W (Tied up, 2 points apiece)

Is The Falken AT4W or AT3W Better For On and Off-Road Performance?

This is the comparison everyone has been waiting for, and we're gonna start with on-road manners for this discussion. Unsurprisingly, the WildPeak AT4W is much more uncomfortable on the road thanks to how much larger and meatier it is. It has implemented some smart pitch sequencing between lugs to help reduce road noise though, and for some of you, that might be the difference.

When it comes to icy and wet roads, the AT4W seems to fall a bit short of the AT3W, which is famously one of the best tires in the business in wet, snowy, and slippery conditions. That's mainly because of the newly designed tread pattern, which is made to help paddle out snow, mud, and other items. All in all, the AT3W gets the point for on-road performance.

But the biggest difference between these two tires is that the AT4W offers a three-ply sidewall, which no doubt makes it a stronger off-road tire than the AT3W. It has a more aggressive tread pattern, better control over most obstacles you might come across on the trails, and overall is just a strong, beefy, durable tire that can take you wherever you need to go - it gets the point for off-road performance.

Shop All Falken Tires For Your Off-Roader At TrailBuilt Off-Road

So after all that, the AT4W and AT3W are tied up. But that doesn't mean that they're essentially the same tire - after reading what you just read above, it should be clear that for better, lighter, smoother on-road performance, the AT3W is still one of the best tires you can buy. But while the AT4W probably can't give you a fundamentally different driving experience than the AT3W, it'll still be a worthy choice if you're planning to do some hardcore off-roading anytime soon.

With all that in mind, be sure to head to our tire store and grab the set of Falken tires that's best for your needs. We're happy to help you find the right size for your wheels and your rig, so hit us up at any time if you need a hand - otherwise, we'll see you on the trails!