Falken Wildpeak M/T Review: Does this tire fit your vehicle?

Mud tires are the most extreme tires out there. And while the Falken Wildpeak M/T is one of the best, it doesn’t fail to impress in terms of highway performance. Few mud tires are quit on smooth roads, and fewer are comfortable as well. 

But with the Falken Wildpeak M/T, the compromises are not that hard to bear. Of course, it is foolish to expect mud tires to ride as smoothly as A/T or highway terrain tires. But there are those that are much easier to bear, albeit at slow to moderate speeds. But you don’t buy mud tires for the creature comforts, in the same way you don’t wear jeans to a wedding, so bear that in mind. 

But in terms of extreme off-road performance over deeper river crossings, deep and murky mud, and giant boulders or rock formations, you can depend on the rugged performance of the Wildpeak M/T. 

How does it compare to an A/T tire in off-road performance?

Truth be told, the Falken Wildpeak M/T is conceived for a different purpose. When compared to an all-terrain tire such as the Falken Wildpeak A/T3W, the Wildpeak M/T is the bigger and brasher brother. It is more athletic and more rugged compared to the Wildpeak A/T3W.

But in terms of grace and smooth performance, the Wildpeak A/T3W is better. It is the bookworm that plays a bit of football in the weekends. It can bang it up with the big boys, but bows down only to the most extreme terrain.

So in terms of off-road performance, the Falken Wildpeak M/T is the better option. The same holds true when tackling deep snow in extremely cold weather. As the roads get rougher, the Wildpeak M/T performs better and grips harder. 

But what happens if the tire is driven on the highway?

You’ll get some tire roar and a slightly stiff ride. But it’s not as bad as you think. You can’t expect mud tires to remain quiet and composed as you breach the speed limit, but if you drive sanely you won’t be disappointed.

In fairness, the tire roar only gets bad as you approach 60 to 80 mph. If you go higher, things can get a bit more hectic. In my opinion, this is not considered a bad thing. Mud tires are designed for off-road driving, period. Anything more is a bonus.

Another bonus is the price. It’s not as expensive as mud tires from more popular brands. And yet you get acceptable levels of refinement with longer wear. For me at least, this is more than impressive. 

How are the grip levels on dry and wet driving conditions?

Let’s put it this way. If your pickup truck or SUV is mostly driven in the highway (but you still need mid off-road capabilities), all-terrain or A/T tires are a better option. Installing chunkier mud tires for this application is just a waste of money.

However, if your truck is modified to tackle extreme off-road terrain for the most part, the Falken Wildpeak M/T is a good choice. But on the drive home, the tires offer higher-than average comfort and road silence, which is a good thing to have in an off-road tire.

Of course, all of this will also depend on the NVH and suspension/chassis tuning of your vehicle. For example, if your truck or SUV is equipped with aftermarket lift kits and off-road suspension, the ride will naturally be bouncy on smooth roads even if you’re using A/T tires. That’s how the game is played, and there’s no sense in bouncing over the rules.

And if you’re expecting high-speed stability and better wet handling on a set of M/T tires, you’re barking at the wrong tree. Dry and wet handling on smooth roads is slightly above average, but H/T or A/T tires can offer better traction overall.

But for rough roads, grass, sand, loose gravel, dirt, or mud, the Falken Wildpeak M/T is more than fit for the job. It’s a no compromise mud tire that won’t back down as the roads get rougher still. 

What are the features of the Falken Wildpeak M/T?

Falken made sure to equip the Wildpeak M/T with the right features for superior off-road performance. It is constructed using a three ply Duraspec sidewall. This is Falken’s proprietary technology that ensures reliable and durable performance in the most punishing off-road conditions.

The tire is not only equipped with three plies of sidewall, but it also features twin ply turn-ups for an added layer of protection against punctures. It also comes with larger and more rigid tread blocks. Interestingly enough, the edges of the tread blocks also come with the same step-down design as the Wildpeak A/T3W. This design ensures superior grip and prevents stones from being trapped inside the blocks. 

Between the tread blocks, you will find mud and rock defense features to ensure maximum grip while preventing rocks from puncturing the base of the tread. The lower sidewall features Falken’s heat shield technology that continuously helps the tire to dissipate heat. Combined with the optimized tread pattern, this helps the tire to maintain a smoother and quieter ride in highway driving.

You can see more Falken Wildpeak MT Review here: By Stage 3 Motorsports

Should I buy the Falken Wildpeak M/T?

If what you’re looking for in a mud tire is extreme off-road performance and impressive refinement on smooth roads, the answer is a resounding yes! It is also offered in many sizes ranging from 15” to 20” diameters and up to 37-inch sizes.

But the biggest reason for choosing the Falken Wildpeak M/T is the price. It sits right smack in the middle of the price range and remains one of the more affordable choices barring Chinese-made derivatives. 

When the roads get rougher, only insist on a durable and rugged set of mud tires. Let the Falken Wildpeak M/T take you to the roads less traveled in utmost smoothness and safety.