What is the best winter tires rating 2017

Before each winter season, many drivers have a question about choosing winter tires for their car. Safety and comfort of movement on winter roads depends on the quality of the selected tires.
Winter tires can be classified into two types:

• studded tires;
• Velcro friction tires.

Studded tires

Anti-slip spikes installed on tires of this type significantly increase the vehicle's cross-country ability on ice and in deep snow, improve the vehicle's maneuverability in difficult winter conditions on a winter road. However, on dry asphalt, all these properties deteriorate instantly. In addition, the braking distance also increases. It should also be taken into account that the presence of studs significantly increases the noise of the tires.

Friction tires, Velcro

Friction tire manufacturers have to pay special attention not only to the rubber composition, but also to the tread pattern and depth, as well as the frequency and direction of the grooved sipes.

Friction tires are designed for urban use where snow and ice alternate with dry and wet asphalt.

Reference! This type of tire is named "Velcro" because of the special rubber composition that sticks to the road, thus providing versatility and the highest performance in the main parameters of safety and comfort when driving.

All season tires

A universal type of tire designed for year-round use. They have average performance for all weather conditions. For a single season, they have rather mediocre characteristics.

Non-studded tires are also classified into:

1. European. Designed for movement on wet snow and slush at temperatures closer to zero. The tread pattern on them is not so aggressive, the number of drainage grooves has been increased.
2. Scandinavian. Made from softer rubber compound. The tread pattern is aggressive, the number of sipes and slots has been increased to improve cross-country performance in icy and snowy areas.

Important! The durability of both studded and non-studded winter tires directly depends on the temperature at which they are used. High temperatures increase tire wear dramatically.

TOP 10 studded tires rating

1 month. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 (Финляндия)

Price: 4860 rubles.

Feel great on any road, the smallest braking distance on asphalt. The rubber is of excellent quality, but the price "bites". The disadvantages include excessive noise when driving.

2nd place: Continental IceContact 2 (Germany)

Price: 4150 rubles.

Excellent braking performance, confident contact with the road surface on ice and snow, high ride comfort. Impressions are spoiled by the uncertainty of movement along the “Russian road” and on asphalt, the noise of tires.

3rd place. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic (Poland)

Price: 3410 rubles.

They cope with deep snow without problems, a little worse with ice. However, asphalt is not their forte. They were noisy and harsh. Not economical at high speeds.

4th place. Nokian Nordman 7 (Russia)

Price: 3170 rubles.

They are pleasantly surprising with high performance on snow, but average on ice and asphalt. They hold the road well, they are quite consistent with their price.

5th place. Cordiant Snow Cross (Russia)

Price: 2600 rubles.

Excellent cross-country ability on snow, good performance on ice, but on the “Russian road” they do not let you relax. High fuel consumption is complemented by noise and harshness. Braking performance is not bad.

6th place: Dunlop SP Winter Ice 02 (Thailand)

They easily cope with the “Russian road”, but they behave insecurely on snow and asphalt. Among applicants the most rigid and noisy.

7th place. Nitto Therma Spike (NTSPK-B02) (Malaysia)

Price: 2580 rubles.

Good performance on all types of roads, except for braking on snow and asphalt. The quietest.

8th place: Toyo Observe G3-Ice (OBG3S-B02) (Malaysia)

Price: 2780 rubles.

Excellent handling on all roads and relative quietness. At the same time, the longest braking distance on snow, hard and uneconomical.

9th place: Pirelli Formula Ice (Russia)

Price: 2850 rubles.

Good performance on snow and asphalt spoil the impression of uncertain behavior on ice, increased fuel consumption and noise.

10th place: Gislaved Nord Frost 200 (Russia)

Price: 3110 rubles.

Average cross-country ability, pleasant handling, except for the “Russian road”. Quiet but not economical.

Reference! "Russian road" - a road with sharp changes in snow, ice and clean asphalt.

TOP 10 winter studless tires

1 month: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 (Финляндия)
Price: 6440 rubles.
Excellent connection with the road on ice and snow, good movement in snow drifts, excellent handling and directional stability. But smoothness and noise are not finalized. Moreover, the price is above average.

2nd place: Continental ContiVikingContact 6 (Germany)
Price: 5980 rubles.
One of the best performance on all types of roads. Economical. But on bad sections of the track, the behavior is not so confident.

3rd place: Hankook Winter i * cept iZ2 (Korea)
Price: 4130 rubles.
Excellent performance on ice, good track control are complemented by economy. But cross-country ability, comfort and noise with remarks.

4th place: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 (Poland)
Price: 4910 rubles.
Good performance in difficult and icy areas. But the cross-country ability and handling on snow are not finalized. Moreover, they are noisy and tough.

5 months: Nokian Nordman RS2 (Russia)

Price: 4350 rubles.

Excellent performance on ice and asphalt. Economical. But on the “Russian road” and on the snow they feel insecure. Rigid.

6th place: Pirelli Ice Zero FR (Russia)
Price: 5240 rubles.
Excellent performance on snow gives way to poor grip on ice. The ride is not up to par. Uneconomic.

7th place: Toyo Observe GSi-5 (Japan)
Price: 4470 rubles.
Excellent behavior on ice and the “Russian road” is spoiled by mediocre performance on asphalt. At the same time quite comfortable and quiet.

8th place: Bridgestone Blizzak Revo GZ (Japan)
Price: 4930 rubles.
With low adhesion rates, it feels confident on snow and ice. Better braking performance on asphalt. Efficiency and smoothness are not up to par.

TEST REVIEW: TOP 5 winter tires 2017-18. Which tires are best?

9th place: Nitto SN2 (Japan)
Price: 4290 rubles.
Good behavior on snowy areas, predictability on ice, good comfort are diluted with not very good braking on asphalt, acceleration on snow and handling on the “Russian road”.

10th place: Kumho I Zen KW31 (Korea)
Price: 4360 rubles.
Good performance on dry and wet asphalt is spoiled by poor performance on ice and snow. Noise within normal limits.

Reference! When compiling the rating, data from tests of well-known magazines and comments of motorists were used. The tests involved tires offered by manufacturers for the winter of 2017-2018. Prices are quoted at the time of testing and may vary at the moment.

Of course, every motorist chooses for himself winter tires that meet his needs for quality and financial capabilities. The article only reflects the most important characteristics of tires, helping the car enthusiast to make the right choice.

Do not forget that winter tires are not something you can save on or be careless about your choice. The quality of the selected tires often affects not only the safety of the driver himself, but also of passengers and other road users.

Which tires to choose for the winter? Trying 23 kits (studded and non-studded)!