Nitto continues to mine the all-terrain truck tire niche with a new option that delivers both serious off-road grip with, surprisingly, better on-road handling.

PROS

• Next-level off-road grip
• Extra large sizes for aftermarket applications
• Surprisingly quiet
• Impressive on-road driving dynamics
• Solid tread life for a more extreme AT tire

CONS

• Wet on-road grip not as extreme
• Lacking in winter grip
• Some options are quite expensive

Slotting between the Terra Grappler G2 and the hybrid-terrain Ridge Grappler, the Recon Grappler is aimed at some pretty extreme off-roaders, in terms of performance, sizes and style.

While it’s mostly aesthetic, we love the hyper aggressive design of the tread, both the base and the sidewalls. It’s notable that Nitto offers two different designs for the sidewalls, which is just one more way they cater to the off-road crowd. More importantly, the Recon Grappler is available in a huge selection of sizes including many 22-inch and several 24-inch sizes for wild applications.

In terms of true off-road performance there are a lot of characteristics that come into play. The larger tread lugs and serious void space give it grip beyond a conventional all-terrain tire. Notably, the tread blocks use a stepped design that not only gives added edges for grip, but also allows for more open void space at the surface of the tread, while down below the tread blocks are more stable. This helps with on-road performance (we’ll get to that in a minute) and also aides in overall tread life.

Larger tread blocks also help prevent smaller stones from getting stuck in the tread and causing premature tire wear.

The shoulder tread blocks feature an alternating design both on the inside and outside, helping add more grip, while even helping churn through looser surfaces more easily.

As mentioned earlier, on road performance is aided by the reinforced tread blocks. Sipes help with wet grip and on-road traction in deeper standing water is better than average – often more aggressive AT tires suffer from a lack of on-road traction in the wet due to a lack of circumferential grooves.

The overall design has been optimized to minimize road noise and despite the aggressive look the Recon Grappler is easy to live with even if you spend most of your time on-road.

Those larger tread sections with reinforced tread base blocks also deliver significant advantages for on-road grip in the dry, helping to deliver a more nimble feel and better lateral grip than you’d expect to get in an all-terrain tire – especially one this aggressive.

If there are any real drawbacks to this tire it’s the lack of winter performance. This is somewhat expected. While more and more AT tires now offer the three-peak mountain snowflake rating with true winter grip, more extreme options like this are destined to make compromises in some areas.

What Ply is the Nitto Recon Grappler?

As an all-terrain tire the Recon Grappler AT makes use of a two ply sidewall, which is expected. In terms of the load rating, numerous fitments come in a 10-ply Load Range E fitment, while C, D and F options are also available.

Is the Nitto Recon Grappler AT Any Good?

Buying the right all-terrain tire is always a tough choice as “best” is a relative term. Really, you need to pick a tire that’s right for you. While not as extreme as a mud-terrain tire, the Recon Grappler AT is getting closer to that level of performance while still offering loads of on-road civility. In fact, it’s a step forward when it comes to off-road and on-road grip, which really makes it stand out.

We love Nitto’s commitment to performance and style, as well as the fact that they always tend to offer unique fitment options that are hard to find.

Overall we’re truly impressed with the capability, style and selection of this unique offering.

Nitto Recon Grappler AT Price

Due to the dramatic size differential offered by Nitto the Recon Grappler AT varies in price significantly with the most affordable options starting around $275 per tire while the pricier picks land in the $700 per tire range.

Nitto Recon Grappler AT Warranty

Nitto backs the Recon Grappler AT with a 55,000 mile tread life warranty. In addition, a limited warranty applies to the first 1/32-inch of treadwear, with a free replacement for any defective tires. After that, Nitto will pro-rate the replacement cost for defective tires.

Nitto Recon Grappler AT Sizes

16-inch tires

• LT305/70R16 F
• LT315/75R16 E
• 35×11.50R16LT D

17-inch tires

• LT255/80R17 E
• LT265/70R17 E
• 285/70R17
• LT285/70R17 E
• LT285/75R17 E
• LT295/70R17 E
• LT305/70R17 E
• 315/70R17
• LT315/70R17 E
• 33×11.50R17LT D
• 37×11.50R17LT D
• 33×12.50R17LT F
• 35×12.50R17LT E
• 37×12.50R17LT D

18-inch tires

• LT275/70R18 E
• LT285/65R18 E
• LT285/70R18 E
• LT285/75R18 E
• 295/70R18
• LT295/70R18 E
• 305/60R18
• LT305/65R18 F
• LT305/70R18 D
• LT325/60R18 E
• LT325/65R18 E
• 35×12.50R18LT F
• 37×12.50R18LT E

20-inch tires

• 265/50R20
• LT265/60R20 E
• 275/55R20
• LT275/55R20 E
• 275/60R20
• LT275/60R20 E
• 275/65R20
• LT275/65R20 E
• 285/50R20
• 285/55R20
• LT285/55R20 E
• LT285/60R20 E
• LT285/65R20 E
• LT295/55R20 E
• LT295/60R20 E
• LT295/65R20 E
• 305/50R20
• 305/55R20
• LT305/55R20 F
• 315/60R20
• LT315/60R20 E
• LT325/60R20 E
• 34×11.50R20LT E
• 35×11.50R20LT E
• 33×12.50R20LT F
• 35×12.50R20LT F
• 37×12.50R20LT E
• 35×13.50R20LT F
• 37×13.50R20LT E

22-inch tires

• 285/45R22
• LT285/50R22 E
• LT285/55R22 E
• 305/40R22
• 305/45R22
• 305/55R22
• 315/45R22
• LT325/50R22 F
• 33×12.50R22LT F
• 35×12.50R22LT F
• 37×13.50R22LT F

24-inch tires

• LT295/45R24 E
• 305/35R24
• 315/45R24
• LT315/50R24 F
• LT325/45R24 F
• 35×12.50R24LT F
• 37×13.50R24LT F