Firestone Destination AT vs Firestone Transforce AT2: Both belong to the All-Terrain category. Both tires are highly specialized to give a sensational performance in different conditions.
However, Destination offers a comparatively lower void ratio and gives better performance on-road.
Examine the treads on these tires closely. They hold the key to knowing which to choose. In fact if you visit my "tread design" page, picking the right tire would never bother you.
On the other hand, Transforce emphasizing a comparatively higher void ratio and wider grooves gives an excellent off-road performance.
Both tires show superiority over each other in different areas.
Table of Contents
Overview of both tires:
Firestone Destination A/T
Firestone Transforce A/T2
Vs
The symmetric tread design of Destination allows it to create a balance between its on and off-road performance.
The tread blocks are arranged in a 5-pitch pattern which enhances the tire grip on-road.
As Destination offers a comparatively lower void ratio and greater contact patch, so, this tire is a better option on dry paved roads.
In wet conditions, this tire struggles as the grooves are narrower and sipes are less efficient in wiping away water, which reduces its grip on wet paved paths.
In mud/snow terrain, this tire due to its narrower grooves lacks in giving enough traction.
However due to greater contact patch it gives better performance in ice. On rocks, the narrower grooves of Destination along with less prominent stone ejectors reduce its efficiency.
This tire offers a nylon wrap that guards the tire against sharp-edged stones. The rubber compound of the tire offers L.L Carbon Black which increases its durability.
Firestone Transforce AT features a symmetric 4-pitch tread design with notched shoulders that makes this tire capable to undergo all tough conditions.
However, in Transforce the tread blocks are widely spaced and grooves are comparatively wider which allows lower contact patch and minimizes its grip on dry roads.
In wet conditions, this tire shows excellency as deep sipes wipe water more efficiently. In the mud and soft snow, the wider grooves of this tire are proved effective in evacuating mud/snow particles, granting it excellent traction.
This tire is not much reliable on ice because it has a lower contact patch, which makes it more slippery on ice.
In rocky terrains, the wider grooves and bolder stone ejectors allow it to perform much better.
Moreover, polyester and steel construction prevent damage and high-density tread compound promotes longer tread life.
On-Road Traction
Destination, having a lower void ratio and greater contact patch gives an efficient grip on dry paved paths.
This tire offers narrower grooves and the tread layers are closer to each other, therefore, it is a good option for dry roads.
The zigzag sipes of this tire are 3D and provide good traction in wet conditions but the narrower grooves are less efficient in passing out enough water.
So, this tire is at a greater risk of hydroplaning due to its lower void ratio.
Transforce features an innovative tread design that offers wider grooves and lower contact patch.
In this way, the grip of this tire on dry roads is reduced.
However, on wet surfaces, the wider grooves and full-depth sipes are much efficient in wiping away water more efficiently thus giving this tire an edge to dominate in such conditions.
Differences in Off Road Traction
Destination offers a lower void ratio; the narrower grooves are less efficient in biting mud and this fact affects its movement in mud terrain.
The mud may also get stuck into the narrow grooves and reduce the tire grip.
The shoulders are also narrower which does not allow the easy passing of mud through them.
Transforce comes with broader grooves which grants this tire several biting edges.
The wider grooves of this tire are efficient in biting the mud and throwing it backwards, allowing it to roll smoothly.
Moreover, this tire offers wide shoulder grooves which are able to pass mud through them smoothly and allow the tire to roll.
On rocks, Destination offers less bold stone ejectors, which are unable to emit stones and rock particles from getting into the grooves.
Narrow grooves also lowers its grip over the rocks.
But the tire offers some impressive features like a total nylon wrap with polyester and steel piling which secures it from the rocky trails and damages.
In Transforce, stone emitters are not much prominent overall, but more efficient than that of its competitor, in preventing the adhesion of stones into the tire tread and grooves.
The grooves are also wider which grants this tire a sensational grip over rocks.
Moreover, polyester and steel construction along with advanced high modulus tread compound shields the tire from the damage offered by sharp-edged rocks.
Comfort Comparison
Destination features a lower void ratio and closely packed tread design which allows maximum contact with the surface. So, lesser air particles get trapped into the narrow grooves, therefore, this tire is less noisy and more comfortable on-road. However, the narrow grooves are less effective to prohibit bumpy off-road rides, so, this tire is not much comfortable on unpaved and rugged paths.
Transforce possessing a higher void ratio and wider grooves lacks in granting a good comfort level on paved paths. A higher number of air particles are trapped into the wide grooves of this tire, making it noisier and less comfortable on-road. However, the wider grooves of this tire are proven excellent in preventing jerky effects. So, this tire is a better option for an off-road journey.
Durability and Treadwear
Destination has an innovative 5 pitch tread design which allows a greater contact patch with the road. The greater contact patch results in more rolling resistance which in return increases the treadwear of the tire and reduces its durability. However, some features of this tire like a total nylon wrap, O-Bead, Dual-layer tread, and long-chain L.L Carbon Black functions in increasing its durability by reducing the treadwear.
Transforce offers less contact patch thus reducing rolling resistance. So, the treadwear is reduced, making tire more durable. This tire also offers a total nylon cap for increased durability. A high modulus tread compound also minimizes the treadwear. Moreover, the tread compound of this tire also contains L.L Carbon black which functions in reducing the treadwear. Polyester and steel construction protects the tire against trail damages and results in increased durability.
Conclusion
- Both tires are All-Terrain.
- Destination is a quite better choice on dry paved paths due to its narrower grooves.
- In wet traction, the deep sipes of Transforce lead it to victory.
- In mud, Transforce is much better due to its wider grooves.
- On soft snow, Transforce again dominates due to its higher void ratio.
- In the ice, Destination is a better option due to its greater contact patch.
- Destination is more comfortable on-road while Transforce is more comfortable off-road.
