Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 vs Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- TR Score
- 8.9/10
- Owners say
- 73% · 115
- TR Score
- 9.0/10
- Owners say
- 87% · 30
In the 31 independent tests that ran both tires, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 finished ahead 22 times and the Wintrac Pro 8 times, with one level. The Blizzak LM005 had 10.6% lower rolling resistance; the Wintrac Pro stopped 0.8% shorter in the dry.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 for wet-biased winters, frequent rain/slush, and all-round safety with good efficiency. Choose the Vredestein Wintrac Pro if you prioritize lower purchase price, a sportier dry feel, and potentially better tread life in UHP fitments, and your winter is milder with fewer extreme wet days.
Where the Blizzak LM005 is stronger
- Class-leading wet braking and handling; consistent aquaplaning resistance
- Generally strong snow braking/traction with balanced, easy control
- Low rolling resistance versus peers; often best-in-group
Where the Wintrac Pro is stronger
- Competitive dry performance with precise, sporty steering
- Good value: lower purchase price and often better cost per 1000 km
- Solid snow agility and short snow braking in several tests
The bullet points are analysis of the shared tests and of owner reviews; the measured wins in each discipline are in the tables below. Where the two disagree, the figures are right.
Blizzak LM005 vs Wintrac Pro at a glance
| Category | Blizzak LM005 | Gap | Wintrac Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won31 shared tests | 22 | 1 level | 8 |
| Dry50 measurements | 31 | The Blizzak LM005 averaged a 0.9% higher speed on the dry handling course (16 tests) | 18 |
| Wet107 measurements | 90 | The Blizzak LM005 stopped 5.5% shorter in the wet (27 tests) | 14 |
| Snow89 measurements | 50 | The Blizzak LM005 stopped 1.4% shorter on snow (27 tests) | 35 |
| Ice1 measurement | 0 | 1 | |
| Comfort27 measurements | 20 | The Blizzak LM005 was 0.5 dB quieter (22 tests) | 5 |
| Value30 measurements | 25 | The Blizzak LM005 had 10.6% lower rolling resistance (22 tests) | 3 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.9/10 | The Wintrac Pro by 0.1 | 9.0/10 |
| Owner rating115 and 30 reviews | 73% | The Wintrac Pro by 14 points | 87% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 56% | The Wintrac Pro by 37 points | 93% |
| Pricein the 21 tests that listed prices | +11.1% | The Blizzak LM005 was dearer in 20 of 21 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 165 | 98 sizes made in both | 119 |
Wins count every measurement the shared tests recorded for both tires; a tick marks the tire ahead on that line. Subjective driver scores count as wins but are never averaged, because each test uses its own scale.
Head to head in 31 tests, 2019 to 2024
Each row is one published test in which both tires ran on the same car, in the same size, on the same day. The line is the whole field, winner on the left.
Performance profile
24 measurements from the 31 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Blizzak LM005
Wintrac Pro
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
In each test the better of the two figures counts as 100% and the other as its share of it, so a 118 ft stop against 112 ft is 95%; each spoke averages the shared tests that recorded it. The scale stops at 92%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 6 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Blizzak LM005
Wintrac Pro
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
Where owners rate each higher
Blizzak LM005
Not ahead in any category
Wintrac Pro
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Blizzak LM005 73% from 115 reviews and the Wintrac Pro 87% from 30. Each spoke is one question owners answer out of 10; reviews are vetted by hand before publication.
Every measurement, side by side
Averages of the figures both tires posted in the same tests. The gap is the average of each test's own gap, so figures from different cars and years are never mixed. Open a discipline for its measurements, and a measurement for every test's figure.
Braking distances and lap times are better when lower; speeds, wear and grip figures when higher. A test's figures are its own: sizes, cars, surfaces and temperatures differ from one to the next, which is why the averages here are only ever of tests the two tires shared. "Scored" rows are subjective driver ratings: each test uses its own scale, so only the wins are counted.
Scores beyond the shared tests
On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Blizzak LM005 scores 8.9 and the Wintrac Pro 9 out of 10.
| Blizzak LM005 | Category | Wintrac Pro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79 | Dry | 67 | ||
| 99 | Wet | 86 | ||
| 64 | Comfort | 33 | ||
| 43 | Value | 29 | ||
| 66 | Snow | 58 | ||
| 13 | Ice | 67 | ||
Category scores are percentiles among tires of the same season and class: 90 means this tire out-performs 90% of them, measured across every test we hold, not only the ones it appeared in.
What owners say
| Blizzak LM005 | Category | Wintrac Pro | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.8 | Dry Grip | 8.9 | ||
| 8.4 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 7.5 | Road Feedback | 8.5 | ||
| 7.3 | Handling | 8.2 | ||
| 5.9 | Wear | 8.7 | ||
| 7.5 | Comfort | 8.7 | ||
| 7.4 | Snow Grip | 8.8 | ||
| 6.3 | Ice Grip | 8.1 | ||
Owners rate the Blizzak LM005 73% from 115 reviews and the Wintrac Pro 87% from 30. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Bridgestone Blizzak LM005
- 73%from 115 reviews
- 56%would buy again
- 1,170,613 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners most consistently praise the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 for strong wet-road performance, with around half highlighting secure wet grip and only a handful disagreeing. Dry grip is also commonly rated better than expected for a winter tire, while opinion on snow traction is far more mixed, splitting owners almost evenly depending on conditions and expectations. The biggest drawback is durability: around two in five owners report fast wear (often with performance dropping as the tire ages), and roughly three in ten mention noticeable road noise, with a smaller group also finding it weak on ice.
- Very strong wet grip and confidence in heavy rain
- Impressive dry grip for a winter tire
- Comfortable, compliant ride
- Secure and predictable wet handling
- Fast tread wear and short overall life
- Grip drops off noticeably as the tire wears
- Uneven/abnormal wear reported by some owners
Summarised by AI from 102 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 115 Blizzak LM005 reviewsOverall very good tires for snow. I have a heavy vehicle with big tires (20 inch on sedan). Very good snow and ice grip. However they are quite noisy in the cabin despite BMW insulation.
Vredestein Wintrac Pro
- 87%from 30 reviews
- 93%would buy again
- 226,700 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers report the Vredestein Wintrac Pro is a highly confidence-inspiring winter tire with standout wet-road grip and surprisingly sporty, summer-like steering feel and stability in cold dry conditions. Most users also praise strong traction and braking in snow/slush, along with good comfort, low noise for the category, and impressive tread life/value over multiple seasons. A smaller subset note higher fuel consumption/rolling resistance and that the tire can need some warm-up or a short bedding-in period to deliver its best grip.
- Strong wet grip and braking (good aquaplaning resistance)
- Stable, predictable handling with good steering feedback (sporty/summer-like feel)
- Very capable snow and slush traction and confidence
- Good comfort and generally quiet for a winter/UHP tire
- Higher fuel consumption / rolling resistance than some alternatives
- Needs some warm-up or short bedding-in to reach best grip
Summarised by AI from 28 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 30 Wintrac Pro reviewsVery good tires for winter. Used in upstate New York from November to April. Great grip even in -15 F. Started to get a little vague when it was dry around 65F.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 165 sizes of the Blizzak LM005 and 119 of the Wintrac Pro, 98 of them made in both.
| Category | Blizzak LM005 | Wintrac Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 165 sizes, 14 to 22 inch | 119 sizes, 17 to 22 inch |
| Made in both | 98 sizes 205/45 R17205/50 R17205/55 R17205/60 R17215/40 R17215/45 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17215/60 R17215/65 R17225/45 R17225/50 R17and 86 more | |
| EU label wet grip | A88%B12% | B98%A2%C1% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C80%B19%D1% | D47%C46%E5%B1% |
| EU label noise | 70-75 dB B99%A1% | 70-74 dB B100% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 360 of 360 | 253 of 253 |
| On the market since | 2019 | 2018 |
| Replaced | Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO (2017) | Vredestein Wintrac xtreme S (2015) |
| Replaced by | Bridgestone Blizzak 6 | - |
| Awards | Commended: Best Winter SUV Tires (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: Winter Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2023) Winner: Winter Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2022) Winner: Winter Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2021) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The Blizzak LM005 was the dearer tire in 20 of the 21 tests that listed prices, by 11.1% on average. Each test priced the tires in its own market at the time; only the gap is comparable. | |
Label grades are shown as the share of registered sizes carrying each grade, so "B (88%), C (12%)" means most sizes are B. Grades vary by size; check the label for yours.
Reading the results
Written from the test results and owner reviews above. It is analysis, not a measurement: where it and the tables disagree, the tables are right.
This matchup pits two strong winter options with different missions: Bridgestone's Blizzak LM005, a premium-touring winter tire renowned for wet-road mastery, versus Vredestein's Wintrac Pro, an ultra-high-performance winter tire that leans into sporty feel and value. Across 31 shared tests, the LM005 repeatedly set the benchmark in the wet while remaining competent on snow and comfortable day to day. The Wintrac Pro often countered with keener dry performance, competitive snow agility, and a consistently lower purchase price.
Recent tests underline the pattern. The LM005 frequently tops overall rankings thanks to class-leading wet braking/handling and strong aquaplaning resistance. The Wintrac Pro sprinkles in test wins and podiums by offering precise steering on dry roads, solid snow dynamics, and standout value and wear in certain UHP sizes. The trade-offs? Bridgestone can run long in dry braking and shows variable wear in some tests; Vredestein gives up notable wet braking distance and rolling efficiency to the Bridgestone.
Conclusion
If your winter driving regularly includes heavy rain, slush, or standing water, the Blizzak LM005 is the safer, more rounded choice. It dominates wet braking (often by 7-14%), leads wet handling and aquaplaning in most tests, and is usually at least good on snow, which repeatedly drives overall test wins. Its main compromise is longer dry braking versus the best, and wear that can be average to high depending on size/test.
The Wintrac Pro suits drivers prioritizing price-to-performance, sportier dry feel, and in some sizes, better tread life. It can edge the LM005 in dry braking and occasionally in snow agility, but it typically trails by meaningful margins in wet braking and aquaplaning and has higher rolling resistance. For milder winters with fewer wet extremes, or where budget and longevity matter more, it's a compelling alternative.
Blizzak LM005 vs Wintrac Pro: your questions
Is the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 or the Vredestein Wintrac Pro the better tire?
In the 31 independent tests that ran both tires, the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 finished ahead 22 times and the Wintrac Pro 8 times, with one level. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Blizzak LM005 scores 8.9 and the Wintrac Pro 9 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Blizzak LM005 or the Wintrac Pro?
The Blizzak LM005 led 90 of the 107 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.5% shorter in the wet across 27 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Blizzak LM005 led 31 of the 50 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it averaged a 0.9% higher speed on the dry handling course across 16 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Blizzak LM005 led 50 of the 89 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 1.4% shorter on snow across 27 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Blizzak LM005 lasted 15.3% longer in the wear tests (6 tests) and had 10.6% lower rolling resistance (22 tests). Owners rate wear 5.9/10 for the Blizzak LM005 and 8.7/10 for the Wintrac Pro.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Blizzak LM005 was 0.5 dB quieter (22 tests). Owners rate comfort 7.5/10 for the Blizzak LM005 and 8.7/10 for the Wintrac Pro.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Blizzak LM005 73% from 115 reviews and the Wintrac Pro 87% from 30. 56% of Blizzak LM005 owners would buy it again, against 93% for the Wintrac Pro.
Which is more expensive?
In the 21 tests that listed prices, the Blizzak LM005 was the dearer tire in 20 of them, by 11.1% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Blizzak LM005 is made in 165 sizes (14 to 22 inch) and the Wintrac Pro in 119 (17 to 22 inch). 98 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Blizzak LM005 is graded A for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Wintrac Pro B and D.
Which is the newer tire?
The Blizzak LM005 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2019, the Wintrac Pro in 2018. The Blizzak LM005 replaced the Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 EVO. The Wintrac Pro replaced the Vredestein Wintrac xtreme S.
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Run either of these?
Your review is the part of this page no test can supply: how the tire wore, how it aged, what it was like in the rain in year three. It takes about five minutes.
Where this data comes from
Finishing positions and measurements are transcribed from each published test. A test only counts here when both tires ran in it, so every figure was recorded on the same car, size and day as the one it is compared to.
About the TR Score
The Tire Reviews Score rates each tire out of 10 from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold, so two tires can be compared even before a test has run them together.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tire Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tires independently since 2007.
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