Armstrong Tru-Trac SU vs Laufenn S FIT AS LH01 tires

Armstrong vs Laufenn: Which brand's tire is right for you?

Armstrong is an American tire manufacturer introduced in 1912 and focuses on making tires that are durable and good for daily driving utility. At an affordable price point, Armstrong offers tires that are engineered to meet the requirements of modern drivers. Armstrong tires feature robust construction, long-lasting tread life, and solid performance.

Laufenn, on the other hand, is a subsidiary of popular tire manufacturer Hankook. It makes tires that offer both admirable performance and value. All thanks to Hankook's advanced R&D and production capabilities, Laufenn tires offer great handling, strong traction, and enhanced ride comfort.

The Armstrong Tru-Trac SU is the first tire we have picked for the comparison and blends the abilities of both performance, touring, and all-season tires to provide CUVs and SUVs with low rolling resistance, long-haul durability, and enhanced ride comfort. On the other hand, the Laufenn S FIT AS LH01 is the second tire chosen for comparison, and this ultra-high-performance (UHP) all-season tire is built and engineered for drivers of sedans, coupes, minivans, and CUVs who want absolute cornering control, hydroplaning resistance, and high-speed stability.

Choosing from these two tires could be difficult as they are slightly different in characteristics despite focusing on delivering solid performance. Therefore, read our Tru-Trac SUV vs S FIT AS LH01 tires comparison to understand which tire aligns better with your driving needs and budget, and offers better traction, handling, and longevity. To analyze the abilities of both tires in these areas, we will use our proprietary tire rating system, SimpleScore, as a reference that is used by experts of SimpleTire to rate each tire’s traction, handling, and longevity abilities on a scale of 0-10.

Armstrong Tru-Trac SU tires

The Tru-Trac SU is designed and engineered for use on CUVs and SUVs and features an all-season pattern and compound to provide solid traction and performance in dry, wet, and light winter conditions. It is optimized for low resistance and better fuel efficiency, and sports a solid structure that prevents tread block squirm and tire deformation under heavy loads. Additionally, it is tuned for stable tracking on wet roads and in light winter conditions, and also comes with an excellent tread life warranty.

Overall, the Tru-Trac SU is rated a great 8.4 SimpleScore because of its excellent tread life, great controllability, and solid traction.

Get Armstrong Tru-Trac SU tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Laufenn S FIT AS LH01 tires

The S FIT AS LH01 is a pure ultra-high-performance (UHP) all-season tire that’s built for use on sedans, coupes, minivans, and CUVs. This tire delivers sporty handling and high-speed braking performance, and offers the much-needed precision that performance-minded drivers seek. It has features to resist hydroplaning and offer reliable year-round traction. The tread and technologies used in this tire also prevent flexing during hard cornering and ensure a quiet cabin experience. Additionally, the S FIT AS LH01 also provides solid grip on wet and light snow roads for a commanding and versatile performance.

Overall, the S FIT AS LH01 earns a fantastic 8.5 overall SimpleScore, contributed by its long-lasting service, sporty handling, and great year-round traction.

Get Laufenn S FIT AS LH01 tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Armstrong Tru-Trac SU vs Laufenn S FIT AS LH01 tires on traction

Let’s start the comparison with traction and find out which of the two tires is better when it comes to maintaining year-round grip.

First, let’s discuss the traction capabilities of the Tru-Trac SU that scores a solid 8.1 SimpleScore for its dependable traction performance year-round. The tire is built using an all-season rubber compound and cross-linked sipes that ensure solid grip in wet and light wintry conditions, while the four circumferential grooves additionally boost the tire’s water channelling ability to force water out of the contact patch and prevent hydroplaning.

Moving on to the S FIT AS LH01, it scores an 8.2 SimpleScore for its great traction performance. All thanks to the Hankook-derived 3D hydroplaning simulation technology, which facilitates quicker water evacuation from the contact patch to provide solid wet grip and prevent hydroplaning. Likewise, the sipes, along with an optimized rubber compound, enhance surface-biting ability and grip to offer solid traction in wet and mild wintry conditions.

No doubt, both tires come with great traction capabilities, but it is the UHP all-season Laufenn tire that beats the Tru-Trac SU by a thin margin.

ADVANTAGE: Laufenn S FIT AS LH01

Armstrong Tru-Trac SU vs Laufenn S FIT AS LH01 tires on handling

Let us now find out which of the two tires offers better handling, ride control, stability, cornering, braking, and steering response.

Beginning with the Tru-Trac SU, the tire scores an outstanding 8.6 SimpleScore in handling. The tread features rigid shoulder blocks that provide the much-needed strength to prevent wriggling and offer steady cornering control and great highway stability. Likewise, the stiffer sidewalls of this tire absorb impacts and contribute to enhanced ride comfort. Additionally, the braking performance is improved by the cross-linked sipes in wet and slick conditions.

On the other hand, the S FIT AS LH01 surprises with an identical 8.6 SimpleScore in handling. This UHP all-season tire features outer tie-bars to lock the shoulder blocks under lateral stress and provide instant steering feedback, reduce braking distance on dry roads, and boost stability while changing lanes. Additionally, there are drainage inducement groove edges to improve braking performance in wet conditions.

In handling, both tires earn identical ratings and assure great controllability, concluding with a tie!

ADVANTAGE: Tie

Armstrong Tru-Trac SU vs Laufenn S FIT AS LH01 tires on longevity

Now, let’s take a look at the long-lasting abilities of both tires and find out which offers real value by resisting wear better and covering more miles.

Starting with the Armstrong all-season tire, it earns an excellent 9.1 SimpleScore for its superior longevity. This tire is also backed by an excellent 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, which means you won’t have to worry about ownership hassles or replacements anytime soon. The tread sports block-stabilizing architecture and an optimized pressure-distribution contact patch that resists irregular wear and contributes to an extended tread life.

Contrarily, the Laufenn UHP all-season tire achieves an impressive 8.7 SimpleScore for its long-lasting service. This tire also comes with the backing of a 45,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty, which is a true delight as a warranty is something that’s less seen in the case of UHP tires. Additionally, the tie-bar reinforced pattern and wider contact patch prevent uneven shoulder wear.

In the longevity race, it is the Tru-Trac SU from Armstrong that takes the lead, equalling the scores 1-1!

ADVANTAGE: Armstrong Tru-Trac SU

When to use each

Both the Tru-Trac SU and the S FIT AS LH01 are all-season tires and can be used on dry highways, rain-soaked roads, and light winter conditions. It is to be noted that neither tire carries the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) certification, which means you shouldn’t consider them for use in moderate to severe winter weather.

However, the utility of both tires differs slightly. While the Tru-Trac SU is perfect for drivers who want long-lasting tread life, better fuel efficiency, and smooth, comfortable highway drives, the S FIT AS LH01 is tuned for solid performance with a punch of high-speed stability, instant steering response, quicker water channelling, and confident maneuvering. As far as rim sizes are concerned, both tires are available in 16- to 21-inch rim options.

Which one should you choose?

Looking at overall SimpleScores, the S FIT AS LH 01 from Laufenn is a slightly better option than the Armstrong Tru-Trac SU (8.5 vs 8.4). However, your decision to buy tires should be based on whether you prefer a tire that’s better in longevity and comes with a better tread life warranty or something that offers solid traction performance year-round.

As far as the prices are concerned, the Tru-Trac SU is offered at a starting price of at least $92, which means a set of four is available at a starting price of at least $368. On the other hand, the S FIT AS LH01 is offered at an initial price of $105, costing $420 for a set of four.

Based on SimpleScore, you must consider the Tru-Trac SC if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, or Toyota Highlander.
• Need a tire that’s better in longevity (9.1 vs 8.7)
• Need a tire that’s covered by a better 65,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
• Are comfortable paying more to buy an overall better tire that offers athletic performance.

On the other hand, you should pick the Laufenn S FIT AS LH01 if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the BMW 3 Series, Hyundai Tucson, or Nissan Maxima.
• Need a tire that’s equally good in handling.
• Need a tire that’s covered by a 45,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty.
• Need a tire that’s better in all-season traction (8.2 vs 8.1).

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help, as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.