Hello, dear friends! The winter season is approaching, snow fell in some regions of Russia, so drivers managed to switch to winter tires. Some people are only now thinking about this, since the sun remains quite active and does not allow winter to come into its full rights. Also, many have already decided on tires. And you?

Therefore, it will be relevant to talk about such a topic as spikes or Velcro. These are two options for winter tires, between which there is a stubborn struggle. Some believe that you can’t do without studs in winter, while others are confident in the complete dominance of Velcro over wheels with studs.

Who is right and who is wrong? Today we are debunking myths and trying to answer the most pressing questions. The topic is very multifaceted and controversial, so if I miss something, be sure to complement me in the comments, express your opinion or give useful advice based on personal experience.

Who is who

Before the onset of frost, drivers have a dilemma regarding which tire option to choose in the coming winter. After all, each of you has seen different videos or observed in person what driving on summer tires in winter can lead to.

Moreover, this question worries literally everyone, regardless of where to put the tires:

• rear-wheel drive;
• for an SUV;
• for a city crossover;
• for a compact city car;
• all-wheel drive;
• front-wheel drive, etc.

It is believed that an SUV with spikes is an analogue of a tractor or a tank that will go anywhere. But don’t rush to conclusions, since the wheels of even the most formidable frame SUVs got stuck in those areas where there were no special obstacles for the crossover.

Much depends on the ability to drive a car and adapt to climate change, find the right route and turn the steering wheel correctly. If you're stuck in a snowdrift, you shouldn't just blame everything on bad tires. Your fault here is paramount.

Now all kinds of tests and comparisons are carried out by many authoritative magazines and experts. In Autoreview, the magazine Behind the Wheel, almost every year they publish materials where they test different tires with and without studs.

Let's understand the concepts a little

With studded tires everything is quite simple. These are soft rubber tires with a deep pattern that allows you to move on snow. Spikes allow you to drive on ice without any problems.

But when choosing Velcro for a crossover or a regular car, the driver immediately thinks what it is and why it is called that. And the concept of friction tires comes up extremely often.

So here it is. Velcro and friction are identical concepts, they just sound different. These are winter tires made from a special compound (they don’t harden in the cold) and have no studs. It was originally developed for Europe, where winters are quite mild and the quality of roads is high. To prevent them from being destroyed due to the negative impact of studs, friction clutches were invented.

I'll say more. Wheels with spikes are prohibited in many European countries. Therefore, if you drive there on a spiked vehicle, you will have problems with the local police. As far as I know, now such a ban is definitely in effect in the UK, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, France, etc. The list is actually wider.

Especially for them, tire company engineers have developed friction kits, which we call Velcro. Why? It's simple. They seem to stick to the surface. Their important advantage is the fact that such tires perform well on thick snow and ice. But only if you follow the correct parameters.

Features of operation

The concept of “Velcro” has a purely marketing purpose. It was invented so that domestic car owners, who are mostly accustomed to studs, would buy studless kits.

Everyone is used to seeing names like “winter non-studded tires”, which caused some distrust in the ability of such a tire to drive in our winter conditions.

Regarding the operation of cars in winter, an important correction should be made. Much depends on the region where you live.

• Big cities. If you live in St. Petersburg, Moscow or another large population center, then friction clutches will be the optimal solution for the city. This is due to the fact that now winter in a large city is completely different from what it was like 20 years ago. Roads are regularly sprinkled with reagents that melt snow and ice. As a result, studded wheels behave worse, since there is no grip between the rubber and the road, the studs slide, make noise, increase the braking distance and disrupt the vehicle's driving stability. Velcro shows its maximum in such conditions;
• Suburbs, towns, etc. Living in the Leningrad region, Moscow region, villages, small towns, where the roads are poorly and rarely cleared, leaving dense layers of snow on the roadways, studs may come in handy. But over time, when this snow mass turns into an ice crust.

In terms of driving on snow, there is not much difference between studs and friction. It’s impossible to say which studs are better or in what ways Velcro is ahead of its studded competitor. There are different manufacturers and corresponding quality of workmanship.




In snow, you can put an equal sign between the two competitors, if you take into account tires of approximately the same quality.

In case of absolute ice, solid ice on the road without spikes, you will not have a very sweet time using standard Velcro. Although here, too, some models of modern friction sets in the latest tests show that even on ice they are able to impose competition on studs.

With the standard mess that happens on the road and is a mixture of snow, sand, salt and other reagents, Velcro is a clear favorite.

Therefore, the choice directly depends on the operating conditions.




From all this we draw two main conclusions.

• First. If you use your car within the city, making 90% of your trips to work and back, then even in severe winter conditions the clutches will do their job perfectly;
• Second. If you plan to travel outside the city, where the roads are not cleaned or treated with reagents, for greater safety, put your car on studded wheels.

Studs are indispensable on country roads, and Velcro is ideal for winter city driving on asphalt or on a cleared road.




Advantages and disadvantages

To try to finally figure out what is better and what to put on your car, let’s look at the positive and negative aspects of the two winter tire options under discussion.

I strongly advise you not to buy something that is cheaper. Savings are inappropriate here, since you are risking your own health and the lives of other road users. It is important to be confident in your car, regardless of operating conditions. In the best case, you will have to deal with it, and in the worst case, the car will simply go to scrap metal.




I understand that owners of a brand new Prado and expensive foreign cars can afford top-end tires from Bridgestone, Michelin or Pirelli. But it's not just about the brand. Quality is not determined by cost. What is more expensive is not always better. It has been proven many times.

Therefore, read the reviews, look through the forum where your car is discussed. There you can find real opinions of car owners about certain tires and their cost. Roughly speaking, based on other people's experience, you can understand which tires will be the most optimal for you.

I propose to consider two points separately:

• strengths and weaknesses of studs;
• advantages and disadvantages of Velcro.

Do you agree? Then let's go!




Velcro

You need to understand it, it’s not even discussed. It’s worth at least looking at the specifications of your car. This way you will understand what tire parameters are suitable for your car.

I will highlight several main advantages of friction kits:




But there are also disadvantages that should not be overlooked.

The main disadvantages of Velcro include:

• reduced cross-country ability;
• worst behavior on ice;
• increased braking distance.

Although regarding the braking distance, everything here is conditional and depends on the situation on the road. When the main road is cleared, there are no snow ruts, then the braking distance remains at a normal level. When braking on ice, it is actually greater than with studs.




Spikes

If you are leaning more in favor of studded wheels, I advise you to first look at their characteristics.

Let's start with the positive. These include:

• Better stability when driving on snow tracks;
• Increased cross-country ability;
• Confident behavior on ice, shorter braking distance and better handling.




That's all. Now it's time for the shortcomings. In fact, they are the opposite of the advantages of Velcro and are manifested in the following:

• behave poorly on asphalt;
• on clean asphalt, braking distance increases;
• handling on dry surfaces deteriorates;
• if there is not enough snow, the studs quickly fly out (especially on cheap tires);
• increased tire wear;
• noise and hum in the cabin.

Everyone can draw their own conclusions.




I advise you to think about it in connection with the current weather, since sticking snow and rain can create problems with visibility when driving.

Objectively about the main thing

The presented analysis allows us to objectively answer the question of who is better. The answer will surprise or upset you a little. Nobody.

It is impossible to choose a winner because the comparison is completely meaningless. Spikes are designed for real winter, where extreme cold prevails, a lot of snow falls and ice forms.

Frictions or Velcro are designed for driving on a highway that has been cleaned with reagents, for a city where public utilities operate.




The reagents are good for everyone except their composition. It provokes corrosion of the body, so in winter I advise you to visit more often, where you can cheaply and quickly knock off all the mixture stuck there from the bottom. I strongly advise against leaving a car with reagents on the body.

Otherwise, you will have to apply it in the spring. The thing is good and effective, but it’s better not to let your car get to this state.

Therefore, choose tires based on the conditions in which you will operate your car in the coming winter. You can't go wrong.

A little about spikes and the traffic police

Finally, let’s touch on another pressing issue that I’ve been encountering often lately.

Users often ask whether the thorn sign is required or not in this year 2017 and the coming 2018. I’m talking specifically about the Russian Federation.




Back in April of this year, a resolution was adopted (4.04 came into force) according to which motorists are required to place a sign on their vehicle indicating the use of studded tires. If it is not there, this is equivalent to a malfunction that prohibits the operation of the car.

If we talk about a question that interests most car owners, then yes, there is a fine for the absence of a sign. It is 500 rubles.

But the issue is not the size of the fine. Such a sign placed on the rear window or body of the car informs cars coming behind that you have spikes. Consequently, the braking distance may increase, which other cars must be aware of. It's a safety issue, nothing more. Therefore, do not forget about your responsibility to yourself and other road users.

As the cold season approaches, winter tires are on the car owner's agenda. Choosing the right tires is necessary not only among numerous models and manufacturers, but also taking into account efficiency and individual conditions.

Features of using studded tires in winter

Any automotive expert will tell you that the comparison itself - studs or Velcro - is incorrect. Based on the principle of operation, these are wheels of two different systems. Additional protruding elements built into the tire body have proven themselves well on roads covered with compacted snow or with a dense ice crust.

It is not uncommon for another situation to arise during the winter. Due to a sudden thaw or after the active application of reagents, snow porridge is observed on the asphalt or there is even a layer of melt water.

Different conditions reveal the pros and cons of studded tires. The following indicators count towards studded wheels:

1. Deceleration efficiency. This indicator is especially noticeable on ice. If the stud height exceeds the standard by 0.1 mm, an additional reduction is up to 3% per share.

   Accelerating dynamics. The indicator improves taking into account the better coefficient of grip on ice.

   1. The main disadvantage of studded tires is their increased noise. As soon as the car drives onto clean asphalt, an obsessive noise haunts you constantly. In addition, there are other disadvantages:

   Efficiency limited by temperature. It is noted that at a web temperature of less than -20 °C there is a sharp decrease in adhesion properties.

   Wet or clean asphalt. The spikes protruding like a layer prevent effective braking and normal adhesion of the tire to the road.

Do not forget that studded tires are prohibited from being used during the warm season, while this rule does not apply to winter wheels. In addition, studded tires have a limited resource and will not last 4-5 seasons.

Features of Scandinavian-type tires in winter

As is known, road reagents are practically not used in Scandinavian countries. On a cleared road with snow cover, other means of ensuring wheel grip on the road are required. To answer the question of what is better: studs or Velcro, you need to understand how the tread works. In the process of movement, individual blocks not only push through the snow flooring, but also, when expanding, increase the contact patch.

Additionally, Velcro rubber has the following advantages:

1. High softness and elasticity due to the use of natural rubber. Properties are maintained in a high temperature range.

   Low rolling resistance. Thanks to this indicator, Velcro tires demonstrate excellent fuel efficiency even on snowy roads.

   Noise level. When driving on snowy flooring, the only annoying thing will be the crunch of snowflakes in the cold.

Taking into account the use of natural rubber, you should not use a new tire in the summer and on clean asphalt. Emergency braking and unnecessary acceleration lead to accelerated tread wear. And when the height of the pattern approaches the critical value of 4 mm, the protruding elements cannot effectively push through the snow crust - the advantages of Velcro are lost.

What is better, spikes or Velcro - what the tests say

Taking into account the above-mentioned features, in resolving the dispute about whether studs or Velcro are better in winter, the main thing is still the braking efficiency. Winter tire specialists note that more equal conditions for the two types of tires are frost at the level of “-15 ° C”.

WATCH THE VIDEO

In other conditions, the situation is as follows:

1. In warmer weather, studded wheels will be effective. Rough ice will help the Scandinavians maintain some efficiency.

   As the temperature drops, Velcro winter tires will perform better. True, even in cold weather under the rays of the sun, a thin layer of water will work against the Velcro.

Winter icy road test results

To compare which is better - Velcro or studded, we will show the results of two tires from the same manufacturer. Michlen X-Ice North studded tires compete against Michelin X-Ice 2. Braking results from 50 to 5 km/h at different temperatures are shown:

• Frost -19 °C. The braking distance is 30.3 m for a Velcro tire versus 40.1 m for a studded tire.
• Temperature -13 °C. Braking distance: 33.2 m and 37.7 m, respectively.
• Light frost -5 °C. Indicators: 56.5 m and 33.2 m, respectively.

Thaw -1 °C. Indicator: 86.7 and 33.7 meters.

WATCH THE VIDEO

As you can see, using Velcro winter tires on wet icy surfaces becomes simply unsafe. At the same time, spikes definitely lose on ice during frost.

How tires behave on dry asphalt

Driving on clean, dry asphalt in winter seems to be a rarity, and therefore assessments of the advantages of a certain type of tire are not often found. However, they say that Velcro rubber is the best option for a clean coating.

Taking into account the design, on dry asphalt one should expect a slight decrease in the handling of studded tires and an increase in braking distance.

The tire test results demonstrate the following indicators in different disciplines for two classes of tires:

Braking from 80 km/h to a stop. The braking distance for the "linden" is from 33.1 m to 41.1 m, and for the "spikes" - from 35.3 m to 38.7 m.

When performing the “rearrangement” exercise, the spread also turns out to be close: 62.4-60.0 km/h for studded tires, 63.7-59.7 km/h for Velcro tires.

As you can see, the results are not completely contrasting. In practice, the best Velcro winter tires will outperform studded tires. But the best studded samples are superior to budget Scandinavian-type rubber models.

WATCH THE VIDEO

TOP 5 modern Scandinavian tires

Given the variety of models, it is difficult to single out a leader among Scandinavian-type tires. It’s more convenient to name individual models in different categories and choose Velcro for the winter, taking into account your own preferences:

Best rating. The Continental Conti Viking Contakt tire with index 6, in addition to excellent performance on snow, has good lateral grip and braking performance on ice. The price for a sample for a size of 16 inches will not exceed 6 thousand rubles.

We take into account reviews. The Dunlop SP Winter Maxx model has no significant drawbacks and is considered an excellent option for every day in urban conditions. Among the advantages are low noise, efficiency, predictable behavior in any weather. The price for a 16-inch wheel is about 6 thousand rubles.

Famous brand. Tire Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2. Has some complaints about behavior on asphalt. The price exceeds 7.3 thousand rubles. for size 16 inches.

For those with all-wheel drive

As you know, cars with all-wheel drive are more obedient in the normal cycle, but unpredictable in critical situations. Here it is better to use tires with balanced properties.

In the alternative category we include the Pirelli Ice Zero model. It has balanced properties, and is only slightly inferior to its rivals in terms of lateral stability on ice. The price is also average - about 5.2 thousand for size 16 (in inches).

TOP 5 modern studded tires

WATCH THE VIDEO

Among the studded models there are also leaders in their categories:

Positive reviews. The Pirelli Winter Ice Zero model has a studless sister. Inferior to other models only on snowy surfaces. The price is almost the same as the non-studded version.

In terms of price/quality ratio. The Gislaved Nord Frost 200 model handles a little worse on a snowy road. Price – from 4.5 thousand rubles (for size 16"), there is an option for crossovers with reinforced sidewalls.

For cars that have rear wheel drive

As you know, rear-wheel drive cars suffer the most in winter. As a reliable alternative, you can consider the Nokian Nordman 7 model. The model has good lateral lugs. The price will not exceed 4 thousand rubles. For wheels with dimension 16 inches.

For what conditions are thorns or linden suitable?

Regardless of the quality of the wheel, the choice should be made taking into account the conditions of primary use of the car. If the car is used more often in the urban cycle, then the best Velcro for the winter will have an advantage here.

Long kilometers on a snow-covered country road will be better served by studded tires. The wheel seems to pull on icy asphalt, and directional stability will be excellent.

When starting to use a winter wheel, remember that at least a 500-kilometer break-in period is required first. After which the wheel will demonstrate its best qualities.

Every winter, many drivers are faced with the choice of winter tires. For residents of the southern regions, where winters are warm and snow rarely falls, this choice is relatively simple: European-type friction tires, which are primarily intended for cleaned asphalt, are optimal.

However, residents of northern regions with harsher winters have to choose between Velcro and studded tires. And it’s difficult to say unequivocally which one is better, since each of the tires has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Let's try to figure this out in practice. To do this, we analyzed the results of several winter tests from European and domestic magazines to understand which tire option is better.

Braking on ice

One of the main tasks of studded tires is to provide maximum safety on ice. Is it really? Here and below, spikes are indicated in dark blue, and Velcro are indicated in blue.

Comments:

• In each of the tests, studded tires came first.
• In general, studded tires performed better than Velcro tires and took higher positions.
• Not all spikes brake equally well on ice. In some tests the difference between best and worst studded tire ranged from 5 to 10 meters.
• best velcro And worst spike small. For example, the friction Michelin lags behind the nearest Shivok by only 1 meter.
• Some spikes did not cope with the task, showed the worst results and took last places.
• At high speed, the difference in braking distance between the best spike And worst velcro is about 6-10 meters (in favor of spikes). Whereas at low speed the difference is smaller - about 1-2 meters.
• In braking tests at low speeds (25 km/h), all tires showed approximately equal results, and the difference in braking distance was on average 1-2 meters.

Conclusion:

Spikes brake better on ice, but not all. The worst studded tire and the best velcro tire brake about the same.

Braking on snow

The second important requirement for tires is high performance on snow in any of its conditions (rolled, freshly fallen, loose, etc.).

Finnish Tekniikan Maailma, 2013, tire size - 205/55 R16
Ukrainian "Autocenter", 2013, tire size - 195/65 R15
German Auto Motor & Sport, 2015, tire size - 205/55 R16
Finnish Test World, 2016, tire size - 205/55 R16

Comments:

• In most cases, a studded tire will brake better than a velcro tire.
• Difference between first And last place in the test (regardless of tire type) the average distance was about 4 meters.
• Chinese and little-known studs brake very poorly and took last place.
• The best Velcro the spike closest to it.
• At low speeds, the difference in braking distance between the best spike And best velcro about 30-50 cm.
• Worst Velcro on average it slows down 3-4 meters longer than best spike.

Conclusion:

On snow, spikes brake better than Velcro ones, but with less superiority than on ice. But at low speeds the difference is completely insignificant.

Braking on asphalt

There is an opinion that studded tires behave poorly on asphalt, because... metal spikes glide on a hard surface.

Finnish Tekniikan Maailma, 2013, tire size - 205/55 R16
Ukrainian "Autocenter", 2013, tire size - 195/65 R15
German Auto Motor & Sport, 2015, tire size - 205/55 R16
Finnish Test World, 2016, tire size - 205/55 R16

A comment:

• All tires generally behave the same on asphalt, and yet in three out of four tests, Velcro came in first place, and studs came in last.
• The difference in braking distance between first And last place(regardless of tire type) averaged from 2 to 5 meters.
• In one test, two Chinese studs showed the best braking distance, while on snow they turned out to be the worst. Perhaps the reason is the hard composition of the rubber compound or the small number of lamellas.
• The best spike on average slows down 1 meter longer than best velcro.
• Worst spike on average slows down 5 meters longer than best velcro.

Conclusion:

Velcro leads on asphalt with a slight advantage.

Noise and comfort

In all tests, Velcro proved to be quieter and more comfortable than studs.

Finnish Tekniikan Maailma, 2013, tire size - 205/55 R16
Ukrainian "Autocenter", 2013, tire size - 195/65 R15
Finnish Test World, 2016, tire size - 205/55 R16

Which is better in the end - Velcro or spikes?

On ice and snow, the advantage is more on the side of studded tires, while on asphalt Velcro works slightly better. But this is an average, and in practice everything very much depends on specific tire models.

Studded tires or Velcro? What is better for the Russian winter? Why do some motorists drive only with studs, while others buy only Velcro? Which tires are right for the city and which ones are right for suburban dirt roads? How do weather conditions affect the choice of winter tires? And is there a universal option for all occasions? Read about all this in the article.

So, friends, winter is coming and therefore today we will talk to you about choosing winter tires. Namely, about what is better for the harsh Russian winter: studded tires or so-called Velcro.

The main thing in winter driving is good controllability of the car and its high cross-country ability. That is, ideally, the car should not experience problems either on icy asphalt or in unclean yards.

I am sure that among you there are both those who consider spikes to be the only correct solution for our winter, and those who do not see any point in them at all in urban conditions. Some of you made a choice based on personal experience, others trusted the opinions of friends or relatives.

Are you satisfied with everything in the chosen tires? Have you regretted your purchase? After all, new tires are not cheap, and it’s a shame if they don’t live up to expectations and don’t cope with the tasks set.

So, in the article we will figure out how studded tires differ from Velcro, what is the fundamental difference, and which tires are still better in winter.

Spike: purpose and features

The appearance of studded tires at one time was a huge breakthrough in the automobile business. And for motorists it is a real salvation. We were given the opportunity to storm the icy slopes without fear of sliding back, and feel confident even on the slipperiest winter road.

Essentially, a stud is just a strong metal rod that is built into the body of the tire to cling to the road surface and minimize slipping in icy conditions. Removing liquid and snow from under the wheel is the task of the tread pattern, and the studs are needed precisely to literally bite into the ice.

By the way, metal is not the only material used in the manufacture of spikes. Sometimes ceramics are used, but ceramic studs are not so common due to their high cost.

When driving on a snowy road, studded tires provide a shorter braking distance, improve the vehicle's maneuverability, and reduce the risk of skidding. The car goes better on ice, even if it is covered with a layer of loose snow. A car with Velcro will simply bury itself in such conditions. If the road has melted, there is no way without thorns.

But in a big city the situation changes radically. When there is clean asphalt under the wheels, the studs lose their effectiveness, and the braking distance increases by 20–30%. Let's say from 70 to 90 kilometers. When in contact with such a dense coating, the spikes quickly wear out and fall out. And if the asphalt is also wet, the car on spikes becomes less controllable. In addition, studs add noise to the car and increase fuel consumption.

I would also like to say something about the frosts. When the ambient temperature reaches minus 30–40 degrees, the density of the ice increases to such an extent that no spikes can push through it. A car on spikes is difficult to control under these conditions. Usually in such a situation, drivers try to drive as carefully as possible. And if in 40-degree frost you have to overcome snow drifts (under which there is strong ice), experienced motorists take chains out of the trunk.

"Smart" spikes

There is no limit to perfection, so manufacturers work hard to improve the quality of winter tires. At different times, Continental and Nokian companies developed “hiding” studs so that, on command from the dashboard, the “claws” could be quickly retracted or released. This would be an almost ideal option for city roads that are not always cleaned on time.

There are even trial samples. Cars on these tires were tested in Finland. But in practice, such ultra-modern winter wheels turned out to be either too expensive (45–70% more expensive than the market price) or imperfect in terms of design (the studs were deformed and fell out, the guide bushings became clogged and corroded).

Today, the best option is tires with recessed studs. This works on differences in road surface densities. The density of the rubber under the stud is such that the rod digs into the ice, but at the same time goes deep inside the tire, in contact with bare asphalt.

This helps improve the patency of studded tires on clean asphalt and at the same time reduce the speed of stud wear. The other side of the coin: such rubber is sensitive to wear. Every millimeter of profile height is important here.

Velcro: purpose and features

When choosing what is best to buy for the winter, many city residents choose Velcro tires (the official term is friction tires). It shows excellent performance on asphalt in almost any winter temperature.

The secret of Velcro is the combination of materials. To prevent rubber from hardening in the cold in winter and from floating in the thaw, an interesting chemical composition was created, the molecular bonds in which, depending on temperature conditions, independently break and are restored.

Thus, Velcro is a fairly soft, but at the same time hard tire. The inner layer remains hard, providing rigidity and optimal handling to the wheels. And the outer tread layer is softer so that it can provide better traction.

Without this soft layer, the braking distance of Velcro would be 55–65% longer, and the name “Velcro” itself would no longer make sense. This means that while driving the tread is practically glued to the road surface. Excess fluid from the contact patch is drained through the grooves, and the sipes help the wheels cling to the snow.

In general, on cleared asphalt roads, Velcro performs much better than studded tires. On a wet highway, the braking distance of the Velcro increases, but for experienced drivers this is not a problem. On hard-packed snowy roads, the difference between these types of tires is almost unnoticeable.

But in icy conditions, Velcro is simply a disaster. The car loses traction, the wheels slip, the car “slides” and spins. To avoid getting into an accident, it is better not to drive at all in such weather.

Which is better: studded rubber or Velcro. comparison table

Studded tires or Velcro? What is better to choose for the winter? It is impossible to give a definite answer, because it all depends on the conditions in which you plan to use the car, as well as on your driving style. In the meantime, see the table comparing these two types of tires:

	Studded tires	Velcro
Advantages	Short braking distance on ice. Accelerating quickly on an icy section of the road. Good cross-country ability in snow drifts. Better lateral stability in corners.	All-season. Larger contact patch with the road surface. Silence. Non-aggressive to road surfaces. Fuel economy.
Flaws	Reduced car handling on a wet road. Reduced efficiency on clean asphalt. Noisiness Increased fuel consumption. Destruction of asphalt. Loss of thorns.	Unsuitable in icy conditions. Less deep tread. Powerlessness in the face of deep snow.

Spikes against roads

Please note: in the table, the destruction of asphalt is mentioned as a disadvantage. We all know that studs are slowly ruining the road, but, as a rule, we don’t care about it.

Actually, why should we think about roads, which are often practically non-existent?! This will probably remain the case until normal roads appear everywhere in Russia. In the meantime, we are forced to kill our car (for which, by the way, we paid big money), overcoming dips, bumps and the notorious consequences of pothole repairs, we will not give up studs just because they harm the asphalt.

In Europe, this factor is taken very seriously. In many countries, the use of studded tires is completely prohibited and is punishable by a huge fine. So if you suddenly decide to visit Europe in a personal car (with spikes) in winter, check to see if you will thereby violate local laws.

What to choose?

What to choose? Which tires will perform best in winter: studded or velcro? Based on theory and reviews, we can say that to each his own.

If you live in a region where winters are cold, long and snowy, studded tires are more suitable for you. If you have little snow in winter and there is often slush on the roads, buy Velcro.

If your winter is “this way and that”, that is, frost below minus 30, then a sharp thaw and a snowstorm, then you need to think... If it’s easy for you to leave your car at home in icy conditions and go to work by bus, take Velcro. If it is fundamentally important for you to drive your own car in any weather, install studs. But then try to drive more carefully on bare or wet asphalt.

Likewise, if you live in a big city, where expensive roads are regularly cleaned, and rarely go on country roads, your option is Velcro. And vice versa, if in your locality the utility services are not used to working conscientiously or you constantly travel outside the city, it is obvious that spikes will be better for you for the winter.

Personal example: Just 2 years ago, I only drove on studded tires, because the roads in my city were terribly clean, there was a lot of snow, and ice was not uncommon. But last year our service company changed, and the new company decided to return to the old way of dealing with snow - generously sprinkling the entire city with salt. The result is a wet, dirty mess under the wheels even at minus 20, white stains on shoes that cannot be cleaned off, and complete failure of the bottom of the car. And now in my city it’s better to buy Velcro for the winter rather than spikes.

Comparison of tires by braking distance

It is very interesting to evaluate different types and brands of winter tires in comparison. Depending on what you are interested in, it is immediately clear that for your specific case it will be better for the winter: studded tires or Velcro. Look: two diagrams show the braking distance of 12 different tires. In the first diagram, braking occurs on snow, in the second, on ice.

Braking distance on snow (35-5 km/h, with ABS), meters

As you can see, the clear leaders are Nokian 8 and Vichelin XIN2 studded tires. Please note that non-studded tires of the same brands have much better characteristics than studded tires from other companies.

Braking distance on ice (25-5 km/h), meters

And now I have compiled a pivot table especially for you. It shows how the braking distance of a car with studded or velcro tires changes depending on the conditions. For comparison, I took the most popular tire brands among car owners: 2 of them are studded tires (marked with the “W” icon) and 3 are friction models.

Tire brand	Braking distance, meters
	50–5 km/h on ice at a temperature of -20	50–5 km/h on ice at -1 temperature	80–5 km/h on wet asphalt	80–5 km/h on dry asphalt	50–5 km/h on snow
Continental ContiWinterViking 2 (W)	34,6	28,4	35,3	35,4	26
Michelin X-lce North (W)	40,1	37,7	36,7	34,7	25,4
Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60	31,5	83	45,3	31,92	28,3
Nokian Hakka R	32,2	77,1	39	29,81	28
Michelin X-lce 2	30,3	86,7	37,2	32,6	28,3

The information is more than visual, and draw your own conclusions.

I hope all this information will help you decide on the choice of winter tires! Good luck!

About thorns

“Spikes,” in general, differ from friction clutches in that they have a more stable grip on ice, almost independent of the ambient temperature. As a price to pay for confidence, you have to put up with the shortcomings - a slightly longer braking distance on asphalt than with friction tires and increased noise. In addition, they require running-in - about a thousand kilometers at low speed and without slipping in the longitudinal and transverse directions.

And studded tires are harmful for any road - they harm not only asphalt, but even cobblestone roads. It is the spikes that mercilessly gnaw out longitudinal ruts in the asphalt.

In most European countries, spikes are prohibited. And where they are still allowed (including in Russia), their size, weight and quantity per linear meter of tire (along the tread), as well as their pressure on the road, are strictly regulated.

How do friction clutches cling to ice?

Non-studded tires, popularly called “Velcro” tires, are called friction tires by experts. The tire clings to the ice with edges that are formed due to multiple local cuts in the tread - lamellas. The friction clutches are quieter, less vibration-laden and can compete with studded tires on snow and ice, and work even better in frosts greater than 25 degrees. But due to the prejudiced attitude of car owners (they say that rubber cannot cling to ice in the same way as iron), they are too slow to win their place under the winter sun.

The only disadvantage of friction tires: when the air temperature is near zero, the grip on ice decreases.

Running in friction tires is fundamentally different from running in studded tires: on the contrary, you need to drive actively, trying to move and open the tread more. The goal is to remove the lubricant that remains deep in the lamellas from the mold (it protects the 3D lamellas from destruction when removing the molds from the “baked” tire). The second important point of intensive running-in is the erasing of the thin top layer of sintered tread rubber, which has a lower coefficient of adhesion.

SET DIRECTION

Which tire is better in terms of driving properties - with an asymmetric tread or with a directional tread? It's hard to say for sure. But from the point of view of operation, asymmetrical ones have an undeniable advantage: they have external and internal sides, which allows the use of a universal spare tire - both for the right side and for the left. And if necessary, you can swap wheels without re-adjusting them. The only company that produces studded and non-studded tires with asymmetric tread is Continental. Using the example of this manufacturer’s products, we will show how different types of winter boots differ from each other.

For different markets

Manufacturers divide friction clutches into two subgroups. The first is soft tires of the Scandinavian direction, which are more focused on snow and ice (mostly these are the ones present on our market). They have a softer tread (55 Shore units and below), and a large number of sipes make them “loose” on asphalt. To compensate for this disadvantage, lamella cuts have recently been made voluminous. When the coefficient of adhesion is low, they open up, forming additional edges that cling to ice and snow. On asphalt, under the influence of significant lateral forces, the lamellas are assembled into monolithic blocks, improving the response of the tires.

The second group is tires for the warm and wet Central European winter, which have more developed drainage grooves in the tread, made of a stiffer rubber compound. They are divided into two subgroups: hard (tread hardness about 65 Shore units) and soft (55–60 units). Both of them, albeit to varying degrees, are focused more on asphalt and wet snow than on ice, and therefore are not so popular with us. the second group is suitable only for those who move exclusively within the metropolis, where the streets are thoroughly cleared of ice and snow.

“Spikes” differ from friction clutches in that they have a more stable grip on ice, but are slightly inferior in braking on asphalt.

To each his own!

For vehicles not equipped with ABS, we recommend studded tires. When braking on locked wheels, friction wheels suddenly lose traction. In addition, we recommend “spikes” to novice drivers and those for whom a car is just a means of transportation.

If you've been driving for years and enjoy driving it, try soft friction tires. You will be pleasantly surprised by both the comfort and their ability to cling to the ice surface. Just be careful on ice at near-zero temperatures!

Driving around Moscow or St. Petersburg on “European” friction wheels is a pleasure. In terms of reactions, such tires are not much different from summer tires.

However, it’s better not to venture outside of big cities: it’s unsettling on these tires in icy conditions.