Winter is coming, and we have already tested budget winter tires in the popular size 205/55 R16. Already known models and new items of the season took part in the test. Ten sets of tires were tested on winter roads and asphalt. The domestic Belshina presented a couple of pleasant surprises. But let's talk about everything in order.
At a winter testing ground in Finland, we tested ten sets of tires: Nokian Nordman RS2, Gislaved Soft Frost 200, Cordiant Winter Drive, Hankook Winter I*Cept iZ2, Dunlop Winter Maxx WM01, Kumho I`Zen KW31, Sava Eskimo Ice, Belshina Artmotion Snow Bel-317, Viatti Brina V521, Nitto Therma Spike.
The most expensive tires in our test were Dunlop tires - 195 rubles, but the Russian Cordiant tires were the cheapest - 93 rubles. But all tires in one way or another belong to the budget line in their model ranges.
The winter part of the tests was carried out at the polar test site on ice and snow at a temperature of −10...-8 °C. The spring part of the tests took place at a temperature of +5...7 °C.
Ice test
Ice is not the most pleasant surface for friction tires, but if they are of the Scandinavian type, they should perform well even in such conditions.
When braking on ice, the difference between first and last place was 4 meters. When braking from a speed of 25 km/h, this is quite a lot.
In the “Acceleration on Ice” exercise, the situation remained virtually unchanged, only Hankook and Sava swapped places. However, for some, the results of this test may not be decisive when choosing tires.
But the ability of a tire to hold a corner, that is, the level of lateral grip, is an important indicator. We evaluate it by moving as fast as possible around the ice circle.
Here, Viatti tires unexpectedly took second place, the four outsiders remained unchanged. But for a more comprehensive assessment of the behavior of both tires and the car on ice, we conduct a series of races along a winding ice track. In addition to lap times, we subjectively evaluate the car's handling.
The main surprise was not the first place of Cordiant (although the Russian tires surprised), but the seventh place of Belshina. Moreover, the loss to the leaders is not so great, but for ourselves we noted that the car on domestic tires drives, although not too fast, but predictably, and therefore safely. Nitto frankly failed in this test, losing even to the penultimate place by about 4 seconds.
Snow test
If tests on ice quickly reveal shortcomings in the tire design, then snow is no longer such a demanding surface. In braking, the spread of results was only 7%.
We can’t help but note Belshina’s excellent fourth result. She lost a meter of braking distance to the leader. Nitto also managed to fail in the snow, showing the longest braking distance.
When accelerating on snow, the spread of results has already increased to 15%. At the same time, the top six kept the difference within 5%. "Belshina", alas, ended up in the last three, although in fact the loss of the outsiders did not exceed one and a half seconds.
Despite excellent braking results, Hankook tires were in last place in handling on a winding snowy track, losing about three seconds to the leader - Sava tires. Belshina ended up in seventh place, demonstrating good grip. But the tendency to drift prevented me from driving faster.
Asphalt test
In large cities, where roads are kept relatively clean in winter, tires spend most of their time on asphalt. Here you can add the off-season periods, when temperatures are already low, but there is no snow yet. In such conditions, winter tires must also provide safety. We perform braking tests on asphalt, dry and wet, and also evaluate handling on wet asphalt.
It often happens that tires that did not perform very well in winter tests prove themselves on asphalt. This is exactly what happened with Belshina.
In braking on wet asphalt, Sava tires showed the best results. Belshina has an unexpected second result. And the longest braking distance turned out to be Dunlop and Kumho - they “went” 4 meters further than the leaders.
On dry asphalt, Nokian rose to first place, Belshina dropped to sixth position, losing a little more than a meter to the leader, which cannot be considered a failure.
The last surprise was presented by Belshina in the handling test on wet asphalt.
We managed to drive the wet handling track the fastest on Sava tires. Belshina's fourth place is an excellent result. In addition to the good absolute time on the track, we noted the reliable and understandable behavior of the car on domestic tires.
Rolling resistance
Tire rolling resistance is assessed on a special stand. The parameter indicates how easily the tire rolls on the road. The lower this figure, the more economical driving on such tires will be.
Results and assessments
The results of all tests with ratings can be viewed in the final table. If we analyze the intermediate scores, it turns out that in the asphalt part of the program Belshina Artmotion Snow took fifth place, behind only famous brands. But the final ninth place went to the Belarusian tire manufacturers due to lack of grip on ice.
First place winners Nokian Nordman RS2 They performed excellently in all “ice” disciplines, confidently handled the snow and braked better than anyone else on dry asphalt. But they cost from 142 rubles. We recommend it to those who live outside the city and most often drive on snow and ice.
Finnish Russian-made tires lost quite a bit to Slovak tires Gislaved Soft*Frost 200. But they pulled out due to good performance on asphalt, although in winter tests they also did not lag behind the leader. Good universal tires, but the price is slightly higher than average - 150 rubles.
Korean Hankook Winter I*Cept iZ2 They braked the best on snow and never failed in other disciplines, for which they received a well-deserved third place. At a price of 140 rubles, you can choose them as a universal “shoe” if you don’t trust the Russian product.
Polish Sava Eskimo Ice It handled well on snow and wet asphalt, but failed to accelerate in the snow. The rest of the indicators were average, so fourth place. However, the price is not the lowest - 129 rubles.
Russian tires with a vague name Viatti Brina V521 According to the results of the test, they took fifth place. They didn't shoot in any of the tests, but they didn't fail either. Therefore, at a price of 96 rubles, they can be considered a good purchase for those who do not like to spend extra money.
Sixth place finishers Cordiant Winter Drive lived up to their name, outperforming all competitors in handling on ice. But at the same time they showed the worst results in braking on dry asphalt. However, at the lowest price - 93 rubles - they are quite acceptable tires for moderate winters.
Chinese Kumho I`Zen KW31 and Japanese Dunlop Winter Maxx WM01 scored almost the same number of points, taking seventh and eighth places, respectively. In all indicators they were slightly below average, but without obvious failures. At the same time, Chinese tires cost 167 rubles, and Japanese ones - 195 (the most expensive in our test), so Chinese tires would be a more rational choice.
Ninth place went to domestic tires. The reason for the low place is unimportant results on ice, but confident behavior on asphalt, both dry and wet. At a price of 107 rubles Belshina ArtMotion Snow can be safely recommended to those who spend most of their time on clean city roads, occasionally getting into the snow. Our tires also boast a large tread depth of 10 mm.
Japanese tires Nitto Therma Spike They didn’t show themselves to be anything special, showing the worst results in three disciplines - handling on ice, braking on snow and handling on a wet track. At a price of 138 rubles, it makes sense to look towards other manufacturers.
Nokian Nordman RS2 car tires are designed for harsh winter conditions. They belong to friction models, which are popularly called “Velcro”. Their features will be discussed in the article.
What is the difference between Nordman RS2 friction tires
Nordman RS2 tires are based on the famous premium model Nokian Hakkapeliitta RS. The manufacturer claims that these tires combine excellent cross-country ability and handling with a high level of comfort.
Nordman 2 tires have the following features:
- The tread has no spikes, but is equipped with numerous friction lamellas. This provides a sufficient level of grip on slippery surfaces.
- The rubber composition is particularly soft, which has a positive effect on grip properties at low temperatures.
- The tread blocks contain brake boosters that shorten the braking distance.
- The thoughtful design absorbs noise as much as possible and ensures comfort while moving.
Explanation of technical characteristics
Each tire from the Finnish manufacturer Nokian has markings on the side. Knowing its designations, you can get complete information about the size, permissible load and other parameters of the product.
Let's look at tire markings using an example.
If the tire has the following designation: Nokian Nordman RS2 185/65 R14 90RM+S, it can be deciphered as follows:
Tire characteristics
Nokian wear indicators
Nordman RS 2 winter tires, like all Nokian products, have special wear indicators. Thanks to them, the driver has the opportunity to obtain information about the suitability of the tires for use.
The indicators are located on the central part of the tread. They are made in the form of numbers and snowflakes cut out in thick rubber. During use, these symbols are gradually erased, indicating the remaining tread depth.
Abrasion to number 4 indicates that the tires can no longer be used. The disappearance of a snowflake means that the tires are unsuitable for driving in icy conditions.
Features of the Nordman RS2 tread pattern
The special tread structure allows Nokian Nordman rs2 winter tires to easily overcome snow-covered expanses and icy sections of the road. They have the following design elements:
- Directional symmetrical pattern. It is this form that is most effective in winter conditions, as confirmed by many tests.
- Stiff and wide central rib. Responsible for directional stability and cross-country ability in snow.
- Numerous figured slats. A network of small sipes covers the entire working surface of the tire, clinging to the surface of any complexity and preventing skidding.
- Brake boosters. They are located on the tread blocks and speed up the process of stopping the vehicle.
- Large cutouts on the sides. Deep excavations, called “snow grippers,” easily cope with large volumes of snow masses.
The Nokian Nordman RS2 SUV winter tires, which are designed for SUVs, use a reinforced frame with a double layer of textile cord.
Tread pattern
Draining water from the wheel
The Nordman RS2 drainage system is an extensive network of transverse and longitudinal grooves. Large drainage systems remove the bulk of water and snow slurry, and special sipes-pumps additionally dry the tread surface.
These lamellas have a drop-shaped cross section and absorb water like miniature pumps. Thanks to such a well-thought-out system, Nordman RS2 tires perfectly obey the steering wheel and perform complex maneuvers on wet roads.
Rubber composition for the production of Nokian Nordman RS2
The rubber compound from which the Nordman RS2 is made is particularly soft. It is adapted for severe frosts (up to - 45°C) and interacts well with loose and compacted snow, ice and slush.
The rubber contains:
- natural rubber, which provides elasticity;
- modern polymers that impart strength;
- natural rapeseed oil;
- silica (silicon dioxide);
- cryosilane;
- various additives and additives that stabilize the composition.
The peculiarity of Nokian tire production is that the rubber does not contain hazardous components that negatively affect the environment. The product of the Finnish manufacturer can be called truly environmentally friendly.
Main advantages and disadvantages of the model
| pros | Minuses |
| 1. Retains properties in any frost. | 1. It is characterized by high cost (from 45 dollars). |
| 2. Provides good grip on the road surface. | 2. Less controllable on ice than studded tires. |
| 3. Confidently overcomes high snow cover. | 3. Too soft at temperatures above 0°C. |
| 4. Much quieter than studded tires. | 4. Due to its softness, it may be damaged by sharp objects. |
| 5. Features good handling in winter conditions. | |
| 6. The drainage system effectively removes moisture from the contact patch. |
*Price valid as of 11/10/2018
Nordman RS2 tire price review
*Prices are current as of November 10, 2018.
As can be seen from the table, prices in Russian stores are cheaper than in Ukraine. This is due to the fact that one of the largest Nokian factories is located in Russia, in the city of Vsevolozhsk.
In order to choose a high-quality and original product, you should pay attention to some points:
- When ordering from an online store, you need to take into account delivery costs.
- The cost is too low (cheaper than the average by 30% or more, most likely indicates a low-quality product).
- You only need to buy tires that match the size of your car.
- When placing an order, you must inquire about the presence of a tire quality certificate and warranty conditions.
How to verify the originality of Nokian products?
Counterfeit car tires are quite rare. This is due to the complexity and high cost of production. But it is still possible to come across non-original Nokian products.
It’s quite easy to spot a fake, you just have to take a close look at the tires. A real Nordman tire will have a clear tread pattern, without sagging or unevenness.
Factory tires must have:
- manufacturer and model name;
- tire size;
- original wear indicators;
- information areas on the sidewall in the shape of circles.
Winter tires Nordman RS2
Nordman RS2 service life
Thanks to the high-quality rubber compound and thoughtful tread pattern, the service life of Nordman RS2 tires can significantly exceed the 5-6 years specified by the manufacturer.
To extend the life of car tires, the driver should follow the operating rules:
- perform seasonal tire changes on time;
- adhere to a calm driving style without sudden acceleration and braking;
- store tires in the summer in a dark, cool and ventilated area;
- If possible, avoid driving on poor-quality road surfaces.
Reviews from owners of Nordman RS2 tires
| Positive | Negative |
| I've been driving these tires since October last year. After the studded one, it seems not noisy at all. It is very comfortable to move in the snow, grips the road well and brakes sharply. On ice it's a little worse, but ok. Overall, I'm happy with the tires. | Very soft rubber, directly melts at above-zero temperatures. More suitable for regions with cold climates. We have too little snow for her in the Dnieper |
| High-quality tires at a reasonable price. There are no complaints about the work, it fully meets expectations and even more. Next time I'll take exactly the same tires. | When there is ice, you need to be careful. I noticed that during long smooth turns the car slowly drifts. You have to watch the road and steer when necessary. |
| Good for balancing. Soft, quiet rubber. After two years of use, the tread wear is less than half. | A little noisy on dry asphalt, but fine on snow. |
| I would like to note the comfort while driving. The car runs quietly and smoothly, as if on pillows. But it picks up speed normally, which is surprising. | Actually, these tires are not Finnish at all, but real Russian ones. And the quality is appropriate. After two years, the tread was almost worn out. |
| Very economical tires. Compared to studded tires, gasoline consumption has noticeably decreased. | Ford Focus car. I installed Nordman RS tires last season. I can’t say that they are super, rather an average option. On the ice they behave insecurely and are noisy. They row normally in the snow. I give it a 3 on a five-point scale. |
Owner reviews of Nokian Nordman rs2 winter tires are taken from the sites: сhotline.ua, www.drom.ru, www.nakolesah.ru, http://shina.com.ua/.
Nokian Nordman RS2 evaluation
Taking into account the opinions of drivers and experts, Nordman RS2 tires receive the following ratings on a 5-point scale.
Which is better: Nordman studded tires or RS2 Velcro?
Compared to studded tires, friction Velcro tires have the following advantages:
- less noise;
- safety for road surfaces;
- less weight of rubber, and, accordingly, less fuel consumption.
On the other hand, Velcro handles much worse on smooth ice and has a slightly longer braking distance.
Choosing between these two types of winter tires is necessary taking into account the weather and road conditions of a particular region.
- For moving around the city, where the snow is constantly cleared and there is practically no ice, friction tires like Nordman RS2 are perfect.
- For remote regions or areas with severe weather conditions (high rainfall, harsh winter), it is better to use studded tires.
Review of winter tires Nordman RS2 (Video)
The best Scandinavian winter tires 2018/2019 according to test results
Behind the wheel 2018: Test of winter tires size 205/55 R16
In parallel with testing winter studded tires 195/65 R16, a team of experts from the magazine Behind the Wheel in 2018 tested ten Scandinavian-type friction models in size 205/55 R16. The second test brought many surprises, based on which the testers made an interesting conclusion: “new times are already coming in the tire world.”
Motor 2018: Big test of winter tires (205/55 R16)
The specialized publication of the Norwegian Automobile Federation NAF, called Motor, published on its pages the test results of winter studded and friction tires size 205/55 R16, which were carried out by professional tire testers at the Test World test site in Ivalo (Finland).
“These are the best results on the ice that we have ever achieved.”, said Jukka Antila, one of the testers. With years of tire testing experience under his belt, he obviously knows what he's talking about. There is no particular point in questioning his words, because the X-Ice North 4 model, a hot new product from Michelin, which in size 205/55 R16 has 250 anti-skid studs, took part in the 2018 winter tire tests. This is how her debut took place in independent comparative tests.
Autoreview 2018: Big test of winter tires size 205/55 R16
On the tracks of the Swedish testing ground Arctic Falls, an expert group of the Russian publication Autoreview in mid-March and April 2018 conducted comparative tests of 22 sets of winter tires size 205/55 R16, of which 13 were studded.
The best winter tires 2017/2018 according to test results
For the vast majority of car owners, when choosing a new set of tires, one of the determining factors is the results of the models they like in comparative tests. This encourages various independent trade publications and testing organizations to regularly conduct their tire tests, compile ratings and identify models whose performance properties provide maximum safety.
The 2018/2019 winter season, at least for tire manufacturers, has started slowly but confidently, and even for industry professionals, information about the best specialized winter tires on the market will be useful. And they can be considered the best based on their achievements in tests.
Behind the wheel 2017: Test of winter tires size 205/55 R16
Tires size 205/55 R16 fit almost all golf cars. It is for this segment of vehicles that the experts of the magazine “Behind the Wheel” set out to determine the best winter tires with non-studded tread, which, as is known, do not annoy drivers with the noise of studs even on bare asphalt.
The autospot.by portal team takes part in comparative tire tests, where we test and test tires for their safety: we are looking for answers about how short braking distances they provide on asphalt, snow and ice (the latter applies to winter tires), how well they hold the road in turns and bends, how to resist hydroplaning, etc. In a word, during the tests we receive objective - obtained and measured using instruments - data in meters, centimeters, kilometers per hour and even in seconds. Based on this data, we can get an accurate and complete picture of how safe and effective a particular tire is and how it compares to other tires that have undergone the same tests and trials.
According to the results of comparative tests, Nokian tires are among the best. As our readers know, Nokian is a native Finnish tire manufacturer. However, since 2005, Nokian tires have been produced at its own plant in Vsevolozhsk (Leningrad region, Russia). Moreover, 80% of all Finnish brand tires are produced here, and only 20% of tires are produced at an enterprise located in the Finnish town of Nokia. That’s why we mostly come across Russian-made Nokian tires for testing.
Comparative tire tests are, after all, one thing, but tire performance in real use is another. We think so. Therefore, last fall, just before the start of the winter season, the editors of autospot.by took two sets of winter tires for endurance testing and handed them over to their colleagues and friends for testing. We chose Nokian Nordman RS2 SUV and Nokian WR D4 tires in the popular “16th” size. The tires were fitted respectively to a Hyundai Tucson (front wheel drive) and a Peugeot 308SW. Let us immediately note that the owners of these cars did not pay much attention to the brand of winter tires and usually deliberately bought what was cheaper. This was our goal: to provide good and efficient tires to fellow motorists to find out what and how their winter driving experience and sensations will change.
The market value of both tires is not off the charts. Nordman is a budget line of Nokian winter and summer tires. Nokian Nordman RS2 SUV 215/65 R16 participating in the resource test will cost 170 rubles per wheel. For comparison, the domestic winter Belshina of the same size costs from 115 rubles per wheel.
Nokian WR D4 is a full-fledged premium winter tire. The cost of such a tire in size 205/55 R16 is 203 rubles - in principle, this is a normal price, quite at the level of premium competitors of European brands.
Both sets of tires were put on in early November and removed in mid-April.
Resource tests. Nordman RS2 SUV
Nokian Nordman RS2 SUV tires are Scandinavian-type winter tires. They are “Velcro”. They are also “tires for harsh winters”. By the way, before the appearance of the Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV winter tire in the lineup, the same tread pattern as on the Nordman RS2 SUV was used on the Hakkapeliitta R SUV tires. In a word, the Nordman RS2 SUV became the owner of at least the tread of a premium Scandinavian-type winter tire. This means that the budget tire has inherited “pump sipes” that improve grip on winter roads. Also, the Nordman tread has brake boosters in the tread blocks, which improve traction when braking, especially on snow.
In recent years, Belarusian winters have become warmer and wetter. But if snow does fall, it falls in abundance and remains for weeks. It can be rightly noted that in Belarus the mild, rainy European winter 2-3 times a season is replaced by a snowy and rather harsh Scandinavian winter.
The owner of a Hyundai Tucson considers snow maneuverability and the ability to handle icy roads to be the priority qualities of winter tires. He says that he doesn’t like to “swing a shovel” in the yard and prefers to literally drive straight ahead. But more on that later.
In the first weeks after the start of operation, the driver of the Hyundai Tucson noted a smooth ride and even a decreased noise level from the tires. That is, Nordman RS2 SUV tires turned out to be quieter and softer than summer tires. At the same time, as the driver notes, high directional stability and quick responses to the steering wheel have been maintained. According to him, he previously considered winter tires a compromise that had to be endured throughout the winter season and benefited when snow fell, roads and especially yards, which are usually difficult to clear, were covered.
Also, the experience of the owner of a Hyundai Tucson suggests that when driving on winter tires on highways, you need to especially carefully maintain the distance to the car in front. There were cases when it was necessary, not urgently, but rather sharply to brake, and then winter tires on wet cold asphalt or dry asphalt at significant negative temperatures began to slip quite early. ABS worked and stopped blocking the front wheels to skid literally at a third of the pedal stroke. Having put Nordman RS2 SUV tires on his crossover, the Hyundai Tucson driver noted that braking has become more effective and confident. He even deliberately braked urgently on an open road and noted that “the brakes have become better” and the ABS “began to work like summer.” That is, in the last phase of the brake pedal stroke. In short, the characteristics of the crossover have clearly changed for the better and safer with the installation of Nordman RS2 SUV tires.
In mid-December 2016, Minsk was covered several times with freezing rain, which glazed not only cars, but also roads, albeit just for a couple of morning hours. The driver of the Hyundai Tucson that day did not even immediately decide to drive the car for work. The cars were slipping and moving very reluctantly. He decided to do a little test, checking the grip of his tires on the road. He is still impressed by the fact that his crossover drove along the icy road as if it were on asphalt and, without hesitation, took the ascent along the street where the shuttle bus was helplessly skidding. In general, the Nordman RS2 SUV deserved another praise, helping out the driver in difficult weather.
At the beginning of January 2017, snow finally fell in Minsk. Moreover, immediately in “Scandinavian” quantities. The owner of a crossover shod with Nordman RS2 SUV noted excellent cross-country ability on both fresh and compacted snow. When, after a couple of days, the snow in the courtyards thoroughly hardened, forming ruts and potholes, the crossover retained the ability to confidently drive and climb snow mounds. At the same time, the car got out of the ruts well and almost did not slip.
Over five and a half months of operation during the 2016/2017 winter season, Nordman RS2 SUV tires covered 7,340 km. Mainly around Minsk and on cleared roads. The remaining tread depth indicators still show a figure eight.
Visually, wear on the Nokian Nordman RS2 tread after the first season and 7,300 km is visible only on the front axle tires: on the rather soft “Scandinavian” rubber compound, the “blunting” of the edges of numerous lamellas is noticeable.
But the tires on the rear axle look like new: the “craquelure” even remains in the shoulder area, indicating sufficient running-in of the new Nokian Nordman RS2 winter tires.
Resource tests. Nokian WR D4
These tires complement the WR family, which also includes WR D3, WR A3 and WR A4 tires. Interestingly, WR D4 is available in fit sizes from 14 to 20 inches. That is, the choice of standard sizes for this model is wider than that of the WR D3 (these are offered in 13-inch sizes) and WR A3 and WR A4 (these are also available in 21-inch sizes). WR D4 tires are designed for mild winters. However, as we know, in tire comparison tests the WR D4 model turns out to be stronger than its WR brothers. Moreover, Nokian WR D4 became the world's first winter tires for passenger cars to achieve “A” level of grip on wet roads (according to the European Union classification). That is, they are very effective both on ice and snow, and on wet asphalt.
The tread of Nokian WR D4 tires looks technologically advanced.
Nokian WR D4 look very impressive. “Some kind of high-tech,” was the first impression of the owner of the Peugeot 308SW, “I’ve never seen anything like it before. And any Chinese or Koreans are unlikely to be able to copy something like that.”
The impressions became even greater after the car was fitted with these tires. The ride became smoother and a little more elastic. Such mixed impressions were formed due to the fact that the WR D4 tires are light and their carcass is very elastic, if not rigid. That is, the car’s chassis lost a couple of kilograms of unsprung mass, and at the same time the “rubber ball effect” that inexpensive summer tires gave to the ride disappeared.
In addition, steering response has improved and become sharper. The driver of the Peugeot 308SW noted that on roundabouts at high speeds, the feedback on the steering wheel became clearer and more transparent.
Being a great “European winter” tire, Nokian WR D4 tires grip dry, wet and even dirty asphalt very tenaciously. The driver of the Peugeot 308SW even tried to drive recklessly in turns and barely achieved drift, loss of traction or blinking of the ESP activation indicator. “But I almost fell out of the seat because of the body roll of the car, and I was scared about the suspension: it is clearly weaker than these tires,” noted the driver of the Peugeot 308SW.
And he also remembers the freezing rain in Minsk, which caused many inconveniences during the early morning commute. There were no problems. The car drove as usual, confidently and clearly. “Although many people had problems with grip that morning,” recalls the owner of Nokian WR D4 tires.
A couple of weeks of the “Scandinavian winter”, when the temperature dropped below -25°C for several days, also passed unnoticed. Our pilot even specifically felt the WR D4 tread in severe frost and it seemed soft to him, as if it were at zero temperature. The Eurozima from Nokian did not become stiff and provided excellent cross-country ability both on frozen snow and asphalt.
Judging by the wear indicator, over 9,100 km the tread of Nokian WR D4 tires has become smaller by 1 mm.
Over five and a half months of operation during the 2016/2017 winter season, Nordman RS2 SUV tires covered 9,124 km on the streets of Minsk and on long trips around Belarus. The tread looks fresh, but the “eight” is no longer visible on the wear indicator. That is, the tread has definitely become smaller by a millimeter.
With the onset of September, the well-known magazine “Behind the Wheel” did not drag its feet and published the results of its tests of the 12 best studded tires. The tires were taken in the most popular standard size 195/65 R15, which is installed on a large number of car models. The testing involved studded tires from well-known manufacturers, which were divided into two categories: “East” and “West”. The “eastern” group included tires from Japanese, Korean and Taiwanese brands, and the “western” group included tires from European brands. However, this division is rather arbitrary, since the products of some “eastern” brands are made at factories in European countries (Firestone). Moreover, all tires are produced for the European market, which adds to this aspect of meaninglessness. However, this is precisely the distinction that was proposed to us by the experts of the magazine “Behind the Wheel”.
It should be noted that four new products for 2018 made their debut in the list of tested winter studded wheels - Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer, Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429, GT Radial IcePro 3 and Firestone Ice Cruiser 7. The first three are real new products that have taken over the range of their manufacturers old versions, and Firestone tires are a copy of the old one Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000 .
Tested winter tires in size 195 65 15
- (Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 02)
- (Continental Ice Contact 2)
- (Firestone Ice Cruiser 7)
- (Gislaved Nord Frost 200)
- Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic (Goodyear Ultra Grip Arctic)
- (GT Radial Ice Pro 3)
- Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429 (Hankook Winter I Pike RS2 B 429)
- Nitto Therma Spike
- (Nokian Hakapelita 9)
- (Nordman 7)
- (Pirelli Ice Zero)
- Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer
Test runs covered a wide range of disciplines, which were carried out in January and April 2018 at the testing grounds of Continental in Sweden and AVTOVAZ in Togliatti. It is surprising that Michelin X-Ice North 4 tires are missing from the list of tested models. This tire will definitely be a bestseller for the 2018-2019 winter season. However, the manufacturer did not agree to test its own tire, citing the fact that the result could be falsified.
Rating of studded winter tires 2018 according to Za Rulem magazine
Tests were conducted in four disciplines (the final possible maximum score 1000 points). Each discipline consisted of several categories that added up to the final grade.
Disciplines:
- ice and snow ( 670 points);
- wet and dry asphalt ( 210 points);
- comfort ( 50 points);
- efficiency ( 70 points).
| Tested model in size 195/65 R15 | Ice and snow | Wet and dry asphalt | Comfort | Economical | Bottom line |
| 617 | 193 | 34 | 70 | 915 | |
| 618,6 | 193,9 | 30 | 66,8 | 905 | |
| Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429 | 623,1 | 189,2 | 35 | 68,7 | 905 |
| 595,7 | 177,9 | 30 | 67,4 | 888 | |
| Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic | 584,4 | 194 | 32,5 | 66,8 | 877 |
| 587,7 | 193,2 | 32,5 | 68,7 | 874 | |
| 567,4 | 204 | 32,5 | 65,6 | 870 | |
| 574,8 | 178,1 | 28,5 | 65,6 | 847 | |
| Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer | 558,7 | 182,9 | 32,5 | 66,2 | 840 |
| Nitto Therma Spike | 545,5 | 174,4 | 32,0 | 68,7 | 821 |
| 517,5 | 191,6 | 35,0 | 66,8 | 811 | |
| 514,9 | 181,4 | 26,0 | 65,6 | 788 |
1st place - Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
This is not the first time he has become the winner of various races. Of course, the Nokian company has tarnished its reputation with fraud during testing, but there is no need to doubt the quality of the Finnish plant’s products. The tires showed their best performance, demonstrating the highest level of fuel efficiency, excellent handling on snowy or icy roads, snowdrift capability and precise maneuvering. Among the shortcomings, experts identified poor acoustic comfort characteristics and high cost.
2nd place - Continental IceContact 2
Tires from the German concern are traditionally at the top of winter testing, but when it comes to studs, everything becomes not so rosy. The “Behind the Wheel” magazine test showed the opposite. The rubber demonstrates the best lateral and longitudinal grip on an icy crust, giving the necessary level of acceleration and a short braking distance. Among the negative aspects, it is necessary to note small flaws in the handling characteristics on asphalt and the high noise level.
3rd place — Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 W429
The 2018 new product from the Korean Hankuk plant did not surprise with its impressive driving characteristics. The previous W419 was a real best-seller with excellent towing capabilities (especially the projector depth reaching 10 mm), and its successor is no worse. The rubber demonstrated impressive lateral and longitudinal grip on ice, confident braking and acceleration, maneuverability and mileage in snowy terrain. On asphalt, unfortunately, the tires are the worst in the top 5. In addition, extreme winter driving is clearly not for this tire.
4th place - Pirelli Ice Zero
Quite an “old” model from an Italian manufacturer. On an icy surface it is not inferior to the prize-winning three, but its studding system is not very modern. The rubber showed confident results in the directional stability category during normal driving. It is also worth noting the decent behavior of a car shod with Ice Zero on wet and dry asphalt, which is very rare for any studded tire. The tires are slightly inferior to the leaders in handling during extreme driving and have an average level of comfort.
|
|
|
|
|
5th place - Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
The American company's tires were the best in deep snow. This is not surprising; one glance at the tread pattern is enough to understand this. In addition to this advantage, Goodyear tires stood out for their short braking distance on wet and dry asphalt surfaces. With all their advantages, wheels have a clear drawback - low comfort. The aggressive tread pattern produces a rather unpleasant rumble. Also, the Za Rulem specialists had some complaints regarding stability and controllability on ice.
6th place - Nokian Nordman 7
The second tire from Nokian Tires, which belongs to the budget segment of the market, demonstrated a not so high degree of grip on the road surface, despite the elaborate tread pattern borrowed from the legendary Hakkapeliitta 7. The tires showed an average level of grip on dry road surfaces and confident acceleration. Among the shortcomings, the model “distinguished itself” in its smooth ride and noise level. Rubber is a real strong middle peasant.
7th place — Gislaved Nord*Frost 200
The Continental sub-brand was awarded the middle of the standings for the best studded tires of 2018. Gislaved tires showed positive results in braking properties and directional stability on asphalt, and also showed a safe level of maneuvering. The longitudinal grip on icy surfaces of the Gislaved stud needs to be better, as does extreme maneuvering. You can also note the high fuel consumption of the wheel. This indicates an incorrect distribution of the tire tread elements, which gives higher rolling resistance.
8th place - Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02
The products of the Japanese tire giant were clearly disappointing. It would seem that years of presence in the European tire market should have led the company to finally good studded tires, but no, this did not happen. So far, the manufacturer’s “Velcro” products are better than studs. The tires didn't show anything out of the ordinary. Considering the cost and availability of cheaper tires higher on the list, buying Blizzak Spike 02 is a dubious idea. The tires are not bad, but the price cancels out all the advantages.
|
|
|
|
|
9th place - Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer
Despite a fairly thorough design of the stud system and a really high-quality rubber composition with inclusions of ground walnut shells (!), this year’s new product could not compete with leading brands. Toyo is traditionally considered a brand in the middle between premium and mid-budget, but in this test they barely made it into the top 10. The tires have good directional stability and stable handling on winter roads. Braking performance leaves much to be desired.
10th place - Nitto Therma Spike
Japanese tire makers from the Toyo sub-brand are located immediately behind their parent company. Among the positive aspects, it is necessary to note satisfactory handling, average mileage in snowy areas and acceptable smoothness. There are, of course, more negative aspects. Poor braking performance on dry and wet surfaces, difficult handling, noise - all this makes Nitto not the best choice. However, it should be noted that the tested tires are relatively cheap (second on the list) and quite old technologically.
11th place - GT Radial IcePro 3
The penultimate ones in the ranking are Taiwanese tires from Giti. The least expensive on the list, they could become a real sensation on the market. However, Ice Pro 3 did not demonstrate the expected results. They failed on all fronts, distinguished only by the lowest cost and ride comfort. This doesn't automatically make them bad, but it does suggest that using them studless is more appropriate.
12th place - Firestone Ice Cruiser 7
The main disappointment is that no one expected outstanding results from the Bridgestone sub-brand, but they expected it to at least get into the middle of the list. But the “new” Ice Cruiser did not show any improvement, losing in almost everything. The tires have a good level of braking properties on dry asphalt, but are clearly inferior to competitors in grip on ice and snow, efficiency, handling, maneuverability, and have the dubious honor of being the noisiest. If in other models noise is justified by good grip, then in this case it is simply unacceptable. Moreover, for not the lowest price.
Conclusion
Testing is not the ultimate objective truth. There are several points that raise questions, for example, why does the Za Rulem magazine use tires provided personally by the manufacturer? In similar experiments in German magazines, for example, testers do it much simpler - they go to the nearest store and buy tires for testing. On the other hand, the rating system in this test is one of the best; the gradation of priority of certain categories is close to every driver. Therefore, when purchasing new winter wheels, you need to listen to this test, but you should not take this material into account exclusively.
When and where
We answer the question that readers ask on the forum. ZR conducts winter tire tests in winter and spring (asphalt part) in order to present the results in the fall, when you are thinking about switching to winter tires. As a rule, we test winter and summer tires in the Volga region - at the AVTOVAZ test site or nearby.
This February turned out to be unusual: the Moscow region and St. Petersburg were covered with snow, and the Volga region suffered from its absence. In Tolyatti, very little fell in January alone and not a single flake of snow in February. For the first time in 17 years, we were unable to complete the “rearrangement on compacted snow” exercise: there was nothing to roll. And the snow used for acceleration and braking and other disciplines was unusually dry, very similar to foam.
Due to the lack of rearrangement on the snow, the weighting coefficients of other exercises were changed so that the maximum possible total score remained the same as before - 1000. For this reason, we do not recommend comparing the overall results of the current test with the previous ones - it will not be entirely correct.
List of tested tires:
“Scandinavians” – not everything is so smooth
Here the leaders are again Nokia's new product - the second generation HKPL R. She has the highest scores (952) and price (3,750 rubles). The price-to-quality ratio is 3.94.
The second place in cost is for the Continental-ContiViking-Contact 5 tire: 3,250 rubles. It has been on sale for a long time, but is still strong: it lost only a point to the new Michelin, gaining 907 points and taking third place. In terms of price to quality ratio (3.58) it is also inferior to the “French”.
Michelin X-Ice 3 is slightly cheaper than Conti: the average price is 3,215 rubles. In our table of ranks, the tire took second place, scoring 908 points. The price/quality ratio is a little more attractive: 3.54.
The fourth price position is in “Yokohama-iG50” with an average price of 2915 rubles. But in the tests, the “Japanese” ended up in last place with a total of only 802 points. The price is clearly too high, because the price-to-quality ratio of 3.63 is even higher than that of Michelin and Conti, which have much stronger characteristics.
The Bridgestone-Blizzak Revo GZ, which ranks fifth in the price tag competition, is a completely different matter: 2,730 rubles. In the final list, this model is also in fifth position: 867 points. Surprisingly, Yokohama is almost 200 rubles more expensive than Bridgestone, but at the same time showed a result 65 points worse. The latter has a much more attractive price-to-quality ratio (3.15).
The sixth place in price belongs to Pirelli-Winter IceControl: 2,600 rubles. These tires reached the same position in our tests, slightly losing to Bridgestone in the final points - 858. The price-to-quality ratio is even more delicious - 3.03.
The seventh place in terms of price tag goes to the Nordman-RS tire: the average price is only 2330 rubles. However, in the final test report she is in fourth position, since with 878 points she is ahead of both Pirelli and both Japanese women. The price to quality ratio of 2.65 is very tempting.
TEST RESULTS
(Maximum 140 points)
(Maximum 120 points)
(Maximum 50 points)
(Maximum 130 points)
(Maximum 40 points)
(Maximum 110 points)
(Maximum 90 points)
(Maximum 40 points)
(Maximum 30 points)
(Score/Points)
Expert opinions on each tire are presented below
| Place | Tire | Expert opinion | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Place of manufacture: Finland 7,8-8,3 Tire weight, kg: 6.7 3 750 Price/quality: 3.94
|
||
|
Leading in most indicators. |
||||
| 2 |
|
Place of manufacture: Spain Tread depth across width, mm: 7,8-8,1 Rubber hardness Shore, units: 50 Tire weight, kg: 7.2 Average price in online stores, rub.: 3 215 Price/quality: 3.54
|
||
|
For any roads, comfortable and economical. |
||||
| 3 |
|
Place of manufacture: Germany Tread depth across width, mm: 8,6-8,7 Rubber hardness Shore, units: 49 Tire weight, kg: 6.3 Average price in online stores, rub.: 3 250 Price/quality: 3.58
|
||
|
For any roads and winter off-road. |
||||
| 4 |
|
Place of manufacture: Russia Tread depth across width, mm: 7,8-8,3 Rubber hardness Shore, units: 49 Tire weight, kg: 6.7 Average price in online stores, rub.: 2 330 Price/quality: 2.65
|
||
|
For snowy and icy roads. |
||||
| 5 |
|
Place of manufacture: Japan Tread depth across width, mm: 8,6-9,3 Rubber hardness Shore, units: 43 Tire weight, kg: 7.2 Average price in online stores, rub.: 2 730 Price/quality: 3.15
|
||
|
For any winter roads. |
||||
| 6 |
|
Place of manufacture: China Tread depth across width, mm: 8,6-8,8 Rubber hardness Shore, units: 50 Tire weight, kg: 7.9 Average price in online stores, rub.: 2 600 Price/quality: 3.03
|
||
|
For any winter roads. |
||||
| 7 |
|
Place of manufacture: Russia Tread depth across width, mm: 8,5-8,9 Rubber hardness Shore, units: 51 Tire weight, kg: 6.9 Average price in online stores, rub.: 2 010 Price/quality: 2.43
|
||
|
For cleaned asphalt roads. |
||||
| 8 |
|
Place of manufacture: Japan Tread depth across width, mm: 7,6-8,0 Rubber hardness Shore, units: 46 Tire weight, kg: 6.8 Average price in online stores, rub.: 2 915 Price/quality: 3.63
|
||
|
Only for leisurely driving, economical. |
||||
Well, we had to come to Sweden twice. The first time we sat there for a week, running the entire testing program on snow and ice. And then, already in April, on the roads that had just been cleared of ice, they measured the braking distance on wet and dry asphalt - and assessed the acoustic comfort and smoothness of the ride. Well, then, using the traditional system of converting results into points, we summed up the results.
The main surprise in the studded classification is no, not the victory of the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 tires. But the very high results of the Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 tires: according to the results of tests on winter surfaces, they are the best! To avoid getting into trouble, we decided to give them a check. We waited until August, bought a set of tires in Moscow for the plane and to Germany. And there at the Contidrom training ground there is a closed ice track where winter tires are tested all year round. A series of measurements paired with the test winners, Nokian Hakkapeliittа 9 tires (we also bought them and ran them in August in Moscow, so that the tires would have “the same story”) - and... If in winter the Hankook studs provided by the Koreans braked better on ice, than Nokian, and by five percent, then with commercial tires the situation has changed exactly the opposite: Nokian is better at braking by as much as eight percent! Despite the fact that after running-in, the average protrusion of the studs for Nokian and Hankook tires turned out to be approximately the same - 1.4 mm.
Of course, we can talk about a different quality of ice or the fact that we were only able to buy Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 with a different load index (91 instead of 94). But neither one nor the other could radically change the braking properties on ice. That’s why we put a red mark on the Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 tires: commercial tires are not as good as those that took an honorable third place in our rating. By the way, there are no questions for Nokian: a set of Hakkapeliitta 9 tires produced at the Russian plant demonstrated the same properties on ice as the Finnish-made tires that we tested in March.
And we removed the Russian Cordiant Snow Cross 2 tires from the rating altogether: the pre-production tires turned out to be of too low quality. When braking on ice - the worst result! But the current generation Snow Cross model looked quite decent in our previous tests. Cordiant tire manufacturers, while conducting their own tests in parallel with us, also recorded problems on ice - and, in order not to lose their reputation, they postponed the launch of mass production of the Snow Cross 2 tire model for at least a year. According to preliminary information, the suppliers of raw materials to the Omsk Tire Plant, where the Snow Cross series tires are produced, are to blame. They decided to launch only four 14-inch sizes - there seem to be no problems with them.
Winter tire rating 2018-2019
So, in the studded tire class, the victory once again goes to the Finnish Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 tires. Cool tires, but expensive - and intended primarily for suburban use. After all, the Continental IceContact 2 and Gislaved Nord*Frost 200, which took second and fourth places with a minimal lag, behave better on asphalt.
Well, among non-studded tires, the new Continental VikingContact 7 model is at the top of the ranking, but the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2, Pirelli Ice Zero FR and Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 tires are just a little behind. Once again, when choosing tires, consider where you live. If you never leave the streets of large cities, pay more attention to asphalt indicators. And if you mainly have to drive in snowy and icy areas, use purely winter properties.
Toyo Obsreve GSi-5
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (123 standard sizes from 175/70 R13 to 275/40 R22) | |
| Speed index | Q (160 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10 |
| 54 | |
| Manufacturer country | Japan |
If you believe the press releases, the rubber of these tires contains particles of walnut shells and an absorbent in the form of soot from burnt bamboo... But on ice, the grip properties are mediocre: in turns the sliding is extended and poorly controlled. On snow, the Toyo tires provide effective deceleration and handle well without slipping, but they are not easy to slide on. On wet asphalt - failure of braking. And the comfort level is low. We don't recommend it.
Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (50 sizes from 175/70 R13 to 255/40 R19) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 9,2 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 56 |
| Manufacturer country | South Korea |
Winter i*cept iZ2 tires are a new product from Hankook, but unlike the studded Winter i*Pike RS2 model, they performed more than modestly. Both on ice and on compacted snow, the longitudinal grip properties are lacking - at least thanks to the fact that the grip is better in turns. On asphalt the tires are moderately comfortable, but again slippery. Given the success of the latest Hankook summer tires, we can expect much more from this model!
Bridgestone Blizzak VRX
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (57 sizes from 175/70 R13 to 255/45 R19) | |
| Speed index | S (180 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 91 (615 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 9,2 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 53 |
| Manufacturer country | Japan |
Bridgestone friction tires compare modestly to European models. In theory, microporous tread rubber should remove moisture from the surface of the ice, thereby increasing the coefficient of adhesion. However, in practice there is clearly not enough grip on ice. The situation is better on compacted snow. But if you drive out of a snowdrift with slipping, then the Blizzak VRX is a bad assistant. But on asphalt these tires work excellently: on dry surfaces the braking distance is minimal! This means we recommend them for large cities, albeit with some reservations.
Yokohama iceGuard iG60
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (113 sizes from 135/80 R13 to 245/40 R20) | |
| Speed index | Q (160 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 91 (615 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 9 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 54 |
| Manufacturer country | Japan |
iceGuard iG60 friction clutches are a new model. The asymmetrical tread, traditional for Japanese tires, demonstrates an average level of grip on ice, but at the same time provides good balance in corners: there is no obvious tendency to drift or skid. In the snow, we were pleased with the traction capabilities of the tires. But the grip properties on asphalt are not enough - especially on wet ones. So the Yokohama iceGuard iG60 tires are more suitable for the outback than for large cities. And the prices won't scare you away.
Nokian Nordman RS2
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (26 sizes from 155/70 R13 to 225/55 R17) | |
| Speed index | R (170 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 8,7 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 55 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
The materials are a little simpler than Nokian, the tread pattern is borrowed from the previous model Hakkapeliitta R. But in the final rating, the Nordman RS2 was only slightly inferior to the “head” model Hakkapeliitta R3. Both on ice and snow - clear reactions, predictable slides. On asphalt, the grip properties are slightly worse than those of the Nokian, and unevenness is felt more clearly. But the price is one and a half times lower!
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (68 sizes from 175/65 R14 to 245/35 R21) | |
| Speed index | R (170 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 8,3 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 54 |
| Manufacturer country | Finland |
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 tires work great on ice - when you slow down, you can even hear the characteristic rustling of the rubber edges clinging to the micro-irregularities of the surface. On acceleration and braking - the best results among friction clutches! But on compacted snow the results are more modest. And on asphalt, Nokian tires are inferior to the leaders in terms of grip and comfort. So the recommendation is traditional for Nokian models: they are created primarily for suburban use.
Prelli Ice Zero FR
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (30 sizes from 175/65 R14 to 245/50 R19) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 8,8 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 48 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
It’s gratifying that Pirelli’s Russian factories do not skimp on raw materials: Ice Zero FR, produced in Voronezh, provided worthy competition to the class leaders. Both on ice and snow there are good grip properties, but, unfortunately, there are some sharp slips in turns. Sports character! And on the asphalt everything is worthy: Pirelli tires share with Continental friction tires the title of the quietest in our test.
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (29 sizes from 185/60 R15 to 245/45 R19) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 8,7 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 55 |
| Manufacturer country | Poland |
Three years ago we recognized these tires as the best friction tires (AR No. 18, 2015). And even now they hold excellent ice control: on the winding track they lost only to four studded models! On snow, the directional tread works well in the longitudinal direction, but performs slightly worse in corners. But on asphalt Goodyear is great! But in general, this is another worthy option for winter tires, suitable both in the city and beyond.
Continental VicingContact 7
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (109 sizes from 155/65 R14 to 295/40 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 9,6 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 50 |
| Manufacturer country | Germany |
The directional tread pattern in a neat diamond pattern looks beautiful and works great. Yes, the icy results are slightly worse than those of its main competitors. But what a great balance between performance on ice, snow and asphalt! Not a single mistake in the results. This means that these tires are ideal for urban winter use. We especially recommend them to lovers of comfort: the softest and quietest tires in our test.
GT Radial IcePro 3
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (17 sizes from 175/70 R14 to 225/55 R17) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,5 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 63 |
| Number of spikes | 128 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 1,12/1,27 |
| Manufacturer country | China |
Giti Tire, headquartered in Singapore, is one of the world's dozen tire manufacturers. The company's main factories are located in China, but tires under the Giti and GT Radial brands are developed in both Germany and the USA. However, IcePro 3 studded tires are the last century of the tire industry. The tread seems to be welded from summer types of rubber: it does not cling to ice and snow at all. And it’s scary to drive along the handling track: the loss to the test leaders from a kilometer reached 24 seconds!
Firestone Ice Cruiser 7
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (19 sizes from 175/70 R13 to 235/65 R17) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 91 (615 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,2 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 60 |
| Number of spikes | 115 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 0,83/1,02 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
Firestone Ice Cruiser 7 tires are a replica of the budget Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000 tires from 2010, produced in Ulyanovsk. It is clear that they are missing stars from the winter skies: poor grip on slippery surfaces requires extremely careful driving - especially when cornering. Many tires without studs make you feel more confident!
On asphalt the situation is somewhat better. But overall, we don't recommend it.
Toyo Observe Ice-Freezer
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (16 sizes from 175/70 R14 to 265/55 R19) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 91 (615 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 56 |
| Number of spikes | 115 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 1,09/1,19 |
| Manufacturer country | Malaysia |
The new product from Toyo Tires seems to have a modern tread pattern, studs with a shaped core, and the rubber contains crushed walnut shells. But the nuts don’t help: the grip on ice is mediocre, and it’s not easy to make the car turn. In the snow the situation is approximately the same.
But you can drive on asphalt on these tires: the grip properties are good and there is less noise compared to other studs.
Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (43 standard sizes from 175/70 R13 to 245/50 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 91 (615 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,2 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 61 |
| Number of spikes | 115 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 1,25/1,62 |
| Manufacturer country | Japan |
A special feature of the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike-02 tires is a noticeable increase in stud projection as the tires are run in and tested. At the end of the tests, some rose 1.8 mm above the tread! But they held on tight - not a single empty hole, even after a series of full-throttle braking on dry asphalt. The main driving advantage is excellent braking properties on ice. However, there are no achievements in other winter disciplines, and on the handling tracks there is a constant struggle with front axle drifts. And on asphalt, grip properties and comfort indicators, alas, leave much to be desired.
Yokohama iceGuard iG65
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (29 sizes from 205/55 R16 to 285/60 R18) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 53 |
| Number of spikes | 172 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 0,68/0,94 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
The new Yokohama iceGuard iG65 studded tires were developed by Japanese tire makers in cooperation with specialists from the Arctic Falls test site. There is progress, but the protrusion of the spikes is not enough, and the characteristics are poorly balanced. For example, a Golf on these tires accelerates well on ice, but brakes very mediocrely. And in turns it drives like a rear-wheel drive car - skidding all the time!
But on asphalt these tires are some of the best! Including acoustic comfort. In the city, the best thing is if your car has a stabilization system.
Pirelli Ice Zero
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (45 sizes from 175/65 R14 to 275/35 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 9,1 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 56 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 0,83/1,09 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
Russian-made Pirelli Ice Zero tires this season did not perform as confidently as a year ago (AR No. 17, 2017). The reason for this may be the poor quality of the studs: many studs protruded above the tread by less than a millimeter before running in. And even after running-in, these tires lacked aggression on ice - especially in corners.
The situation is better in the snow. But on asphalt, the main problem with Pirelli Ice Zero tires is a low-frequency hum in the speed range of 60-100 km/h.
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (37 sizes from 175/65 R15 to 245/45 R19) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 9,9 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 55 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 1,11/1,34 |
| Manufacturer country | Poland |
And again, we did not wait for the change in generations of Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic tires, introduced in 2012. Instead, budget tires Goodyear UltraGrip 600 were introduced to the market, designed to play the role of a “secondary” model. And the aging flagship of the winter line from Goodyear continues to delight us with its tractor characteristics on virgin soil and excellent traction on compacted snow. But the handling characteristics - especially on ice - are still rather weak, and the characteristic hum of the tread poisons life when driving on asphalt.
Nokian Nordman 7
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (34 sizes from 155/80 R13 to 235/55 R17) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 9,6 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 58 |
| Number of spikes | 128 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 1,04/1,2 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
Nordman 7 tires are the “second life” of Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 tires. They are produced on the same equipment as Nokian tires, but from cheaper raw materials. On ice, the Nordman 7 tires, having a smaller number of studs, are inferior to the test leaders, but on snow they behave excellently - they row even better on loose powder than the Hakkapeliitta 9. But on asphalt they perform mediocrely.
A good option for affordable studded tires for suburban use. By the way, Nordman tires are covered by a guarantee: in case of unintentional damage, the dealer will provide the same tire for half the price.
Gislaved Nord*Frost 200
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (75 sizes from 155/70 R13 to 275/40 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,6 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 54 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 0,8/1,1 |
| Manufacturer country | Germany |
Copying the tread of the first generation ContiIceContact tires, the Gislaved Nord*Frost 200 tires are an ideal urban stud: they are quite quiet in the “toothy” class and have a good balance of ice and asphalt grip properties. At the same time, Gislaved tires are among the best on snow. A reasonable (read: inexpensive) option for winter tires not only for urban, but also for suburban use.
Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (28 sizes from 175/70 R13 to 255/40 R19) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 8,9 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 54 |
| Number of spikes | 189 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 1,2/1,4 |
| Manufacturer country | South Korea |
Pre-production samples of the new Hankook RS2 tires, tested by us even before the start of official sales, left behind Continental and Nokian in terms of snow and ice indicators - at a price one and a half times lower! Unfortunately, additional tests of Hankook Winter i*Pike RS2 commercial tires have dispelled the myth about their magical properties. So for now we will refrain from making recommendations - we will wait for the manufacturer’s explanation and the results of the next tests, in which Hankook tires purchased through the retail network will take part.
Continental IceContact 2
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (78 sizes from 155/70 R13 to 245/35 R21) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,3 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 51 |
| Number of spikes | 190 |
| Protrusion of spikes, mm | 1,1/1,3 |
| Manufacturer country | Germany |
Continental IceContact 2 tires provide minimal braking distances on ice, but on winding roads the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 allows you to go faster. But on asphalt, Continental tires are quieter, and the studs in them have additional fixation - none of the competing companies can yet master the unique technology of hot vulcanization. Considering the price, the IceContact 2 tire is an excellent choice! And the third generation of this model is already on the way: next year new IceContact 3 tires with rubber stud bodies will go into production.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
| Dimension | 205/55 R16 |
|---|---|
| (54 sizes from 175/65 R14 to 275/35 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 94 (670 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 8,9 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 53 |
| Number of spikes | 190 |
| Protrusion of spikes*, mm | 1,01/1,25 |
| Manufacturer country | Finland |
| * Before/after tests | |
Hakkapeliitta 9 with a tread equipped with two types of studs works great on ice and snow - but on asphalt it gives the car sluggish reactions to steering turns and increased noise. So Hakkapeliitta is still not the best choice for city dwellers. But you shouldn’t pay attention to where Nokian tires are produced - in Russia or Finland: both factories produce high-quality tires, it has been verified. You can find out the best price for this tire in your city.
