Firestone Destination AT Review: Best All-Terrain Tire for Light Trucks, SUVs

Don’t know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!

The Firestone Destination A/T is an all-terrain tire designed for drivers who demand a balance of on-road comfort and off-road capability.

This versatile tire is engineered to handle a wide range of driving conditions, making it an excellent choice for pickup trucks, SUVs, and other adventure-ready vehicles.

Firestone, a subsidiary of Bridgestone, has a long-standing reputation for manufacturing high-quality tires that deliver reliable performance and durability.

The Destination A/T tire is no exception, catering to outdoor enthusiasts, off-road adventurers, and those who frequently encounter varied terrain.

With its rugged tread pattern and advanced compound technology, the Firestone Destination A/T excels in providing exceptional traction on both paved surfaces and off-road trails.

Whether you’re navigating through muddy backroads, rocky terrain, or simply commuting to work, this tire is designed to provide a confident and controlled driving experience.

Tire Construction and Design

The Firestone Destination AT is an all-terrain tire designed to deliver exceptional performance both on and off the road.

Its construction features a robust and durable casing, reinforced with two steel belts and a polyamide reinforcement layer, ensuring a high level of durability and resistance to punctures and impacts.

The tire’s tread compound is formulated with a unique blend of silica and long-lasting tread polymers, providing excellent traction on various surfaces while maintaining a long tread life.

The tread pattern features an aggressive design with deep, interlocking tread blocks and wide grooves, optimized for enhanced traction on mud, dirt, gravel, and rocky terrain.

One of the standout features of the Destination AT is its advanced shoulder design. The tire’s shoulders are reinforced with additional rubber and feature a stepped, serrated pattern that enhances traction and grip during off-road adventures, while also improving handling and cornering performance on paved surfaces.

The tire’s internal structure incorporates two high-tensile steel belts, which provide improved strength and stability, reducing the risk of tread separation and enhancing overall durability.

Additionally, the polyamide reinforcement layer adds an extra layer of protection against punctures and impacts, ensuring the tire’s longevity in challenging off-road conditions.

Overall, the Firestone Destination AT’s construction and design are tailored to provide a perfect balance between off-road capability, on-road performance, and long-lasting durability, making it an excellent choice for adventure-seeking drivers who demand a versatile and reliable all-terrain tire.

Performance on Different Terrains

The Firestone Destination AT tires are designed to tackle a wide range of terrains and driving conditions, making them a versatile choice for adventure-seekers and off-road enthusiasts.

On paved roads, these tires deliver a smooth and comfortable ride, thanks to their optimized tread pattern and advanced rubber compound. The symmetric tread design ensures even wear and enhances stability at higher speeds.

When venturing off the beaten path, the Destination AT truly shines. The aggressive tread pattern, with its deep grooves and sturdy shoulder lugs, provides excellent traction and grip on loose surfaces like mud, gravel, and sand.

The tire’s reinforced construction and robust sidewalls offer resistance against punctures and cuts, ensuring durability even in challenging rocky environments.

On muddy trails, the self-cleaning capabilities of the tread design help prevent clogging and maintain traction, allowing for confident maneuvering through slippery conditions.

When tackling sandy terrains, the tire’s ability to maintain forward momentum and prevent excessive sinking is impressive, thanks to its optimized footprint and tread design.

While primarily designed for off-road use, the Firestone Destination AT also performs admirably on paved surfaces.

The tire’s tread pattern and compound strike a balance between off-road capability and on-road comfort, ensuring a smooth and responsive driving experience on highways and city streets.

Overall, the Firestone Destination AT tires excel in their ability to conquer a wide range of terrains, from rugged off-road trails to smooth paved roads, making them a versatile and reliable choice for adventure-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Durability and Treadwear

The Firestone Destination AT tires are designed to deliver exceptional durability and treadwear, ensuring a prolonged lifespan even under demanding off-road conditions.

With a robust construction and high-quality materials, these tires can withstand the rigors of rugged terrains while maintaining their structural integrity.

One of the standout features of the Destination AT tires is their advanced tread compound. Formulated with a unique blend of polymers and reinforcing agents, the tread compound offers superior resistance to cuts, chips, and abrasions.

This translates into enhanced durability, even when traversing rocky trails or navigating through debris-laden paths.

The tread pattern itself is engineered for optimal treadwear. The intricate siping and groove design promotes even wear distribution, minimizing the formation of irregular wear patterns that can compromise traction and handling.

Additionally, the tread blocks are designed with optimized stiffness, preventing excessive flex and deformation, which can accelerate tread wear.

In terms of expected mileage, the Firestone Destination AT tires consistently outperform many of their competitors.

With proper maintenance and rotation, these tires can reliably deliver between 50,000 to 70,000 miles of use, depending on driving conditions and vehicle load.

This impressive mileage range ensures a substantial return on investment for off-road enthusiasts and adventurers.

Furthermore, Firestone’s commitment to quality control and rigorous testing ensures that each Destination AT tire meets stringent durability and treadwear standards.

This attention to detail contributes to the overall reliability and longevity of these tires, providing peace of mind for drivers venturing into the great outdoors.

Ride Comfort and Noise Levels

The Firestone Destination AT tires offer a smooth and comfortable ride on most surfaces, thanks to their advanced tread design and construction.

The computer-optimized tread pattern helps reduce road noise and vibrations, resulting in a quieter driving experience compared to many other all-terrain tires.

On paved roads, the Destination AT tires provide a well-cushioned ride, effectively absorbing bumps and irregularities in the road surface.

The tires’ internal construction, which features two high-tensile steel belts and a polyester casing, contributes to their ability to deliver a smooth and stable ride.

Off-road, the tires’ aggressive tread pattern and sturdy construction help minimize vibrations and harshness, even when traversing rough terrain like gravel, dirt, or rocky surfaces.

The tires’ ability to maintain ride comfort in challenging conditions is a testament to their versatility and durability.

In terms of noise levels, the Firestone Destination AT tires are relatively quiet for an all-terrain tire.

While they may produce slightly more road noise than highway-terrain tires, the noise levels are well-controlled and not intrusive, especially at highway speeds.

The computer-optimized tread pattern plays a significant role in minimizing road noise, making these tires a comfortable choice for both on-road and off-road driving.

Overall, the Firestone Destination AT tires excel in providing a comfortable and well-damped ride, while keeping road noise and vibrations at acceptable levels, even in demanding off-road conditions.

This combination of ride quality and capable performance makes these tires a compelling choice for drivers seeking a versatile and comfortable all-terrain solution.

Wet and Winter Performance

The Firestone Destination AT tires deliver reliable performance in wet conditions and light winter weather. Their deep, siped tread pattern effectively evacuates water from the contact patch, providing enhanced traction and hydroplaning resistance on rain-soaked roads.

The specialized rubber compound maintains flexibility in colder temperatures, ensuring a confident grip during transitional seasons. While not designed for extreme winter conditions, the Destination AT tires can handle light snow and slush reasonably well.

The aggressive tread blocks and biting edges provide decent traction on snowy surfaces, making them a viable option for mild winter driving. However, for areas with heavy snowfall or icy conditions, dedicated winter tires may be a better choice.

Overall, the wet and winter performance of these tires is commendable, instilling confidence in drivers during inclement weather. Their ability to maintain traction and control on slippery surfaces enhances safety and peace of mind, making them a versatile choice for all-season use.

Fuel Efficiency

The Firestone Destination AT tires offer impressive fuel efficiency for an all-terrain tire. Their advanced tread compound and optimized tread design help reduce rolling resistance, which translates into better gas mileage.

While all-terrain tires generally have higher rolling resistance compared to highway tires due to their more aggressive tread patterns, the Destination AT strikes a good balance between off-road capability and on-road efficiency.

In real-world driving conditions, owners have reported fuel economy improvements of up to 2-3 miles per gallon compared to their previous all-terrain tires.

This may not seem like a significant difference, but it can add up to substantial savings over the life of the tires, especially for drivers who log a lot of highway miles.

Firestone’s engineers have also incorporated design elements that promote even wear and reduce irregular tread distortion, further contributing to consistent fuel efficiency throughout the tire’s lifespan.

The Destination AT’s fuel-saving capabilities make it an attractive choice for those who frequently tow or haul heavy loads, as these activities typically result in decreased fuel economy.

It’s important to note that fuel efficiency can vary depending on factors such as vehicle type, driving habits, and environmental conditions.

However, the Firestone Destination AT consistently outperforms many of its competitors in this area, making it a great option for eco-conscious drivers who still demand capable all-terrain performance.

Pricing and Value

The Firestone Destination AT tires offer excellent value for money, especially when considering their impressive all-terrain capabilities and durability.

While not the most affordable option on the market, their pricing is competitive and reasonable for the level of performance they deliver.

Compared to some premium all-terrain tire brands, the Destination AT can cost anywhere from 10% to 20% less, making them an attractive choice for budget-conscious buyers who still want a high-quality product.

However, it’s important to note that pricing can vary depending on the tire size and the specific retailer. When evaluating the overall value, it’s crucial to consider not just the upfront cost but also the expected lifespan and performance of the tires.

In this regard, the Firestone Destination AT excels, offering impressive treadwear and a well-balanced combination of on-road comfort and off-road capability. Many owners report getting 50,000 miles or more out of their Destination AT tires, even with frequent off-road use.

This longevity, combined with their excellent all-terrain performance, makes them a cost-effective choice in the long run, especially when compared to some cheaper alternatives that may need to be replaced more frequently.

Overall, the Firestone Destination AT tires strike a sweet spot between affordability and performance, making them an excellent value proposition for drivers seeking a reliable and capable all-terrain tire without breaking the bank.

Warranty and Customer Support

Firestone offers a solid warranty and customer support program for the Destination AT tires. The company backs these tires with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty, which is relatively standard for this tire category.

However, what sets Firestone apart is their impressive road hazard warranty. If your Destination AT tire suffers damage from potholes, nails, or other road hazards during the first year of ownership or within the first 2/32″ of treadwear, Firestone will replace the tire free of charge.

In addition to the warranties, Firestone provides excellent customer support through their nationwide network of company-owned stores and authorized dealers. If you experience any issues with your Destination AT tires, you can visit any of these locations for professional assistance, including free tire rotations and rebalancing services.

Firestone also offers a comprehensive online resource center with detailed information about their tires, including the Destination AT. You can find answers to frequently asked questions, watch instructional videos, and even schedule service appointments through their user-friendly website.

Overall, Firestone’s warranty coverage and customer support services demonstrate their commitment to standing behind their products and ensuring customer satisfaction. With Destination AT tires, you can have peace of mind knowing that you’re backed by a reputable brand that prioritizes quality and customer care.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Excellent all-terrain performance on various surfaces, from highways to off-road trails
• Aggressive tread pattern provides superior traction and grip in mud, sand, and rocky conditions
• Reinforced construction and durable compound ensure long-lasting treadwear and puncture resistance
• Comfortable and quiet ride, even at higher speeds on the highway
• Reasonably priced compared to premium all-terrain tire options
• Backed by a solid warranty and customer support from Firestone

Cons

• Slightly reduced fuel efficiency compared to highway-terrain tires
• Limited performance in deep snow or icy conditions (not a dedicated winter tire)
• Increased road noise and vibration on smooth surfaces compared to highway tires
• Tread life may be shorter than some premium all-terrain tires, depending on driving conditions
• Limited size and fitment options for certain vehicle models

Conclusion and Recommendations

The Firestone Destination A/T is a well-rounded all-terrain tire that delivers impressive performance across a variety of driving conditions. Its rugged construction and aggressive tread pattern provide excellent traction on both on-road and off-road surfaces, making it a great choice for adventurous drivers who enjoy exploring the great outdoors.

Overall, the Destination A/T earns a solid 4.5 out of 5 rating. Its strengths lie in its durability, off-road capabilities, and comfortable ride quality. While it may not excel in certain areas, such as fuel efficiency or winter performance, it strikes a good balance between on-road and off-road performance, making it a versatile option for those with diverse driving needs.

If you frequently venture off the beaten path or live in an area with varying terrain and weather conditions, the Firestone Destination A/T is an excellent choice. Its reliable performance and long-lasting tread life make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a capable and dependable all-terrain tire.

However, if you primarily drive on paved roads or prioritize fuel efficiency over off-road capabilities, you may want to consider a more highway-oriented tire. Ultimately, the Firestone Destination A/T is a solid contender in the all-terrain tire market, offering a compelling combination of performance, durability, and value.

Whether you’re tackling rugged trails or navigating city streets, this tire is sure to provide a confident and enjoyable driving experience.

List of Other Tire Reviews

• Michelin Defender LTX M/S Review
• BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 Review
• Nitto Trail Grappler M/T Tire Review
• Best All-Season Tires for Snow
• Primewell Tires Review
• BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Tire Review
• BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 Tire Review
• Bridgestone Insignia SE200 Tire Review