If you live in a part of the world that sees an extreme winter such as the Northern USA, Canada, and the Northern parts of Europe, you'll know that regular central European winter tires just don't cut it. 

Winters which see snow on the roads for many months and lots of ice need extreme winter tires, and there are two types to choose from. The original is the studded winter tire, a tire which has studs (pieces of metal) inserted into the soft winter compound allowing the tire to really bite into the snow and ice below. 

Sadly, as great as studs are, they're damaging to the roads which is why tire companies invented a category of winter tire called studless friction winter tires. While these don't have studs, they do have a vastly improved ability on snow and ice when compared to a "normal" winter tire, and with advances in compounding technology they are quickly becoming an excellent alternative for all but the most extreme climates.

To find out which of these are best, and to see the difference between studded winter tires and studless friction winter tires, the excellent testers at the Finnish magazine Tekniikan Maailma have tested nine studded winter tires and seven studless winter tires in the same test, all in 205/55 R16, to show us the differences in the dry, wet, snow and ice performances! 

Unfortunately our website doesn't currently allow us to highlight which tire is studded and which is a friction winter tire, it's marked in the results at the bottom of the page which is the best we could do, sorry!

The tires on test are

Studded	Friction Studless
▪ Bridgestone Noranza 001 ▪ Continental IceContact 3 ▪ Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 ▪ Hankook Winter I*Pike RS2 ▪ Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32 ▪ Michelin X-Ice North 4 ▪ Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 ▪ Pirelli Ice Zero 2 ▪ Westlake IceMaster Spike Z-506	▪ Continental VikingContact 7 ▪ CST Medallion Winter ▪ Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2 ▪ Hankook Winter I*Cept IZ2 ▪ Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi51 ▪ Michelin X-Ice Snow ▪ Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3

Studded VS Friction Winter Tires

The differences between the two categories of tire are certainly interesting, and even a little surprising in parts.

Starting with ice, in every ice test all the studded tires out performed all the friction tires by a reasonable margin, this is not surprising.

In the snow, the two types of tire were essentially even, with the first seven places of snow handling alternating between studded and friction! If one type of tire had to win, it would be the studded tire, but the margin was almost nothing.

In the dry and wet, the CST friction tire out performed the pack, but but given it's poor performance on snow and ice it's probably because its design is more of a central european winter tire intended for milder climates. Dry braking had nearly all the tires separated by just one meter with a small advantage to the studs where as wet braking had larger margins with a small advantage to the friction tires.

Unsurprisingly, the studless friction tires were all considerably quieter than the studded tires, and on average had a lower rolling resistance.

See below for the full data and the overall results at the bottom of the page.

Dry & Wet

Snow

Ice

Environment

Results

1st: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 31.4 M 29.4 M +2 M 93.63% Wet Braking 12th 35.9 M 28.9 M +7 M 80.5% Wet Handling 5th 35.3 s 33.5 s +1.8 s 94.9% Snow Braking 8th 51.5 M 50.6 M +0.9 M 98.25% Snow Traction 10th 5.9 s 5.7 s +0.2 s 96.61% Snow Handling 7th 53.3 s 52.3 s +1 s 98.12% Ice Braking 1st 36.4 M 100% Ice Traction 1st 3.6 s 100% Ice Handling 1st 54.1 s 100% Subj. Noise 8th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Price 15th 650 300 +350 46.15% [Studded] The new tire from Nokian is excellent on ice, feeling predictable and calm with direct steering, good in the snow and good dry braking distances. Average wet braking. Read Reviews
1st: Continental VikingContact 7
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 13th 31.8 M 29.4 M +2.4 M 92.45% Wet Braking 6th 33.8 M 28.9 M +4.9 M 85.5% Wet Handling 11th 35.6 s 33.5 s +2.1 s 94.1% Snow Braking 5th 51.1 M 50.6 M +0.5 M 99.02% Snow Traction 4th 5.8 s 5.7 s +0.1 s 98.28% Snow Handling 2nd 52.7 s 52.3 s +0.4 s 99.24% Ice Braking 11th 46 M 36.4 M +9.6 M 79.13% Ice Traction 10th 5.1 s 3.6 s +1.5 s 70.59% Ice Handling 10th 65 s 54.1 s +10.9 s 83.23% Subj. Noise 1st 10 Points 100% Price 12th 600 300 +300 50% [Friction] Very good on ice and snow. Poor wet performance. Read Reviews
2nd: Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 13th 31.8 M 29.4 M +2.4 M 92.45% Wet Braking 3rd 33.5 M 28.9 M +4.6 M 86.27% Wet Handling 7th 35.4 s 33.5 s +1.9 s 94.63% Snow Braking 8th 51.5 M 50.6 M +0.9 M 98.25% Snow Traction 1st 5.7 s 100% Snow Handling 4th 53.1 s 52.3 s +0.8 s 98.49% Ice Braking 12th 46.5 M 36.4 M +10.1 M 78.28% Ice Traction 12th 5.4 s 3.6 s +1.8 s 66.67% Ice Handling 12th 66.6 s 54.1 s +12.5 s 81.23% Subj. Noise 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Price 7th 500 300 +200 60% [Friction] Easy to drive on snow with good levels of grip, good ice performance. Poor dry performance. Read Reviews
2nd: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 12th 31.7 M 29.4 M +2.3 M 92.74% Wet Braking 10th 34.9 M 28.9 M +6 M 82.81% Wet Handling 5th 35.3 s 33.5 s +1.8 s 94.9% Snow Braking 1st 50.6 M 100% Snow Traction 1st 5.7 s 100% Snow Handling 2nd 52.7 s 52.3 s +0.4 s 99.24% Ice Braking 2nd 37.9 M 36.4 M +1.5 M 96.04% Ice Traction 4th 3.9 s 3.6 s +0.3 s 92.31% Ice Handling 3rd 55.1 s 54.1 s +1 s 98.19% Subj. Noise 8th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Price 8th 550 300 +250 54.55% [Studded] Best in test on snow, excellent on ice, good handling in all conditions. Average dry braking. Read Reviews
3rd: Michelin X Ice North 4
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 31.1 M 29.4 M +1.7 M 94.53% Wet Braking 15th 37.3 M 28.9 M +8.4 M 77.48% Wet Handling 15th 36.2 s 33.5 s +2.7 s 92.54% Snow Braking 3rd 51 M 50.6 M +0.4 M 99.22% Snow Traction 4th 5.8 s 5.7 s +0.1 s 98.28% Snow Handling 1st 52.3 s 100% Ice Braking 3rd 38.8 M 36.4 M +2.4 M 93.81% Ice Traction 3rd 3.8 s 3.6 s +0.2 s 94.74% Ice Handling 2nd 54.5 s 54.1 s +0.4 s 99.27% Subj. Noise 8th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Price 15th 650 300 +350 46.15% [Studded] Best in snow handling, good on ice, good dry braking. Slow wet handling and long wet braking, expensive. Read Reviews
3rd: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 11th 31.6 M 29.4 M +2.2 M 93.04% Wet Braking 2nd 32.3 M 28.9 M +3.4 M 89.47% Wet Handling 8th 35.5 s 33.5 s +2 s 94.37% Snow Braking 3rd 51 M 50.6 M +0.4 M 99.22% Snow Traction 4th 5.8 s 5.7 s +0.1 s 98.28% Snow Handling 6th 53.2 s 52.3 s +0.9 s 98.31% Ice Braking 14th 49.5 M 36.4 M +13.1 M 73.54% Ice Traction 14th 5.6 s 3.6 s +2 s 64.29% Ice Handling 11th 65.8 s 54.1 s +11.7 s 82.22% Subj. Noise 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Price 8th 550 300 +250 54.55% [Friction] Good in all winter conditions, low rolling resistance. Poor dry drivability. Read Reviews
4th: Pirelli Ice Zero 2
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 29.9 M 29.4 M +0.5 M 98.33% Wet Braking 4th 33.6 M 28.9 M +4.7 M 86.01% Wet Handling 12th 35.7 s 33.5 s +2.2 s 93.84% Snow Braking 6th 51.4 M 50.6 M +0.8 M 98.44% Snow Traction 1st 5.7 s 100% Snow Handling 4th 53.1 s 52.3 s +0.8 s 98.49% Ice Braking 7th 41.8 M 36.4 M +5.4 M 87.08% Ice Traction 4th 3.9 s 3.6 s +0.3 s 92.31% Ice Handling 9th 62.7 s 54.1 s +8.6 s 86.28% Subj. Noise 8th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Price 8th 550 300 +250 54.55% [Studded] Best snow traction in test, short dry and wet braking. Slowest studded tire in ice handling, average wet handling. Read Reviews
4th: Michelin X Ice Snow
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 31.5 M 29.4 M +2.1 M 93.33% Wet Braking 14th 36.1 M 28.9 M +7.2 M 80.06% Wet Handling 8th 35.5 s 33.5 s +2 s 94.37% Snow Braking 13th 52.3 M 50.6 M +1.7 M 96.75% Snow Traction 10th 5.9 s 5.7 s +0.2 s 96.61% Snow Handling 12th 53.6 s 52.3 s +1.3 s 97.57% Ice Braking 10th 44.4 M 36.4 M +8 M 81.98% Ice Traction 11th 5.2 s 3.6 s +1.6 s 69.23% Ice Handling 13th 68.6 s 54.1 s +14.5 s 78.86% Subj. Noise 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Price 12th 600 300 +300 50% [Friction] Very good ice grip, stable driving in all winter conditions. Poor handling in the dry. Read Reviews
5th: Bridgestone Noranza 001
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 31.5 M 29.4 M +2.1 M 93.33% Wet Braking 13th 36 M 28.9 M +7.1 M 80.28% Wet Handling 14th 35.8 s 33.5 s +2.3 s 93.58% Snow Braking 10th 51.9 M 50.6 M +1.3 M 97.5% Snow Traction 4th 5.8 s 5.7 s +0.1 s 98.28% Snow Handling 8th 53.4 s 52.3 s +1.1 s 97.94% Ice Braking 4th 39 M 36.4 M +2.6 M 93.33% Ice Traction 2nd 3.7 s 3.6 s +0.1 s 97.3% Ice Handling 6th 55.8 s 54.1 s +1.7 s 96.95% Subj. Noise 13th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Price 8th 550 300 +250 54.55% [Studded] Good on ice, short dry braking. Poor grip in the wet, high noise. Read Reviews
5th: Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 31.5 M 29.4 M +2.1 M 93.33% Wet Braking 9th 34.4 M 28.9 M +5.5 M 84.01% Wet Handling 8th 35.5 s 33.5 s +2 s 94.37% Snow Braking 13th 52.3 M 50.6 M +1.7 M 96.75% Snow Traction 10th 5.9 s 5.7 s +0.2 s 96.61% Snow Handling 12th 53.6 s 52.3 s +1.3 s 97.57% Ice Braking 15th 51.7 M 36.4 M +15.3 M 70.41% Ice Traction 15th 6 s 3.6 s +2.4 s 60% Ice Handling 14th 70 s 54.1 s +15.9 s 77.29% Subj. Noise 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Price 5th 450 300 +150 66.67% [Friction] Good in snow, low rolling resistance. Poor grip and handling in the dry. Read Reviews
6th: Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi51
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 31.5 M 29.4 M +2.1 M 93.33% Wet Braking 6th 33.8 M 28.9 M +4.9 M 85.5% Wet Handling 12th 35.7 s 33.5 s +2.2 s 93.84% Snow Braking 11th 52.1 M 50.6 M +1.5 M 97.12% Snow Traction 10th 5.9 s 5.7 s +0.2 s 96.61% Snow Handling 8th 53.4 s 52.3 s +1.1 s 97.94% Ice Braking 13th 48.8 M 36.4 M +12.4 M 74.59% Ice Traction 13th 5.5 s 3.6 s +1.9 s 65.45% Ice Handling 14th 70 s 54.1 s +15.9 s 77.29% Subj. Noise 6th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Price 3rd 400 300 +100 75% [Friction] Good in snow, low rolling resistance. Poor handling in the dry. Read Reviews
6th: Continental IceContact 3
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 31.5 M 29.4 M +2.1 M 93.33% Wet Braking 5th 33.7 M 28.9 M +4.8 M 85.76% Wet Handling 3rd 35.2 s 33.5 s +1.7 s 95.17% Snow Braking 6th 51.4 M 50.6 M +0.8 M 98.44% Snow Traction 4th 5.8 s 5.7 s +0.1 s 98.28% Snow Handling 11th 53.5 s 52.3 s +1.2 s 97.76% Ice Braking 6th 40.9 M 36.4 M +4.5 M 89% Ice Traction 4th 3.9 s 3.6 s +0.3 s 92.31% Ice Handling 7th 57.8 s 54.1 s +3.7 s 93.6% Subj. Noise 13th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Price 12th 600 300 +300 50% [Studded] Good on snow and on ice, good wet handling, balanced. Poor dry handling. Read Reviews
7th: Hankook Winter i pike RS2
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 16th 33.44 M 29.4 M +4.04 M 87.92% Wet Braking 11th 35.4 M 28.9 M +6.5 M 81.64% Wet Handling 3rd 35.2 s 33.5 s +1.7 s 95.17% Snow Braking 2nd 50.7 M 50.6 M +0.1 M 99.8% Snow Traction 4th 5.8 s 5.7 s +0.1 s 98.28% Snow Handling 14th 53.7 s 52.3 s +1.4 s 97.39% Ice Braking 5th 40.1 M 36.4 M +3.7 M 90.77% Ice Traction 7th 4 s 3.6 s +0.4 s 90% Ice Handling 4th 55.6 s 54.1 s +1.5 s 97.3% Subj. Noise 13th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Price 5th 450 300 +150 66.67% [Studded] Good on snow and ice, good wet handling. Poor in the dry. Read Reviews
7th: CST Medallion Winter WCP1
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 29.4 M 100% Wet Braking 1st 28.9 M 100% Wet Handling 1st 33.5 s 100% Snow Braking 16th 54.5 M 50.6 M +3.9 M 92.84% Snow Traction 16th 6.3 s 5.7 s +0.6 s 90.48% Snow Handling 16th 55.9 s 52.3 s +3.6 s 93.56% Ice Braking 16th 57.2 M 36.4 M +20.8 M 63.64% Ice Traction 16th 6.7 s 3.6 s +3.1 s 53.73% Ice Handling 16th 74.7 s 54.1 s +20.6 s 72.42% Subj. Noise 6th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Price 1st 300 100% [Friction] Very good in the dry and wet. Very bad in the snow and ice. Read Reviews
8th: Kumho WinterCraft Ice
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 15th 32.7 M 29.4 M +3.3 M 89.91% Wet Braking 15th 37.3 M 28.9 M +8.4 M 77.48% Wet Handling 16th 36.5 s 33.5 s +3 s 91.78% Snow Braking 11th 52.1 M 50.6 M +1.5 M 97.12% Snow Traction 10th 5.9 s 5.7 s +0.2 s 96.61% Snow Handling 8th 53.4 s 52.3 s +1.1 s 97.94% Ice Braking 8th 42.2 M 36.4 M +5.8 M 86.26% Ice Traction 8th 4.2 s 3.6 s +0.6 s 85.71% Ice Handling 4th 55.6 s 54.1 s +1.5 s 97.3% Subj. Noise 16th 5 Points 10 Points -5 Points 50% Price 3rd 400 300 +100 75% [Studded] Good lateral grip on ice. Poor in the wet, high levels of noise, long dry braking. Read Reviews
9th: Westlake IceMaster Spike Z 50
205/55 R16 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 31 M 29.4 M +1.6 M 94.84% Wet Braking 8th 34 M 28.9 M +5.1 M 85% Wet Handling 2nd 35 s 33.5 s +1.5 s 95.71% Snow Braking 15th 52.5 M 50.6 M +1.9 M 96.38% Snow Traction 10th 5.9 s 5.7 s +0.2 s 96.61% Snow Handling 15th 55.3 s 52.3 s +3 s 94.58% Ice Braking 9th 43.3 M 36.4 M +6.9 M 84.06% Ice Traction 9th 4.4 s 3.6 s +0.8 s 81.82% Ice Handling 8th 60.3 s 54.1 s +6.2 s 89.72% Subj. Noise 8th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Price 2nd 350 300 +50 85.71% [Studded] Good wet grip and dry braking. Poor driveability in the dry, very weak in the snow and on ice. Read Reviews