Writing about the
Continental IceContact 3 given
80% (215-55-16-T)
Driving on
a combination of roads for 8500
average miles
I had regular studs
Superb grip on packed snow and ~1 cm of snow on top of the packed snow. Grip on ice is great also tested on lake ice track. One can have fun throwing the car around on ice and tires feel good especially while braking. I felt confident with them on slippery surfaces. When there is around 4-5 cm of snow these tires are too wide and lose contact with hard surface on higher speeds. For those days I wish i had narrower tires but it is not "the tires fault".
Dry and Wer grip is pretty good but unstudded tires could be better for those conditions. Atleast these tires are not able to handle 360Nm of torque (not stock) as well as my previous (old) unstudded tires.
When it gets above freezing these tires feel quite soft under a heavy car. Below freezing the feedback and response is ok for 16" winter tires.
Noisy tires there is no going around that even in fairly quiet car but it does not bother me.
Combined with 55 profile the ride is smooth and comfortable. They also take the worst out of poorly maintained winter roads.
Overall great tires for narrow and windy roads with changing conditions. For warm, dry and wet conditions these tires are overkill and can not really shine in what they are best at even though they are not bad. Go for narrower tire if possible in case you get a lot of soft snow but driving carefully solves that problem too.