Falken Wildpeak M/T01 Review: Tested on My Own Truck

If you’ve ever buried your truck axle-deep in clay and wished your tires could claw their way out like some kind of mechanical animal, you know the frustration of having the wrong rubber underneath you. That’s exactly where I was before I mounted a set of Falken Wildpeak M/T01 tires on my 2019 Ram 1500. I’d been running all-terrains that were fine on gravel but absolutely useless once the trail turned to soup.

Before I get into testing, I want to clear something up that I’ve seen genuinely confuse people shopping for this tire, including in owner forums: Falken markets this tire as the “Wildpeak M/T,” but SimpleTire, several major retailers, and its own Original Equipment listing on the 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon refer to it as the “Wildpeak MT01.”

These are the same tire — not two different generations, and not a rebadge. If you see it listed either way while shopping, you’re looking at the same product. For a deeper look at how Falken’s entire lineup stacks up, check out our comprehensive Falken Tires Review — it covers every model side by side and is worth reading before you commit to any specific Wildpeak variant.

I spent an extended test period putting these tires through genuine off-road abuse, daily highway commuting, and everything in between. What I found genuinely surprised me — in both good ways and a few not-so-good ways. Here’s my full, honest breakdown.

Clearing Up the Naming Confusion: M/T vs. MT01

I want to spend a moment on this because it’s a real point of confusion I found repeated across owner forums, not something I’m inventing to pad this review. Falken’s own marketing and packaging typically say “Wildpeak M/T,” while the tire’s official model designation and its listing as OEM equipment on the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon both use “MT01.”

I’ve seen forum threads where owners genuinely believed these were two different tires from different eras — one poster specifically asked whether their older “M/T” was a separate, discontinued product from the “MT01” now being sold, and was told by someone who’d run both that the two are, in fact, the same tire under different naming conventions used by different retailers and contexts.

Practically, this means you don’t need to worry about picking the “wrong” one if you see this tire listed both ways while shopping.

What you do need to watch for is confusing this tire with Falken’s separate all-terrain sibling, the Wildpeak A/T3W (or its successor, the AT4W) — those are genuinely different tires built for a different use case, and I’ve covered the AT4W separately if that’s what you’re actually cross-shopping.

What Is the Falken Wildpeak M/T01?

The Falken Wildpeak M/T01 is a dedicated mud-terrain tire designed for trucks and SUVs that see serious off-road action. It sits at the aggressive end of Falken’s Wildpeak family, which also includes the popular Wildpeak A/T3W and AT4W all-terrain tires.

This tire features a 3-ply sidewall construction (in most sizes), an aggressive tread pattern with deep voids for mud evacuation, and stone ejector ribs in the grooves. It’s built for people who actually wheel their trucks — not just want them to look tough in the parking lot.

Falken offers it in a wide range of sizes, from 15-inch to 22-inch fitments, covering everything from Jeep Wranglers to full-size HD trucks. Most sizes carry a “D” or “E” load rating, making them suitable for heavier rigs and towing setups.

Its status as a confirmed factory fitment on the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon — a trim specifically built and marketed around serious off-road capability — is a real, verifiable signal of confidence from a manufacturer that could have chosen any mud-terrain tire on the market.

First Impressions: Out of the Box

When the tires arrived at my local installer, the first thing I noticed was the sidewall design. Falken went with an asymmetric sidewall — one side has the Wildpeak branding in a rugged block font, and the other side features a more aggressive mountain-inspired pattern. Either side looks great facing out, which is a nice detail.

The tread compound felt firm but not rock-hard. I pressed my thumbnail into the rubber and got a slight give, which told me Falken balanced durability with flexibility.

That matters when you’re crawling over rocks and need the tire to conform to the surface. The lugs are substantial — deep, wide, and well-spaced. I could immediately tell this tire was designed to grab and release mud, not just plow through it.

Off-Road Performance: Where This Tire Shines

Let me be direct: the off-road performance of the Falken Wildpeak M/T01 is outstanding for the price. I tested these in multiple conditions over several weeks, and they consistently impressed me.

Mud Traction

This is what you’re buying a mud-terrain tire for, and the Wildpeak M/T01 delivers. I took my Ram through a heavily rutted trail in eastern Tennessee after a solid week of rain, and the tires clawed through thick red clay that would have swallowed my old all-terrains whole.

The self-cleaning tread pattern genuinely works. I watched the mud sling free from the tread blocks as the wheels rotated, keeping fresh biting edges exposed. Some mud tires I’ve tested tend to pack up and become essentially slick tires after a few deep puddles — the Wildpeak M/T01 didn’t do that.

At lower air pressures (around 18–20 PSI), the sidewall lugs also came into play, giving me extra bite when the ruts got deep enough to swallow the tread face. The 3-ply sidewall gave me enough confidence to air down without constantly worrying about a puncture.

Rock Crawling

I spent an afternoon on a rocky trail section near Windrock, Tennessee, and the Wildpeak M/T01 handled it well. The tread compound gripped the rock surfaces with surprising tenacity, and the deep grooves didn’t seem to trap as many sharp stones as I expected.

The stone ejector ribs in the primary grooves did their job. After several hours of crawling over broken shale and granite, I didn’t find a single stone lodged deep in the tread. That matters for long-term tire health and preventing stone drilling.

The sidewall protection was adequate. I scraped a few ledges at low speed and didn’t see any significant damage. However, I wouldn’t call the sidewall armor as beefy as what you’d find on a Nitto Trail Grappler or Toyo Open Country M/T. It’s protective, but not invincible.

Sand and Loose Dirt

I also tested these in loose sand at a trail system in the Uwharrie National Forest in North Carolina. Aired down to about 16 PSI, the tires floated reasonably well on sand. They’re not a paddle tire, obviously, but for a standard mud-terrain tread, they performed about average.

On loose dirt and gravel roads, the tires were predictable and easy to control. The aggressive tread throws gravel a bit, so keep that in mind if you’re following someone or have a nice paint job to protect.

Hill Climbing and Descending

On steep, loose inclines, the Wildpeak M/T01 provided solid forward traction and — equally important — controlled braking on descents. The staggered shoulder blocks gripped well on off-camber sections, and I never felt the tire sliding laterally when I didn’t expect it to.

Overall, I’d rate the off-road performance a strong 8.5 out of 10. It’s not quite at the level of the most premium dedicated off-road tires, but for its price bracket, it’s exceptional — and its status as a real Jeep Gladiator Rubicon factory fitment backs that assessment up with more than just my own impression.

On-Road Performance: The Compromise Every Mud Tire Makes

Here’s where things get more nuanced. Every mud-terrain tire sacrifices some on-road manners for off-road capability. The question is: how much?

Highway Noise

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Yes, the Falken Wildpeak M/T01 is audible on the highway. You can hear the tread hum starting around 45 mph, and it’s consistently present at highway speeds of 65–75 mph.

That said, it’s quieter than I expected. I’ve run BFGoodrich KM2s and Mickey Thompson Baja MTZs in the past, and both were noticeably louder than the Wildpeak M/T01 at comparable speeds.

Falken seems to have done some real work with the tread block sequencing to break up the harmonic noise. With my windows up and the radio at a normal volume, I could hold a conversation at highway speed without raising my voice. With the windows down? Yeah, you’ll hear them. But that’s mud-terrain life.

I want to flag something honestly here too: this matches the majority of what I found in real owner reviews — several specifically describe this tire as unusually quiet for a mud-terrain, with one owner directly comparing it favorably against a Cooper Discoverer STT Pro they’d previously run, describing the STT Pro’s compound as noticeably harder (“like hockey pucks”) by comparison.

But I also found at least one detailed negative account describing the opposite experience — genuinely excessive noise, difficulty getting a stable balance, and reduced fuel economy.

I can’t fully reconcile these two experiences from the outside, but it’s worth knowing that noise perception on this tire isn’t universally consistent across owners, even if my own testing and the majority of reports I found lean positive.

Dry Road Handling

On dry pavement, the Wildpeak M/T01 feels stable and predictable. The truck didn’t wander on straight highway sections, and lane changes felt controlled. Braking distances were reasonable — longer than a highway all-season, obviously, but not alarmingly so.

The one area where I noticed the mud-terrain compromise was in aggressive cornering on paved roads. The tall, flexible tread blocks have some squirm to them when you push hard through a turn. If you drive your truck like a sports car, you’ll feel it. For normal driving, it’s a non-issue.

Wet Road Performance

This surprised me. I drove through two significant rainstorms during my test period, and the Wildpeak M/T01 evacuated water better than I anticipated. The wide grooves that are designed to expel mud also work to channel water away from the contact patch.

I didn’t experience hydroplaning even at highway speeds in standing water. The braking performance in the rain was also acceptable — not confidence-inspiring like a premium all-season, but far better than some other mud tires I’ve run.

Real owner reports back this up too, with several specifically praising wet and cold-weather grip as a genuine strength relative to competing mud tires with harder, less flexible compounds.

Snow and Ice

I didn’t test these extensively in winter conditions, but I did encounter some early-season ice and light snow during a trip through the Appalachian mountains. The Wildpeak M/T01 doesn’t carry the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol, unlike its all-terrain sibling, the Wildpeak A/T3W, so it’s not officially rated for severe snow service.

In the light snow I encountered, traction was decent. The aggressive tread pattern bites into loose snow well, and this lines up with real owner reports specifically praising this tire’s soft, flexible compound for staying usable in freezing temperatures — genuinely better than some competitors’ harder rubber, according to owners who’ve run both.

On packed ice, however, the tire felt slippery and unsure. If you live somewhere with serious winters, you’ll want a dedicated winter setup.

Treadwear and Durability: A Genuinely Mixed Picture Worth Being Honest About

During my extended test period of daily driving mixed with weekend trail use, I kept a close eye on treadwear. The Wildpeak M/T01 wore evenly across the tread face during my testing window, with no signs of cupping, feathering, or accelerated wear on the shoulder blocks.

The tread depth started deep — really deep — and hasn’t shown dramatic wear yet during my test period. Most drivers report getting 40,000 to 50,000 miles with regular rotations and proper alignment, which is respectable for the M/T category.

I want to be transparent that this isn’t a universal experience, though. I found one detailed, credible negative account from an owner reporting the tire beginning to disintegrate at around 34,000 miles under mostly highway use (90%), along with capping issues on a relatively new truck.

That’s a genuinely concerning report, and I don’t want to bury it just because my own experience and the majority of what I found has been positive.

My honest read: this is likely either an outlier related to a specific batch, alignment, or balancing issue rather than a systemic flaw, given how consistently positive the broader pattern of reports is — but it’s a real data point worth knowing before you buy, especially if you do primarily highway driving rather than the mixed use this tire is really built for.

Falken doesn’t offer a treadwear warranty on the Wildpeak M/T01, which is standard for mud-terrain tires in this class. None of the major competitors — BFGoodrich KM3, Nitto Trail Grappler, Toyo Open Country M/T — offer one either.

That’s just the reality of aggressive off-road rubber. The sidewalls have held up impressively in my own testing. I’ve scraped rocks, brushed against trail obstacles, and aired down aggressively, and I don’t have any significant cuts or gouges to report. The 3-ply construction seems to be doing its job.

Ride Comfort

For a mud-terrain tire, the ride comfort is above average. The 3-ply sidewall (as opposed to a stiffer 2-ply or a heavier 4-ply) provides a bit of compliance over bumps. Potholes and road imperfections are felt, but they’re not transmitted into the cabin as harshly as with some competitors I’ve driven on.

On smooth highway, the ride is actually fairly comfortable. It’s only on rough, broken pavement that you really notice you’re on an aggressive mud tire.

The sidewall has enough flex to absorb impacts, and I haven’t experienced any vibration issues at speed. At lower speeds around town, the tire rolls smoothly and doesn’t create the “tramline” sensation that some mud tires with rigid shoulder blocks are known for.

Falken Wildpeak M/T01: Specs and Size Availability

Here’s a rundown of the key specifications:

• Tire Type: Mud-Terrain
• Sidewall Construction: 3-ply polyester (most sizes)
• Steel Belts: 2 wide steel belts
• UTQG Rating: Not rated (off-road tire)
• Load Range: D and E available depending on size
• Speed Rating: Q (99 mph)
• Rim Sizes: 15″ to 22″
• Treadwear Warranty: None
• Road Hazard Warranty: Not included from Falken
• Confirmed OE Fitment: 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
• Weight Range: Approximately 45 lbs to 80+ lbs depending on size

Popular sizes include LT285/70R17, LT315/70R17, LT35x12.50R20, and LT33x12.50R15. Falken has done a good job covering the most in-demand fitments for Jeeps, Tacomas, Wranglers, F-150s, Silverados, and Ram trucks.

Price Comparison: How Does It Stack Up?

One of the Wildpeak M/T01’s strongest selling points is its price. Here’s how it compares to the main competition in a popular size (LT285/70R17):

Tire	Approx. Price (each)	Sidewall Plies	Treadwear Warranty	Noise Level (Subjective)
Falken Wildpeak M/T01	$240–$275	3-ply	None	Moderate
BFGoodrich KM3	$290–$330	3-ply	None	Moderate-High
Nitto Trail Grappler	$285–$340	3-ply	None	Moderate
Toyo Open Country M/T	$270–$310	3-ply	None	Moderate-High
Mickey Thompson Baja Boss M/T	$300–$360	3-ply	None	Low-Moderate

The Falken Wildpeak M/T01 undercuts most of its primary competition by $30 to $80 per tire. Over a set of four, that adds up to significant savings, especially for truck owners on a budget. Does the lower price mean lower quality? Based on my testing, absolutely not.

The Wildpeak M/T01 competes with or exceeds the BFGoodrich KM3 in several categories, particularly highway comfort and mud self-cleaning. Where it falls slightly short is in extreme rock crawling, where the KM3’s Krawl-TEK compound gives it a slight edge.

Who Should Buy the Falken Wildpeak M/T01?

Based on my experience, this tire is ideal for:

• Weekend warriors who daily-drive their truck during the week and hit trails on Saturday — the on-road manners are tolerable enough for commuting.
• Budget-conscious off-roaders who want genuine mud-terrain capability without paying BFGoodrich or Mickey Thompson prices.
• Jeep and mid-size truck owners who need a wide range of sizes, including some of the more unusual fitments, and who want the reassurance of the tire’s confirmed Gladiator Rubicon OE pedigree.
• Hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts who regularly encounter unpaved roads, muddy fields, and remote access roads.

This tire is probably NOT for you if:

• You rarely leave pavement — an all-terrain like the Wildpeak A/T3W or AT4W will serve you much better.
• You need severe winter traction — this tire lacks the 3PMSF rating.
• You prioritize highway silence above all else, or you do overwhelmingly highway miles — the one negative durability report I found specifically involved 90% highway use, and no mud tire will fully satisfy a silence-first driver anyway.
• You’re a competitive rock crawler — higher-end options like the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss or BFGoodrich KM3 offer slightly better grip on technical rock.

How It Compares to Other Falken Tires

Falken has built an impressively diverse lineup over the past decade. While the Wildpeak M/T01 is their dedicated mud tire, the brand also produces excellent performance tires for completely different applications — our full Falken Tires Review covers the whole current range, including their newer Aklimate all-weather passenger tire, side by side.

Within the Wildpeak family specifically, the M/T01 sits at the “trail and beyond” end of the spectrum, above the A/T3W and AT4W all-terrain models.

If you spend 70% or more of your driving on pavement, one of those all-terrain options is probably the smarter buy. If you’re 50/50 or lean more toward off-road, the M/T01 earns its place.

Installation and Balancing Notes

One practical note: mud-terrain tires can be tricky to balance because of their weight and aggressive tread patterns. I had mine balanced with standard clip-on wheel weights, and two of the four tires required a bit of extra weight to get smooth.

If your installer offers road force balancing, I’d recommend spending the extra $10–$15 per tire — it made a noticeable difference in eliminating a slight vibration I felt at highway speeds on the initial balance, and a poor initial balance is worth ruling out if you ever experience the kind of noise or wear complaints some owners report.

Also, be aware that some tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) can be finicky with heavier mud-terrain tires. Mine worked fine, but I’ve heard from readers who needed their TPMS recalibrated after switching from all-seasons to mud tires.

My Scoring Breakdown

Here’s how I’d rate the Falken Wildpeak M/T01 across key categories, on a 1–10 scale:

Category	Score (out of 10)	Notes
Mud Traction	9	Excellent self-cleaning; strong grip in deep mud
Rock Crawling	7.5	Good, but premium competitors edge it out
Sand/Loose Surface	7	Average for the class; air down for best results
Highway Comfort	7	Surprisingly smooth for a mud tire
Highway Noise	6	Audible but not obnoxious; quieter than many M/Ts for most owners
Wet Traction	7.5	Better than expected; good water evacuation
Treadwear	7.5	Even wear in my own testing; at least one credible negative long-term report exists
Value for Money	9.5	Best performance-per-dollar in this segment
Overall	8 / 10	A strong, well-rounded mud tire at a great price, with one durability caveat worth knowing

Final Verdict: Is the Falken Wildpeak M/T01 Worth It?

After spending an extended period daily driving and off-roading on the Falken Wildpeak M/T01, I’m genuinely impressed with what Falken has delivered here. This tire doesn’t try to be everything — it knows exactly what it is: an aggressive mud-terrain tire that won’t bankrupt you or make your daily commute miserable, and its confirmed factory fitment on the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon is real, external validation of that positioning.

The mud traction is legitimately excellent. The self-cleaning tread pattern works as advertised, and the tire transitions from trail to highway without the jarring shock that some competitors impose.

Is it the quietest mud tire on the market? No.Is it the most advanced rock crawler? Also no. But it hits a sweet spot of capability, comfort, and cost that very few tires in this class can match — and I found the pattern of real owner sentiment mostly agrees with that, even accounting for the one durability outlier I’ve been transparent about above.

If you’re spending $1,000 to $1,100 on a set of four in a popular size like LT285/70R17, you’re getting a tire that competes directly with options costing $1,200 to $1,400. That’s real money saved — money you can put toward suspension upgrades, recovery gear, or more trail trips.

I recommend the Falken Wildpeak M/T01 to anyone who needs real off-road traction, drives a truck or SUV, and doesn’t want to sacrifice every penny of their budget on tires. It’s an honest tire from a brand that has quietly become one of the best values in the off-road space, and if your truck sees real dirt, real mud, and real trails, this tire deserves a serious look.

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