24.12.2021

Which brand of winter tires is better? We choose the best inexpensive tires for your car. Basic principles of winter tire classification

Road safety in winter time year depends on many factors, the determining one of which is high-quality and reliable winter tires. In this article we will understand the features and nuances of choosing one or another winter tires for cars.

1 Types of tires for the winter season - studded or friction?

It is better to choose tires long before the onset of cold weather and changes in road conditions. Firstly, during this period you can purchase tires for more favorable price. Secondly, you will have time to evaluate and compare different tire models and choose the right manufacturer and configuration that will work best for your vehicle.

Car with winter tires Today, there are several types of tires for driving in the winter season. Each option has both pros and cons, which we will further analyze. Almost all options for winter tires come down to two types - without studs and with studs. The first type of tire performs better on asphalt surfaces with a minimum amount of snow or ice; the second type (friction) is recommended when driving on snowy roads and in off-road conditions.

Conventionally, there is a third type of winter tires - all season tires, which can be used in both summer and winter at universal temperatures. Good all-season tires are not produced by many manufacturers and are designed mainly for high-quality roads that are constantly cleared of snow and ice. Such tires are strictly not recommended for use during severe frosts; in addition, their properties noticeably deteriorate if there is snow or mud on the road.

2 Studless tires – Scandinavian or European type?

During production winter tires Complex technology is used, but the main element of any studless tire is the tread. The type of tread can be divided into two types:

Scandinavian type. Large distances between tread elements and deeper sipes. Suitable for driving on snow or winter mud.
European type. Diagonal pattern with a good drainage network of channels. More suitable for driving on wet and icy asphalt.

Studless tires for cars The first type of tire has a low speed index, different manufacturers rubber it varies between 160-170 kilometers per hour. This type of tire is suitable for moderate and calm, even slow driving without sharp turns and acceleration. Among the popular models of winter tires with Scandinavian type protectors can be distinguished as Nokian Nordman RS, Bridgestone Blizzak VRX, Michelin X-Ice 3,ToyoTiresGartG4,G5,ContinentalConticrossViking.

The European version of the tires has a higher speed index, which for some manufacturers reaches 240 kilometers per hour, as well as best performance braking on wet and dry asphalt, they are also suitable for those who drive aggressively even in winter. But they are also suitable for motorists with a relaxed style, who often drive on snow-free asphalt surfaces. Among the popular models of this type are following models: Dunlop Winter Sport, Pirelli Scorpion Ice, Nokian WR Series,YokohamaDriveV.

Among the advantages of friction winter tires, the following should be noted:

reliable grip parameters on wet and dry asphalt;
no noise when driving on asphalt roads without ice and snow;
stable characteristics in different temperature ranges.

Regardless of the tread type and chemical composition, studless winter tires are more suitable for motorists living in Europe and the European part of Russia, where winter is not constant and there is a large number of snow cover on the roads. In addition, it is recommended to install such tires if the car is equipped additional systems safety features such as ESP and ABS, they are able to compensate for some shortcomings friction tires in certain driving situations.

3 Winter tires with studs - main advantages

Winter tires with studded tread are designed for driving on constantly icy or snowy roads. Spikes in rubber are necessary to increase traction on such roads, as they can destroy the ice crust. This type of rubber is characterized by balance and a medium degree of hardness, and tires of this type can also be used on other types of road surfaces. Among the disadvantages of studded tires, one can highlight the high noise level and greater noise level compared to Velcro tires. braking distance.

Winter tires with studs Among the popular and well-proven models of studded tires are the following:

Nokian Hakkapeliitta Suv 7,8,9;
Continental IceContact;
Michelin X-Ice Nord;
Bridgestone Ice Cruiser;
GoodYear UltraGrip.

Whether or not to choose a studded wheel option for your car is entirely up to you. It is worth understanding that studs are not a guarantee of road safety in winter. On dry and wet asphalt Such tires have reduced grip, longer braking distances and an increased tendency to skid; they create noise and fall out. Some modern models of friction tires, especially with the Scandinavian type of tread, are not inferior to their studded counterparts even on an icy road.

If you travel more around the city than outside it, it is better to use friction winter tires of any type. If you often have to go off-road in winter, buy special anti-slip chains that you can install and remove with your own hands before a difficult section of the road.

4 Two tires on one axle - is it worth saving in this way?

There is an opinion among car enthusiasts that for the winter season it will be enough to install winter tires only on the drive axle. This is fundamentally wrong. The main danger of installing winter tires only on the drive wheels is uncontrolled skidding. Even with four winter wheels on slippery road when entering a turn, it can be very difficult to get the car out of a skid, and if a pair of summer tires, it will be almost impossible to do this, and the consequences can be very different.

Installing winter tires As for installing tires with identical parameters and characteristics, but with different tread patterns, this is allowed if the car has a single-wheel drive. However, this state of affairs will make adjustments in the event of emergency braking on a snowy road - the car may skid or its braking distance will increase. On four-wheel drive vehicle All tires must be the same and have an identical tread pattern.

5 Does the choice of tread affect the overall performance of the rubber?

Please understand that tires may perform different functions on certain road surfaces and in certain driving situations. If the car is moving on compacted snow (not ice), then the tires should scoop the snow as efficiently as possible, literally biting into it, preventing slipping and improving traction. On roads with slush and mud, the ability of tires to divert flows comes to the fore, providing maximum stability and resistance to skidding.

Car protector Thus, a tire with one tread pattern cannot meet all the requirements of the road situation in both the winter and summer seasons. Of course, many manufacturers try to make their tires as universal as possible, but each model ends up with advantages in one or two road components. To choose the necessary tires, it is enough to know how the protectors differ from each other. As described above, there are four types of tires for winter, which also differ in tread pattern. Accordingly, by looking at the tread, you can conclude what type of tire you have and whether it is worth purchasing for your car.

Without exaggeration, high-quality winter tires can be called a guarantee when the cold weather arrives. This question requires a very serious approach to the process of purchasing them, in which the manufacturer’s brand, driving style, brand play a role vehicle and climatic conditions of the operating region. On winter tires significant responsibility is assigned, because in cold weather it becomes more difficult to drive a car, especially when there is snow, icy conditions, freezing, etc.

Where to start choosing tires for winter weather

Any rating of winter tires should include products from different price segments, since not every car enthusiast can buy expensive tires that will still have to be re-tired every year. At the same time, you should not skimp on the safety of yourself and your passengers, because mistakes on a snowy road are very expensive. When choosing these products, you need to pay attention to what is available for winter:

studded. The design owes its name to the fact that such tires are equipped with metal spikes, playing an anti-slip role. Such tires are not dangerous for either ice or snow drifts, but they are of little use for dry asphalt. In addition, they significantly increase the noise level while driving;
friction (aka “Velcro”). They are characterized by a special laminated surface. Densely cut sipes and a special tread ensure a reliable connection to the road surface. In extremely snowy areas, such winter tires may not be effective enough, but on dry roads they behave confidently and do not make noise.

Friction ones are divided into 2 types: European and Scandinavian. The first type is intended for damp regions with a predominance of slush and sleet. They do not have a raised tread, but they are equipped with drainage grooves. Scandinavian ones are softer in themselves, equipped with slots and slats. They are distinguished by high maneuverability on ice or snow.

The most affordable and high-quality winter tires

SnowPROX S941. This budget manufacturer with a good reputation. The products are aimed at middle class cars. These tires perform well both on snowy surfaces and in wet slush. It does not make noise and is quite soft due to the inclusion of silicone.
MA STL from the Chinese company Maxxxis. The main advantage of this product is its low price compared to competitors in the 2019 season. However, this product also behaves normally on snowy road surfaces. The tires of this model have standard acceleration and braking characteristics and average noise levels while driving.
KrisAlp HP. The developer is considered to be a well-known automotive world Kleber company, which is a subsidiary of the French Michelin. The decent quality of products is explained by the technologies and materials that are used to create more expensive types of products. The model is positioned as aimed at powerful cars that require increased cross-country ability.
Hakkapeliitta 8. The famous Finnish manufacturer has made its mark even in the budget price segment. He introduced studded tires with special sipes and tread pattern to the attention of our drivers. For the 2019 winter season, they are good because they allow you to literally cling to the ice and overcome various road irregularities with a decent level of grip.
Nordman N4. Another example of Finnish products. For relatively little money, the manufacturer has provided studs equipped with a special support cushion. Thanks to these properties, proper softness and elasticity are ensured.
Blizzak Spike featured in this category manufacturer Bridgestone. It was included in the ranking of the best winter tires thanks to good quality production and low price. These tires have studs of a cross-shaped design, which not only hold themselves well, but also provide the necessary grip on icy roads. Experts believe this good decision for the domestic climate.
Nordmaster ST. Tires that combine decent quality at an affordable price. The product is interesting because it is produced by a domestic manufacturer. It boasts a reinforced side edge and an original tread pattern, which will provide the required grip on winter roads in some of our latitudes.

The middle class of winter tire manufacturers are the best representatives

The best winter tires can be found in the middle price class. All such products are characterized by high quality at an affordable price. 3-4 thousand rubles per wheel is a price tag that most Russian car owners are quite able to afford. For this price they can become owners of high-quality.

The top winter tire in the mid-price category opens with the Winter Contact TS 860 tire. The manufacturer is the well-known company Continental. Many experts precisely this model considered the best in the mid-range. First of all, this happened due to excellent sound insulation and driving performance.
Cinturato Winter is another example of winter tires that are close in properties to the premium class. They have proven themselves to be an excellent assistant when driving on dry or snowy surfaces in winter. Perfectly suited for climate zones with moderate winters.
Alpin 5. Sample good tires, in the development of which the legendary Michelin took part. The optimal solution for traveling on snowy road sections. However, it does not perform so well on wet and dry asphalt, and the noise level is far from ideal.
Blizzak ML-01. An inexpensive representative of winter tires, which may well be the answer to the question of which one is better. For an extremely low price, the consumer receives products with average performance qualities. Can be considered a profitable purchase on a limited budget.
I Cept RS 2. The manufacturer of such products is Hankook. It cannot be considered one of the leaders in its segment, since it makes quite a lot of noise. But on dry surfaces it feels excellent and overcomes snow drifts and ice on the asphalt well.

Many of the winter tires in this segment could be converted to , given their positive characteristics. However, for the majority of domestic car owners, the decisive factor will still be acceptable quality at an affordable price.

Top premium winter tires 2019

Leading manufacturers will be happy to offer the best tires for snowy roads, ice and severe frosts with maximum high performance. Each car owner determines the key criteria for himself, especially since for R15 or R16 tires they may be slightly different. Regardless of what tires are ultimately installed on the car, premium tires combine a high level of performance and excellent quality.

For the sake of objectivity, we offer several of the most popular varieties:

Ice Contact2 from the world-famous manufacturer Continental. The main advantages include the coating with spikes for more efficient and easier work. They are great for both ice and snowy surfaces. Drivers will definitely be pleased low level noise from them when driving winter road. The main disadvantage remains high cost among analogues.
Hakkapeliitta 9. Finnish-made products that are no strangers to the realities of harsh, and even extreme, winter weather. This is an ideal solution for those drivers who are forced to live in the northern regions for a long time. These tires will perform well both in urban conditions and when used off-road. Another interesting fact: they retain their qualities for a long time under different temperature conditions.
Blizzak DMV2. Products of this brand, developed by Bridgestone, are not equipped with spikes, that is, they are of the “Velcro” type. A good sample of tires in which the developers tried to take into account all the mistakes of previous analogues. They were able to demonstrate a high degree of controllability, low noise levels and other performance characteristics.
Nord Frost 100. Tires German manufacturer, based on a composition of rubber and silicone with the addition of technical hydrocarbons, as well as special innovative polymer components. As a result, the product is characterized by impeccable adhesion to the road surface. She is not afraid of ice and snow in the same way as dry asphalt.
Ice Zero. Products of the world famous Pirelli studio. The company constantly introduces new developments, achieving improved performance. The new tires have a significantly improved rubber composition, a changed tread pattern, and the products as a whole undergo more stringent technological selection. Thanks to all these factors, it 100% satisfies the needs of domestic motorists.
X Ice XI2. Another representative of the French manufacturer Michelin, which has won tens of millions of fans around the world. In the new tires for the winter of 2019, the manufacturer managed to implement such innovations, thanks to which water is effectively removed in order to successfully overcome icy and snowy sections of the road. They don't perform as well on dry surfaces.
Icept RW08. Few of us know this Korean-made rubber, but it’s completely in vain, given the totality of its properties. To ensure good grip and maintain the elasticity of the rubber itself, the manufacturer adds ingredients such as silicone and silicon to the composition. Winter requires qualitatively new tires, so computer modeling was used to create them. But they acquired the characteristics of truly premium products.
Ultra Grip Ice 2. This friction-type winter tire is designed specifically for regions with high humidity, frequent low temperatures and snow drifts. Its composition is so stable that it allows you to maintain performance characteristics throughout the entire resource allocated by the manufacturer.
Hakkapelliitta R2. Developed by the legendary Finnish plant Nokian. This winter tire is characterized by a low noise level and high maneuverability on difficult sections of the road. There may be some difficulties on icy sections of the road, but they are within normal limits.

This rating of the best winter tires for 2019 is a recommendation. Each car owner makes his choice based on the individual preferences and characteristics of his vehicle. All other things being equal, experts advise not to skimp on buying tires for winter, as this significantly increases handling and safety.

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 cope equally well with icing, mud, and water. But is this possible? In practice, there is an eternal dilemma - to choose non-studded Velcro or studs. We present you a tire rating for the 2017-2018 winter season, which includes the most popular and proven models.

Reviews from motorists
Tests carried out with different models cylinders

As a result, we have the following overview.

TOP 7 studless winter tires

When giving preference to Velcro, remember that tires of this type perform well in rainy weather and snowstorms. Manufacturers are struggling for grip on ice and snow, constantly changing the rubber composition.

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 service in winter weather conditions.

The advantages of this particular sample:

Good maneuverability 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

Among the shortcomings, mediocre braking dynamics on asphalt should be noted.

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

Advice. If you are looking for budget options for studless tires for winter, take a look at the Nokian Nordman RS and Cordiant Winter Drive models.

American tires demonstrate confident movement on ice and good lateral stability on packed snow. Among the advantages are also cross-country ability in snowdrifts and reliable deceleration on ice. These tires are popular on wet roads of big cities and icy roads.

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

#3: Continental Contivikingcontact 6

The tread with an asymmetrical 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 its shortcomings:

Uncertain behavior in deep snow
Instability on any asphalt – dry or frozen
Increased rigidity characteristic of Europe

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

Studless tires with good driving characteristics on icy roads, snowy surfaces, and also in porridge. In all cases, they showed confident acceleration with acceptable braking.

Flaws:

Modest ride quality on a hard, ice- and snow-free base
Poor maneuverability on wet hard roads
Uncertain driving on dry asphalt
Low fuel economy

The cost of these cylinders is 4750-7000 rubles.

#5: Michelin X-Ice 3

This is one of the lightest studless tires. French car shoes are strong in many categories. Among the advantages:

Directional stability
Excellent deceleration on asphalt
Confident, clear behavior on the ice
Good cross-country ability in snow

It is difficult to find disadvantages for this model, but you can point out limited cross-country ability on fresh snow and mediocre comfort indicators. Price – up to 5500 rub.

#6: Bridgestone Blizzak Vrx

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

Among the disadvantages:

Difficult control on icy and snowy surfaces
Low cross-country ability
Acoustic discomfort

Cost: from 7.5 thousand rubles.

The rating of studless tires for the winter 2017-2018 season includes tires from Hankook. The wedge-shaped tread provides good handling on snowy roads and predictable behavior on ice. Other advantages are fuel economy, good combination of price and quality.

The weakness of the sample is its unreliable behavior on asphalt due to frequent slipping of the axles and modest deceleration.

Cost: 2700-4600 rub.

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. This 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. The tires push it out from under them, providing confident movement. They are used for expeditions in the north. Rubber does not harden even under extreme conditions low temperatures. All this puts them at the top of the ranking in this review.

Advantages:

Extended service life. Wheels last for several seasons
Ideal traction in all conditions, be it snow or ice
Reliable braking even when the pedal is pressed hard

It also has disadvantages:

There is a feeling of instability when the wheel gets into a rut
High cost: from 12,000 rubles.

#2: Continental Contiicecontact

Their advantages:

Increased wear resistance
Tight, deep fit of the cylinders to prevent them from falling out
Reliable grip and road stability

At the same time, the tires behave uncertainly on wet asphalt, equally in driving and braking modes. Cost – from 9100 rub.

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

Advantages:

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

Disadvantage: when you get into a rut, the car starts to slide. These tires cost from 2250 rubles. depending on the seller.

These tires boast innovative technologies that were used in their production. Their studs have a double core, which gives extra grip on ice. The tread pattern effectively pushes out snow and water.

The advantages of these cylinders:

Reliability
Acceptable combination of price and quality
Effective braking in different conditions

#5: Gislaved Nordfrost 100

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

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

Among the disadvantages are poor driving performance on icy surfaces. Price – from 4400 rub.

Shoes with a wide contact surface. Add to this lateral grooves that provide strong traction in any weather, 22 rows of studs and 170 anti-slip studs, and you get safe movement on slippery surfaces.

Price – from 2450 rub.

Market news 2017-2018

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

Bridgestone will also introduce a new product – the Blizzak VRX2 Velcro. Tests of this 2017-2018 winter tire model have already shown improved snow performance compared to the previous one, and increased comfort. The manufacturer also claims more long term services.

Goodyear has expanded its lineup with Fulda Kristall Control SUV tires for SUVs in the mid-price segment. The design of the tread of passenger cars Fulda Kristall Control HP2 was taken as a basis, but the pattern was enlarged. Proprietary technology Snow Catcher has given these cylinders reliable grip on snow.

Michelin has also thoroughly prepared for the winter 17-18 season. The company has updated the lines of its subsidiary brands by releasing a whole series of tires with one basic tread pattern. Among the new products are the 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 production car tires. It has about 70 enterprises around the world, 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 production 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 per year, but it is there that the company's only tire studding workshop is located, in which all the tires produced by Michelin in Europe are studded.
In Russia, “Michelin” tires are sold either by us or by European companies 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 the “smart stud system” and includes:

A thermoactive rubber compound that is used as the inner layer of the tread and which is capable of changing its elasticity depending on temperature environment: at high temperatures it becomes soft and the spikes seem to be pressed into the tread, significantly improving traction on asphalt; at low temperatures it becomes rigid, making the fixation of the studs itself more rigid and thereby increasing grip on icy surfaces.
Ice Powder Remover technology is designed to remove ice crumbs and is a system of 6 wells around each spike that absorb this ice crumbs.
The design of the tenon itself, which has the form of a cylinder with a cone-shaped tip, which is mounted on a wide base, ensuring reliable fixation of the tenon.

The tread pattern of the Michelin X-Ice North 3 tires has an increased number of gripping edges, improving traction on snowy roads. The angle of the drainage channels was also changed, which increased resistance to aquaplaning and slashplaning. These tires use new rubber compound Flex-Ice 3, containing proportionally natural and synthetic rubber, thereby achieving improved grip on wet roads. In addition, it contains silicon additives that promote wear resistance.
To strengthen the tire carcass, IronFlex technology was used, which consists of using an additional layer of steel threads and providing additional impact resistance.

Winter is stressful for the car and the driver, as worsening road conditions lead to frequent accidents and loss of control. Confident control of the car in the cold season is possible only with the installation of winter tires. On the market huge variety models, each with a unique tread that differs in structure and other characteristics. The rating of winter tires compiled by specialists with extensive experience will help you avoid getting confused in the variety of options.

Winter is stressful for the car and the driver

What kind of winter tires are there?

It will be impossible to choose the best winter tires without considering the main varieties. They vary significantly depending on the presence of studs, brand name, performance characteristics and price.

Studded models. They are used in difficult conditions and are suitable for use in northern latitudes or in areas with frequent snowfalls and icy roads.
Studless – conditionally intended for Scandinavia. They are most often installed on cars for traveling to cities in the north of the country, where asphalt often appears.
Studless – for the central region of Europe. Designed for winters with frequent snow melting and relatively high temperatures.

The choice is within the competence of the buyer; he knows the climate of his region more precisely and will select best option. Regarding whether it is worth studding tires or whether it is better not to stud them - when snow and ice are common weather conditions, buy tires with studs, if most trips are on the highway, they are not necessary.

Winter tires: which company to choose

Nokian is a well-known concern from Finland that develops tires for various purposes. Has been working in the production of winter tires for over 80 years. All models meet standards for use in harsh environments.

Nokian winter tires with studs

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is an American company that produces high-quality winter products. Today it is produced at 50 factories in 22 countries.
Bridgestone is a corporation from Japan, famous for its innovative solutions and wide selection of tires from bicycles to aircraft landing gear.
Dunlop is a manufacturer with a rich history, having been making good wheels since 1888. The general headquarters is located in Northern Ireland. Manufacturing is based on computer modeling.
Michelin is famous brand, originally from France. Features include a high-tech manufacturing process, increased wear resistance and the ability to save fuel.

Rating of the best tires for winter

The top best winter tires 2017 were compiled based on product use practice and expert opinion. Among additional features taken into account:

reasons for choice - due to brand recognition, publication rating or based on positive reviews;
type of vehicle - SUV or passenger car;
type of tires - with or without studs;
climate in the operating region – severe or moderate conditions;
technical and quality parameters - speed identifier, diameter, load capacity;
operational values that appear on different types roads – quality of cross-country ability, ensuring controllability, traffic safety, stability on uneven surfaces, quality of traction, start speed, braking distance, wear resistance, noise level;
type and volume of drawing;
advanced manufacturing technologies;
features of the model;
manufacturer's credibility;
price niche;
replacement frequency.

Michelin winter tires

The best winter studded tires for passenger cars

Popularity

Choose the Hakkapeliitta 8 from Nokian. The company was the first to produce winter tires. The series includes models with the RutFlat function, its task is to maintain controllability and the ability to move at a speed of 80 km/h with flat tires. In such conditions, a car can cover 100 km.

Pros:

wide range of sizes – from 15.5 to 29.5, from 20 to 70%, from 13 to 21”;
load indicators - from 387 to 975 kg;
speed index – T-V, in numerical equivalent – 190–240 km/h;
cost - from 3 to 32.5 thousand rubles;
protector made of cryosilane (silica, rubber, colza, etc.);
reliability and reinforcement by the RutFlat system;
expected behavior on the road;
improved maneuverability;
high quality of grip even on ice with any driving style;
minimal braking mark on dry surfaces;
fuel economy.

Hakkapeliitta 8 from Nokian

Cons:

creates a lot of noise on a clean surface, which is typical for studded models;
risk of skidding when changing direction in snowy areas when driving at low speeds;
low grip on wet roads;
it’s hard to move on loose snow;
high price.

Taking into account the parameters and opinions of the owners, it should be concluded that the tires are suitable for driving on compacted snow and ice, and have average driving quality on clean asphalt. Regarding the strength of the studs, the data is contradictory; some buyers note the absolute density of fixation, while others complain about the loss of many elements in 1 month.

Rating

The best winter studded tires for heavy operating areas are Antares Grip 60 Ice. The test was carried out in the Arctic, where they proved positive characteristics. The products are distributed in Canada, Russia and other northern European countries.

Winter tires Antares Grip 60 Ice

Advantages:

variety of sizes - from 17.5 to 26.5, from 55 to 70%, from 14 to 18”;
weight per tire – from 475 kg to 1,215 t;
speed characteristics - S-T index, the car develops - 180–190 km/h;
price – from 2200 to 6900 rubles;
Scandinavian type protector;
effective drainage system;
predictable behavior and course stability, the steering wheel does not throw, the car avoids skidding as much as possible;
increased wear resistance;
saving fuel consumption;
optimal balance between quality and price.

Flaws:

the spikes are subject to corrosion;
average noise level.

The rubber deserved its place in the review due to its practicality and quality; no serious shortcomings were identified.

Reviews

Studded winter tires to choose the best - it is advisable to do this based on reviews, buyers often prefer Ice rubber Cruiser 7000 from Japanese company Bridgestone, the model has many positive feedback, since on sale since 2010.

Winter Ice tire Cruiser 7000

Advantages:

dimensions – from 16.5 to 28.5, from 40 to 70%, from 13 to 20”;
speed index – S-T, according to the speedometer – 180–190 km/h;
cost - from 2100 to 15300 rubles;
aluminum spikes with strong fixation;
increased strength;
good control over the car both at high and low speeds;
performs well on a variety of surfaces - ice, snow, asphalt;
resistance to side impacts and prevention of the risk of skidding;
reduced braking distance;
minimal wear.

Cons:

generates noise;
often slips, sometimes skids in the snow;
unpredictable behavior when driving in a rut;
after 5 years the performance decreases slightly.

Reviews are mixed, but mostly positive. With such tires, winter ceases to be a hindrance for the motorist.

Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000