Studded tires are tires designed for winter operation in most regions of the Russian Federation. They are called "studs". Compared to friction rubber, they differ better fitness to the harsh Russian winter and difficult operating conditions, including severe frosts (up to -25 degrees), when driving on melted ice, on city streets, in deep and loose snow on country roads. They have special metal elements designed to improve grip. They are called anti-skid spikes, which consist of a body and a core.

About the difficulties of choice

On the modern tire market in Russia, a large assortment of spikes is presented. Products for winter operation differ in size, tread pattern, composition rubber compound, indexes of speed, carrying capacity, etc. Depending on the characteristics, technologies used by the manufacturer, and brand popularity, the cost of a tire set varies.

To understand the variety of offers and find winter tires that are most suitable in terms of performance and price, you should follow simple rules.

No. 1. A well-known brand is not the most important thing

Michelin, Continental, Bridgestone, Pirelli and a number of other manufacturers are the main actors in the tire market. Companies value their name, so they try to produce the highest quality products. However, when choosing winter tires you should pay attention not so much to the popularity of the brand, but to the country of production, the overall quality of workmanship during an external examination.

Video: TOP-10 Winter Studded Tires 2016 - 2017 / Igor Burtsev

When looking for inexpensive winter tires, it is worth spending time on “second line” tires, i.e. produced by subsidiaries of the tire giants. As a rule, they use technologies and developments from the flagship rubber models of previous generations.

No. 2. Specialized tire centers and shops are more reliable than little-known outlets

If you like a particular tire model, then try to compare prices in several specialized stores with each other and with the average market value. Avoid overly cheap offers. Most likely, you are offered low-quality products.

What characteristics to look for when choosing?

1. Size Must conform to the dimensions recommended by the automotive manufacturer. Permissible sizes are listed in the machine's instruction manual. Several options are indicated - from the minimum to the maximum. Owner vehicle You can choose the tire size of your choice. The following characteristics depend on the choice: smoothness and softness of the course, rolling resistance, overclocking characteristics. Also larger diameter wheels with alloy or forged wheels make the car more stylish and beautiful.
2. Date of manufacture. Apply to the side. Consists of 4 digits. The first two indicate the week number, the next two indicate the year of manufacture. It is recommended to purchase new or last year's tires. Tire products manufactured 3 or 4 years ago have different performance characteristics.
3. Tread pattern. The tread is one of the main elements of the tire. Determines its coupling, braking and other properties. Provides contact of the wheels with the road surface. It can be symmetrical or asymmetrical, directional or non-directional. When choosing, you need to focus on the driving style, dynamic characteristics car, the mildness or severity of the climate in winter period. The directional tread pattern is distinguished by improved self-cleaning properties and the removal of water and wet snow compared to the non-directional tread pattern. An asymmetric tread is more expensive than a symmetrical one due to the division into several functional zones. Such studded tires, as a rule, belong to the premium segment, show good performance in various road conditions.
4. The number of spikes. Modern studded tires have 96 to 190 studs. Too many metal hooks adversely affect ride and acoustic comfort. The option with 96 spikes is recommended in some EU countries, but for domestic realities it can hardly be called optimal. 130-studded tires - best choice for an average winter in Russia. In it, the weight and size of the spike are balanced compared to other models.
5. Indices of maximum load capacity and speed. They play a secondary role when choosing studded tires. Most tires for passenger cars mobiles produced with a high margin of safety. Unfavorable weather conditions in winter do not allow realizing the high-speed potential and showing the sports character of the cars to the fullest.

Video: Overview of winter tires 2016-2017

Overview of the best studded tires on the Russian market

On the Russian market a large number of studded tires from domestic and foreign manufacturers are presented. We present to you a selection best models studded rubber.

Tires from the famous German manufacturer Michelin for compact crossovers and . They are presented in a wide range of standard sizes - from R16 to R21. Developed for the northern states of the European Union and Russia. They are a modernization of the second generation tires, which debuted in 2011.

They have a similar tread pattern, number and shape of spikes. Rubber consists of 2 layers - hard inner and soft outer. However, the border between them in the places where the spikes are installed is made convex. Due to this, the thickness of the lower, more elastic and durable layer was increased. The technology is called Catamaran.

Excellent grip on dry pavement, in winter slurry.

They are distinguished by a high degree of safety on ice.

Quickly remove water from the contact patch.

Quite comfortable compared to other tires with spikes.

- High price.

- Low level of grip on dry and cleared winter roads.

A long awaited update to the legendary Hakkapeliitta family. Presented in 52 sizes with landing diameters of 14-20 inches. The novelty has replaced the flagship tire in the Nokian lineup. Intended for compact cars, medium and large family cars. Installation on vehicles with a sporty character is allowed.

The new generation tire has a different tread pattern and an updated rubber compound. However, the main changes are connected with studding. First, the shape of the metal elements has changed. Secondly, the number of spikes in Hakkapeliitta 9 has decreased. For example, in tires with a landing diameter of 16 inches, there are 18 fewer of them (172 versus 190).

Excellent steering sensitivity and directional stability.

acoustic comfort.

High level of grip on packed snow and when driving on ice.

Quick adaptation to various winter conditions.

Replenish all new types of tires supplied by completely different branded manufacturers. The material below discusses only the most popular models that any motorist can purchase in 2018. It is worth noting that the choice is made according to the ratio of price and quality, and not according to the popularity of the manufacturer or the price of the tire. It is important to take into account the fact that the rubber considered in the list was tested according to dozens of criteria, technical features absolutely each model was measured by special equipment. In addition, the personal feelings of motorists, who were able to test the properties and capabilities of the considered samples in practice, were taken into account. Of course, many motorists may be surprised by such a set of tires, since the presented tires have a lot of differences, first of all, in terms of cost. However, the options considered were deliberately selected from different price categories, which will allow a car enthusiast with any budget to choose the best option for themselves.

Rules for choosing the best non-studded tires

It is rather difficult to choose the best ones, since the goods offered in a wide range belong to completely different manufacturers. Besides, optimal choice should take into account not only the region in which a particular motorist lives, but also weather conditions. Naturally, some regions can "please" the motorist with a harsh snowy winter, while in other regions rainy weather and slush prevail. If only Scandinavian-type tires are suitable for a harsh climate, then for slush - European ones. Of course, not all car markets can find these models, however, in more or less major cities buying any type of tires will not be a problem for the motorist.

Of course, every motorist should know how to choose winter studless tires. According to the advice of experts, you should choose only from famous models, which have been successfully operated by thousands of motorists for more than one year. Of course, among domestic manufacturers there are several relatively acceptable companies whose product can be considered as Alternative option. True, the opinion has not yet been eradicated that from the purchase of Russian, as well as Chinese tires it is better to refuse in favor of more reliable ones.

Not all car owners have the opportunity to purchase, however, it is better to completely refuse to buy a used product. You should not make a purchase even if the tread is not worn out, it is likely that these tires have been idle for a long time, which has aged the rubber, led to a deterioration in its properties. Any tire is able to meet the characteristics declared by the manufacturer only for a certain period of time, until its critical wear occurs. The same rule should apply to retreaded tires that are considered dangerous and unreliable.

If a motorist is interested in which non-studded winter tires are better, the 2019 rating will help find the answer to this question. The list contains models that have different tread patterns. It should be noted that this indicator is extremely important when choosing the most optimal model. The tread will help determine the rubber that takes into account the weather conditions of the region. In particular, with heavy rains and constant slush, you should buy rubber with the ability to drain water. Aggressive patterns are designed to handle snowy, icy trails. The diamond-shaped tread that Scandinavian tires are equipped with easily copes with paving the way through the snow crust.

Tires must also take into account the temperature range. Some manufacturers produce tires that lose their properties over time, in winter such models become soft, and in summer, on the contrary, more rigid. In turn, on the market you can find options that are resistant to sudden changes in temperature. Whatever the reason, he can get acquainted with the rating of the best winter non-studded tires, which for some reason bypassed the rest of the models, and also showed good qualities when used on domestic roads.

Rating of non-studded winter tires 2019

Motorists are accustomed to calling non-studded tires Velcro, while specialists call them friction tires. This type of rubber is not equipped with metal spikes. The tread pattern has a unique shape, it provides recesses that can get rid of excessive amounts of moisture and snow. Thanks to these properties, grip with the road surface is improved, while the tread is freed from snow without accumulating it. This type of tires is ideal for those regions where winter is moderate, and the thermometer rarely drops below -15 - -20 degrees. Friction tires, as a rule, are purchased by Europeans.

The top 10 winter non-studded tires are opened by a new friction model from the famous German company. We can say that this tire is ideally adapted for harsh winter conditions. Special composition The rubber compound of increased softness provides this tire with excellent grip on icy or snowy road surfaces even at frosts below ten degrees.

The tread is equipped with a system of deep drainage grooves, which, unlike the previous model with asymmetrical pattern, form a single network, which contributes to the faster removal of snow and ice chips from the contact patch. The lamellas present on the tread blocks provide good grip on the winter road.

According to the tests, this rubber, created for the Scandinavian countries and northern regions of Russia, is 8% superior to ContiVikingContact 6 in terms of handling. The entire range of the model, which is 112 articles in the R14-R21 range, is designed for top speed 190 km/h. Excellent low-temperature tread characteristics, including elasticity, are provided by the addition of rapeseed oil to the silica.

Some sizes of VikingContact 7 are equipped with the ContiSeal system, which provides sealing of punctures up to 0.5 cm in diameter. There are also tires with the SSR Runflat system (the so-called accident-free driving technology) in the tire line of this model, as well as with the ContiSilent system, which reduces tire noise.

oldest tire brand has prepared for the market of the Russian Federation and CIS countries its new development - a non-studded winter tire WM02 with an asymmetric tread pattern. The second place in the list of the best non-studded tires for winter of this model ensured its versatility - it copes with snow crust, icy roadway and wet asphalt with equal success.

The uniqueness of the design of the tread pattern lies in the presence of sharp edges in the blocks, which improve the grip properties of the tire on slippery ice surfaces, while wide drainage grooves, which partially pass to the side edges, are responsible for the removal of water and snow crumbs.

The pattern itself is chosen so that the tire, due to the compression of snow, forms zones of improved grip with the road surface. In Winter MAXX 02, the Miura-Ori system is implemented, using zigzag geometry lamellas. It was also used in previous tire models, but here the length of the sipes was increased, which contributed to the increase in the number of sharp edges.

The upgraded MegaNano Fit Rubber composition, which is more elastic, also contributes to the improvement of the grip properties of rubber. His distinctive feature can be called the inclusion of a component made from biomass, thanks to which the performance characteristics of the tire are maintained throughout the entire period of its use. A total of 36 Dunlop WM02 sizes are available in the R13-R19 bore diameter range.

French tires are well known to the Russian consumer, but mainly due to summer / all-season tires. The XI3 model is included in the 2019 ranking of the best non-studded winter tires due to one of the best combinations of cost / quality: the smallest size tire costs from 3400 rubles.

The unique feature of this model is the M-Chip rubber compound structure, which has a lot of absorbent bubbles. When the tire contacts a slippery surface, these bubbles are on the surface, and due to the concave shape, they effectively remove the water film formed on the icy road (approximately the same technology is used in Yokohama tires iceGuard).

Due to this, the effect of rubber slippage on ice is minimized, significantly reducing the braking distance.

We also note that the X-ICE 3 shoulder blocks have micropumps - holes in the form of elongated cylinders, the action of which is similar to the work of the M-Chip: they “dry” the ice crust and help remove the water film. The second positive aspect of their use is the improvement in tire handling due to the increase in the rigidity of the shoulder blocks.

The most significant drawback of the model is that it has a slippery surface with significant tread wear, but this is a common disease of practically friction Velcro.

Although this model was first introduced by the Finnish manufacturer at the beginning of 2018, it quickly managed to gain popularity, entering the most independent ratings of non-studded winter tires. The concept of tires of a pronounced Nordic type is based on technology own design Arctic Sense Grip, which provides precise and easy control on slippery surfaces by improving the grip properties of the tire. When developing the tread geometry, computer modeling was used. As a result, the mutual arrangement of grooves, lamellas and slots is optimized in such a way as to ensure efficient work rubber in winter conditions regardless of the condition and type of roadway.

In the central part symmetrical tread there are lamella pumps (patented Nokian technology). Strictly speaking, they are present in other winter models, but their number has increased significantly. The task of such sipes is to quickly and efficiently remove water from under the wheel in order to provide reliable grip on slippery surfaces. The number of sipes in the shoulder area of ​​the tread has also been increased.

When accelerating/braking sharply, the sharp zigzag edges of the side sipes open up, helping the tire to better grip the road in the contact patch. The same goal is facilitated by the use of Cryo Crystal 3 microparticles, which improve the lateral/longitudinal grip of tires on winter roads. Worn tires do not lose their properties largely due to the presence of these microparticles, evenly distributed throughout the thickness of the rubber.

The NH R3 range consists of 68 sizes with tires from R14 to R21 and a speed index in the range of 170-190 km/h.

The engineers of the American company did everything possible and impossible so that the Nordic Velcro UGI2 surpassed its predecessor, the UltraGrip Ice + model, in terms of its performance. And they did it - since 2015, Ice 2 has been almost constantly included in the ratings of the best winter tires. So if you are in doubt about which winter non-studded tires are better to choose for your car, you can recommend this particular model as a potential candidate that has already proven itself.

Excellent handling on ice and snow-covered tracks is ensured by the use of ActiveGrip technology. It is based on the use of hybrid sipes in combination with cryo-adaptive components that make up the rubber compound.

The top layer of the tread has increased elasticity, which allows soft tire confidently hold the road in frosts down to minus 25 degrees. But the base compound is more solid - it starts working already at zero or positive temperature indicators.

As for the tread pattern, it is divided into three zones - the central one with V-shaped sipes and the side ones with mesh sipes. Thanks to this tread design, UltraGrip Ice 2 has good resistance to such unpleasant effects as slashplaning and aquaplaning. Side sawtooth blocks together with deep lateral grooves provide excellent behavior of tires in deep snow and are responsible for the rapid removal of water and snow from the contact patch.

This novelty, which appeared on the shelves in the second half of 2018, pleases with its winter characteristics. There is nothing to be surprised here - the use of spikes is prohibited on Japanese roads, so Bridgestone specializes in Velcro - there are a lot of them in the company's assortment.

Why is this model good, since we included it in the top 10 best winter non-studded tires? Compared to its predecessor, the Blizzak VRX, these tires offer 10% shorter braking distances, 23% longer tire life and 30% less noise. These impressive successes were achieved thanks to the innovative tread pattern and the consistent improvement of the company's Active Multicell Compound technology.

The uniqueness of the tire compound lies in the addition of many other components to the silica, which, being distributed in the rubber compound evenly throughout the volume, ensure the ability of Blizzak Ice to effectively remove a layer of water from the grooves. Sulfur and polymer components are used to maintain the elasticity of rubber at low temperatures, increasing the coefficient of adhesion on slippery surfaces.

It should be noted asymmetrical pattern tread, which includes deep three-dimensional sipes and a network of grooves, the relative position of which forms a complex geometric pattern. The tires have a pronounced edge effect, which increases the coefficient of friction during active braking on ice. Rigid shoulder tread blocks are responsible for comfortable handling on snow.

Although this model cannot be called new (the development date is 2017), when choosing winter non-studded tires, it is preferred by those motorists who prefer an active and even aggressive driving style. It is no coincidence that WinterContact TS 860S tires are equipped with such sports car models as BMW Series M, Porsche, Audi Sport and AMG from Mercedes-Benz.

The main advantage of this tire should be considered SSR technology. This is a kind of emergency protection that allows you to move another 50-80 km at a speed of up to 75-80 km / h in case of a tire puncture. Its essence lies in the strengthening of the sidewalls, which minimizes the risk of slipping rubber from the rim.

But also winter performance here on top. Reducing the braking distance on slippery surfaces is achieved due to the presence of several narrow inter-block grooves, ensuring the operation of individual blocks during emergency braking as a whole.

The enlargement of the shoulder blocks of the WinterContact TS 860S and the increase in their rigidity led to a decrease in the lateral elasticity of the tire, providing better handling in high-speed corners. And what else is needed for a tire positioned as a sports one?

The assortment of the model includes 15 sizes with a diameter of 18-21 inches and a maximum allowable speed of 270 km / h - an impressive indicator for winter tires.

There are high-speed tires for winter in the arsenal and the famous French tire company. The presented model is characterized by predictable behavior on a snowy road, excellent maneuverability on dry pavement, as well as effective braking on wet and slippery surfaces. Introduced in 2017, Pilot Alpin 5 and two years later, in 2019, it confidently enters the ratings of the best non-studded winter tires.

A characteristic feature of the tread pattern is its symmetry - compared to its predecessor, PA4, which had an asymmetric tread, this improved the grip properties of rubber in relation to winter conditions.

The negative profile of the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 contributes to confident and calm overcoming sections of the road with a layer of snow. Changing the shape of the lamellas reduced the deformability of the blocks when driving at high speeds and corners, improving the handling of cars equipped with these tires.

Alpine rubber with a proprietary composition of components, including silicic acid nSiO 2 nH 2 O and polymers, does not become hard even in severe frosts, however, it does not suffer from "spreading" even at near-zero temperatures. Alas, the tire size starts from 17 inches - they are unlikely to fit for city B / C class sedans.

Who said Koreans can't make winter tires? The Winter i*cept Evo2 is the latest generation of UWPT (Ultra Winter Performance Tires). The presence of the word "ultra" means that if you live in a region with severe winters and do not know which non-studded winter tires to choose, here is your answer. With a load index of up to 850 kg, these tires can accelerate up to 240 km / h. True, the cost of such pleasure is quite high, and if it were not for the price factor, Winter i * cept Evo2 would certainly take a higher place.

The characteristics of the product are good in everything: the tires have excellent grip on all types of winter surfaces, they are easy to handle and stable in behavior on slippery road, wear-resistant and brake effectively.

In severe frosts, tires do not “tan” due to the use of a highly dispersed nanocomponent based on silicon dioxide. This allows you to keep the coefficient of adhesion to the roadway in a stable state. Optimizing the tire profile and improving the shape of its bearing surface helps reduce the risk of a car going into aquaplaning. The asymmetric arrangement of the lamellas and grooves ensures that the vehicle's course control is maintained when driving on wet snow.

By increasing the number of tread blocks, Korean engineers have achieved that Tire Winter i*cept Evo2 literally bites into loose snow, and three-dimensional sipes reduce block deformation, increasing tire life.

The SUV version is an evolutionary variant of the second generation of the model, with a more modern and aggressive tread design that optimizes fuel consumption, improves driving comfort and achieves more confident handling of winter roads. In our ranking of the best winter non-studded tires, this is the only model focused on the SUV class.

To make the grip edge larger, the Finnish tire manufacturers used serrated shoulder areas in the R3 SUV - this increased grip on slippery roads in the transverse plane. Compared to the version for passenger cars, the central rib here is wider - for heavy SUVs and crossovers, such reinforcement contributed to improved stability.

The anti-slip properties of the winter tire have also been improved thanks to the use of proprietary Arctic Sense Grip technology, which we have already talked about. The same purpose is served by deep sipes that cut through the tread blocks over the entire area of ​​the tire.

The use of another proprietary concept, Aramid Sidewalls (reinforcement of the sidewalls of the tire with aramid fibers), has improved exchange rate stability, including uneven country roads and provide additional impact protection. The range of standard sizes of the model is quite large (65 varieties), the range of fitting diameters is R16-R21. The presence of the XL index, which marks most model sizes, means the maximum load capacity of tires.

Conclusion

The presented rating of winter non-studded tires includes those tire options that any motorist can purchase on the Russian market in 2019. It is worth noting that any of the considered models is worthy of attention. The only thing that every motorist should think about is the parameters that the preferred model should have in the first place.

In short - "what is good for a Russian, then death for a German" :)

"Let's change"?

Tire manufacturers spend huge sums of money on numerous research, comprehensive tests, the introduction of new technologies, and so on. This is only to the advantage of consumers, since this trend contributes to the fact that competition intensifies in the market and more and more high-quality and efficient “shoes” appear. Still, because manufacturers need to somehow distinguish their products from the rest. On one "big name" alone, now you can’t go far, so you have to constantly update and improve your tires.

Manufacturers of studded tires should especially try in connection with the introduction of new Scandinavian rules for studding (no more than 50 studs per 1 meter of circumference).

However, friction rubber did not stand aside. Tire companies are improving their technology, giving Velcro more and more tenacity and stability on icy roads. The moment has come when the best non-studded tires perform better on ice than mediocre studded tires.

In general, manufacturers have their own concerns, and our main task as buyers is to find the most suitable rubber both for our car and for our wallet.

Winter tire classification

The focus of today's article is the choice of winter tires. It is worth noting that in addition to the standard classification of winter tires into studded and non-studded tires, the latter are divided into European and Scandinavian tires. Simply put, there are three main types of winter "shoes".

Winter "non-studded" Scandinavian type

The client needs to remember that studded tires are most often unconvincing on asphalt (low dynamic performance) not because of the presence of spikes, but because of the softness of the tread rubber. Also for asphalt pavement the best option studless tires of the Scandinavian type are considered.

It is distinguished by a very modest speed index. Most often it is Q (160 km/h) and R (170 km/h). The exception is the Michelin X-ice Xi3 (the index may be H).

Tires of this type feel good at very low temperatures with soft rubber. They perform well on snow and ice and provide good acoustic comfort. However, these benefits will come at a cost. In particular, the driver will need to forget his summer driving habits like cornering at high speed and hard braking and changing lanes.

This type of rubber is strictly contraindicated for drivers who practice an aggressive driving style, but is perfect for leisurely and calm drivers. When choosing tires of this type, you should pay attention to following models:

Winter "non-studded" European type

European-style winter tires have four speed indices - W (270 km / h), V (240 km / h), H (210 km / h) and T (190 km / h). The model with the higher score will show top scores on an asphalt road when braking from absolutely any speed.

Another interesting and useful fact. Products from the same manufacturer may have different speed ratings, but don't be surprised if they have identical tread patterns. The tread pattern does not affect this parameter at all. He is responsible for driving on slush and loose snow. The speed index is assigned to the model based on its chemical composition and rubber hardness.

"Europeans" are the antipode of Scandinavian rubber. They are designed for driving at higher speeds. Tires cope well with dry and wet asphalt at low temperatures, but at the same time frankly pass on ice and packed snow. On such surfaces, you need to drive very carefully and understand that in emergency on really slippery surfaces, this type of tire will not meet your expectations.

You should also carefully drive the car on asphalt. A high speed index should not deceive you. Like Velcro, winter tires European type It is not recommended to drive fast on an asphalt road in warm weather, as high temperatures adversely affect their braking performance.

In the family of non-studded tires of the European type, one can note:

Winter "studs"

Winter tires of this type have always been distinguished by a balance of characteristics and an average degree of rigidity. It demonstrates good results on almost every type of surface, except for ice, where it is rightfully considered the undisputed leader. Most often, products of this class have an index T (190 km / h).

Among their shortcomings, only a high level of emitted noise can be considered pronounced. These tires are great for those drivers who often have to drive outside the city in winter. Cars of residents of megacities do not need such “shoes”.

True, an exception may be the case if they have a steep climb on the road to the house or to the garage. For those who travel out of town a couple of times in winter, spikes are not particularly useful. It is better to purchase special snow chains. They will significantly increase the cross-country ability of the vehicle both on a mixture of snow with chemicals and on ice.

The family of spikes is represented by the following good quality models:

Do not harbor unnecessary illusions!

Unfortunately, you will not be able to find on the market all-purpose tires that feel great both on ice and on asphalt. Still, you can't argue with the laws of physics. That is why the question of what type of rubber is the best, you will never get the only right answer. The truth will always be somewhere nearby, but still, for each surface, a certain driving style and operating conditions, certain tires are better suited.

However, regardless of the type of "shoes", winter tires, pardon the tautology, suggest a winter driving style. Follow the rules of the road, slow down on difficult sections, take your time on seemingly ideal straights for acceleration, and slow down in advance.

Let's summarize...

Studded winter tires

• If there is little experience, it is better to ride on studded winter tires, they are superior to non-studded ones in almost all winter disciplines.
• Studded tires perform much better on ice.
• Spikes and Velcro are comparable in their behavior in the snow.
• Spikes click on the pavement - more noise from the wheels.
• Studs wear out the roadway a lot (some European countries have banned studs for this very reason).
• Spikes tend to fly out during sudden braking and acceleration on asphalt.

Non-studded winter tires

Choose Velcro if...

• If you have enough experience driving in winter conditions.
• If you have previously driven on non-studded winter tires.
• If you rarely drive on ice. For example, in Moscow, ice is rare, because. Almost all roads are sprinkled with reagents all winter. In the regions and on country roads, reagents are rare, so studded tires are preferable there.
• If they simply don’t make studded winter tires for your size :)
• It is highly desirable to have ABS and preferably ESP - these systems slightly compensate for the lower traction friction tires.

For more details, see winter tire tests and read reviews on the website.

Remark 1: Velcro, non-studded tires, friction tires are one and the same.

Remark 2: sometimes they ask the question "are there tires that combine the properties of studs and friction rubber?". There is. These are studded tires. They are very similar in internal structure to friction ones. Studded are fundamentally different in the presence of the studs themselves and solid dies without small lamellae for installing studs. At the same time, the rest of the tire surface is almost the same as on friction tires.

To find the most wonderful winter tires for yourself - we recommend using the advanced search. Specify your size, seasonality and then carefully study the reviews about the wheels.

Good grip on the road to your car!

There is a famous saying: “Prepare the sleigh in the summer, and the cart in the winter,” and this statement contains time-tested wisdom. During the summer season, motorists should carefully study the main market trends, answer the important question “Which is better: spikes or Velcro?” in order to choose the best winter tires for their car for the next season. We have compiled a rating of winter tires, which includes models from the world's best manufacturers car tires.

The winter tire rating 2018 is the result of marketing research on the main areas of the car tire market. Here you will find short description tires by brands, comparative analysis specifications and recommendations for the operation of each of the presented models.

How to choose winter tires for a car?

To determine the main criteria when choosing car tires, a few words should be said about the features of winter tires.

• Firstly, the performance of car tires at low temperatures should ensure the speed of the vehicle and traffic safety. In snowy or icy conditions, tires must have good grip on the road surface. This is ensured by the presence of a special tread, including studded;
• Secondly, the material from which winter tires are made must retain the necessary elasticity and strength. Entire laboratories conjure over the composition of the material for the production of winter tires, which makes it possible to achieve high performance and, consequently, the well-deserved popularity of the brand among motorists.

Basic principles of winter tire classification

• Studded tires are tires equipped with anti-skid studs. Studs significantly increase the vehicle's cross-country ability on snow or ice, but worsen the quality of movement on a dry road surface. The presence of studs in most brands of winter tires is associated with an increase in their "noisiness";
• Friction - tires with a high sipe tread. They are also called "Velcro". Grip with the road surface is provided by the shape of the tread and the density of the cutting of the sipes. Velcro perform well on dry pavement and worsen its performance on a snowy road;
• All-season tires are a universal type that is used both in summer and in winter. Demonstrate not the highest performance for a single season.

Non-studded tires, in turn, are divided into:

• European - the tread relief is not so aggressive, it is similar to the summer rain tread by the presence of drainage grooves. Recommended for driving in wet snow, slush;
• Scandinavian - the rubber compound is softer, the tread contains a large number of sipes and slots, which ensures good flotation on snowy or icy roads.

Winter tire rating 2018

Nokian Hakkapeliitta - №1

For the next season, Finnish manufacturers have prepared a new WR A4 model, which is made of a special Performance Traction Silica rubber compound. It contains, in addition to rubber and silica, canola oil for superior performance.

Grip with the road surface becomes the maximum possible, so that the car can safely drive at high speed not only on winter roads but also in changing weather conditions.

The rubber compound from Finnish tire manufacturers is also distinguished by high wear resistance, which also adds points to it among competitors.

A characteristic feature of the tread is some asymmetry and the presence of longitudinal and sharp “snow claws”. Everything in the complex gives a positive effect of combining speed and stability on snow.

Continental Conti lce Contact - #2

German manufacturer Continental's tire compound contains new synthetic elastomers, and the Brilliant Plus studs are designed in the shape of a quadrangular truncated pyramid. Earlier versions of the spikes had a round shape, ice chips stuck around them, reducing the grip area with the road surface.

The updated spikes, in addition to having a new shape and channels for removing ice chips, are also attached inside the tread using a new technology. The spikes contain hard alloy inserts that cling to the road surface, providing good acceleration and braking.

All this in combination significantly increases the controllability of the car in winter conditions and in the off-season. The model is one of the leaders in the winter tire market, reviews, ratings and tire quality are only positive. With a high probability, these tires will retain their leadership in the winter season of 2018-2019.

Pirelli Winter Ice Zero - №3

In third place is the best winter tire from the Italian Pirelli - studded for cars.

According to the manufacturer, Pirelli Winter Ice Zero has been tested in harsh winter conditions, showing excellent results on the main technical parameters. Pirelli designers in their development of tires, including winter ones, use many years of experience in rally participation. This time, the tire developers have made a double stud and doubled the number of sipes, simply “stuffing” the surface of the tire with them.

The improved tread profile is made in such a way that, along with stability and controllability, tire wear occurs evenly.

It should be noted some "noisiness" of this model and a slight decrease in adhesion to the roadway when cornering.

Nokian Nordman - №4

This model is the answer to the question “Which winter tires are better?” Based on the price / quality ratio. High quality workmanship and excellent functionality are combined with a very reasonable price that will appeal to many car owners.

These tires are from the best Finnish manufacturer Nokian Nordman also distinguished by the presence of a special tread element called the "bear claw". Its functionality is to grip the road surface and ensure a stable movement.

Nokian Nordman 4 - #5

Once again, Finnish quality prevails in our ranking of the best winter tires 2018. In fifth place is the studded Nokian Nordman 4, which is characterized by a lower level of driving noise. This effect is achieved due to softening pads on the tread and wear-resistant spikes.

In the rating, this model is in the middle of the list, because it has both a sufficient set of excellent performance properties and some vulnerable parameters. For example, in wet conditions or driving on an icy surface, these tires are not always perfect.

However, a significant plus can be a moderate price of this model.

Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice Arctic - #6

Studded tires from GoogYear this time represented by a model made according to unique technology, allowing to reduce the braking distance in the conditions of the European winter. To be more precise, Grip Ice Arctic designed for consumers from the Baltic countries, Ukraine and Russia.

The protector is made in the form of a V-shape with acute-angled sipes and channels for moisture removal. The feature of the tread is to perform the function of both a “breakwater” and its distributor over the entire surface and bringing it out.

This design feature, combined with the use of a special rubber compound in the production of the tire, makes this model quite stable on snow, ice and wet asphalt. Of the shortcomings, it should be noted the decrease in speed when driving on a dry surface.

Gislaved Nord*Frost 100 - #7

This model is a strong middle peasant in the ranking of winter studded tires for passenger cars. The manufacturer is a Swedish company, which is part of the Continental concern. Its products stand for Swedish quality and a thorough knowledge of the driver's needs when driving on snowy or icy roads.

The constructive shape of the tread provides good and quite confident grip with the road surface, however, on a dry road there is a significant decrease in the maneuverability and speed of the car. Noise vibrations during operation of this tire model are in the middle of the range and are considered acceptable.

Hankook Winter i*Pike RS W419 - #8

The model of winter studded tires from Korean manufacturers is distinguished by a V-shaped tread, which has a symmetrical pattern. The tread relief has undergone some changes compared to the earlier model: a massive separating barrier is located in the middle of the tire. Tread blocks have become larger and the distance between them has increased.

In addition, engineers have made a higher density of lamellas - now there are more than 120 of them. All these design changes are made in composition with an updated rubber material, which is characterized by better elasticity at low temperatures.

Formula Ice - №9

The model is distinguished by the presence of a hexagonal stud and excellent driving performance due to the directional tread pattern with central rib. Together, this gives an excellent handling effect on wet or dry asphalt pavement. Driving with such tires will be comfortable and safe when driving on wet surfaces or melted snow.

This model is used for passenger cars, in particular SUVs. Experts note that a car with such tires can easily cope with winter challenges in urban conditions, with heavy traffic, since it has good maneuverability both on snow and on dry surfaces.

An additional advantage of this model is considered to be quite affordable price, which is also of no small importance for consumers.

Michelin X-Ice North 3 - #10

Michelin engineers tried to reduce the braking distance on these tires by almost 10% compared to its predecessor. Due to the shape of the tread and other design features, on these tires the car will be well controlled both on snow and on ice chips or slush.

Tests have shown that on a dry road, the braking distance, thanks to these tires, is the shortest. The low price and rather high performance characteristics allowed Michelin tires to take a place in the ranking of winter tires for the 2018-2019 season.

Which winter tires are better: spikes or Velcro?

There is a constant discussion among motorists about which type of winter tires is better and what are the advantages of one over the other. Perhaps, today there is no unequivocal answer, since it occurs in various climatic conditions, in a city or rough terrain, in a remote village or a large metropolis.

Spikes or Velcro? If you live in an area where most of the roads are covered with snow, which is leveled by road services, but is not removed to the asphalt, the answer is “Take Velcro”. As a rule, this condition is perfectly fulfilled in northern European countries, for example, in Finland or Sweden.

In our country, roads are either not cleaned at all, or they are cleaned to the very asphalt. If the car is operated in the city, it would be wiser to “shod” it in non-studded tires: the speed will not decrease, and the maneuverability will remain.

Safety on the road in the winter season 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 tire for a car.

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 buy tires for more favorable price. Secondly, you will have time to evaluate and compare various models tires, choose the right manufacturer and the configuration that best suits your vehicle.

Car with winter tires Today, there are several types of tires for driving in the winter season. Each of the options has both pros and cons, which we will analyze further. Almost all options for winter tires come down to two types - without studs and with studs. The first type of tires behaves better on asphalt 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 operated both in summer and in winter at universal temperatures. Good all-season tires are not produced by many manufacturers and are designed mainly for quality roads, which are constantly cleared of snow and ice. Such tires are strictly not recommended for use during severe frosts, in addition, their properties deteriorate noticeably if there is snow or mud on the road.

2 Non-studded tires - Scandinavian or European type?

Winter tires use sophisticated technology, but the main element of any studless tire is the tread. The type of protector can be divided into two types:

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

Non-studded tires for cars The first type of tires has a low speed index; for different rubber manufacturers, 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 protector can be distinguished such 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 better braking performance on wet and dry pavement, they are also suitable for those who drive aggressively even in winter. But they are also suitable for motorists with a calm style, who often move on snowless asphalt. Among the popular models of this type are the following models: Dunlop Winter Sport, Pirelli Scorpion Ice, Nokian WR Series,YokohamaDrivev.

Among the advantages of frictional winter tires it should be noted:

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

Regardless of the type of tread and chemical composition, non-studded 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 lot of snow on the roads. In addition, it is recommended to install such rubber if the car is equipped with additional safety systems such as ESP and ABS, they are able to compensate for some shortcomings of friction tires in certain driving situations.

3 Studded winter tires – key benefits

Winter tires with studded tread are designed for driving on permanently icy or snowy roads. The studs in the rubber are necessary to increase grip on such roads, as they are able to break the ice crust. Such rubber is characterized by balance and a medium degree of rigidity, while tires of this type can also be used on other types of road surface. Among the disadvantages of studded tires, one can single out a high level of noise and a longer braking distance compared to Velcro.

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

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

It is up to you to choose a studded wheel option for your car or not. It should be understood that the spikes are not a guarantee of safety on the road in the winter. On dry and wet pavement, these tires have reduced traction, longer stopping distances and an increased tendency to skid, they make noise and fall out. Some modern models friction tires, especially those with a Scandinavian tread type, are not inferior to studded counterparts even on icy roads.

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

4 Two tires per axle - is it worth saving this way?

Among motorists there is an opinion that for 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 a slippery road, when entering a turn, it can be very difficult to get the car out of a skid, and if a pair is installed behind or in front summer tires, it will be almost impossible to do this, and the consequences can be very different.

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

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

It should be understood that tires can perform different functions on certain road surfaces and in certain driving situations. If the car is driving on packed snow (not ice), then the tires should scoop the snow as efficiently as possible, literally biting into it, preventing slipping and improving traction. On slushy and muddy roads, the tire's ability to divert flow comes to the fore, providing maximum stability and resistance to skidding.

car protector Thus, a tire with a single tread pattern cannot meet all the requirements of the road situation in both winter and summer seasons. Of course, many manufacturers try to make their rubber as versatile as possible, but each model ends up with advantages in one or two ways. road components. To choose the right rubber, 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, looking at the tread, we can conclude which tire is in front of you and whether it is worth buying it for your car.