Owners of crossovers, especially four-wheel drive ones, often relate to the seasonal change of regular summer tires to winter ones without enthusiasm. After all, almost all native tires are marked with the M + S index, which de jure allows them to be used in winter. The main thing is that the residual tread depth is at least 4 mm (otherwise - a fine of 500 rubles). But you must understand that the M + S marking does not oblige the manufacturer to anything at all! Marking does not require any tests or certificates confirming the suitability of tires for winter, and therefore more and more often it can be seen on frankly summer, and "asphalt" tires, which simultaneously speaks of the devaluation of not only the letter S (snow, "snow"), but also M (mud). So we look not at the letters, but at the tread, and if we do not see many small slits-lamellas, then we conclude: it is dangerous to ride on such ones in winter. Better yet, when the sidewall has the “Snowflake” mark in the form of three mountain peaks with a snowflake - these models really passed the exam on a snow track. The participants in our test are all marked with the following markings: these are 14 sets with spikes and nine without.

The test program is standard, all the tracks of the White Hell test site near the Finnish town of Ivalo are well known to us - and most importantly, to be lucky with the weather. Almost lucky: there was no snowfall, although the temperature danced from 5 to 23 degrees of frost, so its influence had to be taken into account when conducting additional races on "reference" tires. But the measurements of the longitudinal dynamics took place in a closed hangar with a more stable temperature.

This is where the embarrassment happened with Nokian tires, and with a model that has been produced for several years. Both in acceleration and in braking, the non-studded Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV yielded not only to principal competitors, but even to the tires of their own "second line" - the Nordman RS2 SUV tires! Nokian testers working in the neighborhood were alarmed, they themselves repeated the measurements ... An official investigation showed that the failed tires were produced at a plant near St. Petersburg at the end of 2016, more precisely in the 48th week. Then there was a failure in the technological cycle. They did not share the details with us (apparently, there were deviations either in duration or in the temperature of vulcanization), but they assured us that the defective batch did not go on sale. Although outwardly everything is in order, and even the hardness of the tread rubber is the same as on tires produced in the 41st week of 2016 (their results were taken into account), but the difference in grip on ice reaches eight percent.

After measurements in the hangar, we get out into the growing frost - and once again we notice that as the temperature drops, the friction tires begin to catch up and even overtake the “spikes”. At minus twenty, the ice becomes so hard that the spikes cannot scratch it, and the tread rubber of most studded tires is harder - in the cold the friction tires are more elastic, they have a larger overall length of the sipes.

We, I repeat, take into account the changing conditions and adjust the results, but if all tests were carried out in a light frost, the friction tires would roll back to the bottom lines of the protocols.

Handling tests were carried out on the ice of the polar lake Tammijärvi

And in the snow, frost plays into the hands of friction models: while maintaining the elasticity of the tread, they better cling to the snow shagreen.

This time, the estimates of the cross-country ability were supported by instrumental measurements - the acceleration time in deep snow with the traction control system turned off. It is curious that Russian tires topped and closed the rating: the best - Cordiant, and the most helpless on the virgin soil - Viatti tires produced by the Nizhnekamsk tire plant.

The asphalt part of the tests is especially relevant for residents of large cities, in which the streets are cleared of snow and ice for most of the winter.

The final part of the tests is already in April, on "summer" surfaces. And along the way, we note that this time there were no tires littering with spikes.

At the top of the final ranking are the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV tires. Expected result: if the model of the previous generation regularly won in our tests, then the new one, and even with two types of studs, easily outperformed its competitors.

Expensive? Then we carefully look at the points, at the main advantages and disadvantages of other tires - and choose the best option for your pocket. And yet, we avoid buying outsider tires - such savings are fraught with incomparably high costs.

Studded tire rating

Hakkapeliitta with index 9 is a novelty of the season: here for the first time two types of cleats were used. Those in the middle part of the tread have transversely oriented carbide inserts: they are responsible for longitudinal grip properties, and at the edges above the tread there are such trefoils that work effectively in turns. And this is not a marketing gimmick: an unequivocal superiority over competitors both on the handling track and in braking on ice. And in other types of winter tests, the tires are at a height. On asphalt, the grip is moderate, and the main problem is noise at speeds from 70 to 90 km / h.

The best tires for tough winter conditions!

This year, Hankook officially opened its polar test site in Ivalo, Finland: the tracks and testing approaches are very similar to those used by Nokian Tires. This also applies to the peculiarities of the tires themselves: the number of spikes-stars was increased, which ensured decent test results on ice. But in deep snow, the tires do not shine, as well as on the asphalt, and besides, they make a lot of noise. But it is easy for them to forgive: the Hankook Winter i * Pike RS + tires are one and a half times cheaper than the Finnish novelty.

The tires produced in Voronezh are laced with powerful brace spikes - and they work gorgeous on ice during acceleration and braking. But in corners there are sharp breaks in sliding, so without a stabilization system you have to be on the lookout. On the other hand, there is a good balance of grip properties on slippery roads and on asphalt, and therefore they can be safely recommended for winter operation in large cities. If you do not make high demands on acoustic comfort.

The tires are manufactured at the Russian Continental plant near Kaluga. The Gislaved brand is owned by Continental - and the Nord * Frost 200 mimics the asymmetrical tread pattern of the first generation ContiIceContact tires, but with simpler spikes and no thermochemical retention. However, they also work well - especially in the lateral direction.

In general, these are well-balanced tires for use both in large cities and beyond.

The tires were produced at the Yaroslavl Tire Plant and the tread pattern suspiciously resembles the Finnish Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 tires, which even became a reason for litigation. But the Cordiant company managed to justify itself - and to increase production volumes, including by expanding the range of dimensions. Decent tires for their money, but they do not like asphalt roads: they do not hold very well, and rolling is accompanied by a loud and unpleasant rumble of the tread. Tires are not for the city.

Nordman tires are Nokian Tires' second line, and the production uses molds from outdated Nokian tires. New for the Nordman 7 SUV season is the reincarnation of the Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV, produced from 2010 to 2017. Good grip on ice and snow, and on asphalt even better than the current "parent" model. Including in terms of acoustic comfort: there are fewer spikes.

The model was introduced in 2012 and has not yet received a replacement. On ice, the tires work well in the longitudinal direction, but in turns they suddenly break into sliding. Everything is much better on the snow, including on virgin soil. But on the pavement, the aggressive pattern generates an obsessive low-frequency rumble already from 30 km / h.

Michelin with the X-Ice North 3 tire continues to bend the line to comply with European studding rules: no more than 50 studs per running meter of tread. And the spikes themselves are simple, round in cross section. This led to an unimportant hold on the ice. The picture is better on rolled snow, but getting out of the snow is a problem: the tread is to blame.

BFGoodrich tires are Michelin's "second line", they are produced at the same plant in Davydovo near Moscow as Michelin X-Ice North 3 tires. But the tread is its own, original. It's a pity that there are also few pimples, they are round, overly recessed - and as a result, mediocre behavior on the ice.

The situation is better on snow, including virgin soil. And even better - on asphalt, although you need to remember that the permissible speed is 160 km / h, although studded competitors have 190.

Formula is Pirelli's second line. In last year's tests on Lada Vesta, the tires took fifth place, but now the indicators are more modest. Especially on ice. Even after running-in, the protrusion of the studs above the tread surface is less than a millimeter (last year we recorded 1.1 mm on new tires). On rolled snow, the results are better, although we do not recommend climbing into snowdrifts. On the asphalt they are excellent.

Not a bad budget tire option for urban use.

For many, the Made in Japan brand is a quality mark. But something went wrong with Toyo winter tires. It seems that the studs are not simple - with cruciform inserts, and the studding is of high quality, but on ice the grip properties are moderate, as well as on snow. However, the car's response to driving is well balanced.

On asphalt, comfort and grip are far from being the best.

The joy is the low price, which is quite consistent with the quality of the tires.

Under the "Italian" name - tires produced in Nizhnekamsk using off-take technology. The design and production technology is a product of an engineering firm managed by one of the former top managers of Continental. However, the grip on ice and snow is mediocre, and most of all upset that winter tires, "developed by European specialists specifically for Russian roads," were helpless in deep snow. They are also noisy and tough. Not an option - even given the low price.

One could immediately assume that the ice tests of the Yokohama Ice Guard 55 tires will fail. Instead of the prescribed 1.2 mm, the spikes protrude by an average of 0.57 mm - and do not work. And the buyer is counting on Japanese quality, even though the tires are produced in Lipetsk.

There are also complaints about the tread: on packed snow - the maximum braking distance, and on virgin soil - the worst traction ability. For Russian conditions, other tires are needed, and they already exist: this season, sales of the new Yokohama IG65 model with an increased number of "curly" studs begin. More details about new tires - in one of the upcoming issues of Autoreview.

Interestingly, duplicated in the name win - is it from the word "win" or from the word "winter"? For example, wintry ("cold", "unwelcoming") or winch ("winch") are better suited. What kind of winter or victory can we talk about when studded tires are inferior to most friction tires on ice, and on the Nexen handling track they are the slowest in the overall standings? The tread rubber is clearly not designed to work at low temperatures, as evidenced by its increased hardness.

Of the positive emotions, only a relatively quiet (for tires with spikes) rolling remains.

Non-studded tire rating

The SUV-indexed off-road tires have sidewalls reinforced with aramid fiber, which is reminiscent of the Aramid Sidewalls brand. So there shouldn't be any problems with impact resistance, in contrast to the "passenger" tires of the same name.

In severe frost, Nokian friction tires provide excellent grip on ice, behave well on snow, and small claims appear only on asphalt.

Excellent winter tires for use both in the city and outside.

Leapfrog. The year before last, we liked ContiVikingContact 6 tires on asphalt, but they did not work well on ice, last year the situation changed to the opposite, this year it is better again on asphalt ... The dimensions, of course, are different, but the reason must be sought in the composition of the rubber compound : The tread rubber on the ContiVikingContact 6 was noticeably softer last year.

We are now taking into account the latest version of these tires from late 2016 production. Not ideal on ice and snow (especially deep), but great on asphalt.

Good winter tires for urban use. And the most comfortable ones!

Since studs are illegal in Japan, local manufacturers focus on friction winter tires. So we will consider it natural that

Lightweight tires with soft, quiet rolling. But at the same time - an imbalance of "winter" grip properties in the longitudinal and transverse directions, and abrupt breakdowns in sliding, it seems, are provoked by the sidewalls that are soft for a heavy crossover. Indeed, in the Goodyear range of winter tires there is a model specifically for crossovers and SUVs - UltraGrip Ice SUV, but in the size 215/65 R16 these tires are not available. However, if the car is equipped with a stabilization system, then Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 tires are a good choice.

The tread pattern is exactly the same as that of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R tires, but the materials are simpler. Another option for extending the life cycle of molds. And - considering the price - a very good option. Moreover, in some disciplines, the Nordman RS2 SUV tires are even preferable: the braking distance on ice is shorter!

Quality tires for a reasonable price. On ice they are almost as good as the leaders among tires without studs, and on snow they have even better grip in the longitudinal direction. Although on the track the handling is rather harsh and in deep snow they row mediocre.

The grip properties on asphalt are above average, there are no problems with comfort either, which means that these tires are relevant for large cities.

The Gislaved brand continues to lose its authenticity. So the "new" Gislaved Soft * Frost 200 is nothing more than the ContiVikingContact tires of the previous, third generation. Fortunately, these are balanced tires - safe, comfortable, not very expensive - and therefore we safely recommend them for urban use, although an accidental arrival in a snowdrift can postpone the planned trip.

The Marshal brand belongs to the Korean company Kumho Tire, but these tires copy the Finnish Nokian Hakkapeliitta R tires in terms of the tread pattern and even the rare R speed index - and some sellers play on this similarity. By the way, on snow and on asphalt friction tires Marshal and Nokian are close, but on ice the loss of the copy is already obvious. They are also some of the noisiest and toughest friction tires around.

Winter tires Nitto (brand owned by Toyo Tires) appeared in Russia recently. The Therma Spike managed to please us with grip on ice, but lost the studs on asphalt more than anyone else. And friction tires Nitto Winter SN2 immediately signed their helplessness on the ice and in the snow. And all the more surprising is the failure of these tires even on asphalt.

Something is wrong with these Nitto ...

The choice of winter tires for a car is becoming more and more relevant as this cold season approaches. And each driver pays attention to this issue in his own way. So, some car owners begin to ask their friends, others re-read thematic publications in which you can find reviews of certain rubber models. Another effective method is to analyze real reviews from other drivers posted on the network. It is he who allows you to conduct the most accurate research. With its help, today we will look at the well-known Gislaved Nord Frost 200 model. The reviews, which will be analyzed at the end of the article, should be compared with the official characteristics provided by the manufacturer.

Brief information about the model and manufacturer

Speaking about the brand, it is worth mentioning that it is jointly owned by the German and Swedish concerns. This allows production professionals to join forces and share their experiences. The result of this close collaboration is quality products like the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 ID tires. Reviews about them confirm this fact. Every year more and more automobile rubber is produced, which continues to delight users with its reliability.

Already at the start of production, when the brand was just beginning to gain momentum, it was clear with what responsibility the developers and manufacturers relate to the tasks assigned to them. The result was another model that fully met the expectations of the drivers.

So, it is designed for use in the winter season in regions with a wide variety of climates. Due to its versatility,according to the owners' reviews Gislaved Nord Frost 200 SUV, it can be applied asduring strong thaws, and at very low temperatures overboard. This attracts drivers as the weather can be very unpredictable and it is not possible to constantly change tires.

The model can be installed on cars of various types, ranging from compact sedans to powerful coupes and crossovers, as well as some modifications of light SUVs and minibuses. When developing it, not only experience was taken into account, but also the wishes of the drivers. This made it possible to make it the most suitable for their needs, in real operating conditions.

Special tread pattern

If you carefully consider the tread pattern, developed using both computer modeling and the designers' own experience, you will notice that it is absolutely different from the developments of other manufacturers. This is due to an innovative approach to help make the tires more responsive and responsive in all conditions overboard.

Such a "petal" arrangement of tread elements, as noted by the reviews of the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 XL, made it possible to create a large number of omnidirectional working edges, each of which can be used in a certain situation.

The asymmetrical shape is used by many manufacturers of modern rubber in order to improve the quality of grip on the track. Here it is also supplemented with completely new elements that combine the properties of several models at once. These are central tread blocks. Althoughthey do not represent a solid strip, and their midpoint is off-center,according to reviews about Gislaved Nord Frost 200 92T, these elements do a good job of maintaining directional stability.

An interesting point is the reduction in the size of each individual block compared to the standard solutions used for winter tire design. This approach made it possible to increase the number of elements themselves, and this led to an increase in the total length of the cutting edges. Their presence provides the best rowing performance when driving on an icy road surface. They also help the tire perform well on loose snow. Do not underestimate the role of additional lamellas formed due to the larger number of blocks. We will talk about them in more detail later.

In addition to increasing the number of items, they were able to get different directions of placement. As noted by the developers, this made it possible to increase the stability of the rubber on slippery road surfaces. Multidirectional slots allow you to more efficiently cope with tasks and loads arising during maneuvering.

Special structure of lamellas

In part, we discussed the issue of constructing a web of cuts on the surface of the tire, talking about the tread pattern. However, the manufacturer used some innovations that allowed to improve the tire and ultimately offer a very good product.

The point is that each of the tread blocks is not a monolithic structure. In fact, the elements are divided into many independent small pieces, on each of which, as a result of this separation, working edges are formed. This not only does not reduce the strength of the tire, as the reviews of the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 R14 emphasize, but also gives it the ability to show excellent results when driving on ice or snow.

A large number of small lamella slots allows you to effectively cope with water during thaws, which is necessary to combat the effect of aquaplaning. By separating the surface film of water, the tire can confidently keep the car on the road, even if slippery ice remains at the bottom of the puddle. There are several thousand such slots in total. And although at first glance they are inconspicuous, it was their use that allowed the tire to stand out favorably against its competitors in the price category.

Larger lamella slots are designed to drain water and dirt from the contact patch of the working surface with the road surface. Therefore, you can drive on a washed-out primer without worry during thaws. The tires are able to keep the car handling even on such surfaces, as evidenced by numerous reviews of the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 ID.

When driving on loose snow, the sipes also do not remain unused. They act as a temporary storage facility in which un-compacted snow from the contact patch is placed. After the wheel has rolled further, the cleaning process begins, in which, using elasticity and centrifugal force, the tire pushes the snow out of the slots. The cycle can be repeated endlessly.

The presence of thorns

Nowadays it is difficult to imagine rubber adapted for harsh conditions, on which there would be no spikes. And although some manufacturers manage to make fairly universal options, they often have significant drawbacks. Their list includes excessive softness during thaws, rapid wear, uncertain handling on clean ice, long braking distances under adverse conditions. In order to avoid all this, it is recommended to immediately install studded tires.

In this model, spikes with a polygonal core are used. The thread is made in such a way that it does not wear out in the first few hundred kilometers. This allows the cleats to work with maximum efficiency for quite a long time. The landing nests are made of rubber compounds of several types with different elasticity. This made it possible to achieve a reliable fixation, capable of holding the cleat in place during strong repeated loads. This parameter regarding the spikes in the reviews of the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 p is emphasized by those who love an aggressive driving style and at the same time have a car with impressive engine power.

Thanks to the installed studs, it was possible to reduce the braking distance on rolled snow and icy surfaces, which has a positive effect on the safety factor. It should be noted that the model is quite new and meets all European requirements regarding the density of the studs and their maximum number per tire. This suggests that there are not many of them, but for each of them the optimal location has been selected, in which the spike can work out as efficiently as possible.

Additional aspects to improve braking

However, studs alone are not enough for effective braking. This is especially noticeable on a clean asphalt surface, where the studs can, on the contrary, slip and increase the total braking distance. To prevent this from happening, the manufacturer has taken appropriate measures. They consist in a special arrangement of tread blocks in the shoulder areas.

So, each of the modules looks like a rectangle with a swept edge on one side. They are placed perpendicular to the movement. The same direction has the slots between them, which are quite deep and are designed to remove moisture from the contact patch. However, these lamellas serve another important mission - they create working edges directed perpendicular to the movement. This allows, as noted by the reviews of the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 SUV tires, to increase both the braking and rowing characteristics of the tire. Therefore, if you have to ride on loose snow, there should be no problems, since the tires are adapted to effectively cope with this problem.

Special rubber compound

It is also worth mentioning the manufacturer's innovative approach to the development of a rubber compound formula used to make branded tires. The main task is to ensure the elasticity of rubber even at very low temperatures overboard, because it depends on this indicator whether it can maintain its dynamic and braking characteristics in natural use.

In order to make the rubber as efficient as possible, it was based on natural rubber extracted from the resin of a certain tree species. Thus, according to reviews of winter tires Gislaved Nord Frost 200, it turned out to achieve an acceptable level of elasticity. However, for a full-fledged creation of a tire, it would clearly not be enough. Therefore, various synthetic additives made from petroleum products are added to it. Well, so that all this can be mixed and reliably linked together, silicic acid is used. It helps to maintain elasticity, while at the same time increasing the strength of the rubber itself and its resistance to abrasion.

Damage protection

They did not leave aside the fact that any tire, even the best one in terms of characteristics, can be useless if it is easily damaged under adverse conditions that arise in the process of daily use. We are talking about all kinds of punctures, cuts and other delights that can be encountered very unexpectedly.

To maximize the safety of their tires from such problems, the manufacturer used a two-part mixture technology. This suggests that the tread itself is molded using one rubber - elastic and soft, and the tire itself - using a different formula that has greater rigidity, but at the same time is able to provide protection and resist damage.

To complement this effect, some reinforced modifications of the model use a strong cord located almost everywhere, right down to the sidewalls of the tire. Sidewall protection is also excellent. As the reviews on the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 rubber note, you will have to try very hard to break the side part against the reinforcement sticking out of the curb stone or a sharp piece of ice protruding from the edge of the track. Thanks to this approach, the risk of hernias was also reduced, which was also perceived positively during the first tests conducted by the community of professional drivers.

Selection of standard sizes

The manufacturer made sure that almost every driver who wants to put this rubber model on his car has such an opportunity. For this, tires with an inner diameter of 13 to 19 inches are constantly produced. This matches most sedans, from budget to premium. Some minibuses, SUVs and crossovers also fall into this category. Before purchasing rubber for such a car, make sure that not only the standard size is the same, but also the weight load, as well as the speed index.

The standard sizes differ not only in the width of the working surface and the height of the profile, but also in the speed indices. Therefore, when choosing, be guided not only by the cost and reviews of the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 SUV, but also by your preferences. Then you can find exactly what you and your car need.

Positive aspects of the model based on feedback

It's time to analyze in detail the reviews of the owners of the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 about this model, left by experienced drivers with numerous experience. They often compare rubber with other options provided by competitors, and their experience allows them to do this as efficiently as possible, which means that it is their opinion that can put an end to the final decision - whether or not to buy this model for themselves.

Drivers have tested the rubber in real field conditions in different regions, and highlighted the following points in the reviews of the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 tires as the main positive aspects:

Confident directional stability. Rubber is able to hold onto the track, in whatever condition it is. Drivers note that they can fully rely on it, even at high speeds on highways and autobahns.

Effective braking. Regardless of the road surface, according to reviews of the Gislaved Nord Frost 200, winter tires are able to effectively and quickly stop the car, which can be useful in case of a need for sudden emergency braking.

Obedient in management. Good quality of adhesion to the road surface allows the driver to drive the car without any problems, without fear that at some point the rubber will let down and the car will become an uncontrollable car.

Acceptable cost. Compared to competitors, tires have a very affordable price and can be purchased for installation even on budget cars by those who cannot immediately pay a large sum for a set.

Low noise level. Despite the presence of metal in the form of spikes, even when driving on bare asphalt, acoustic effects that can annoy the driver and passengers are practically not felt.

Balanced from the factory. Apparently, at the exit, the rubber undergoes very careful control, which allows us to screen out samples that do not have sufficient balance. After installation on disks, as the reviews of the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 SUV show, when balancing, conceived weights are not installed at all, or are mounted in very small quantities.

Reliable spike attachment. If the rubber has been properly run-in, it is unlikely that you will need to install additional studs to replace the lost ones, since they simply do not fall out, which is a positive indicator and reduces maintenance costs. Over time, they can be replaced due to wear and tear, but this choice remains with the driver.

High wear resistance and strength... Along with strong studs, rubber performs well in terms of abrasion and damage resistance. Many in their reviews of the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 say that it is capable of passing several seasons with active use and a fairly long distance traveled.

Copes well with snow and snow porridge. The large number of sipes and omnidirectional working edges allow the tire to achieve excellent rowing characteristics and easily overcome loose surfaces, whether it is rough snow or simple primer.

Pleasant rut behavior. According to information from the owners' reviews about the Gislaved Nord Frost 200, this rubber is able to easily obey maneuvering when driving inside a track, and helps the driver to leave it and go back to overtake, change lanes or turn.

As you can see, the model has a rather impressive list of advantages, against the background of which all its disadvantages fade. But still, they are worth mentioning so that later you will not be disappointed in your purchase.

Negative points in rubber reviews

Among the minuses most often noticed by drivers in reviews of Gislaved Nord Frost 200 tires, there are only a few that can be considered more or less critical. For example, some drivers complain that at temperatures overboard above +5 degrees, the tire becomes too soft, which leads to yaw on the road as a result of deterioration in performance in relation to directional stability. During severe frosts, it is more difficult for rubber to cope with snow porridge, especially if the frost came suddenly and the air is already frozen, and the snow on the road is not yet.

During the break-in, as many drivers note in the reviews of the Gislaved Nord Frost 200, there is a noticeable hum, which should not be scared - after the first couple of hundred kilometers it will practically disappear and stop annoying. Some drivers noted a tendency to aquaplaning, but this may be due to specific weather conditions, since others did not face such a problem.

Output

Rubber is the optimal solution for those who want a universal version in one bottle. She is able to cope with a wide variety of weather conditions, and always comes out victorious in such battles. The list of advantages, formed on the basis of reviews about Gislaved Nord Frost 200, is quite large, but there are much fewer disadvantages than competitors, who often offer their product even more expensive. In view of this, if you are willing to pay, it is recommended that you purchase just such a kit for yourself - this will give you pleasure and a feeling of safety during winter trips, no matter how far they are, and you will not worry once again before leaving in bad weather.

The Gislaved Nord Frost 200 is a winter studded medium tire. The rubber has an asymmetrical tread pattern.

It is designed for crossovers and light vehicles. Owner reviews and numerous tests indicate the good quality of the tires and their excellent performance.

Manufacturer overview

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Gislaved has been making tires since 1905. In early 2008, it became part of the Continental concern. For such a long period of rubber production, the company managed to gain the trust of car owners and firmly occupy its niche in the world market.

Gislaved designs tires independently in its own R&D department. This allows innovation to be introduced into each new model. Therefore, Gislaved rubber stands out for the use of advanced technologies, bypassing most of the competitors.

All Gislaved factories have rigorous, multi-level quality control. Thanks to this, it is possible to almost completely exclude the defect from entering the retail sale.

Winter tire quality and features

The special shape of the tread facilitates the rapid removal of water and snow slurry from the contact patch. Gislaved Nord Frost 200 has an asymmetrical pattern that allows you to maintain stable grip regardless of the type of road surface.

To improve handling, three-dimensional stepped sipes are used on the inside of the tread. Outside there are sinusoidal lamellas. This combination contributes to good grip on asphalt, snow and ice.

There are special grooves around the studs. They help drain water and slush. As a result, the spike has the ability to more firmly hook onto the road surface. The owners' comments note that these grooves are erased after a run of 10-25 thousand km.

The manufacturer has increased the number of studs to 130. They are located mainly in the shoulder area. The spikes are made of aluminum alloy, so their weight does not exceed 1 g.

The spikes on the Nord Frost 200 are located in the shoulder blocks. They are recessed into the tread to reduce noise levels. This allows you to ride comfortably on dry asphalt, even at high speeds. This innovation also has a negative side.

The spikes are located along several lines. When driving on snow, a bump is encountered under the center of the tread while slipping. The tire rises above the road. Small spikes no longer reach the road surface. As a result, the car loses its ability to move.

Despite the softness of the alloy used in the manufacture of studs, they are very wear-resistant. The owners note that Nord Frost 200 winter tires can last several seasons without losing a single stud.

During the development of the Nord Frost 200 tires, special attention was paid to the rubber compound. It contains silicon and high-strength polymers. This made it possible to minimize the dependence of tires on ambient temperature and increase their wear resistance.

According to the reviews of car owners, the Nord Frost 200 tires perfectly resist damage. The wheels have increased strength of the sidewalls and the shoulder of the tread. As a result, driving on bumpy roads or ruts rarely damages the tires.

Dimension

The Nord Frost 200 tires are designed for passenger cars and crossovers. The company has a wide range of Nord Frost 200, which allows to cover almost any wishes of car owners. All Gislaved sizes can be found in the table below.

Table - Overview of tire sizes

The Nord Frost 200 tests have been repeatedly carried out by independent experts. According to their results, the tires confidently occupy the middle positions. Below are the diagrams by which you can evaluate the performance of the Nord Frost 200 winter tires.

Pros and cons

Tires Nord Frost 200 have a number of advantages, but not without disadvantages. The table below presents a selection of the main disadvantages and advantages of rubber according to the reviews of car owners and the opinions of experts.

Table - Pros and cons of tires Gislaved Nord Frost 200ъ

Feasibility of acquisition

The shape, size and location of the studs allow the vehicle to travel at high speed on hard road surfaces. The disadvantage of this technical solution is the risk of slipping on snow and ice. Therefore, tires should not be purchased when operating a car in places with a large snow cover and in the presence of ice. If the car will drive mainly on cleaned city roads, then the expediency of purchasing Nord Frost 200 is very high.

Exactly along with the beginning of the winter season, which this year came unusually early, we got a set of winter studded tires Gislaved Nord Frost 200 for the test.

The Swedish brand Gislaved, owned by the German tire auto giant Continental AG for more than a quarter of a century, is familiar to Russian motorists firsthand. Indeed, even at the beginning of the 2000s, Gislaved was almost the only company whose mid-price winter tires competed almost on equal terms with premium Nokian tires, which traditionally occupy first places in various tests and ratings.

Access to the resources and technologies of the largest tire manufacturer in Europe allowed Gislaved to quickly take a strong position in the tire market, where the Swedes are especially successful in the segment of tires intended for countries with a harsh winter climate, including Russia.

For the test, we took tires in the popular 195/65 R15 dimension, which is used by most golf-class car owners.

One of the novelties prepared by Gislaved for the winter season 2016-2017 is the Nord Frost 200 studded winter tire, which is produced for our market at the Continental plant in Kaluga. Unlike the three previous generations of the Nord Frost series, characterized by a symmetrical tread pattern, the new 200 model received an asymmetric directional tread pattern. This strategy is not surprising, since this pattern has successfully proven itself in the construction of the first generation ContiIceContact tire, which won many comparison tests.
The outer tread area not only provides stability in turns, but is also responsible for directional stability and handling. The partially swept midfoot tread pattern helps drain water and slush out of the contact patch, while the interior of the projector provides traction on a variety of surfaces and resists aquaplaning.

Externally distinguish the tread pattern of the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 and the first generation Continental ContiIceContact tires.

The Finnish company Tikka, also part of the Continental concern, is engaged in the production of studs for the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 tire. Called the Eco Tri-Star, the innovative new cleat features a truncated triple-pointed star that is designed with an increased number of traction edges and edges, which in turn improve traction at any load vector. In addition, the Nord Frost 200 features significantly more studs than previous models for improved acceleration and braking performance on ice.

For the test we got tires in the popular dimension 195/65 R15, the average price of which in Russian online stores is about 5500 rubles apiece. Unfortunately, we do not have special measuring instruments to conduct a detailed study, as some authoritative publications do, so we will just share our impressions.

I say right away that even with our harsh winters, I am not only not a supporter, but more opposed to the use of studded tires in the city, when most of the time you have to move on asphalt. In such conditions, friction tires have a number of indisputable advantages, including low noise level, better grip on asphalt and a smooth ride.
But after the first kilometers on Gislaved studs, I am ready to admit that the Nord Frost 200 tires are really very quiet. At first, you get the feeling that you are not riding on spikes, but on the usual winter Velcro. The noise reduction is especially noticeable in comparison with the studded tires of one well-known manufacturer, which were on our experimental Ford Focus earlier.

The Eco Tri-Star cleat design more effectively removes snow crumbs at the moment the spike contacts the ice.

Having covered all of Moscow with snow at the beginning of November, winter did not take long, therefore, in order to experience all the advantages of winter tires, we no longer needed to wait for the December frosts, however, on the first days after the installation of Gislaved, we still managed to find good weather together with a low noise level, the tires were pleased with adequate reactions and predictable behavior on dry roads. On Nord Frost 200 tires, the car does not slip off the trajectory in harmless corners, as is often the case with many studded tires. In addition, the Ford Focus firmly clings to the road during acceleration and braking.

In all the same exercises - acceleration, braking, taxiing at speed - the tires work well both in snow conditions and on ice. Thanks to the asymmetrical pattern, the tread performs well in both directions. At the same time, tires with a directional tread are slightly better at removing water from the contact patch, therefore it is preferable when there is slush and snow porridge on the roads. Therefore, in such conditions, Gislaved Nord Frost 200 behaves a little less confidently.

Finally, one cannot fail to note the successful design of the spikes, which effectively bite into the ice, regardless of the motion vector. This is facilitated by a special design that allows more efficient removal of ice crumbs from the contact zone of the tread block with the road, providing a more dense interaction of the hard-alloy insert of the tire with the surface.

Gislaved Nord Frost 200 is offered in a wide range of sizes from 13 "to 20". The average price of a 195/65 R15 tire is 5500 rubles.

Summarizing the first acquaintance with the new Gislaved Nord Frost 200 tires, we can say that the Swedes have a very worthy product. Among the advantages of this tire, I would like to note the low noise level, confident grip on dry asphalt and decent performance on snow and ice. Despite the fact that the tire design uses the technologies applied by Continental several years ago, and in measurements at the test site, the Nord Frost 200 tire is likely to be slightly inferior to the latest models from Nokian, Miсhelin or the same Continental, given the cost of the tire from "Gislaved", in terms of price-quality ratio, it is one of the best, which in the current economic realities can mean much more newfangled technological developments.

Approximately 25 years ago, Russian motorists got acquainted with Gislaved wheels. At the very beginning of the twenty-first century, they were constantly at the top of the ranking of the best winter tires and confidently competed with Nokian branded tires.

Winter tires Gislaved Nord Frost 200 with studs are manufactured by a subsidiary of Continental, on its equipment, but at a plant located in Kaluga.

The newest tires have a characteristic difference from previously produced models with an asymmetric tread pattern.

The modern technological process, according to which Gislaved produces tires, was developed by the world's largest company Continental. He contributed to the creation of tires that are freely exploited in countries where frosts reach minus 50. It is in such conditions that one has to travel in Russia in the Far North.

Testing tires Gislaved Nord Frost 200

The tread is distinguished by an outer zone that prevents the car from skidding, it becomes more stable when cornering, and controllability is improved. Thanks to the swept pattern in the center of the tread, water drains quickly.

The inner tread structure increases rubber grip on any road, increasing resistance to aquaplaning.

Thanks to the precise distribution of the pressure between the ice surface and the tire, maximum grip is created. As a result, effective braking occurs, the ride becomes pleasant and comfortable.

For manufacturing, a special rubber compound is used. In the event of a change in temperature, its properties allow you to maintain the elasticity of the tire, while not changing the stiffness indicator.

Such rubber is designed for long-term operation of the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 in winter.

The tires run almost silently. Riding them resembles driving with winter Velcro. The car never strays out of any bend, which is often the case with most studded tires. Nord Frost contributes to powerful grip on the road during acceleration, as well as emergency braking.

Shipovka

Spikes for the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 are produced in Finland by Tikka, a subsidiary of the Continental auto giant, and are distinguished by their modified design (Eco Tri-Star). Its shape looks like a star with three truncated rays.

As a result, the number of engaging faces increases, which enhance adhesion regardless of the direction of the load vector.

There are many more studs installed on the Gislaved Nord Frost 200 in comparison with other models. This made it possible to improve braking on a clean ice surface, as well as to reduce the acceleration time.

The star-shaped design of the studs strengthens the bond of the tire to the ice surface, and under any direction of pressure. The special design of the tire allows you to quickly remove ice chips from the tread. The result is a spike with a carbide insert that reliably adheres to the icy surface.

Features of the

Swedish wheels Gislaved Nord Frost 200 differ from similar tires in several advantages:

• Silence,
• Powerful grip on dry asphalt,
• Free movement on a snowy surface,
• Confident driving on icy roads.

Technical characteristics of the tire are slightly inferior to the best branded models:

• Nokian,
• Michelin.

However, the high quality of Gislaved tires, as well as their low cost, makes them one of the best in their class. Today, economic realities come first, and not every car enthusiast can purchase innovative technological developments. At the same time, Gislaved is a great option for little money.