Top 10 best winter studded tires. Rating of the best winter tires. Winter tires: which company to choose

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Looking for winter tires for your iron horse? Then this article is for you! Prepared a useful guide for sedan owners, SUVs and all those who need safe driving in winter. The tire market is overflowing with offers of spike and friction rubber. Our rating will answer the question of how to choose winter tires in the optimal ratio of quality and price.

What do you need to know before buying?

What is winter tires, how does it differ from summer tires? It's all about special protection, which allows you to maintain the vehicle's maneuverability even at sub-zero temperatures. For the manufacture of tires, special raw materials are used, which are distinguished by their elasticity and wear resistance.

The tread has a decent margin of safety, the base joins it with the inner layers. Correctly selected “wheel clothing” reduces shock from uneven road surfaces. It is categorically impossible to ride summer tires in winter for two reasons:

  • There is no hold on the road.
  • In the cold, summer rubber hardens and cracks. Its wear rate increases significantly.

When choosing the best winter tires, take into account the type of rubber, the manufacturer, and the cost. Cheap rubber will last much less as its quality is inferior to expensive options. The service life of quality products is calculated in years, sometimes 5 or more years.

New or used?

Consider buying tires that have been in use for 1-2 seasons but still can be used. We are interested in the pros / cons of such rubber.

The first advantage is low cost. However, here we are faced with a serious disadvantage. The more the tire is worn out, the less it will serve you as a second owner. The advertisements for sale indicate the tread height, year of manufacture and operating time. By the way, the year of production can be seen on the wheels themselves.

Choose good used winter tires - and they will last you 2-3 seasons. Their cost is not so low, and the service life is twice shorter. We recommend buying products only if your finances are very tight and you need rubber here and now. If you have enough funds, take a closer look at new ones. The advantages are obvious:

  • Warranty applies. You can ride freely and not worry that something might happen to them.
  • They will last much longer.
  • The new rubber has an amazing grip.

If you are still rushing about which tires to choose, definitely take new ones. Although they are more expensive, they will last much more with the right choice. After spending one time and installing them on your car, you will no longer come back to this question.

Studded or non-studded - which is better?

Let's talk about the main differences between studded and non-studded rubber. The first type can have round or diamond-shaped spikes. Thanks to the excellent grip, it is a pleasure to ride on studded wheels on roads covered with snow or ice.

If, when choosing studded tires, you read the reviews of the owners, then please note that this type of protection is also not ideal:

  • In some countries of the world "spikes" are prohibited.
  • The car makes a lot of noise when driving on a dry road. Thorns may fly out.
  • The braking distance increases significantly when driving on a wet road, plus temperatures.

Studded ones are European (for wet roads) and Scandinavian (snow-covered trails). There is also all-season rubber, but it is not very suitable for the harsh Russian winter.

Winter tire rating 2018-2019

We turn to the consideration of the main question - which winter tires are better for a domestic car enthusiast? The products of such manufacturers enjoy a good reputation:

  • Nokian. A well-known Finnish company with over 80 years of experience in the tire market.
  • Goodyears. Tire manufacturer from USA.
  • Bridgestone. Famous company from Japan.
  • Of course, Michelin and Dunlop products have a high reputation in the rating of the best winter tires.

Winter studless - TOP-5

  1. Hakkapeliitta R2 for SUVs. Among the features of Nokian winter studless tires are an aggressive pattern, crystal particles in the rubber, a lot of sipes. The tires hold the road well, they are not afraid of dry asphalt, snow. Quiet and moderately soft. Suitable exclusively for the city.
  2. The Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is for those who love speed. They are resistant to clogging with snow, have excellent directional stability.
  3. Goodyear Grip Ice 2 with excellent braking performance. They took 2nd place in the Za Rulem publication's own rating of winter tires.
  4. Blizzak Ice from Bridgestone. Since spike is illegal in Japan, Bridgestone has focused all its energies on developing quality Velcro. And they did it great!
  5. Nordman RS. Available winter tires, very popular among Russian car enthusiasts. They are strong enough, provide decent traction, and make little noise. In rare cases, small side drifts are possible.

Winter studded - TOP-3

  • Hakkapeliitta 8 SUV from Nokian with aramid fibers. Snow grip is just exemplary, a decent selection of sizes.
  • X-Ice North perfectly clings to the asphalt surface in cold weather, self-cleaning quickly. Traditionally suitable for Russian winters.
  • IceContact 2 from Continental. Decent model from the Kaluga Continental plant. The new second generation has an optimized grip.

Rating results

All of the listed models of winter tires can be safely bought for the 2018-2019 season and enjoy a comfortable, safe ride. The choice of this or that rubber will depend on your budget, make and type of car, climatic conditions in your region. We hope our article helped you make a smart choice. Happy shopping!

In our next big spike test, we collected six sets of 15-inch tires from Western and Eastern manufacturers. Some have experience and the latest technology among their trump cards, while others have the will to win and affordable prices. Whose will it take?

This time we have chosen one of the most popular dimensions - 195/65 R15, which suits many small and inexpensive cars. Different markets, different understanding of the product, different design schools. What distinguishes tires from the East and West from each other, what are their strengths and weaknesses, and what should a 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, the Hankook Winter i * Pike RS 2, is a tire with more studs and an updated tread pattern. It replaces the Winter i * Pike RS. This year it will appear in Russia in 57 dimensions - from 155 / 65R 13 to 255/40 R19.

The new Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer tire replaces the Observe G3-Ice and will be available this fall in 16 sizes from 14 to 19 inches. The rubber compound contains silica for frost resilience 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 was indexed 7000 and belonged to the Bridgestone brand line.

The next Japanese player is Nitto Therma Spike, a relative of the Touo brand. These tires take 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 our own R&D center in Hannover. And the GT Radial brand belongs to 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 manufactured in China.

West

There are no new products on the western team, but the players are incredibly strong, as most of these tires are updated by manufacturers every year.

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

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

The cheaper tires are Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic, which has won prizes more than once in our tests, and Pirelli Ice Zero.

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

On the ice handling track, after each set of tires, a "brush" removes ice crumbs from the surface. The clearer the ice, the more accurate the assessment results.

cat house

The tape measure that marks the site of our winter tire tests every year, this time pointed to the Continental test site. It is located in Sweden, next to a small town with a purring, purring name Arvidsyaur - just some kind of "cat's house".

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

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

In the tests, we were assisted by two Volkswagen Golf hatchbacks. We assigned the main part of the routine work to the black one - he crawled over the ice and snow, recording the acceleration time and the braking distance with the built-in VBOX equipment. Red performed more creative tasks, participating in the assessment of handling and directional stability, since it was possible to completely turn off the stabilization system on it using a special program.

Black work for behind the wheel

The first to enter the work is the black Golf, which uses both anti-lock braking systems and traction control. We start by accelerating and braking on ice on a small frozen lake, repeating runs eight to ten times for each set of tires. After two or three test kits - measurements on base (reference, as tire workers 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 value during braking. On ice, this value is 20 km / h, and on snow - 40 km / h, since the modest ice area is much less snowy. Having recalculated 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, who tore the traditional leaders. Incredibly, these tires have the Golf accelerating and braking on ice even better than 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 obtained on Gislaved tires: 5.9 seconds. A similar result, 5.8 seconds, was obtained on GT Radial and Firestone tires. The Golf slowed the worst on GT Radial tires, with a braking distance of 8.7 meters.

The fastest acceleration on snow to 40 km / h was provided by Continental tires with an indicator of 5.9 seconds, and Hankook was only one tenth behind them! Slowest of all - GT Radial tires.

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

We conclude our series of tests on ice with lap times, which characterize lateral grip. Continental retained the lead with a record 15.6 seconds lap. The closest rivals - Hankook, Nokian and Gislaved - took half a second longer. The slowest, in 18.0 seconds, the car completed the lap on Bridgestone tires.

Rating of the best winter studded tires 2018

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

The test track is great: turns of different radius, from running to stop, straight, allowing the speedometer to reach 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 decelerate from 20 to 5 km / h.

12 Firestone Ice Cruiser 7

Country of manufacture

Load and speed indices

Depth of the pattern in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, unit

Number of spikes, pcs.

Tire weight, kg

Quality / price, point / P

Average braking performance on dry asphalt

11 GT Radial IcePro 3

Country of manufacture

Load and speed indices

Depth of the pattern in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, unit

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р *

Quality / price, point / P

Stable course following on snow;

Not noisy;

Satisfactory ride

Poor grip on ice and snow;

Difficult handling;

Limited passability

10 NittoTherma Spike

Country of manufacture

Load and speed indices

Depth of the pattern in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, unit

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р *

Quality / price, point / P

Satisfactory handling;

Quite good cross-country ability;

Acceptable ride smoothness

Low braking properties on wet asphalt and 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

Depth of the pattern in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, unit

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р *

Quality / price, point / P

Good road holding on snow;

Stable handling on ice and snow

Poor braking properties on ice and dry asphalt;

High fuel consumption at a speed of 90 km / h

8 Bridgestone BLizzak Spike-02

Country of manufacture

Load and speed indices

Depth of the pattern in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, unit

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р *

Quality / price, point / P

Confident cross-country ability and satisfactory handling during normal driving on snow

Weak braking on dry asphalt and lateral grip on ice;

Low efficiency;

Difficult handling during active driving in the snow;

Notes on directional stability on asphalt and comfort

7 Gislaved Nord * Frost 200

Country of manufacture

Germany

Load and speed indices

Depth of the pattern in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, unit

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р *

Quality / price, point / P

Better braking properties and excellent directional stability on asphalt;

Confident lateral grip and easy handling on ice

Weak longitudinal grip on ice;

High fuel consumption at any speed;

Difficult handling when performing extreme maneuvers on the snow;

Small complaints about the smoothness of the ride

6 Nokian Nordman 7

Country of manufacture

Load and speed indices

Depth of the pattern in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, unit

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р *

Quality / price, point / P

Confident acceleration on ice;

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

5 Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic

Country of manufacture

Load and speed indices

Depth of the pattern in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, unit

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р *

Quality / price, point / P

Phenomenal cross-country ability in deep snow;

Excellent braking properties on both wet and dry asphalt

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

Depth of the pattern in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, unit

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р *

Quality / price, point / P

Excellent directional stability;

Reliable acceleration on ice and snow;

Understandable handling on snow during normal driving;

Confident cross-country ability

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

Noisy; low smoothness

2/3 Hankook Winter i * Pike RS 2

Country of manufacture

Load and speed indices

Depth of the pattern in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, unit

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р *

Quality / price, point / P

Better longitudinal and high lateral grip on ice;

Better braking and confident acceleration on snow;

Comprehensible handling on ice and during normal driving on snow;

Weak braking on asphalt;

Claims for handling on snow with active driving and during extreme maneuvering, as well as directional stability on asphalt and comfort

2/3 Continental IceContact 2

Country of manufacture

Germany

Load and speed indices

Depth of the pattern in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, unit

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р *

Quality / price, point / P

Better lateral and high longitudinal 49 grip on ice;

Better acceleration and confident braking on snow;

Comprehensible handling on ice and snow;

Good flotation and course tracking on snow

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

Comfort notes

1 Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9

Country of manufacture

Load and speed indices

Depth of the pattern in width, mm

Shore hardness of rubber, unit

Number of spikes, pcs.

Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm

Tire weight, kg

Average price in online stores, Р *

Quality / price, point / P

Outstanding fuel efficiency;

Excellent handling on ice and snow;

High grip on ice;

Excellent cross-country ability in deep snow;

Stay on course

Light remarks on noise and ride

The idea was born to evaluate tires in two different driving modes. First, you go fast, but limit the speed in turns by the initial slip phase. The results of driving in this style will surely be of interest to most drivers. The second mode is for those who like to slide: almost do not reduce the speed before corners, refueling the car sideways into a corner. We have previously evaluated the behavior of the tires in both modes, only the average score was set.

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

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

In tire tests, team spirit is almost as important as in a competition. Therefore, we change wheels almost as quickly as mechanics in formula boxes.

Firestone "spikes" collected the most complaints: significant delays in reactions, unstable behavior. The driver can only set an approximate direction of travel, but not an 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 sliding, which lowered the score by half a point. Eight points were awarded only to the Nokian tires, which retained the clarity of reactions even in deep slides. Acceptable stability of reactions was demonstrated by Gislaved, Nordman and Touo - they are not afraid to go over slightly with speed in a slippery corner.

Slipping is easiest with Firestone tires. The Golf has to be literally thrown into a turn, performing a set of "witchcraft" 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 sliding the reactions to the actions of the steering wheel practically disappear.

I also didn’t like driving actively on Bridgestone (they lowered the mark by 1 point) and, oddly enough, on Pirelli (reduced 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 as a standard of handling both for us and for many tire manufacturers.

I liked the ice track no less than the snow one. It is not horizontal, but inclined, as it is flooded on the slope. Therefore, on one side you move with unloaded rear wheels, provoking a skid, and on the other - with underloaded front wheels, initiating drift. This helps to better understand the behavior of certain tires.

Nokian earned the highest score on ice: the car steers without problems in any modes. Continental, Gislaved, Hankook and Nordman tires have small marks and have been reduced to 7.5 points.

Shod with GR Radial tires, the Golf moves as if it were zero gravity - as if no horizontal forces were 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 responding to the actions of the steering wheel.

Firestone keeps the driver in even more tension: the maximum adrenaline is generated even with the stabilization system turned on. Slip disruptions 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.

There are enough of them to accelerate to 100 km / h and assess the directional stability and behavior of the car during a soft lane change.

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

A couple of hours after the red Golf with the stabilization system turned off drove onto the test track, Frank Degonier (Continental's engineer in charge of measurements and measuring equipment) suddenly approached us and asked with an absolutely serious face:

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

It turns out that the Golf, while assessing the directional stability on Firestone tires, spun so that it broke through the snow parapet and flew into the adjacent lane. And the Continental testers call any incident on the tests, ending with contact with snow, "Yeti". In general, Firestone earned the lowest score for directional stability on snow: when trying to smoothly rebuild or avoid an obstacle, a sharp skid occurs and a dangerously long sideways slip without the ability to correct the trajectory. The Yeti was not seduced by other tires.

And best of all, the Golf kept the straight in the snow at high speed on Nokian and Pirelli tires.

Rearranging, or abrupt lane change, is a traditional maneuver for Russian drivers. When performing a swap, we evaluate how the Golf reacts to sharp turns of the steering wheel and how predictable it behaves. The experts gave the maximum rating in this exercise to the Nokian tires: 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 not suitable for dangerous maneuvers. With abrupt steering actions, the case ends in demolition, straightening the trajectory. With a smoother steering wheel operation, the front wheels have time to catch on the snow, but the rear wheels suddenly break into a long side slip, spinning the car.

Passability

The passability test is relevant both for the Russian hinterland and for large cities. We assess not only the ability of tires to row on snow, but also how easily a driver without special off-road skills can overcome a snow obstacle.

In deep snow, Goodyear tires are out of competition: they row forward or backward, you just have to step on the gas pedal. Nokian is half a point behind: rowing is not tractor-like, but still good. Continental and Nordman each earn eight points. The most unsuccessful deep snow tire is the GT Radial. On them, the Golf moves uncertainly, prowls from side to side, reluctantly maneuvers and reluctantly moves in reverse.

Winter Hero 2018

The leader of the snow and ice tests is the tire from the East - Hankook Winter i * Pike RS 2. It not only outstripped all compatriots in winter disciplines, but also pushed the “westerners” - even such giants as Continental and Nokian, who won in the “white” tests only second and third places, respectively.

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

They were 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 Togliatti. Having chosen calm weather, we continued our spike tests - now on the asphalt. The first step was to assess the impact of the tires on the economy of the Golf, combining these measurements with the assessment of directional stability and comfort.

We started with a ten-kilometer warm-up circle on the high-speed road 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 every three sets checked, you have to repeat the runs on the base tire. Rolling resistance is significantly influenced by the temperature of the asphalt. 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 tarmac, the Golf keeps its course best on Gislaved and Pirelli tires: the reactions are crisp, 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-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.

The title of the most economical was won by Nokian tires: the Golf shod in them showed the best results at city and country speeds.

Better braking and comfort on asphalt

We continue to evaluate the comfort on the secondary roads of the landfill, which practically do not differ from many Russian routes: pits, swollen cracks, seams.

The quietest tires were the GT Radial, Hankook and Nokian, while the noisiest were the Firestone, which hums like a gear rolling on the asphalt. On smoothness ahead - the same GT Radial and Hankook, and they were accompanied by Nitto. The toughest is again Firestone, transmitting vibrations from road irregularities in detail to the floor of the body and even to the driver's seat.

The final exercises are the evaluation of the braking properties on dry asphalt and on wet ones. We pre-clean the tracks with a dozen brakes on non-scored tires. We brake on each set of test tires four to six times: on dry asphalt - from 80 km / h, on wet - 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 wheel locking, which negatively affects the accuracy of the results.

On dry asphalt, the shortest braking distance, 30.3 meters, was obtained on Gislaved tires, the longest - on the "bridge": 33.5 meters. The difference is 10.5%. On the wet front again Gislaved with an indicator of 17.8 meters, and the trailing one - Nitto with a result of 21.7 meters, which is almost 20% weaker.

"Black" tests

Gislaved Nord * Frost 200 confidently won on asphalt, followed by European tires Pirelli, Nokian and Goodyear. The Eastern ones made it only to the fifth position, and was taken by GT Radial IcePro 3. Then the last pair from the European team follows: Continental took the sixth place in the “asphalt” list, just ahead of the middle peer Nordman. The leader of the "white" list Hankook on the pavement, alas, could not rise above the tenth place. Bridgestone and Nitto are at the bottom of the black rating.

Total scores TOP-13

So, the victory with a result of 915 points was won by the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 tires. They are the most balanced - in any conditions all drivers will like it, regardless of training and driving style.

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

We recommend them to those who use mainly "white" roads. Continental showed the second result in the "white" tests, but in the rest of the nominations it was middling. It will show its best qualities on snowy and icy roads.

The fourth place in our ranking is taken by the Pirelli Ice Zero - 888 final points mean that these are very good tires. Strong on asphalt, will not fail on snow and ice, help to save fuel. Except 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 took third place for several years. But if you need ATV tires, this is the best choice.

For the second tier brand, the sixth place (874 points) of the Nordman 7 tires and the title of very good can be considered an excellent result. A mid-range all-rounder for all conditions, and on snow can please even drifters.

Gislaved Nord * Frost 200 lost only four points to its direct competitor Nordman. The performance on the "white" roads is average, but on the asphalt Gislaved is in the lead.

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

The entire eastern territory begins from the eighth place. The Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02 scored 847 points in the test - good tires in our classification. On the snow and ice they look like average peasants, but they will not be allowed to mischief. In terms of comfort and fuel efficiency, they are comparable to the "little brother" Firestone Ice Cruiser 7, and even slightly weaker on asphalt.

In ninth position is the new Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer with 840 points. The undoubted advantages 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 is in the “white” rating. These tires are economical, offer moderate comfort ... and last on the tarmac.

The GT Radial tires scored 811 points. And they were on the last line of the rating, compiled on the "white" roads. It is permissible to move on them on snow and ice 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 - for Firestone Ice Cruiser 7. By modern standards, these are very weak tires for winter roads, not recommended for cars without ABS and stabilization system. They should be driven very carefully, without trying to slip a little.

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

With an eye on the wallet

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

In the middle of the list are the Nordman 7 and Gislaved Nord * Frost 200 tires. And the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02, Continental IceContact 2 and Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 round out the “quality price” ratings. THE WEST IS INVINCIBLE? In our test, the European tires were stronger than the eastern ones. Apart from Hankuk, none of the eastern tires made it to 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 personal experience of operating such tires. Hankook, on the other hand, took an unconventional path - recruiting 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 a buyer only with sweet prices.

Residents of regions where winter is especially harsh, always stock up on sets of winter tires for their cars, because without this they will not be able to drive. Such rubber is capable of overcoming the most difficult paths, including ice and deep snow. It has a number of advantages that only real motorists can appreciate.

In the article, you will learn what to look for when choosing rubber, who is the best manufacturer and what exactly is the best winter tires in demand among motorists.

How to choose tires for the winter?

When buying rubber for a car for the winter, problems often arise, since there are many options, and each of them is good in its own way. To choose the best product for yourself, you should heed the advice:

The well-known Finnish concern manufactures tires for many vehicles. He has been supplying rubber for over 80 years, and during that time, customers have never once complained about poor quality or non-compliance with safety requirements.

2. Goodyears

A leading American firm creates tires that drivers love for their high quality. Products are manufactured in as many as 50 factories located in various parts of the world.

3. Bridgestone

The Japanese manufacturer sells innovative products for cars and other vehicles. His products serve their owners for a long time.

4. Dunlop

A modern company based in Northern Ireland that develops products through computer simulations. People always pay attention to the products of this brand, because in addition to quality, they also have a pleasant design.

5. Michelin

A well-known French company is engaged in the production of tires, which are distinguished by their durability, fairly high manufacturability and fuel efficiency.

Read also: Which tire brand is better. TOP 10 best tire manufacturers

So which winter tires to choose?

TOP 6 best studded tires

Motorists who prefer studded tire options should consider models that already have many positive reviews and high popularity in Russia and many other countries. This rating will certainly leave no doubt about which tire to choose. Among them:

1. Pirelli Ice Zero


Rating 4.62 / 5

The Italian model amazes all motorists with one unique advantage. It consists of a double tungsten carbide stud. Thanks to this, the tires pass the ice perfectly.

2. Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 9


Rating 4.69 / 5

The model of the new generation of the already renowned line has been developed for 4 years, but experts have nevertheless created an ideal product in almost everything.

The main highlight of rubber is the presence of two types of studs. This improves traction on icy and snowy roads.


Rating 4.74 / 5

4. Continental IceContact 2


Rating 4.74 / 5

This model performs best on the off-road. She feels great at rather low temperatures, not only on snow, but also on ice.

5. Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000


Rating 4.55 / 5

Excellent city rubber copes well with not too deep snow. It perfectly overcomes asphalt and dense snow, does not emit unnecessary noise and is most suitable for areas where the temperature does not often fall below -15 degrees.

6.

Excellent road holding on ice and snow. Works great on dry asphalt. Spikes hold well (do not fly off). Quiet enough. Plus, good cross-country ability.

TOP 6 best non-studded tires for winter (velcro).

Tires without spikes, also called velcro in the common people and friction in professional slang, are ideal for roads where there is not too much snow.

They find excellent traction, so they are ideal for mild winter climates.

These include:

1. NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R2 SUV

The main advantage of the model is its precise controllability. Such rubber holds the road perfectly in any conditions.

It is not scary to fall into a rut with her, since a way out of it will be instantly found.

Crystals are provided inside that prevent the wheel from freezing, which explains the cost of the rubber.

2. MICHELIN X-ICE XI3

The variant, which does not have any drawbacks, adheres perfectly to the road, in which it is helped by the tread pattern, quick removal of liquid and snow from under the wheel.

The movement of this model is soft and almost silent. Its high quality surprises all drivers, as it is able to serve its owners for more than 3 seasons, compared to its competitors.

3. GOODYEAR ULTRA GRIP ICE 2

It costs up to 11,500 rubles. This type of rubber is one of the best examples of value for money. It has amazing braking properties, stability on snow slurry. Buyers call the only drawback uncertain acceleration during icy conditions, but few people pay attention to this nuance.

4. BRIDGESTONE BLIZZAK VRX

The price is 13 thousand rubles. The model was created using unique technologies that made it possible to make the ride more comfortable and soft. Tires perform well in rural and urban areas. They easily pass through a high layer of snow, slow down well and remove the snow gruel. Because of such opportunities, the rubber wears out rather quickly, so it is not designed for more than 3 seasons.

5. YOKOHAMA ICE GUARD IG50

The price is about 10 thousand rubles. The last option in this category shows itself perfectly during icy conditions. The rubber ensures safe cornering and is ideal for all types of terrain. But with all the advantages, it should be borne in mind that during freezing temperatures, you do not need to use tires, since they are intended exclusively for cold weather.

Compliant and manageable rubber, has a low noise level. Quiet in operation, confidently accelerates and decelerates.

Of the shortcomings, motorists single out one drawback - the price

New items 2018/2019

In addition to the two previous categories, a few more tires of 2019 cannot be ignored. They are also distinguished by high quality, reliability and a number of other advantages. This list includes:

1. Dunlop SP Winter ICE 02

For the domestic driver, the beginning of the winter season is associated not only with the first snow, the onset of cold weather, but also with turmoil. All this is due to the need to prepare the vehicle for use in the winter. Special weather conditions make you think and choose which is better: “spikes” or “Velcro”?

Currently, there are the following types of winter tires.

  1. Studded. It is used when driving on snow and ice surfaces, demonstrating the minimum braking distance. However, vehicle handling while driving on asphalt may vary. All models are characterized by high noise levels.
  2. Non-studded scandinavian type... Designed for driving in snowy weather. Although it is quieter, the lack of studs does not guarantee perfect handling on asphalt surfaces, which translates into longer braking distances.
  3. Non-studded Central European type. It is used during mild winters and at low temperatures. It is not particularly suitable for icy surfaces, and also has an average result on a snowy road. It shows itself well on the pavement.

Basic requirements of the law

Many drivers, especially those who do not have enough driving experience, often forget or do not have time to start changing seasonal tires on their vehicle. As a result, a motorist can be stopped by a traffic police officer, as well as get into an accident, where he is found guilty, due to violation of the rules for operating the vehicle, in the event of an insured event.

Until 2015, the legislation of the Russian Federation did not provide for penalties for driving on winter tires in summer and other seasons. According to the updated regulations, a new regulation was introduced, according to which it is forbidden to use summer tires during the winter months.

For car owners with tires marked with the M + S index (“all-season”), the main thing is to ensure that the residual tread depth is not less than 4 mm. Otherwise, a fine is stipulated - 500 rubles.

Characteristics of winter tires

When buying winter tires, vehicle owners have to consider many more factors than when purchasing summer tires. First of all, you need to take into account the operating conditions of the car. Every car owner knows that there is no universal set of tires that would fit under any weather conditions. However, many tests can be used to identify their strengths and weaknesses.

Taking into account the results of such studies, the consumer can decide which option is most suitable for his particular case. Anyone wishing to acquire winter tires should study the characteristics of products presented in the table, which have the appropriate marking.

You can find more detailed information on how to make a car in the material of our specialist.

Most modern manufacturers use the TWI (Tread Wear Indiration) marking. It serves as a tread wear indicator. A similar inscription on the wheel can also be in the form of an arrow, which indicates the minimum allowable depth.

The main characteristic of tires of this type can be considered the speed index, which is associated with the softness of the tire rubber: the lower its value, the softer the tire rubber is, and wheels with such tires will have a greater coefficient of grip on the winter road. But such tires will wear out faster on a hard surface.

Benefits of studded tires

Winter studded tires provide the desired grip when driving in snowy conditions. The tread of such tires should have a characteristic pattern, which will ensure the removal of the snow mass from the contact zone. Such products are distinguished by high adhesion characteristics due to the addition of a specific component to the rubber compound. This allows you to maintain the desired properties even at very low temperatures.

The advantages of studded tires include:

  • excellent traction on ice and snow;
  • good handling on slippery and snowy roads;
  • short braking distance compared to other types of tires;
  • confident maneuvering on slippery roads (cornering).

The disadvantages of these tires include an increased noise level while driving and increased fuel consumption.

Improving grip performance leads to a decrease in vehicle handling on dry surfaces.

Best Studded Tires

Studded winter tires are designed for use in harsh conditions with ice and snow. All this is quite relevant for our road, both in large cities and beyond. Many car owners in cities prefer not to tempt fate, but to be reinsured. For this purpose, they choose the "spike". Consider the most popular models of winter tires from this category according to Swedish experts.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9

Optimally balanced parameters allowed to achieve the best-in-class performance for dry surfaces and for snowy road surfaces. The products have proven themselves well in any other application and are distinguished by the fact that they lead to a reduction in fuel consumption. Among the disadvantages, only the increased noise level can be noted.

Continental IceContact 2

Having become the test leader from Finnish specialists, the tires of the German manufacturer are distinguished by a long service life and excellent handling both on the street and on a snowy road.

Hankook Winter i * Pike RS + W419D

South Korean products are notable for their low prices. Despite this, the rubber showed excellent directional stability, as well as the stability of performance on all road surfaces.

Goodyear ultragrip ice arctic

Differs in optimal dynamic characteristics for most driving situations. The decrease in stability when changing the road surface, as well as high noise at low speed prevented us from reaching the top three in the presented test.

Pirelli ice zero

Experts agreed that the rubber has a relatively weak grip for driving on snow and ice. Despite this, the model closes the top five, which is due to the brilliant performance of test drives on wet and dry roads. By purchasing such tires, motorists will notice a significant reduction in fuel consumption and a minimum noise level in all cases.

Michelin X-Ice North 3

The product of a French company, manufactured in the Russian Federation. Distinctive features of use are predictable vehicle behavior, stable and safe response to changing road conditions. It is worth paying attention to the fact that rubber from this manufacturer differs in a small number of spikes, which led to poor performance on ice.

Studding of tires

Currently, there are four types of spikes:

  • Round... The simplest and cheapest type of studs found on most winter tires. The only advantage of such spikes is their low cost. The main disadvantage is the low degree of adhesion to the icy road surface.
  • Oval... A more advanced type of stud that provides a larger contact area between the tire and the road surface, thereby increasing traction and reducing the possibility of sliding. In addition, tires with such studs have a lower noise level than tires with round studs. Accordingly, the price tag for such rubber will be higher.
  • Quadrangular. Exclusive studs designed by Nokian. These cleats have edges and sharp edges that cut into the ice for superior traction. The fastening of such studs is very reliable, which will allow you to use the tires for many seasons. Of course, you will have to pay a lot for quality.
  • Hexagonal (diamond). These cleats are equipped with even more edges than the quadrangular ones, so they provide even better traction. The disadvantages of these spikes include the rapid abrasion of the edges and the highest price.

Most of the cleats are single flanged with one retaining element and different body shapes. There are also double-flanged pins, which are less common, but are characterized by high resistance to falling out. Such studs are equipped with an additional flange that better holds the element in the tire.

Characteristics of studless tires (velcro)

Friction (non-studded) winter models, which are called "Velcro", are gradually gaining popularity among car owners in large cities of the country.

In many European countries, they are considered to be the only possible winter tire option. This is due to the fact that thorns are prohibited by law there. According to experts, on dry and wet asphalt, the characteristics of the models presented are significantly superior to studded tires.

Advantages of non-studded tires (velcro)

Non-studded tires have the following advantages over studded tires:

  • lack of noise when driving;
  • lower fuel consumption;
  • better handling on wet asphalt;
  • longer service life.

But despite these advantages, "Velcro" are significantly inferior to their studded "brothers" in the handling of the car on snow and ice.

TOP 5 non-studded tires

ESA Tecar Super Grip 9

The tested tires have pleasantly surprised many car enthusiasts with good performance for any surface. The product also featured reduced fuel consumption and balanced travel. A good advantage can be the cost, which is significantly lower than the products of well-known brands.

Hankook Winter i`cept RS2 W452

South Korean velcro has shown conflicting results. However, among their advantages are low price and stability of indicators. Despite this, many experts agreed that the performance of the rubber was not sufficient for safe driving on wet snow or ice.

Fulda Kristall Control HP 2

Goodyear's Fulda has also shown rather mixed results. The rubber showed excellent performance on snow and ice. However, the test results were unsatisfactory for both wet and dry asphalt.

Hankook Winter i * cept evo2 W320

The rubber produced in Hungary is a strong "average". Despite the fact that the result of maneuvers on wet asphalt leaves much to be desired, for dry and snowy road surfaces, the characteristics are quite acceptable.

conclusions

The use of winter tires for the vehicle plays an important role. It is these tires that will provide a decent grip on the road surface. Even in snowy weather with icy asphalt, this will help to hold the vehicle well, increasing its handling. The car owner can only choose which tires suit him better: studded or non-studded. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, but, in general terms, we can say the following: if in winter you only drive on city roads that are well-cleared of snow, Velcro will definitely suit you, but if in doubt, choose a good studded rubber. which will not fail in any situation.

(9 estimates, average: 4,67 out of 5)

Every car owner thinks about how to choose the best winter tires with studs, because the safety of movement and the directional stability of the car depend on their quality. Usually, tires are tested during the peak season, when the road has managed to be covered with a thick layer of snow and ice. Therefore, to test the best, the sizes R15, R16, R17 were taken.

When distributing rating places, the reviews of car owners, as well as of popular Russian magazines: "Za Rulem", "Auto Mir", "Fifth Wheel" were taken into account. Despite the different testing conditions, the tests were carried out according to the same method:

  1. indicators of starting acceleration and sharp braking on ice, snow-covered asphalt;
  2. the time spent on a particular distance on various types of road surface;
  3. evaluation of vehicle handling, ride and noise reduction.

Quality rating of studded winter tires

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9

The first place is occupied by the new line of tires Nokian Hakapelita 9. The Finnish company has been developing this model for about 4 years. Technical indicators exceed the 8th generation Hakkapeliitta by 5-10%.

One of the main advantages of the 9th edition was two types of equipped studs. This improved lateral grip on icy and snowy roads.

Due to the compaction of the rubber compound, the tires could be used even at the lowest temperatures.

According to tests, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 tires took the lead with stable grip, noise reduction and a smooth ride. Average prices for them fluctuate around 9,000 rubles.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8

Finnish Nokian Hakapelita 8 tires are also on the second line. Despite the fact that the 8th model is considered a newer version in comparison with the Hakapeliitta 7, it is slightly inferior in technical characteristics to the 7th edition.

This is due to the soft sidewall of the tire, which can cause problems with the choice of discs and the location of the rides, since over time, small cuts and hernias appear.

However, the Hakapelita 8 tires have excellent grip on snowy and icy roads.

Tires can be used on any road surface in winter, as they are characterized by quick start and reduced braking distance. The average price is 10,000 rubles.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7

The Finnish flagship has secured the first three lines of the rating of the best studded tires in terms of quality. Compared to the 8th edition, the 7th model has a smaller number of studs - up to 30%.

However, it is worth noting that the anchor hex studs on the 7 version are heavier and longer, due to which a tight grip is provided.

For the development of the tires, the "bear claw" technology was used, which involves tilting the studs to improve grip. This is a reliable and quiet rubber that is in demand among Russian motorists.

The tires perform well on ice, snow and asphalt. The dense construction ensures long-term performance of the Hakkappeliitta 7. However, the soft sidewall slightly reduces the handling when cornering. The average price is around 7,000 rubles.

Pirelli ice zero

The top five also includes the Italian company Pirelli, who knows a lot about the development of racing car tires. Nevertheless, the Italians have shown that they understand winter tires as well as their competitors from Finland.

On the Pirelli Ayia Zero tires, the Italian specialists used double-layer carbide studs using the Pirelli Dual Stud technology, which provides excellent handling on ice.

However, in terms of braking performance and noise reduction, the Italian tires are inferior to the Finnish competitors. In addition, Ice Zero tires are used exclusively for city driving. The average price is 15,000 rubles.

Continental IceContact 2

Unlike the previous brand, Continental Ice Contact 2 shows excellent off-road performance. The technological design of the tires allows them to be used both on ice and on snow, regardless of temperature conditions.

The Ice Contact 2 tires have 196 studs for a firm grip on dry road surfaces.

With regard to frozen, wet and snowy asphalt, it is worth noting the poor directional stability. Tires also received not very positive reviews for testing on loose snow. The car starts to prowl and get stuck. The average price is 5,000 rubles.

Nokian nordman 5

Nokian's Nordman series is a more economical tire range than the Hakkapeliitta. They are soft, safe and quiet tires at an affordable price. Rubber feels great both on wet and dry snowy surfaces.

On a wet road, it is not recommended to accelerate over 100 km, as the car begins to lose directional stability. This is due to the loose construction of the rubberized studs. Not a bad tire option for city and country driving.

Soft rubber does not allow driving out of deep rut. Extreme care must be taken when riding on loose snow. In terms of quality and price, the Nordman series is the sixth best studded winter tire.

Bridgestone Ice Cruiser

Bridgestone Ice Cruiser tires perform well on urban winter roads and light snow conditions. Optimal driving on asphalt and packed snow, noise reduction within normal limits.

Note that they are best used in the central regions, where temperature indicators do not exceed -15 ° C, since loose rubber deforms quickly enough during severe frosts.

Therefore, as an alternative option for mild winters, the Bridgestone Ice Cruiser tires are the best fit. The average price is 7,000 rubles.

Dunlop SP Winter ICE02

The Dunlop SP Winter Ice 02 tires have noticeable progress compared to the ICE 01 version. First of all, the directional stability and noise reduction when driving on asphalt have improved.

Tires belonging to the mid-price segment should not be expected to offer the performance benefits of more expensive tires. However, the price of Dunlop Winter ICE 02 is quite consistent with the quality.

Among the advantages, it is worth highlighting good cross-country ability on snow-covered porridge, strong sidewall, strong spikes.

On tarmac, however, the handling is slightly reduced, and the tires begin to make a noticeable noise. It is also worth highlighting the high fuel consumption at speeds above 90 km / h. The average price is 8500 rubles.

Cordiant Snow Cross

Judging by the name, we can say that Russian specialists took care of the technical performance of the tire on a snow-covered track.

Rubber Cordiant Snow Cross has a directional tread pattern with a center in the form of a closed rib, thereby reducing the likelihood of aquaplaning in the snow.

Note also the fact that the tread pattern is identical to the 7 model Nokian Hakkapeliitta. These are good tires from a Russian manufacturer at an affordable price.

They behave well on snow, but lose stability on wet asphalt. The average price is 6,000 rubles.

Gislaved nord frost

In the last place in the ranking is the new Nord Frost tire model from the Swedish company Gislaved. The main feature of this rubber is its asymmetric tread pattern and light studs in the shape of a three-pointed star.

In general, as shown by tests, Gislaved Nord Frost are distinguished by good directional stability, grip on a snowy road, softness and silence. With regard to ice and wet snow, it is necessary to adjust the driving style.

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