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 for themselves the important question "Which is better: spikes or Velcro?" in order to choose the best Winter tires for your car for 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, a comparative analysis of technical characteristics 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, performance characteristics car tires low temperatures indicators should provide high-speed mode 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 it is made winter tires must maintain 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 indicators 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 car's flotation 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 along new technology. The spikes contain hard alloy inserts that cling to the road surface, providing good acceleration and braking.

All this in a complex 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 in key 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 operational 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 are presented with a model made using a unique technology that allows you to shorten the braking distance in European winter conditions. To be more precise, Grip Ice Arctic is 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, make this model quite stable on snow, ice and wet pavement. 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 spike and excellent driving performance due to the directional tread pattern with a 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 until 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 different tire models, 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 that 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 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 a Scandinavian tread type, one can distinguish 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 suitable, among other things, 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 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 an average 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 of friction tires, especially those with a Scandinavian tread type, are not inferior to their 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?

There is an opinion among motorists that for the winter season it will be enough to install winter tires only on the drive wheel 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 of summer tires is installed at the back or front, 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 tires 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.

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

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

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

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

Rating of the best winter studded tires

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

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

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

The best studded tires for passenger cars

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

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

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

Advantages:

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

Flaws:

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

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

Advantages:

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

Flaws:

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

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

Bridgestone Blizzak Revo GZ 205/55 R16 91S

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

Advantages:

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

Flaws:

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

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

Advantages:

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

Flaws:

• High noise level;
• Overcharge.

The best studded off-road tires

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

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

Advantages:

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

Flaws:

• Sometimes lateral drift is noticeable.

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

Expert opinion

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

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

Advantages:

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

Flaws:

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

Michelin X-Ice North 4

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

Advantages:

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

Flaws:

• Not found.

Which winter studded tires are better to buy

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

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

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

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

A qualitative leap in the production of tires by Barum began in 1993, when it was bought by German concern Continental. Since then, the characteristics of the products manufactured by the plant have risen to a very high level. The most popular among motorists in our country are non-studded winter tires BARUM Polaris-2 and winter model with studs BARUM Norpolaris. The Barum line also includes tires for minibuses and light trucks, which are in great demand due to their low price and excellent quality.

Rubber "Goodrich" is part of the Michelin concern and has a very high quality, controlled by the parent company Michelin. In the range of BFGoodrich tires produced, tire models with a special tread pattern, which was developed specifically for amateur cars, have become widely popular. extreme driving. At the same time, conventional road models have very worthy characteristics.

Winter and summer Bridgestone tires are a symbol highest quality and safety in any weather and under various road conditions. The company currently produces a huge range of products for almost all types of cars and various vehicles - tires for cars, tractors, jeeps, trucks, etc.

One of the most popular winter models are BRIDGESTONE ICE Cruiser 7000 winter tires, which are available in a huge range of sizes from 13 to 20 diameters and have outstanding cross-country ability. It is also worth paying attention to BRIDGESTONE Blizzak DM-V1, this winter studless tire for SUVs was developed specifically for all-wheel drive vehicles.

What can be said about Continental brand tires, except that this concern owns such famous brands like: Gislaved, Uniroyal, General Tire, Viking, Barum? Probably the fact that these are generally one of the best, both summer and winter tires that currently exist on the market. Such a winter studded asymmetric tire model as CONTINENTAL WinterViking 2 successfully competes with best models Nokian in terms of performance, at the same time, Continental tires have always had one remarkable feature - they are very soft and quiet when driving.

So if you have never come across the products of this company, then it makes sense to buy winter tires from this manufacturer.

Cooper Tire is represented in the tire market by six brands - Cooper, Mastercraft, Avon, Starfire, Roadmaster and Dean. These american tires are a good "good average". Buying tires from this company, you get quality tires for moderate money. A big plus of this brand is the presence of a large number of "American sizes" in the winter tire catalog and a wide range of sizes for all-wheel drive vehicles.

The Cordiant brand belongs to the SIBUR holding - Russian tires. This rubber relatively recently appeared on our market, but managed to surprise many with its good quality and low price. Let's just say it's the first domestic manufacturer who made really good tires. In general, the prices for winter tires of this brand are pleasantly pleasing, especially when you don’t want to spend a lot of money on tires, and at the same time you still need new wheels for winter.

For commercial transport The company manufactures products under the TyRex brand. V model range this company presents industrial, agricultural, cargo, as well as all-metal cord models of the most common and popular sizes.

Dunlop specializes in the production of summer and winter non-studded models that have a sporty focus and excellent handling characteristics. One of the most popular models of winter non-studded auto rubber is undoubtedly DUNLOP Graspic DS3. It is produced in so many sizes, which allows you to choose it for almost any car. For the excellent handling and sporty character of these tires, they are very much loved and appreciated by motorists who prefer an aggressive driving style.

As part of the giant Goodyear concern, Fulda has launched its large-scale tire production in Germany and Slovenia. At the moment, in Germany, the Fulda brand occupies one of the leading positions among the most famous tire manufacturers, thanks to its "quality" and affordability.

You can talk about Gislaved winter tires, which are part of Continental, for a very long time. These are, in fact, the first imported tires (along with Nokian tires) that appeared on the domestic market. The GISLAVED Nord Frost -2 model immediately won the love of motorists, because after driving two or even three winter season not to lose a single spike! It seems unbelievable, even now, when technology in the tire industry has taken a big step forward in 10 years. The GISLAVED Nord Frost -2 model had one feature, they had a shell of a hard-alloy spike made of hard plastic, and thanks to this, the spike did not oxidize and did not decrease in size from corrosion. Unfortunately, now, due to environmental requirements, such spikes are no longer made on Gislaved tires. Nevertheless, Gislaved winter tires are still one of the best among the best.

Long ago, back in 1839, an extremely important invention was made by Charles Goodyear. From sticky rubber, by adding sulfur and vulcanizing, he was able to make the material that we now call rubber. Now, probably, there is no such person who would not know this famous brand. The company produces a huge range of all kinds of rubber products for various vehicles, and of course, winter tires for almost any car. Very popular and best-selling winter models are GOODYEAR Ultra Grip Extreme and GOODYEAR Ultra Grip Ice+.

Asian manufacturer GT Radial has very low prices for winter tires with pretty good quality. This is not to say that these are one of the best tires, but nevertheless, this good tires, which can be bought for minimal money and at the same time all products have important international certificates TUV, DOT, ISO-9001. GT Radial also produces tires for jeeps, trucks and various special equipment.

By the way, GT Radial tires are installed in the primary configuration on many Korean and Japanese cars. This brand is most famous and popular in Asian countries.

The South Korean company Hankook is the official supplier of tires for many leading car manufacturers, especially Korean cars. The average price of products and good quality have made this brand famous in our country and abroad.

The French company Kleber, which is engaged in the production of auto-rubber, is also engaged in the manufacture of various rubber products for medical and domestic use. Controlled by Michelin, Kleber produces such high-quality products that they are delivered to the conveyors of factories: Peugeot, Volkswagen, Renault, Opel and the Japanese Suzuki.

The South Korean company Kumho has repeatedly won in motorsport, which indicates the high-tech products and puts the company next to the generally recognized global tire manufacturers. As for winter tires, the studded asymmetric KUMHO KW-27 model has a good price / quality ratio.

Michelin has always been a quality benchmark for us, and the word Michelin is not just a brand of tires, it is a whole era in the production of car tires. Michelin winter tires installed on your car are not only prestige, but also high security movement associated with confident behavior your car on any road. Winter tires they are not the main specialization of the company (like Nokian) and are slightly inferior to Nokian in terms of characteristics, but at the same time they still remain one of the best in the winter tire segment.

The most popular winter studded model in the catalog is the MICHELIN X-ice North 2 rubber, which is an evolution of another good and previously popular X-ICE North model.

largest company in Southeast Asia - NANKANG is one of the ten largest tire manufacturers in the world. Rubber is made in South Korea, China and Taiwan and, like everything made in Asia, it has a low price. If we talk about quality, then Nankang winter tires do not differ in any high performance and characteristics, but their low cost makes them very advantageous offer in the tire market. For many, it is the low prices for winter tires with acceptable quality that will be an important argument when buying.

Nokian Tires (Nokian) is an innovative tire manufacturer in the Nordic countries. This is the only manufacturer in the world that focuses specifically on winter tires. It cannot be said that summer tires of this brand are bad, but tires Nokian Winter is something special! Nokian winter tires, the prices of which are sometimes one and a half, and sometimes two times higher than those of the nearest competitor, still enjoy great respect among car enthusiasts around the world. These tires have unique characteristics and deservedly occupy a leading position in the tire market.

The company is doing very serious research into the studs used, which is already a top-notch innovation in itself, as well as research into the unique use of multilayer rubber on the tread and sidewall of the tyre.

Nokian produces a large line of tire models, and according to numerous tests, Nokian winter tires are regularly shown best performance. At the moment, the studded models Hakkapeliitta 7 and the asymmetrical without studs NOKIAN WR G2 are very popular. Another big advantage of Nokian is that almost all models have a version (in a huge number of sizes) of rubber for jeeps. These models have an SUV prefix.

Most sane drivers agree that you should not drive all season tires. It works more or less sanely only in the near-zero zone - from -5 to +10. But still loses to its core competitors. And outside the boundaries of the designated temperature zone, its specifications leave much to be desired. Therefore, it is imperative to have two sets of tires - winter and summer.

Start over. Buy winter tires in advance. As a rule, serious dealers begin to import it already from the end of August to the beginning of September. It is logical that at that time the prices were even more or less adequate, and the kits were quite fresh. Closer to the cold weather, demand will definitely jump, which means that the cost will also increase. You can go the other way by buying winter tires at the spring sale. Then discounts can reach impressive amounts, and it will be possible to purchase the best studded or non-studded winter tires of 2020-2021 for sane money.

Today, a huge number of different models are on sale, for every taste and budget. There are inexpensive budget kits, there are models of premium brands. Different sizes, different price, different specifications.

Everything is limited solely by the imagination of the buyer and his financial capabilities. Which winter tires are better to choose - studded or non-studded? Russian, Chinese or European? Below we will try to answer these questions by ranking the top 10 best models.

Making the right choice

Which tire is better - friction or studded? There is an opinion that studded winter tires are the most tenacious and hardy. This opinion is only partly true. The fact is that the composition of the mixture of friction tires is much softer, because they do not need to hold "claws".

Such softness lies in the special composition of the rubber compound, which includes ingredients such as silicon dioxide (silica), natural rubber, rapeseed oil or orange juice. This means that a non-studded winter tire will perform better at extremely low temperatures than its studded counterpart. In addition, Velcro, as a rule, has a larger number of lamellae, which has a positive effect on the contact patch, as well as behavior when driving on packed snow or asphalt.

friction tires		Studded tires
Advantages	Flaws	Advantages	Flaws
Acoustic comfort; Wide contact patch; Soft rubber compound; Excellent performance when driving on asphalt or rolled snow; Hydroplaning resistance; Profitability;	Low permeability; Weak performance on slippery surfaces; Poor braking on ice; The soft composition of the rubber adversely affects the life of the tire;	Excellent behavior on ice or loose snow; Hard tires wear out longer; Reliable behavior in aggressive conditions; More resistant to mechanical damage rubber;	The spikes gradually "leave" their combat position; Tires "sing" perfectly, especially on asphalt; Significant stopping distance and mediocre traction in the same place;

Overall rating

Of course, even the best 2020 2021 non-studded winter tires will not be able to compete on ice on equal terms with older (2015) studded models. But, nevertheless, non-studded wheels still have a lot of advantages. Just like their spiked counterparts. So the final choice of which ones to take remains with the pilot.

The owner must analyze which qualities are most preferable for him, and which he can sacrifice. It is worth taking into account the peculiarities of the climate and operation of the car, the driving style of the owner, and also take into account his expectations.

Model	Properties		Minimum price (Russian rubles)
	Advantages	Flaws	Mos- qua	SP-b	eka- those- rin- burg	Kiev	Min- sk
Studded models
Nokian Hakkapelitta 8 (Finland)	excellent behavior when driving on ice, deep, loose snow (190 studs on each wheel). In the most severe conditions, this rubber will show itself from the best side;	imperfect grip on dry pavement, increased braking distance. For Moscow, with its cleared roads, it is hardly suitable. Increased noise and tangible cost;	From 7200	From 7000	From 7500	From 8000	From 6800
Continental Ice Contact 2 (Germany)	One of the best studded winter tires on the market. excellent grip when driving on icy surfaces, confident grip on snow;	somewhat uncertain behavior on asphalt, increased consumption fuel, not the most affordable price;	7300	7250	7500	7400	7300
Goodyear Grip Ice Arctic (USA)	They do a great job with snow, both loose and rolled. On ice, tires only slightly lose to competitors;	A certain tendency to slip in corners, insufficient responsiveness to steering wheel turns during sharp maneuvers;	7800	7600	7500	7800	7400
Pirelli Ice Zero (Italy)	Special figured spikes help to keep up with the leader in terms of performance on ice and snow. Confident acceleration, braking and directional stability when driving on these surfaces. Adequate price	Increased noise when driving on almost any road surface. Acoustic comfort is below average.	5800	6000	5900	6200	5700
Hankook Winter i Pike RS Plus (South Korea)	Closes the ranking of the best winter studded tires 2020-2021. good behavior when driving both on ice and on loose snow;	significant noise on the pavement and imperfect behavior in critical situations;	5300	5250	5440	5515	5250
Studless tires
Nokian Hakkapelitta R2 Suv (Finland)	Confident behavior when driving on ice, snow. Good handling on asphalt. Profitability.	High price, tendency to side slip during sharp turns;	From 7800	From 8000	From 7650	From 8100	From 7400
Michelin latitude X-ice 2 (France)	Another worthy representative, able to impose a fight on even the most the best tires with spikes. Excellent indicators of the level of comfort and stability when driving on ice, snow, dry and wet asphalt;	High cost, increased fuel consumption;	8500	8200	8000	7900	8300
Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 (Japan)	Good grip on almost any surface;	low economy, elevated level noise;	5600	5800	5400	5700	5600
Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT (USA)	Excellent traction in snow, acceleration, braking and directional stability;	Increased noise, rolling friction resistance, not the best wear resistance;	3500	3700	3400	3600	3600
Pirelli Ice-Zero FR (Italy)	Excellent stability on almost any surface, excellent handling when braking;	Imperfect moisture removal system, as a result - a tendency to aquaplaning;	3600	3540	3700	3550	3600