"Once up there, I was stopped on an incline, and a Mercedes AWD something or another on A/S tires slid right into the back of me."
Oh well that just makes it completely so then...
I've got no time for those "that one time at that one place this one vehicle did this one thing" stories.
I've yet to meet a tire that puts a vehicle on rails in the snow and ice...stops like it's dry...and better yet does all this in spite of driver ignorance. Yes yes yes there are some tires better than others obviously BUT...
BUT...
what you're describing is something completely driver related and or a dozen or so other things in lieu of AS vs. AT.
Carelessness? That's a big one. Lack of respect for slick conditions? False sense of invincibility because of what they're driving? Air pressure was? Tire conditions...worn?
I could continue but I'm confident you get it...
The absolutely positively number one thing of importance in snow/ice driving is NOT the tires. It's actually between the driver's ears. I live in snow country. Actually more like shitty mix weather country. Snow, sleet, freezing rain, rinse and repeat. Hills, mountains, curves, you name it. Give me an experienced sensibly respectful driver of the slick stuff with some lousy tires over an ignorant driver with a set of brand new fill in the ________ tires even with the cute little stamp rating.
As far as airing down an AS tire...ok? What's the problem? Air them down. Take them off road.
If you need more flotation ok...but if you're getting in conditions that REQUIRE an air down for MORE TRACTION you're using the wrong tire as there are much better traction options than either AS/AT's.
Allow me to put that another way...if you're traversing terrain that you can't make it unless you air down...you should equip a tire with more dedicated traction from the get go.
If you're getting into jagged rocks well shit sheriff....that's a crap shoot and again neither AS/AT tire is well suited for that situation. I've seen tires gashed from rocks that can make you scratch your head...I've seen A/S tires survive rocks you'd think never possible.
Sharp rock results are extremely unpredictable but if you know you will be encountering them there are tires better suited for the task.
I've no biased opinion on the matter based on what I sell. I deal brands from all the household names to shit you haven't even heard of. Literally.
The OP asked which was the better AT tire? The seemingly eternal BFG AT or the offering from Falken.
That's splitting hairs. Is the grass damp in the morning or is it wet? Is it windy or breezy?
Equal performance...and there is only so much performance you can realize from an AT.
You won't get stuck with one...let's say the BFG AT but make it with the Falken. Either will make it or both will be stuck.
I just happened to add that AT's are not really any more advantageous than an A/S.
There are some A/S's that absolutely embarrass some AT's in the rain and white slick stuff.
Of course there are some AT's that out perform some all seasons.
By and large they're a wash off road....
The AS's have an edge on road.
If cosmetics are your thing there is nothing remotely attractive about an all season tire. A big edge here goes to the AT.
The thing that makes me chuckle though is that tires have become as bad Ford vs. Chevy...Winchester vs. Remington...motor oils, etc.
The extra funny thing to me is people love whatever tire they chose but it doesn't stop there. They also want you to love their tire just as much.
It's as if they're getting a mental commission paid in reassurance if you buy whatever they bought.?.
