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What are the best winter tires to choose? place

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Winter tires differ significantly from summer tires not only in the tread pattern on the tire, but also in the special coating. These products include special components to ensure safe braking in cold weather and on ice. Another distinguishing feature is the presence of spikes.

Studded tires provide better grip on the road surface, which is why they are advised to put on a car in the winter season. Our ranking of the best and highest quality studded winter tires will help motorists make the right choice.

Recently, tire manufacturers have been offering a special "sticky" rubber that can provide reliable adhesion to the road surface. But experienced motorists already know that spiked tires are the best option. It is they that allow you to protect yourself and passengers on a winter road covered with ice, and also help to avoid slipping on packed snow.

Expert advice

Mikhail Voronov

Specialist in the field of household appliances, electronics, construction tools, goods for cars, sports and recreation, beauty and health.

Today, all-season tires suitable for both winter and summer are offered for sale everywhere. Under the condition of heavy ice, such options still do not cope with the task, so it makes sense to “change shoes” for the winter in studded products.

What tires are you running?

On studdedOn the all-season

What is the best tire to buy for winter wheels? First of all, we recommend paying attention to the following criteria:

  • temperature regime;
  • section of spikes: they are round and polygonal;
  • type of pattern: tires with an asymmetric pattern are considered the most effective.

Studded wheels will brake better on smooth ice than all-weather or non-studded winter tires. The main task of such models is ice breaking, and not traction in rain or snow. The presented rating of winter studded tires 2018-2019 will tell you about the intricacies and nuances of each model.

Rating of winter studded tires 2018-2019

Opens the top ten most popular tires model from the company Sava. This option is just designed for the harsh weather conditions of Russia. The main characteristics of this tire will be hexagonal spikes, the presence of special edges, as well as a silicon-based polymer present in the composition. Thanks to the listed features, the wheels can easily cope with extreme icy roads.

According to reviews, this type of rubber provides reliable grip on the winter road, effectively slows down on asphalt ice, and also has high mileage. Tire Eskimo STUD provides comfortable driving even in the most adverse winter conditions.

  • Excellent road holding: rain, snow, mud, ice;
  • Reliable fastening of spikes;
  • Acceptable price;
  • Profitability;
  • Passability on snowdrifts.
  • Slight drift at high speeds;
  • With an increase in ambient temperature, the elasticity of the material is observed.

Nikolai, 41 years old

I was very attracted by the price of these tires, then I looked at the characteristics and realized that this is what I need. I put it in for the winter, since ice is not uncommon in my region. Departure all the cold, on the road behaves perfectly. The only drawback is that the tire was noisy.

The next step of our top is the best winter tires occupied by Michelin with the model X-Ice North 4. According to the manufacturer from France, this tire is ideal for cars, it is also designed to ride on any road. The manufacturer promises smooth braking on ice and snow, as well as low noise when driving. There are up to 250 spikes on one tire, which indicates the high quality of the product.

The model is based on the concept of using a special rally stud, which provides better grip and long service life. In addition, the spikes are arranged in a characteristic pattern along certain lines, which makes it possible to reduce noise when driving. The manufacturer produces models with a diameter of 15 to 19 inches.

  • Directional tread pattern for wet and dry traction
  • Manufacturer's warranty;
  • Good handling on any road.
  • Increased noise level due to the large number of spikes, according to owner reviews;
  • High price.

Ilya, 29 years old

I'm not used to riding studded tires, so the sound of braking scared me at first. But when I got behind the wheel of a friend's car, I realized the difference. Michelin brakes are much quieter, and the start is generally smooth, which is good news. I heard that these tires are durable - we'll see, but they behave excellently on ice.

On the eighth line of the rating of winter tires with spikes, a tire from a company from the UK settled. The Grandtrek Ice02 is a combination of specially designed asphalt construction for wet and snowy conditions. This model is considered an excellent choice for crossovers and SUVs. The tire pattern is symmetrical and directional, and the drainage grooves are directed against the movement while riding.

Important! After installing studded tires, it is necessary to break in the car at a speed of no more than 80 km / h. In this case, the running-in should take place at a distance of 500-1000 kilometers.

Dunlop Grandtrek Ice02 provides fast slush evacuation thanks to its special construction. In addition, the bridges between the blocks in the central part of the tire provide maneuverable stability even on ice. The spikes themselves are made from tungsten carbide, a suitable material for low heat and mechanical strength.

  • Double layer protector;
  • New spike system;
  • The use of volumetric lamellas in the design;
  • Increased driving comfort.
  • High price;
  • Little hardness.

Maxim, 56 years old

I took it specifically for snow porridge, when mud and pieces of ice are mixed with snow on the road. The tire performed well. Despite the high price, I was pleased with its maneuverability, now in the future I will take only this company.

7. Pirelli Ice Zero

The Italian manufacturer Pirelli also did not go unnoticed: its studded tires the Ice Zero series are ranked seventh in our ranking of the best winter tires. This product has been designed to improve wheel handling on ice, as well as to provide the driver with a high level of safety. A test of winter tires from this manufacturer showed that this tire has the best lap time on a winter snowy track.

The tire provides faster acceleration, better grip on ice and no skidding when cornering at high speeds. The manufacturer claims that the tires are designed for premium cars, as well as SUVs. The sipes on the tread are located in an increased frequency than on previous models. This allows you to significantly increase traction on snow.

Sergey, 45 years old

I like that this tire doesn't dig into the snow on big drifts. This is a huge plus for my region when there is a large amount of precipitation in the form of snow. After the first thousand kilometers traveled, the tires rolled in and no longer make noise.

Germany has always been famous for its excellent production of automotive components. That is why this model occupies the sixth line of the top of the best winter tires. The indicator in the name R14 indicates that the tires are radial type, have a size of 14 inches. Index top speed is equal to 160 km/h, and the maximum load on one wheel is 600 kg.

Advice! If it was decided to change from non-studded tires to studded tires, it is recommended to forget about sports driving for a while, preferring smoother driving.

The model is considered a budget option, but this does not prevent it from coping with all the declared characteristics. According to reviews, this tire is durable and performs well on icy roads.

  • Reliable fastening of spikes;
  • Low noise for studded tires;
  • Withstands extreme driving.
  • Nice price.
  • A smooth transition from low to high speeds is required.

Anton, 38 years old

These tires have been in my use for more than 7 years, there are no complaints. Almost all the spikes remained in place, but during extreme driving, it happens that a few fly off. I like that they hold themselves well on any surface: on ice, wet asphalt, snowdrifts.

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The top five in the top of the best winter tires is opened by Laufenn. She offers a model middle price category, which is distinguished by the use of three-dimensional sipes in the tread. They have a wave shape and provide improved grip on slippery icy and snowy roads.

To improve the performance of the tire during acceleration and braking, the manufacturer has equipped its pattern with oblong ribs in the form of fangs. In addition, the spikes are positioned in such a way that they effectively crush and remove the ice crumbs. This model is available in diameters from 13 to 18 inches, and the maximum load on the tire is from 365 to 1250 kilograms.

  • Reliable fastening of spikes;
  • Quiet ride after break-in;
  • Average cost;
  • Moderate hardness.
  • A slight buoyancy was noticed at high speed.

Vasily, 39 years old

I used to have tires from another company, and a couple of years ago I bought these. I was satisfied, I recommend it to everyone: the car behaves confidently on ice and snowdrifts. In the season I drive about 20 thousand kilometers and not a single spike flew off, so I will continue to use them.

This model is an inexpensive and good tire for an SUV that copes with all the requirements of the specified machine. The maximum load per tire is 775 kg, and the tread has a symmetrical pattern. These tires can be called representatives of the middle price category, they are available in diameters from 16 to 18 inches.

An effective feature of the model is the presence of a flat tread profile. Thanks to this, the contact patch with the road increases, the tire becomes stable and maneuverable on any surface - ice or snow. The V-groove increases the removal of the ice crust when riding.

  • Increased traction on icy roads due to the random arrangement of the studs;
  • Stepped and wavy slits on the edges provide stability;
  • Universal tire for Russian roads.
  • Narrowed protector.

Eugene, 36 years old

These tires were bribed by the cost, as well as the chaotic arrangement of the spikes. The characteristic chessboard allows you to slow down better and smoother, even if you are driving very fast. I have an SUV and for two seasons these tires have shown themselves well.

3. Nokian Tires Nordman C

This model is made in only three versions - 14, 15 and 16 in diameter. Modifications are presented with various profile widths starting from 175 mm. This studded tire is suitable for a passenger car and has a symmetrical, directional tread. This improves cross-country ability on a snowy winter highway.

Due to the fact that the tread is subject to abrasion evenly, the tire will be durable. In addition, she has enhanced performance self-cleaning due to the use of a balanced rubber composition. The tire is not subject to deformation due to the strong carcass, it is not afraid of side impacts and drifts. Finnish quality allows tires to resist cuts and punctures.

  • Softness:
  • Good balance;
  • Excellent grip.
  • Frequent loss of spines was noted.

Irina, 38 years old

I constantly put Nokian tires on the car, for this winter I decided to purchase studded tires and did not lose. Our roads are just subject to only such a tire - it can withstand ice, run-in snow and even dry asphalt well. The only thing I noticed was that a lot of spikes went away in 2 seasons.

In the next big test"studded" we collected six sets of 15-inch tires from Western and Eastern manufacturers. Some of the trump cards include experience and the latest technologies, while others have the will to win and affordable prices. Whose will take?

This time we have chosen one of the most popular sizes - 195/65 R15, which suits many small and inexpensive cars. Different markets, different understanding of the product, different design schools. What distinguishes tires from East and West from each other, what are their strengths and weak sides and what should the Russian buyer pay attention to?

Fresh model Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02 is the most expensive in the eastern team (price 3650 rubles), but cheaper than European giants.

Another novelty, Hankook Winter i*Pike RS 2, is a tire with an increased number of studs and an updated tread pattern. It replaces the Winter i*Pike RS model. This year it will appear in Russia in 57 dimensions - from 155/65R 13 to 255/40 R19.

The new Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer replaces the Observe G3-Ice and will be available on the market this autumn in 16 sizes from 14 to 19 inches. The rubber compound contains silicon dioxide for flexibility in cold weather and walnut shell microparticles for extra grip on ice.

Another model with Japanese roots, now produced in Russia, is the Firestone Ice Cruiser 7. Previously, this tire had the 7000 index and belonged to the Bridgestone brand line.

The next player from Japan is Nitto Therma Spike, a "relative" of the Touo brand. These tires are taking part in our tests for the second time and are characterized as inexpensive, with modest performance.

The new GT Radial IcePro 3, which replaces the GT Radial Champiro IcePro, has been developed in-house in Hannover R&D. And the GT Radial brand is owned by the growing international company Giti, based in Singapore. The novelty is available in 22 dimensions - from 175/65 R14 to 225/60 R17.

The tires in the test are made in China.

West

There are no new products in the western team, but the players are incredibly strong, since most of these tires are renewed by manufacturers every year.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9, the most expensive tire on the domestic market, is the only one in the world to have two different types of studs.

Continental IceContact 2 is also one and only: its “carnations” are glued into the tread, and therefore they are held very firmly in it.

Of the cheaper tires - Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic, who won prizes in our tests more than once, and Pirelli Ice Zero.

The western team is closed by two direct competitors, representatives of the second echelon of the companies Continental and Nokian - respectively, the Gislaved Nord*Frost 200 and Nordman 7 models.

On the ice handling evaluation track, after each set of tires, the “brush” cleans the surface of ice chips. The clearer the ice, the more accurate the evaluation results.

cat house

The roulette that annually determines the location of our winter tire tests, this time pointed to the test site Continental. It is located in Sweden, next to a small town with a purring-rumbling name Arvidsjaur - just some kind of "cat's house".

Mindful of last year's weather apocalypse in Sweden with a sudden February warming, we decided to start the tests early - in mid-January.

And the weather did not disappoint: during the tests, there were frosts from -7 to -14 ° С.

Two hatchbacks helped us in the tests Volkswagen Golf. We assigned the main part of the routine work to the black one - it crawled over ice and snow, fixing the acceleration time and the braking distance with the built-in VBOX equipment. Red performed more creative tasks, participating in the evaluation of handling and exchange rate stability, because on it it was possible to completely disable the stabilization system using a special program.

Menial job for driving

The first to work is the black Golf, which has both anti-lock braking and traction control. We start by accelerating and braking on ice on a small frozen lake, repeating the races eight to ten times for each set of tires. After two or three test sets - measurements on the base (reference, as the tire manufacturers say) tires: you can’t do without them.

Measurements on different surfaces differ in the “upper” speed limit, which serves as the maximum speed value during acceleration and the initial speed during braking. On ice this value is 20 km/h, and on snow it is 40 km/h, since the modest ice area is much smaller than the snow one. Recalculating the results, taking into account the corrections determined using the reference tires, we get leaders and outsiders in these exercises.

The real surprise came from Napcook, which tore apart the traditional leaders. Incredibly, on these tires the Golf accelerates and brakes on ice even better than on the Continental and Nokian. To accelerate from standstill to 20 km / h, the Golf on Hankook tires took only 4.1 seconds, and the braking distance from 20 to 5 km / h was 6.6 meters. The longest acceleration was on Gislaved tires: 5.9 seconds. A close result, 5.8 seconds, was obtained on GT Radial and Firestone tires. The Golf slowed down the worst on the GT Radial tires, stopping at 8.7 meters.

The fastest acceleration on snow up to 40 km / h was provided by Continental tires with a figure of 5.9 seconds, and Hankook lost only one tenth to them! The slowest of all are GT Radial tires.

In braking on snow, Hankook took the lead. To slow down the Golf from 40 to 5 km / h, these tires had 16.9 meters. Second place - Gislaved: 17.2 meters. Last in braking were Firestone and GT Radial: 19.1 and 19.0 meters, respectively.

We complete a series of tests on ice by measuring the lap time, which characterizes lateral grip. Continental kept the lead with a record lap time of 15.6 seconds. The closest rivals - and these are Hankook, Nokian and Gislaved - took half a second more. The slowest - in 18.0 seconds - the car lapped on Bridgestone tires.

Rating of the best winter studded tires 2018

The tires released after measurements take their place on the red Golf - we will evaluate the handling on snow and ice.

The test track is great: turns of various radii, from running to stubs, straight lines that allow you to reach the speedometer needle up to 80 km / h, ups and downs, then unloading the wheels, then pressing them to the “road”.

Due to the modest size of the frozen lake, we estimate acceleration on ice to a speed of 20 km/h, and braking from 20 to 5 km/h.

12 Firestone Ice Cruiser 7

Country of manufacture

Load and speed indices

Drawing depth in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, units

Number of spikes, pcs.

Tire weight, kg

Quality/price, score/R

The level of braking properties on dry pavement is average

11 GT Radial Ice Pro 3

Country of manufacture

Load and speed indices

Drawing depth in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, units

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

average price in online stores, Р*

Quality/price, score/R

Stable following the course on snow;

Not noisy;

Satisfactory running smoothness

Poor traction on ice and snow;

Difficult control;

Limited patency

10 NittoTherma Spike

Country of manufacture

Load and speed indices

Drawing depth in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, units

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р*

Quality/price, score/R

Satisfactory handling;

Good cross;

Acceptable ride

Low braking properties on wet asphalt and on ice;

Difficult handling when performing extreme maneuvers on snow and directional stability on asphalt;

9 Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer

Country of manufacture

Malaysia

Load and speed indices

Drawing depth in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, units

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р*

Quality/price, score/R

Good directional stability on snow;

Stable handling on ice and snow

Weak braking properties on ice and on dry pavement;

High fuel consumption at 90 km/h

8 Bridgestone BLizzak Spike-02

Country of manufacture

Load and speed indices

Drawing depth in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, units

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р*

Quality/price, score/R

Confident flotation and satisfactory handling during normal driving on snow

Weak braking on dry pavement and lateral grip on ice;

Low profitability;

Difficult handling during active driving on snow;

Notes on directional stability on asphalt and comfort

7 Gislaved Nord*Frost 200

Country of manufacture

Germany

Load and speed indices

Drawing depth in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, units

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р*

Quality/price, score/R

The best braking properties and excellent directional stability on asphalt;

Confident lateral grip and clear handling on ice

Weak longitudinal grip on ice;

High fuel consumption at any speed;

Difficult handling when performing extreme maneuvers on snow;

Small complaints about the smoothness of the ride

6 Nokian Nordman 7

Country of manufacture

Load and speed indices

Drawing depth in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, units

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р*

Quality/price, score/R

Confident acceleration on ice;

Good cross-country ability, directional stability on snow and asphalt

5 Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic

Country of manufacture

Load and speed indices

Drawing depth in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, units

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р*

Quality/price, score/R

Phenomenal flotation in deep snow;

High braking performance on both wet and dry pavement

Small claims to directional stability on asphalt and handling on ice, as well as during active driving and extreme maneuvering on snow;

Not the best comfort.

4 Pirelli Ice Zero

Country of manufacture

Load and speed indices

Drawing depth in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, units

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р*

Quality/price, score/R

Excellent course stability;

Reliable acceleration on ice and snow;

Clear handling on snow during normal driving;

Confident patency

Light remarks about handling on snow during active driving and during extreme maneuvering;

noisy; low running smoothness

2/3 Hankook Winter i*Pike RS 2

Country of manufacture

Load and speed indices

Drawing depth in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, units

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р*

Quality/price, score/R

Better longitudinal and high lateral grip on ice;

Better braking and confident acceleration on snow;

Clear handling on ice and during normal driving on snow;

Weak braking on asphalt;

Claims to controllability on snow during active driving and during extreme maneuvering, as well as road holding on asphalt and comfort

2/3 Continental Ice Contact 2

Country of manufacture

Germany

Load and speed indices

Drawing depth in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, units

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р*

Quality/price, score/R

Better transverse and high longitudinal 49 grip on ice;

Better acceleration and confident braking on snow;

Clear handling on ice and snow;

Good cross-country ability and following the course on snow

Minor complaints about handling on snow with active driving, as well as directional stability on asphalt;

Notes on comfort

1 Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9

Country of manufacture

Load and speed indices

Drawing depth in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, units

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р*

Quality/price, score/R

Outstanding fuel efficiency;

Excellent handling on ice and snow;

High traction on ice;

Excellent flotation in deep snow;

Clearly following the course

Light comments on noise and ride

The idea was born to evaluate tires in two different driving modes. The first is to go fast, but limit the speed in the corners to the initial slip phase. The results of driving in this style will certainly interest most drivers. The second mode is for those who like to slip: almost do not slow down before turns, refueling the car into a turn sideways. We have previously evaluated the behavior of tires in both modes, only the assessment was averaged.

We turn off the electronics in order to catch the features of the car's behavior on different tires.

In normal mode, the testers were pleased with the handling of the Golf on Nokian and Pirelli tires. The experts, finding no reason for comments and noting clear reactions, gave them eight points. Continental, Hankook, Nordman, taking into account small remarks, received 7.5 points each. It is noteworthy that in the Golf, shod with Hankook and Nordman tires, slight delays in reactions and insufficient steering informational content occur when the steering wheel is turned at angles up to 90 degrees, but with an increase in reaction angles, informational content improves, and vice versa with Continental tires.

On the tire tests team spirit is important almost like in competitions. Therefore, we change wheels almost as quickly as mechanics in formula boxes.

Firestone's "studs" collected more complaints than others: significant delays in reactions, unstable behavior. The driver can only set the approximate direction of movement, but not the exact trajectory. Six points is the maximum.

With an active driving style, almost half of the subjects noted a slight slowdown in reactions and a deterioration in the information content of the steering when switching to slips, which reduced the score by half a point. Eight points were awarded only to Nokian tires, which retained the clarity of reactions even in deep slides. Acceptable reaction stability was demonstrated by Gislaved, Nordman and Tooo - they are not afraid to slightly go over with speed in a slippery turn.

It's easiest to slip on Firestone tires. You have to literally throw the Golf into the turn, performing a set of “magical” actions with the steering wheel and gas.

It is extremely difficult to drive actively, since you need to constantly turn the steering wheel in different directions, since in slips the reactions to steering actions practically disappear.

I didn’t like to drive actively either at Bridgestone (lowered by 1 point) and, oddly enough, at Pirelli (lowered by one and a half points). On both tires, the Golf showed a deterioration in information content and reactions, forcing much more active steering, and on the Pirelli, it also showed ragged, unstable behavior. It's strange, because the early models of winter tires from this company have always served both for us and for many tire manufacturers as the standard of handling.

I liked the ice track no less than the snowy one. It is not horizontal, but is located at an angle, since it is flooded on a slope. Because on one half you move with unloaded rear wheels, provoking skidding, and on the other - with underloaded front ones, initiating demolition. This helps to better understand the behavior of certain tires.

Nokian deserved the highest score on ice: the car steers without problems in any mode. Small marks are marked on Continental tires, Gislaved, Hankook and Nordman, so their scores are downgraded to 7.5 points.

Shod in GR Radial tires, the Golf moves like it's weightless - as if there were no horizontal forces acting. It slips very early, although it slides to the side smoothly (this is the only plus), and floats for a very long time, not reacting to the steering.

Firestone keeps the driver even more stressed: maximum adrenaline is produced even with the stabilization system turned on. Breaks in sliding occur unexpectedly, the car slides for an extremely long time ... There is a feeling that the clutch has disappeared altogether.

Caution - Yeti!

The snow plateau is a huge rectangle, about four hundred by one hundred meters, divided by a snow parapet into two independent narrow and long straight lines.

They are enough to accelerate to 100 km / h and evaluate the directional stability and behavior of the car with a soft lane change.

And the width is enough to check the handling when performing a rearrangement. From the first day, we fenced off with cones along the central barrier a strip three meters wide, forbidding it to be cleaned. A week later, a layer of snow about 20 centimeters deep accumulated on it - what is needed to assess the patency.

A couple of hours after the red Golf with the stabilization system turned off went to the test track, Frank Degonier (the Continental engineer responsible for measurements and measuring equipment) suddenly approached us and asked with a completely serious face:

“Do you know that the yeti has appeared here? Right in front of the red Golf jumped out! But Anton managed to dodge him, only the snow on the hood remained. Go see!"

It turns out that during the course stability assessment on the Firestone tires, the Golf spun so that it broke through the snowy parapet and flew into the adjacent lane. And the testers of the Continental call any incident on the tests, ending in contact with snow, a “yeti”. In general, Firestone earned the lowest score for directional stability on snow: when you try to smoothly change lanes or avoid obstacles, a sharp skid occurs and a dangerously long slip to the side without the ability to correct the trajectory. The Yeti was not tempted by other tires.

And better than others straight in the snow at high speed Golf held on tires Nokian and Pirelli.

Rearrangement, or a sharp lane change, is a maneuver traditional for Russian drivers. When performing a rearrangement, we evaluate how the Golf reacts to sharp steering turns and how predictable it behaves. In this exercise, the experts gave the Nokian tires the highest score: a small, well-understood, soft skid at top speed, requiring minor adjustments to keep the car on the desired trajectory.

Firestone tires turned out to be the worst here too: they are unsuitable for dangerous maneuvers. With sharp actions by the steering wheel, the case ends with a demolition, straightening the trajectory. With smoother operation of the steering wheel, the front wheels have time to catch on the snow, but the rear wheels abruptly break into a long side slip, spinning the car.

patency

The patency test is relevant both for the Russian hinterland and for large cities. We evaluate not only the ability of tires to row in the snow - it is important how easily a driver without special off-road riding skills can overcome a snow barrier.

In deep snow good year tires- out of competition: rowing at least forward, at least back, you just need to press the gas pedal. Nokian are half a point behind: rowing is not like a tractor, but still good. Eight points each earn Continental and Nordman. The most unfortunate tire for deep snow is the GT Radial. On them, the Golf moves uncertainly, scours from side to side, reluctantly maneuvers and reluctantly moves in reverse.

Winter Hero 2018

The leader in snow and ice tests is the tire from the East - Hankook Winter i * Pike RS 2. It not only outperformed all fellow countrymen in the winter disciplines, but also moved the "Westerners" - even such giants as Continental and Nokian, who won in the "white" tests only second and third places respectively.

Pirelli is in fourth place, followed by Nordman and Goodyear, and Gislaved is in seventh position.

They are followed by other tires from the East: Bridgestone, Toyo, Nitto, as well as Firestone and GT Radial, which showed the weakest results.

Delay until spring

In mid-April, the snow completely disappeared from the asphalt of the high-speed road of the VAZ test site near Tolyatti. Having chosen calm weather, we continued to test the "studs" - now on the pavement. First of all, we assessed the impact of tires on the economy of the Golf, combining these measurements with an assessment of directional stability and comfort.

We started with a ten-kilometer warm-up lap on the expressway at a speed of 130 km/h (the maximum allowed on our roads). The measurements were carried out on a two-kilometer horizontal straight section of the expressway.

In calm weather, the measurement results "fall" almost one to one - with no more than 0.1%, which is twenty times less than the two percent generally accepted in tire tests. But after every three tested sets, you have to repeat the races on the base tire. Rolling resistance is significantly affected by asphalt temperature. The results obtained on the reference tire help to determine the "reference points", and already on them we refine the data obtained and, if necessary, recalculate.

On pavement, the Golf steers best on Gislaved and Pirelli tires: the reactions are clear, almost like summer tires. Worse than the rest are the "eastern guests" Bridgestone, Nitto and Firestone.

On the “bridge” at the Golf, the steering wheel became heavy, viscous and uninformative. The behavior of the car on Nitto and Firestone is similar: in the near-zero zone, low information content appears, when adjusting the course, the steering wheel has to be turned at significant angles. When leaving the near-zero - the left zone, the reactions become unpleasantly sharp - with low information content, this is fraught with twisting of the steering wheel, which can provoke a skid.

Nokian tires won the title of the most economical: the Golf, shod with them, showed the best results at city and country speeds.

Better braking and comfort on asphalt

We continue the assessment of comfort on the secondary roads of the polygon, which practically do not differ from many Russian roads: pits, swollen cracks, seams.

The GT Radial, Hankook and Nokian tires were the quietest of all, and the noisiest was the Firestone, which buzzes like a gear rolling on asphalt. In terms of smoothness, the same GT Radial and Hankook are ahead, and Nitto made up the company for them. The toughest is again Firestone, which transmits vibrations from road bumps to the floor of the body and even to the driver's seat in detail.

The final exercises are the assessment of braking properties on dry and wet pavement. We pre-clean the tracks with a dozen braking on non-scoring tires. We brake on each set of test tires four to six times: on dry asphalt - from 80 km / h, on wet asphalt - from 60 km / h, in order to save the tread from damage. The test speed, up to which the VBOX measuring complex measures the braking distance, is 5 km / h - at a lower ABS, it allows short-term blocking of the wheels, which adversely affects the accuracy of the results.

On dry pavement, the shortest braking distance, 30.3 meters, turned out on Gislaved tires, the longest - on the "bridge": 33.5 meters. The difference is 10.5%. In the wet, Gislaved is again ahead of everyone with a score of 17.8 meters, and the last one is Nitto with a score of 21.7 meters, which is almost 20% weaker.

"Black" tests

On asphalt, the Gislaved Nord*Frost 200 confidently won. European Pirelli tires, Nokian and Goodyear. The East only made it to the fifth position, and the GT Radial IcePro 3 took it. The last pair from the European team follows: Continental took sixth place in the "asphalt" list, directly ahead of the average Nordman. The leader of the "white" list of Hankook on asphalt, alas, could not rise above the tenth place. Closing the "black" rating Bridgestone and Nitto.

TOP-13 final scores

So, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 tires won with a score of 915 points. They are the most balanced - they will appeal to all drivers in any conditions, regardless of training and driving style.

The second and third places were shared by Hankook Winter i*Pike RS 2 and Continental IceContact 2 with 905 points each. Well, what about Korean tires? The best result both on snow and on ice, the most comfortable, economical, but - the surrender of positions on asphalt.

We recommend them to those who use mostly "white" roads. Continental showed the second result in the "white" tests, but in other nominations it performed in the middle. It will show its best qualities on snowy and icy roads.

The fourth line of our rating is occupied by Pirelli Ice Zero - 888 final points mean that it is very good tires. They are strong on asphalt, will not let you down on snow and ice, and will help save fuel. Is that the ride comfort leaves much to be desired.

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic (877 points) performed better on asphalt than in ice and snow disciplines. These tires still have the right to be called very good, but they are slowly losing ground - they dropped to fifth place, and for several years they occupied third. But if you need all-terrain tires - this is the best choice.

For the brand of the second echelon, the sixth place (874 points) of Nordman 7 tires and the title of very good can be considered excellent result. Universal tires average hand for any conditions, and in the snow can please even drifters.

The Gislaved Nord*Frost 200 was just four points behind its direct competitor Nordman. The indicators on the "white" roads are average, but on the asphalt Gislaved is in the lead.

It is the best choice for city roads cleared of snow and ice. True, they do not shine with economy and comfort.

From the eighth place, the entire eastern territory begins. Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02 scored 847 points in the test - according to our classification, these are good tires. On snow and ice, they look average, but they won’t allow you to be mischievous. In terms of comfort and fuel efficiency, they are comparable to the "little brother" Firestone Ice Cruiser 7, and even a little weaker on asphalt.

In ninth position - new toyo tires Observe Ice-Freezer with 840 points. The undoubted pluses are the stability of the results on different surfaces and a decent level of comfort.

Nitto Therma Spike closes the top ten with a final score of 821 points. The same modest place - in the "white" rating. These tires are economical, provide average comfort levels... and last place on the pavement.

The GT Radial tires scored 811 points. And they ended up on the last line of the rating compiled on “white” roads. On snow and ice, it is permissible to move on them without haste, and only on cars equipped with electronic assistants. But on asphalt roads, these tires will allow you to drive confidently and provide a high level of comfort. Twelfth place and only 788 points - tires Firestone Ice Cruiser 7. By modern standards, these are very weak tires for winter roads, not recommended for cars without ABS and stabilization systems. You should ride them very carefully, without trying to slip at least a little.

But on dry pavement, they slow down better than the related Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02, and can compete with it in comfort and economy.

With an eye on the wallet

Good tires cost a lot of money. How to find optimal balance between the most important features and price? You can focus on the "cost" of each point scored by a particular tire. In this parameter, the GT Radial IcePro 3 is in the lead: each thousand rubles spent on this tire will result in 312 final points. Slightly less profitable purchase - Nitto Therma Spike and Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer.

Tires Nordman 7 and Gislaved Nord*Frost 200 are in the middle of the list. Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02, Continental IceContact 2 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 close the “price of quality” rating. WEST INVINCIBLE? In our test, European tires were stronger than Eastern ones. Apart from Hankuk, none of the Eastern tires made it into the first half of the white results. Why? In the countries of the East, the use of studded tires is prohibited - manufacturers create them for foreign markets. There is no rich own experience in operating such tires. Hankook, on the other hand, took an unconventional path - it attracted experienced specialists from successful Western tire companies to create new products. After all, winter tires are an extremely complex product, balanced for completely different surfaces (ice, snow, dry and wet asphalt), which require conflicting technical solutions. Eastern tire manufacturers will be able to compete with Western ones only when they understand this and put this understanding into practice. Hankook is a prime example of this. In the meantime, the "east" can attract buyers only with sweet prices.

The question of choosing winter tires sooner or later confronts every motorist. Today, a huge number of similar products are on the market - studded wheels, all-season tires, the so-called Velcro. All winter tires can be divided into two large classes:

  • European;
  • Scandinavian.

European tires are designed mainly for wet asphalt, light snow cover and air temperatures down to -10 degrees. According to buyers, it is not the most suitable for Russian roads, but it has an important advantage - a diagonal tread pattern, and it also has grooves for moisture removal. They are convenient to use in the southern regions. In the ranking of the best winter tires, the first places are occupied by Scandinavian models. They are designed to move on deep snow, ice and a number of other road surfaces. Longitudinal patterns are not provided here, they have a peculiar tread pattern, which is located in a checkerboard pattern. This allows you to easily maintain control of the car, even while driving on the most problematic surfaces such as loose snow. In the top 10 winter tires, most of the places are occupied by such models, and besides, they have an excellent price-quality ratio.

What to look for when buying winter tires?

When choosing winter tires, be sure to pay attention to the following product parameters:

  • The maximum level of load that the tire is able to withstand;
  • Wear resistance;
  • Speed ​​index.

All this information is on the label indicated directly on the tires themselves. Wear resistance is determined under the inscription Treadwear. Dealing with this quality is very simple - 100 units are equivalent to 50,000 kilometers. With the load, the situation is much more complicated, since here you need to take into account the mass vehicle. This parameter must be equal to at least a third of the car in a fully equipped state. The third important quality of tires that is taken into account when choosing is the speed index. It is also reflected in the markings on rubber. For Russian roads, the most optimal indicator is S. These tires do not impair the speed performance of the car, but they have good wear rates.

Rating of winter tires TOP-10

Additionally reinforced with aramid fibers. It is specially designed for harsh climatic conditions. This rubber needs a special run-in, after which it will be possible to evaluate all the positive qualities it has.

Advantages:

  • Ideally adheres to any coatings;
  • Has a reinforced sidewall;
  • Good braking on dry pavement;
  • Wears out long enough.

Disadvantages:

  • Makes a quiet noise during break-in;
  • It costs quite a lot.

Otherwise, this winter tire, according to reviews, is very good for snow, ice and asphalt, that is, for any coatings of the cold season.


One of the latest developments, created specifically for SUVs or crossovers. It is considered that this is the best non-studded winter tires. The tread pattern is symmetrical, special particles-crystals are added to the rubber, a significant number of sipes are also provided, thanks to which the rubber will easily resist even bad road conditions, including ice porridge or slush.

Advantages:

  • The treads grip the road very well;
  • Rubber feels great even in a rut;
  • A car with such tires will quickly stop on ice, thick snow, dry or wet asphalt;
  • The use of rubber does not in any way affect the handling performance of the vehicle;
  • It has moderate softness, does not make extraneous noise while driving;
  • Reinforced tire sidewall, which allows you to get out of the rut quickly and without skidding;
  • Long service life.

Disadvantages:

  • High price;
  • Doesn't always behave confidently sharp turns with asphalt pavement.


Designed specifically for snow cover. The developers specifically made a strictly directional tread pattern, the central element of which is a closed rib. It significantly reduces the likelihood of skidding on snow cover.

Advantages:

  • Low cost;
  • Small braking distance even on an icy road;
  • Good for snowy dirt roads.

Disadvantages:

  • Uncertain behavior on the asphalt surface;
  • The spikes are not very strong and often fly out, especially on ice or asphalt during hard braking.

Deficiencies accelerate the wear of rubber, reduce its service life.


Designed specifically for harsh winter conditions. The rubber has very original spikes with sharp edges that behave very well on ice.

Advantages:

  • Easily removes slush and moisture from the place of adhesion with the coating;
  • Excellent brakes even on ice;
  • Holds the road well, does not wobble;
  • Does not impair the handling of the vehicle;
  • After completion of the break-in, it practically does not make noise;
  • On smooth and dry pavement, it behaves almost like a summer one;
  • wears out slowly;
  • Possesses strong spikes;
  • Well suited for the conditions of the far north.

Disadvantages:

  • In a rut, it does not behave too confidently, a high probability of slipping;
  • The sidewall is quite soft, which can cause hernias.


It is one of the most popular models in the inexpensive segment. The production of such tires is spread quite widely, which causes certain problems. Motorists say that it is a real success to purchase high-quality and original tires of this model, since there are quite a lot of fake products on the market. If we consider the original rubber, then it combines the most good qualities: It does not affect the car's handling performance at all, provides excellent cross-country ability in snowy areas, behaves well even in urban areas. On the ice, he can show himself not too confident.

Advantages:

  • Good level of wear resistance;
  • Wide use;
  • Makes minimal noise while driving
  • It behaves well in fairly difficult areas;
  • It performs well in the city.

Disadvantages:

  • There is a very great chance to buy low-quality products that will behave on the road much worse than the original;
  • It behaves quite nervously on ice, which can cause the car to skid, so it is not recommended to develop too high a speed - optimally 60 km / h.


At first, this rubber was met by motorists with a high degree of skepticism, but most of them almost immediately changed their minds about this product. These tires perform best on unpaved, icy or slippery roads covered in snow. Rubber perfectly passes through all difficult areas due to the fact that it is equipped with spikes and has a large area of ​​​​rubber contact with the base.

The tire has a significant amount of sharp edges, thanks to which it will easily pass areas covered with loose and deep snow, which is usually characteristic of off-road conditions. It turns out that this model is perfect for both urban conditions and for dirt roads or off-road.

Advantages:

  • It doesn't cost too much;
  • Excellent grip on the road different type even if it is covered with a lot of snow;
  • The rubber is quite soft, which ensures tight contact of the wheel with the surface of the base;
  • It practically does not make noise while driving, which is uncharacteristic for winter tires.

Disadvantages:

  • Too soft - this can adversely affect while driving on an icy road or on a dirt road.


It is a fairly budget option, and this rubber will behave perfectly on wet pavement even in winter, but users do not recommend accelerating over 100 km / h when installing it. Such tires are perfect for urban residents who use the car not too often in the home-cottage-work-shop format. The rubber itself is quite soft, which provides a significant area of ​​contact with the road.

Advantages:

  • Low cost;
  • Rubber has almost no rolling resistance;
  • Very well behaved on a flat road surface;
  • Wears out slowly during operation;
  • Doesn't make a lot of noise
  • It does not affect the performance of the vehicle in any way.

Disadvantages:

  • During the thaw, the rubber becomes too soft;
  • Does not behave very well on dirt roads, especially if they are very cold;
  • When using this rubber, it is undesirable to accelerate too much and brake sharply. This is due to the high level of softness - the car can skid heavily and lead to an emergency or even an accident.


Differs in high quality and reliability. During production, rubber is additionally reinforced with aramid fibers that can increase the wear resistance of products. This model is considered the best winter studded tires. Such tires are designed specifically for fairly severe winter conditions. On sale you can find sizes from 15 to 21 inches. After installation, it needs a run-in, after which it will be possible to fully appreciate all its positive characteristics.

Advantages:

  • Remarkably holds the road in all conditions, including snow or ice;
  • Has a high level of rigidity;
  • It behaves well even on dry and not frozen asphalt;
  • This rubber does not affect the handling of the vehicle, regardless of the complexity of the weather conditions;
  • It wears out very slowly - with careful driving it can last about 10 seasons;
  • Does not make extraneous noise, does not bounce on bumps and generally behaves as comfortably as possible;
  • The spikes are quite strong;
  • Easily removes moisture, slush or snow porridge from under it.

Disadvantages:

  • Significant cost;
  • Due to the reinforced sidewalls, it does not always behave confidently in a rut;
  • When running, it emits a slight hum, but you can completely ignore it, especially if good sound insulation is provided in the cabin;
  • During the installation process, it will have to be balanced.


It is a product of Italian production, in the manufacture of which only the most advanced technologies are involved. This is especially true for spikes equipped with a double core. Also, the rubber has a significant number of blocks of different shapes, the tread pattern is made in the shape of the letter V. It is considered the best winter Velcro rubber.

Advantages:

  • Excellent value for money;
  • Low braking distance on any surface;
  • The absence of spikes allows you to grip well with asphalt, loose snow.
  • They hold the road very well and reliably adhere to it.

Disadvantages:

  • It behaves worst of all during slush and in icy porridge - a consequence of the absence of spikes;
  • Becomes excessively soft at positive air temperature;
  • During break-in, it makes an unpleasant noise, but this phenomenon is temporary, after the first thousand kilometers the sound will disappear.

1 Nokian Tires Nordman 5


It is one of the most common - motorists consider this model the best winter tires. It is made from the most modern materials, besides, in its manufacture, a modern technology called "Bear Claw" is used. With its help, rubber behaves much better on an icy or snowy road. The spikes here do not sag under the weight of the car and retain their vertical position, due to which the grip on the road surface is much better.

It is inexpensive, practically does not resist rolling. Tires have good strength indicators and excellent adhesion to the road surface. Able to last about 10 seasons and do not make too much noise, and also practically do not affect the control of the machine.

Advantages:

  • It has good rigidity even at positive temperatures;
  • Drives well on ice or loose snow;
  • It has special tubules for removing slush or snow from under the wheels;
  • The spikes have an original shape, do not fly out even while driving on asphalt;
  • Rubber can withstand a significant mass of the car - up to 2.5-3 tons;
  • Can be used for off-road driving.

Disadvantages:

  • domestic production;
  • Not too high stability in relation to maintaining the course;
  • Rubber is prone to drift to the side;
  • You need to be as careful as possible when braking hard, as a car equipped with this rubber can suffer a lot. Often the rubber behaves in a similar way even during a smooth stop, for example, near a traffic light.

Conclusions and video

Almost every car owner when choosing car tires relies on outside information. More often than others, specialized tests of various expert publications, ratings, reviews of experienced users are used. At the same time, new representatives of worthy tire manufacturers have recently begun to appear, competing with world leaders. The current rating of winter tires 2017-2018 is designed to reflect current trends in the construction of rubber for the cold season.

What is included in the rating or rating categories

The main difference that makes it difficult to objectively perceive the rating of tires in European automotive publications is the difference in climatic conditions. Differences are observed in the following positions:

  • road conditions, including differences in coverage and use of reagents;
  • temperature difference and its significant fluctuations;
  • different humidity air.

When evaluating winter tires, the main task is not set in the recommendation of a separate model - Velcro or studded. Owners do not always choose leading models for passenger cars. Sometimes a combination of a complex of different properties at a good level is more significant. Therefore, the comparison of tires is carried out according to objective criteria for domestic conditions, in order to assist in the selection of a particular model.

Non-studded tire group

Friction tires carry the designation “studless” on the sidewall, which translates literally from in English as "no thorns". Among winter non-studded tires, two groups are traditionally distinguished, each of which has its own characteristics:

  1. Group of Central European tires. They have developed grooves for water drainage and with a rubber compound somewhat harder than traditional rubber for the winter.
  2. Group of Scandinavian tires. The hardness of rubber according to the characteristics is from 50 to 55 Shore units. The tread is more often replete with polyhedrons that can push through the snow cover.

The price range of models differs up to 1.5 times, but the figures will not be given taking into account the consideration of the characteristics of the tire without taking into account the landing diameter. If you compare tires of the same model in different dimensions, the results are also somewhat different.

Continental with the ContiVikingContakt 6

The model replaced the generation 5 after 2014. The protector has 3 autonomous zones and an asymmetric pattern direction. The tire is designed for a frosty climate combined with heavy rainfall. Winter tires are characterized by the following features:

Strengths:

  • excellent transverse stability;
  • confident acceleration on rolled snow;
  • high exchange rate stability;
  • excellent braking properties on ice;
  • very good acoustic comfort.

There are practically no weaknesses, but experts note uncertain behavior in deep snow and relatively uncertain behavior on frozen asphalt.

Nokian with the Hakkapeliitta R2

The Scandinavian model is designed for long-term operation in various weather conditions in winter. The range of various model sizes includes about 56 versions and has been on the market since the winter of 2013-2014.

  • excellent acceleration and deceleration performance on ice;
  • excellent performance handling and directional stability on any surface
  • high permeability.

Expert assessments and reviews show some flaws when working on dry frozen asphalt.

Goodyaer with UltraGrip Ice 2

Represents the best winter tires for driving on winter asphalt. The tire is characterized by a significant tread depth of winter tires in comparison with competitors. With good wear resistance, it will last several seasons.

Strengths characterizing the tire:

  • excellent braking properties on dry and wet asphalt;
  • clear following the course on asphalt and snow cover;
  • short noise level.

When braking on rolled snow, the driver's accuracy is required, and when driving on virgin snow, cross-country ability is limited.

Pirelli with Ice Zero FR

Balanced studless tires. Among weaknesses relatively high rigidity and low fuel efficiency stand out. Among the positive qualities stand out:

  • excellent flotation in deep snow and lateral stability on a rolled surface;
  • good directional stability on asphalt;
  • excellent handling on ice.

Michelin with the X-Ice 3

For those who compare non-studded tire samples, this is one of the lightest models. The tire has more advantages than disadvantages:

  • excellent directional stability on asphalt, with excellent deceleration;
  • understandable and predictable behavior on ice.

The tire does not stand out in terms of comfort and has limited flotation in fresh snow.

Less popular models that participate in winter tire tests in 2015 and subsequent years have balanced properties and are strong in certain categories. Relatively inexpensive tires are represented by such models:

  1. Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2 . It is better to choose a model if you want to rationally consume fuel. Excellent in all exercises on snow. The tire positively stands out in the combination of price and quality characteristics.
  2. Dunlop Winter Maxx WM01 . It has excellent directional stability and deceleration on asphalt. Starts well on ice. The tire does not stand out for its comfortable behavior, fuel efficiency, or noiselessness. Uncertainty behaves on a snow surface.
  3. Bridgestone Blizzak VRX. Despite the high cost, the tire only counts for good directional stability on snowy road surfaces.
  4. Toyo Observe GS-I 5 . One of the novelties of the global tire industry with low cost has all the characteristics at an average level. Only handling on snow is above average.

When considering the budget tire segment, it's also easy to pick up some worthy examples. For example, not every rating of the best winter tires includes a model Nokian Nordman RS. Rubber has high-quality grip properties, which is associated with a well-developed tread pattern. At the same time, the owners' reviews speak of the tire's resistance to wear, and allow the wheels to be used for several seasons. When operating a car shod with Nokian Nordman RS, sudden braking should be avoided, and the rhythm of movement should be measured.

Studded model group

If you have to choose a set of wheels among studded tires, pay attention to the following circumstances:

  • rating and test results;
  • number and shape of spikes;
  • the height of the protrusion of the studs above the surface of the rubber.

When evaluating the behavior of winter studded tires, one should not expect exemplary behavior on asphalt. After all, a specific coating for such wheels is an ice crust and snow-covered asphalt.

The ability to compare estimates of which spikes behave better is presented in the following rating:

Nokian with the Hakkapeliitta 8

The model with dimension R16 has 190 studs per wheel. The model is called the best representative among winter tires for crossovers. Equally well behaves on any surface and is fuel efficient.

Strengths of the model:

  • excellent behavior on ice- during acceleration and deceleration;
  • excellent behavior on a snowy road - directional stability and acceleration;
  • confident behavior on asphalt.

When driving a car wearing Hakkapeliitta 8, you should be careful with the choice of speed on wet pavement, which is associated with less effective braking.

Continental with the ContiiceContakt 2

Like all the best examples, the tire does not behave very confidently on wet pavement in driving and braking mode.

According to reviews and objectively, the model is the most balanced for any type of road and weather conditions, and stands out according to the following indicators:

  • excellent grip on ice and snow;
  • excellent cross-country ability and directional stability;
  • good ones braking properties on asphalt.

Goodyear with the UltraGrip Ice Arctic

If there is any doubt about how to choose winter tires for off-road, then the answer lies in choosing the right tire. Other advantages include:

  • excellent braking properties on any surface;
  • confident acceleration on the road regardless of the surface.

Rubber is not very confident when driving at high speed.

Pirelli with Ice Zero

In the order of a slight decrease in all properties - acceleration, braking, rubber manifests itself on snow, ice, asphalt. Some remarks are inherent in handling and directional stability with increasing speed.

Michelin with the X-Ice North 3


Ice cover cannot be called the element of the current model. The rest of the rubber will please with reliability in behavior, braking performance. Perfect option for frequent long trips on good roads.

Among the less noticeable studded representatives, owner reviews distinguish:

  1. Model Nordman 5 . Best Representative in a price / quality ratio that can handle any road surface, combined with good fuel efficiency.
  2. Tire Gislaved Nord Frost 100. Comparatively equal assessments of behavior in different operating modes on any surface. Can not boast of fuel efficiency.
  3. Hankook Winter i'Pike RS+ . It behaves well on ice and snow during rearrangements, it does not save on asphalt either. It has good fuel economy.
  4. Cordiant Snow Cross. Model for careful driving conditions on ice and snow. Not confidently behaves when braking on asphalt. One of the best deals in combination price / quality.
  5. Anatyre Freeze. Rare manufacturer from China. The tire performs well on clean pavement. In other winter conditions, the use is limited.

There are rubber samples on the market that differ in cost by 2 or more times from each other. This depends less on which supplier supplied the tires, and more on the technology of their production and the location of the manufacturer.

When choosing a set of winter tires, taking into account the results of ratings and tests is a prerequisite for ensuring safety. In some cases, it is easy to save significant financial resources by not overpaying for a name.


22900

Winter is coming, and motorists are starting to think about choosing winter tires. In the conditions of our roads and climate, we need rubber that can handle ice, mud, and water equally well. Your attention is presented to the rating of studded tires for the winter of 2018-2019, which includes the most popular and proven models on our roads. The basis of this rating includes both reviews of motorists and official tests of manufacturers.

winter studded tire rating

These are tires designed for driving on ice and snowy roads.

Please note: the cost of the same models may differ by 2 times. It depends less on the seller, and more on the location of the manufacturer and production technology.

The list of the best studded winter tires 2018-2019 is as follows.

No. 1: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8

When creating this modification, the Finnish company focused specifically on the Russian market. They are distinguished by an increased number of studs and a tread design designed for driving in winter snow and water slush. Tires push it out from under them, providing a confident movement. They are used for expeditions in the north. Rubber does not tan even at extremely low temperatures. All this puts them at the top of the rankings in this review.

Advantages:

  • Extended service life. Wheels last for several seasons
  • Perfect traction in all conditions, be it snow or ice
  • Reliable braking even when pressing hard on the pedal
She also has disadvantages:
  • Feels unstable when the wheel hits the rut
  • High cost: from 12,000 rubles.

#2: Continental Contact

One of the leaders in the ranking. These shoes for cars were created according to a special concept for ensuring traffic safety in harsh climatic conditions.

Their advantages:

  • Increased wear resistance
  • Tight, deep-seated cylinders to prevent falling out
  • Reliable grip and stability on the road
At the same time, the tires behave uncertainly on wet pavement in the same way in driving and braking mode. Cost - from 9100 rubles.

#3: Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice Arctic

This is a good option winter spikes for off-road and northern conditions. The rubber production technology of this brand ensures the preservation of operational qualities for years.

Advantages:

  • Confident acceleration and braking on any surface, including those covered with ice and snow
  • Good speed stability
  • The tread removes water, snow porridge from under the wheels
The disadvantage is that when it hits a rut, the car starts to carry. These tires cost from 2250 rubles. depending on the seller.

No. 4: Pirelli Ice Zero

These tires boast the innovative technologies that were used in their production. Their studs are double-core for extra grip on ice. The tread pattern effectively pushes snow and water out.

The advantages of these balloons:

  • Reliability
  • Acceptable combination of price and quality
  • Efficient braking in different conditions
The only drawback can be considered unsuitability for positive temperatures. In this case, you need to urgently change your shoes. The cost of tires - from 2800 rubles. up to sky-high 36000 depending on the store and parameters.

#5: Gislaved Nordfrost 100

These tires are designed for driving on snowy and icy surfaces. Its main advantages:
  • Durability - will serve you faithfully for several years
  • Excellent grip
  • This is a "quiet" tire.
  • Fast braking even on snowy surfaces

#6: Michelin X-Ice North 3

At the end of the rating are tires that will please you with good grip and confident braking. The best option for long trips on good roads.

Among the shortcomings - low driving performance on ice. Price - from 4400 rubles.

#7: Hankook WinterI Pike RSW419

Shoes with a wide contact surface. Add to that the lateral grooves for strong all-weather traction, 22 rows of studs and 170 anti-skid studs, and you have a safe ride on slippery surfaces.

Price - from 2450 rubles.

New winter tires 2018-2019

The most anticipated Russian market can be called tires NOKIAN Hakkapeliitta 9 for passenger cars and with the prefix SUV - the best winter tires for crossovers. This model differs from the previous studding technology and two types of anti-skid studs. Thanks to this, the tires perfectly hold the road, adapting to any weather conditions.

Concern Bridgestone will also please with a novelty - Velcro Blizzak VRX2. Tests of this model of winter tires 2018-2019 have already shown improved snow performance compared to the previous one, and increased comfort. The manufacturer also claims a longer service life.

Goodyear expands its lineup with mid-range SUV tires Fulda Kristall Control SUV. The tread design of Fulda Kristall Control HP2 passenger cars was taken as a basis, but the pattern was enlarged. The company's proprietary Snow Catcher technology gives these cylinders reliable grip on snow.

Michelin also thoroughly prepared for the winter 2018-2019 season. The company has updated the lines of its subsidiary brands, releasing a whole series of tires with one basic tread pattern. Among the new products are studded Orium SUV Ice, Tigar SUV Ice, Taurus SUV Ice. And also non-studded budget tires Tigar SUV Winter, Taurus SUV Winter, Orium SUV Winter. Presented to your attention