The best winter tires of domestic production. The best winter studded tires Winter tires 15 radius studded review

When the temperature drops to +5°C to +7°C and the first snow appears, the car already needs to be “changed shoes” into special rubber. For a safe and comfortable ride, you should choose only the best winter studded tires. Just such we have included in this rating, familiarization with which will allow you to buy the most suitable option. The TOP analyzes all the advantages and disadvantages of these models, which will not let you make a mistake.

There are not so many eminent companies that produce really high-quality and sought-after rubber on the market. Basically, we are talking about European manufacturers offering products with an optimal price-quality ratio. This ranking of the best winter studded tires features products from 5 of the most popular companies in the industry.

• Nokian Tires- in our rating from this company, 3 tire models are presented at once, each of which is made of high-quality materials and is safe to use in different weather conditions. She has options for cars, SUVs, and even vans and buses. On average, their width is from 165 to 315 mm. The products of this company regularly wins in specialized competitions. The price of products is not very high and the budget "beats" not much.
• Gislaved- the company specializes in the production of non-studded and studded tires, including those for harsh winters. They provide excellent grip on ice, excellent handling, excellent cross-country ability and guarantee a safe ride in different weather conditions. They are convenient to use both in the city and beyond. They are characterized by optimal traction characteristics, an acceptable noise level with a large number of spikes and good stability when passing uneven areas, without skidding.
• Bridgestone- The year of birth of this legendary company is considered to be 1931, and tire products at the plant began to be produced from the first days of the company's existence. The manufacturer quickly entered the international market and established itself there. The rubber of this company makes driving safer and more comfortable during the difficult winter months. She perfectly "feels" even at low sub-zero temperatures. Conveniently, Bridgestone's range is divided into several categories - the premium line, as well as the Comfort and Best Value series. There is a discount for any item.
• good year- one of the leaders of the European market, attracting attention to its products with an optimal combination of cost and quality of products. His product shows exceptional performance even in difficult winter conditions and is not subject to rapid wear. His spikes do not fly out immediately after purchase and there are no problems with grip on ice and snowy roads. The rubber of the company is regularly successfully tested before it goes on sale, which eliminates defects and shortcomings. It is often included in the ranking of the best winter studded tires according to various magazines.
• Michelin is one of the largest manufacturers of tires, including winter studded ones, in the assortment of which there are models for passenger cars mobiles, freight transport, agricultural and motor vehicles. Its products are produced taking into account all requirements for environmental protection and the quality of such products. It deserves to be chosen due to safety and comfort in operation. All designs are tested in real conditions, in particular, in the northern regions.

There are no absolutely cheap winter tires in this TOP, but the prices offered correspond to the quality of the products. They are made from proven materials and have an excellent assembly.

Rating of the best winter studded tires

The compilation of the TOP became possible thanks to a careful study of the reviews of drivers and the opinions of experts. Analyzing them, we paid attention to the following characteristics:

• Purpose - for a car or SUV;
• Diameter;
• Choice of profile height and width;
• Tread pattern type - directional or asymmetric;
• Noise level while driving;
• The quality of adhesion to the road surface;
• Possibility of operation on ice, in snowdrifts and on relatively packed snow;
• Easy to install;
• "Behavior" on different sections of roads;
• Presence of hydroplaning;
• Is braking and acceleration comfortable?
• The index of the maximum speed to which the car can be accelerated.

A special item on the list of important points in the selection of the TOP nominees was the ratio of quality and price of winter studded tires.

The best studded tires for passenger cars

Rubber for cars of this type, as a rule, has a lower profile height and width than for SUVs. This may explain more low price on it, as well as its greater prevalence. We have selected the 4 best winter studded tires based on the analysis of driver reviews and the opinions of tire service employees.

The Nokian Tires Nordman 5 winter tire is designed to improve driving safety on snowy and icy roads where rubber grips almost perfectly. On an asphalt surface, the car brakes well, which minimizes the likelihood of car accidents.

Thanks to the symmetrical, clearly defined pattern, the machine maintains controllability even on slippery surfaces. A feature of this model is that after a surface puncture, the transport can continue to move for some time in order to have enough time to get to the nearest repair service. Wear-resistant materials reduce the risk of rubber abrasion and damage to its integrity.

Advantages:

• Large selection of profile widths;
• Maximum speed index - up to 190 km / h;
• Wide range of diameters;
• Variety of profile heights;
• Withstands loads up to 1180 kg;
• Not very noisy.

Disadvantages:

• On bare pavement, they slow down worse than on snow.

The Gislaved Nord Frost 200 is durable and soft for a smoother ride and less noisy ride than many other options. This model is designed for the northern winter, but is also well suited for mild ones. One tire can withstand up to 800 kg of weight, which allows it to be successfully used even for large cars.

Advantages:

• Good braking on snow;
• Excellent road grip;
• soft;
• Easy to change;
• eminent manufacturer;
• Excellent handling on wet pavement;
• Suitable for driving on dirt roads.

Disadvantages:

• When operating in dry asphalt conditions, tires wear out faster and make more noise.

In the reviews, users note that in heavy wet snow, the ABS (anti-lock braking system) may turn on.

Bridgestone Blizzak Revo GZ 205/55 R16 91S

This is the best rubber in terms of cross-country ability, the car equipped with it easily overcomes snowdrifts and is not afraid of ice. When it appears, the car does not slip, which makes driving safer. A feature of this model is the easy cleaning of the tread from snow, although it is not very clogged with it. The product is made of high quality materials, guaranteeing wear resistance and long service life. Thanks to this, braking and acceleration become more confident and easy.

Advantages:

• High impact resistance;
• Good permeability;
• Strong;
• Excellent density of materials;
• The spikes literally bite into the surface;
• Excellent value for money.

Disadvantages:

• Small choice of profile height;
• A certain noise when braking the car;
• On wet pavement, a slight aquaplaning is felt.

The choice of this winter tire is the best for those who want to purchase tires for wheels that dig in the snow most successfully, depending on the type of car and road surface conditions. The more lamellae, the better the effect of adhesion of rubber to the surface. The special tread pattern allows the machine to effectively resist hydroplaning and maintain excellent handling on roads covered with snow and ice.

Advantages:

• Good performance on both dry and snowy surfaces;
• Excellent studding;
• Excellent lateral drift resistance;
• Brakes quickly;
• The car accelerates easily;
• Allows you to develop high speed, up to 190 km per hour;
• Up to 1360 kg can be loaded on one tire.

Disadvantages:

• High noise level;
• Overcharge.

The best studded off-road tires

Considering that crossovers often drive outside the city, including off-road conditions, they are most often equipped with high-profile tires that would push out the “slurry” and pass through snow drifts without any problems. In this case, it is recommended to take a closer look at the 3 best winter studded tires for SUVs.

These tires are the best in the ranking for use in northern winter conditions. They show excellent cross-country ability on wet, snowy, ice-covered asphalt. The rider handles hydroplaning with ease thanks to the symmetrical tread pattern. The car can reach speeds of up to 190 km per hour with it, which is an excellent indicator for SUVs. The rumble during the movement of the car here is quite tolerable for hearing, and the high-quality rubber composition makes the tire wear-resistant and improves its grip.

Advantages:

• soft;
• Not noisy;
• Works great on turns
• Does not slip;
• Perfectly copes with rough roads;
• Withstands snow.

Disadvantages:

• Sometimes lateral drift is noticeable.

... In the first weeks after changing tires on the Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV, it was not very comfortable to drive because of the noise, but after 1-2 weeks of using the rubber, it “run in” and no longer irritates ...

Expert opinion

In the TOP, this is the best winter studded tire for driving an SUV in ice and on heavily snowy roads. Rubber behaves confidently on wet asphalt, so it can be safely used both in cold winters and in warm ones.

The special composition of the sidewalls makes the product quite dense, but not rigid. Thanks to high-quality materials, it has excellent braking properties, which makes driving safer. The firm grip of the studs ensures a secure grip on the surface.

Advantages:

• Wide choice of profile widths;
• Variety of diameters;
• Availability of different profile heights;
• Withstands up to 1285 kg;
• Allows you to reach speeds up to 190 km per hour;
• Reinforced sidewall.

Disadvantages:

• At temperatures above +5 C, sometimes there is a feeling of low wheels;
• A little sensitive to rut.

Michelin X-Ice North 4

The best tire for a car is its equipment with more than 250 studs, which guarantee it an excellent ride in ice, snowy road surfaces and snowdrifts. This tire is easy to change and provides a high level of safety when driving an SUV. This effect is possible due to high-quality adhesion to the surface, excellent cross-country ability in snowy areas and due to increased wear resistance. Due to the special structure and conical shape, the loss of spikes is practically excluded, which means that the service life of the product increases.

Advantages:

• Reliable fit of the spikes, they do not fall out even with intensive driving;
• Quiet braking;
• Calm run;
• Good permeability;
• Excellent handling;
• Smooth move.

Disadvantages:

• Not detected.

Which winter studded tires are better to buy

There are special types of tires for passenger cars and SUVs, so you should choose them with these markings in mind. The more spikes the rubber has, the noisier acceleration and deceleration can be. But it is precisely because of this that the level of driving safety increases, as traction with the road surface improves.

Here is what model of winter studded tires is better to choose, depending on the situation:

• In a cold, snowy winter with sharp drops in low temperatures, it is recommended to pick up Nokian Tires Nordman 5 for a passenger car.
• The Gislaved Nord Frost 200 is ideal for overcoming heavily snowy areas in regions with severe winters.
• You can easily drive a car outside the city with Bridgestone Blizzak Revo GZ 205/55 R16 91S tires.
• In severe icy conditions, winter studded tires are indispensable Nokian Hakkapeliitta
• Those who do not like loud noise, but are looking for tires with a lot of studs, should take a closer look at the Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice Arctic SUV.
• For a comfortable off-road ride in both cold and warm winter conditions, the Nokian Tires Hakkapeliitta 9 SUV and Michelin X-Ice North tires are just right

Of course, for each individual car, you can advise your best winter studded tire, so you need to look at the situation. The rating also presents the most popular, high-quality, safe and comfortable rubber models to use.

The winter is coming. It's time to prepare the sleigh. Sellers are starting to import winter tires, and buyers are starting to think about what to change into. In the conditions of our roads and climate, we need rubber that can handle ice, mud, and water equally well. But is it possible? In practice, there is an eternal dilemma - to choose a non-studded Velcro or spikes. We present you the tire rating for the winter season 2017-2018, which includes the most popular and proven models.

• Reviews of motorists
• Tests carried out with different models cylinders

As a result, we have the following review.

TOP 7 non-studded winter tires

If you prefer Velcro, remember that tires of this type behave well in rainy weather and blizzards. Manufacturers are fighting for traction on ice and snow, constantly changing the composition of rubber.

Scandinavian cylinders have been on the market since 2013 and have more than fifty modifications in different designs. In general, it is designed for long-term service in winter weather conditions.

Advantages of this particular sample:

• Good cross-country ability even in snowy off-road conditions
• Impressive stability and handling performance
• Good acceleration and braking on ice. The manufacturer has improved grip on icy surfaces

Of the shortcomings, it should be noted the mediocre dynamics of braking on asphalt.

The cost in 2017 is about 6 thousand rubles. plus or minus 100-400 rubles. depending on the settings.

Advice. If you are looking for budget options for non-studded tires for winter, take a look at Nokian Nordman RS, Cordiant Winter Drive.

American rubber demonstrates confident movement on ice and good lateral stability on packed snow. Among the advantages are also cross-drifts and reliable deceleration on ice. These tires are popular on wet roads of megacities and icy roads.

The main disadvantage of this sample is noise. On any surface, it is quite loud. The cost is within 6-10 thousand rubles. depending on the store and the parameters of the wheels.

#3: Continental Contivikingcontact 6

The tread pattern with an asymmetric pattern and three independent zones is designed for frosty climates and heavy rainfall.

Advantages of this sample:

• Excellent acceleration on packed snow
• Excellent braking on ice, wet and dry surfaces
• Lateral stability on ice
• Acoustic comfort

It is not without flaws:

• Uncertainty in deep snow
• Instability on any asphalt - dry and frozen
• Increased rigidity characteristic of Europe

In stores, continental tires can be bought for 11.5 thousand rubles or more.

Studless tires with good running characteristics on icy roads, snow-covered surfaces, as well as in porridge. In all cases, they showed confident acceleration with acceptable braking.

Disadvantages:

• Modest driving performance on firm, ice- and snow-free substrate
• Poor maneuverability on wet hard road
• Uncertain driving on dry pavement
• Poor fuel economy

The cost of these cylinders is 4750-7000 rubles.

#5: Michelin X-Ice 3

This is one of the lightest among non-studded tires. French footwear is strong in many categories. Among the advantages:

• exchange rate stability
• Excellent deceleration on asphalt
• Confident behavior on the ice
• Good snow traction

It is difficult to find cons for this model, however, you can point out the limited patency on fresh snow and mediocre comfort indicators. Price - up to 5500 rubles.

#6: Bridgestone Blizzak Vrx

Japanese tires will please motorists who rarely leave the city limits, provided that public utilities work well. It keeps perfectly on any asphalt, shows confident braking in frosty weather.

Among the disadvantages:

• Difficult handling on icy and snowy surfaces
• Low permeability
• Acoustic discomfort

Cost: from 7.5 thousand rubles.

The rating of non-studded tires for the winter 2017-2018 season concludes with tires from Hankook. The wedge-shaped tread provides good handling on snowy roads and predictable behavior on ice. Other pluses are fuel economy, a good combination of price and quality.

The weakness of the sample is unreliable behavior on asphalt due to frequent stalls of the axles in sliding and modest deceleration.

Cost: 2700-4600 rubles.

TOP 7 studded tires for winter

These are tires designed for driving on icy and snowy roads.

Please note: the cost of the same models may differ by 2 times. It depends less on the seller, and more on the location of the manufacturer and production technology.

The list of the best studded winter tires 2017-2018 is as follows.

#1: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8

When creating this modification, the Finnish company focused specifically on the Russian market. They are distinguished by an increased number of studs and a tread design designed for driving in winter snow and water slush. Tires push it out from under them, providing a confident movement. They are used for expeditions in the north. Rubber does not tan even at extremely low temperatures. All this puts them at the top of the rankings in this review.

Advantages:

• Extended service life. Wheels last for several seasons
• Perfect traction in all conditions, be it snow or ice
• Reliable braking even when pressing hard on the pedal

She also has disadvantages:

• Feels unstable when the wheel hits the rut
• High cost: from 12,000 rubles.

#2: Continental Contact

Their advantages:

• Increased wear resistance
• Tight, deep-seated cylinders to prevent falling out
• Reliable grip and stability on the road

At the same time, the tires behave uncertainly on wet pavement in the same way in driving and braking mode. Cost - from 9100 rubles.

This is a good option for winter studs for off-road and northern conditions. The rubber production technology of this brand ensures the preservation of operational qualities for years.

Advantages:

• Confident acceleration and braking on any surface, including those covered with ice and snow
• Good speed stability
• The tread removes water, snow porridge from under the wheels

The disadvantage is that when it hits a rut, the car starts to carry. These tires cost from 2250 rubles. depending on the seller.

These tires boast the innovative technologies that were used in their production. Their studs are double-core for extra grip on ice. The tread pattern effectively pushes snow and water out.

The advantages of these balloons:

• Reliability
• Acceptable combination of price and quality
• Efficient braking in different conditions

#5: Gislaved Nordfrost 100

These tires are designed for driving on snowy and icy surfaces. Its main advantages:

• Durability - will serve you faithfully for several years
• Excellent grip
• This is a "quiet" tire.
• Fast braking even on snowy surfaces

Among the shortcomings - low driving performance on ice. Price - from 4400 rubles.

Shoes with a wide contact surface. Add to that the lateral grooves for strong all-weather traction, 22 rows of studs and 170 anti-skid studs, and you have a safe ride on slippery surfaces.

Price - from 2450 rubles.

Market novelties 2017-2018

The most anticipated on the Russian market are NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA 9 tires for passenger cars and with the SUV prefix - the best winter tires for crossovers. This model differs from the previous studding technology and two types of anti-skid studs. Thanks to this, the tires perfectly hold the road, adapting to any weather conditions.

Concern Bridgestone will also please with a novelty - Velcro Blizzak VRX2. Tests of this model of winter tires 2017-2018 have already shown improved snow handling compared to the previous one, and increased comfort. The manufacturer also claims a longer service life.

Goodyear has expanded its range of mid-range SUV tires, the Fulda Kristall Control SUV. The tread design of Fulda Kristall Control HP2 passenger cars was taken as a basis, but the pattern was enlarged. The company's proprietary Snow Catcher technology gives these cylinders reliable grip on snow.

Michelin is also well prepared for the winter 17-18 season. The company has updated the lines of its subsidiary brands, releasing a whole series of tires with one basic tread pattern. Among the new products are non-studded budget Tigar SUV Winter, Taurus SUV Winter, Orium SUV Winter, studded Orium SUV Ice, Tigar SUV Ice, Taurus SUV Ice.

Michelin- French company, one of the world leaders in the production of car tires. It has about 70 enterprises worldwide, as well as 5 research technology centers (in France, the USA and Japan) and 5 test sites (in France, the USA and Spain).
In addition to the main brand of the same name, the Michelin group of companies also owns other well-known brands, such as Kleber, Goodrich, Wolber, Riken, Tyremaster, Uniroyal, Taurus and others.
Website: www.michelin.ru

In Russia, Michelin also has its own tire manufacturing plant. It is located in the village of Davydovo, Orekhovo-Zuevsky district, Moscow region. The production capacity there is not the largest - about 2 million tires a year, but it is there that the only tire studding workshop in the company is located, in which all rubber produced by Michelin in Europe is studded.
In Russia, Michelin tires are sold either by our production, or by the company's European plants in Italy and Hungary.

“Michelin X-Ice North 3” is a new winter studded tire that incorporates a wide variety of innovative technologies developed by Michelin. Most of them are combined into one complex called “smart spike” (Smart Stud System) and includes:

• Thermoactive rubber compound, which is used as an inner tread layer and which is able to change its elasticity depending on the ambient temperature: at high temperatures it becomes soft and the studs seem to be pressed into the tread, significantly improving grip on asphalt; at low temperatures, it becomes stiff, making the very fixation of the spikes more rigid and thereby increasing grip on icy surfaces.
• The Ice Powder Remover technology is designed to remove ice chips and is a system of 6 wells that absorb this ice chips around each spike.
• The design of the stud itself, which has the form of a cylinder with a cone-shaped tip, which is installed on a wide base, which ensures reliable fixation of the stud.

The tread pattern of the “Michelin X-Ice North 3” tires received an increased number of gripping edges to improve grip on snowy roads. The angle of the drainage channels has also been changed, which increased the resistance to hydroplaning and slashplaning. These tires use the new Flex-Ice 3 tread compound, which contains proportionate natural and synthetic rubber for improved grip on wet roads. In addition, it contains silicon additives that contribute to wear resistance.
To reinforce the carcass of the tires, IronFlex technology was used, which consists in the use of an additional layer of steel threads and provides additional impact resistance.

Almost every car owner relies on third-party information when choosing car tires. More often than others, specialized tests of various expert publications, ratings, reviews of experienced users are used. At the same time, new representatives of worthy tire manufacturers have recently begun to appear, competing with world leaders. The current rating of winter tires 2017-2018 is designed to reflect current trends in the construction of rubber for the cold season.

What is included in the rating or rating categories

The main difference that makes it difficult to objectively perceive the rating of tires in European automotive publications is the difference in climatic conditions. Differences are observed in the following positions:

• road conditions, including differences in coverage and use of reagents;
• temperature difference and its significant fluctuations;
• different humidity air.

When evaluating winter tires, the main task is not set in the recommendation of a separate model - Velcro or studded. Owners do not always choose leading models for passenger cars. Sometimes a combination of a complex of different properties at a good level is more significant. Therefore, the comparison of tires is carried out according to objective criteria for domestic conditions, in order to assist in the selection of a particular model.

Non-studded tire group

Friction tires carry the designation “studless” on the sidewall, which translates literally from in English as "no thorns". Among winter non-studded tires, two groups are traditionally distinguished, each of which has its own characteristics:

1. Group of Central European tires. They have developed grooves for water drainage and with a rubber compound somewhat harder than traditional rubber for the winter.
2. Group of Scandinavian tires. The hardness of rubber according to the characteristics is from 50 to 55 Shore units. The tread is more often replete with polyhedrons that can push through the snow cover.

The price range of models differs up to 1.5 times, but the figures will not be given taking into account the consideration of the characteristics of the tire without taking into account the landing diameter. If you compare tires of the same model in different dimensions, the results are also somewhat different.

Continental with the ContiVikingContakt 6

The model replaced the generation 5 after 2014. The protector has 3 autonomous zones and an asymmetric pattern direction. The tire is designed for a frosty climate combined with heavy rainfall. Winter tires are characterized by the following features:

Strengths:

• excellent transverse stability;
• confident acceleration on rolled snow;
• high exchange rate stability;
• excellent braking properties on ice;
• very good acoustic comfort.

Weaknesses are practically not revealed, but experts note uncertain behavior in deep snow and relatively uncertain behavior on frozen asphalt.

Nokian with the Hakkapeliitta R2

The Scandinavian model is designed for long-term operation in various weather conditions in winter. The range of various model sizes includes about 56 versions and has been on the market since the winter of 2013-2014.

• excellent acceleration and deceleration performance on ice;
• excellent performance handling and directional stability on any surface
• high permeability.

Expert assessments and reviews show some flaws when working on dry frozen asphalt.

Goodyaer with UltraGrip Ice 2

Represents the best winter tires for driving on winter asphalt. The tire is characterized by a significant tread depth of winter tires in comparison with competitors. With good wear resistance, it will last several seasons.

Strengths characterizing the tire:

• excellent braking properties on dry and wet asphalt;
• clear following the course on asphalt and snow cover;
• short noise level.

When braking on packed snow, the driver's accuracy is required, and when driving on virgin snow, the cross-country ability is limited.

Pirelli with Ice Zero FR

Balanced studless tires. Among weaknesses relatively high rigidity and low fuel efficiency stand out. Among the positive qualities stand out:

• excellent flotation in deep snow And lateral stability on a rolled surface;
• good directional stability on asphalt;
• excellent handling on ice.

Michelin with the X-Ice 3

For those who compare non-studded tire samples, this is one of the lightest models. The tire has more advantages than disadvantages:

• excellent directional stability on asphalt, with excellent deceleration;
• understandable and predictable behavior on ice.

The tire does not stand out in terms of comfort and has limited flotation in fresh snow.

Less popular models that participate in winter tire tests in 2015 and subsequent years have balanced properties and are strong in certain categories. Relatively cheap tires represented by the following models:

1. Hankook Winter i*cept iZ2 . It is better to choose a model if you want to rationally consume fuel. Excellent in all exercises on snow. The tire positively stands out in the combination of price and quality characteristics.
2. Dunlop Winter Maxx WM01 . It has excellent directional stability and deceleration on asphalt. Starts well on ice. The tire does not stand out for its comfortable behavior, fuel efficiency, noiselessness. Uncertainty behaves on a snow surface.
3. Bridgestone Blizzak VRX. Despite the high cost, the tire only counts for good directional stability on snowy road surfaces.
4. Toyo Observe GS-I 5 . One of the novelties of the global tire automotive industry, at a low cost, has all the characteristics at an average level. Only handling on snow is above average.

When considering a segment budget tires, it's also easy to pick up some worthy examples. For example, not every rating of the best winter tires includes the Nokian Nordman RS model. Rubber has high-quality grip properties, which is associated with a well-developed tread pattern. At the same time, the owners' reviews speak of the tire's resistance to wear, and allow the wheels to be used for several seasons. When operating a car shod with Nokian Nordman RS, sudden braking should be avoided, and the rhythm of movement should be measured.

Studded model group

If you have to choose a set of wheels among studded tires, pay attention to the following circumstances:

• rating and test results;
• number and shape of spikes;
• the height of the protrusion of the studs above the surface of the rubber.

When evaluating the behavior of winter studded tires, one should not expect exemplary behavior on asphalt. After all, a specific coating for such wheels is an ice crust and snow-covered asphalt.

The ability to compare estimates of which spikes behave better is presented in the following rating:

Nokian with the Hakkapeliitta 8

The model with dimension R16 has 190 studs per wheel. The model is called the best representative among winter tires for crossovers. Equally well behaves on any surface and is fuel efficient.

Strengths of the model:

• excellent behavior on ice- during acceleration and deceleration;
• excellent behavior on a snowy road - directional stability and acceleration;
• confident behavior on asphalt.

When driving a car wearing Hakkapeliitta 8, you should be careful with the choice of speed on wet pavement, which is associated with less effective braking.

Continental with the ContiiceContakt 2

Like all the best examples, the tire does not behave very confidently on wet pavement in driving and braking mode.

According to reviews and objectively, the model is the most balanced for any type of road and weather conditions, and stands out according to the following indicators:

• excellent grip on ice and snow;
• excellent cross-country ability and directional stability;
• good ones braking properties on asphalt.

Goodyear with the UltraGrip Ice Arctic

If there is any doubt about how to choose winter tires for off-road, then the answer lies in choosing the right tire. Other advantages include:

• excellent braking properties on any surface;
• confident acceleration on the road regardless of the surface.

Rubber is not very confident when driving at high speed.

Pirelli with Ice Zero

In the order of a slight decrease in all properties - acceleration, braking, rubber manifests itself on snow, ice, asphalt. Some remarks are inherent in handling and directional stability with increasing speed.

Michelin with the X-Ice North 3

Ice cover cannot be called the element of the current model. The rest of the rubber will please with reliability in behavior, braking performance. Ideal for frequent long trips on good roads.

Among the less noticeable studded representatives, owner reviews distinguish:

1. Model Nordman 5 . The best representative in the price / quality ratio, which is capable of any road surface, combined with good fuel efficiency.
2. Tire Gislaved Nord Frost 100. Comparatively equal assessments of behavior in different operating modes on any surface. Can not boast of fuel efficiency.
3. Hankook Winter i'Pike RS+ . It behaves well on ice and snow during rearrangements, it does not save on asphalt either. It has good fuel efficiency.
4. Cordiant Snow Cross. Model for careful driving conditions on ice and snow. Not confidently behaves when braking on asphalt. One of the best deals in combination price / quality.
5. Anatyre Freeze. Rare manufacturer from China. The tire performs well on clean pavement. In other winter conditions, the use is limited.

There are rubber samples on the market that differ in cost by 2 or more times from each other. This depends less on which supplier supplied the tires, and more on the technology of their production and the location of the manufacturer.

When choosing a set of winter tires, taking into account the results of ratings and tests is a prerequisite for ensuring safety. In some cases, it is easy to save significant financial resources by not overpaying for a name.

We list the advantages of the model, which allowed it to take a worthy third place in our rating of winter studded tires.

Let's start with the tread pattern. Compared to the NH 7, it received deeper drainage and open shoulder areas, which made it possible to increase the tire's resistance to aqua and splashplaning. The blocks located in the central area of ​​the tire are firmly interconnected - this is done to increase the rigidity of the rubber and the ability to confidently overcome dry sections of winter roads.

A large number of self-locking three-dimensional sipes located on the shoulder areas of the tread improve cornering control and increase off-road performance of the tires.

The serrated shape of the rear of the tread blocks provides excellent grip with the road surface during active braking, reducing the length of the braking distance. In addition, this form of brake boosters contributes to more efficient removal of snow and slush from under the wheels of the car.

We also note the use of proprietary Eco Stud 8 technology for Hakkapeliitta 8 studding, as well as Cryo-Silane technology used in the preparation of the rubber compound (increase in the proportion of rapeseed oil and silicon dioxide). The tires have been produced since 2013, but are still considered one of the best in their category, competing on equal terms with younger competitors.

In the ranking of the best studded winter tires in 2019, there is another long-awaited novelty that replaced the first generation of Ice Zero winter tires. Compared to its predecessor, the second generation tire is characterized by:

1. improved handling characteristics, accuracy of reactions to driver actions;
2. more efficient winter braking;
3. noise reduction (by 20%), despite the presence of a large number of spikes.

The unique tread pattern has V-shaped drainage grooves that become wider closer to the edges - this design provides the most efficient removal of water and slush from the contact patch of the tire. To reduce the braking distance and enhance the traction characteristics of the tire, Italian engineers placed additional sipes perpendicular to the main sipes.

The central tread area received a number of dual blocks to improve the vehicle's road holding. To ensure safety when driving on dry roads, the tire's edge effect has been enhanced by using zigzag block edges. Finally, the 3D lamellas that appeared in the shoulder areas of the tire provide the necessary rigidity of the rubber, making it easier to pass through high-speed corners.

It is worth noting the improved patency of tires in relation to deep snow - this is facilitated by snow hooks located in the shoulder area of ​​​​the blocks, special containers are responsible for the rapid removal of ice chips and snow mass.

IN Pirelli tires Ice Zero 2 uses double spike technology, which consists in placing them in pairs on multidirectional blocks. This helps to reduce the noise level when driving on all types of roads. The core of the spike is made of tungsten-carbide alloy, which increases its resource, and the high impact resistance of the spikes is ensured by the increased size of its surface.

The grip properties of the tire are also improved due to the addition of components such as certain types of resins to the rubber mixture, and in the place where the spikes are attached, the rubber is made of a more rigid composition. An increase in the number of rows of studding up to 24 helps to avoid getting spikes into the same furrows.

If you are the owner of an off-road class car, you probably have to solve the problem with a certain frequency, which winter studded tires for crossovers / SUVs are the best. In 2019, we advise such car owners to pay attention to the second generation Grandtrek Ice02 tires from Dunlop.

The unique design of the tread pattern guarantees excellent consumer properties of this rubber. Miura Ori proprietary technology, which consists in the use of three-dimensional zigzag sipes of great length with hard edges, prevents the tread blocks from bending, increasing the grip area of ​​​​the tire with the roadway.

Thanks to this pattern, rubber wear occurs as evenly as possible, and tire handling at all stages of its operation remains stable, guaranteeing high tire sensitivity to steering wheel turns.

But the main feature of the Grandtrek Ice02 is the improved stud design. They are made of steel and have a corrugated rectangular tungsten carbide core. This provides increased penetration against icy surfaces and packed snow. The core has a length of 2.8 mm. with a width of 2.0 mm., at the base, the spike thickens to 8 millimeters. An innovative technology for the formation of seats has been applied, which reduces the likelihood of losing spikes. In total, the model has 16 rows of studs with a density of 60 pieces per rm, which complies with the technical regulation CU-TR 018, adopted in 2011.

The rubber itself has a two-layer structure: the top layer consists of a soft compound that provides the most tight contact with the winter road, the inner one is more rigid, contributing to better retention of the studs and extending their life. The rounded, symmetrical tire profile helps to reduce the deformation ability of the rubber between the sidewall and the shoulder area, improving handling and reducing fuel consumption.

Another representative of the Finnish tire manufacturers in the top 10 best winter studded tires, the Nordman 7 model, has been produced since 2017. This rubber can be ranked among the best representatives of universal tires of the middle price category, designed for use on passenger vehicles in the winter season.

By and large, the "Nordic" model is a slightly improved copy of the famous "seven" Hakkapeliitta, providing an optimal ratio of wear resistance and excellent grip on slippery surfaces.

A feature of the model can be called Air Claw technology, which consists in the use of studs with anchor fastening and the presence of teardrop-shaped recesses on the tread blocks. This is what gives the rubber the softness property necessary for confident movement on winter roads. The effect of such recesses is similar to the effect shown by heel shock absorbers in modern sneakers: they reduce the level of vibrations and make the anti-skid effect characteristic of studs softer. Of course, this also reduces the wear of asphalt, as well as the noise effect characteristic of metal contact with a hard road surface. Thanks to the wide flange, such "claws" are securely held in the tread like an anchor - hence the name of the fastening.

It is also worth mentioning the proprietary studding technology called Eco Stud System - it is actively used in all the latest Nokian winter tires.

Its essence lies in the innovative technology of making holes for laying spikes: they are made at the stage of rubber vulcanization and are equipped with shock-absorbing pads that do not affect the reliability of their retention. For these purposes, another technology is used, Bear Claw, which means “bear claw”, which helps to keep the spikes in a plane perpendicular to the tread even during sharp acceleration / braking.

From the name of the model, you can already understand that it is designed for operation in the most severe conditions. In the 2018/2019 ranking of the best studded winter tires with a tire radius from R16 to R21, this model is the only one with triangular studs.

The use of MultiControl Ice technology made it possible to significantly increase the area of ​​​​contact between the tire and the roadway. Although the carbide spike itself has a semi-circular outline, it is enclosed in a triangular shell. This design in the section resembles the famous cocked hat. The principle of operation of such a technological solution is as follows: the outer insert, also made of carbide material, has sharp edges that greatly improve the acceleration and braking properties of the tire. In the presence of pronounced lateral accelerations, smooth transitions of the body itself begin to work, while braking - the rear surface of the spike, which has an increased width. When installing the "thorns" in the factory, glue is not used - the reliability of fastening is so high that it does not even allow the thorn to scroll around its axis.

The second feature of the UltraGrip Ice Arctic concerns the patented tread pattern (3D-BIS). The V-shaped design, traditional for the winter series, is complemented by a large number of wavy lamellas, on which there are waffle grooves that accelerate the removal of snow porridge and excess water from the contact patch through wide drainage channels.

To ensure the best grip on all types of winter road surfaces, the compound includes an innovative silicon polymer filler. It should be noted the low weight of UltraGrip Ice Arctic tires, which is achieved by the use of shoulder zones of a small radius, a special tread contour and a two-component rubber compound with a soft outer and harder inner layers.

A characteristic feature of the Nord*Frost 200 model with an asymmetric tread pattern is its excellent traction properties and excellent lateral stability when driving on slippery surfaces - packed snow and ice.

Although this model is considered a “veteran” in the 2019 ranking of the best winter studded tires (sales started in 2015), this does not detract from its merits. One of them is the use of a unique tread pattern, which has proven its effectiveness on winter roads according to the results of numerous tests conducted on the tracks of Russia and Scandinavia.

The central area of ​​the tread includes three rows of blocks in the form of irregular polygons, which is done in order to increase the number of sharp cutting edges. They provide reliable grip on snowy / icy highways. The multidirectionality of these sharp edges contributes to the stability of tires in the transverse/longitudinal directions. The number of three-dimensional wavy sipes matches the number of blocks, ensuring reliable tire contact with the road during braking and abrupt starts, as well as when maneuvering at high speeds.

The width of the drainage grooves is sufficient for the rapid withdrawal of any amount of excess water, snow mass and ice chips, so you can forget about the manifestation of the effect of aquaplaning and splashplaning here.

The special composition of the compound provides an optimal balance between the elasticity of the tire and its rigidity, regardless of the thermometer readings.

It differs from its predecessor with the RS W419 index in improved grip and braking performance on ice and snow, loose and compacted surfaces. When modeling the tread pattern, computer optimization tools were used, so that the new pattern has practically nothing in common with the old pattern, except for the symmetry and directionality of the relief. Instead of a narrow monorib, enlarged blocks appeared, which made it possible to optimize the load on the tire surface in the contact patch area, improve directional stability on dry roads and ensure comfortable handling on slippery road surfaces. But the blocks in the shoulder area of ​​the tires have become smaller, but their number has increased, improving the lateral stability of the rubber and facilitating the exit from a deep snowy rut.

Most winter tires have a developed network of three-dimensional sipes. The i*Pike RS2W429 is an exception, and some of them are placed at a low angle relative to the direction of travel, so that when maneuvering on a snowy or icy track, the tires behave more predictably, following the turns of the steering wheel. The second purpose of such lamellas is to improve the grip properties of rubber in the longitudinal direction, as well as to redirect excess water into wider drainage channels.

Compared to the first generation Winter i*Pike, the number of stud rows has increased from 10 to 12, and those that are responsible for anti-skidding are more evenly distributed over the tread surface, shifting to the center of the tire.

The top 10 of the best winter studded tires is completed by the new 2018 tire, which replaced the IceCruiser 7000 model, which has been produced since 2010. Interestingly, the tread pattern has not changed much, but the use of innovative technologies in studding and compounding has significantly improved the grip characteristics of the tire on slippery surfaces. Users celebrate traditionally high quality Japanese tires, its reliability and durability, as well as the ability to keep the spikes from falling out throughout the entire service life.

A feature of the tread pattern is the unique organization of large blocks located in the central region, aimed at increasing the deformation stability of the product. Shoulder blocks are characterized by increased rigidity, which improved stability when maneuvering on ice, snow and wet roads. The presence of sharp jagged edges led to an improvement in the lateral stability of the rubber, facilitating movement on loose snow.

Note the high efficiency of the IceCruiser 7000S drainage system. It consists of two wide annular channels and a network of inclined grooves oriented towards the center - they provide high resistance to hydroplaning and reliable removal of water and slush from the contact area with the road.

Although the spikes themselves are traditionally made of aluminum, their ability to bite into the ice is due to their advanced design. Reliable retention in the tire is ensured by the presence of a central insert with an adapted level of hardness and the use of a two-component compound.

Summary

Each of the presented tires deserves its high place in the ranking. Some have certain shortcomings, which are difficult to call significant. It is objectively difficult to say which studded tires are the best. Although experts and ordinary consumers made it clear that the main focus in winter in Russia is on the products of the Finnish company Nokian, this does not diminish the merits of the products of other manufacturers in the top 10.