"Cook summer tires in winter, and winter ones in summer,” this simple rule regularly helps car enthusiasts save time, money and nerve cells. So it's time to study our test winter tires 2017 and choose the tires that are ideal both in terms of weather and temperature conditions, as well as lifestyle and driving style.

Winter tire tests 2017-2018 (Behind the Wheel, Autoreview, ADAC, Auto Bild)

Tests of winter and summer tires, which are carried out every year by a number of qualified organizations, will help you avoid getting lost in the abundance of names, marks and brands. This includes:

ADAC Club

ADAC is a serious organization that has represented the interests of German motorists for more than a century. The largest car club in Europe checks car brands for quality and safety, and also regularly tests tires. It is difficult for tire manufacturers to achieve high ratings from ADAC - their severe tests, carried out with true German thoroughness, can leave neither the bottom nor the tire of the tire. The usual results are “satisfactory”, and rarely does a tire receive a “good” verdict.

The oldest Russian magazine dedicated to car enthusiasts and their iron horses. He regularly tests popular and not so popular tires on the post-Soviet market in hot and cold weather, and also conducts interesting studies such as “How temperature affects the length of a car’s braking distance.”

Car enthusiasts from more than 35 countries around the world read licensed editions of the German magazine Auto Bild. The magazine presents not only motor sports and industry news, but also comparative tests, test drives and, of course, tire testing in various interesting places - for example, in a small Finnish village beyond the Arctic Circle.

The popular Russian (and formerly Soviet) publication "Autoreview" regularly conducts comparative tests of cars at the test site, crash tests using European methods with its own independent rating, and also tests automotive products, ranging from fuel to child car seats. Of course, tires are also on the list.

Rating of winter studded tires 2017-2018

Since fresh tire tests are carried out during the peak season, We based the rating on tests of R14, R15, R16, R17 tires carried out last winter. When allocating places on the list, we also took into account: the popularity of the model in Russia, ratings, reviews and the cost of tires on the Yandex Market service.

Despite the differences in conditions, tests of the best winter studded tires 2017-2018. carried out using a similar method:

• acceleration and braking dynamics are tested on ice, snow, wet and dry asphalt;
• the time taken to cover a certain distance is taken into account different types coatings;
• an assessment is made of the car's handling level, its smoothness and how noisy the tires are.

10. Gislaved Nord Frost 200

The average cost is 5,570 rubles.

Opens the rating of winter studded tires 2017-2018 new model from the Swedish company Gislaved. The main highlight of the two hundredth model is asymmetrical pattern tread and a new ultra-light (less than 1 gram) stud in the shape of a three-rayed star. In general, the tires are quiet, soft, with good directional stability, grips well on any surface - although on fresh snow and ice it may require adjustments to your driving style. On a slightly icy highway, you should not accelerate more than 100 km on such tires, otherwise the car will drive.

Average price: 5,982 rubles.

The very name of the tire says that its developers (Russian company Cordiant) paid attention to special attention behavior of the tire on snow. The tread pattern is directional, the center of which is a closed rib, which in theory should significantly reduce the likelihood of hydroplaning in the snow. (It’s interesting, by the way, that this same pattern almost exactly copies the tread of the third place in the rating.) The result is good tires at a budget price that rides really well in the snow. True, asphalt does not suit her as well as snow.

Average price - 8,600 rubles.

A clear improvement over the ICE 01, both in terms of directional stability and reduced noise levels on asphalt. It is difficult to expect the response speed of more expensive tires from mid-price segment tires, but the Dunlop SP Winter ICE 02 delivers its value 100%. Advantages: high cross-country ability, very strong sidewall, excellent studs, paddles in slush. True, it doesn’t feel very good on asphalt and is noticeably noisy, and at speeds above 90 km/h it causes increased consumption fuel.

The average cost is 6,670 rubles.

Good city tires with the ability to feel comfortable in not too deep snow. It rides well both on asphalt and in dense snow, the noise is within normal limits. It is worth noting that it is best to use this tire in central Russia, where temperatures rarely exceed -15 degrees. But for Siberians with deep snow and prolonged frosts, it is better to think about a more hardy option.

Average cost - 2,410 rubles.

The Nordman series from Nokian is a more budget version of the famous Hakkapeliitta. Soft, comfortable, low-noise tires at a reasonable price, which feel good on both dry asphalt and snow. On wet asphalt, based on reviews, it is better not to accelerate over 100 km. A good option for city residents in the “home-work-dacha” mode. Due to the softness of the rubber, it is difficult to drive out of the ruts, and you should be careful with curbs, branches and other sharp objects. But overall great option from a price/quality point of view.

You can buy, on average, for 4,860 rubles.

While the previous top 10 model was primarily intended for city driving, Continental's IceContact 2 is at its best off-road. Feels great at low temperatures, both on snow and on crust or ice, and is able to take its owner anywhere. The big advantage is the many studs (there are 196 of them). You can't hear any noise from these tires.

But on wet, frozen or snowy asphalt you need to take extra care. Also, the “behavior” of the tires on slushy snow has not received the best reviews, where it begins to wander.

Offered, on average, for 10,260 rubles.

Although the V8 is a newer model in the Hakkapeliitta tire line, it is slightly inferior in popularity to its predecessor. One of the main reasons is the very soft sidewall, as a result of which you will have to carefully select the wheels and, despite the excellent cross-country ability, carefully select the riding locations. Otherwise, hernias and cuts. But this tire is very predictable, has a large number of studs (190 pieces) and goes well on ice and packed snow.

Sold, on average, for 7,100 rubles.

It differs from the eighth model in fewer spikes (by 30%), but its hexagonal anchor spikes are longer and heavier. They use a technology called "bear claw" that prevents the stud from tilting, thereby improving grip. Silent, reliable, albeit expensive tires, which, despite its generation, enjoys a high reputation among car enthusiasts. It feels good both on snow and on ice and asphalt, while being durable and strong. However, like the eighth version, Hakkapeliitta 7 has a very soft sidewall and this is felt when turning the steering wheel sharply.

Average price— 9,080 rub.

And here comes the new generation of the famous line. The fruit of four years of efforts by the Finnish company's developers is said to exceed the characteristics of the G8 by 5-10%. The biggest highlight of the new model is two types of studs (although overall there are slightly fewer of them than its predecessor), which should improve lateral grip on snowy or icy roads. And changes in the rubber composition will help the tire feel better at low temperatures. So far, according to preliminary tests, the tires promise to be excellent, but the chickens are being counted in the fall - when mass sales of the “nine” begin.

1. Pirelli Ice Zero

On average, it costs 15,550 rubles.

Paradoxically, it turned out that the Italians understand the issue of producing winter studded tires better than the inhabitants of snowy Scandinavia. One of the “highlights” of the model is the original double carbide stud insert, which provides the tire with excellent behavior on ice.

Other advantages: high cross-country ability, good acceleration and braking on snow and ice, high directional stability. And endurance - there is a chance to bring the tires to retirement with a full set of studs. Excellent, almost universal rubber for winter conditions, feeling good both on the asphalt and outside the city. True, its noise level is quite high. And the price is steep.

Which winter tires are best to choose in the end?

So which winter tires are best? The 2017 rating includes both “urban” types of tires and tires designed for more severe weather conditions. Perfect for frequent off-road driving Pirelli Ice Zero, Continental IceContact 2 or Dunlop SP Winter ICE 02. For quiet city driving, it is better to choose the Bridgestone Ice Cruiser 7000, Nokian Nordman 5 or Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8. Otherwise, when choosing tires, you should first of all take into account the temperature conditions and the surface on which you will have to drive.

The most affordable - Cordiant Snow Cross. A completely domestic (both development and production) tire, modernized last year. Another model from last season is a little more expensive.

Four more tires that can be called inexpensive by today's standards are Nitto Therma Spike (the second brand of the Japanese company Toyo), the South Korean Kumho WinterCraft Ice, the popular Formula Ice (developed by Pirelli, and produced in Russia) and the popular Japanese tire from Malaysia. assemblies" Toyo Observe G3‑Ice.

Among the representatives of the second echelon - new models with German and Finnish ancestry, but produced in Russia: Gislaved Nord Frost 200 with a tread copied from the first generation ContiIceContact, and Nordman 7 with a “face” Hakkapeliitta tires 7.

And finally, the leaders of our past: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic and Continental IceContact 2. And also a hot new product from Nokian - the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 model.

Tires in the north

We have already conducted tests outside of Russia and consider this one to be very positive. This time we decided to go to the Pirelli winter training ground. It is located in the northern part of Sweden, in the province of Norrbotten, near the town of Älvsbyn. Ice trails are laid on the frozen lake Lilkorstresk (Small Cross Swamp), and snow trails along its shores.

At the beginning of February, pre-run-in tires were delivered there, and at the end of the month we carried out all the snow and ice tests. The temperature during the tests ranged from -1 to -15 ºС, but at first the Swedish north made me very nervous. On the first day of our work, a warm atmospheric front came to the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia - and the air temperature rose to plus seven degrees! Snow and ice melted before our eyes. Locals said that in their entire lives they could not remember such warmth in February. Only on the third day, in the evening, it froze, the melted lake ice became stronger again and within a day it was already supporting the car. Let's start testing on ice!

Saddle up a brand new hatchback Kia Rio and refine our own “toolkit”. This time, in all exercises, experts give assessments not in whole points, but in half-point increments - for greater accuracy of the results.

On thin ice

First, an assessment of the longitudinal adhesion properties. Using the VBOX device, we record the acceleration time from standstill to 30 km/h and immediately after that we brake, determining the value from 30 to 5 km/h. The length of the “track” allows you to take four measurements in one direction. Then four more back - and calculate the average value. We roll the base tire every three test tires; At the end of the measurements, we recalculate all the results taking into account how the results of the “stove” changed.

The Rio showed the best acceleration, 6.5 seconds, on Continental tires, the second result - on Nokian: 6.8 seconds. No one doubted that tires with 185–186 studs would be ahead. However, Cordiant, Goodyear and Nordman, which each have 110 studs, are hot on their heels - these three show a result of 6.9 seconds. The longest acceleration is from Kumho: 9.7 seconds.

In braking, Nokian wins over the Continental by the slightest - 16.4 meters versus sixteen and a half, and the third result, 16.7 meters, is shown by Goodyear. Kumho was again the last: 23.7 meters.

Pit at zero

We evaluate controllability on a closed circuit configuration. This is a “track” about a kilometer long with turns of different radii and a long straight. And most importantly, the ice here is very slippery, polished by the wind. We carry out the assessment together, we drive three laps each on each set of tires, then we change.

Crap! Incredibly slippery! To change places, I had to literally crawl from one side to the other without taking my hands off the car.

Nokian tires earned the highest score in this exercise: clear reactions and good steering information are complemented by a soft, predictable start to the car's slip and stable grip regardless of the degree of slippage.

Rio, shod in Nitto, behaved a little worse. In the first case, I liked the good balance of longitudinal and lateral grip, the clear moment of transition to sliding. The rating was slightly reduced due to slight delays in reactions. At Nitto, the car captivated us with its good handling even when sliding and its tight, “understandable” steering at large turning angles. However, there were minor complaints about the information content of the steering wheel at small angles - in the initial phase of the turn. The tire industry calls this effect hole in zero.

The lowest scores were given to Gislaved, Goodyear and Formula. On these tires, the driver is forced to increase the steering angles, causing delays in reactions. In addition, Rio on Gislaved tires slides for a long time in a turn, and then the grip is sharply restored, which provokes a whip effect - a sharp skid in the opposite direction.

Goodyear did not like the imbalance of longitudinal and lateral grip: the car holds the turning arc much worse than it accelerates and brakes. On the Formula there is low information content “on the steering wheel” in turns, which provokes its twisting and subsequent skidding.

The ice circle is the most unpleasant exercise for the driver. We need to find the maximum speed on the verge of slipping, show best time(it is registered by VBOX) and confirm it. In this case, you have to drive in one direction, counterclockwise. With good grip, the body and head roll with a decent lateral force - you constantly strain all your muscles. You have to constantly look from the “road” to the instruments and back. After about fifty laps my head starts to spin.

Continental and Nokian were faster than the others on the lap - 19.9 seconds per full turn. Cordiant was just one tenth (20.0 sec) behind them. The slowest tires are Kumho: the best achievement is 22.5 seconds.

How many laps did you have to do on each set to achieve the best results and repeat them? From ten to fifteen! The only tires that required more attention and skill were Goodyear: the car shod with them kept trying to skid, and I had to do 19 laps. And in total, taking into account repeated races on base tires, our Rio had to turn up more than two hundred revolutions!

Let's move on to snow procedures

Snow fell exactly the next day after all ice tests were completed. It is easier to prepare a track for assessing handling than a plateau for measuring longitudinal grip. Therefore, we start with more creative and interesting work.

At one bend the route lies on the side of a hill, so it has a short but rather steep ascent and descent. This is a “trick” of local tracks for assessing handling - most tire manufacturers use mainly flat tracks. Ascents and descents load and unload the suspension, changing the vertical forces acting on the wheels. It is especially interesting when the wheel is unloaded in a turn: the downforce decreases and the tire begins to slip.

Fresh snow fell on the cold ice - and shifted as the car slid in turns. The result was a mixed surface: snow in some places, ice in others - real!

Here we liked the handling more than others Nokian tires: very soft but confident cat habits, predictable car behavior. Rio on these tires does not require the driver - he just turns. The maximum speed is limited by a soft skid that helps to register the turn, requiring virtually no adjustment.

The experts made the greatest complaints about the next three participants. annoying with an unexpectedly occurring skid with a sharp, unpredictable stall, a long slide and the same sharp restoration of traction, which provokes a “shooting” skid into the opposite side. On Gislaved tires, the steering wheel becomes unpleasantly empty and uninformative - you have to turn it at excessively large angles, which leads to an unexpected sharp slip into a skid and deep slides. I didn’t like the Kumho tires because of noticeable delays in reactions, significant steering angles, prolonged slides and deep skidding on an arc, requiring immediate adjustments from the driver.

The “rearrangement” exercise was only partially completed due to excessively soft snow - they were able to evaluate only the behavior of the vehicle during extreme maneuvering, and refused to determine the maximum speed for successfully completing the maneuver.

Here, as well as on the handling track, Nokian tires earned the most points thanks to the clearest reactions, soft and predictable behavior and easy self-correcting drift at top speed. I liked Dunlop least of all: on these tires the Rio exhibits not only noticeable delays in reactions, but also an unstable, wide balance of steering: from significant drift of the front axle at the first jerk of the steering wheel to skidding rear wheels when trying to stabilize the car in a lane change.

And here is a well-trodden snowy straight line - you can start measuring acceleration time and braking distance. As in similar ice exercises, we combine acceleration with braking, repeating the exercises eight to ten times. Moreover, the acceleration time from 0 to 40 km/h on snow was assessed twice - with the TCS traction control system turned on and without it. Braking from 40 to 5 km/h - only with ABS.

So, acceleration is normal, with TCS preventing tire slippage. The best results are on Continental, Goodyear and Nokian tires. On them, the Rio reaches 40 km/h in exactly six seconds. Kumho has the worst performance. Just like on ice, they accelerate slowly, trailing the leaders by more than 11%.

We turn off the electronic “collar” and repeat the measurements. It turns out faster! Goodyear holds the leading position: 40 km/h from a standstill is achieved in 5.2 seconds. Acceleration on Continental and Nokian tires lasts only one tenth longer. Kumho tires also show the most modest results in this mode.

Braking is won by the leading pair - Continental and Nokian, which showed the same result: 14.8 meters. The last ones this time are relatives Nitto and Toyo.

Final exercises - assessment of directional stability on a snowy road and cross-country ability in deep snow. On high speed Rio, shod with Nokian, follows the given course better than others and is most clearly rebuilt. Additionally, we note the high information content of the steering: the driver drives the car in a straight line intuitively, without concentrating.

Four participants had the worst scores. On Cordiant and Gislaved tires, the Rio experiences unpleasant steering when changing lanes rear axle, turning into a skid. An attempt to correct the course on Dunlop and Kumho tires is fraught with skidding, requiring immediate action even with soft lane changes.

More confident than others in rowing Goodyear tires- with them Rio is ready to conquer any snowdrift. But on Kumho and Toyo tires you can only drive good move. Getting underway in the snow is extremely difficult: the slightest slip and the wheels slip, digging deeper and deeper.

What's with the spikes?

We were pleasantly surprised. On all tires after running in, the studs protruded above the tread within reasonable limits. The maximum is 1.41 mm for Cordiant, the minimum is less than 0.9 mm for Formula, Gislaved and Nokian tires. But the Nokian has 185 studs on each tire, while the Formula and Gislaveda have only 110. And such a number with such a small protrusion is clearly not enough to provide good grip on ice.

Let us remind you that the regulated stud protrusion on new tires is no more than 1.2 mm. From experience we know that after running in this value can increase to 1.3–1.4 mm.

It is gratifying that tire manufacturers have stopped abusing the increased protrusion of the studs. After all, strongly protruding spikes “saw” the asphalt, which creates deep ruts. And for the first time during our tests, not a single tire lost a single stud, confirming the postulate that the reliability of stud retention in the rubber is inversely proportional to the amount of their protrusion. The less you stick out, the more you sit!

On the asphalt

In Tolyatti, at the AVTOVAZ training ground, we again had to wait for the weather. Dry roads and calm conditions are the conditions for obtaining reliable results on rolling resistance. The asphalt part of the tests could only be completed in the first half of May. We had to work at night to meet the permissible temperature for winter tires +5…+7 ºC.

The procedure for assessing efficiency is the same as in the case of . We start by warming them up, making a full circle around the speed ring (10 km) at a speed of 110–120 km/h. At the same time, we evaluate how much the car deviates from a given course under the influence of external forces (side wind, slope), and also maneuver smoothly, simulating a gentle detour around an obstacle or changing lanes for overtaking. At the same time, the tester carefully monitors the reactions and behavior of the car, and also evaluates how convenient and understandable (read: safe) it is to drive. The wider the “zero” and the greater the angles of rotation of the steering wheel, to which the car does not respond, and the lower the information content (the rate of increase in force on the steering wheel with increasing angle of rotation), the worse the rating.

Experts gave Formula Ice tires the highest rating for directional stability: the clarity of course holding and reactions of the car wearing them can be the envy of some summer tires! The complete opposite is Dunlop tires. The main disadvantages in the behavior of a car on these tires: a wide “zero”, an empty steering wheel, delays in reactions when adjusting the course.

After a circle around the ring on a two-kilometer straight line, we estimate the amount of run-out from the maximum permitted “city” and “suburban” speeds. We take measurements in opposite directions and repeat three to five times, depending on the results obtained. At the same time, the driver accumulates impressions of the noise and smoothness of the ride at different speeds. Nokian tires turned out to be the greenest, that is, economical.

Before changing tires to refine its comfort rating, the Rio takes a lap around service roads with cracks and gouges. We found Gislaved, Toyo and Nitto tires to be the quietest, and Continental and Nokian to be the softest.

The next exercise is measuring braking distances on dry and wet surfaces. Initial braking speeds for winter tires are reduced by 20 km/h compared to summer tires - up to 80 km/h on dry roads and up to 60 km/h on wet roads. Continental tires looked better than others when braking on wet asphalt, and Nokian tires on dry asphalt. The weakest results are from Nitto, regardless of the condition of the surface, and on dry asphalt Nitto’s team was Cordiant.

Summing up

The winner of the test, scoring the most (936) points, was the new tires Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9. Second place with a total of 914 points took Continental IceContact 2. We classify both tires as excellent and recommend them to drivers of all levels.

On the third step of our pedestal - Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic, which earned 898 total points, missing only two points from the title of excellent tires. His element is unclean winter roads and even virgin snow.

In fourth position with 888 points is Nordman seventh generation. Very good tires for the Russian winter, they will give you confidence in any conditions.

All listed tires are located in our table of ranks in accordance with price ranking. Or they have a price that is adequate to the characteristics and properties, which, in fact, is the same thing. And starting from fifth place, slight distortions begin in one direction or another.

For example, Cordiant Snow Cross earned 871 points, which allowed it to gain a foothold in the “very good tires” category and take fifth place in the final test result. They will not fail on any road, unless they require maintaining a long distance on dry asphalt due to modest grip properties, and also slow movement on a snowy road. You can buy them for 2500 rubles apiece.

Tires that score 852 points (sixth place) open the category of good tires. A decent product with average performance in almost all disciplines. Not without weaknesses, including modest lateral grip on ice, poor directional stability on snowy roads and asphalt, and a low level of comfort. But it sells for the same money as Cordiant Snow Cross: price - 2550 rubles.

On the seventh and eighth steps there are even more expensive tires - Toyo Observe G3‑Ice And Nitto Therma Spike, practically brothers both “by blood” and by properties. They scored 847 points and settled in the “good tires” category. I liked the low noise level. The Toyo brand is well known in our market, but Nitto appeared quite recently, therefore it is a little cheaper.

The ninth and tenth places are shared by and, who earned 841 points each. These tires still fall into the good category. Gislaved, more even by objective indicators, “failed” in handling and directional stability in the snow. The Formula has somewhat unbalanced characteristics: it is weak in longitudinal grip on ice, but behaves more confidently on asphalt, close to best results in dry braking and ensures clear course retention. But the difference in prices is noticeable: Formula is three hundred rubles cheaper, so a set of four pieces will save more than a thousand. However, there is one technical nuance that both tires have in common: the protrusion of the studs is insufficient - less than a millimeter after testing. We believe there was a glitch during the installation of the studs.

Seven or eight years ago, together with Continental, we studied and obtained the following pattern: one tenth of their protrusion is equivalent to three percent of the braking distance on ice. Increasing the stud protrusion to the legal limit of 1.2 mm on the new tires will allow Gislaved and Formula to improve longitudinal grip by about 10% - this is where the hidden reserves are hidden!

On the eleventh line are tires Kumho WinterCraft Ice, who scored 803 points. It’s a little weak for modern “spikes,” but it’s logical, since in most exercises these tires show modest results. Considering the not-so-low price, they can hardly be called a bargain.

Count your money

In our chart, the tested tires are arranged from left to right in ascending order of price, with the height of the bars corresponding to the number of points scored. The small columns at the bottom of the chart display the relationship between quality and price and show how many points the tire gains for every thousand rubles paid for it.

If you put price at the forefront and scrupulously count every ruble, pay attention to another group of columns: the more points a tire earns for every thousand rubles of price, the more profitable purchase! The rating is headed by Cordiant tires Snow Cross, and the test leader Hakkapeliitta 9 is in last place - expensive tires! Kumho WinterCraft Ice tires are in the middle range, which is why many people buy them.

By comparing all the results of our test and prices, you can make right choice. Have a nice trip!

Test results

	11th place	9th–10th place	9th–10th place	7th–8th place
Brand, model
Country of manufacture	Korea	Russia	Russia	Malaysia
Load and speed index
	9,1–10,0	9,2–9,4	9,1–9,7	8,5–8,9
	61–62		55–56	60–61
Number of spikes, pcs.
	1,35	0,93	0,93	1,43
Tire weight, kg
	2800	3140	2850	2900
Quality/price*	0,29	0,27	0,30	0,29
Amount of points awarded	803	841	841	847
Pros	Satisfactory grip on asphalt. Stable handling on the “Russian road”	Satisfactory handling during extreme maneuvering and cross-country ability. Least noisy	Better directional stability and good braking on asphalt. Clear handling during extreme maneuvering on snow	Satisfactory handling and directional stability. Low internal noise level
Cons	Worst grip properties on ice. The weakest acceleration is in the snow. Difficult handling during extreme maneuvering on snow and directional stability. Notes on handling on ice. Limited cross-country ability. Low level of comfort	Low efficiency at high speed. Difficult handling on ice and directional stability. Notes on handling on the “Russian road”	Weak longitudinal grip properties and difficult controllability on ice. Notes regarding directional stability in snow. Noisy. Low level of smoothness	The weakest braking properties on snow. High fuel consumption at a speed of 90 km/h. Mediocre cross-country ability. Hard

*Obtained by dividing the total points by the retail price. The higher the score, the better the purchase.

	7–8 place	6th place	5th place	4th place
Brand, model
Country of manufacture	Malaysia	Thailand	Russia	Russia
Load and speed index
Pattern depth across width, mm	8,9–9,1	9,1–9,4	9,8–10,1	9,2–9,4
Rubber hardness Shore, units.	61–62	59–61	56–57	52–53
Number of spikes, pcs.
Protrusion of spikes after tests, mm	1,21	1,32	1,51	1,17
Tire weight, kg
Average price in online stores at the time of preparation of the material, rub.	2710	2550	2500	3200
Quality/price*	0,31	0,33	0,35	0,28
Amount of points awarded	847	852	871	888
Pros	Clear controllability. Good maneuverability. Good directional stability on snow. Least noisy	Clear handling on the “Russian road”. Attractive price	Good grip on ice. Confident maneuverability in deep snow	High braking properties on snow. Confident acceleration on ice. Low fuel consumption. Reliable handling. Stable directional stability on snow. Good maneuverability
Cons	Lowest braking properties on snow and asphalt. Low efficiency at high speed. Comments on directional stability on asphalt and ride smoothness	Low lateral grip on ice. High fuel consumption. Difficult directional stability on snow, problematic on asphalt. Notes on handling during extreme maneuvering on snow. The toughest and noisiest	Weak braking on dry asphalt. Low efficiency. Complex directional stability. Comments about handling on the “Russian road”. Very noisy. A bit harsh

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

Where to start choosing tires for winter weather

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

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

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

The most affordable and high-quality winter tires

1. SnowPROX S941. This is a budget manufacturer with a good reputation. The products are aimed at middle class cars. These tires perform well both on snowy surfaces and in wet slush. It does not make noise and is quite soft due to the inclusion of silicone.

   

2. MA STL from the Chinese company Maxxxis. The main advantage of this product is its low price compared to competitors in the 2019 season. However, this product also behaves normally on snowy road surfaces. The tires of this model have standard acceleration and braking characteristics and average noise levels while driving.

   

3. KrisAlp HP. The developer is considered to be a well-known automotive world Kleber company, which is a subsidiary of the French Michelin. The decent quality of products is explained by the technologies and materials that are used to create more expensive types of products. The model is positioned as aimed at powerful cars that require increased cross-country ability.

   

4. Hakkapeliitta 8. The most famous Finnish manufacturer has made its mark even in the budget price segment. He introduced studded tires with special sipes and tread pattern to the attention of our drivers. For the 2019 winter season, they are good because they allow you to literally cling to the ice and overcome various road irregularities with a decent level of grip.

   

5. Nordman N4. Another example of Finnish products. For relatively little money, the manufacturer has provided studs equipped with a special support cushion. Thanks to these properties, proper softness and elasticity are ensured.

   

6. Blizzak Spike, presented in this category by Bridgestone. It was included in the ranking of the best winter tires thanks to good quality production and low price. These tires have studs of a cross-shaped design, which not only hold themselves well, but also provide the necessary grip on icy roads. Experts consider this a good solution for the domestic climate.

   

7. Nordmaster ST. Tires that combine decent quality at an affordable price. The product is interesting because it is produced domestic manufacturer. It boasts a reinforced side edge and an original tread pattern, which will provide the required grip on winter roads in some of our latitudes.

   

The middle class of winter tire manufacturers are the best representatives

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

1. The top winter tire in the mid-price category opens with the Winter Contact TS 860 tire. The manufacturer is the famous Continental company. Many experts precisely this model considered the best in the mid-range. First of all, this happened due to excellent sound insulation and driving performance.

   

2. Cinturato Winter - here's another sample winter tires, which are close in properties to the premium class. They have proven themselves to be an excellent assistant when driving on dry or snowy surfaces in winter. Perfectly suited for climate zones with moderate winters.

   

3. Alpin 5. Sample good tires, in the development of which the legendary Michelin took part. The optimal solution for traveling on snowy road sections. However, it does not behave so well on wet and dry asphalt, and the noise level is far from ideal.

   

4. Blizzak ML-01. An inexpensive representative of winter tires, which may well be the answer to the question of which one is better. For an extremely low price, the consumer receives products with average performance qualities. Can be considered a profitable purchase on a limited budget.

   

5. I Cept RS 2. The manufacturer of such products is Hankook. It cannot be considered one of the leaders in its segment, since it makes quite a lot of noise. But on dry surfaces it feels excellent and overcomes snow drifts and ice on the asphalt well.

   

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

Top premium winter tires 2019

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

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

1. Ice Contact2 from the world-famous manufacturer Continental. The main advantages include the coating with spikes for more efficient and easier work. They are great for both ice and snowy surfaces. Drivers will definitely be pleased with the low noise level from them when driving on winter road. The main disadvantage remains the high cost among analogues.

   

2. Hakkapeliitta 9. Finnish-made products that are no strangers to the realities of harsh, and even extreme, winter weather. This is an ideal solution for those drivers who are forced to live in the northern regions for a long time. These tires will perform well both in urban conditions and when used off-road. Another interesting fact: they retain their qualities for a long time under different temperature conditions.

   

3. Blizzak DMV2. Products of this brand, developed by Bridgestone, are not equipped with spikes, that is, they are of the “Velcro” type. A good sample of tires in which the developers tried to take into account all the mistakes of previous analogues. They were able to demonstrate a high degree of controllability, low noise levels and other performance characteristics.

   

4. Nord Frost 100. Tires from a German manufacturer, based on a composition of rubber and silicone with the addition of technical hydrocarbons, as well as special innovative polymer components. As a result, the product is characterized by impeccable adhesion to the road surface. She is not afraid of ice and snow in the same way as dry asphalt.

   

5. Ice Zero. Products of the world famous Pirelli studio. The company constantly introduces new developments, achieving improved performance. The new tires have a significantly improved rubber composition, a changed tread pattern, and the products as a whole undergo more stringent technological selection. Thanks to all these factors, it 100% satisfies the needs of domestic motorists.

   

6. X Ice XI2. Another representative of the French manufacturer Michelin, which has won tens of millions of fans around the world. In the new tires for the winter of 2019, the manufacturer was able to implement such innovations, thanks to which water is effectively removed in order to successfully overcome icy and snowy sections of the road. They don't perform as well on dry surfaces.

   

7. Icept RW08. Few of us know this Korean-made rubber, but it’s completely in vain, given the totality of its properties. To ensure good grip and maintain the elasticity of the rubber itself, the manufacturer adds ingredients such as silicone and silicon to the composition. Winter requires qualitatively new tires, so computer modeling was used to create them. But they acquired the characteristics of truly premium products.
8. Ultra Grip Ice 2. This friction-type winter tire is designed specifically for regions with high humidity, frequent low temperatures air and snow drifts. Its composition is so stable that it allows maintaining performance characteristics throughout the entire resource allocated by the manufacturer.

   

9. Hakkapelliitta R2. Developed by the legendary Finnish plant Nokian. This winter tire is characterized by a low noise level and high maneuverability on difficult sections of the road. There may be some difficulties on icy sections of the road, but they are within normal limits.

   

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

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The average daily temperature will soon approach 7°C. For motorists, this is a red mark, upon reaching which it is recommended to change tires. There is no reason for concern for owners with last year's conditioned set of tires. The rest will have to spend time viewing electronic advertisements, comparing prices, and reading tests. However, the search for a suitable product can be significantly speeded up by collecting information in one place.

Without studs: which Velcro-type winter tires are better in a 15 radius - types and leaders

It is advisable to decipher the dimension in a correct manner. So, the inscription in the form of R15 does not mean at all that the model has an internal radial size of 15 units. According to the R symbol indicates that it is a radial tire, and 15 is the inner diameter in inches.

Types of Velcro

It's no secret that good R15 winter tires always contain a snowflake on the sidewall, enclosed in a three-headed mountain. This is how studless tires are marked Scandinavian type. They are designed to reliably hold the car on slippery and snowy surfaces due to special rubber compound and a unique tread design.

You should not pay attention to products with only the M+S inscription. These are Central European type tires. The main area of ​​their exploitation is wet asphalt and slush. The tread has excellent resistance to aquaplaning and splashplaning.

What is better to take in the premium segment

Based on the results of test procedures, the first places in the ratings are often occupied by products with a balanced rubber compound composition. These models are able to safely maneuver on compacted snow and ice, and also show acceptable performance on any type of asphalt.

This product has the best price-quality ratio in the premium niche. At a cost of 3,600 rubles, the product has a considerable number of positive features:

• Reliable deceleration on icy roads.
• Transparent handling on ice.
• Strictly following the course on a snowy road.
• Acceptable cross-country ability.

The struggle for a smooth ride and high acoustic comfort has led to a deterioration in adhesion to asphalt: emergency maneuvers are not without drifts, but the reactions are precise. On wet concrete the behavior is more stable.

Based on the conclusions of the tests, it is better to use Goodyear in areas remote from metropolitan areas populated areas. Icy roads and snowy terrain – this is where tires reveal their potential.

Are there good city winter tires in a 15-mile radius, or what is the best tire in a clean metropolis - these two questions often worry supporters of car tires. The Continental can be considered as a universal answer. German rubber products can withstand lateral loads well when moving both on ice and snow. Excessive rigidity helps to slow down intensively in wet and dry areas.

Among the complaints:

• Poor cross-country ability in snowy areas.
• Blurred feedback during sharp maneuvering in the snow.
• Problems with directional stability on ice.
• High noise.

The Italian of Russian origin confidently “butts” for primacy in the disciplines of acceleration and deceleration on snow. The tire is not inferior to the best examples of its class in its ability to overcome significant snow obstacles. Taxiing on asphalt is also not satisfactory.

Excessive rigidity is the reason for poor grip on icy areas. The set of tires is suitable for residents of large regional centers with unstable weather conditions.

Budget product: good car winter tires R15 with a low price tag

Detailed shows that inexpensive tires Suitable for experienced drivers. They do not have such a well-balanced balance that premium products can boast of. However negative side there is a tangible advantage in opposition - outdated leaders under other brands with a proven tread structure and a new rubber compound are moving into the budget segment.

With acceptable rigidity, an impressive set of positive properties is provided:

1. Powerful acceleration on slippery surfaces.
2. Confident braking on ice.
3. Clear handling on clean and icy asphalt.

Excessive noise tops the list of disadvantages of rubber products. The list of shortcomings also includes difficult behavior on snowy roads. Reviews make additional comments regarding cross-country ability.

We can confidently recommend this product as a good winter tire for a car with R15 wheels. This unique Korean station wagon has average characteristics. No obvious failures were observed based on the results of tests on various coatings. There is also no priority list of roads: the tire rolls acceptably on any surface.

The owners of the kits list the mediocre acoustic component and impaired smoothness as disadvantages. The tires are suitable for owners of front-wheel drive cars with different electronic assistants. Experienced drivers can handle the product without outside help.

Verdict

The market offers a fairly wide selection of tires in size 15. The price for good quality models does not exceed 5,000 rubles. The accepted concept of a “good tire” should be understood as an ideal choice for the climatic conditions of the main region in which the vehicle is used.

For a clean city with roads sprinkled with chemicals, tires that have a good relationship with the asphalt are suitable:

• Continental ContiVikingContact 6 (4,500 rubles).
• Pirelli Ice Zero FR (4,000 rubles).
• Nokian Nordman RS2 (3,000 rubles).

For severe winters with snowfall and ice, we can recommend Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 (3,600 rubles) and Hankook Winter i*cept IZ2 (3,000 rubles).

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