From Office Runs to Off-Road Fun: Firestone Destination X/T Review

No one is harder on tires than I am. Maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but not by much. I have a tendency to drive into places that are far more jagged stone, gnarly branches, and contentious cactus than they are concrete.

Don’t get me started on mud that could swallow you whole and water that seeps into the cab while I try to bust through it. If I think I can get my truck through, I usually give it a helluva go without much hesitation.

This might be why I go through a set of tires in a year or so at most. I drive a lot of highway miles and more backroads than your average logger.

It’s also one of the reasons I’ve never given much consideration to the shoes on my rig. I’m going to destroy them, so why fork over the bank for top-notch rubber? Well, this might be one of the first sets of tires to make me reconsider my stance.

I’ve put around 14,500 miles on the Firestone Destination XT tires in just the past several months. Those miles consist of highway, byway, backroad, off-road, creek, brush, bush, flood, and mud. If there was a year that it was hard to be my tires, this one was it.

Did the Destinations get me to my, well, destination?

In short: The Firestone Destination X/T tires really do fit that sweet spot between just rugged enough and just comfortable enough. They are capable enough for serious adventure but offer a smooth enough ride to make your errands into town cozy.

Shopping for all-terrain tires? Check out our guide to the best of the year.

Firestone Destination X/T Tire Review

Testing, Testing

My personal life and professional life both end up sticking me behind a windshield far more than I’d like. I spend a lot of time in my truck.

For most people, that typically means a commute to work or running errands. For me, it’s highway miles to chase adventure, dirt roads, gravel trails, serious snow, wicked ice, wheat fields, mud holes, “roads” that no vehicle has any business being on, and more than a few river crossings.

When it comes to tires, I am the queen of wrecking them. Because my terrain is so varied, I need a tire that grabs ice, throws mud, cuts through water, and can handle branches, sticks, and jagged rocks. Then, it needs to ride smoothly on concrete for thousands of miles.

It’s a heavy ask.

Summer Dirt Roads & Desert Terrain

I spent the summer crisscrossing the west on countless highways, moving my way from one fishing hole to another. From the brutal heat of the badlands of eastern Montana to the brutal heat of the southern Idaho desert, my truck did some serious traveling on hot pavement, hot gravel, and just hot hotness.

The biggest thing to note about summer testing is this: I never had to fix a flat. I drove over shale and jagged rocks, spent days parked in literal cactus patches, and never once did I have to air up tires or patch a hole. That alone is a massive accomplishment to the Firestone Destination X/T.

Autumn Backroads & Serious Mud

Hunting season and fall fly fishing mean a lot of mud when the western weather shifts from heat to rain. The dirt and gumbo of the north-central parts of Montana become nearly impassable if the clouds open up with anything other than snow.

Though I still did plenty of slipping and sliding around on the muck that is my environment, I was impressed by the level of traction for a tire that isn’t of a dedicated off-road variety.

Winter Ice & Snow Drifts

As we speak, my truck is sitting on an ice slick, making me consistently nervous. My driveway is not kind and is heavily sloped, and it isn’t uncommon to walk out in the morning and see that my truck has slid from where I parked it back about 20 yards or so. That being said, so far this year, I haven’t experienced the slide. The tread is surprisingly grippy.

This is a very capable winter tire for the vast majority of people. If you live on maintained roads with average winters, this is a more than capable tire.

I live in an extreme environment with extreme weather, so I’ll likely swap to a hardcore studded snow tire for my off-road snow activities. Around town, the Destination X/Ts are just fine and dandy for normal winter driving.

Firestone Destination X/T: What I Like

Overall, I’ve loved having these tires on my rig. The biggest compliment I can give them is that I just don’t think about them. They’re on my truck and do the job with little consideration from me. That’s the best we can ask for, right?

Aside from just loving that I don’t have to think twice about them, these tires live up to three main qualifiers for me.

Performance Across Terrains

• Solid traction on gravel, mud, and rocky trails.
• Grippy in wet and snowy conditions.

Durability

• Reinforced sidewalls resist punctures and cuts.
• Deep tread grooves handle heavy use without excessive wear.
• Holds up in conditions where lighter-duty tires would likely have failed.

Warranty & Certification

• 50,000-mile warranty adds peace of mind. I put on miles quickly, but I tend to damage tires before I hit that 50,000-mile mark.

Where the Firestone Destination X/T Tire Falls Short

No tire is perfect. If you want a mean look and offroad performance, you’re going to have to settle for highway noise. If you want a smooth, silent ride, prepare for some slippage when the conditions get less than perfect.

The Firestone Destination X/Ts strike a really good balance, but there are some things to keep in mind.

Weight

Heavier than some competitors, which could impact fuel efficiency, but that might be a stretch.

Price

A bit more expensive than some other all-terrain options, especially for larger sizes.

Road Noise

They do have a bit of road hum at highway speeds. Though, it’s nothing you’ll really notice if you aren’t looking for it, especially if you’re used to all-terrain tires.

Look

They don’t have that ultra-rugged look that some off-road folks are looking for. If the esthetics are important, you might want to go for something meaner-looking.

Who Should Consider the Destination X/Ts for Their Next Tires?

The Firestone Destination XT is ideal for drivers who split their time between on-road and off-road adventures. If you frequently navigate mixed terrains, such as gravel paths, muddy trails, and snow-covered roads, these tires are designed to meet those demands.

They’re also well-suited for truck and SUV owners who need durable, all-weather tires for hauling gear, towing, or long-distance travel. Those who value long-term reliability and are willing to invest in a premium product will appreciate the Destination XT.

However, if you’re a driver who mostly sticks to city roads and prioritizes fuel efficiency or ultra-quiet performance, you might want to consider other options.