Falken Wildpeak A/T4W vs Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8 tires

Pickup trucks, SUVs, crossovers – they’re just ubiquitous on American roads these days. Trucks and SUVs are today’s family cars, having taken over the role that used to be filled by minivans (and by big station wagons a generation before that). Every generation of light trucks and SUVs is a little more comfortable, refined, sophisticated, and dependable; they’ve come a very long way from the trucks of the 1980s or 90s. Many of those trucks and SUVs are, of course, equipped for traction and ruggedness with 4WD drivetrains. Drivers know that if they find themselves going off the pavement from time to time or if they have to contend with rough winter driving conditions, all-terrain tires are the only thing to reliably get the job done.

Just like trucks and SUVs have come a long way in the last quarter-century or so, all-terrain tires have had to evolve alongside them. Where older all-terrain tires could be noisy and clumsy, modern, premium all-terrain tires can deliver low noise, capable and predictable handling, a forgiving ride, and long treadwear. In other words, they can be just as refined and capable on the highway as all-season and Grand Touring tires, and just as much in their element for long Interstate trips as they are on a backwoods dirt road full of ruts and obstacles.

Today we’re going to look at the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W and Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8. These are both popular premium all-terrain tires that are noted for quality and performance, and both are loaded with great features and innovations. In the course of this head-to-head comparison, you’ll see us refer frequently to the SimpleScore numbers for each tire. If you’re unfamiliar with SimpleScore, it’s the system that the team at SimpleTire developed to give you an at-a-glance view of a tire’s performance and value. We take in reviews, specs, and other data points and then process that info down to a 1-10 numerical value for the categories of handling, traction, and longevity, as well as an overall average SimpleScore for any given tire. For the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W and Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8, the SimpleScore numbers are as follows:

Falken Wildpeak A/T4W:

• Traction: 9.8
• Handling: 9.5
• Longevity: 9.2
• Overall average SimpleScore: 9.5

Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8:

• Traction: 8.1
• Handling: 8.2
• Longevity: 7.7
• Overall average SimpleScore: 7.9

As you can see from those SimpleScore rankings, the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W and Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8 have some noticeable disparities when it comes to SimpleScore ratings. The SimpleScore numbers, though, hardly tell the whole story of what you can expect with a tire, with all of its strengths and weaknesses. In this comparison, we’re going to do a little compare-and-contrast with the Falken and Nexen, give you a better idea of what both tires are about, and see which tire comes out on top by the end.

Falken Wildpeak A/T4W tires

Here at the SimpleTire team, we’ve been impressed by the various offerings from Falken for some time, and the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W is a prime example of why. The Wildpeak A/T4W improves on its predecessor model and is built for ruggedness and long service, with Falken’s DURASPEC technology package that includes a 3-ply reinforced sidewall on select sizes. That design also means a reinforced casing for improved load ratings and towing ability, and Falken’s heat diffuser design helps prevent heat buildup (the enemy of any tire’s internal structure).

The silica-rich tread compound of the Wildpeak A/T4W aids in wet-weather or winter traction as well as ensuring long, even wear, and a ramped-up tread design with a network of 3D sipes helps the Wildpeak A/T4W earn the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake rating for severe winter service. In mud or loose dirt, the Wildpeak A/T4W features a tread depth up to 19/32” and a system of staggered shoulder blocks that work with the relief lettering on the sidewall for great lateral traction, enabling you to claw your way out of ruts easily.

The Wildpeak A/T4W is covered by a 65,000 mile manufacturer’s treadwear warranty for LT sizes and 60,000 mile for non-LT sizes, as well as Falken’s Road Hazard Protection. SimpleTire’s price on the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W starts at $157.00 per tire.

Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8 tires

The Roadian AT Pro RA8 from Nexen is another tough and durable example of an all-terrain tire. Like the Falken, the Roadian AT Pro RA8 features a damage-resistant tread compound and internal construction that includes a 2-ply polyester casing, dual steel belt package, and 2–ply nylon cap layer for stability, durability, and ride comfort. The tread blocks and groove design of the Roadian AT Pro RA8 easily eject rocks and mud to protect the casing and ensure there’s always a clear section of the tire to dig in as the wheel turns. An innovative staggered center rib improves off-road performance, and a series of zigzag sipes multiply the tread’s surface area and traction, earning it the 3PMSF certification for severe winter service.

On the pavement, the Roadian AT Pro RA8 benefits from a wide shoulder block that improves handling and a tread pitch that’s randomized and computer tuned to help cancel highway noise. According to tire size, the Roadian AT Pro RA8 is available with a black sidewall or a great-looking outlined white letter (OWL) sidewall. The Roadian AT Pro RA8 is protected by Nexen’s Total Coverage Warranty, which includes a 50,000 mile manufacturer’s treadwear warranty, road hazard protection, a 45-day/500 mile trial period, and a 36 month roadside assistance package. SimpleTire’s price on the Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8 starts at $112 per tire.

Falken Wildpeak A/T4W vs Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8 tires on traction

So when it comes down to traction, how do the Falken and the Nexen stack up against each other? The Falken Wildpeak A/T4W registers a SimpleScore of 9.8 for traction vs 8.1 for the Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8. Both tires have the 3PMSF rating for severe winter service (a real plus for any a/t tire), but the Falken is designed with extra tread depth, aggressive tread blocks, and wraparound lugs at the shoulder that extend down onto the sidewall, improving lateral traction for cornering or for clawing out of mud, ruts or snowbanks. The 3D sipes of the Falken help with winter traction and the silica-rich tread compound is designed to stay flexible even at subfreezing temperatures. All in all, the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W is a confident performer for dry-weather or wet-weather grip on the highway, as well as unbeatable all-terrain traction. Our decision:

ADVANTAGE: Falken Wildpeak A/T4W

Falken Wildpeak A/T4W vs Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8 tires on handling

When it comes to the handling category, there’s a pretty big disparity between the two tires, with the Falken weighing in with a SimpleScore of 9.5 vs 8.2 with the Nexen. The staggered shoulder blocks, reinforced internal design, and sipe pattern of the Falken mean it has extra rigidity to resist the forces of cornering – when you start making a turn, the vehicle’s inertia will try to keep pushing it in a straight line – and that keeps more rubber in contact with the pavement for reduced tread deformation and squirm. Nobody expects all-terrain light truck tires to handle like automotive performance tires, but the Falken definitely has an edge over the Nexen when it comes to capable and predictable handling, steering response, and cornering. Our call:

ADVANTAGE: Falken Wildpeak A/T4W

Falken Wildpeak A/T4W vs Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8 tires on longevity

When it comes to longevity and service life, it’s a pretty easy choice, because treadwear mileage warranties tell the whole story. The internal construction, tread compound, and overall durability of the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W are enough for the manufacturer to offer a 65,000 mile warranty, vs 50,000 mile coverage for the Nexen. That shakes out to a SimpleScore of 9.2 for the Falken vs 7.7 for the Nexen. Our call:

ADVANTAGE: Falken Wildpeak A/T4W

When to use each

Maybe the most pertinent question here is, how often do you take your truck off the pavement? If the answer is “not all that often,” you might be better off with a set of all-season tires. But if you do really like to get down and dirty from time to time, all-terrain tires like the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W or Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8 are the way to go. Both tires are very capable and confident when it comes to performance in mud, snow, loose dirt, gravel, or snow. And speaking of snow, both the Nexen and the Falken have the 3 Peak Mountain Snowflake certification for severe winter service. The tire industry sets the bar pretty high for a 3PMSF rating and it’s an impressive credential for any tire, with winter traction that’s only surpassed by studded tires (which aren’t even legal everywhere). So if you go off-road on rough logging trails, farm roads, or oilfield roads or have to handle the kind of winter weather where several inches of snow might be on the roads for days at a time, the Falken or the Nexen could both be great options for you.

Which one should you choose?

Here’s where it all comes down to brass tacks, doesn’t it? While the Nexen Roadian AT Pro RA8 is a very good tire with plenty to recommend, the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W outperforms it in all the key areas covered by our SimpleScore system. It boasts a better treadwear warranty, more tenacious traction in off-road use, a durable internal design, and handling that’s crisp and predictable, if not exactly nimble. Both tires come in at around the same price point as well, meaning that at the end of the day, the Falken presents a better value and bang for the buck. If we were shopping for a set of tires for a light truck, Jeep, SUV, or crossover, our choice would be the Falken Wildpeak A/T4W over the Nexen Roadian Pro AT8.

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.