Toyo Open Country A/T vs Nitto Ridge Grappler R/T

The Toyo Open Country AT3, is an all-terrain, but it still shows some characteristics of a hybrid tire, like the Nitto Ridge Grappler. So, we compared them both here. Read detailed article at: https://comparethetire.com/nitto-ridge-grappler-vs-toyo-open-country-at3/ 0:00 Intro 0:12 Design of Tires 3:06 On Road Performance (Wet and Dry) 5:14 Off Road - On Muddy Terrains 6:00 Off Road - In Snow 6:28 Off Road - On Rocks 7:40: Outro Hybrid tires (like Nitto Ridge) are mostly seen with prominent circumferential grooves, which divide the bulkier outer sides from their compact blocks in the middle. And although both of tires possess this feature, the Nitto Ridge Grappler provides you with a more aggressive design. It has serrated shoulder blocks with alternating width of tread voids, where prominent stone ejectors are engraved in the wider lateral grooves. So, with less wider grooves, the Toyo AT3 becomes a more on road-oriented tire as it makes more rubber contact with the road. And this translates into a better grip. Even on corners, where Nitto Ridge is seen with bolder stone ejectors, on Toyo AT3, the ridges in between its shoulder blocks keep them in place and enhance on road handling. In wet conditions, the Toyo AT3 again with its more contact with the road and numerous 3d wave like siping, provides better efficacy. The sipes basically suck in the water particles which are then sprayed out as the tire rolls over and here the Nitto Ride with its minimal siping does not allow the tire to wipe water away as efficiently. The tire also has a heavier inner construction and is composed of a softer outer material. So, with a heavier make, the tire would consume more fuel on road and with the softer compound, it would also wear a little faster. And speaking of wear, the Nitto Ridge does not come with any kind of warranty, where the Toyo AT3 provides you with 65000 miles. If we talk about on road comfort, although the softer compound of Nitto Ridge gives cushioning to the bumps, the tire is a bit louder. But it was still really surprising to see that these tires are still not too loud given the tire’s aggressiveness. They are equipped with variable pitch technology where the various angles of the blocks dampen the noise levels. So overall the Nitto Ridge Grappler lacks a little on road, but the tire really makes up for it with its remarkable off-road performance. On muddy terrains, the tire’s bulkier serrated shoulder blocks scoop the mud out of its way, while the sharp biting edges in the middle dig through the surface efficiently. The combination of wide lateral and circumferential grooves also gives the mud a clear path to escape out of the tire. In case of Toyo AT3, where there are less longitudinal grooves and no proper lateral channels connecting these grooves, the tire gets packed very easily and loses its friction on muddy surface. But Mud is AT tire’s biggest enemy and having said that, the Toyo AT3 is great in other types of terrains, especially in snow. Its multiple 3D sipes trap in the snow, and since snow sticks better on snow, the tire provides better traction here overall. Basically, the ice crystals kind of interlock with each other and this enhances the tires friction. That’s why these tires are branded with 3PMSF rating unlike the Nitto Ridge, which would only work with deeper snow with its wider grooves. If we talk about rocks, although the Toyo AT3 would perform great with it’s multiple notches facing in all directions, the tire still can’t beat the numerous biting edges of the Nitto Ridge Grappler. The reinforced blocks combined with off-set edges, sharper sides and wider grooves with siping all work together to ensure that the tire’s friction stays intact. This friction is further enhanced by the softer rubber of the tire which stick on rocks in a better way. Furthermore, the huge lugs of the shoulders with aggressive design on each side of the tire, grab and pull especially, during sidewall flexing. And speaking of sidewalls, the tire also provides you with stronger ones. Its inner construction consists of 3 ply polyester casing with 2 high tensile steel belts, which are then spirally wound with 2 layers of Nylon. But in case of Toyo AT3, you only get 2 ply casing construction, so this tire has weaker sidewalls in comparison. So, what you think? Do share your thoughts on these two. And please Subscribe for our upcoming ones. Till Next Time.