Falken Wildpeak AT3W vs Bridgestone Dueler All Terrain AT002: The Falken Wildpeak AT3W, launched in 2015, has become a trusted name in the all-terrain segment, known for its durability and off-road prowess. On the other hand, the Bridgestone Dueler All Terrain AT002, introduced in 2023, brings a fresh contender into the mix with modern innovations aimed at conquering challenging terrains. This battle between the long-standing favorite and the newcomer promises to showcase which tire excels in the ever-demanding world of all-terrain adventures!
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Results: Falken Wildpeak AT3W vs Bridgestone Dueler All Terrain AT002
Results below were taken from Pro Mobil All Terrain Tire Test with a total of 7 tires tested. The graph below shows the comparison between Falken Wildpeak AT3W vs Bridgestone Dueler All Terrain AT002 based on the relevant performance category. The Falken Wildpeak AT3W was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark.
As the both tires have the converted 3 peak mountain logo, snow performances was tested. The tire size of interest is 255/55 R18.
Gravel
On gravel handling, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W outpaces the Bridgestone Dueler All Terrain AT002 by 1 km/h, achieving 66 km/h compared to Bridgestone’s 65 km/h. In gravel braking, the Falken shows a clear advantage, stopping in 11.2 meters, which is 0.9 meters shorter than the 12.1 meters of the Dueler. However, in gravel traction, both tires perform nearly identically, with the Falken measuring 4.22 N and the Bridgestone slightly edging ahead at 4.23 N.
Dueler All Terrain AT002 :
- -2% in gravel handling
- -7% in gravel braking
- 0% in gravel traction
Sand/Mud
In sand traction, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W and Bridgestone Dueler All Terrain AT002 perform equally, both achieving 1.85 N. However, in mud traction, the Falken takes the lead with 0.97 N, showing a 0.05 N advantage over the Bridgestone’s 0.92 N, indicating better grip in muddy conditions.
Dueler All Terrain AT002 :
- ~0% in sand traction
- -5% in mud traction
Snow
Both the Falken Wildpeak AT3W and Bridgestone Dueler All Terrain AT002 carry the 3-peak mountain certification, but their snow performance shows significant differences. In snow braking, the Falken stops 5.9 meters shorter at 30.1 meters compared to the Bridgestone’s 36 meters. For snow traction, the Falken delivers 3.51 N, outperforming the Bridgestone’s 3.22 N by 0.29 N. In snow handling, the Falken also leads, achieving 58.8 km/h, which is 3.1 km/h faster than the Bridgestone’s 55.7 km/h.
Dueler All Terrain AT002 :
- -16% in snow braking
- -8% in snow traction
- -5% in snow handling
Wet
In wet braking, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W stops 2.8 meters shorter at 37.7 meters compared to the Bridgestone Dueler All Terrain AT002’s 40.5 meters. For wet handling, the Falken is faster, managing 76.6 km/h, which is 1.6 km/h better than the Bridgestone’s 75 km/h. In straight-line aquaplaning resistance, the Falken once again leads, achieving 68 km/h, 1.9 km/h higher than the Bridgestone’s 66.1 km/h.
Dueler All Terrain AT002 :
- -7% in wet braking
- -2% in wet handling
- -3% in straight aquaplaning
Dry
In dry braking, the Bridgestone Dueler All Terrain AT002 outperforms the Falken Wildpeak AT3W by stopping 1.6 meters shorter, at 42.3 meters compared to Falken’s 43.9 meters. However, in dry handling, the Bridgestone also holds a slight edge, achieving 89.2 km/h, which is 1 km/h faster than the Falken’s 88.2 km/h.
Dueler All Terrain AT002 :
- +4% in dry braking
- +1% in dry handling
Noise
The Bridgestone Dueler All Terrain AT002 is quieter, producing 72.9 dB, which is 0.5 dB lower than the Falken Wildpeak AT3W’s 73.4 dB. This small difference gives the Bridgestone a slight advantage in exterior noise performance.
Dueler All Terrain AT002 :
- +1% in exterior noise (-0.5 dB)
Rolling Resistance
The rolling resistance performance between the Falken Wildpeak AT3W and Bridgestone Dueler All Terrain AT002 is identical, with both tires measuring 9 N/kN, offering no clear advantage to either in this category.
Dueler All Terrain AT002 :
- 0% in rolling resistance
Conclusion from a Tire Expert’s Perspective:
As a tire expert, I can see that both the Falken Wildpeak AT3W and Bridgestone Dueler All Terrain AT002 have their strengths. The Bridgestone offers quieter operation and slightly better dry braking, which could appeal to drivers prioritizing comfort and on-road performance. However, the Falken stands out with superior wet and snow performance, better handling in challenging conditions, and shorter braking distances on loose surfaces like gravel. While both tires are capable, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W delivers a more balanced and versatile performance, making it the better all-terrain choice overall.
Dr Edwin Pang