Falken Wildpeak R/T01 Tires – Intial Impressions

The age-old struggle between the more daily driver-friendly all-terrain (A/T) and uncompromising off-road mud-terrain (M/T) tire plagues everyone in the off-road community. Whether you’re a newcomer or a veteran, each category has significant pros and cons. As such, weighing those factors can complicate deciding which best suits your needs.

First introduced by Toyo Tires (the Open Country R/T) in 2014, a new tire category was formed. The exact term used varies depending on the brand, but these are essentially hybrid tires that combine the on-road livability of an A/T with the off-road traction of an M/T. They have proven to be the perfect middle ground for many drivers, especially weekend warriors who love to get off the beaten path more than most. You could argue that they are the goldilocks of the off-road tire segment.

In 2023, Falken announced the release the Wildpeak R/T01, and it was made available for sale in 2024. It was their entry into the RT/hybrid tire segment. They caught my attention for their aggressive sidewall design and unique treat pattern, unlike any I’ve seen before. Since this tire doesn’t seem to have a ton of info and testing yet, I figured it was a great tire to review.

Overview

Falken developed the R/T01 for work and play. They’re perfectly suited for off-road adventures, towing, and driving the countless pavement miles to get there. They come with a 50,000-mile warranty, which is very excellent, considering M/T tires typically don’t come with a warranty at all. So, you’re essentially getting 90-95% of the off-road traction you’d realistically need, along with a warranty.

Falken calls this unique tread pattern “Tectonic Tread Blocks.” It features step-downs on the edges for more stability on the road and with towing. The tread is also more tightly packed in the center to reduce noise and increase traction on the road, while the larger outer tread blocks are spaced further apart for better traction in mud and on rocks.

The sidewall design looks excellent and, in my opinion, looks much better than both the Wildpeak A/T4W and M/T. Not only does it provide additional traction off-road, but it protects better against punctures. If you want an aggressive sidewall that’s usually reserved for an M/T, this is a great pick.

Compared To A/T4W

Even though the R/T01 and the wildly popular A/T4W are in different categories, you may have considered both for your truck. The latter has proven to be no slouch off-road, especially considering it builds upon the longstanding reputation of its predecessor, the A/T3W. However, if you need that slight edge in grip on the rocks or the mud, the R/T01 is better suited.

Two notable differences between the tires are that the R/T01 is not 3PMSF rated and, due to the larger tread voids, will be slightly louder on the road than the A/T4W. While the former will certainly get you through the occasional snowstorm, they’re probably not ideal for harsh winter conditions for months on end. However, you gain improved sidewall protection and a much more aggressive-looking tire in exchange for those trade-offs.

Both tires have 3-ply sidewalls in LT sizes and are offered in C through F load ranges. A handful of sizes are offered in an SL load rating (similar to the stock tires on a 4Runner). However, due to their less robust construction, whether or not those are durable enough for regular off-road use is up for debate.

Initial Impressions

As seen above, I’ve got these mounted on my new Lock Off-Road Onyx wheels. My initial impressions have been positive overall so far. I’m coming from a set of Toyo R/T Trails, a direct competitor, and they’re marginally louder on-road. I will be writing a comparison between the two in the near future after I get some more miles on the Falkens.

I got these tires in size 35×11.5R17, which come with a C load (6-ply) rating. This is my first set of C-load tires, and they’re noticeably more compliant on the road than the E-load (10-ply) tires I’ve run in the past. Being in the middle of winter in the PNW, they’ve handled well in the cold rain during early morning commutes. I attribute that to the more tightly packed center tread and sufficient siping, which are the main benefits of an RT tire over an MT.

Final Thoughts

As we progress through the year, I’ll hopefully be able to test these tires in snowy, on-road conditions, as well as the sweltering heat of summer. Both of these extreme conditions are weak points for MTs, as their lack of siping hinders traction on ice, and the softer rubber compound wears excessively on hot pavement. Once I’ve had a chance to put these through its paces, I’ll be writing an additional long-term review, so stay tuned!