A tire or tire tread features a helical, metallic RFID tag antenna, configured to provide an operable frequency response between 900 and 930 MHz upon receiving 100 electromagnetic waves having a power between 12 and 24 dBm. The helical, metallic RFID tag antenna is disposed within the at least one tread feature and has a wear rate commensurate with a wear rate of the at least one tread feature. The response(s) from the helical, metallic RFID tag antenna are used to track tread wear.