Are you planning to buy one of the tires between Nitto Ridge Grappler, Falken Wildpeak AT3W, and Goodyear Duratrac? It can be a real pain navigating the choices of these three tires sometimes, but don’t worry. We’ll take it from here.
Offering different unique qualities and built from different materials, each of the tires shines in various conditions. In this review, we will guide you in making the right purchase decision between the Nitto Ridge Grappler, Falken Wildpeak AT3W, and Goodyear Duratrac by comparing all of them.
We’ll contrast them by using parameters like pricing, performance, durability, warranty information, and more. Furthermore, in each category, we will help you pick the best out of the three and give you lots of reasons why.
Nitto Ridge Grappler vs. Falken Wildpeak AT3W vs. Goodyear Duratrac: Comparison Table
Before delving fully into the varying features of these three tires, let’s begin with basic comparisons. Although these tires share many similar qualities, each brand model also differs in some certain ways.
Let’s take a look at the table below to see how the Falken Wildpeak AT3W, Nitto Ridge Grappler, and Goodyear Duratrac distinguish themselves in each type of performance:
Best For Off-road Performance
Best For On-road Performance
Best For Snow & Ice Performance
Specifications:
| Nitto Ridge Grappler | Falken Wildpeak AT3W | Goodyear Duratrac | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Available Rim Sizes | 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22’’, 24’’ | 15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22’’ | 15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 19’’, 20’’, 22’’ |
| Weight | 39.4 - 96.1 lbs | 31.1-82.5 lbs | 35 - 68 lbs |
| Snow Rating | No | Three-peak Mountain Snowflake rating | Three-peak Mountain Snowflake rating |
| Warranty | Limited | 55,000 miles | 50,000 miles |
Before diving into the detailed analysis below, let’s take a look at what other users comment on Nitto Ridge Grappler, Falken Wildpeak AT3W, and Goodyear Duratrac:
- “About 15k into a set of falken wildpeaks. Good ride/road noise. For wear they seem to have worn quite a bit for 15k. wet weather good. Snow….while they have performed ok the read is really quite flat and as i live in kamloops bc canada we get a fair amount of snow and i’m not overly confident in them. I run one tire all year long. Offroad….i do some light offroad and while they have been okay again the tread pattern doesn’t give me confidence in anything other than dry light offroad. All in all i’ll probably switch when these run out, which looking at the wear i think i’ll be lucky to get 40k” (alex6666 – https://www.ramforum.com/threads/nitto-ridge-grapplers-or-falken-wildpeak-at3-w.183096/page-3)
- “My friend as the ridge grapplers, I have the at3w’s. The ridge grapplers are louder and are wearing faster for him. I’ve had no issues and have made it through a couple swamps that have gave others problems.” (VelocityC6Z – https://www.ramforum.com/threads/nitto-ridge-grapplers-or-falken-wildpeak-at3-w.183096/page-3)
- “I’d vote Ridge Grapplers. Look more aggressive, really capable off road and very quiet for an aggressive looking tire. I have a set (20″) and really like them.” (FortyOZs – https://www.f150forum.com/f118/falken-at3w-vs-nitto-ridge-grappler-373189/index3/)
- “I ran both. Duratracs are overpriced, loud after a couple of rotations, and horrible on wet or slick roadways. However, in deep snow they did excellent and they’re pretty good mudders too. They wear like iron and last forever. A/T3W is quiet, smooth, and sticks to the road like glue. Much safer as a road tire. Packs up with mud quite easily, and also throws gravel really bad.” (WXman – https://www.wranglerforum.com/threads/tires-duratrac-vs-wildpeak-at3.2391975/
Nitto Ridge Grappler vs. Falken Wildpeak AT3W vs. Goodyear Duratrac: Detailed Analysis
Off-road Performance
The Nitto Ridge Grappler comes above the other tires in this category, and here’s why. It is made from high-quality materials that are perfect for off-road activities and all different terrains.
The Ridge Grappler accomplishes this first position through its substantially large lugs that offer excellent traction and makes it the king of off-road performance. The tire is lightweight, which also contributes to better handling off-road. In addition, the amazing block design of this tire improves traction on any rough off-road terrain.
Meanwhile, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W takes second place with its sophisticated upper sidewalls and stable shoulder blocks to protect the tire from debris, dirt, and sharp stones along off-road terrains. The tire threads are deeper for improved grip with zig-zag pattern grooves that increase its gripping power on off-road terrains.
Speaking of rough terrains, the Goodyear Duratrac is rated third on this list. It has broad shoulders for off-road performance that grant it strong traction and grip over stony surfaces. Besides, it excels in sandy terrains because the sand edges through the tracks without getting held back or stuck. However, its sturdiness still poses a challenge for the off-road performance and it is not good as the Falken ATW3 and Ridge Grappler in other off-road aspects.
On-road Performance
In terms of on-road performance, the Nitto Ridge Grappler won’t disappoint you. First, it comes with a rugged tread design and defining shoulder grooves that enhance its on-road performance. Then, its unique high void tread pattern feature delivers a smooth riding on-road experience. Lastly, it possesses alternating pattern grooves that aid better on-road handling.
For the Goodyear Duratrac, its aligned center threads facilitate good traction and lateral stability on roads. At the same time, its angled lines block debris on the road and prevent drawbacks when driving. Most importantly, its combination of protection and patterned sipping is unique, elevating its on-road performance. However, compared to Nitto Ridge Grappler, it comes short because the Ridge Grappler defines grooves which are more effective on-road.
Here comes the winner of this category, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W. This tire is sturdy and steadfast in both off-road and on-road conditions. But it excels more on the road due to its stable shoulder walls and patterned threading that prevent slippage even on wet roads. Its threading is superior to that of the Grappler and the Duratrac for on-road handling.
Snow & Ice Performance
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W and the Goodyear Duratrac are the top challengers in grip and movement for snow and ice performance. However, the Duratrac wins this snowy and icy battle. Although the Duratrac is severe snow rated like the Falken Wildpeak AT3W, its Tractive Groove Technology sets it apart.
The reason is that the technology provides a better grip on deep snow, ensuring excellent vehicle mobility. Furthermore, the Goodyear Duratrac has metal studs and biting edges that impact snow traction and give you an enjoyable driving experience.
Speaking of quality, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W, apart from its superb rating, possesses deep threads that offer good snow grip and brings a whole new snow driving experience. This tire not only has well-grooved threads that excel in snow traction, but its design also enables it to thrive in low-temperature environments. However, there is a limit to how well it can perform in extremely icy environment.
Though the Nitto Ridge Grappler comes short amongst the rest in this snowy battle, it is a hybrid tire with z-shaped blocks and deep grooves. As such, a combination of this and its angled pattern helps take snow from the tires. But, unlike the Goodyear Duratrac, this tire begins to wear out if used on snowy terrains for long.
Noise Level
When most individuals are spoilt for choice in picking the right tire due to their similar qualities, their noise levels often break the tie. Clearly, no one likes a noisy tire.
With the moderate noise level, the Falken Wildpeak AT3W is the winner of this category. For starters, its unique Silent Core technology adds to the quietness of these tires. The Falken Wildpeak AT3W uses a polyurethane foam layer in its interior that absorbs sounds and vibrations in the air. This process prevents cavity resonance that leads to increased noise.
Even with the Falken silent core technology, the Nitto Ridge doesn’t fall short as a good alternative even with the Falken silent core technology. The tread pattern and deeper grooves make the tire more stable and quiet on the open road. To wrap this category up, the Goodyear Duratrac tires are noisier compared to these two. Its large grooves and block patterns make it difficult to absorb noise, and it lags behind the Falken and the Duratrac in this feature.
Comfort Level
The Nitto Ridge Grappler has a variable pitch thread that ensures better adhesion and creates a smooth and comfortable ride. Then, its good traction with the aggressive lugs offers stability and makes riding comfort-filled.
On the other hand, the Goodyear Duratrac falls short as the threads are not as effective in creating stability and an enjoyable ride but still offer a good deal of comfort.
Finally, the Falken Wildpeak comes in as the most comfortable with its impressive threading for attraction and stability. The Wildpeak’s combination of excellent traction, patterned threading, and silicon compound in the tire pulls it ahead of the other two in this category.
Treadwear Warranty
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W wins again when it comes to long-lasting and strong treadwear. First, it has upper sidewalks with offset shoulder blocks which protect the tires from sensitive materials. Then, there is a silica tread compound and outer sidewall. All of these are responsible for the 55,000 miles the Falken boasts of.
On the contrary, while the Nitto Ridge Grappler offers a limited treadwear warranty, the Goodyear Duratrac comes in second with a warranty of 50,000 miles.
Price
The Falken Wildpeak AT3W is the affordable tire of the three which costs about $137 to $499, depending on each size. In contrast, the Goodyear Duratrac costs a little more than the Falken tires from $198 to $465.
Finally, the Nitto Ridge Grappler is the most expensive of the three options going from $213 to about $787, but ultimately still has many desirable qualities.
Our Final Recommendations
Best For Off-road Performance
Best For On-road Performance
Best For Snow & Ice Performance
Here you have the comparison of these three tires. It is left to you to decide which of them is best for you.
- If you want a tire with excellent off-road performance and a limited warranty, then you should go for the Nitto Ridge Grappler.
- In case you want a tire with good on-road performance, excellent noise, and comfort level, then you should pick the Falken Wildpeak AT3W.
- You should consider choosing the Goodyear Duratrac if the snow and ice performance is your priority.
Read more: Ridge Grappler vs. KO2 vs. KM2: Pick The Best Tire For Your Vehicle
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