When you are an off-roading enthusiast, you get used to purchasing and trying out all kinds of different accessories. Especially if you are a Jeep enthusiast, you will notice that you want all of the optional accessories that go along with your off-roading vehicle.

Aside from different tops and doors, tires are an important accessory for any off-roading vehicle; and the research behind those tires is critical for your success both on and off the road.

If you are considering purchasing Nitto Mud Grapplers for your Jeep or your truck, then there are quite a few things that you might need to know.

Most importantly, you should definitely make sure that these tires can be handled in a snowy climate. The short answer is that these tires are not great on a snowy road or terrain.

However, there are a lot of different things that we will need to explore in order to know exactly what it is about the Nitto Mud Grapplers that makes them a poor choice for a snowy climate. Join us as we dive into a full review of the Nitto Mud Grapplers as a choice for your off-roading vehicle.

What are Nitto Mud Grapplers?

The Nitto Mud Grappler off-road tires are designed for use in muddy areas and wet climates. These tires are best suited for vehicles that are typically used for off-roading such as small trucks, SUVs, or even Jeeps.

The manufacturer actually describes these tires as having an “aggressive design” that is built to create a whole new experience both on and off the road in your vehicle.

The Nitto Mud Grapplers are designed with a unique tread pattern that is meant to create a whole new realm of off-roading experience. This specific tread pattern is referred to as an Extreme Terrain pattern that allows light trucks and SUVs to enjoy the off-roading experience but to do so safely.

This tread pattern is best described as a triangular pattern that allows the tire to grip the terrain no matter where you are driving.  Featuring 15mm side-lugs, these tires actually allow a great resistance when driving through mud or even crawling over rocky terrain.

Further, the tread pattern allows for a much higher void ratio. It allows the vehicle to clear through mud and dirt, but also provides anti-slip technology to discourage poor performance on slippery terrain such as mud.

How does the Nitto Do in Snow?

Although the manufacturer claims that the Nitto Mud Grapplers are perfect for performance in the snow, there is some significant evidence that suggests that these tires are not the best option for a snowy climate. Although the Nitto Mud Grapplers were built to be used in the snow, users report many different experiences in them.

Some users report that these tires are a bit slippery on the snow, which makes sense. After all these tires are primarily designed for use in mud which has a significantly different consistency than snow. However, users who were driving in icy and snowy conditions combined report a significant difficulty with driving.

The basic report is that while some drivers are comfortable with the Nitto Mud Grapplers in the snow, there is an overwhelming number of users who are simply not comfortable with these tires during the winter months.

You may be wondering why these tires do not do well in snowy and icy conditions.

Why Mud Tires Do Not Work in Snow

Aside from the major difference between the texture, thickness, and grip of snow and mud, there are some basic design tactics that make it more difficult for these tires to work in a snowy condition as compared to their performance on muddy terrains.

There are very deep channels that run through the treads of tires that are designed to be driven on a muddy terrain. This allows the tires to essentially “plow” through the mud rather than sinking into it or getting stuck spinning their wills.

Typically, the muddy liquid that comes out of these channels is far more watery in substance than your snow or your ice will be.

So, when you are driving through mud, the deep channels push the mud out of the tire so that the tire’s treads are never filled with material.

However, when driving through a thick snow or an ice, the snow is far more likely to get stuck in the treads of the tire. If you can imagine, this would cause the tire to be mostly like using an ice-wheel to drive through the pavement.

This flaw in design will cause a tire to quickly lose any traction that it once had. Unfortunately, although these tires are supposed to be decently performing on the snow and ice, they simply cannot be considered a safe choice.

What Can I Do if I Live in a Snowy Terrain

Having the Nitto Tires does not have to be given up just because you live in an area where there is frequently more harsh winters.

In fact, there are plenty of people who have to make difficult decisions regarding their vehicles in the winter months due to the conditions of the road.

Change the Tires

If you are really bent on trying out the Nitto Mud Grapplers, then you might consider purchasing these tires for the spring and summer months.

There are plenty of off-roading enthusiasts who choose to rotate their tires during the months where the weather is considered more harsh and dangerous for mud tires.

When the winter weather begins to come in, simply change your tires to the tires that you have purchased for the winter months. In fact, many thrill seekers tend to do most of their off-roading experience during the warmer months anyway.

Add Chains

If you do not want to rotate your tires out every year when the weather begins to change, then there are still options to help you use these tires safely in the snow and icy weather.

You can actually use tire chains in order to help you drive in the snow without risking losing your traction on the roadway.

Adding chains to your tires can allow you to have the maximum amount of traction seen by various tires. If you live in a mountainous climate, then having chains on your tires during the winter months can actually be a near-requirement in the various areas that you find yourself driving.

The other positive side of using a chain on your tires is that you can actually put them on and off yourself. In fact, many people who live in these climates become professionals at taking off chains and putting them back on as needed.

Final Thoughts

The Nitto Mud Grapplers are not the best option for people who find themselves driving in the snow frequently. However, these tires have excellent reviews for their intended purpose: driving in the mud.

So, if you are thinking about giving these tires a try then you should definitely do so. Just be sure to have a back -up plan in place for any harsh winter driving experiences that you may have while you have these tires mounted on your truck or SUV.