Looking for good winter studded tires? We will talk about which model is better to choose in this review.
Published updated rating of winter tires 2019-2020 season.
Winter tire tests 2018-2019 (Behind the Wheel, Auto Review, ADAC, Auto Bild)
In order to fully answer your question, which winter tires are better, we searched for information in the following sources:
Behind the Wheel Magazine
This is the oldest (published since 1928) Russian edition dedicated to cars and the automotive industry. The test of winter tires of 2018 "Za Rulem" is an indicator of the high quality and reliability of a particular model.
Autoreview newspaper
In the past, a Soviet, and now a Russian automotive publication, which tests both cars and child seats, tires, fuel and various auto accessories. The Autoreview 2018 winter tire test was carried out last winter on the tracks of the White Hell test site in Finland, with temperature differences from 5 to 23 degrees below zero.
ADAC
The largest automotive organization not only in Germany but also in Europe. ADAC's tire testing will not pass every candidate. For example, in last year's summer tire test, only 6 out of 16 models passed all the tests on wet and dry roads. And the requirements for winter tires are even stricter, because they have to withstand much more severe conditions.
Auto Bild
This German automotive magazine is published under license in 36 countries. It publishes reviews of new models, tests of new and used cars, as well as news related to the world of the automotive industry.
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 2017. The following parameters were taken into account:
- dynamics of acceleration and braking on an icy road, wet and dry snow;
- the time it took to cover the same distance on different types of roadways;
- handling of the car, smoothness of entry into turns;
- noise of rubber.
As a result, in the rating of winter tires 2018-2019. we have collected the best winter tires, which have earned positive reviews from both car owners and experts from various reputable automotive publications. Each tire of dimensions R14, R15, R16, R17 has been 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.
10. Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 8
Low price - 4,050 rubles.
Among the studded winter tires available in Russia, the Hakkapeliitta 8 is one of the best choices for ice and snow. The Finnish tire has a diamond-shaped design of studs (there are 190 of them), behaves confidently in turns, does not "prowl" on the road. But these tires are not the best choice for areas where the roads are not covered with snow all season. It does not work well on simply wet or dry roads after rain. This is a by-product of its superior performance on snowy and icy surfaces.
The Hakkapeliitta 8 is not a quiet rubber, it buzzes even at low speeds. One user described it as "the hum from a Boeing taking off."
9. MICHELIN X-Ice North 4
The average price is 4,040 rubles.
The French brand MICHELIN has successfully stood 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 a reduced size), confidently accelerates and brakes on an icy track, does not dive into a rut, and behaves predictably on the road. At the same time it makes a lot of noise, but here, as they say, "either checkers, or go."
8. BFGoodrich g-Force Stud
It costs, on average, 3 260 rubles.
This model is produced by the American division of MICHELIN, therefore, on the one hand, they are of high quality, and on the other hand, they are cheaper than the MICHELIN X-Ice North 4.
These tires have spikes on the shoulders of the tread. This achieves an optimal combination of studded and non-studded rubber. And the increased stud density helps to brake quickly in the event of an emergency. The g-Force Stud tire performs well on loose and packed snow, wears out slowly and is quiet enough compared to competitors in the winter studded tire rating.
On ice, these tires have less braking performance than on snow.
7. Firestone Ice Cruiser 7
The average price is 2,900 rubles.
The high quality and low cost of Firestone tires allowed them to outflank their more established competitors and land in seventh place. They use a unique self-cleaning tread design with a wider contact area for better traction. According to the owners of the tires, they serve at least 2-3 seasons, the spikes sit firmly, and the permeability on various surfaces is five points out of five.
Minus - it can be difficult to find on sale even in Moscow. What can we say about smaller cities.
6. Continental IceContact 2
Price from 5 705 rubles.
Probably the best winter tire in terms of noise. It has 196 studs, it goes well on an icy and snow-covered road, and even on dry and wet asphalt. IceContact 2 also has no problems with course stability when rebuilding.
However, when accelerating to 110 km / h, a slight roll occurs. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the rubber is soft.
5. Gislaved Nord Frost 200
You can buy it for 3,470 rubles.
These tires are produced under the Swedish brand, but at the Kaluga plant Gislaved. The Finnish company Tikka is engaged in the production of spikes for the Nord Frost 200.
The model is stable in corners, has excellent grip on snow and just good on ice. There is only one "but": in order for it to fully reveal its qualities, it will take a run-in - about a thousand kilometers.
The Nord Frost 200s are good at rowing snow, and the asymmetrical directional tread pattern is taken from the popular first generation Continental ContiIceContact.
In very deep snow, these tires do not feel very confident.
4. Yokohama Ice Guard F700S
Cost from 3 470 rubles.
Yokohama tires are soft and quiet. 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 up to 70 km / h on a porridge of snow and reagents.
Drain grooves on the tires are designed to drain water and snow mass, which are abundant on Russian winter roads, and increase course stability in rainy weather. Because of its design, Ice Guard F700S performs well on dry surfaces as well.
However, at high speed on a slushy road, a car with such tires starts to drive to the side.
3. Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02
Cost from 5 110 rubles.
Japanese quality, confident behavior when cornering, high durability - these are the three pillars on whose backs the Blizzak Spike-02 swam into the third place in the list of the best studded winter tires of 2018. Dense, high-quality rubber will not let you down on bare ice and in a snowdrift and on dry asphalt.
Of the minuses, we can only note the hum.
2. Dunlop Grandtrek Ice02
Price from 5 910 rubles.
These tires with directional tread pattern and large studs (60 per linear meter) are well balanced for wet and dry conditions. The zig-zag shape of the sipes is designed to improve tire grip on ice and snow.
Many owners of Dunlop tires have gone on them for 3 to 5 seasons. If durability and reliability are the main criteria by which you choose winter tires, then you are the ideal candidate.
This model has two drawbacks - excessive rigidity and strong hum.
1. Pirelli Ice Zero
Sold for 3,090 rubles and above.
The undisputed leader in the rating of winter tires both this and last year. Thanks to the reinforced studs, Ice Zero keeps the car securely on the icy track. And the increased contact patch provides excellent traction on dry road surfaces. In terms of acceleration and braking performance 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.
Minus one, like other studded tires, is noise.
Summary: which winter tires to choose in 2018
The first candidate for acquisition is of course Pirelli's Ice Zero. If for some reason it doesn't suit you, pay attention to Dunlop Grandtrek Ice02 or Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02. The price is high, but this rubber will last up to 5 seasons.
For those who prefer not very noisy, high-quality tires, we recommend the Yokohama Ice Guard F700S, BFGoodrich g-Force Stud or Continental IceContact 2.
If you often have to drive on icy roads, the Hakkapeliitta 8 tires from Finnish Nokian, MICHELIN X-Ice North 4 or Gislaved Nord Frost 200 are suitable.
If you travel more often in the snow, we can recommend BFGoodrich g-Force Stud, Firestone Ice Cruiser 7 or Gislaved Nord Frost 200.