Toyos/wildpeaks vs Defenders in snow/rain?

I'm looking at getting defenders or toyos/wildpeaks.

Winter tires are best because the compound is softer for better adhesion,
but if the tread pattern is compacted with snow in an A/T and your not cutting into pavement it'll lose traction.

Would toyos/wildpeaks offer superior traction over defenders in snow/ice/rain roadway conditions?

 

Toyo and Falken are different companies.
I found that the Toyo Open Country ATIII is much better than the previous ATII for winter driving on public roads.
Nothing compares to a dedicated winter tire in those conditions. https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/cars-trucks/snow-tires-people-who-dont-live-winter/
https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/cars-trucks/awd-doesnt-matter-winter-tires-do/
Winter tires are designed to have snow packed between the tread blocks for traction; https://www.popsci.com/story/technology/winter-tire-driving-guide/

 

This is going to depend on the type of snow, deep snow is going to require the more aggressive tread pattern of an All terrain tire. Where as most on road needs would be for a tighter tread design like the Michelin.

To summarize a bit of the links that @eurowner posted. Much of the traction a tire offers in the winter is from what's called snow on snow adhesion. Much like how packing a snowball works, a tire holding the snow will actually add traction in many cases. As you noted the compound also has a lot to do with this.

Tires are a product of compromise, no tire can score 5 out of 5 in every performance attribute, meaning there will always be a give and a take. Based on our testing the Michelin and the Toyo both scored 5 out of 5 for winter performance, with the Michelin offering a better ride, where the Toyo would offer offroad capability and better traction in deep snow. The Michelin shows to offer better wet traction beating out the Toyo. The Toyo is 3 peak mountain snow flake rated so it has been tested and is approved for severe weather usage.

We would recommend considering the type of snow you may see as well the other tire qualities that are important to you. Feel free to shoot us a PM if we can be of assistance.

 

The tests are BS and

Do you think Toyos perform better in rain than defenders?

I know toyo/falken are different brands. Definitely going with US made Toyo's for an A/t. Wildpeaks are now made in china and I read about balance issues.

 

I ran Toyos all terrain and they were horrendous in the rain. Currently have Wildpeaks with about 45-50k on them still doing well. Do fine in the snow where I live. You can’t go wrong with Michelin either.

 

What size did you run with Toyos? I might try 245

 

Toyo Open Country ATII or ATIII?

 

265/70/17 was the size.

ATII. They were bad enough, that I will never consider another Toyo for the Tacoma.