Nobody is tougher on tires than I’m. Perhaps that’s a little bit of an exaggeration, however not by a lot. I generally tend to drive into locations which can be way more jagged stone, gnarly branches, and contentious cactus than they’re concrete.
Don’t get me began on mud that would swallow you entire and water that seeps into the cab whereas I attempt to bust by it. If I feel I can get my truck by, I normally give it a helluva go with out a lot hesitation.
This may be why I’m going by a set of tires in a 12 months or so at most. I drive numerous freeway miles and extra backroads than your common logger.
It’s additionally one of many causes I’ve by no means given a lot consideration to the footwear on my rig. I’m going to destroy them, so why fork over the financial institution for top-notch rubber? Effectively, this may be one of many first units of tires to make me rethink my stance.
I’ve put round 14,500 miles on the Firestone Vacation spot XT tires in simply the previous a number of months. These miles encompass freeway, byway, backroad, off-road, creek, brush, bush, flood, and dust. If there was a 12 months that it was laborious to be my tires, this one was it.
Did the Locations get me to my, effectively, vacation spot?
In brief: The Firestone Vacation spot X/T tires actually do match that candy spot between simply rugged sufficient and simply comfy sufficient. They’re succesful sufficient for severe journey however supply a clean sufficient experience to make your errands into city cozy.
Searching for all-terrain tires? Take a look at our information to the most effective of the 12 months.
Nice crossover tire for on and off-road purposes
Deep, open shoulder lugs for shedding water
Aggressive tread that handles muddy terrain with ease
Spectacular grip in moist conditions
Some street hum at larger speeds
Not as “cool” wanting as a real off-road tire
Rachelle Schrute
Firestone Vacation spot X/T Tire Evaluation
The “roads” I check on are hardly ever roads in any respect; (picture/Rachelle Schrute)
Testing, Testing
My private life {and professional} life each find yourself sticking me behind a windshield excess of I’d like. I spend numerous time in my truck.
For most individuals, that usually means a commute to work or working errands. For me, it’s freeway miles to chase journey, grime roads, gravel trails, severe snow, depraved ice, wheat fields, mud holes, “roads” that no automobile has any enterprise being on, and quite a lot of river crossings.
In terms of tires, I’m the queen of wrecking them. As a result of my terrain is so assorted, I want a tire that grabs ice, throws mud, cuts by water, and may deal with branches, sticks, and jagged rocks. Then, it must experience easily on concrete for 1000’s of miles.
It’s a heavy ask.
Summer season Filth Roads & Desert Terrain
I spent the summer season crisscrossing the west on numerous highways, shifting my manner from one fishing gap to a different. From the brutal warmth of the badlands of japanese Montana to the brutal warmth of the southern Idaho desert, my truck did some severe touring on scorching pavement, scorching gravel, and simply scorching hotness.
The largest factor to notice about summer season testing is that this: I by no means needed to repair a flat. I drove over shale and jagged rocks, spent days parked in literal cactus patches, and by no means as soon as did I’ve to air up tires or patch a gap. That alone is an enormous accomplishment to the Firestone Vacation spot X/T.
Autumn Backroads & Severe Mud
Searching season and fall fly fishing imply numerous mud when the western climate shifts from warmth to rain. The grime and gumbo of the north-central elements of Montana turn into practically impassable if the clouds open up with something aside from snow.
Although I nonetheless did loads of slipping and sliding round on the muck that’s my setting, I used to be impressed by the extent of traction for a tire that isn’t of a devoted off-road selection.
Winter Ice & Snow Drifts
As we communicate, my truck is sitting on an ice slick, making me constantly nervous. My driveway is just not variety and is closely sloped, and it isn’t unusual to stroll out within the morning and see that my truck has slid from the place I parked it again about 20 yards or so. That being stated, to date this 12 months, I haven’t skilled the slide. The tread is surprisingly grippy.
This can be a very succesful winter tire for the overwhelming majority of individuals. In case you stay on maintained roads with common winters, this can be a greater than succesful tire.
I stay in an excessive setting with excessive climate, so I’ll probably swap to a hardcore studded snow tire for my off-road snow actions. Round city, the Vacation spot X/Ts are simply superb and dandy for regular winter driving.
(Picture/Rachelle Schrute)
Firestone Vacation spot X/T: What I Like
General, I’ve cherished having these tires on my rig. The largest praise I can provide them is that I simply don’t take into consideration them. They’re on my truck and do the job with little consideration from me. That’s the most effective we are able to ask for, proper?
Other than simply loving that I don’t need to suppose twice about them, these tires stay as much as three essential qualifiers for me.
Efficiency Throughout Terrains
Strong traction on gravel, mud, and rocky trails.
Grippy in moist and snowy situations.
Sturdiness
Strengthened sidewalls resist punctures and cuts.
Deep tread grooves deal with heavy use with out extreme put on.
Holds up in situations the place lighter-duty tires would probably have failed.
Guarantee & Certification
50,000-mile guarantee provides peace of thoughts. I placed on miles shortly, however I have a tendency to break tires earlier than I hit that fifty,000-mile mark.
Virtually 15,000 miles in; (picture/Rachelle Schrute)
The place the Firestone Vacation spot X/T Tire Falls Brief
No tire is ideal. If you would like a imply look and offroad efficiency, you’re going to need to accept freeway noise. If you would like a clean, silent experience, put together for some slippage when the situations get lower than excellent.
The Firestone Vacation spot X/Ts strike a extremely good steadiness, however there are some issues to bear in mind.
Weight
Heavier than some rivals, which might impression gasoline effectivity, however that may be a stretch.
Value
A bit dearer than another all-terrain choices, particularly for bigger sizes.
Highway Noise
They do have a little bit of street hum at freeway speeds. Although, it’s nothing you’ll actually discover if you happen to aren’t on the lookout for it, particularly if you happen to’re used to all-terrain tires.
Look
They don’t have that ultra-rugged look that some off-road people are on the lookout for. If the esthetics are essential, you would possibly wish to go for one thing meaner-looking.
The average however nonetheless rugged look of the Firestone Vacation spot X/T tread after severe use and abuse; (picture/Rachelle Schrute)
Who Ought to Contemplate the Vacation spot X/Ts for Their Subsequent Tires?
The Firestone Vacation spot XT is right for drivers who cut up their time between on-road and off-road adventures. In case you often navigate combined terrains, akin to gravel paths, muddy trails, and snow-covered roads, these tires are designed to satisfy these calls for.
They’re additionally well-suited for truck and SUV homeowners who want sturdy, all-weather tires for hauling gear, towing, or long-distance journey. Those that worth long-term reliability and are prepared to spend money on a premium product will recognize the Vacation spot XT.
Nonetheless, if you happen to’re a driver who principally sticks to metropolis roads and prioritizes gasoline effectivity or ultra-quiet efficiency, you would possibly wish to think about different choices.
