The range of off-road tires Gripmax has been updated

The Chinese brand Gripmax (owned by Qingdao Grip Tyre) has expanded its range with new off-road tires from the MaxGrip line of various categories, all of which were first shown at the SEMA 2024 auto show in Las Vegas.

The updated line includes the MaxGrip A/T all-terrain tires and the MaxGrip M/T mud tires for extreme off-roading, as well as the MaxGrip R/T, which combines aggressive design with improved comfort on asphalt. Additionally, the GripMax X/T model was also introduced, which, according to the company, occupies a place between All- and Rugged-Terrain class tires.

The Gripmax MaxGrip A/T tires are designed for use on both highways and moderate off-road, as well as light snow, and, as emphasized by Gripmax, combine versatility with increased strength and durability.

The tread pattern is formed by connected blocks and is designed to provide good traction on rocks and mud, as well as optimal handling on paved surfaces, while the optimized arrangement of narrow and wide grooves reduces noise, and the reinforced carcass and sidewall construction improves damage resistance. Moreover, the tires have an aggressive sidewall design with elements in the form of an animal's bared teeth and claw marks.

The Gripmax MaxGrip M/T tires are designed for owners of powerful large off-road vehicles, pickups, and crossovers and have a design with large blocks, between which deep and wide grooves are located, helping the tires to quickly self-clean from mud, stones, etc. They are optimal for steep climbs in off-road conditions, as well as for deep mud and rocky surfaces.

The tread width has been increased to improve handling and extend tire life, while the reinforced blocks have reduced deformability, and the massive functional lugs in the shoulder areas create additional traction edges, also providing protection against damage. In addition, the shoulder grooves of various widths and lengths increase the efficiency of mud removal, and the transverse Z-shaped grooves increase the traction force during off-roading. There are also holes for studding.

The Gripmax MaxGrip R/T has a more aggressive tread pattern compared to A/T tires and is visually closer to mud tires, but at the same time provides a higher level of comfort than Mud-Terrain class models.

The wide tread increases stability and tire life, while the blocks on the sidewalls are made of a high-strength compound and improve traction, also increasing resistance to lateral impacts. In addition to this, the open shoulder areas improve off-road capabilities, accelerating the self-cleaning of the tread from mud and snow, and the zigzag grooves also improve traction properties, and their arrangement has been optimized to reduce noise levels. The sidewalls have a different design (on the brand's website, R/T and R/T+ models are indicated with the same characteristics but with a different shape of blocks on the sidewalls).

The Gripmax MaxGrip X/T, as the company says, belongs to a new type of off-road tires and combines the aggressive design of R/T tires with the off-road capabilities of A/T class models, but at the same time on asphalt, it is close to H/T class highway tires in terms of properties.

The tires have a directional tread pattern designed to improve traction on off-road and increase comfort on paved roads, while the lugs of various shapes enhance grip on wet and snowy surfaces, and the open shoulder sections accelerate the cleaning of mud, stones, sand, and snow. In addition, the reinforced three-layer construction makes the tires more durable and reliable, increasing resistance to damage in difficult conditions.

Photo: Modern Tire Dealer.