Top 15 winter tires

The French do not forget about those who love speed and want the car a great response to the movement of the steering wheel, without interrupting the winter season. A directional protector with a well-developed pattern of drainage channels copes with aquaplaning and throws snow well, preventing it from tightly clog grooves. The special composition of the rubber compound developed for these tires at negative temperatures does not suffer from excessive rigidity, at the same time and not “spreading” during the thaw - the car remains collected in the reactions, does not lose directional stability.

The choice of sizes, starting from 17 inches, also points to the audience of these winter tires: yes, the creators did not count on ordinary urban sedans. But powerful cars, which in the winter like no other need excellent grip characteristics, are able to actually verify the result of the work of the Micheliners. And the presence of homologation Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW clearly hints that quality Pilot Alpin 5 proven by factory testing.

Winter non-studded tires with excellent braking properties.Due to this, she was able to press her European competitors, and in the tests of Zaulom magazine she took the second place.

This model, which updated the Blizzak tire lineup in 2018, deserves the attention of those who prefer to drive in the winter without spikes. The choice of Japanese rubber is logical at the same time - as is known, studded tires are banned in Japan itself, and they are able to do something with velcro. Compared with the well-known Blizzak VRX tires, the new model has noticeably improved braking performance and directional stability, with which, we note, there were no serious problems. But, if you can do something better, then why not do it?

The asymmetric tread pattern has changed slightly, but the manufacturer claims to reduce noise. The main merit in this belongs to the modernized technology of rubber compound production, which has become more wear-resistant and tough in the outer layer - respectively, when driving the tread is less deformed, which directly affects the noise. It is possible to hope for a better “fitment” of tires, because the previous generation of tires had claims just in time for rapid deterioration.

Inexpensive winter tire has proven itself on the Russian city roads and is popular.

Developing the ideas behind the Ice Guard IG50 tires, which received warm reviews from the automotive press and a good reputation among motorists, Yokohama introduced a new IG60 model with diameters in the range from 13 to 19 inches last year, highlighting and IG 60A version (17-19 inches). Compared to its predecessor, the tread pattern has become much more complicated, which goes into drainage plus during temperature drops, while the main tread grooves have kept the width typical for Ice Guard - and this promises a good job of snow. And, most importantly, the tires have already been tested on Russian roads: tests, tests, and practice practice!

Applied to the joy of "green" technology Orange Oil S, which provides for the introduction of orange oil into the mixture of oils and the creation of a "microbubble" structure of the outer layer, in practice shows itself well: tires do not freeze, maintain softness and comfort for driving and keep ice .Slush is also not a big problem - the microlamels seem to absorb that moisture that is not pressed into the main grooves of the tread. The noise level of the tires also does not cause any complaints, even if there is no particular noise insulation on the car.

It is difficult to ignore the winter tires of the German tire giant Continental ContiVikingContact 6, besides, it occupies a leading position in the tests of famous automotive magazines. But whether from the relatively rapid deterioration of the entire line of Continental, or from the high cost, to call it very popular among Russian motorists language does not turn. However, the fact that this winter tire is one of the best, and really has excellent performance, is a fact.

The deep directional tread is just what most winter stud buyers are looking for. However, X-Ice North is still more likely tires for those who "know how to use it." First of all, due to the fact that here the manufacturer applied the traditionally soft composition (which can already be considered a Michelin brand chip) - as a result, the rubber really clings to the asphalt in the cold, does not tan, and the tread easily cleans itself. But it is worth warming up, as the rubber will become too soft - and this is a problem when maneuvering, and the loss of spikes. So if your visits to tire shops begin with the thoughts “well, it’s time to change the shoes, perhaps,” then this rubber will not be the best choice. But if you put it and take it off on time, and the winter in your area is traditionally cold and snowy, X-Ice North will reveal all its strengths in the best way.

Of course, a specific, and even studded tread can not boast of acoustic comfort, especially on new tires.After running in the wheel, they will become quieter, but it will not be possible to completely get rid of the noise, and closer to spring it will become noticeably stronger (by the way, this in itself is a good pointer to excessive softening of rubber).

The first generation of IceContact tires does not need any special presentations - these tires are well known both abroad and in our country. But time does not stand still, and for three years already the Kaluga plant Continental has been delivering the second generation of popular tires to stores across the country.

The new “iskkontakty” got improved grip on dry asphalt, slightly improving the behavior on the ice. But, if the controllability on it has changed slightly - it is difficult to improve the already good results - then the adhesion with ice in straight-line motion increased by almost 10%, and this is the best results of braking (including emergency), and confident acceleration.

New flat-headed spikes have become smaller (respectively, and less noisy when touching the asphalt), but their number has increased. In order not to clog the space next to the head of the spike with crushed ice interfering with the adhesion, “ice pockets” were cut around the spikes, where a crumb is stuffed in the contact patch, then ejected by centrifugal force. The spikes themselves are held not only by wide caps, but also by adhesive composition.

Complicated tread design provided him with greater rigidity under lateral loads, without increasing rolling resistance and working comfort on uneven surfaces. The complex composition of the rubber compound, including 15 components, in addition to rubber, including both synthetic polymers and rapeseed oil, provided noticeably greater softness at low temperatures in comparison with the first generation of tires.

Development of a well-known global brand. Rubber is designed for use in harsh winter conditions. A distinctive feature of the tire is the spikes of the original design, the sharp edges of which improve grip on ice.

The complex pattern of the middle part of the tread (close to what can be seen on AllTerrain-rubber) and the developed shoulder area definitely indicate some off-road potential of rubber. In practice, a good option really did come out for crossovers and all-wheel-drive station wagons like the Subaru Forester - tires are quite adequate in a snow track, firmly embedded spikes perfectly catch ice, so you can really leave the asphalt on it.

The reverse side of the medal is a high noise level on asphalt - at least the first thousand kilometers it will seriously annoy until the tires roll.

With not the highest price, it was nice to see a thoughtful approach to creation - the tread itself is two-layered, the outer soft layer is responsible for the grip, the inner hard layer is for durability, and the bases of the spikes are also attached to it. The spikes themselves are composite, with a lightweight aluminum body and a tungsten carbide tip, which guarantees them high wear resistance. However, one should not abuse abrupt starts, when the ice leaves: these asphalt are “plowed” deep.

Italian tire makers used all the latest technologies to create these winter tires. As a result, the Pirelli Ice Zero has a double-core spike, a lot of massive blocks of complex shape, a classic V-shaped pattern, a multifunctional drainage system, and an increased number of slats, and the latest rubber compound.

The old Scandinavian company, founded at the end of the XIX century, and now owned by the German Continental AG and producing products for the Russian market in Kaluga, enjoys a well-deserved authority in the field of creating studded tires. Winter tires Nord Frost 200 is not a novelty in our market, but this does not mean that tires are not able to argue on equal terms with well-known competitors. In addition, the work of Continental marketers also affects - in fact, the new “Gislaveda” repeat the constructive solutions of tires of this brand, used several years earlier, but at the same time the price is lower. If two years ago you licked your tires on Continental, but Toad defeated Hamster with your favorite stifling technique, look today at Gislaved. No wonder the tread pattern looks like the old IceContact to the point of confusion.

Rubber moderately noisy, despite the studding and deep tread. Earlier, it was symmetrical on the “hundredth” series, but now the drawing has become more complicated, retaining the pronounced sweep of the central grooves, but having improved the car’s handling due to the modified design of the outer shoulder. Well, the unusual Tri-Star spikes, developed by the Finnish company Tikka (not to be confused with the producer of high-class hunting rifles of the same name), are really not only quieter than normal, but also firmly held in the tread.

Rubber, and especially the sidewalls, is soft, and this must be taken into account when driving - the risk of damage is high if you fall into a deep hollow on asphalt at a speed or rub sideways into curbstones. The tread pattern on narrow tires of small diameter works moderately - there is a pronounced tendency to clogging, but, being “scaled” to typical sizes for SUVs and crossovers, it starts working as it should.

Rubber was clearly calculated for a temperate climate: at temperatures below -20, it significantly "dubers", which not only reduces comfort, but also gives an additional risk of cracking. Therefore, you will not advise it for the northern part of Russia, but in warmer regions it will become an interesting option for purchase: wear-resistant tread and durable spikes provide a good resource, and low noise will not strain even in budget cars with mediocre noise isolation.

Naturally, this is primarily urban tires - the pattern and tread depth clearly indicate this. Start on ice and keep the car in turns on cold asphalt tires can, but in the snow rush instantly clog. It will not be easy to crawl out of a rut - the lack of a developed shoulder area affects. Features of the tread should be taken into account when abrupt maneuvers on a heavily icy road - if in the longitudinal direction the grip is sufficient, then the risk of lateral demolition is quite large.