Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T vs Nitto Ridge Grappler tires

Mickey Thompson and Nitto align very well with the needs of driving enthusiasts in the US market. While the Nitto brings its Japanese specialization, making its tires high in quality and very decent on the performance front, the Mickey Thompson tires are purely focused on enthusiasts wanting to play in the dirt or on rugged terrains, or those who want to achieve high speeds on the race tracks.

While Mickey Thompson is a home-grown tire manufacturer that prioritizes the needs of US drivers at its core, Nitto excels in design aesthetics, technological innovations, and high-quality offerings. If we talk about the evolution years of both manufacturers, Mickey Thompson was introduced in the year 1963, whereas Nitto was founded in 1949 and has its headquarters in Osaka, Japan. Their Baja Boss A/T and the Ridge Grappler are the two great all-terrain tires picked for the comparison here.

Both Mickey Thompson and Nitto try to deliver the best of the performances on- and off-road through these tires. The quality levels and performance traits of these tires are so identical that it becomes very difficult for a tire buyer to choose the best option for their driving needs. So, in this Baja Boss A/T vs Ridge Grappler tires comparison, we will do a detailed analysis of these tires on traction, handling, and longevity fronts using our proprietary tire rating system, SimpleScore.

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T tires

The Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T was introduced in 2021 and is optimized to deliver solid on- and off-road performance. The tire is intended to provide a great balance of on-road handling and off-road performance. To achieve the same, Mickey Thompson has incorporated the best of its technologies and advanced features. The tire is tuned to keep the noise levels in control, boost off-road traction, on-road handling, and offer a long-lasting tread life. It is good for use on SUVs, Jeeps, and light trucks.

Overall, the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T boasts a great 8.6 SimpleScore rating because of its long-lasting service, dependable traction, and improved handling performance.

Nitto Ridge Grappler tires

The Nitto Ridge Grappler was launched in 2016 and can be used on SUVs, Jeeps, and light trucks. Falling in the same all-terrain category, this tire is optimized to offer the best of both worlds, the on-road driving comfort as well as the off-road driving experience. This “Hybrid Terrain Tire” features an optimized symmetrical tread pattern that results in quieter and comfortable drives on highways and paved roads, and aggressive lugs to boost off-roading experience. It can resist pressures in rough trails and can even resist damage.

Overall, the Nitto Ridge Grappler achieves an 8.2 SimpleScore rating because of its better handling, strong traction, and longer tread life.

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T vs Nitto Ridge Grappler tires on traction

Having covered the overviews of both tires, let’s drive deep into the comparative analysis, starting with traction to find out which of the two tires is better when it comes to maintaining road grip on- and off-road.

The Baja Boss AT is rated an 8.6 SimpleScore in traction, assuring a commanding grip on paved roads as well as dirt, mud, sand, rocks, and gravel. Thanks to the asymmetric tread pattern, the tire is engineered to firmly hold all kinds of surfaces. There are Extreme Sidebiters that not only offer a bold look but also enhance off-road traction. Likewise, the grooves are tuned to improve water channeling and throw slush, mud, and other debris away from the contact patch to maintain surefootedness.

On the contrary, the Nitto Ridge Grappler earns an 8.2 SimpleScore in traction and gets elements like shoulder and lateral grooves to improve self-cleaning for increased grip on roads and off-the-pavement. There are staggered shoulder lugs that enhance traction in muddy conditions, and the step block edges further improve the biting ability in different driving conditions. The Ridge Grappler also features deeper tread for increased traction and grip on- and off-road.

In the traction area, it is the Baja Boss AT that excels with a higher rating, leaving the Ridge Grappler behind.

ADVANTAGE: Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T vs Nitto Ridge Grappler tires on handling

Let’s now talk about handling, which relates to things like steering response, ride control, cornering, lane-changing, and stability. This was the area where the gap in the scores of both tires was least. Read on to know which of the two tires won!

Commencing with the Baja Boss A/T, the handling score for the tire stands at 8.5. The advanced pattern design contributes to seamless handling on the highways, while the Powerply XD construction improves steering response and stability. The use of TI/SI compound improves wet handling and braking, whereas the wide, flat footprint ensures extra control while driving in challenging conditions as well as on paved roads.

The Ridge Grappler, on the other hand, is rated an 8.6 SimpleScore in handling. Thanks to its reinforced block foundation, the tire gets solid rigidity to maintain its original shape and roll without any lag. The aggressive-looking tread, along with a wider contact patch, assures better steering response and stability, helping in quicker and seamless lane changes and better control during the turns. The variable pitch tread pattern offers vibration-free and less noisy rides, whereas the shoulder and lateral grooves enhance water and mud channelling for improved wet traction.

As we can see, both tires do well on the handling front, but it is the Ridge Grappler that gains the advantage of an extra 0.1 score and comes out as a winner!

ADVANTAGE: Nitto Ridge Grappler

Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T vs Nitto Ridge Grappler tires on longevity

Now, let’s discuss the long-lasting abilities of both tires and see which one is better when it comes to controlling the wear rate.

The Baja Boss A/T is rated an 8.8 SimpleScore in longevity. This tire is covered by an up to 60,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty. Its advanced Powerply XD construction gets a heavier denier cord ply for increased puncture resistance. The use of TI or SI compound (based on the size options) also contributes to a long-lasting tread life. The overall tread pattern is also engineered to keep the tire in its original shape for longer and even wear when used on the highways.

Talking about the Ridge Grappler, it scores an 8.0 SimpleScore in longevity, ensuring a decent tread life. The aggressive tread pattern is optimized for durability, thus reducing the chances of faster wear. The tire’s stronger inner construction also allows it to withstand on- and off-road driving pressures. Thanks to the reinforced block foundation, the tire has enough strength to combat off-roading conditions. There are stone ejectors to guard the tread from damage and remove stones and other sharp objects from the contact patch area.

In longevity, it is the Baja Boss A/T that surpasses the Ridge Grappler with a better rating.

ADVANTAGE: Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T

When to use each

Both the Baja Boss tires and the Ridge Grappler tires fall in the all-terrain category and can be used on paved roads as well as rough terrains. One key differentiator is that the Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified and can be used in dry, wet, and even moderate to severe winter conditions, while the use of Ridge Grappler is limited to dry, wet, and light winter conditions, as it is not severe snow rated.

Both tires are suitable for use on light trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. While the Baja Boss AT is offered in 15-24 inch rim sizes, the Ridge Grappler is available in 16- to 24-inch rim sizes.

Which one should you choose?

Based on the overall SimpleScore, the Baja Boss A/T is a better choice than the Ridge Grappler (8.6 vs 8.2). However, it is to be noted that both tires have their own capabilities and unique attributes, which need to be taken into consideration during purchase.

Coming to the price part, the Baja Boss A/T is available at a starting price of at least $189 per tire, while the Ridge Grappler is available at a starting price of at least $226 per tire. This means a set of four Mickey Thompson tires will cost you at least $756, while a set of four Ridge Grappler tires will cost you at least $905.

Looking at SimpleScore, you should consider the Baja Boss A/T if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the Toyota 4Runner, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, or Ford F-150.
• Want a tire that’s better in traction (8.6 vs 8.2).
• Need a tire that’s better in longevity (8.8 vs 8.0).
• Want a tire that’s available in the rim size range of 15- to 24-inch.
• Want an overall better and more affordable tire.
• Want a Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certified tire for use in moderate to severe winter conditions, in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (besides dry and wet conditions).

Contrarily, you should prefer the Ridge Grappler if you:

• Drive a vehicle like the Lexus LX570, Nissan Titan, or Jeep Gladiator.
• Need a tire that’s better in handling (8.6 vs 8.5).
• Need a tire that’s available in the rim size range of 16- to 24-inch.
• Are ready to spend more to buy tires that are responsive on the paved roads.
• Want a tire that’s good for year-round use in dry, wet, and light snow conditions.

Still not sure which tire to buy? Fortunately, SimpleTire is here to help as our helpful agents are more than happy to assist you in selecting the right tire for your ride and budget.