2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test

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 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

1^st

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

[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.

Dry

93.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	5th	31.4 M	29.4 M	+2 M	93.63%

Wet

87.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

97.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Ice Braking	1st	36.4 M			100%
Ice Traction	1st	3.6 s			100%
Ice Handling	1st	54.1 s			100%

Comfort

70%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	8th	7 Points	10 Points	-3 Points	70%

Value

46.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	15th	650	300	+350	46.15%

Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £182.58 Results Table Test Charts

1^st

Continental VikingContact 7

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

[Friction] Very good on ice and snow.

Poor wet performance.

Dry

92.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	13th	31.8 M	29.4 M	+2.4 M	92.45%

Wet

89.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

98.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

77.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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%

Comfort

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	1st	10 Points			100%

Value

50%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	12th	600	300	+300	50%

Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £154.99 Results Table Test Charts

2^nd

Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

[Studded] Best in test on snow, excellent on ice, good handling in all conditions.

Average dry braking.

Dry

92.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	12th	31.7 M	29.4 M	+2.3 M	92.74%

Wet

88.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

99.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

95.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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%

Comfort

70%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	8th	7 Points	10 Points	-3 Points	70%

Value

54.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	8th	550	300	+250	54.55%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

2^nd

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

[Friction] Easy to drive on snow with good levels of grip, good ice performance.

Poor dry performance.

Dry

92.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	13th	31.8 M	29.4 M	+2.4 M	92.45%

Wet

90.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

98.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

75.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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%

Comfort

90%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	2nd	9 Points	10 Points	-1 Points	90%

Value

60%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	7th	500	300	+200	60%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

3^rd

Michelin X Ice North 4

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

[Studded] Best in snow handling, good on ice, good dry braking.

Slow wet handling and long wet braking, expensive.

Dry

94.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	4th	31.1 M	29.4 M	+1.7 M	94.53%

Wet

85%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

99.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

95.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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%

Comfort

70%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	8th	7 Points	10 Points	-3 Points	70%

Value

46.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	15th	650	300	+350	46.15%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

3^rd

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

[Friction] Good in all winter conditions, low rolling resistance.

Poor dry drivability.

Dry

93%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	11th	31.6 M	29.4 M	+2.2 M	93.04%

Wet

91.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

98.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

73.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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%

Comfort

90%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	2nd	9 Points	10 Points	-1 Points	90%

Value

54.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	8th	550	300	+250	54.55%

Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £135.99 Results Table Test Charts

4^th

Pirelli Ice Zero 2

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

[Studded] Best snow traction in test, short dry and wet braking.

Slowest studded tire in ice handling, average wet handling.

Dry

98.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	2nd	29.9 M	29.4 M	+0.5 M	98.33%

Wet

89.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

99%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

88.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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%

Comfort

70%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	8th	7 Points	10 Points	-3 Points	70%

Value

54.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	8th	550	300	+250	54.55%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

4^th

Michelin X Ice Snow

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

[Friction] Very good ice grip, stable driving in all winter conditions.

Poor handling in the dry.

Dry

93.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	31.5 M	29.4 M	+2.1 M	93.33%

Wet

87.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

97%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

76.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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%

Comfort

90%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	2nd	9 Points	10 Points	-1 Points	90%

Value

50%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	12th	600	300	+300	50%

Read Reviews Test Results Buy from £159.99 Results Table Test Charts

5^th

Bridgestone Noranza 001

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

[Studded] Good on ice, short dry braking.

Poor grip in the wet, high noise.

Dry

93.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	31.5 M	29.4 M	+2.1 M	93.33%

Wet

86.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

97.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

95.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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%

Comfort

60%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	13th	6 Points	10 Points	-4 Points	60%

Value

54.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	8th	550	300	+250	54.55%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

5^th

Hankook Winter I cept iZ2 W616

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

[Friction] Good in snow, low rolling resistance.

Poor grip and handling in the dry.

Dry

93.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	31.5 M	29.4 M	+2.1 M	93.33%

Wet

89.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

97%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

69.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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%

Comfort

90%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	2nd	9 Points	10 Points	-1 Points	90%

Value

66.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	5th	450	300	+150	66.67%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

6^th

Continental IceContact 3

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

[Studded] Good on snow and on ice, good wet handling, balanced.

Poor dry handling.

Dry

93.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	31.5 M	29.4 M	+2.1 M	93.33%

Wet

90.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

98.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

91.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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%

Comfort

60%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	13th	6 Points	10 Points	-4 Points	60%

Value

50%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	12th	600	300	+300	50%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

6^th

Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi51

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

[Friction] Good in snow, low rolling resistance.

Poor handling in the dry.

Dry

93.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	6th	31.5 M	29.4 M	+2.1 M	93.33%

Wet

89.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

72.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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%

Comfort

80%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	6th	8 Points	10 Points	-2 Points	80%

Value

75%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	3rd	400	300	+100	75%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

7^th

Hankook Winter i pike RS2

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

[Studded] Good on snow and ice, good wet handling.

Poor in the dry.

Dry

87.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	16th	33.44 M	29.4 M	+4.04 M	87.92%

Wet

88.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

98.5%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

92.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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%

Comfort

60%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	13th	6 Points	10 Points	-4 Points	60%

Value

66.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	5th	450	300	+150	66.67%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

7^th

CST Medallion Winter WCP1

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

[Friction] Very good in the dry and wet.

Very bad in the snow and ice.

Dry

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	1st	29.4 M			100%

Wet

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Wet Braking	1st	28.9 M			100%
Wet Handling	1st	33.5 s			100%

Snow

92.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

63.3%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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%

Comfort

80%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	6th	8 Points	10 Points	-2 Points	80%

Value

100%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	1st	300			100%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

8^th

Kumho WinterCraft Ice

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

[Studded] Good lateral grip on ice.

Poor in the wet, high levels of noise, long dry braking.

Dry

89.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	15th	32.7 M	29.4 M	+3.3 M	89.91%

Wet

84.6%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

97.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

89.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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%

Comfort

50%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	16th	5 Points	10 Points	-5 Points	50%

Value

75%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	3rd	400	300	+100	75%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts

9^th

Westlake IceMaster Spike Z 50

205/55 R16

• 3PMSF: no

[Studded] Good wet grip and dry braking.

Poor driveability in the dry, very weak in the snow and on ice.

Dry

94.8%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Dry Braking	3rd	31 M	29.4 M	+1.6 M	94.84%

Wet

90.4%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

95.9%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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

85.2%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
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%

Comfort

70%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Subj. Noise	8th	7 Points	10 Points	-3 Points	70%

Value

85.7%

Test	#	Result	Best	Diff	%
Price	2nd	350	300	+50	85.71%

Read Reviews Test Results Results Table Test Charts