Gripmax MaxGrip X/T vs BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T tires

Gripmax vs BlackHawk: Which brand's extreme terrain tire reigns supreme?

Among the evolving budget brands, Gripmax and BlackHawk have established themselves as prominent players in the SUV and light truck market, delivering aggressive tread profiles without the premium price tags of tier-one manufacturers. Both brands offer quality tires under different categories like all-season, all-terrain, rugged-terrain, performance, ultra-high-performance (UHP), and winter.

When you look for a tire that can do your daily driving along with frequent off-road visits, you should go for a reliable rugged-terrain tire. Picking the most suitable rugged-terrain tire for your vehicle that matches your requirements and budget, at the same time, is a tough task, and the MaxGrip X/T from Gripmax and Ridgecrawler R/T from BlackHawk make it even tougher.

Tailored more towards tackling rough roads, the Gripmax MaxGrip X/T positions itself as an aggressive tire that is designed to bridge the gap between all-terrain, on-road performance and mud-terrain off-road authority. On the other hand, the BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T is a more versatile tire that focuses on all-weather on-road refinement. However, it also utilizes alternating shoulder biters for loose soil traction. Both come with self-cleaning properties for optimum grip and traction on and off the road.

So, which one makes more sense? Let’s do the Gripmax MaxGrip X/T vs BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T comparison on the basis of their performance in our SimpleScore to know the answer. SimpleScore is our proprietary scoring mechanism that rates each tire on a scale of 0 to 10 on the basis of its traction, handling, and longevity performance.

Gripmax MaxGrip X/T tires

Launched in July 2025, the Gripmax MaxGrip X/T delivers aggressive trail performance for light trucks and customized off-road rigs. Built with a balanced void tread layout and deep shoulder scoops, it clears out mud, loose sand, dirt, and gravel effortlessly to maintain consistent contact with the surface.

The Gripmax tire’s reinforced 3-ply sidewall construction blocks sharp debris and stones from harming the carcass during low-pressure rock crawling. While it produces noticeable hum on the highway, its impressive off-road capability makes it a solid workhorse for remote jobsites.

Securing a 7.3 overall SimpleScore, the Gripmax MaxGrip X/T returns adequate grip, traction, handling, and tread life.

Get Gripmax MaxGrip X/T tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T tires

Introduced in 2024, the BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T provides rugged terrain utility for pickup trucks and SUVs. Featuring an aggressive tread pattern, it grabs onto mud, gravel, rocks, and dirt surfaces, while a specialized rubber compound of the BlackHawk tire protects the carcass against off-road chips, cuts, and snags to boost overall durability. Armed with the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification, it maintains flexibility for winter driving in heavy snow. For ownership peace of mind, the Ridgecrawler R/T carries a 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty to ensure solid performance throughout its lifecycle. Securing an 8.1 overall SimpleScore, the BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T provides consistent grip, control, stability, and durability in different driving conditions.

Get BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T tires at the best deals for your vehicle here

Gripmax MaxGrip X/T vs BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T tires on traction

Traction is the tire’s ability to hold the ground without skidding, and the Gripmax and BlackHawk rugged-terrain tires offer solid grip and traction for confident navigation on and off the road. Let’s analyse their traction performance to know which one is better. Scoring a modest 7.1 in traction, the Gripmax MaxGrip X/T offers decent hold and grip in dry, wet, and light snowy conditions. Thanks to its boomerang-shaped tread blocks and balanced void ratio, the Gripmax tire provides necessary grip and quick clearing of mud, dirt, water, and snow from the contact patch for effective traction on and off the road.

On the other hand, the BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T is better in traction and scores a solid 8.0. A high void ratio of the rugged terrain tire clears mud, dirt, and water from the tread to improve grip and road contact during tough conditions. Backed by the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake certification, the Ridgecrawler R/T provides solid performance in moderate to severe winter conditions.

With a fantastic score, the BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T wins the traction race.

Advantage: BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T

Gripmax MaxGrip X/T vs BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T tires on handling

Whether it’s a highway or rugged-terrain tire, it’s the control and stability that impart confidence in the driver. The MaxGrip X/T and the Ridgecrawler R/T offer decent handling performance, but which one beats the other? Let’s find out.

Securing 7.6 in handling, the Gripmax MaxGrip X/T is a decent performer when it comes to stability and durability on paved and unpaved roads. Thanks to its reinforced sidewall construction, the MaxGrip X/T offers improved resistance to cuts, chips, snags, and punctures while tackling challenging terrains. With its unique tread design and solid shoulders, the Gripmax tire returns improved stability and handling on highways.

Contrarily, the 8.0 handling score puts the BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T in the driving seat. Its fantastic rating is a testament to its staggered shoulder lugs that provide extra biting edges for consistent stability and control on and off the road. Additionally, the inner tread design features varying block sizes and a reinforced carcass to deliver great steering response, confident cornering, and smooth lane-changing ability during daily commutes on highways.

Yet again, it’s the BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T that wins the handling tussle.

Advantage: BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T

Gripmax MaxGrip X/T vs BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T tires on longevity

Tread life is the ultimate goal that every daily commuter demands from its tire. Both budget brands offer satisfactory longevity; however, the difference between their service life is wide. Let’s check which one lasts longer.

With a modest 7.4 in longevity, the Gripmax MaxGrip X/T offers average tread life. The advanced rubber compound and optimized tread pattern resist uneven wear while promoting uniform wear on paved roads. The contact patch of the MaxGrip X/T is strategically designed to distribute driving pressure evenly for improved wearability.

Contrarily, the BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T continues its dominance and scores a superb 8.3 in longevity. The durable sidewall design of the Ridgecrawler R/T protects against impacts, punctures, cuts, and chips during air-down driving conditions. Thanks to its robust carcass and reinforced construction, it promotes uniform wear across the footprint, while the 50,000 mile limited manufacturer tread life warranty assures complete peace of mind.

Continuing its dominant run, the BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T clean sweeps the rounds and wins the comparison 3-0! No chance for the Gripmax MaxGrip X/T.

Advantage: BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T

When to use each

Rugged-terrain tires are designed to offer the refinement of all-terrain tires with the off-road prowess of mud-terrain tires. Their reinforced carcass, advanced rubber compounds, and high-strength sidewall design make them a preferred option for drivers wanting a reliable tire for their on- and off-road tasks.

You should pick the BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T if you want adequate grip, traction, and handling year-round in different driving conditions, including deep snow and ice; plus, they also offer great service life. On the other hand, the Gripmax MaxGrip scores moderately and assures adequate grip, traction, and durability in different driving conditions.

The Gripmax MaxGrip X/T is available in a wide range of tire sizes, which caters to most of the vehicles plying on the road. It offers tires in the range of 16, 17,18, 20, 22, 24, and 26 inches. Contrarily, the BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T is only available in 16, 17, 18, 20, and 22 inches.

Which one should you choose?

To sum it up, the BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T wins all three rounds of traction, handling, and longevity and beats the Gripmax MaxGrip X/T 3-0. However, you should consider the individual traits of each tire and weigh its positives and negatives against your needs and budget. That said, let’s check out their prices to know which one makes the cut.

For the LT265/70R17 tire size, the cost of a Gripmax MaxGrip X/T is around $163, which brings the price of four such tires to about $652. On the other hand, each BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T is priced around $168, which means four such tires would cost approximately $672.

Based on SimpleTire, you may choose the Gripmax MaxGrip if you:

• Drive vehicles like the GMC Sierra 1500, Nissan Frontier, or the Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• Prefer a set of rugged terrain tires that offer a quiet and comfortable drive
• Need a rugged terrain tire at an affordable price

On the other hand, you may go for the BlackHawk Ridgecrawler R/T if you:

• Drive vehicles like the RAM 1500, Dodge Durango, or the Ford F-250
• Want a rugged terrain tire with a longer tread life (8.3 vs 7.4)
• Prefer a set of rugged terrain tires with improved grip and traction (8.0 vs. 7.1)
• Want a rugged terrain tire with better handling performance (8.0 vs 7.6)
• Prefer a tire with mileage warranty (50,000 miles)

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.