Do you find yourself perplexed while choosing the best Nitto all-terrain tires? If so, you are not alone!
Nitto Tires offer incredible durability, handling, safety, performance, and most of all, the price. However, it is challenging to choose the best tire according to your preferences.
This article will compare the Nitto Trail Grappler vs. Ridge Grappler vs. Terra Grappler G2. We will also pick which tire is better in terms of off- and on-road performance, comfort, noise level, and price.
Let’s get started!
Nitto Trail Grappler: An Overview
The Nitto Trail Grappler tire features a tread pattern that is specifically designed for off-road use, and a reinforced sidewall that helps to protect against punctures. Whether you’re driving on dirt, gravel, mud, or sand, this tire is designed to give you the grip and stability. The Nitto Trail Grappler is available in a variety of sizes to fit a range of vehicles.
Here, we have collected some comments on the Nitto Trail Grappler. These comments are from the users who have had experiences with this tire:
- “Just put on 37” trail grapplers (replaced Patagonia MT’s) on my son’s 18 JLUR. He says they are slightly louder than the Pats, which is to be expected. They balanced much better (both static and on the road force balancer) than the Pats. He just used them the first time off road yesterday. Trail was mud, packed snow, and rocks. Said they are much better off road than the Pats.” (limeade – https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/37-nitto-trail-grappler-vs-ridge-grappler-vs-bfg-km3.61198/)
- Unquestionably the trail will be loud on the highway, the ridge is more daily driver friendly. Ridge Grapplers are kinda hybrid tires, but won’t do as well as the trail grappler off road. (Bishop84 – https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/nitto-trail-grappler-vs-ridge-grappler.681859/)
- “NITTO makes a damn good tire! I had the trail grapplers on my 2012. I ran the 295/70/17. I would say they are smooth and wear really well. As far as being loud…I didn’t experience that at all…Maybe a slight hum. Possibly could get louder the more worn they get. I think i had about 26k on them when i traded it in. The mpgs take a slight hit with the mud tire.“ (Chad7088 – https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/nitto-trail-grappler-vs-ridge-grappler.681859/)
Nitto Ridge Grappler: An Overview
The Ridge Grappler is not classified as a mud-terrain or all-terrain tire. Instead, it is called a “Dynamic Hybrid Tire” because it has a tread pattern that is good for on-road driving and also good for off-roading.
What users like and don’t like about Nitto Ridge Grappler:
- “Currently on the Ridge Grapplers and like them better. Very quiet and stable with aggressive looks! 99% driving is on the street/hwy and towing the camper most of the summer.” (From Big ~O~ – https://www.duramaxforum.com/threads/nitto-terra-g2-or-ridge-grappler.907698/)
- “This is my second set of Ridge Grapplers and my experience is completely the opposite. The Ridge Grappler is not a mud tire, it’s a hybrid terrain tire. The Trail Grappler is a mud tire. I live in the PNW so I see my share of rain and snow and the Ridge Grappler does great. It is a little noisy, but not bad for a tire with aggressive tread. My tires are the XL version, so they ride much smoother than the LT version you have.” (dahoktm – https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/my-review-on-nitto-ridge-grappler-tires.36869/)
- “Just switched to the Ridge’s about a month ago when I did new rims/lift and so far, they have been awesome as well, really like the looks of em, zero drone on the freeway even in 35 inch sized. Haven’t had em in any weather though yet aside from dry / wet but so far, they been solid.” (Franchi Motorsports – f150forum.com/f4/terra-v-s-ridge-grappler-385888/)
Nitto Terra Grappler G2: An Overview
Nitto Terra Grappler G2 tires provide good traction and durability in a variety of conditions. The G2 is the second generation of the Terra Grappler line and features an updated tread pattern and new compound that improve upon the original design.
We will list some feedback of users of Nitto Ridge Grappler. This aims to provide you with what other people like and don’t like about this tire:
- “If you are anything like me, i.e. take the truck hunting but don’t do any serious off-roading, go with the G2’s. I just installed them in 295/60/20 on my 2014 and really like them so far. I’ve had the Trails before as well and the Mickey ATZ and the G2’s are a lot quieter and look very nice and somewhat aggressive. Too all his own though.” (440 – https://www.tundratalk.net/threads/nitto-terra-grappler-g2-vs-nitto-trail-grappler-m-t.390481/)
- “I have 26,000 miles on my Terra Grappler tires and enough tread left for at least another 20,000 miles. There are higher mileage tires available but at the expense of off-road traction. A Wet traction with the Grapplers has not been a problem in the least, but it depends of course on the skill of the driver.” (Calson – https://www.tundratalk.net/threads/nitto-terra-grapplers-or-ridge-grapper.753074/page-3)
- “My experience with G2s is that they seem quiet and smooth when they are new, but after about 10,000 miles they change. I had them on a Wrangler Unlimited for a while and the more miles they got; the more uncomfortable they became. It almost seemed like they hardened with age and miles.” (Billy James – https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/are-nitto-terra-grappler-g2%E2%80%99s-worth-the-extra-money.12514/)
Nitto Trail Grappler vs. Ridge Grappler vs. Terra Grappler G2: Comparison Table
Although all-terrain tires offer appealing advantages, they perform differently under various circumstances. The difference in on- and off-road, comfort performance, noise level, and prices category sets the bar high for the winning product.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the three tires – Nitto Trail Grappler vs. Ridge Grappler vs. Terra Grappler:
Best For Off-road
Best For On-road / Snow
Best Budget
Specifications:
| Nitto Trail Grappler | Nitto Ridge Grappler | Nitto Terra Grappler | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Available Rim Sizes | 15’’, 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22’’, 24’’, 26’’ | 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22’’, 24’’ | 16’’, 17’’, 18’’, 20’’, 22’’, 24’’ |
| Weight | 60.8 - 110.8 lbs | 39.4 - 96.1 lbs | 37 - 74 lbs |
| Snow Rating | No | No | No |
| Warranty | Limited | Limited | + 50,000 miles for LT-metric and flotation sizes + 65,000 miles for hard metric sizes |
Nitto Trail Grappler vs. Ridge Grappler vs. Terra Grappler G2: Detailed Analysis
Off-road Performance
The three counterparts are pretty competitive when it comes to off- and on-road performance. However, nothing beats Nitto trail grappler off-road. Even the staff engineers at Nitto tires claim that Trail Grappler is made for trails without compromising the quality and performance.
Nitto Trail Grappler features a 3-ply high turn-up construction that prevents punctures in off-road terrains. Additionally, the blocks also are designed for lateral stability and promote traction even on rough terrains. The exceptional tread design and elements result in providing better edge and performance off-road. Therefore, if you’re someone who loves adventures and rock crawling, Nitto Trail Grappler should be your go-to.
Comparatively, Nitto Ridge Grappler and Terra Grappler score lower. Since the Ridge Grappler is a hybrid model, it neatly embodies the characteristics of mud-terrain and all-terrain tires. Meanwhile, the Terra Grappler has trouble gaining traction on steep or tough terrains. Therefore, for off-road performance, Ridge Grappler maintains a comfortable and calm ride compared to Terra Grappler.
On-road Performance
Though Nitto Trail Grappler is unparallel off-road, it would surprise you that it scores much lower on-road.
For on-road performance, the factors like quietness, smoother turns, and steadiness on highways matter the most. Here, Nitto Ridge Grappler ticks all the right boxes.
The sipes on Nitto Ridge Grappler are not wide, unlike Trail Grappler. Thus, it possesses several sipes for added traction, performance, and grip on wet or dry terrains. And the best part is the noiselessness. There is zero vibration and noise on highways that make Nitto Ridge Grappler a perfect catch for the on-road sector.
However, if we compare Ridge Grappler and Terra Grappler, both supports all-around traction with excellent handling and performance. But it’s the internal performance that sets Nitto Ridge Grappler apart from its counterparts.
Snow & Ice Performance
Surprisingly, the Nitto tires weren’t tested for snow and ice standards.
However, the best among the rest on this snow and ice performance category is Nitto Ridge Grappler. It is a hybrid design of All-terrain and Mud-terrain tires that fares quite well in snowy or icy terrains. Thus, Nitto Ridge Grappler tires are recommended for heavy or light snow traction.
Meanwhile, the performance of Trail Grappler and Terra Grappler is rated to perform decently on snow and ice. But it will be best if you don’t do a lot of driving on heavy snow. The reason is that they won’t clean out the snow well from the tread, and they also can wear out faster.
Nitto Trail Grappler
Nitto Ridge Grappler
Nitto Terra Grappler
Noise Level
Since the on-road performance of Nitto Ridge Grappler is a knock-off, they are the quietest mud tires. The Ridge Grappler features variable pitch tread patterns that block highways’ noise and provide a smooth and quiet drive.
Besides, Terra Grappler G2 competes well with Ridge Grappler in terms of quietness. Since both the tires are designed for daily on-road use, noiselessness is imperative at highway speeds. However, according to tire enthusiasts, Ridge Grappler beats the Grappler G2 concerning quietness level. Contrarily, Nitto Trail Grappler is mainly engineered for off-road experiences. And so, they are otherwise noisy on highways.
Comfort Level
All-terrain tires mostly do not fit well in the comfort level because they have to fare under challenging terrains. But Nitto Tires went against all odds and exceeded the expectations of their customers in comfort level.
If we compare the three tires, the Nitto Trail Grappler, with its 3D stimulation and improved sound resistance, works great initially. Nonetheless, as soon as the tread wear develops, it gets louder and uncomfortable.
Meanwhile, Ridge Grappler was designed for comfort and quietness. Also, the riding quality of Ridge Grappler is impressive than its counterparts. The zig-zag grooves edge blocks on Ridge Grappler tires result in a smoother ride and impeccable steering performance. Furthermore, the added rigidity prevents your wheels from trembling, even on rough terrains.
Credit: Off-roadcrawler
Likewise, the Terra Grappler offers year-round performance in wet and dry terrains. Therefore, it will give you a feel of the tire’s comfort and quietness with excellent handling and improved dry traction. This tire is considered as a strong competitor to Ridge Grappler in terms of the comfort category.
Treadwear Warranty
The sole disadvantage that customers associate with terrain tires is the short life expectancy. But Nitto tires have worked on this issue and made remarkable changes to the conventional all-terrain procedures.
The Trail Grappler uses thick rubber tread and two jointless cap ply construction to avoid punctures. This feature increases the life expectancy of Nitto Trail Grappler to 20,000 and 30,000 miles. However, Trail Grappler just offers a limited treadwear warranty.
On the other hand, Ridge Grappler is a hybrid model that is more durable as it features a block foundation to enhance the wheel’s rigor. Also, it reduces the flex that restricts your tire from wobbling. Like Trail Grappler, Ridge Grappler also possesses stone ejectors that keep harsh, tough objects away from puncturing your tires, increasing the life expectancy. Again, it provides a limited treadwear warranty.
When it comes to G2, it offers excellent endurance. It increases the tire’s rigidity by connecting inner and outer treads. This way, the tire doesn’t lose its shape in rough and uneven terrains. Above all, the Nitto Terra Grappler is the first all-terrain tire that offers a treadwear warranty. G2 offers higher mileage claims with a limited warranty of 50,000 miles for LT-metric and floatation sizes and 65,000 miles for hard metric sizes.
Price
The Nitto Terra Grappler is your best bargain when it comes to affordability, with a starting price of $161. The Terra Grappler is more economical with a relatively durable long-term value of around 50,000 miles, and 65,000 miles tread life warranty.
As far as the price factor is concerned, trail grappler is on the higher side (starting from $271), provided that the on-road performance is mediocre. Also, it offers a limited treadwear warranty. The same is the case with Ridge Grappler, starting from $213.
Our Final Recommendations
Best For Off-road
Best For On-road/Snow
Best Budget
Now you know that Nitto Trail Grappler, Ridge Grappler, and Terra Grappler G2 serve different purposes. But one thing they have in common is the performance. They all are excellent terrain tires.
+ If you’re looking for an all-around tire with a balance of dry and wet performance, you should go for the Terra Grappler.
+ The hybrid model – Ridge grappler offers the best on-road performance and great off-road performance. Also, the snow and ice performance of Ridge Grappler is commendable.
+ Trail Grappler provides an aggressive mud tread design with exceptional off-road performance.
Read more: Nitto Ridge Grappler vs. Falken Wildpeak AT3W vs. Goodyear Duratrac: Let’s Find Out The Winner
Read more: Nitto Recon Grappler vs. Ridge Grappler: Which Is Better?
