Dunlop Grandtrek AT3 vs AT5

Dunlop Grandtrek AT3 and AT5 both are All-Terrain tires. These tires are highly specialized by Dunlop to undergo the toughest conditions.

AT3 offers a comparatively higher void ratio, therefore, it is much better for off-roading.

Whereas AT5 features closely packed tread layers for better on-road traction, making it much more reliable on-road.

Comparing Both Tires

Dunlop Grandtrek AT3 features a flat tread design with highly innovative shoulder blocks.

The grooves of this tire are widely spaced which results in a lower contact patch with the road.

The shoulder lugs are highly optimized and the sipes are very efficient. The stone ejectors run along with the tread layers but are not much bold and aggressive.

This tire has gone through Japanese engineering and offers a robust tread compound. Moreover, joint-less nylon, and steel belts are also installed in it.

Dunlop Grandtrek AT5 offers a 5-pitch tread design. This tire promotes a lower void ratio and narrower grooves. Its sipes are less efficient in their function.

The shoulders are wide but not much prominent.

Moreover, a bruise-resistant compound is also installed in this tire. Also, it offers many additional features such as super abrasion resistance and longer tread life.  

On-Road Traction Comparison

AT3 has wider grooves and offers a lower contact patch so it is unable to perform well on-road in dry conditions. However, in wet conditions, this tire is comparatively better than its counterpart as it offers a higher void ratio. The grooves are widely spaced to allow maximum traction on wet roads. Moreover, the well-balanced sipes efficiently wipe away water, so, it is less exposed to hydroplaning.

AT5 features narrower grooves which result in a greater contact patch with the road. In this way, the gripping ability of this tire on dry paved paths is increased, making it a better option in such conditions. However, due to its narrower grooves, this tire suffers in wet conditions as they are not much effective in wiping away water. Along with its zigzag sipes, this tire is not able to beat its counterpart in wet conditions. So, it is comparatively it has more chances of hydroplaning

Off-Road Traction Comparison

Mud Terrain

AT3 comes with an innovative tread design that promises excellent off-road performance. The wider grooves of this tire make it a better option in mud terrain as they effectively grab mud and throw it backward, permitting the tire to roll efficiently. Moreover, its staggered tread blocks and open shoulder design aids in keeping the footprint clean by allowing the smooth passing of mud through them.

AT3 featuring a lower void ratio and suffers in mud terrain as its narrower grooves get stuffed with mud easily. Therefore, the efficiency of this tire is reduced, placing it second to its counterpart in such conditions. The shoulder grooves of this tire are also not much wide, so, this tire lacks in keeping its sidewalls clean. Its grooves are, however, capable of biting mud and throwing it backward but are less efficient than that of AT3.

Snow Terrain

The tread pattern of AT3 gives it an edge to show efficiency in snow terrain. This tire features wider grooves which are more efficient in biting soft snow and wiping it backward to aid the forward movement of the tire. However, in ice, the wider grooves cause this tire to lose its traction as the lower contact patch reduces the tire grip and makes it more slippery.

AT5 comes with narrower grooves which reduces its efficiency on snow. The narrower grooves of this tire result in the loss of efficient traction as they grab and throw back a limited amount of snow. When it’s about icy surfaces, the narrower grooves grant this tire excellent traction. An increased contact patch with the icy roads increases its gripping ability and makes it a better choice.

Rock Terrain

AT3 offers wider grooves which increase its grip on rocks. The staggered tread blocks and open shoulders protect the sidewall from damage offered by rocks. However, along with these features, this tire lags behind its competitor on rock terrain as its stone ejectors are not much efficient in preventing the entry of small stone/pebbles into the grooves.

AT5 has narrower grooves which reduce its grip on rocks but the stone ejectors are highly specialized to eject small stones/pebbles from its grooves. The shoulder grooves of this tire also carry a stone ejector design which lowers the chances of damage offered by the blunt-edged rocks. Moreover, the rugged tread design also protects this tire from stone damages.

Which Tire is more Comfortable?

The highly modified shoulder design of AT3 lowers the noise production and increases the comfort level. However, this tire has adapted many features to promote its on-road comfort but it lags behind its opponent due to its comparatively higher void ratio which reduces its contact patch with the road. This reduced contact patch reduces the tire grip thereby trapping more air into the grooves and making it comparatively noisier on-road. However, for an off-road experience, the wider grooves of AT3 guarantee a jerk-free ride because they effectively absorb jerky effects.

AT5 is a much better choice in the case of on-road comfort as it offers a lower void ratio and greater contact patch with the road. In this way, a little amount of air is trapped into its grooves which lowers the noise production. Moreover, its connected tread block design also lowers the noise up to a minimum level. However, in the case of off-road comfort, the narrower grooves of this tire lack in giving a comfortable ride. This tire is less effective in damping the effect of jerks so it is not as comfortable as AT3 on unpaved paths.

Treadwear and Durability

AT3 comes with a flat and symmetric tread design with a higher void ratio and lower contact with the road, resulting in lower rolling resistance and treadwear. For increased durability, this tire offers many features like a joint-less belt for even contact pressure distribution and a flat tread design for even wear.

AT5 features a 5-pitch tread design and a lower void ratio. This results in a greater contact patch and increased rolling resistance and treadwear. This fact, however, makes this tire less durable as compared to its counterpart but it has adopted some features like super abrasion carbon and a large tread block design to increase its durability to some extent.

Quick Summary

• Both tires are All-Terrain
• AT5 gives better traction on dry paved paths due to its greater contact patch.
• In wet conditions, AT3 performs better due to its higher void ratio.
• In mud, AT3 leads AT5 due to its wider grooves.
• AT3 again dominates on soft snow due to its wider grooves.
• AT5 is a better option on rocks due to its bold stone ejectors.
• AT3 is more durable due to its lower treadwear.