The excellent magazine Vi Bilagare tested seven studded tires and one friction (non-studded) winter tire - the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5. Testing was conducted in various locations across Finland and Sweden, using a Volkswagen Golf for most tests.

Friction vs Studded Performance

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 friction tire showed some interesting characteristics. On rough ice and snow, it matched or exceeded the studded tires for cornering grip. However, on polished ice, it struggled significantly with braking and acceleration, performing similarly to the budget Mazzini studded tire. The friction tire excelled in comfort aspects, with the lowest noise levels and best fuel economy, but showed clear weaknesses in wet grip and early aquaplaning.

Budget Tire Performance

The Chinese-made Mazzini Ice Leopard highlighted the performance gap between premium and budget tires. While it showed decent performance on dry and wet asphalt, it struggled in winter conditions. Its ice grip was poor, with sudden loss of cornering grip occurring without warning. Even with studs, it couldn't outperform the friction tire on polished ice.

Other Points

The magazine noted that production changes due to leaving Russia have affected quality control, with both Michelin and Bridgestone showing inconsistent stud mounting, the Bridgestone had significant stud retention issues during testing, losing 26 studs from the front tires, and that the Continental showed unusual characteristics for a studded tire, with ice performance being its weakest point but excellent wet and dry road handling.

Dry

Dry Braking

Subj. Dry Handling

Wet

Wet Braking

Wet Handling

Straight Aqua

Snow

Snow Braking

Snow Traction

Snow Handling

Ice

Ice Braking

Ice Traction

Ice Handling

Comfort

Noise

Value

Fuel Consumption

Results

1st: Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
225/45 R17 94T Weight: 10.9kgs Tread: 9.1mm Shore: 55 Stud Count: 216 3PMSF: yes Price: 2402.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 33.14 M 31.52 M +1.62 M 95.11% Subj. Dry Handling 4th 3 Points 5 Points -2 Points 60% Wet Braking 6th 37.22 M 34.3 M +2.92 M 92.15% Wet Handling 5th 41.9 s 40.7 s +1.2 s 97.14% Straight Aqua 7th 63 Km/H 74 Km/H -11 Km/H 85.14% Snow Braking 3rd 12.41 M 12.31 M +0.1 M 99.19% Snow Traction 4th 4.32 s 4.1 s +0.22 s 94.91% Snow Handling 2nd 75.2 s 75.1 s +0.1 s 99.87% Ice Braking 2nd 11.73 M 11.03 M +0.7 M 94.03% Ice Traction 2nd 5.38 s 4.61 s +0.77 s 85.69% Ice Handling 1st 47.8 s 100% Noise 6th 75.5 dB 71.5 dB +4 dB 94.7% Fuel Consumption 4th 5.55 l/100km 5.25 l/100km +0.3 l/100km 94.59% Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 dominated winter performance, particularly strong in corners on both ice and snow. The steering is responsive with an active rear end that helps turning, though this might not suit drivers wanting ultimate stability. Its weaknesses showed on wet roads with longer braking distances and early aquaplaning, plus reduced straight-line stability on dry roads. Read Reviews
2nd: Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3
225/45 R17 94T Weight: 10.8kgs Tread: 9.4mm Shore: 63 Stud Count: 262 3PMSF: yes Price: 2796.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 34.13 M 31.52 M +2.61 M 92.35% Subj. Dry Handling 3rd 4 Points 5 Points -1 Points 80% Wet Braking 4th 35.42 M 34.3 M +1.12 M 96.84% Wet Handling 4th 41.7 s 40.7 s +1 s 97.6% Straight Aqua 1st 74 Km/H 100% Snow Braking 7th 12.68 M 12.31 M +0.37 M 97.08% Snow Traction 7th 4.4 s 4.1 s +0.3 s 93.18% Snow Handling 7th 77.1 s 75.1 s +2 s 97.41% Ice Braking 1st 11.03 M 100% Ice Traction 1st 4.61 s 100% Ice Handling 4th 48.4 s 47.8 s +0.6 s 98.76% Noise 8th 76.4 dB 71.5 dB +4.9 dB 93.59% Fuel Consumption 4th 5.55 l/100km 5.25 l/100km +0.3 l/100km 94.59% Bridgestone Spike 3 is a new model excelling in water displacement and ice grip, but suffered quality control issues with poorly mounted studs, losing 26 during testing. While showing good wet grip and stability on asphalt, it tends to lose grip more suddenly than rivals in corners. Road noise is higher than most competitors. Read Reviews
3rd: Michelin X Ice North 4
225/45 R17 94T Weight: 10.7kgs Tread: 8.3mm Shore: 59 Stud Count: 252 3PMSF: yes Price: 2656.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 33.26 M 31.52 M +1.74 M 94.77% Subj. Dry Handling 1st 5 Points 100% Wet Braking 7th 37.27 M 34.3 M +2.97 M 92.03% Wet Handling 8th 42.1 s 40.7 s +1.4 s 96.67% Straight Aqua 4th 69.2 Km/H 74 Km/H -4.8 Km/H 93.51% Snow Braking 5th 12.42 M 12.31 M +0.11 M 99.11% Snow Traction 2nd 4.21 s 4.1 s +0.11 s 97.39% Snow Handling 5th 76.2 s 75.1 s +1.1 s 98.56% Ice Braking 4th 13.38 M 11.03 M +2.35 M 82.44% Ice Traction 4th 5.66 s 4.61 s +1.05 s 81.45% Ice Handling 3rd 48.2 s 47.8 s +0.4 s 99.17% Noise 3rd 74.6 dB 71.5 dB +3.1 dB 95.84% Fuel Consumption 3rd 5.5 l/100km 5.25 l/100km +0.25 l/100km 95.45% Michelin X-Ice North 4, despite being an older design from 2018, remains highly competitive with a well-balanced performance. It combines good ice grip with relatively low noise and fuel consumption. The tire understeers predictably in all conditions, making it user-friendly, though wet grip is its main weakness. Read Reviews
4th: Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2
225/45 R17 94T Weight: 11.3kgs Tread: 9.9mm Shore: 60 Stud Count: 190 3PMSF: yes Price: 2386.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 32.66 M 31.52 M +1.14 M 96.51% Subj. Dry Handling 4th 3 Points 5 Points -2 Points 60% Wet Braking 3rd 35.34 M 34.3 M +1.04 M 97.06% Wet Handling 3rd 41.5 s 40.7 s +0.8 s 98.07% Straight Aqua 3rd 70.7 Km/H 74 Km/H -3.3 Km/H 95.54% Snow Braking 3rd 12.41 M 12.31 M +0.1 M 99.19% Snow Traction 3rd 4.24 s 4.1 s +0.14 s 96.7% Snow Handling 4th 75.8 s 75.1 s +0.7 s 99.08% Ice Braking 3rd 12.64 M 11.03 M +1.61 M 87.26% Ice Traction 5th 6.19 s 4.61 s +1.58 s 74.47% Ice Handling 5th 48.5 s 47.8 s +0.7 s 98.56% Noise 5th 75.2 dB 71.5 dB +3.7 dB 95.08% Fuel Consumption 7th 5.7 l/100km 5.25 l/100km +0.45 l/100km 92.11% Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 delivers consistent performance and excellent braking across all conditions. It has the deepest tread pattern in the test, which may contribute to its somewhat vague steering feel. While safe and secure, it offers less precise handling for enthusiast drivers. Read Reviews
5th: Continental IceContact 3
225/45 R17 94T Weight: 10.9kgs Tread: 8.4mm Shore: 61 Stud Count: 190 3PMSF: yes Price: 2689.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 32.47 M 31.52 M +0.95 M 97.07% Subj. Dry Handling 1st 5 Points 100% Wet Braking 2nd 34.74 M 34.3 M +0.44 M 98.73% Wet Handling 1st 40.7 s 100% Straight Aqua 5th 68.3 Km/H 74 Km/H -5.7 Km/H 92.3% Snow Braking 2nd 12.34 M 12.31 M +0.03 M 99.76% Snow Traction 4th 4.32 s 4.1 s +0.22 s 94.91% Snow Handling 1st 75.1 s 100% Ice Braking 6th 15.87 M 11.03 M +4.84 M 69.5% Ice Traction 6th 6.81 s 4.61 s +2.2 s 67.69% Ice Handling 6th 50.2 s 47.8 s +2.4 s 95.22% Noise 2nd 73.6 dB 71.5 dB +2.1 dB 97.15% Fuel Consumption 8th 5.75 l/100km 5.25 l/100km +0.5 l/100km 91.3% Continental IceContact 3 showed unusually poor ice performance for a studded tire, with braking distances a full car length longer than the best at just 25 km/h. However, it excelled on asphalt with the best dry and wet handling characteristics and low noise levels. Strong on snow with predictable behavior. Read Reviews
6th: Nordman North 9
225/45 R17 94T Weight: 10.3kgs Tread: 9mm Shore: 57 Stud Count: 196 3PMSF: yes Price: 1991.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 33.59 M 31.52 M +2.07 M 93.84% Subj. Dry Handling 4th 3 Points 5 Points -2 Points 60% Wet Braking 5th 36.34 M 34.3 M +2.04 M 94.39% Wet Handling 5th 41.9 s 40.7 s +1.2 s 97.14% Straight Aqua 6th 68.2 Km/H 74 Km/H -5.8 Km/H 92.16% Snow Braking 1st 12.31 M 100% Snow Traction 6th 4.35 s 4.1 s +0.25 s 94.25% Snow Handling 6th 76.4 s 75.1 s +1.3 s 98.3% Ice Braking 5th 13.77 M 11.03 M +2.74 M 80.1% Ice Traction 3rd 5.55 s 4.61 s +0.94 s 83.06% Ice Handling 7th 50.7 s 47.8 s +2.9 s 94.28% Noise 7th 75.6 dB 71.5 dB +4.1 dB 94.58% Fuel Consumption 2nd 5.45 l/100km 5.25 l/100km +0.2 l/100km 96.33% Nordman North 9, Nokian's budget brand, uses the previous generation Hakkapeliitta 9 tread pattern with harder rubber. It matches or beats the premium Nokian on asphalt but has reduced winter grip. The tire was notably loud, recording the worst noise comfort in the test. Read Reviews
7th: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
225/45 R17 94T Weight: 9.6kgs Tread: 8.2mm Shore: 52 3PMSF: yes Price: 2332.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 31.52 M 100% Subj. Dry Handling 8th 2 Points 5 Points -3 Points 40% Wet Braking 8th 38.39 M 34.3 M +4.09 M 89.35% Wet Handling 5th 41.9 s 40.7 s +1.2 s 97.14% Straight Aqua 8th 58.6 Km/H 74 Km/H -15.4 Km/H 79.19% Snow Braking 6th 12.5 M 12.31 M +0.19 M 98.48% Snow Traction 1st 4.1 s 100% Snow Handling 3rd 75.6 s 75.1 s +0.5 s 99.34% Ice Braking 8th 17.87 M 11.03 M +6.84 M 61.72% Ice Traction 8th 9.42 s 4.61 s +4.81 s 48.94% Ice Handling 2nd 48 s 47.8 s +0.2 s 99.58% Noise 1st 71.5 dB 100% Fuel Consumption 1st 5.25 l/100km 100% The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 friction tire proved that non-studded tires can match studded ones in many winter conditions, particularly on rough ice and snow. Its soft compound gives understeery handling and excels in comfort with low noise and rolling resistance. Main weaknesses are wet grip and early aquaplaning. Read Reviews
8th: Mazzini Ice Leopard
225/45 R17 94T Weight: 10.7kgs Tread: 9mm Shore: 123 Stud Count: 61 3PMSF: yes Price: 1179.00	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 32.29 M 31.52 M +0.77 M 97.62% Subj. Dry Handling 4th 3 Points 5 Points -2 Points 60% Wet Braking 1st 34.3 M 100% Wet Handling 2nd 41.4 s 40.7 s +0.7 s 98.31% Straight Aqua 2nd 71.1 Km/H 74 Km/H -2.9 Km/H 96.08% Snow Braking 8th 12.94 M 12.31 M +0.63 M 95.13% Snow Traction 8th 4.45 s 4.1 s +0.35 s 92.13% Snow Handling 8th 78 s 75.1 s +2.9 s 96.28% Ice Braking 7th 17.54 M 11.03 M +6.51 M 62.88% Ice Traction 7th 7.99 s 4.61 s +3.38 s 57.7% Ice Handling 8th 52.2 s 47.8 s +4.4 s 91.57% Noise 4th 74.8 dB 71.5 dB +3.3 dB 95.59% Fuel Consumption 6th 5.65 l/100km 5.25 l/100km +0.4 l/100km 92.92% Mazzini Ice Leopard, the Chinese budget option, struggled in demanding conditions with significantly worse ice grip than established brands. Grip disappears suddenly without warning in corners. While showing decent braking on asphalt, the stability and steering feel are mediocre. Even with studs, it couldn't outperform the friction tire on polished ice. Read Reviews