Tested 4 times by independent publications, the Nitto Recon Grappler A/T averages a finish of 9th.
2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Snow Test P17 of 30
The Nitto Recon Grappler A/T, an LT off-road all-terrain, shared seventeenth place. Its grip on ice was better than its traction on snow.
Where the Nitto Recon Grappler A/T finished in each measured discipline, across every test that measured it against at least two other tires. Field beaten is the share of the other tires it outranked in that measurement.
| Discipline | Tests | Avg finish | Field beaten | Firsts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry | ||||
| Dry Braking | 3 | P6 of 8.3 | 32% | - |
| Dry Handling | 1 | P4 of 5 | 25% | - |
| Subj. Dry Handling | 2 | P3.5 of 6.5 | 59% | - |
| Dry Circle | 1 | P9 of 12 | 27% | - |
| Subj. Road Score | 2 | P2.5 of 8.5 | 70% | - |
| Wet | ||||
| Wet Braking | 3 | P7.7 of 8.3 | 11% | - |
| Wet Handling | 3 | P8.3 of 8.3 | 0% | - |
| Subj. Wet Handling | 2 | P5.5 of 6.5 | 25% | - |
| Wet Circle | 1 | P12 of 12 | 0% | - |
| Straight Aqua | 2 | P4 of 6.5 | 57% | 1 |
| Snow | ||||
| Snow Braking | 2 | P8.5 of 19 | 52% | - |
| Snow Traction | 2 | P12 of 19 | 35% | - |
| Snow Handling | 2 | P6.5 of 10 | 34% | - |
| Subj. Snow Handling | 2 | P10.5 of 19 | 51% | - |
| Ice | ||||
| Ice Braking | 1 | P6 of 30 | 83% | - |
| Ice Traction | 1 | P9 of 30 | 72% | - |
| Off road | ||||
| Dirt Handling | 2 | P6 of 6.5 | 13% | - |
| Subj. Dirt Handling | 2 | P5.5 of 6.5 | 20% | - |
| Comfort | ||||
| Subj. Comfort | 3 | P6 of 8.3 | 39% | - |
| Subj. Noise | 3 | P4.7 of 8.3 | 35% | - |
| Noise | 1 | P6 of 8 | 29% | - |
| Value | ||||
| Value | 2 | P4 of 6.5 | 46% | - |
| Rolling Resistance | 1 | P1 of 7 | 100% | 1 |
Overall finishing position against the tires that have most often shared a test with the Nitto Recon Grappler A/T. Only tires tested alongside it at least three times are listed.
| Rival | Shared tests | Ahead | Behind | Level | Finished ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Falken Wildpeak A/T4W
4 shared: 0 ahead, 4 behind
Compare with Wildpeak A/T4W |
4 | 0 | 4 | - | 0% |
 Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac RT
3 shared: 1 ahead, 1 behind
Compare with Wrangler DuraTrac RT |
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 50% |
 BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO3
3 shared: 0 ahead, 3 behind
Compare with All Terrain TA KO3 |
3 | 0 | 3 | - | 0% |
Drawn from 4 tests. Updated October 29, 2026.
Weak wet grip is the clearest pattern for the Nitto Recon Grappler AT across its all-terrain comparisons. It was last in wet handling in the 2024 Tire Rack and Tire Reviews tests and again in Tire Reviews 2026. Wet braking was 11th of 12 at Tire Rack 2024, 21.5% behind the best, and last of eight in 2026 with a 35.5% gap. Snow acceleration was below average in Tire Rack's 2026 comparison, though the LT load range E version did better on ice, sixth of 30 in braking and ninth in traction. Tire Reviews 2026 measured the lowest rolling resistance.
Other results vary unusually. Straight-line aquaplaning was first of five in the 2024 Tire Reviews test of 35-inch tires but seventh of eight in its 2026 265/70 R17 test. Comfort changed from second of five to seventh of eight. Noise was last in that 2024 five-tire test but second of 12 at Tire Rack the same year, before a weak 2026 result. Tire Rack's second-place dry-circle measurement also unusually conflicts with its wording about weak dry cornering; the number contrasts with ninth-place dry braking. Dirt lap times were near the back, although gaps were small, despite praise for front-end bite in 2024. These differences qualify its dry-road manners and aquaplaning positives, while the wet braking and handling weakness recurs.
top-third braking and acceleration- 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Snow Test (2026)
best aquaplaning resistance in the group- The BEST All Terrain Tire for 2025 (2024)
It was last in wet braking- The BEST All Terrain Tires for 2026 Tested and Rated (2026)
wet handling and subjective wet handling, with aquaplaning and comfort also well off the pace- The BEST All Terrain Tires for 2026 Tested and Rated (2026)
below average for acceleration on snow- 2026 Tire Rack All Terrain Tire Snow Test (2026)
Noise was a significant issue with the Recon Grappler, being noticeable at most speeds and particularly loud during high-speed runs- The BEST All Terrain Tire for 2025 (2024)
comfort were not strong- The BEST All Terrain Tires for 2026 Tested and Rated (2026)
Strong = top two of the field in that measurement. Weak = bottom two.
The Nitto Recon Grappler A/T, an LT off-road all-terrain, shared seventeenth place. Its grip on ice was better than its traction on snow.
The Nitto Recon Grappler AT was held back mainly by wet performance. It was last in wet braking, wet handling and subjective wet handling, and straight aquaplaning was also near the rear with a clear gap to the better tires. Dry braking sat in the tight midfield, and snow braking was close enough to the leading group to avoid being a real weakness, but snow traction and comfort were not strong. Dirt lap time was last, although the gap was small in a tightly packed result. I'd see it as a tire for drivers who prioritize toughness and dry-road use, but I would not pick it for regular wet-road driving.
The Nitto Recon Grappler AT shared eighth place overall. It is a quiet, pleasant tire on dry roads, but its very weak wet grip is a serious drawback.
The Recon Grappler proved to be a capable all-terrain tire with some strong performance characteristics, particularly in water evacuation. However, its notable road noise and lack of snow rating limited its overall appeal in the segment.
Owner reviews, sizes and EU label data, comparisons and the Tire Reviews score. All Nitto tires