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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R15 | |||||||||
| 175/65 R15 | 88T | 88 | T | 3470 rub. | |||||
| 205/65 R15 | 99T | 99 | T | 3807 rub. | |||||
| R16 | |||||||||
| 225/60 R16 | 102T | 102 | T | 4709 rub. | |||||
Description Gislaved Nord Frost 100 (winter)
Synonyms:
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The price does not include shipping costs. Discounts on discount cards are provided only for services. The price for tires and wheels is already discounted; additional discounts are not provided."> Price |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R13 | |||||||||
| 155/70 R13 | 75T | 75 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 155/80 R13 | 79T | 79 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 165/70 R13 | 83T | 83 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| R14 | |||||||||
| 155/65 R14 | 75T | 75 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 175/70 R14 | 88T | 88 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 185/60 R14 | 82T | 82 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 185/65 R14 | 90T | 90 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 185/70 R14 | 92T | 92 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| R15 | |||||||||
| 185/55 R15 | 86T | 86 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 185/60 R15 | 88T | 88 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 195/55 R15 | 89T | 89 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 195/60 R15 | 92T | 92 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 205/70 R15 | 96T | 96 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 235/75 R15 | 109T | 109 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| R16 | |||||||||
| 195/55 R16 | 91T | 91 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 215/65 R16 | 102T | 102 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 215/70 R16 | 100T | 100 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 225/55 R16 | 99T | 99 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 225/70 R16 | 107T | 107 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| R16C | |||||||||
| 235/65R16C | 115/113R | 115/113 | R | not available | not available | ||||
| R17 | |||||||||
| 205/50 R17 | 93T | 93 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 215/55 R17 | 98T | 98 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 225/45 R17 | 94T | 94 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 225/50 R17 | 98T | 98 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 225/55 R17 | 101T | 101 | T | not available | not available | ||||
| 103T 105 | T | not available | not available | ||||||
| 265/50 R19 | 110T | 110 | T | not available | not available | ||||
Gislaved Nord Frost 100 - stability on winter roads
After stricter requirements in many European countries regarding the use of studded tires, the Swedish brand with German roots released the Gislaved Nord Frost 100 model, which meets all modern requirements. Thus, during its development, it was taken into account that no more than 50 studs should be located per meter of tire circumference. At the same time, the developers managed to solve this problem without compromising performance characteristics:
This was achieved through the introduction of new technological solutions proposed by the manufacturer. The new tread pattern was created using computer simulation. Its large blocks are located in such a way as not to impede the rolling of the wheel, while due to their complex shape with a large number of stiffening ribs, they provide excellent grip on any type of road surface that can be encountered in winter.
Particular attention was paid to the design of the new spike. A new design of this tire element was proposed, which allows for excellent grip on icy surfaces, despite the smaller number of studs per unit tread area. The landing system ensures that the stud will not fly out of the tread when driving onto a hard surface, and it will last the entire life of the tire.
To combat hydroplaning, wide channels for water drainage are located between the tread blocks. Their location allows them to self-clean when driving into mud or snow, so traction remains consistently high on any surface. The hard edges of the grooves improve the tire's flotation and steering stability.
To optimize adhesion, three-dimensional wave-shaped lamellas are applied to the blocks. They increase tread strength and reduce wear. In addition, through them, residual moisture that did not escape through the grooves is removed from the tire. Additional stiffening ribs stabilize handling on slippery roads.
Tests have shown that Gislaved Nord Frost 100, despite all the restrictions imposed by law, has improved performance characteristics. It handles perfectly on any surface, providing stable traction and short braking distances.
Synonyms: Gislaved NF 100, Gislaved Nord Frost 100, Gislaved NF100, Gislaved NordFrost 100
Gislaved is a world-famous Swedish brand that has been delighting car enthusiasts with quality products for many years. We have all been waiting for a long time and have finally arrived - meet the new product of 2013, a worthy successor to the super popular “fifth” Nord Frost - the updated model Gislaved NordFrost 100. Photo:
Offhand, the differences and innovations are the smaller number of studs, which results in a quieter tire, but this did not affect the grip properties in any way. so in the new model, “less is more.”
The tires are slightly above the average price range, but are positioned as premium.
Characteristics
- Sizes from 13 to 19 inches (suitable for both sedans and SUVs)
- There is also a huge selection of widths - from 155 to 265 mm
- Profile height - there is also plenty to choose from - from 40 to 80
- Studded tire with a maximum speed of up to 190 km/h
The choice of sizes is simply huge, the Swedes immediately try to cover the entire consumer segment, especially knowing the quality of their tires, they easily succeed. I will indicate here several of the most popular sizes and their prices so that you can estimate on average:
175/65R14 86T - popular size for VAZ-14,15 and many others - price 2700 rubles
215/65R16 102T - for many SUVs (the load index is higher accordingly) - the tire costs 4,400 rubles (not cheap, but not so expensive either).
In principle, for my Chevrolet Niva for the winter, I’m considering buying studded tires for up to 5,000 rubles per wheel. And the hundredth Gislaved is included in the list of contenders along with - also a super tire.
225/65R17 102T - a large tire and a corresponding price - 6,700 rubles.
Tread pattern and appearance
Bold, it will clearly stand out among others, so the appearance of your car will be “cooler” with these tires. although, of course, the point here is not at all about “beauty”, but about the grip and driving qualities of the rubber. Which, by the way, are excellent.
Here is the tread pattern of the Gislaved Nord Frost 100:
But for comparison, the previous version - Nord Frost V:
As you can see, there are actually fewer spikes, but they have become cooler, so to speak. The shape of the spike is triangular, so the ice bites brutally.
The tread pattern is such that it will perfectly drain water and snow, both loose and “porridge”. Well, the spikes will cling to the ice.
Video - steep climb Gislaved 100 vs Nokian Nordman 4
The cars are the same - Renault Duster
Test results
Took a very respectable third place after the eighth Hakki and Continental. Excellent results, considering that the price will be at least 2-3 times cheaper. Excellent performance on loose snow, ice, slush and asphalt.
Owner reviews
It’s worth adding here that especially for off-road vehicles (SUVs), you can find XL models on sale (increased load index, jeeps are heavy after all), they initially come with a reinforced sidewall (pictured):
So, the rubber is soft, exactly the same as the fifth Gislaved. This, on the one hand, is good, because it will be great to drive on ice. But this can affect wear resistance, although the developers assure us that the rubber composition includes “reinforcing” elements and the rubber will be “stronger” than its analogues by as much as 2 percent.
The manufacturer is also encouraging - it is neither more nor less than Germany. Many of my significant others ride Gislaved, and their fifth Nord Frost can generally be called a legend. So the hundredth model should be at least no worse. But I think it was not in vain that the Swedes introduced a lot of innovations. So the tires must be “just a bomb.” Moderately soft, quiet, with a special shape of spikes and the price is quite normal. Take note. Well, for the price it’s just great, you have to take it))
And yet, most often when choosing, this model is compared with and with. There are already reviews of these tires, so if you are still “on the fence”, you can read the reviews of these good tires.
Owners of crossovers, especially all-wheel drive ones, are often not enthusiastic about the seasonal change of standard summer tires to winter ones. After all, almost all original tires are marked with the M+S index, which de jure allows you to drive them in winter. The main thing is that the residual tread depth is at least 4 mm (otherwise - a fine of 500 rubles). But you need to understand that the M+S marking does not obligate the manufacturer to anything! To apply the marking, no tests or certificates are required confirming the suitability of tires for winter, and therefore more and more often it can be seen on openly summer, and “asphalt” tires, which incidentally indicates the devaluation of not only the letter S (snow, “snow”), but also M (mud, “dirt”). So we look not at the letters, but at the tread, and if we don’t see many small slots-lamellas, then we draw the conclusion: driving on these in winter is dangerous. And even better, when there is a “Snowflake” stamp on the sidewall in the form of three mountain peaks with a snowflake - these models really passed the test on the snow track. The participants in our test all had the following markings: 14 sets with spikes and nine without.
The test program is standard, all the tracks of the White Hell training ground near the Finnish town of Ivalo are well known to us - and the main thing is to be lucky with the weather. Almost lucky: there was no snowfall, although the temperature fluctuated from 5 to 23 degrees below zero, so its influence had to be taken into account by conducting additional races on “reference” tires. But measurements of longitudinal dynamics took place in a closed hangar with a more stable temperature.
This is where the confusion happened with Nokian tires, and with a model that has been produced for several years. In both acceleration and braking, the studless Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 SUV was inferior not only to its principal competitors, but even to its own “second line” tires - Nordman RS2 SUV tires! Nokian testers working nearby were alarmed and repeated the measurements themselves... An official investigation showed that the failed tires were produced at a plant near St. Petersburg at the end of 2016, more precisely in the 48th week. Then there was a failure in the technological cycle. They did not share the details with us (apparently, there were deviations either in the duration or in the temperature of vulcanization), but they assured that the defective batch did not go on sale. Although everything appears to be in order by appearance, and even the hardness of the tread rubber is the same as on the tires released in the 41st week of 2016 (their results were counted), but the difference in grip on ice reaches eight percent.
After taking measurements in the hangar, we head out into the deepening frost - and once again we notice that as the temperature drops, the friction tires begin to catch up and even overtake the studded tires. At minus twenty, the ice becomes so hard that the studs cannot scratch it, and the tread rubber of most studded tires is harder - in the cold, friction tires are more elastic, they have a longer total length of the slots-lamellas.
We, I repeat, take into account the changing conditions and adjust the results, but if all the tests were carried out in light frost, the friction tires would fall back to the bottom lines of the protocols.
Handling tests were carried out on the ice of the polar lake Tammijärvi
And in the snow, frost is good for friction models: while maintaining the elasticity of the tread, they cling better to snow shagreen.
This time the cross-country ability ratings were supported by instrumental measurements - acceleration time in deep snow with the traction control system turned off. It is curious that Russian tires topped and closed the ranking: the best are Cordiant, and the most helpless in the virgin lands are Viatti tires produced by the Nizhnekamsk Tire Plant.
The asphalt part of the tests is especially relevant for residents of large cities, where the streets are cleared of snow and ice for most of the winter.
The final part of the tests will take place in April, on “summer” surfaces. And along the way, we note that this time there were no tires littering with spikes.
At the top of the final rating are the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV tires. Expected result: if the previous generation model regularly won in our tests, then the new one, and even with two types of studs, easily outperformed its competitors.
Expensive? Then we carefully look at the scores, at the main advantages and disadvantages of other tires - and choose the best option that suits your budget. And yet we avoid buying outsider tires - such savings threaten disproportionately large expenses.
Studded tire rating
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (55 sizes available from 215/65 R16 to 315/40 R21) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,9 |
| 9,8 | |
| 49 | |
| Number of spikes | 172 |
| 1,05/1,54 | |
| Manufacturer country | Finland |
Hakkapeliitta with index 9 is a new product for the season: two types of studs are used here for the first time. Those in the middle part of the tread have carbide inserts oriented transversely: they are responsible for the longitudinal grip properties, and at the edges, trefoils rise above the tread, which work effectively in corners. And this is not a marketing gimmick: there is a clear superiority over competitors both in handling and in braking on ice. And in other types of winter tests, the tires are at their best. On asphalt, grip is moderate, and the main problem is noise at speeds from 70 to 90 km/h.
The best tires for harsh winter conditions!
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (2 sizes available 205/55 R16 and 215/65 R16) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,2 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,5 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 56 |
| Number of spikes | 170 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 1,52/1,47 |
| Manufacturer country | South Korea |
This year, Hankook officially opened its polar test site in Ivalo, Finland: the routes and testing approaches are in many ways similar to those used by Nokian Tires. This also applies to the characteristics of the tires themselves: the number of studs-stars was increased, which ensured decent test results on ice. But the tires do not shine in deep snow, just like on asphalt, and they are also quite noisy. But it’s easy to forgive them: Hankook Winter i*Pike RS+ tires are one and a half times cheaper than the Finnish new product.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (91 sizes available from 175/70 R14 to 275/40 R22) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,4 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,5 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 54 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 1,03/1,25 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
The tires produced in Voronezh are flavored with powerful studs - and work great on ice during acceleration and braking. But in turns there are sharp slips, so without a stabilization system you will have to be on your guard. But they have a good balance of grip properties on slippery roads and on asphalt, and therefore they can be safely recommended for winter use in large cities. If you do not place increased demands on acoustic comfort.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (75 sizes available from 155/70 R13 to 275/40 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,6 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,2 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 54 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 1,37/1,41 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
Tires are produced at the Russian Continental plant near Kaluga. The Gislaved brand belongs to Continental - and the Nord*Frost 200 model copies the asymmetric tread pattern of the first generation ContiIceContact tires, but the studs are simpler in shape and without thermochemical fixation. However, they also work well - especially in the transverse direction.
Overall, these are well-balanced tires for use both in large cities and beyond.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (37 sizes available from 155/70 R13 to 225/55 R18) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,9 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,6 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 54 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 1,63/1,62 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
The tires were produced at the Yaroslavl Tire Plant and their tread pattern is suspiciously reminiscent of Finnish Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 tires, which even became the reason for a lawsuit. But the Cordiant company managed to justify itself - and increase production volumes, including by expanding the range of sizes. Decent tires for the money, but they don’t like asphalt roads: they don’t hold very well, and rolling is accompanied by a loud and unpleasant hum from the tread. Tires are not for the city.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (42 sizes available from 205/70 R15 to 275/50 R22) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 12,2 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,2 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 57 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 1,08/1,16 |
| Manufacturer country | Finland |
Nordman tires are the “second line” of the Nokian Tires company, and for production they use molds from obsolete Nokian tire models. New for the season, the Nordman 7 SUV is a reincarnation of the Hakkapeliitta 7 SUV model, produced from 2010 to 2017. Good traction on ice and snow, and on asphalt even better than the current “mother” model. Including acoustic comfort: there are fewer spikes.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (38 sizes available from 175/65 R15 to 245/45 R19) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,2 |
| Tread depth, mm | 10,5 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 56 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 1,26/1,39 |
| Manufacturer country | Germany |
The model was introduced in 2012 and has not yet received a replacement. On ice, the tires work well in the longitudinal direction, but in turns they slip sharply. On snow, including virgin soil, everything is much better. But on asphalt, the aggressive pattern generates an obsessive low-frequency rumble already from 30 km/h.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (58 sizes available from 175/65 R14 to 265/40 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,3 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,3 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 56 |
| Number of spikes | 104 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 1,05/1,09 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
With the X-Ice North 3 tire, Michelin continues to strive to comply with European stud rules: no more than 50 studs per linear meter of tread. And the spikes themselves are simple, round in cross-section. This led to an unimportant hold on the ice. The picture is better on compacted snow, but getting out of a snowdrift is a problem: the tread is to blame.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (23 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 245/45 R17) | |
| Speed index | Q (160 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,2 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 51 |
| Number of spikes | 100 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 0,87/1,06 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
BFGoodrich tires are the “second line” of Michelin, they are produced at the same plant in Davydovo near Moscow as Michelin X-Ice North 3 tires. But the tread is its own, original. It's a pity, there are also few spikes, they are round, overly recessed - and as a result, mediocre behavior on the ice.
On snow, including virgin soil, the situation is better. And even better - on asphalt, although you need to remember that the permissible speed is 160 km/h, although studded competitors have 190.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (35 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 265/60 R18) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,9 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,6 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 56 |
| Number of spikes | 130 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 0,85/0,94 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
Formula is the “second line” of Pirelli. In last year's tests on the Lada Vesta, the tires took fifth place, but now the results are more modest. Especially on ice. Even after running-in, the protrusion of the studs above the tread surface is less than a millimeter (last year we recorded 1.1 mm on new tires). The results are better on compacted snow, although we do not recommend climbing into snowdrifts. They hold up well on asphalt.
A good budget tire option for city use.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (122 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 285/45 R22) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 12,2 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,5 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 55 |
| Number of spikes | 125 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 1,18/1,37 |
| Manufacturer country | Japan |
For many, the Made in Japan mark is a sign of quality. But something went wrong with Toyo winter tires. It seems that the studs are not simple - with cross-shaped inserts, and the studs are of high quality, but the traction properties on ice are moderate, as well as on snow. However, the car's response to control is well balanced.
On asphalt - far from the best comfort and grip properties.
Otrada - low price, which is consistent with the quality of the tires.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (19 sizes available from 205/70 R15 to 265/60 R18) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,5 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,3 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 59 |
| Number of spikes | 120 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 0,93/1,03 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
Under the “Italian” name - tires produced in Nizhnekamsk using off-take technology. The design and production technology are the product of an engineering firm managed by one of the former top managers of Continental. However, traction on ice and snow is mediocre, and what was most upsetting was that winter tires, “developed by European specialists specifically for Russian roads,” turned out to be helpless in deep snow. They are also noisy and harsh. Not an option - even taking into account the low price.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (96 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 275/50 R22) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 12,1 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 53 |
| Number of spikes | 128 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 0,57/0,73 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
One could immediately assume that the Yokohama Ice Guard 55 tire would fail in testing on ice. Instead of the required 1.2 mm, the spikes protrude by an average of 0.57 mm - and do not work. And the buyer is counting on Japanese quality - even though the tires are produced in Lipetsk.
There are also complaints about the tread: on compacted snow - the maximum braking distance, and on virgin soil - the worst traction capabilities. For Russian conditions, other tires are needed, and they already exist: sales of the new Yokohama IG65 model with an increased number of “curly” studs begin this season. More details about the new tires can be found in one of the upcoming issues of Autoreview.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (38 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 235/60 R18) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,7 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9,4 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 61 |
| Number of spikes | 128 |
| Protrusion of spikes before/after testing, mm | 0,79/1,0 |
| Manufacturer country | South Korea |
I wonder if win, duplicated in the name, comes from the word “win” or from the word “winter”? For example, wintry (“cold”, “unfriendly”) or winch (“winch”) would be better suited. What kind of winter or victory can we talk about if studded tires are inferior to most friction tires on ice, and on the track the handling of Nexen is the slowest in the overall standings? The tread rubber is clearly not designed to operate at low temperatures, as evidenced by its increased hardness.
The only positive emotion that remains is the relatively quiet rolling (for tires with studs).
Rating of non-studded tires
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (61 sizes available from 205/70 R15 to 295/40 R21) | |
| Speed index | R (170 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,4 |
| Tread depth, mm | 8,9 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 53 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
The “off-road” tire line, with the SUV index, has sidewalls reinforced with aramid fiber, as the Aramid Sidewalls brand reminds. So there shouldn’t be any problems with impact resistance, unlike “passenger” tires of the same name.
In severe frosts, Nokian friction tires provide excellent traction on ice, perform well on snow, and have minor complaints only on asphalt.
Excellent winter tires for use both in the city and beyond.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (97 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 275/45 R20) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,9 |
| Tread depth, mm | 8 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 52 |
| Manufacturer country | Germany |
Leapfrog. The year before last we liked the ContiVikingContact 6 tires on asphalt, but they did not work well on ice, last year the situation was reversed, this year they are better again on asphalt... The dimensions, of course, are different, but the reason must be sought in the composition of the rubber compound : Last year the tread rubber on the ContiVikingContact 6 tires was noticeably softer.
Now we are taking into account the latest version of these tires produced at the end of 2016. Not ideal on ice and snow (especially deep), but they work great on asphalt.
Good winter tires for city use. And the most comfortable!
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (57 sizes available from 175/70 R13 to 255/45 R19) | |
| Speed index | S (180 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,7 |
| Tread depth, mm | 8,6 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 46 |
| Manufacturer country | Japan |
Since studs are banned in Japan, local manufacturers are focusing on friction winter tires. So we will consider it natural that
Lightweight tires with soft, silent rolling. But at the same time, there is an imbalance of “winter” grip properties in the longitudinal and transverse directions, and sharp slips seem to be provoked by the sidewalls, which are soft for a heavy crossover. Indeed, in the Goodyear range of winter tires there is a model specifically for crossovers and SUVs - UltraGrip Ice SUV, but these tires are not available in size 215/65 R16. However, if the car is equipped with a stabilization system, then Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 tires are a good choice.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (16 sizes available from 215/65 R16 to 255/60 R18) | |
| Speed index | R (170 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 11,2 |
| Tread depth, mm | 8,9 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 56 |
| Manufacturer country | Russia |
The tread pattern is exactly the same as that of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R tires, but the materials are simpler. Another option for extending the life cycle of molds. And - considering the price - a very good option. Moreover, in certain disciplines, Nordman RS2 SUV tires are even preferable: the braking distance on ice is shorter!
Quality tires for reasonable money. On ice they are almost as good as the leaders among tires without studs, and on snow they have even better grip properties in the longitudinal direction. Although on the highway the handling is harsh and in deep snow the rowing is mediocre.
Grip properties on asphalt are above average, there are no problems with comfort either, which means these tires are relevant for large cities.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (38 sizes available from 155/65 R14 to 255/50 R19) | |
| Speed index | T (190 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 102 (850 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 10,6 |
| Tread depth, mm | 9 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 51 |
| Manufacturer country | Slovakia |
The Gislaved brand continues to lose its authenticity. So the “new” Gislaved Soft*Frost 200 is nothing more than the ContiVikingContact tires of the year before last, the third generation. Fortunately, these are balanced tires - safe, comfortable, not very expensive - and therefore we confidently recommend them for city use, although an accidental drive into a snowdrift may postpone the planned trip.
The Marshal brand belongs to the Korean company Kumho Tire, but in terms of tread pattern and even the rare R speed index, these tires copy the Finnish Nokian Hakkapeliitta R tires - and some sellers play on this similarity. By the way, on snow and on asphalt the friction tires Marshal and Nokian are close, but on ice the inferiority of the copy is already obvious. They are also one of the noisiest and hardest friction tires.
| Dimension | 215/65 R16 |
|---|---|
| (37 sizes available from 175/65 R14 to 245/60 R18) | |
| Speed index | Q (160 km/h) |
| Load capacity index | 98 (750 kg) |
| Weight, kg | 12,4 |
| Tread depth, mm | 8,9 |
| Shore rubber hardness of tread, units. | 49 |
| Manufacturer country | Japan |
Nitto winter tires (the brand belongs to Toyo Tires) appeared in Russia recently. The Therma Spike model managed to please us with its grip properties on ice, but lost the most spikes on asphalt. And the Nitto Winter SN2 friction tires immediately showed their helplessness on ice and in snowdrifts. And the more surprising is the failure of these tires even on asphalt.
Something is wrong with these Nittos...
Among studded tires, for several years now the podium has been shared by Continental, Nokian and Michelin, not allowing outsiders into the circle of the chosen few. And this year was no exception.
The named trio of “spikes” are again the best on Russian roads: each has more than 900 points. First place goes to Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7, most suitable for active drivers. But, alas, it is the most expensive and the most unprofitable: the price/quality ratio is 6.24. Very close, with a difference of less than half a percent, is the Russian version of Michelin X-Ice North 2: calm, confident and inexpensive, price/quality - 5.51. Continental, being a little late with the presentation of the new ContiIceContact, threw its vassal Gislaved Nord Frost 5 (price/quality - 5.15) into the breakthrough, slightly increasing its spikes. He did not disappoint and won the senior third place, and was less than 2% behind the leader.
Pirelli and Goodyear tried their best to compete with the top three, but they once again successfully fought off the attack. So, in fourth place is the “lighter” Pirelli Winter Carving Edge, in fifth place is the intelligent Goodyear Ultra Grip Extreme. In terms of price/quality ratio, both tires are almost equal: 5.06 and 5.09, respectively.
The sixth and seventh places were taken by strong good players - the Dutch Vredestein Arctrac (862 points, price/quality - 4.29) and the domestic
Cordiant Sno-Max (856 points and 3.62).
Slightly behind, next to the bar of 840 points, are Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 5000 (price/quality - 5.43) and the Korean “winter pike” Hankook Winter i-Pike, which clearly competes with Vredestein, since they have the same price/quality ratio. The Nizhnekamsk new Kama Euro 519 closes the top ten with a modest result of 828 points (price/quality - 3.62, like Cordiant), which turned out to be not as strong as expected. Let's hope for a quick modernization.
10th place: Kama Euro 519
- Despite the fact that the Kama has the most studs, its grip on ice is very low: the car starts and accelerates uncertainly, and brakes jerkily. The lateral grip is the weakest among all the studs. When the speed is too high, the car is blown off the intended trajectory and slides for a long time. Unexpected slippage and sudden loss of traction are especially unpleasant. The beginning of a breakdown cannot be predicted; you understand this only when the car has already “floated”.
- On snow, acceleration and braking are weak, lateral grip is the worst, and the edge of slipping, just like on ice, is not felt.
- On a snowy road, the car goes smoothly, but if you leave the steering wheel, it strives to go into deeper snow. When adjusting the course, the steering angles are large. It is better to overcome snowdrifts with intense slipping. An undoubted advantage is a confident exit back if it was not possible to get forward.
- Directional stability on asphalt is not bad, but there is not enough information on the steering wheel and lags when steering are annoying. Braking on dry and wet pavement is worse than average.
- Fuel consumption is average at any speed. The studs are too deep, which largely explains the low grip properties on ice.
- They make a lot of noise, transmitting the entire microprofile of the road to the car, as if they are over-pumped.
9th place: Hankook Winter i-Pike
- “Pike” or “tip” is the translation of the last word in the name of the tire with a tread pattern similar to the often copied Gislaved NF 3.
- On ice, the grip properties are weak, forcing you to move slowly. With a slight increase in speed, the car “does not hear” the steering wheel when turning, loses the intended trajectory and slides for a long time. It’s good that breakdowns and recovery occur quite smoothly.
- On snow, the tires brake and accelerate more confidently, but the lateral grip is much worse than the longitudinal grip.
- At small turning angles, the driver is hampered by an “empty” steering wheel; at large turning angles, the driver slips into a skid. It is impossible to feel the start of sliding.
- The car is driven along the snowy road without notice. In deep snow they are reluctant to push, and you have to skid carefully, otherwise you can get buried.
- On asphalt there is a little delay when steering. They brake worse than others in dry and wet conditions.
- They make an unpleasant noise at any speed; two rumbling peaks stand out from the general hum - at city (40–60 km/h) and suburban (90–110 km/h) speeds.
- Shake the car sensitively on uneven surfaces.
- Fuel consumption is average at any speed.
- Studded neatly, but rather shallowly, an additional two to three tenths of a millimeter of protrusion of the studs would improve grip on ice.
8th place: Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 5000
- The model is fading into history, giving way to the new IC 7000, but is still selling successfully.
- These tires have never been great on ice: reluctant acceleration, below-average braking, frankly weak lateral grip and sluggish responses. Nevertheless, at moderate speeds they behave quite adequately. There is only one problem: guessing this speed.
- I drove a little faster - the steering angles and reaction time of the car increase significantly, it begins to blur the trajectory and gets out of control.
- On snow, the steering angles are smaller, but the behavior is unstable, the front end drifts in the initial phase of the turn and skids on an arc of constant radius. In both cases, a little too much speed leads to long slides. They brake worse than others, the changeover is performed at the lowest speed, on par with the Kama.
- On a snowy road, you hold a straight line confidently. They are not afraid of deep snow on the road, overcoming them without stress.
- On clean asphalt, I like the informative steering wheel and precise execution of steering commands.
- Braking on asphalt of any condition is average.
- Not comfortable enough: the tread makes an almost helicopter noise, and the tires transmit shocks from any road irregularities to the body, as well as vibrations to the floors and steering wheel.
- The studs are of very high quality in terms of spread (no more than 0.2 mm), but somewhat small and there are a dozen fewer studs than other brands of tires.
7th place: Cordiant Sno-Max
- Domestic tires; Unlike the Kama, the number of spikes corresponds to European standards.
- Acceleration and braking on ice are average, but when turning they force you to be careful: the grip across is noticeably worse than in the longitudinal direction. They require a wide amplitude of steering, and on the arc of a bend you can’t shake the feeling that the car is turning not due to the rotation of the front wheels, but due to the slip of the rear ones.
- On snow, the side-to-side balance changes. The weakest acceleration and braking are combined with an average level of lateral grip. When taxiing, the steering wheel's turning angles are large, and the sliding is a little longer than that of the grandees, although they remain within reason.
- They maintain a clear course in the snow, but large steering angles make it difficult to correct. They are not afraid of snow drifts and snowdrifts: they confidently start, move and turn, and reliably get out in reverse.
- They float on the asphalt, the steering wheel is “empty”, and you have to turn it at significant angles.
- On dry asphalt the braking is average, on wet asphalt it is better than average.
- They make a lot of noise on the asphalt due to the tread and spikes and howl on dense snow. They transmit vibrations from small road irregularities and shocks from road joints.
- As for fuel consumption, the most insatiable in the test.
- The quality of the studs: the spread of protrusion is small (0.4 mm), but the studs still stick out high, and there is a risk of losing or breaking the cores from them.
6th place: Vredestein Arctrac
- A special feature of the tire is its low weight, which combines with increased load capacity.
- On ice, longitudinal grip properties are weak, and transverse grip properties are average. They slip at startup, delaying the acceleration process; They stop the car the worst. At the same time, they show average results on the lap, although in turns they do not inspire confidence: they either cling or break away. They recover abruptly, jerking the car unpleasantly. They don't like slipping.
- On snow they accelerate modestly, brake and turn averagely.
- The car is clearly controlled on them, but only before the start of sliding, into which it turns unexpectedly for the driver. The case ends in a sweeping skid.
- They move smoothly along the snow-covered straight line, without any comments.
- They overcome deep snow uncertainly, turn reluctantly, but get back out well.
- On the asphalt we liked the clear course and clear “zero”.
- They brake well, and on dry surfaces - very well, almost on par with the Goodyear. On wet they show average results.
- They make noise and shake the car, voicing asphalt irregularities, and rustle loudly in dense snow.
- At a speed of 90 km/h, fuel consumption is average, at 60 km/h - increased.
- The studding is of high quality both in terms of the protrusion of the spikes and the spread.
5th place: Goodyear Ultra Grip Extreme
- Acceleration and lateral grip on ice are average, braking is better. Each turn of the steering wheel at a speed above 30 km/h causes a slight steering drift. If you let off the gas, the skidding will intensify and require steering adjustments.
- On snow, all characteristics are also not below average. When cornering, the car is controlled clearly, the limit is limited by the demolition of the front end. However, in the second corridor of the changeover, skidding begins already at low speed. Keeping the car in control and achieving high results is possible only with the help of an electronic assistant or proactive actions of the driver.
- Directional stability on a snowy road is clear, without any comments.
- Snow tracks are not for these tires. It is better to move through the snowdrifts only under pressure, otherwise you will get up or even bury yourself.
- On asphalt they go smoothly in a straight line, but are late with steering... But they brake better than anyone else, both wet and dry (in this they are almost on par with the Vredestein).
- They make a hum from the tread, but the noise of the studs is a separate issue. They howl at high speeds and crunch distinctly at low speeds. Shake the car on small and medium-sized bumps.
- They roll well, so they consume average fuel.
- The quality of the studs is comparable to Cordiant: the spread is within reasonable limits, but the protrusion is on the verge of the maximum permissible.
4th place: Pirelli Winter Carving Edge
- Like Goodyear, they are not afraid of ice. They accelerate, brake and turn confidently. On an arc of constant radius, the maximum speed does not cause pronounced drift or skidding, the car's steering is close to neutral. On the ice ring, speed is limited by soft drifting. This allows you to change the curvature of the turn by releasing or adding gas.
- They also work quite conscientiously on snow: they show average results in braking, acceleration and shifting. The behavior is clear, understandable, without comments, with an element of “ignition” - they provoke active driving.
- They walk smoothly on a snowy road, clearly responding to steering inputs.
- It is better to overcome deep snow with slight slipping, but without excessive zeal, otherwise you can get buried.
- They hold the asphalt straight as tenaciously as in summer, braking on wet surfaces is average, and on dry surfaces it is above average.
- They annoy you with the wheezing-howling crunch of thorns. They shake noticeably on any irregularities, even small ones.
- The stitching is satisfactory in all respects.
3rd place: Gislaved Nord Frost 5
- They differ from last year's ones in a slightly increased size of the solid stud insert.
- The premium tire category is opening. Best braking and lateral grip, very good acceleration on ice. They behave very confidently in turns; at the limit, the speed is limited by a slight skid that requires minor adjustments.
- They also handle well on snow: very good braking, good acceleration and average lateral grip properties. There are no complaints about the car's handling, its behavior or the clarity of its reactions. It handles well even when sliding.
- They stubbornly keep their course on the snowy road. In deep snow, however, they do not behave very confidently.
- On the asphalt they are reminiscent of Goodyear: they are slightly delayed in reacting to course adjustments.
- They are the best in braking on wet asphalt (on par with Goodyear), and on dry asphalt they have quite a decent average result.
- They make noise and crunch their spines very clearly, especially at low speeds.
- Shocks from single irregularities are transmitted to the body.
- Increased fuel consumption at any speed.
- Studs: the spread of protrusion is within reasonable limits, but it would be nice to reduce the protrusion itself a little - for the sake of the durability of the studs.
2nd place: Michelin X-Ice North 2
- A nice feature of these tires, which instill confidence in safety on any road, is their well-balanced longitudinal and lateral grip. We note good braking on ice (despite the classic round studs), average acceleration and very good lateral grip. On the bend, when releasing the gas, slightly twist the car, helping to register the turn.
- Excellent traction properties on snow: the shortest braking distance, intense acceleration and record speed at the changeover. Stable behavior and clear reactions even when sliding. When overspeeding, they gently slide sideways, intensively slowing down.
- They handle snowy roads better than others and are sensitive to steering inputs. Deep snow is overcome confidently, allowing you to perform any maneuvers.
- They are good on asphalt: they clearly keep the given direction, and react to steering inputs without delay.
- Braking on dry surfaces is average, but on wet surfaces the tires give up: the weakest result.
- Snorting noise on paved roads. Shake the car a little on road micro-irregularities.
- The most economical (on par with Nokian) at any speed.
- The studding is of very high quality, giving reason to believe that the studs will last a long time.
1st place: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
- There is only one step from confidence to aggressiveness. All ice characteristics, including lap times, are better than average, and acceleration is the best. However, it feels like the tires accelerate and brake better than they turn. Behavior when turning on ice is understandable and predictable, and in the extreme it is easy to assist in skidding.
- On snow, very good braking (only Michelin is better), better acceleration, second result at the reset. They handle well even when sliding, react without delay to turning the steering wheel, and due to this they fit into turns of seemingly unimaginable steepness. All this provokes fast driving, so you need to honestly assess your skill level.
- They clearly follow a given course on a snowy road.
- In deep snow, everything is done easily and naturally, without fear of stops, starts with slipping, or sharp turns.
- On the asphalt they float a little from side to side.
- Braking on dry surfaces is average, but on wet surfaces they show the most modest results.
- They rustle with the studs and tread, shaking the car on small bumps.
- Economical at any speed.
- Studded with very high quality, no problems due to studs falling out are expected.
Out of the competition: Continental ContilceContact
- These tires were presented to the public after the completion of our "white" tests. But we found the opportunity to compare them with the test winner Nokian HKPL 7 in New Zealand, where winter is in full swing in June. We rented the same Golf VI that we used to conduct our own tests, but we couldn’t find asphalt roads, so the duel took place only on ice and snow. However, this is enough for the first acquaintance and identifying the capabilities of the new product.
- On ice they accelerate and brake almost on par with the Nokian, but in lateral grip they are simply head and shoulders above: the difference is more than 8% in favor of the German new product. Handling is beyond praise, reactions to steering wheel turns are clearer, behavior is more stable - at the limit the car only slips slightly with the rear axle. And this is on very slippery ice, where the Nokian behaves like an average car: it does not shine with information on the steering wheel and stability of behavior - it either drifts or skids and glides longer than we would like.
- On snow, the difference is almost the same, the braking distance and acceleration time are comparable to those of the Nokia, but the handling, as on ice, is better than that of the “seven”. The steering wheel is filled with information content on a straight line, clear reactions and understandable behavior in turns. The tires pull the car into turns without a hint of drift. HKPL 7 on the same track are less informative, give periodic drift when entering a turn and more active skidding on an arc.
- In deep snow, the “Germans” are a little behind the “Finns”: they start hesitantly, requiring more gas, but with intense slippage they tend to dig in.
- The studding is high quality and stable.
FRICTION TIRES RATING
The non-studded tires collected in the test, also known as “Velcro” or “Scandinavian” tires, are already known to our readers. They were updated two or three years ago, with the exception of the long-lived Vredestein Nord-Trac and the new Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+.
The leaders' results were dense - in the range from 899 to 924 points. The first five differ by no more than 3%. But their characters are different, and each tire in our test set its own record, or even several.
When choosing, the reader should focus not on the overall result, but on individual preferences and preferences and, of course, take into account the advantages and disadvantages we have listed.
The Russian Nokian Hakkapeliitta R set records in braking and acceleration on snow and at the same time demonstrated the worst braking on dry asphalt. It remains the most expensive on the market: price/quality - 6.16. The most attractive in this parameter is the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 (4.99) - the best in terms of longitudinal grip on ice and braking on dry asphalt, but the most voracious when evaluating fuel consumption. Michelin X-Ice 2 is a well-balanced tire, all performance is high, with the exception of acceleration on snow. The expensive ContiVikingContact 5 (price/quality - 6.04) has the best results on an ice circle and in acceleration on snow, but in braking on wet asphalt it turned out to be the worst. Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+ is a tire that is even in all respects and is the best in tire rearrangement. The price/quality ratio (5.45) is the same as a Michelin tire, and apparently they will have to compete with each other in the market. But the title of the most economical tire in the fight between Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 and Michelin X-Ice 2 was won by a Russian-Finnish tire.
The far from new Vredestein Nord-Trac with 852 points is noticeably behind the others. Even based on the price/quality ratio of 4.11, it is clear that he is no longer able to compete with the younger giants.
Kama Euro 519 without studs scored 830 points. Here is an example of the inappropriate use of a product originally created in a studded version. In terms of rubber hardness, Nizhnekamsk tires are closer to “European” tires (such as ContiWinterContact TS 830, Michelin Alpine, Pirelli Snowsport, Kumho KW17), and therefore cannot compete on equal terms with “Scandinavian” tires on ice and snow. But on clean asphalt they feel very confident.
7th place: Kama Euro 519
- These tires are designed for studding, but often the “bald” version is also sold - not the best solution for icy and snowy roads.
- On ice, traction is worse than that of all real studless tires. Acceleration is slow, braking is ineffective and jerky. When cornering, there are large steering angles, delayed reactions, prolonged slides, and, to the extreme, front end drift and significant straightening of the trajectory.
- On snow, braking is very weak - only Vredestein is worse; acceleration is mediocre, like Michelin; at the rearrangement the maximum speed and behavior are worse than the others. The comments are almost the same as on ice: insufficient information on the steering wheel, large angles of rotation, prolonged sliding. On a snow-covered straight line, the car is pulled towards deeper snow; course correction is complicated by large steering angles.
- In deep snow they turn better than going straight, so you can tack if necessary. On asphalt they float a little within the lane and are late when taxiing. They brake great. On wet surfaces they show the best results, on dry surfaces - above average.
- One of the reasons: the tires are harder than others. Not comfortable enough: they make a lot of noise, periodically howl and noticeably shake the car. Fuel consumption at 60 km/h is high, at 90 km/h it is average.
6th place: Vredestein Nord-Trac
- On ice, grip properties leave much to be desired; braking and acceleration are very weak (only the Kama is worse). However, on the ice circle they stay in the middle, creaking like other “Scandinavian” cars. Nevertheless, the behavior of the car is predictable, without surprises or problems. When reaching maximum speed, it begins to gently slide outward, straightening its trajectory.
- They perform about the same in the snow. Braking is the worst of all, lateral grip is weak, except for average acceleration. When accelerating, you can clearly feel how the electronics keep the tires from slipping. Maneuvering is complicated by increased steering angles. In corners, the top speed results in slight oversteer.
- On a snow-covered straight line, when moving evenly and releasing the gas, the car yaws a little, but during easy acceleration it moves much more clearly. They don’t like snowdrifts; it’s better to overcome them at speed, without stopping and not to turn the steering wheel unnecessarily. It is not recommended to skid, otherwise you might get stuck.
- They walk smoothly on asphalt, but are delayed when adjusting direction. Braking on asphalt is also not brilliant, both wet and dry brakes are weak.
- The tread rustles loudly on rough asphalt, howls in corners at high speeds, and pops on bumps. Large bumps pass through unpleasantly harshly. Fuel consumption at 60 km/h is average, at 90 km/h it is increased.
5th place: Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice+
- The company’s new product, which essentially falls into the category of premium tires.
- She has no noticeable preference for surfaces, with the exception of asphalt. On any road, the tires demonstrate a fairly even character and similar behavior.
- On ice, both longitudinal and lateral grip are average. At the moment of starting, it is easy for the wheels to slip, so you need to apply pressure on the gas carefully.
- In the snow, braking and acceleration are also average, and the speed at the changeover “jumps out” into the leading ones. This is partly due to the electronics (on the Golf it cannot be switched off). The skid in the second corridor begins early, but the ESP simply does not allow it to develop. The same thing happens during acceleration: as on the Vredestein, you can clearly feel that the electronics are strangling the engine, otherwise the tires will slip.
- On a snowy road everything is smooth, without any comments.
- In deep snow they behave confidently, maneuver easily, and do not dig in when slipping.
- On asphalt, when changing course, you can feel a slight steering of the rear axle.
- Braking is not record-breaking, but very effective both on wet asphalt and (especially!) on dry.
- Comfortable: the tread rustles quietly and rolls along the road gently.
- At 60 km/h, fuel is consumed economically; in this indicator they compete with Michelin. However, at 90 km/h the consumption increases to average.
4th place: Continental ContiVikingContact 5
- The leader of our test two years ago. This time the results are more modest. Apparently, the new exercise “braking on wet asphalt” had an effect. Nevertheless, no weaknesses were found on snow and ice, and they remain in the premium tire category (more than 900 points).
- On ice they accelerate and brake in the top four, and on the lap they show the best results. They squeak and squeak, as if there is wet concrete under the wheels instead of ice, but they hold! When maneuvering, the steering turns are quite large.
- They feel much more confident on snow: better acceleration, very good braking and an average result at the stop. As on ice, the steering angles are too large. The course on a snowy road is quite clear, they respond to direction adjustments without delay
- Deep snow can be overcome confidently in any mode.
- On the asphalt straight they float slightly within the lane. They stop well on dry asphalt, but on wet asphalt they give up, braking worse than anyone else. Tire manufacturers consider grip on a wet road to be the antipode of rolling resistance. Here, like the “bridge”, there is no “wet” clutch, no fuel economy.
- In terms of comfort, they are comparable to Michelin: quiet and smooth.
- Fuel consumption at 60 km/h is average, at 90 km/h it is increased.
3rd place: Michelin X-Ice 2
- They feel confident on “white” roads and off-road. There are no failures, with the exception of weak acceleration in the snow.
- They don’t shine on ice, but they are confident: they brake and accelerate actively, and on the lap they share the second result with Nokian. Unlike the “bridge”, they are captivated by the balanced “lengthwise-across” clutch. Clear reactions, smooth transitions to slides - in general, they behave clearly and reliably.
- On snow, the performance is not leading: in braking it is the worst of the first four, in the shift it is also the fourth result, acceleration is the weakest.
- When adding gas, they actively screw into the turn, and when released, they slightly straighten the trajectory.
- The snow-covered road is maintained without comment.
- They behave confidently in deep snow. Even with intense slipping, they float up, move forward, without trying to dig in, and are not afraid of slipping.
- They walk on asphalt without any notice, they even react to small turns of the steering wheel without delay, almost like summer tires.
- On dry asphalt they brake better than average, on wet asphalt they brake very well.
- Comfortable, noise and smooth running without any comments. Economical at any speed, but rolls a little worse than the Nokian.
2nd place: Bridgestone Blizzak WS60
- On “white” coatings they show outstanding results, but, alas, along with frankly weak ones. On ice there is excellent braking and better acceleration. It would seem that the model is just right to be declared the ice leader!
- But weak lateral grip spoils the whole picture (only the Kama is slower on the icy lap), forcing you to be careful when cornering. Tires that inspire confidence during acceleration and braking noticeably lose grip when cornering.
- The controls are clear, the slides are soft and understandable. On snow there is very good braking and a decent result when shifting, but acceleration is very weak. The tires require care when starting off and are only ready to take full throttle when moving (the Nokian behaves similarly).
- They walk better than others on a snowy road and respond to direction adjustments without delay.
- They overcome snowdrifts easily and are not afraid of slipping, since they do not dig in.
- They move clearly on asphalt, but the reactions, like most winter tires, are slightly blurred.
- On a dry road they brake better than anyone else, but on a wet road they don’t like it - the result is worse than average.
- They make noise, transmit vibrations and mild itching from micro-irregularities.
- Highest fuel consumption at any speed.
1st place: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R
- Almost equally strong on snow and ice, not a single weak characteristic.
- On ice surfaces, very good braking is in harmony with the same lateral grip and acceleration. A slight twisting skid helps when turning, they handle well in slides, and gently restore traction when coming out of slides.
- All characteristics are best on snow. Confident braking, energetic acceleration, high speed (together with Goodyear) execution of the changeover and clear behavior on it. They allow and forgive minor mistakes in management.
- They confidently hold on to the snowy road. Drifts and snow drifts are not scary. Starting after stopping, turning any curvature, going back - all this is done without difficulty and special skills.
- On asphalt they float slightly within the strip.
- On dry asphalt the braking is weak, on wet asphalt it is moderate. It looks like there is little left for asphalt; all the “strength” has gone to snow and ice.
- There are no comments regarding noise. But you can find fault with the smoothness of the ride: isolated irregularities are marked on the body by sharp jolts.
- They set a record for fuel efficiency, ahead of even Michelin.
The editors express their gratitude to all companies that provided tires for testing.
Special thanks to Nokian Tires for providing technical support.
