In September 2022, the automotive publication Autoreview released its 2018-2019 winter tire test. For the rating, 22 tire models in the popular size 205/55 R16 were selected, one of which was ultimately rejected.
To select models for the rubber rating, tire manufacturers are invited to provide up to two sets of tires, which are tested according to a pre-prepared program as part of the test.
Table: Top 12 best tires
| Model | Best Features | Diameter, R | Run Flat | Maximum speed index | |
| Pirelli Ice Zero | studded according to reviews | 14/15/16/ 17/18/19/ 20/21/22 | optional | H (up to 210 km/h) | Find out prices |
| Bridgestone Blizzak Revo GZ | studless tires according to reviews | 13/14/15/ 16/17/18/ 19 | No | S (up to 180 km/h) | Find out prices |
| Continental IceContact 2 | studded 2016 - 2017 | 13/14/15/ 16/17/18/ 19/20/21 | optional | T (up to 190 km/h) | Find out prices |
| Continental ContiWinterContact TS850 | studless 2016 - 2017 | 12/14/15/ 16/17/18/ 19/20/21 | optional | W (up to 270 km/h) | Find out prices |
| Continental IceContact 2 SUV | studded for crossovers | 15/16/17/ 18/19/20/ 21 | optional | T (up to 190 km/h) | Find out prices |
| Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 | studless for crossovers | 15/16/17/ 18/19/20/ 21/22 | No | T (up to 190 km/h) | Find out prices |
| Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 5 | inexpensive | 13/14/15/ 16/17/18/ 19/20 | optional | T (up to 190 km/h) | Find out prices |
| Cordiant Winter Drive | budget (Velcro) | 13/14/15/ 16/17 | No | H (up to 210 km/h) | Find out prices |
| Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 8 | studded, “Behind the wheel” test | 13/14/15/ 16/17/18/ 19/20/21 | optional | V (up to 240 km/h) | Find out prices |
| Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 | studless, “Behind the wheel” test | 15/16/17/ 18/19/20/ 21 | optional | R (up to 170 km/h) | Find out prices |
| Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 9 | studded, Autoreview test | 16/17/18/ 19/20/21/ 22 | optional | T (up to 190 km/h) | Find out prices |
| Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV | studless, review "Autoreview" | 14/15/16/ 17/18/19/ 20/21 | optional | R (up to 170 km/h) | Find out prices |
Pirelli Ice Zero - the best winter studded tires according to reviews (2018 - 2019)
In the ranking of studs for winter, pride of place is occupied by Pirelli Ice Zero tires with effective braking and good stability.
They hold the road well at speed, behave confidently on steep snow-covered inclines, brake and stop quickly and completely, after which the car starts moving without problems. No tendency to skid, good grip on compacted and loose snow and ice. The rubber is soft, quite noisy, but not critical. The noise is noticeable mainly on asphalt surfaces, but not audible on snow. A large number of studs, which results in reduced braking speed on asphalt. But it confidently handles any road.
- braking; directional stability; grip on ice, snow (loose, compacted); holds any road.
- noisy, on asphalt; reduced braking quality on asphalt due to a large number of studs.
Conclusion
Finally, it is worth noting that it is best to prepare winter tires in advance. In this way, you can not only consider quite a lot of options, but also save money, because closer to the season, current products always become more expensive and sell out quickly.
The ratings provided in the article will help you decide on the choice of tires. All these products have been in demand for a long time, so there is no doubt about their quality and reliability.
Bridgestone Blizzak Revo GZ – the best winter non-studded tires according to reviews
Among velcro tires, the leading place in the ranking is occupied by Bridgestone Blizzak Revo GZ winter tires.
They became the best in their category according to reviews and tests. Studless tires have a powerful sidewall, which provides excellent handling. There is practically no noise: quiet, soft, holds the road, and takes turns. Studless tires are an ideal option for cities where winters have little snow but are cold. Comfortable tires with which you can confidently drive your car at any speed. In the snow they behave almost the same as studded ones. They react clearly and practically without delay to steering wheel turns.
- quiet; softness; acceleration; high-quality grip; controllability; braking on compacted snow and asphalt.
- braking on ice is worse; sufficiently rigid passage of uneven asphalt; At temperatures above zero there is a feeling of floating tires.
3. Continental IceContact 2 - the best winter studded tires (2017 - 2018)
Quiet, comfortable tires with Continental IceContact 2 studs.
Produced in Russia using German equipment, the quality of the tires is high, comparable to their European counterparts. At the same time, the price is affordable. They hold the road, there is no sudden stalling when skidding on ice, they are controlled smoothly and confidently. Good handling both on asphalt and on snow or ice; there is no roll when cornering. It brakes excellently on any surface and holds the road, including in icy conditions. Well balanced, practically no rutting. There is no characteristic noise of unbroken studs, while there are more studs on the tire itself than on noisier analogues, and the studs do not fly out. The rubber is soft, but still holds the course perfectly.
- handling on any track; lack of rolliness when turning and changing lanes; absence of characteristic noise of spikes; road traction.
- some noise, but no discomfort; price.
Continental ContiViking Contact 6
Another Velcro tire with an asymmetrical pattern, but made in Germany, Continental makes high-quality tires. The VikingKontakt 6 model is perfect for passenger cars. There is a version of the same tires for crossovers. Tests carried out by specialists make it possible to say the following:
- tires keep the car “in track” on snowy and icy roads;
- they allow you to quickly start on the asphalt and brake almost instantly on it.
The ContiVikingContact is not the best studless tire, but it performs well in all tests. There is also a drawback: tires do not improve the cross-country ability of a vehicle operated in winter. And this is very important. It’s trivial, you need to get a good start in a snowy yard, get along a swept “path” to a cleared main road. But, in general, the tires are very good. After all, they cope with the main task - ensuring the safety of cars on winter roads.
Continental ContiWinterContact TS850 - the best winter non-studded tires (2017 - 2018)
Among studless winter tires, the leader is the Continental ContiWinterContact TS850.
According to reviews, these are truly quiet, comfortable tires with good handling and grip. It holds the track in heavy snow, and on ice there is also good grip for non-studded tires. Excellent tires for those who prefer silence and comfort when driving in the winter season. The tires are soft, comfortable, without a sporty bias; they drive on asphalt without snow at almost summer speeds. Slower in deep snow or slush. Directional stability is above average, response to steering movements is moderate.
- quiet; good handling; grip with the road; comfort.
- some sizes are difficult to find; not suitable for driving in deep snow or slush; they skid; average directional stability.
Continental IceContact 2 SUV – studded tires for crossovers and SUVs
If you have a crossover or jeep, pay attention to the Continental IceContact 2 SUV winter tires.
The rubber holds up well on any surface, including icy conditions. Quiet, soft, the steering response increases with it, the chassis works better. Moderately noisy winter tires, comfortable, a good option for both big cities and trips out of town. High-quality braking on dry and wet asphalt, in this quality there are practically no differences with studless tires. It runs and brakes well in the snow, and has good cross-country ability in slush. It walks and brakes confidently on ice and packed snow, there is no rutting on the asphalt, and there are no lateral stalls.
- low noise; road grip; softness; holds the road in ice and snow; reliability.
- high price; Soft sidewall but still durable.
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
Goodyear is a tire with a directional tread pattern and a slight imbalance in performance. It reveals its best qualities on dry and wet asphalt, where it provides one of the shortest braking distances among premium competitors. But on ice and snow the results are slightly behind, but the car’s behavior in any case remains stable and predictable.
Country of origin: Germany, Poland.
Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 – studless tires for crossovers and SUVs
To ensure safety while driving in winter, owners of jeeps, crossovers, and SUVs prefer studless tires from a well-known brand - Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2.
Driving on such cars is often more aggressive, on ruts, potholes, and different surfaces. The tires behave well on wet asphalt and dry surfaces, and feel confident in slushy snow. Cup protectors allow you to walk in the snow without slipping. The tires remain soft at any temperature, which allows them to remain silent in any weather.
“Swallows” small cracks and potholes on the asphalt. On clean and smooth ice, the Velcro has a fairly long braking distance; at temperatures above -10, it is very slippery on ice and compacted snow and can skid. But in frosts of -15 or more, the grip is more confident on ice, on compacted snow, and on any surface.
- value for money; holds any road; excellent grip; behaves well in the snow, in slush; soft at any temperature; silent.
- drifts on compacted ice; it’s hard to get out of a rut; long braking distance on ice.
Michelin X-Ice XI3
The tire has a directional tread pattern and a large number of deep sipes, which provide a short braking distance and reliable grip on ice (in many tests the tire brakes no worse than studded models). Michelin also feels quite confident on snow, dry and wet asphalt, which makes it an excellent balanced solution for various road situations.
Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 5 – inexpensive studded tires for winter
In the budget segment of studded winter tires, Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 5 have proven themselves with a long service life.
The tires do not have spikes coming off, and the tires hold the road well in mixed driving styles. The tread does not wear off for a long time, the studs do not allow air to pass through. The studded Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 5 handle equally well on ice and snow; on asphalt they brake a little worse, which is understandable for this type of winter tire. The rubber has excellent build quality and the installation of studs, allowing it to hold the road well even in part-time drive. They have a long service life and do not wear out for a long time.
- holder; long service life; high-quality assembly and installation of studs; handling (ice, snow - compacted or loose); The stud does not allow air to pass through.
- relatively high cost; Brakes worse on asphalt than on ice and snow.
Kumho I Zen KW31
Another tire from a Korean manufacturer with a directional tread pattern. Although the tire does not show particularly outstanding results in tests, it also has no obvious shortcomings. Typical average for a good price. It reveals its best qualities on snow, behaves a little weaker on ice and dry asphalt, and worst of all on wet asphalt.
Country of origin: South Korea, China.
Cordiant Winter Drive – budget studless winter tires (Velcro)
Among studless tires, the so-called Velcro tires, in the budget category, according to reviews from car owners, Cordiant Winter Drive took pride of place.
Almost silent, it moves and brakes well in slush, loose and compacted snow. On ice it behaves somewhat weaker, however, in city conditions good handling is maintained. Completely predictable behavior of a car with Cordiant Winter Drive tires, abrasion-resistant, soft, with good tread, but at temperatures from 5 degrees above zero it begins to “float”. An excellent option for a quiet winter ride; it handles well in the snowdrifts.
- predictable behavior on various surfaces; does not wash off; soft; good tread; acceptable cost.
- braking on ice is worse; somewhat noisy for a non-studded shoe; floats at temperatures above +5.
Nokian Nordman RS2
Nordman is a budget line from Finnish Nokian, which is traditionally based on discontinued premium models. This happened with the Nordman RS2 - in the past it was the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R.
The tire has a directional tread pattern and provides excellent cross-country ability, handling and braking on ice and snow, where it is in many ways superior to even premium analogues. There are some difficulties with behavior on asphalt, but within acceptable limits. An excellent option, especially for urban areas, which can be considered as an alternative to more expensive models.
Country of origin: Russia.
9. Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 8 – studded tires: test by Za Rulem magazine
Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 8 tires were tested by Za Rulem magazine and named the best studded tires for winter driving.
It has diamond-shaped spikes, and not just pins, it behaves confidently both on the asphalt and in ruts, it does not lead or throw. When cornering, the tires behave smoothly and predictably. On fresh wet snow, on frozen ice crust, compacted snow and ice it behaves confidently and predictably, brakes clearly and confidently along a predictable trajectory. When cornering, the rear axle can drift a little, but it is quite controllable. On ice it behaves the same as on asphalt within a reasonable speed, there is noise in the range from 60 to 110 km/h.
- diamond-shaped spines; no rutting; cornering control; does not float on asphalt; holds the road (ice, snow, porridge).
- price; noisiness.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 – studless tires: test by Za Rulem magazine
Quiet studless tires for driving in winter, one of the best according to tests by the magazine “Behind the Wheel” - Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2.
It holds the road well on ice, freshly fallen snow and slushy snow; it behaves confidently when changing lanes and parking, including in parking spaces that have not been cleared of snow. The rubber is strong, small holes, joints, bumps and tram tracks are not felt at speed, they pass very smoothly. An excellent option for winter tires for use in urban areas. In warm weather above +5, the car reacts worse to steering wheel turns, and when overtaking, ruts appear. However, rubber wears out and wears out quite quickly, but this does not have much effect on the “stickiness”.
- quiet; soft; sustainability; holds the road well; high speed index.
- relatively fast wear; price.
11. Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 9 – studded tires: Autoreview test
According to tests carried out by the Autoreview magazine, Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 9 became the best winter studded tires.
Yakohama tires hold the road well, are soft, and ride on snow as if they were on asphalt. They behave confidently when cornering at high speed and during emergency braking. The car goes uphill on these tires without slipping, and does not skid when turning on ice. The rubber is not afraid of ruts, including icy ones, the studs work 100% on ice, the handling is comfortable and predictable. It also handles well in slushy snow and has a short braking distance. Tires for snowy roads. At low speed there is no noise, it appears when the car travels over 120 km.
- no rutting; no noise at medium speeds; holds the road; emergency braking; holds turns confidently.
- price; The break-in period is longer than with similar tires.
Yokohama Ice Guard IG50
Economical, comfortable and soft-running tire with an asymmetric tread pattern. It reveals its best qualities on ice and snow, where it provides short braking distances and confident handling. Also, the tire behaves relatively well on dry asphalt, but on a wet surface it has serious concerns regarding handling.
Country of origin: Japan.
Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV - studless tires: review "Autoreview"
Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV tires drive along a snowy road at speeds above 100 km.
They also perform well on the road with freshly fallen snow, in slush, on clean asphalt and even in puddles. Very quiet and soft tires, grips the road with any asphalt surface. The car has good directional stability and a short braking distance. Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV tires are suitable for the middle zone with mild winters, because the quality of handling decreases on purely winter surfaces and conditions. At the same time, with such tires the car goes through deep snow.
- quiet; cross-country ability in snowdrifts; confidently keeps track; cross-country ability on ice, slush, and puddles.
- price; increased fuel consumption.
Hankook Winter I*Cept IZ2 W616
A quiet and economical middle-class tire with a directional tread pattern from the Korean Hankook. Despite the moderate price, the tire’s performance is not much inferior to premium brands like Michelin, Continental, etc., and generally behaves safely on any road surface. A good balanced option for the city and beyond.
Country of origin: South Korea.
Choosing the right winter tires
For their manufacture, a special chemical composition is used to provide winter tires with the required properties. Car tires need to be changed depending on the season: it is recommended to change your car to winter tires when the temperature does not rise above 5-7 C during the week. To choose suitable winter tires, you should follow some recommendations.
Key characteristics of good winter tires
Decide on the budget you are willing to spend on purchasing a set of winter tires. As a rule, the cost of tires is determined by the brand and country.
Winter tires can be studded or fractional, that is, non-studded (Velcro) - this is probably the main selection criterion. Moreover, non-studded ones can be European and Scandinavian. Each type is suitable for its own operating conditions:
- Studded - high-quality grip on the road surface and braking. They are intended for use on hard ice, an option for regions where winters are cold and harsh, with frequent ice conditions and for use outside the city. Such rubber is noisy, which is explained by the presence of spikes; it quickly wears off on asphalt and loses its characteristics.
- Studless Scandinavian tires are recommended where the winter is long and there is a lot of snow. They are not afraid of snowdrifts and snow drifts. Road traction is provided by treads: the more lamella cavities there are, the better the grip on the snow surface. There are also lugs along the outer edge of the tread, which provide the maximum contact patch. Recommended for use at temperatures significantly below -0 and below, on roads with a lot of snow. Such tires are soft and therefore not suitable for driving on ice, and on dry asphalt their wear resistance sharply decreases and they float.
- Studless tires of the European variety are an ideal choice for use in regions with mild winters, where sleet or rain often falls. They walk through slushy snow and are safe at high speeds. But in icy conditions and on compacted snow, the road grip characteristics are worse, when driving on dry asphalt at low temperatures, with slushy snow.
It is also important to look at the manufacturing date of winter tires, since the shelf life of winter tires is 5 years. Wear resistance indicator, the index is indicated on the sidewall.
It is better to choose the maximum indicator. Also, modern car tires are equipped with Run Flat technology: even when the tire deflates, it remains on the rim and remains able to bear the weight of the car.
Another indicator is the speed index: each tire model is designed for use in the speed range in which optimal adhesion of the rubber to the road is guaranteed.
Manufacturers
Previously, Scandinavian brands were considered the best producers of winter tires.
But Russian companies produce tires with qualities that are not inferior to either their Scandinavian or European counterparts. Among Russian brands it is worth noting Amtel, Cordiant, Kama, Nokian. Among European manufacturers of winter tires, Barum, Continental, Matador, Michelin are popular, and Japanese ones are Bridgestone.
Moreover, Nokian occupies a leading position in ratings based on reviews, as well as tests in car magazines, leaving French, Japanese and other competitors far behind. At the same time, it cannot be said unequivocally that Japan or France make tires for the Russian winter better than domestic manufacturers.
Based on the above rating, as well as recommendations for choosing tires, every car enthusiast will be able to make the right choice.
By tradition, every few years I do a review on winter tires. www.drive2.ru/b/487460784666837672/ www.drive2.ru/b/8388/
I am a supporter of studded tires, because... They are more versatile, made of harder rubber and actually have an advantage on almost any surface compared to friction ones for safe civilian driving. The reverse is noise discomfort on asphalt surfaces. That's why we're talking about them. Here are some videos on this topic from authoritative people.
Nexen Winguard Ice
A tire with an asymmetric tread pattern, which is not much inferior to most premium models in terms of noise level and braking performance on ice. Its behavior on snow is also decent, but on asphalt there are difficulties with braking. Nevertheless, this is a good option for urban use at a reasonable price.
What characterizes the best winter studded and non-studded tires in various operating conditions?
Experienced drivers are increasingly using their cars in the cold season. However, for safe movement in winter, all systems should be diagnosed to ensure 100% operability. In addition, at near-zero temperatures, it’s time to start “changing your shoes” to ensure your safety on the road.
We are considering the assortment: studded or non-studded winter tires - prospects for choice
It is almost impossible to create a product that combines the maximum set of necessary driving characteristics. Therefore, global manufacturers decided to divide their products into a number of categories: - studded; - European; - Scandinavian.
Some car enthusiasts claim that the best winter tires are studded ones, others – regular friction ones. The reason for the disagreement lies in the process of use. Each representative occupies a dominant position and demonstrates excellent driving performance only on its own surface.
Thus, for regions with an increased frequency of snowfalls and predominantly sub-zero ambient temperatures, it is recommended to use studded products. The features of this type of tire are the following: - increased directional stability; — excellent braking properties on icy surfaces; — high cross-country ability; — high level of noise coming from the spikes; — poor frictional ability on dry asphalt; loss of the claimed properties due to the loss of metal inserts.
Often, when answering the question of which winter studded tires are better, car enthusiasts mean improved acoustic comfort and good adhesion of tires to asphalt. Others have good rowing ability when climbing.
Features of studless tires
The last two classes - European and Scandinavian - form a group of studless tires. Their protectors cope well with the urban mess of salt and snow. They also do not forget about safety on a wet surface - the risk of aquaplaning is reduced to a minimum.
Consumers who give preference to the European class when choosing studded or non-studded winter tires are guided by the following considerations. These tires are designed mainly for countries with “favorable winters”. They are based on just a special mixture of oils and rubber and a “hard pattern”. As a result, the tire has: - high permissible travel speeds - up to 300 km/h; — excellent adhesion to dry asphalt at significant sub-zero temperatures; — increased ability to counteract the phenomenon of “sliding on water”; - lowest fuel consumption.
European models include the following:
— Continental ContiWinterContact TS 810; — Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D; - Goodyear Ultra Grip 7.
Rating of the best winter tires 2018-2019
Since studded tires are a specific thing, they are tested in winter. And our review was based on tests conducted in the winter of 2022. The following parameters were taken into account:
- dynamics of acceleration and braking on icy roads, wet and dry snow;
- the time required to cover the same distance on different types of road surface;
- car controllability, smooth cornering;
- tire noise.
As a result, in the rating of winter tires 2018-2019. We have collected the best winter tires that have earned positive ratings from car owners and experts from various reputable automotive publications. Each tire of dimensions R14, R15, R16, R17 was tested for a large number of positive reviews on Yandex.Market. The price of the models is indicated for 1 piece of standard size R15.
Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 8
Low price - 4,050 rubles.
Among the studded winter tires available in Russia, Hakkapeliitta 8 is one of the best options for ice and snow. The Finnish tire has a diamond-shaped stud design (there are 190 of them), behaves confidently in corners, and does not “scour” on the road. But these tires are not the best choice for areas where the roads are not covered in snow all season. It does not work well on roads that are simply wet after rain or on dry roads. This is a by-product of its superior performance on snowy and icy surfaces.
Hakkapeliitta 8 cannot be classified as a quiet tire; it hums even at low speeds. One user described it as “the rumble of a Boeing taking off.”
MICHELIN X-Ice North 4
The average price is 4,040 rubles.
The French brand MICHELIN has successfully withstood the test of time and fierce competition in the market. And the X-Ice North 4 model is one of the most successful from this manufacturer. It has over 250 studs (albeit of a reduced size), confidently accelerates and brakes on an icy road, does not dive into ruts, and behaves predictably on the road. At the same time, it makes a lot of noise, but here, as they say, “it’s either checkers or go.”
BFGoodrich g-Force Stud
Costs, on average, 3,260 rubles.
This model is produced by the American division of MICHELIN, so on the one hand they are of high quality, and on the other they are cheaper than MICHELIN X-Ice North 4.
These tires have studs located along the “shoulders” of the tread. Thanks to this, an optimal combination of studded and non-studded tires is achieved. And the increased density of the studs helps with quick braking in case of an unforeseen situation. The g-Force Stud tire performs well on loose and packed snow, wears out slowly and is quite quiet compared to competitors in the winter studded tire rating.
On ice, these tires have worse braking performance than on snow.
Firestone Ice Cruiser 7
The average price is 2,900 rubles.
The high quality and low cost of tires from Firestone allowed them to bypass more eminent competitors and “land” in seventh place. They feature a unique self-cleaning tread design with a wider tread pad for better traction. According to reviews from owners, the tires last at least 2-3 seasons, the studs fit tightly, and their cross-country ability on various surfaces is five out of five.
Minus - it can be difficult to find on sale even in Moscow. What can we say about smaller cities.
Continental IceContact 2
Price from 5,705 rubles.
Perhaps the best winter tires if you evaluate such a parameter as noise. It has 196 studs and goes well on icy and snow-covered roads, and even on dry and wet asphalt. IceContact 2 also has no problems with directional stability when changing lanes.
However, when accelerating to 110 km/h, a slight roll occurs. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the rubber is soft.
Gislaved Nord Frost 200
Can be purchased for 3,470 rubles.
These tires are produced under the Swedish brand, but at the Kaluga plant Gislaved. The Finnish company Tikka produces studs for the Nord Frost 200.
The model is stable in turns, has excellent grip on snow and simply good grip on ice. There is only one “but”: for it to fully reveal its qualities, it will require a run-in - about a thousand kilometers.
Nord Frost 200 shovels snow well, and the asymmetrical directional pattern on their tread is taken from the popular first generation Continental ContiIceContact.
In very deep snow these tires do not feel very confident.
Yokohama Ice Guard F700S
Cost from 3,470 rubles.
Yokohama tires are soft and have low noise levels. They can withstand very low temperatures, which allows them to be used on the roads of the Urals, Siberia and other cold regions of Russia. They are very stable on dense, packed snow and allow you to drive at speeds of up to 70 km/h on a mixture of snow and reagents.
Drain grooves on tires are designed to drain water and snow mass, which are abundant on Russian winter roads, and increase directional stability in rainy weather. Because of its design, the Ice Guard F700S also performs well on dry surfaces.
However, at high speed on a slushy road, a car with such tires begins to drift to the side.
Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02
They cost from 5,110 rubles.
Japanese quality, confident behavior during sharp turns, high wear resistance - these are the three pillars on whose backs the Blizzak Spike-02 sailed into third place in the list of the best studded winter tires of 2018. Thick, high-quality tires will not let you down on bare ice and in a snowdrift and on dry asphalt.
The only downside we can mention is the hum.
Dunlop Grandtrek Ice02
Price from 5,910 rubles.
With a directional tread pattern and large studs (60 per linear metre), these tires are well balanced for wet and dry conditions. The zigzag shape of the sipes is designed to improve the tire's grip on ice and snow.
Many owners of Dunlop tires have used them for 3 to 5 seasons. If durability and reliability are the main criteria by which you choose winter tires, then you have the perfect candidate.
This model has two disadvantages - excessive rigidity and strong noise.
Pirelli Ice Zero
Sold for 3,090 rubles and above.
The undisputed leader in the winter tire ratings of both this and last year. Thanks to the reinforced stud fastening, Ice Zero reliably holds the car on an icy track. And the increased contact patch provides excellent grip on dry road surfaces. In terms of acceleration and braking characteristics on dry and wet asphalt, Pirelli tires are not much different from good summer tires.
Adequate price, “omnivorous” road surface, softness and predictable cornering behavior are the main advantages of Ice Zero.
The only downside, like other studded tires, is noise.
Brief summary: which winter tires to choose in 2018
The first candidate for purchase is, of course, Ice Zero from Pirelli.
If for some reason you are not satisfied with it, pay attention to the Dunlop Grandtrek Ice02 or Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02. The price is high, but these tires will last up to 5 seasons. For those who prefer quiet, high-quality tires, we recommend Yokohama Ice Guard F700S, BFGoodrich g-Force Stud or Continental IceContact 2.
If you often have to drive on icy roads, Hakkapeliitta 8 tires from the Finnish Nokian, MICHELIN X-Ice North 4 or Gislaved Nord Frost 200 tires are suitable.
If you drive in snow more often, we can recommend BFGoodrich g-Force Stud, Firestone Ice Cruiser 7 or Gislaved Nord Frost 200.
How to choose tires for the winter?
When buying tires for a car for the winter, problems often arise, since there are many options, and each of them is good in its own way. To choose the best product for yourself, you should listen to the following advice:
for rural or urban areas, where the work of road services leaves much to be desired, it is worth paying attention to studded options;
when purchasing non-studded tires, it is recommended to select only high-quality products from trusted manufacturers;
for those who prefer sharp braking and starting, as well as progressive driving, it is best to take tires with spikes, but for a leisurely and measured ride it is worth choosing simple friction wheels;
When choosing a product, you must pay attention to the load index - the higher it is, the greater the weight of the car the tires will support.
Many car enthusiasts are interested in how winter tire tests are carried out. The best place for this is the edge of the earth, beyond the Arctic Circle. Most manufacturers send their products for testing to Finland, the homeland of the main New Year's character. This place is ideal for checking tires. Winter there lasts from October to April, so there is plenty of time for testing. There are quite a lot of snowy hills and frozen lakes in these places. Thanks to this, rubber can pass a variety of tests.
There are two test centers in Finland. One of them is TestWorld Ltd. is a corporation that conducts experiments on both tires and entire cars. These tests can be carried out not only by company employees, but even by their clients. The second test site is owned by NokianTyres, but only its team is allowed to conduct tests there.
