Winter tire rating 2020: studded and Velcro

Buying winter tires can quickly turn into tedious scrolling through specifications and comparing prices, as the Russian market has a lot to choose from!

• Which tires offer the best value for money?
• Which one is best for you if you do a lot of road travel?
• Which ones are best suited to winter conditions in Russia?
• In short, which winter tire is best for your vehicle?

We offer you a little help in these matters by writing rating of winter studless tires, as well as list of the best studded tires of 2020... It is based on the assessment and many positive reviews of Yandex.Market users, as well as on tests of 2020 winter tires from experts from specialized publications such as Za Rulem, Auto Guide, Tire Reviews And More, The Car Guide, etc.

Top 10 best studded winter tires for 2020

If you often drive on snowy and icy roads in winter and must get to work on time, regardless of the weather, choose studded tires.

10. Pirelli Ice Zero

• Purpose: for a car
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: yes
• RunFlat technology: optional
• Chamber: no
• Seal Technology: No

This rubber is ideal for safe driving in deep snow thanks to its aggressive tread pattern designed to cope with the most challenging weather conditions.

The 16-inch Ice Zero has 130 "double" spikes, and its tread pattern in the center is similar to an ornament, and the shoulder blocks are oriented laterally. The large number of sipes increases traction on icy and snowy trails.

What's more, this Pirelli tire is equipped with Run Flat technology, which will allow you to get to a safe place and change a flat tire. Whether you drive a compact sedan, mid-size sedan, premium sedan or SUV, this tire is for you!

pros: durable studs, excellent steering control under all circumstances and on any surface: wet asphalt, crunching or packed snow, slush under which there is ice, bare ice and slush.

Minuses: hums on the asphalt, becomes very soft at positive temperatures, and the car begins to "float" when there are sudden changes of lanes.

9. Dunlop Grandtrek Ice03

• Purpose: for SUV
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: yes
• RunFlat Technology: No
• Chamber: no

The special Anti-Tilt cleat design with a beveled core and two sharp teeth makes Dunlop tires excellent on ice.

And the River Grooves' sinuous drainage grooves quickly drain water, snow and mud from the contact patch and provide safe driving in difficult weather conditions.

Owners of these tires say the Grandtrek Ice03 has a lifespan of 3 to 5 seasons because of its durability. In addition, they behave predictably on any surface, be it ice, rolled or loose snow, wet and dry asphalt. Overall, this is one of the best winter SUV studded tires you can buy in 2020.

pros: soft, comfortable, predictable rubber with strong sidewalls, not sensitive to rut, after running in (1000 km), quite quiet.

Minuses: poorly balanced, do not enter a turn on a slippery road at high speed, otherwise the car will be smoothly but noticeably taken to the side.

8. Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02

• Purpose: for a car
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: yes
• RunFlat Technology: No
• Chamber: no
• Seal Technology: No

The tires of the well-known Japanese manufacturer have proven themselves well in Russia and still remain one of the best winter products on the market. Ice and snow handling remains the benchmark for the competition.

Spike-02 is highly durable and allows you to drive confidently and quickly even in freezing rain and on roads with a decent layer of ice. A car, “shod” in this rubber, enters and leaves without any problems in the snowdrifts, and the spikes in it are very tight.

But it is better not to drive through the snow slurry at high speed with the Blizzak Spike-02. The tire copes with this type of winter coating mediocre, slows down for a long time and turns poorly.

pros: strong sidewalls, high directional stability, excellent wear resistance.

Minuses: noisy, like most of her studded “colleagues”, it does not drive well through the snow porridge.

7. Yokohama Ice Guard IG55

• Purpose: for a car
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: yes
• RunFlat technology: no
• Chamber: no

The tread of this tire features a wide center section and a large number of multi-faceted 3D sipes, which increase the density of the rubber in the contact patch and help to stop any vehicle on ice and dense snow at reasonable distances, while ensuring safe movement in deep snow and slush.

The developer took into account the trouble of the previous generation - too frequent loss of thorns. In IG55, all 128 studs have a special shape: the flange and core are made in the form of a four-pointed star. In addition, rubber lugs surround each spike for added retention. The new stud design and the optimal hole pattern help improve ice performance and reduce tire noise.

A special hydrophilic porous compound that is used to create the tread of this model prevents aquaplaning by removing water from the contact patch. Overall, the Yokohama Ice Guard IG55 is an excellent winter tire in terms of value for money.

pros: quiet, comfortable, inexpensive, predictable behavior on any surface except, perhaps, deep snow slush.

Minuses: begins to "float" at temperatures close to zero, is sensitive to rut.

6. Hankook Tire Winter i * Pike RS2 W429

• Purpose: for a car
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: yes
• RunFlat Technology: No
• Chamber: no

The surprisingly very quiet tires from a well-known Korean manufacturer have directional herringbone tread and 190 studs. Their point is shaped like a five-pointed star, which increases the reliability of traction on an icy road and on snow.

This rubber shows itself perfectly in snowfall, helping the car to get out of deep snowdrifts, forcing a snow slurry and feels great on dry asphalt.

Please note that the Winter i * Pike RS2 W429 needs a minimum run of 1000 kilometers to unleash its potential. At first, it needs smooth acceleration and braking, but after running in, it will allow you to drive more aggressively.

pros: strong sidewalls, studs hold securely, well balanced.

Minuses: these tires slow down on wet asphalt for a long time, rolls in freezing temperatures, there is a little aquaplaning in the off-season.

5. Nokian Tires Nordman 7

• Purpose: for a car
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: yes
• RunFlat Technology: No
• Chamber: no

If you are looking for reliable tires for ice and snow drifts, then the Nordman 7 is the best winter studded tire of 2020.Snow and ice are their element, on these surfaces they go and brake smoothly, without activating the ABS.

They have wide flange anchor spikes that guarantee reliable contact with the road and fit snugly in the tread. And the technology "bear claw" allows you to quickly brake on an icy road.

pros: good performance on ice and snow, low rolling resistance, does not harden in extreme cold.

Minuses: hums and rustles strongly, becomes very soft at temperatures above zero.

4. MICHELIN X-Ice North 4

• Purpose: for a car
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: optional
• RunFlat technology: optional
• Chamber: no
• Seal Technology: No

Michelin is a leading winter tire manufacturer and X-Ice North 4 ranks among its top products. In each tire, the designers were able to fit as many as 250 steel studs, each 11 mm long. Thanks to the streamlined shape of the studs, they dig deep into the ice, and you can ride on the winter road at higher speeds while staying safe. And the improved composition of the X-Ice North 4 rubber compound allows the tires not to tan even in severe frost. The lower limit of their temperature regime is minus 65 degrees.

A significant advantage of this tire is its versatility. It allows you to travel safely on ice and deep snow, behaves predictably on frozen and wet asphalt, as well as in muddy and slushy weather.

pros: wear-resistant, not too noisy, despite the large number of studs, high impact resistance, confident acceleration and braking even on an icy road without activating ABS.

Minuses: noticeable rolling resistance, high price, for porridge made of water and snow, acceleration and deceleration by four on a 5-point scale.

3. Yokohama Ice Guard IG65

• Purpose: for a car
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: yes
• RunFlat Technology: No
• Chamber: no

One of the most inexpensive options in the rating of winter studded tires pleases Russian drivers not only with the price, but also with durability, comfort and low noise level.

16-inch tires (the size range of this model begins with this diameter) as many as 172 studs, distributed over the entire tread width in 20 rows. Therefore, these tires bite into the ice powerfully, like a fighting dog into the neck of the enemy.

According to car enthusiasts, Ice Guard IG65 almost do not lose spikes (on average, 2 spikes in a couple of seasons), they row well in the snow, and when driving them, the car behaves predictably and comfortably. Wet and dry asphalt and snow porridge are also not a problem for them, but in a rut it behaves insecurely.

pros: soft, no aquaplaning effect, excellent brakes on packed and loose snow and ice.

Minuses: in deep snow can slip, but pulls out.

2. Pirelli Ice Zero 2

• Purpose: for a car
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: yes
• RunFlat technology: optional
• Chamber: no

If the tires of the first generation Ice Zero had 130 studs, then in Ice Zero 2 their number increased to 190 pieces. In addition, they have undergone several updates. In particular, they were lightened (from 1.1 to 0.9 grams) and decreased in length from 11 to 10 millimeters, which helped to reduce the overall weight of the tire.

While an important function of a cleat is to bump into the road surface, there are other elements that make it more effective, such as the housing that connects the cleat to the inside of the tire. For him, the Pirelli designers chose a not too soft compound, which also helps to keep the studs in the tire. And the Ice Zero 2's optimal stud placement ensures the right balance between often opposing requirements such as traction and braking performance or rolling resistance.

The new tread design, developed using 3D modeling, has also helped improve braking and safety when driving on snowy and icy roads.

pros: one of the quietest options in the 2020 winter tire rating, confidently and predictably handle wet and dry asphalt, slush, ice and slush.

Minuses: they are expensive, there are a lot of fakes, so take only in stores with a lot of good reviews.

1. Continental IceContact 2

• Purpose: for a car
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: yes
• RunFlat technology: optional
• Chamber: no
• Seal technology: yes

Winter is just around the corner and are you looking for spiked winter horseshoes for your iron horse? Look no further because Continental has IceContact 2 - Best Winter Tire 2020... It is your best road ally for safe and comfortable driving, whether the road is covered in heavy snow, slush, ice or water.

An interesting feature of this rubber is the Seal technology: a special composite compound is applied to the tread, which, with small punctures (up to 5-6 mm), tightens the damaged area.

Tires are available in a variety of sizes, from R13 to R21 inches, and feature an asymmetrical tread pattern, the outer part of which is responsible for good grip and the inner part for optimal traction for fast braking and acceleration.

IceContact 2 features ultra-light studs that are 25% lighter than the previous tire generation. The studs have special "ice pockets" in which crushed ice appears before being thrown out of the tire by centrifugal force. This improves the safety of driving on icy roads.

pros: comfortable, soft and quiet tires with sturdy studs, easy to balance.

Minuses: mediocre behavior in a rut, do not dash on dry asphalt, IceContact 2 does not "like" it, high price.

Top 10 best studless winter tires for 2020

If the winters in your area are warm and with little snow, and you do not travel long distances in winter, then good Velcro tires are the best option.

10. Continental ContiVikingContact 7

• Purpose: for a car
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: no
• RunFlat technology: optional
• Chamber: no
• Seal technology: optional

The rating of winter velcro tires is opened by the harsh Scandinavians, who not only managed to cope with all the difficulties in the 2019 Vi Bilägare winter tire test, but also won bronze in the final standings.

And in the mixed tests conducted by Teknikens Värld and Test World, which also featured studded tires, Viking Contact 7 tires not only outperformed their "toothy" rivals, but were also able to take prizes in several disciplines.

These tires are like a well-trained dog, quiet, obedient and controllable. They do not tan even in severe frosts (minus 30 degrees and below), confidently brakes on ice, slightly powdered with snow and wet asphalt, easily drives out of snowdrifts, rides well in snow and climbs a hill in icy conditions. It's hard to find any flaw in the Continental ContiVikingContact 7, but we'll give it a try (just below).

pros: low noise at speeds up to 120 km / h, short braking distance.

Minuses: price, you need to drive carefully on bare ice, but this is the problem with all studless tires.

9. Gislaved Soft Frost 200

• Purpose: for SUV / for a car
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: no
• RunFlat Technology: No
• Chamber: no

Originally a Swedish manufacturer and longtime competitor to Nokian, Gislaved became a subsidiary of tire giant Continental AG. However, this did not affect the quality of the product for the worse, Gislaved still produces quality winter tires in an affordable price range.

The Soft Frost 200 tires deserve our attention: on dry or wet asphalt, snow or ice, their overall handling on the road is amazing. They do not brake well on bare ice (like most friction tires), but perform well on other winter road surfaces.

pros: very quiet, well balanced, ideal for quiet driving in urban environments, stable at speeds up to 100 km / h.

Minuses: Be careful with it on ice and during extreme maneuvers on the snow.

8. Viatti Bosco S / T V-526

• Purpose: for SUV
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: no
• RunFlat Technology: No
• Chamber: no

These are tires, which are produced in Russia at the Nizhnekamskshina enterprise, using technologies and equipment purchased in Germany. Viatti tires are oriented towards Russian winter conditions, and their quality and behavior on the road have earned numerous praise from domestic motorists.

The Bosco S / T V-526 model, designed for off-road vehicles, is moderately noisy and soft. Its tread has a large number of curved sipes located at different angles. They give the tread good grip on icy roads.

And so that the tire effectively removes water, snow and dirt from the contact patch, the manufacturer has added many wide longitudinal and directional transverse grooves to the tread.

pros: excellent balance, comfortable, durable, confidently walks on snow, shallow slush and dry asphalt.

Minuses: in deep slush of snow, on snowdrifts and on ice, he does not row well.

7. Jinyu YW52

• Purpose: for a car
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: no
• RunFlat Technology: No
• Chamber: no

This inexpensive winter tire, made in China, has deep and dense grooves that improve braking performance. There are teeth on the sides of the main grooves that help better grip on icy and snowy roads.

According to the owners, the Jinyu YW52 does not tan even at minus 35 degrees, it has good wear resistance, and feels fine on rolled and fresh snow and clean ice. But on a wet and icy road and snow porridge, it is not worth driving on these tires, they can go into an uncontrollable skid.

pros: acoustic comfort, strong, excellent grip on dry and wet asphalt, well balanced.

Minuses: not for icy roads.

6. Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2

• Purpose: for SUV
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: no
• RunFlat Technology: No
• Chamber: no
• Seal Technology: No

Winter studless tires from a Japanese manufacturer are some of the best you can find in Russia. Designed specifically for crossovers and SUVs, they feature 3D sipes with special holes and directional patterns to help keep the car on snow and ice.

Another feature of these tires is the Multi-Cell Compound technology. The tread has small longitudinal grooves that dry out the contact patch, removing the water microfilm from the ice surface.

According to the owners, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 performs best at temperatures below 15 degrees. Then this rubber goes confidently on all types of winter surfaces, even getting out of a rut is easy. But at temperatures down to minus 10 degrees, they are very slippery on ice and packed snow.

pros: soft, quiet, strong rubber, runs well on dry, icy and wet asphalt, on snowy roads and in slush, excellent hydroplaning resistance.

Minuses: slows down for a long time on ice and snow porridge.

5. BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2

• Purpose: for a car
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: no
• RunFlat Technology: No
• Chamber: no

The elements of these tires are snow, asphalt and snow porridge. They have very wide grooves to drain water, mud and wet snow.

On ice with g-Force Winter 2 you need to be careful, but in a city where there is little ice on the roads, and there is a lot of snow and mud, this rubber will reveal itself in all its splendor.

pros: Quiet, predictable behavior on various types of winter surfaces, strong sidewall, excellent aquaplaning resistance.

Minuses: mediocre behavior on ice.

4. GOODYEAR Ultra Grip Ice +

• Purpose: for a car
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: no
• RunFlat Technology: No
• Chamber: no

The Ultra Grip Ice + friction tire provides very good handling and smooth running on dry and wet asphalt, light ice and slush, as well as on compacted snow up to 10 centimeters deep.

This Goodyear rubber performs well on icy surfaces, but lacks traction in deep snow. When braking on bare ice, ABS immediately engages, and when cornering on ice, a strong side slip occurs.

pros: low price, lack of aquaplaning, well out of rut, very soft, well balanced.

Minuses: Due to the softness of Ultra Grip Ice + in freezing temperatures, you need to drive carefully, otherwise you can catch a hernia.

3. MICHELIN Alpin 5

• Purpose: for a car
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: no
• RunFlat technology: optional
• Chamber: no

An excellent Velcro tire for urban conditions, it performs best on dry, wet and snowy roads.

The Alpin 5 features a directional tread pattern. More tread blocks and more sipes provide better grip on snow. And its rubber compound contains sunflower oil, so the tire remains flexible and works well in frosty winter conditions.

The increased resistance to aquaplaning is achieved through the design of the side grooves that quickly drain water along the path of the tire.

pros: quiet and soft tires, stable acceleration and braking, excellent rowing on snow, predictable behavior on slush and puddles, wet and dry asphalt.

Minuses: slow down on ice carefully, sidewalls are soft.

2. Sailun Winterpro SW61

• Purpose: for a car
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: no
• RunFlat Technology: No
• Chamber: no
• Seal Technology: No

If at the words "Chinese tires" you have associations with something fragile and short-lived, then this is not about the Sailun Winterpro SW61. Sailun is the largest rubber manufacturer and supplier in Asia and produces over 10 million tires annually.

In terms of quality, Winterpro SW61 is not inferior to many European and more expensive competitors. These tires are soft, but with a dense and resilient sidewall, asymmetrical tread pattern, 3D sipes and Z-shaped blocks that increase the contact area of ​​the tire with the road. According to the results of the "Behind the Wheel" tests, they slow down well on wet asphalt and are distinguished by decent directional stability on snow.

So if you are looking for an inexpensive and good winter velcro rubber, then look for Sailun Winterpro SW61, you will not be disappointed.

pros: acoustic comfort, perfectly balanced, low price.

Minuses: many owners complain that at first the tire smells strong and unpleasant, it is prone to skid when going from corner to corner.

1. Blacklion BW56

• Purpose: for a car
• Seasonality: winter
• Spikes: no
• RunFlat Technology: No
• Chamber: no

First place in the ranking of the best studless winter tires of 2020 we give away an inexpensive model that won the hearts of Russian car owners with its durability and predictability on any kind of winter road surface.

They perfectly enter the turn even on ice, do not skid in snowdrifts and confidently ride on snow-covered tracks.

An interesting feature of the Blacklion BW56 is the large internal volume serrated drainage grooves. Due to their shape, they have excellent adhesion properties with snow, and due to their volume, they quickly remove the dirty snow mass from the contact patch.

pros: excellent balancing, quiet, soft.

Minuses: no.