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2019 Studded Winter Tire Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
6 min read Updated
Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Dry
  3. Wet
  4. Snow
  5. Ice
  6. Results
  7. Continental IceContact 3
  8. Michelin X Ice North 4
  9. Continental VikingContact 7
  10. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
  11. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
  12. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
  13. Bridgestone Noranza 001
  14. Sailun Ice Blazer WST3

Test Publication:
225/50 R17 8 tires 4 categories
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Images courtesy of Vi Bilagare
Test Publication:
Vi Bilagare
https://www.vibilagare.se/test/dacktest
Images courtesy of Vi Bilagare
Test Size: 225/50 R17
Tires Tested: 8 tires
Test Categories:
4 categories (11 tests)
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While studded tires don't have much use in the UK, for parts of the Nordic countries they are essential for safe mobility.

To find out which  of the latest studded winter tires are worth fitting, Swedish magazine Vi Bilagare have tested seven studded winter tires in 225/50 R17, and included a studless nordic friction winter tire as a comparison.

Even if you don't live in an area that needs such an extreme winter tire, the difference in performance between the latest studded and studless winter tires is an interesting demonstration.

The main novelty of the test came from the new Continental IceContact 3, which is the first tire to use rubberised flexstud spikes. These studs claim to offer reduced road wear, while improving traction on ice.

 

Dry

During dry braking testing, the studless friction Continental VikingContact led the way with a significant gap to the best studded tire, which was also a Continental.

 

 

Dry Braking

Spread: 5.20 M (12.1%)|Avg: 46.49 M
Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)
  1. Continental VikingContact 7
    43.00 M
  2. Continental IceContact 3
    44.90 M
  3. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
    46.20 M
  4. Michelin X Ice North 4
    46.70 M
  5. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    47.10 M
  6. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    47.80 M
  7. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    48.00 M
  8. Sailun Ice Blazer WST3
    48.20 M

Subj. Dry Handling

Spread: 3.00 Points (60%)|Avg: 3.13 Points
Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)
  1. Michelin X Ice North 4
    5.00 Points
  2. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
    4.00 Points
  3. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    4.00 Points
  4. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    3.00 Points
  5. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    3.00 Points
  6. Continental VikingContact 7
    2.00 Points
  7. Continental IceContact 3
    2.00 Points
  8. Sailun Ice Blazer WST3
    2.00 Points

Wet

Wet braking testing swung the balance back to the studded tires, with the studded Continental tire stopping the test vehicle in the shortest distance. The studless winter tire could only manage a mid-group performance.

Wet Braking

Spread: 2.60 M (9%)|Avg: 30.50 M
Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)
  1. Continental IceContact 3
    28.80 M
  2. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
    29.80 M
  3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    29.90 M
  4. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    30.80 M
  5. Continental VikingContact 7
    31.00 M
  6. Michelin X Ice North 4
    31.00 M
  7. Sailun Ice Blazer WST3
    31.30 M
  8. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    31.40 M

Due to the tread design of studless friction tires, the studded tires all had a significant advantage during wet handling and aquaplaning testing.

Wet Handling

Spread: 2.47 s (5.7%)|Avg: 44.03 s
Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    43.18 s
  2. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
    43.59 s
  3. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    43.64 s
  4. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    43.71 s
  5. Sailun Ice Blazer WST3
    44.00 s
  6. Continental IceContact 3
    44.12 s
  7. Michelin X Ice North 4
    44.37 s
  8. Continental VikingContact 7
    45.65 s

Straight Aqua

Spread: 5.20 Km/H (8.4%)|Avg: 59.10 Km/H
Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)
  1. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    62.20 Km/H
  2. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
    60.90 Km/H
  3. Continental IceContact 3
    60.30 Km/H
  4. Sailun Ice Blazer WST3
    58.60 Km/H
  5. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    58.20 Km/H
  6. Michelin X Ice North 4
    58.10 Km/H
  7. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    57.50 Km/H
  8. Continental VikingContact 7
    57.00 Km/H

Snow

Continental dominated all three snow tests, with either their studded tire, or studless tire taking top spot. The budget Sailun Ice Blazer was extremely weak in all three tests.

Snow Braking

Spread: 2.50 M (15%)|Avg: 17.90 M
Snow braking in meters (Lower is better)
  1. Continental VikingContact 7
    16.70 M
  2. Continental IceContact 3
    16.90 M
  3. Michelin X Ice North 4
    17.90 M
  4. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    18.00 M
  5. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
    18.00 M
  6. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    18.10 M
  7. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    18.40 M
  8. Sailun Ice Blazer WST3
    19.20 M

Snow Handling

Spread: 9.88 s (11.8%)|Avg: 87.77 s
Snow handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Continental IceContact 3
    83.75 s
  2. Continental VikingContact 7
    85.59 s
  3. Michelin X Ice North 4
    86.49 s
  4. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    87.54 s
  5. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    87.93 s
  6. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    88.07 s
  7. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
    89.15 s
  8. Sailun Ice Blazer WST3
    93.63 s

Snow Traction

Spread: 0.52 s (12.8%)|Avg: 4.24 s
Snow acceleration time (Lower is better)
  1. Continental VikingContact 7
    4.05 s
  2. Continental IceContact 3
    4.06 s
  3. Michelin X Ice North 4
    4.17 s
  4. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
    4.20 s
  5. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    4.23 s
  6. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    4.27 s
  7. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    4.40 s
  8. Sailun Ice Blazer WST3
    4.57 s

Ice

The new type of spike on the Continental IceContact 3 delivered on its promise of improved ice trip, winning both the ice traction and ice braking tests.

Ice Braking

Spread: 5.30 M (61.1%)|Avg: 10.64 M
Ice braking in meters (Lower is better)
  1. Continental IceContact 3
    8.67 M
  2. Michelin X Ice North 4
    9.42 M
  3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    9.68 M
  4. Continental VikingContact 7
    10.64 M
  5. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
    10.87 M
  6. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    10.88 M
  7. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    10.97 M
  8. Sailun Ice Blazer WST3
    13.97 M

Ice Traction

Spread: 2.44 s (58.9%)|Avg: 4.94 s
Ice acceleration time (Lower is better)
  1. Continental IceContact 3
    4.14 s
  2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    4.27 s
  3. Michelin X Ice North 4
    4.51 s
  4. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    4.88 s
  5. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    4.94 s
  6. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
    5.03 s
  7. Continental VikingContact 7
    5.16 s
  8. Sailun Ice Blazer WST3
    6.58 s

Perhaps the most interesting result of the test was the ice handling, as the studless friction tire beat ALL the studded tires! This was due to the types of ice used for testing. For traction and braking testing, smooth ice was used as it replicated ice found at junctions, but for ice handling, uneven ice was used which is closer to the icy surfaces you find on the open roads. 

The testers did note one extra important point. When you lose grip on the studless tire, it takes much longer to recover the grip, which means they still recommend studded tires overall, as they will provide higher manoeuvrability and safety reserves in real life useage.

Ice Handling

Spread: 8.76 s (17.1%)|Avg: 54.88 s
Ice handling time in seconds (Lower is better)
  1. Continental VikingContact 7
    51.35 s
  2. Continental IceContact 3
    52.64 s
  3. Michelin X Ice North 4
    52.89 s
  4. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
    53.92 s
  5. Hankook Winter i pike RS2
    55.52 s
  6. Bridgestone Noranza 001
    55.94 s
  7. Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
    56.63 s
  8. Sailun Ice Blazer WST3
    60.11 s

Results

1st

Continental IceContact 3

225/50 R17
Continental IceContact 3
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 2nd 44.9 M 43 M +1.9 M 95.77%
Subj. Dry Handling 6th 2 Points 5 Points -3 Points 40%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 1st 28.8 M 100%
Wet Handling 6th 44.12 s 43.18 s +0.94 s 97.87%
Straight Aqua 3rd 60.3 Km/H 62.2 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 96.95%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 2nd 16.9 M 16.7 M +0.2 M 98.82%
Snow Traction 2nd 4.06 s 4.05 s +0.01 s 99.75%
Snow Handling 1st 83.75 s 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 1st 8.67 M 100%
Ice Traction 1st 4.14 s 100%
Ice Handling 2nd 52.64 s 51.35 s +1.29 s 97.55%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
2nd

Michelin X Ice North 4

225/50 R17
Michelin X Ice North 4
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 4th 46.7 M 43 M +3.7 M 92.08%
Subj. Dry Handling 1st 5 Points 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 5th 31 M 28.8 M +2.2 M 92.9%
Wet Handling 7th 44.37 s 43.18 s +1.19 s 97.32%
Straight Aqua 6th 58.1 Km/H 62.2 Km/H -4.1 Km/H 93.41%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 3rd 17.9 M 16.7 M +1.2 M 93.3%
Snow Traction 3rd 4.17 s 4.05 s +0.12 s 97.12%
Snow Handling 3rd 86.49 s 83.75 s +2.74 s 96.83%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 2nd 9.42 M 8.67 M +0.75 M 92.04%
Ice Traction 3rd 4.51 s 4.14 s +0.37 s 91.8%
Ice Handling 3rd 52.89 s 51.35 s +1.54 s 97.09%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
3rd

Continental VikingContact 7

225/50 R17
Continental VikingContact 7
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 1st 43 M 100%
Subj. Dry Handling 6th 2 Points 5 Points -3 Points 40%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 5th 31 M 28.8 M +2.2 M 92.9%
Wet Handling 8th 45.65 s 43.18 s +2.47 s 94.59%
Straight Aqua 8th 57 Km/H 62.2 Km/H -5.2 Km/H 91.64%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 1st 16.7 M 100%
Snow Traction 1st 4.05 s 100%
Snow Handling 2nd 85.59 s 83.75 s +1.84 s 97.85%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 4th 10.64 M 8.67 M +1.97 M 81.48%
Ice Traction 7th 5.16 s 4.14 s +1.02 s 80.23%
Ice Handling 1st 51.35 s 100%
Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £205.99 Results Table Test Charts
4th

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9

225/50 R17
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 5th 47.1 M 43 M +4.1 M 91.3%
Subj. Dry Handling 4th 3 Points 5 Points -2 Points 60%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 3rd 29.9 M 28.8 M +1.1 M 96.32%
Wet Handling 1st 43.18 s 100%
Straight Aqua 7th 57.5 Km/H 62.2 Km/H -4.7 Km/H 92.44%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 4th 18 M 16.7 M +1.3 M 92.78%
Snow Traction 5th 4.23 s 4.05 s +0.18 s 95.74%
Snow Handling 4th 87.54 s 83.75 s +3.79 s 95.67%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 3rd 9.68 M 8.67 M +1.01 M 89.57%
Ice Traction 2nd 4.27 s 4.14 s +0.13 s 96.96%
Ice Handling 4th 53.92 s 51.35 s +2.57 s 95.23%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
5th

Hankook Winter i pike RS2

225/50 R17
Hankook Winter i pike RS2
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 6th 47.8 M 43 M +4.8 M 89.96%
Subj. Dry Handling 4th 3 Points 5 Points -2 Points 60%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 8th 31.4 M 28.8 M +2.6 M 91.72%
Wet Handling 4th 43.71 s 43.18 s +0.53 s 98.79%
Straight Aqua 1st 62.2 Km/H 100%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 6th 18.1 M 16.7 M +1.4 M 92.27%
Snow Traction 6th 4.27 s 4.05 s +0.22 s 94.85%
Snow Handling 5th 87.93 s 83.75 s +4.18 s 95.25%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 7th 10.97 M 8.67 M +2.3 M 79.03%
Ice Traction 5th 4.94 s 4.14 s +0.8 s 83.81%
Ice Handling 5th 55.52 s 51.35 s +4.17 s 92.49%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
6th

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic

225/50 R17
Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 3rd 46.2 M 43 M +3.2 M 93.07%
Subj. Dry Handling 2nd 4 Points 5 Points -1 Points 80%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 2nd 29.8 M 28.8 M +1 M 96.64%
Wet Handling 2nd 43.59 s 43.18 s +0.41 s 99.06%
Straight Aqua 2nd 60.9 Km/H 62.2 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 97.91%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 4th 18 M 16.7 M +1.3 M 92.78%
Snow Traction 4th 4.2 s 4.05 s +0.15 s 96.43%
Snow Handling 7th 89.15 s 83.75 s +5.4 s 93.94%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 5th 10.87 M 8.67 M +2.2 M 79.76%
Ice Traction 6th 5.03 s 4.14 s +0.89 s 82.31%
Ice Handling 7th 56.63 s 51.35 s +5.28 s 90.68%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
7th

Bridgestone Noranza 001

225/50 R17
Bridgestone Noranza 001
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 7th 48 M 43 M +5 M 89.58%
Subj. Dry Handling 2nd 4 Points 5 Points -1 Points 80%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 4th 30.8 M 28.8 M +2 M 93.51%
Wet Handling 3rd 43.64 s 43.18 s +0.46 s 98.95%
Straight Aqua 5th 58.2 Km/H 62.2 Km/H -4 Km/H 93.57%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 7th 18.4 M 16.7 M +1.7 M 90.76%
Snow Traction 7th 4.4 s 4.05 s +0.35 s 92.05%
Snow Handling 6th 88.07 s 83.75 s +4.32 s 95.09%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 6th 10.88 M 8.67 M +2.21 M 79.69%
Ice Traction 4th 4.88 s 4.14 s +0.74 s 84.84%
Ice Handling 6th 55.94 s 51.35 s +4.59 s 91.79%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts
8th

Sailun Ice Blazer WST3

225/50 R17
Sailun Ice Blazer WST3
  • 3PMSF: no
Test # Result Best Diff %
Dry Braking 8th 48.2 M 43 M +5.2 M 89.21%
Subj. Dry Handling 6th 2 Points 5 Points -3 Points 40%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Wet Braking 7th 31.3 M 28.8 M +2.5 M 92.01%
Wet Handling 5th 44 s 43.18 s +0.82 s 98.14%
Straight Aqua 4th 58.6 Km/H 62.2 Km/H -3.6 Km/H 94.21%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Snow Braking 8th 19.2 M 16.7 M +2.5 M 86.98%
Snow Traction 8th 4.57 s 4.05 s +0.52 s 88.62%
Snow Handling 8th 93.63 s 83.75 s +9.88 s 89.45%
Test # Result Best Diff %
Ice Braking 8th 13.97 M 8.67 M +5.3 M 62.06%
Ice Traction 8th 6.58 s 4.14 s +2.44 s 62.92%
Ice Handling 8th 60.11 s 51.35 s +8.76 s 85.43%
Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

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