KO2 vs Nitto Nomad

[HyperionMark]

Alright tire experts, it's down to these two choices for me.

My priorities in order-ish (but all are kinda important):
1. snow/ice traction
2. range/efficiency
3. light off roading

Yes, I realize the range thing goes against the other two, but I prefer that it wasn't horrible on range.

FWIW, I live in eastern South Dakota, so range and ice traction matter.

Will be putting them on my new 20 inch Atomic Wheels and will be running 275/60/20 to match(ish) my old 21s.

Thanks so much for any opinions, or facts, you can send my way!

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[Mark_AZR1T]

K02's are excellent in dry snow, but once it turns slushy or into ice, forget about the BFG's. It's slip sliding away.... Unfortunately for every tire review there is someone with a polar opposite experience. Below 15deg. forget it.

 

[richpike]

Alright tire experts, it's down to these two choices for me.

My priorities in order-ish (but all are kinda important):
1. snow/ice traction
2. range/efficiency
3. light off roading

Yes, I realize the range thing goes against the other two, but I prefer that it wasn't horrible on range.

FWIW, I live in eastern South Dakota, so range and ice traction matter.

Will be putting them on my new 20 inch Atomic Wheels and will be running 275/60/20 to match(ish) my old 21s.

Thanks so much for any opinions, or facts, you can send my way!

Having owned K02s on a JL Wrangler, they were good in the snow. Not good on ice. But nothing short of a winter tire (including 3 peak rated all terrains) will be great on ice. We replaced the K02s with Toyo Open Country AT3 and it was even better in the snow (and we still have them on the JL). They’re similar in ice performance.

I put Nokian Outpost nATs on my R1S about a month ago. Been extremely happy with them. Haven’t been in snow yet (although it’s starting to fall at higher elevations - we live in Colorado), but I expect them to be even better than the Toyos. But again, not great on ice.

We had Nitto Ridge Grapplers on our LR4. They were horrible in the snow and ice. Hope the Nomads are better. We replaced them with Duratracs. Again, good in the snow. Not the ice. On our D5 we have Toyos and have had similar experiences to our JL. Great in snow. Not great on ice.

-Rich

 

[kapsjt]

I am also getting a set of 275/60/20's and have been researching light AT tires over the past couple of weeks. The choices are overwhelming. I plan to go with the Nitto Namad's. Reviews are very good and they sound like a good fit for your priorities, as mine are similar. I am in MN so snow traction is important, but I don't know if any tire is great on ice. The Namads appear to be a nice balance of light AT with range, comfort and snow capabilities.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

If range and efficiency are your priorities, KO2 shouldn’t be in your short list at all. It is a true old school AT, not a hybrid AT/AS all weather tire like Nomad. Instead of KO2, consider the Rivian specific version of Goodyear Territory AT (M+S). Or Yokohama Geolandar CV 4S (3PMSF).

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...-cv4s-grabber-hts60-and-nomad-grappler.27950/

 

[ksurfier]

If range and efficiency are your priorities, KO2 shouldn’t be in your short list at all. It is a true old school AT, not a hybrid AT/AS all weather tire like Nomad. Instead of KO2, consider the Rivian specific version of Goodyear Territory AT (M+S). Or Yokohama Geolandar CV 4S (3PMSF).

If willing to take a little range hit then you could consider the following two options:
KUMHO ROAD VENTURE AT52 - Size LT275/60R20
or
FIRESTONE DESTINATION X/T
- Size LT275/60R20
Key difference is Firestone is wider, both should be decent off-road. If you want 10% better efficiency/range then Yokohama Geolandar CV 4S could be a good option (but limited off-road ability due to weaker sidewall).

 

[HyperionMark]

I am also getting a set of 275/60/20's and have been researching light AT tires over the past couple of weeks. The choices are overwhelming. I plan to go with the Nitto Namad's. Reviews are very good and they sound like a good fit for your priorities, as mine are similar. I am in MN so snow traction is important, but I don't know if any tire is great on ice. The Namads appear to be a nice balance of light AT with range, comfort and snow capabilities.

That's what I had originally decided to go with and then had second thoughts. This thread has helped push me back onto the Nomad's. Discount Tire doesn't list them as an option, but will call and see if I can special order.

 

[kapsjt]

That's what I had originally decided to go with and then had second thoughts. This thread has helped push me back onto the Nomad's. Discount Tire doesn't list them as an option, but will call and see if I can special order.

I talked to a Discount Tire in Minneapolis a couple of weeks ago and they confirmed they can order the Nitto Nomad's. I'm not sure why they don't list them on their web site. They are part of Tire Rack which lists them on the web site as an option.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Try Tire Rack, Simple Tire, American Tire Depot and even your local independent. DT isn’t the end all be all tire source.

 

[HyperionMark]

Try Tire Rack, Simple Tire, American Tire Depot and even your local independent. DT isn’t the end all be all tire source.

Free installation if you buy from them though.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Free installation if you buy from them though.

But if you play them against one another... you could offset the installation cost. And DT isn't the only outfit offering free installation.

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