Nitto Recon Grappler A/T Review: The Ultimate All-Terrain Tire?

The Nitto Recon Grappler A/T is an all-terrain tire designed for trucks, SUVs, and crossovers.

This review will provide an in-depth look at the Recon Grappler A/T, including its key features, performance on and off road, ride comfort, warranty details, and pricing.

We’ll evaluate how the Recon Grappler A/T stacks up against comparable tires on the market. Read on for a comprehensive review of this popular all-terrain tire from Nitto.

List of Other Nitto Tire Reviews

If you’re interested in exploring other Nitto tire options, check out our comprehensive reviews of their various offerings.

Nitto’s commitment to quality and performance shines through in their diverse range of tires.

• Nitto Crosstek 2 Review
• Nitto Ridge Grappler Review
• Nitto Terra Grappler G2 Review
• Nitto Trail Grappler M/T Review
• Nitto Recon Grappler A/T Review

Tire Overview

The Nitto Recon Grappler A/T is designed as an all-terrain tire suitable for a variety of trucks, SUVs, and crossovers.

This tire model is available in a wide range of popular sizes to fit wheels from 15 to 22 inches in diameter.

Some key highlights of the tire’s all-terrain design and intended uses:

• All-season tread pattern provides traction in a variety of weather conditions including rain, snow, and dirt. Sipes in the tread blocks improve grip on slick surfaces.
• Aggressive and rugged tread blocks help provide traction off-road while still maintaining comfortable on-road manners.
• Reinforced sidewall construction enhances durability for light off-roading and on rugged terrain.
• Optimized tread design aims to provide a quiet and comfortable ride on paved roads. Reduces road noise compared to more aggressive mud-terrain tires.
• Applicable on crossovers, SUVs and light trucks used for activities ranging from daily driving to moderate off-roading. Provides a balanced blend of on-road comfort and off-road capability.

The Recon Grappler comes in a wide selection of popular fitments from 15″ all the way up to 22″ wheel diameters.

There are over 80 different sizes available to fit a variety of trucks, SUVs and CUVs from brands like Toyota, Ford, Chevy, Nissan and more.

Tread Design

The Nitto Recon Grappler A/T features an aggressive tread pattern designed specifically for off-road performance.

The asymmetric tread features large, staggered shoulder lugs to provide maximum traction in mud, dirt and gravel.

The tread pattern incorporates several key technologies:

• Helical grooves help channel water and debris out of the tread pattern to resist hydroplaning and maintain grip in wet conditions. The angled lateral grooves also help stabilize the tire when cornering on uneven terrain.
• An optimized contact patch and surface void ratio provide a balance of traction, wear resistance and on-road comfort.
• Stone ejectors in the tread help prevent rocks and debris from becoming embedded in the rubber. This reduces the risk of punctures and damage from sharp objects.
• A silica-reinforced compound provides durability and allows the tread rubber to remain flexible even in cold weather conditions.

Overall, the aggressive lug patterning and technologies like stone ejectors and helical grooves make the Recon Grappler A/T well-suited for off-road activities like rock crawling or driving on muddy trails.

At the same time, the asymmetric tread pattern provides sufficient on-road contact for all-terrain versatility.

Performance of Nitto Recon Grappler A/T

The Recon Grappler A/T is an impressive all-terrain tire when it comes to performance.

The aggressive tread pattern and rigid tread blocks provide plenty of grip and traction in dry conditions.

The symmetrical tread design maintains solid contact with the road while resisting uneven wear.

In wet conditions, the tire performs admirably thanks to the interlocking tread blocks that provide multiple biting edges.

The sipes help channel water out from under the tire to prevent hydroplaning.

Drivers report that the Recon Grappler A/T offers a quiet, comfortable ride, with minimal road noise even at highway speeds.

The rigid tread blocks remain stable to produce a smooth on-road experience.

The tire construction and rubber compound help maximize treadlife. Owners can expect to get 50,000 to 60,000 miles out of a set with proper maintenance and rotation.

The tire wears evenly and gradually while providing consistent performance throughout its lifespan.

Overall, the Recon Grappler A/T delivers an impressive blend of responsive handling, grip, stability, treadwear, and ride comfort that makes it suitable for on-road and off-road use.

Drivers praise the tire’s capabilities in dry and wet conditions, stability at highway speeds, even wear, and composed ride quality.

For an all-terrain tire, the Recon Grappler A/T sets a high bar for performance.

Off-Road Capabilities of Nitto Recon Grappler A/T

The Recon Grappler A/T truly excels when taken off-road.

The aggressive tread pattern and durable construction make this an ideal choice for overlanding, rock crawling, and other off-road adventures.

When driving on loose gravel roads, the Recon Grappler A/T provides excellent traction and control.

The prominent shoulder blocks and siped tread blocks grip gravel effectively to prevent slipping and sliding.

The tire also throws gravel away from the vehicle, protecting against paint chips.

In muddy conditions, the Recon Grappler A/T performs well due to its self-cleaning tread design.

The large blocks combined with deep siping allow the tire to shed mud as you drive. This prevents a thick layer of mud from accumulating and affecting traction.

Deep mud can pose a challenge for any tire, but the Recon Grappler A/T handles better than most.

For winter driving, the Recon Grappler A/T includes the snowflake symbol indicating it meets criteria for traction in snow.

The tread design and siping help maintain grip on snow-covered roads. That said, a dedicated winter or snow tire would likely perform better in very deep snow.

Climbing rocks or navigating uneven terrain is made easier by the Recon Grappler A/T’s rugged build.

The tire has thick sidewalls, strong construction, and an aggressive tread pattern to provide grip over rocks.

The tire is also designed to provide protection against punctures when driving over rocky trails.

In summary, off-road enthusiasts can feel confident taking the Recon Grappler A/T onto a wide range of terrain.

It offers excellent capabilities for gravel, mud, snow, and rocky conditions.

Drivers seeking an all-terrain tire for backcountry adventures would be wise to consider the Recon Grappler A/T.

On-Road Manners

The Recon Grappler performs respectably well on paved roads, thanks to its hybrid tread pattern that balances off-road traction with on-road manners.

The tire’s steady steering feel inspires confidence when driving at highway speeds. The large circumferential grooves help channel water away to resist hydroplaning on wet pavement.

Braking on dry pavement is solid and linear, without any unexpected slide or squeal.

While not optimized for street performance like an all-season highway tire, the Recon Grappler offers reliable grip when braking in wet conditions.

Overall, the Recon Grappler strikes a good balance for an aggressive off-road tire used on the street.

Drivers can comfortably commute to trails or run errands around town without sacrificing too much on-road performance.

Just don’t expect sports car handling – there will be some noise and softness inherent to the aggressive tread design.

But for an off-road focused tire, Nitto managed to retain decent on-road manners.

Passenger Comfort

The Nitto Recon Grapplers provide a smooth, quiet ride for passengers thanks to several design factors.

The tread blocks feature ramped edges to minimize noise on the road. Nitto also tuned the tread pattern and compound to balance off-road traction with on-road manners.

While no aggressive all-terrain tire will feel as smooth as a highway tire, the Recon Grapplers absorb bumps reasonably well.

The sidewall construction helps dampen road imperfections. The tires do transmit some vibration and rougher rides on dirt or gravel, but that’s expected for the category.

Passengers report low levels of noise from the Recon Grapplers, even at higher speeds on the highway.

There is some mild hum or whine audible, but it’s not excessive. The tires perform better in terms of noise than other popular all-terrains.

Overall, the Recon Grapplers offer a comfortable ride for passengers while still providing excellent off-road grip.

Tire Warranty

The Nitto Recon Grappler A/T comes with a standard manufacturer’s warranty that covers defects in materials and workmanship for 60,000 miles.

This mileage-based warranty is longer than some competing all-terrain tires that only offer 40,000 or 50,000 mile warranties.

The warranty covers premature tread wear under 3/32″ depth within the first 2/32″ of treadwear, as well as damage from defects like splits or cracks in the tread, sidewall, or inner liner.

To receive warranty coverage, you’ll need to provide proof of tire rotation at least every 6,000 miles.

One downside is that the warranty does not cover damage from road hazards like cuts, snags, or punctures.

Many tires now include supplemental road hazard warranties, but this type of coverage is not included with the Recon Grappler A/T.

Overall, the 60,000 mile workmanship and materials warranty provides reliable protection against early tire failure.

But you may want to purchase separate road hazard coverage for full protection against tread damage from debris on the road.

Pricing

The Nitto Recon Grappler A/T is available in sizes ranging from 15 to 22 inches. Prices can vary quite a bit depending on the size you need.

Here’s a quick overview of price ranges for some common sizes:

• 235/75R15 – $150 to $180 per tire
• LT245/75R16 – $180 to $220 per tire
• 265/70R17 – $190 to $240 per tire
• LT285/70R17 – $210 to $270 per tire
• 33×12.50R20 – $250 to $320 per tire

Keep in mind that prices fluctuate and can be higher or lower depending on discounts and retailer.

Generally speaking, expect to pay more for larger rim diameters and wider tires. Specialty tire shops and online retailers tend to offer the lowest prices.

When budgeting for a set of Nitto Recon Grappler A/Ts, plan for around $600 to $1200 on average depending on sizing.

Run flat models also cost more than standard versions. For maximum value, watch for rebates and seasonal sales when purchasing.

Conclusion

The Nitto Recon Grappler A/T is an excellent all-terrain tire for truck, SUV, and crossover drivers looking for improved off-road traction without sacrificing too much on-road comfort and performance.

Pros:

• Aggressive tread pattern delivers great traction in mud, snow, and other loose surfaces
• Sidewall lugs enhance grip on uneven terrain
• Quiet highway ride thanks to noise-reducing tread blocks
• Durable construction and long 65,000 mile treadwear warranty

Cons:

• Not as refined on pavement as a highway tire
• May increase road noise and impact handling at higher speeds
• Prone to some tread wear issues

Best Applications:

The Recon Grappler A/T is ideal for truck and SUV drivers who venture off-road occasionally.

It’s a great match for overlanding adventures, driving in snowy climates, or tackling dirt roads.

Drivers who stick to the pavement most of the time may prefer a highway all-season tire instead.

Final Verdict:

Nitto’s Recon Grappler A/T tire delivers impressive off-road performance that competes with other all-terrain favorites like the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2.

It offers a quiet, comfortable ride for daily driving while providing the traction needed for moderate off-roading and winter weather.

For a blend of on-road manners and off-road capability, the Recon Grappler A/T is an excellent choice.