Can an all-terrain tire excel in more than just one category rather than just be a jack of all trades? Yokohama may have just the answer to that question in their Geolandar X-AT. This tire brings more to the table than most all-terrain tires meant to handle light off-roading with a slightly more aggressive tread pattern while still being fairly quiet on-road.
If you’re in need of a tire that has slightly more off-road capability to tackle mud, rocks, and whatever else a trail might throw at you, the X-AT may just fit the bill. I’ve driven 35,000 miles on these tires over mixed terrain and have been itching to share my thoughts so far.
Quick Specs:
- Style: All Terrain
- Size: 285/70R17
- Tread Style: Five-pitch block variation and zig-zag grooves
- Load Range: E
- Weight: 62 lbs.
Table Of Contents
Where Does The X-AT Fit In?
When I needed a tire to trek remote forest service roads and moderate trails here in the southeast, I wanted something to provide plenty of traction in dirt, mud, and loose gravel roads. The X-AT tire is best considered an aggressive all-terrain, with mud terrain (MT) and all-terrain (AT) characteristics. With that, it provides slightly more off-road capability than the standard Yokohama Geolandar AT.
For my 2016 Trail Edition, I went with the size 285/70R17. Even with a 3″ suspension lift and proper alignment, I was experiencing tire rub on the front wheel well and body mounts at full lock. The 285/70R17 is listed on the Yokohama website as 33.1″ in diameter, which is about a full half inch more than other tires in this size like the BFG KO2.
A true 33″ tire comes at a price when you account for a body mount chop and trimming the front bumper. There’s also the increased weight with a larger tire. At 61.1 lbs per tire, it is almost 10 lbs. more than a BFG K02. This can contribute to lower fuel economy and a longer braking distance. Sometimes, bigger is not always better but it does make for a better-looking trail rig. To each their own.
Warranty & Tread Life
There are many factors to consider when choosing the right tire that fits all your needs and budget. All new tires generally come with a warranty and the X-AT is no exception with a 45,000 miles warranty. Keep in mind, that tire warranty reimbursements are pro-rated to the miles you have on them. This is also a big reason why I didn’t go with MT tires, as most do not come with a warranty due to how they’re usually used.
The set I am currently running was installed right at 60,000 miles. After daily driving, many road trips, and a few thousand miles of off-road adventures, I have put 35,000 hard-earned miles on them. The tires have a current tread depth of an astounding 13/32″. From the brand new spec of 18/32″, I still have quite a bit of tread left and only a quarter of the warranty miles to go.
By off-road tire standards, this is very impressive. Of course, tire quality, proper air pressure, alignment, balance, and rotations are key to achieving a long tire life.
On-Road Performance
All-terrain tires will never exceed the level of performance on the highway as a street tire. Many of the low-rating reviews you see online about off-road tires are attributed to the fact that they don’t meet the expectations of a road tire. In recent years, however, tire manufacturers have introduced more off-road capable tires with features that make highway and daily driving safer and more comfortable. The Geolandar X-AT has many features that help make it road-worthy and reliable.
For example, ample siping and a well-balanced rubber compound expel help water on wet roads and provide good traction for daily driving. The aggressive tread pattern is also engineered for a quieter ride over other off-road tires I have previously used. Does this mean they’re as quiet as a highway tire? Absolutely not. However, I can listen to the radio and have a conversation at normal volumes.
I try to rotate my tires every 3000 miles to extend their performance and lifespan as much as possible.
Off-Road Performance
The majority of my off-road driving is rough unimproved forest service roads in the southeastern part of the United States. To get the most out of the tires, I air down to 20 PSI when driving FSRs. This helps maintain proper traction and comfort. When mud or larger obstacles are expected, I will take the tire pressure down to 15 PSI. Being that these are load E-rated tires with 10-ply construction, one could easily air down to single-digit air pressures with bead lock wheels for even more traction.
The side walls are another area that makes these tires very unique. In addition to pronounced side lugs for added traction, there are two sidewall designs you can choose from. One side is more conservative while the other is more aggressive. Ensure your installer is aware of your choice or you might end up with different-looking tires. I know this because it happened to me.
These tires also excel in their ability to withstand chipping. To date, I have seen very minimal chipping of the tread. For those new to off-road driving, chipping is when small chunks of the tire tread are removed due to driving rough terrain like rocks and gravel. This occurs in about every tire that sees trail miles, but some tires tend to chip more than others. Always inspect your tires after every trail run before jumping on the highway.
The only aspect of these tires I cannot review is their performance on sand and rock. In the southeast, I am limited to mud, dirt, clay, and the occasional moderate rock (limestone) obstacle. All of which I have experienced zero issues with these tires. To date, I have only gotten stuck a handful of times, and a winch was never needed – even in a soupy mud hole.
Final Thoughts
Any tire that has held up to 35,000 highway and off-road miles with minimal wear is considered a good tire, in my opinion. The X-ATs have impressed me more than any tire I have experienced in my 25 years of driving.
All in all, I can say that when the time comes for my next set of tires, I will probably go with another set of these. The only change will be moving up to 34s.
So, if you are considering a new set of all-terrain tires and want something slightly more aggressive, long-lasting, and performs well on and off-road with minimal road noise, I suggest taking a good look at the Yokohama Geolandar X-AT in whatever size fits your needs, you won’t regret it.
