Nitto Ridge Grappler Review: All-Terrain and Mud-Terrain Tires

This tire Nitto Ridge Grappler outstands most of the tires that are available in the market in terms of mileage, dry and wet traction, ergonomics, snow outfield performance, superior off-road performance, comfortable and quiet ride, wear and tear of the tire. The Nitto Ridge Grappler is the tire that fulfills all the requirements that are required to perform well in the bad weather conditions as well as the off-road conditions.

The Nitto Ridge Grappler is taking the off-road scene by storm! It is a unique hybrid tire that merges the benefits of a proper mud tire with an all-terrain tire, but with none of the drawbacks! Considering the price point of the Nitto Ridge Grappler, it quickly became popular because it ticks all the right boxes in terms of all-season, all-weather performance, and rugged style.

The Nitto Ridge Grappler is perfect for light trucks and ¾ ton diesel rigs. It comes with a revolutionary dynamic hybrid tread pattern that simply looks awesome. And if you’re thinking chunky tread blocks and aggressive tread designs will give you a jolting and noisy ride, think again. In this review, you’ll find out the many features and benefits of the Nitto Ridge Grappler. You’ll also find out why this tire is now the most sought after in the off-road aftermarket scene.

Which is better: Nitto Ridge Grappler or Nitto Terra Grappler G2?

I guess the right question should be: how much better is the Nitto Ridge Grappler than the Terra Grappler G2? The answer is simple. The Ridge Grappler is better in all aspects than the Terra Grappler G2, and this is not a bad thing.

Think of it this way: The Ridge Grappler will keep going when the Terra Grappler G2 is hustling for grip. But the Ridge Grappler is not the ultimate off-road tire in Nitto’s lineup. That distinction belongs to the Trail Grappler and Mud Grappler. But still, the Ridge Grappler offers better off-road and all-weather abilities than the Terra Grappler G2.

But it’s not only better in off-road driving. The Nitto Trail Grappler is also quieter and more comfortable like a comparable highway terrain (H/T) tire. That’s saying a lot for a rugged tire that is primarily designed for off-road driving.

How does it behave in dry and wet roads?

This is where the hybrid factor of the Nitto Ridge Grappler enters the fray. The surprising thing is this tire merges the qualities of three different tires. Yes, not one. Not two. But three! It’s an all-terrain tire with the extreme performance of a mud tire. But in the street, it performs like an all-season high-performance tire that delivers excellent grip in dry and wet roads.

But it’s not just the steady traction and strong braking. The Nitto Ridge Grappler is also a capable handler. It’s not a summer tire by all means, but the sporty handling belies the rugged nature of the tire. It’s that good. And if you’ve been reading other reviews on the Nitto Ridge Grappler, you’ll probably arrive at the same conclusion. It really is a revolutionary tire.

What are the features of the Nitto Ridge Grappler?

The aggressive and chunky tread blocks in the Nitto Ridge Grappler are not only designed to enhance off-road traction. The tread pattern was created using advanced sound equipment to eliminate excessive road noise. The tire is equipped with lateral Z grooves that are arranged in a zigzag pattern. This enables the tire to literally bite the pavement for enhanced traction. Notice the shoulder grooves with alternating widths and lengths? The design is executed to maintain extreme traction while clearing mud, snow, and debris from the contact patch.

The Nitto Ridge Grappler is all about grip, grip, and more grip. It comes with step block edges to find grip in the most inhospitable environments. The same goes true for the staggered shoulder lugs that enhance traction over sand, deep snow, and thicker mud.

Nitto tires are also about style. Similar to other Grappler tires from Nitto, the Ridge Grappler is equipped with a dual sidewall design.

Is it any good in off-road driving?

Unless you haven’t noticed yet, then yes! The Nitto Ridge Grappler is nothing short of a proper mud tire. And even though it is refined in the street, it performs better than a comparable all-terrain tire in off-road driving.

The Nitto Ridge Grappler can handle deeper snow, thicker mud, softer sand, and loose terrain. You can basically drive from the mountain to the street and back without thinking about changing the tires. It doesn’t matter if the roads are peppered with stones, loose dirt, snow, ice, slush, or standing water. Where the Terra Grappler G2 falls short, the Ridge Grappler delivers in spades.

Is it really comfortable and refined in the street?

You’ll have to try it for yourself. The elevated comfort levels are not surprising at all. But what boggles the mind is how the aggressive and chunky treads are able to produce minimal tire roar. Notice the keyword ‘minimal’. The Nitto Ridge Grappler is silent at slow to medium speeds. It maintains a muffled ride as long as you’re not traveling past the speed limit.

But for a tire that’s a few notches below a proper mud tire, this is an amazing feat. Kudos to Nitto for coming up with a hybrid mud tire that isn’t tiring to drive in the highway.

You can see more Nitto Ridge Grappler Review here: videos created by Seth Tyndall

Should I buy the Nitto Ridge Grappler?

It doesn’t matter if the goal is to upgrade from the boring OEM tires or if you’re modifying the rig for the next extreme off-road adventure. The Nitto Ridge Grappler is an excellent choice if you want a tire that is better than an ordinary A/T but not as extreme as a proper M/T.

But there’s a catch. The Nitto Ridge Grappler is pricier than a set of conventional all-terrain rubber. However, with the number of hi-tech features and superior all-season performance, the Nitto Ridge Grappler delivers terrific value and reliable off-road performance. Want to give your truck or off-road SUV a reliable upgrade? Start with these tires.