Off-road tires tend to be pricey. SUV and truck fans can easily invest as much as a Porsche 911 owner when it’s time to get new tires. The newest offerings from Leao, one of China’s leading manufacturers, aim to disrupt the competitive off-road segment by delivering comparable performance at a significantly lower cost. I put the Lion Climber X/T and R/T through their paces on Jeep Wranglers along a certified Honor Trail to determine if they can earn their own recognition.
This tire review centers on genuine driving impressions, sensations, and feedback—feeling over factual figures.
It’s uncommon for me to attend a press event without flying somewhere. I was invited to evaluate the Leao Lion Climber R/T and X/T tires in my home turf of the Nevada desert, so I readily accepted. Even though I’m not an off-road authority, I’ve participated in several training schools, received one-on-one coaching, and tackled numerous off-road tracks. More importantly, I have extensive experience with traction from my years of driving and reviewing vehicles.
Our Leao trial was somewhat informal, but it provided me a chance to test the tires in demanding scenarios. The drive was led by Las Vegas Rock Crawlers, which provided modified Jeeps and guided the group. Linglong Tire owns both the Leao brand and several others; although their past reputation hasn’t been stellar, they are now striving to improve it.
Though Linglong has been in existence for 50 years, it is primarily recognized in the U.S. for affordable commuter car tires. The company is aiming to elevate its market position slightly, enhancing tire quality while still beating competitor pricing.
| Leao Lion Climber | Driven |
|---|---|
| Test Car | Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (lightly modified) |
| Tire Size | 35×12.5R17 |
| Tire Weight | 68 lbs (X/T), 69 lbs (R/T) |
| Load Range | E (X/T), F (R/T) |
| Suspension & Geometry | Solid axles, lift kit |
| How We’re Driving | Local and highway driving, 12-mile off-road path at Red Rocks |
| Where We’re Driving | Red Rock National Conservation Area, Las Vegas, Nevada |
| The Highs | Off-Road performance rivaling well-known brands at a fraction of the cost. |
| The Lows | The R/T and X/T are tailored for off-road use, which will result in compromised on-road performance for most SUV and truck owners. |
| Where To Buy | Check Price at Walmart (X/T, R/T) Verify size prior to ordering! |
Leao Lion Climber X/T and R/T: What, Why, and Who
Linglong may not be a luxury brand, but it is a longstanding tire manufacturer and is, in fact, among the top 12 tire producers globally. Headquartered in Shandong, China, it operates five factories and has additional production facilities in Thailand and Serbia. It supplies tires as original equipment on various VW Group models and has been making strides in the U.S. market for several years.
The Leao Tires subbrand offers an extensive range of tires for trucks, buses, and tractors suitable for everything from urban driving to slow navigation through muddy fields. The Lion Climber X/T and R/T all-terrains are manufactured in Thailand.
There are four primary categories, ranked from most road-oriented to most off-road-oriented: all-terrain A/T, rugged-terrain R/T, extreme-terrain X/T, and mud-terrain M/T. Tires focused on off-roading typically feature softer rubber compounds and chunkier tread patterns, which means faster wear, reduced on-road accuracy, lower fuel efficiency, and increased noise. The extreme-terrain category represents the newest segment, designed to deliver aggressive aesthetics similar to M/T while offering quieter operation and improved on-road handling.
The Leao Team is upfront about these tires being a budget-friendly option. Off-road tires, like many enthusiast specialty products, come with a high price tag. I’ve probably gone through more performance rubber just commuting than I’d care to admit, and I suspect most off-road fans would reluctantly agree. Dedicated enthusiasts might discern the difference, but let’s face it; many buyers of R/T and X/T tires only indulge in real off-roading a few times each year.
Leao Lion Climber X/T and R/T: Review
The Price
Leao isn’t aiming to directly compete with the top, pricier brands on performance. The tires I examined were 35×12.5-17s, a standard size for off-road vehicles. The Lion Climber R/T and X/T can be found online for approximately $230 and $250, respectively. More established brands like General, Nitto, Toyo, BFGoodrich, and others can cost between $350 and nearly $500 per tire.
The Curb Appeal
I frequently see SUVs and CUVs cruising parking lots on off-road tires that have likely encountered no more than a gravel path on the way to a hiking trail. For some, a set of rugged off-road tires is the ideal way to express their adventurous, unconventional “I have strong preferences about energy drinks” lifestyle. The Lion Climber R/T and particularly the X/T cater to those consumers as effectively as any other tire. The tread extends down from the shoulders, nearly covering a third of the sidewall. Although the tread is wide and flat, appearing to adequately fill the tire’s rated width, the rounded sidewalls offer ample rim protection. Both tires employ a traditional blocky tread design, but the 3PMSF rating indicates there are more sipes within the large blocks than some competing tires that lack Severe Snow certification.
The First 100 Miles
Our day was spent in a procession, leaving the Red Rock Casino’s parking area promptly at 9 am. The entrance of Red Rock National Conservation Area is about six miles away, where we followed the Scenic Loop to Rocky Gap Trail. Red Rock’s Scenic Loop stands out as essentially the best, and honestly, the only desirable driving road within a couple of hours of Vegas. It would be the ideal driving road if it weren’t for the 15 mph speed limit and the Park Rangers. We adhered to the speed limit with notable diligence.
Rocky Gap is recognized as a Jeep-designated Badge of Honor trail. Our round trip was approximately 12 miles. The trail is made up primarily of loose, broken rocks with numerous off-camber and eroded sections.
Following Rocky Gap, we completed the Loop and retraced our steps back to the base. Throughout the day, I alternated between Jeeps equipped with both tire types for comparisons.
The Casual Drive
Jeeps, particularly lifted ones, are among the few vehicles still manufactured that have a strong connection between the driver and the vehicle, even on straight roads. They exhibit a tendency to wander, with the suspension lift and off-road tires amplifying this sensation. The first thing I observed was the absence of the noise I anticipated from the chunky tread. Wranglers can be noisy, and with the windows closed and the stereo off, there’s ample other sound, but it was challenging to distinguish just the tire noise.
Similarly, it was difficult to attribute the sluggishness to the tires. Driving requires you to constantly engage at highway speeds with near continual steering adjustments, but it never felt uncomfortable. While I wouldn’t consider outfitting my SUV with something like this, that’s mainly because mine is more of a lifted hatchback than an off-road vehicle.
Road Driving
As previously mentioned, we drove the Scenic Loop around Red Rock, a route I’ve been traversing since my teenage years. Daily, it’s crowded with cyclists, hikers, and tourists in rental vehicles, making the 15 MPH speed limit appropriate.
As expected from off-road tires, steering accuracy isn’t high on the list of priorities. In a straight line, any camber in the road necessitates frequent yet inconsistent steering adjustments. There’s always some back-and-forth motion occurring. During turns, there’s a significant increase in steering effort required. Make a substantial initial input, allow the suspension and tires to load, then adjust as necessary. I might be making comparisons to the all-season tires on my own car-based SUV that aren’t entirely equitable.
Driving the X/T and R/T sequentially, I can’t assert there were considerable distinctions between the two. Leao claims the X/T is intended for 40% usage on-road, whereas the R/T is designed for just 25% on-road. I suppose that implies the R/T is a whole 15% more geared towards “off-roading.”
The Off-Road Run
Most of the Rocky Gap Trail comprises broken rocks. This terrain is among the most challenging to design tires for. Rocks as large as softballs and smaller behave like ball bearings beneath your tires and offer nearly no traction until they bind together. Once that happens, you encounter a surface more abrasive than concrete and sometimes as sharp as blades. The smaller rocks tend to lodge themselves between tread blocks, so tires need to shed those while also gripping them sufficiently to propel the vehicle forward. This is complicated by the need for the tread blocks to have sipes for achieving the 3PMSF rating, which effectively act as built-in tear points.
While I didn’t observe a major difference during road performance, I experienced a notable distinction on the trail. The R/T provided enhanced feedback regarding grip levels, enabling me to modulate torque much more effectively. Additionally, it built significantly more confidence during descents over broken rocks; it appeared to recover quicker and allowed for more steering adjustments while slowing down. The R/T also felt more versatile when climbing over larger fixed rocks. There wasn’t enough dirt or sand on the trail to make a comprehensive assessment. However, based solely on rocky performance, the R/T proved to deliver superior trail capability without sacrificing much in terms of road performance compared to the X/T.
The Highway Drone Factor
Neither the Lion Climber X/T nor the R/T produced road noise that seemed inappropriate for an off-road tire. After several highway miles with the windows shut and no distractions, I turned on some music and could easily hear all of Matt Freeman’s bass lines and Tim Armstrong’s lyrics without interference from tread noise. I’ve spoken with several engineers and product managers from other tire companies who’ve told me there’s a segment of customers that consider excessive road noise an appealing feature, rather than a drawback, in off-road tires. Such customers might be let down by the Lion Climbers.
The Passenger Comments
At times, I had a photographer or videographer as my passenger throughout the drive. When one of them was aboard, I often spent the majority of the time questioning them about where to find the trendiest coffee shops and authentic tacos in their areas. For those who don’t frequently engage with those carrying cameras, you may be unaware that they act like walking, talking food critics—spending the day looking through a viewfinder turns you into a genuine culinary evaluator. Tires were hardly a topic of discussion.
The Verdict
Linglong Tire faces some image challenges owing to its earlier products. One of the earliest passenger tires evaluated resulted in disappointing wet-weather braking performance. Engineers went back to the drawing board, and subsequent testing by ADAC showed that the new version excelled in its class. The company is making genuine efforts to improve its product rankings.
The Leao Lion Climber X/T and R/T create a solid initial impression, both on and off the road. The value proposition of a tire priced at $230 each competing against Coopers, Nittos, and Falkens all exceeding $400 is undeniable. Both tires are rated 3PMSF, which numerous top-rated competitors lack. The X/T includes a 55,000-mile warranty compared to the R/T’s 50,000-mile warranty, although I would regard that difference as almost negligible. If I were to choose, I would opt for the R/T over the X/T. The Lion Climber R/T offers superior off-road capabilities without compromising performance in other areas based on my testing.
Linglong provided us with accommodations and access to loaner vehicles equipped with these tires for testing purposes.
**Assessment of Linglong’s Leao Lion Climber Tires on an Off-Road Trail**
The Linglong Leao Lion Climber tires have attracted interest within the off-road community due to their robust design and performance potential. This assessment aims to explore their performance on an off-road trail, emphasizing traction, durability, handling, and overall value.
**Design and Features**
The Leao Lion Climber tires are specifically crafted for off-road conditions, showcasing an aggressive tread pattern that improves grip on a variety of surfaces. The tires employ large, deep voids and reinforced sidewalls, vital for traversing rocky terrains and muddy paths. The rubber compound utilized in these tires is engineered to offer a blend of flexibility and durability, ensuring they can endure the challenges of off-road driving.
**Traction Performance**
One of the pivotal aspects of off-road tires is their traction. During the evaluation, the Leao Lion Climber tires exhibited remarkable grip on loose gravel, mud, and uneven surfaces. The tread design facilitated effective self-cleaning, preventing mud accumulation that could impair performance. On steep inclines and declines, the tires sustained traction, instilling confidence in the driver.
**Durability and Wear**
Durability is crucial for off-road tires, and the Leao Lion Climber delivered on that front. The reinforced sidewalls effectively resisted punctures and abrasions from sharp rocks and debris encountered on the trail. Following extensive usage, the tread displayed minimal signs of wear, indicating that these tires are built to last. This durability presents a significant advantage for off-road enthusiasts who regularly face challenging terrains.
**Handling and Stability**
Handling is another essential factor when assessing tires for off-road applications. The Leao Lion Climber tires provided stable handling, enabling precise steering control even on rugged trails. The rigidity of the sidewalls contributed to enhanced cornering stability, vital for maneuvering through tight turns or uneven surfaces. Drivers noted a comfortable ride, with the tires effectively absorbing shocks from bumps and dips.
**Noise and Comfort**
While off-road tires are often associated with heightened road noise, the Leao Lion Climber tires presented a surprisingly quiet ride on paved roads. This trait renders them suitable for drivers who might shift between on-road and off-road environments. Comfort levels remained elevated, with minimal vibrations transmitted to the cabin, improving the overall driving experience.
**Value for Money**
In terms of cost, the Linglong Leao Lion Climber tires are competitively priced in the market. Given their performance, durability, and versatility, they represent excellent value for off-road enthusiasts seeking reliable tires without exorbitant costs. The combination of quality and affordability positions them as an attractive choice for both casual and dedicated off-road drivers.
**Conclusion**
The evaluation of Linglong’s Leao Lion Climber tires on an off-road trail showcases their strengths in traction, durability, handling, and overall value. With their robust design and performance capabilities, these tires are well-equipped for various off-road scenarios. For those in search of a dependable and budget-friendly tire option for off-road adventures, the Leao Lion Climber emerges as an admirable selection.
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