Kleber Krisalp HP3 vs Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
- TR Score
- 8.1/10
- Owners say
- 84% · 36
- TR Score
- 9.5/10
- Owners say
- 87% · 33
In the 11 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 11 times and the Krisalp HP3 not once. The Krisalp HP3 held 11.9% more grip in curved aquaplaning; the Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 13.9% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Pick the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 if you want the most consistent winter tire across wet and dry roads, with strong braking and very good wear. Pick the Kleber Krisalp HP3 if you drive in consistently wet, slushy conditions and value aquaplaning resistance and occasional snow-specialist strengths, but can accept weaker wet and dry braking and handling.
Where the Krisalp HP3 is stronger
- Strong aquaplaning resistance, especially in bends, in Auto Bild 2025 and 2023 and also good straight-line aquaplaning in Auto Bild and ADAC 2025
- Can be very competitive on snow, with class-leading snow braking and traction in Auto Bild 2025 and the shortest snow braking in the 2025 braking test
- Often comes out better on the cost metrics where tested, beating Michelin on the value measure in Auto Bild 2025, 2023 and 2020
Where the Pilot Alpin 5 is stronger
- Consistently shorter wet braking distances, typically around 6 to 8% ahead of Kleber in the 2020, 2025 and 2026 braking tests and in ADAC 2025
- Stronger dry road safety, with clearly shorter dry braking and better dry handling in Auto Bild 2025 and ADAC 2025
- Very strong longevity in the tests that measure it, with much higher predicted mileage and lower wear than Kleber in ADAC 2025 and higher mileage in Auto Bild 2023 and 2025
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.
Krisalp HP3 vs Pilot Alpin 5 at a glance
| Category | Krisalp HP3 | Gap | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won11 shared tests | 0 | 11 | |
| Dry9 measurements | 0 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 6.6% shorter in the dry (5 tests) | 9 |
| Wet26 measurements | 9 | The Pilot Alpin 5 stopped 6.2% shorter in the wet (9 tests) | 17 |
| Snow21 measurements | 11 | 9 | |
| Ice1 measurement | 0 | 1 | |
| Comfort7 measurements | 1 | The Pilot Alpin 5 was 0.5 dB quieter (5 tests) | 6 |
| Value11 measurements | 3 | The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 13.9% longer in the wear tests (5 tests) | 8 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.1/10 | The Pilot Alpin 5 by 1.4 | 9.5/10 |
| Owner rating36 and 33 reviews | 84% | The Pilot Alpin 5 by 3 points | 87% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 71% | The Pilot Alpin 5 by 13 points | 84% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Pilot Alpin 5 was dearer in 5 of 5 | +23% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 75 | 25 sizes made in both | 81 |
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 11 tests, 2020 to 2026
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.
| Test | Krisalp HP3 | Field | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P5 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2026 Winter Tire Braking Test - 50 Sets | P7 of 50 | P3 of 50 | |
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test | P14 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2025 Winter Tire Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P12 of 51 | P2 of 51 | |
| 2025 ADAC Winter Tire Test | P7 of 31 | P2 of 31 | |
| 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P11 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2023 Winter Tire Test 54 Set Braking Test | P4 of 54 | P2 of 54 | |
| The Best Winter Tires for 2020 | P4 of 19 | P2 of 19 | |
| 2020 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 235/55 R17 | P8 of 13 | P1 of 13 | |
| 2020 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tire Test | P4 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2020 Winter Tire Market Overview - 52 Tire Braking Test | P8 of 51 | P2 of 51 |
Performance profile
15 measurements from the 11 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
Krisalp HP3
Pilot Alpin 5
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. 5 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
Krisalp HP3
Not ahead in any category
Pilot Alpin 5
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
Krisalp HP3
Pilot Alpin 5
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the Krisalp HP3 84% from 36 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 33. 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.
| Measurement | Krisalp HP3 | Gap | Pilot Alpin 5 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 148 | 6.6% | 138 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 68.7 | 1.9% | 70 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 147 | 6.2% | 138 | 0-9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 134 | 9.3% | 121 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 48.6 | 3.9% | 50.5 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.8 | 8.3% | 5.4 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.65 | 2.6% | 12.32 | 0-3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 53.5 | 2.7% | 52 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.3 | 11.9% | 7.4 | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 84 | 0.3% | 84 | 4-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 603 | 5.3% | 630 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 36.8 | 0.3% | 37 | 2-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 10.8 | 2.7% | 10.5 | 2-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 55 | 3% | 53 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 11.8% | scored | 0-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70.28 | 0.5 dB | 69.78 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 28,461 | 13.9% | 32,315 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.44 | 1.4% | 8.32 | 2-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.7 | 1.7% | 5.8 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 64 | 21.9% | 50 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 Krisalp HP3 scores 8.1 and the Pilot Alpin 5 9.5 out of 10.
| Krisalp HP3 | Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | Dry | 99 | ||
| 72 | Wet | 90 | ||
| 55 | Comfort | 89 | ||
| 51 | Value | 59 | ||
| 90 | Snow | 92 | ||
| 20 | Ice | 80 | ||
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
| Krisalp HP3 | Category | Pilot Alpin 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.5 | Dry Grip | 9 | ||
| 8.5 | Wet Grip | 9 | ||
| 8.2 | Road Feedback | 8.8 | ||
| 8.1 | Handling | 8.9 | ||
| 8.4 | Wear | 9 | ||
| 8.8 | Comfort | 8.3 | ||
| 8.9 | Snow Grip | 9 | ||
| 8 | Ice Grip | 8 | ||
Owners rate the Krisalp HP3 84% from 36 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 33. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Kleber Krisalp HP3
- 84%from 36 reviews
- 71%would buy again
- 459,168 milesdriven by reviewers
Most drivers rate the Kleber Krisalp HP3 highly, praising its strong snow and wet performance, low noise/comfort for a winter tire, and decent wear/value. Dry grip and handling precision are adequate for normal driving but can feel soft with noticeable understeer if pushed; several users report a 'jelly/boat-like' feel. A minority mention noise at certain speeds, vibration/manufacturing issues in specific batches, and weaker performance on ice or slush at higher speeds. Overall sentiment is positive with safety and winter capability as standout strengths.
- snow traction and braking
- wet grip and aquaplaning resistance
- low noise/comfort for a winter tire
- good wear and value
- soft sidewalls/boat-like feel; weak handling precision when pushed
- dry grip/cornering weaker vs summer tires
- ice/slush performance can be limited at higher speeds
Summarised by AI from 26 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 36 Krisalp HP3 reviewsGreat snow and ice grip, much better than any winter tire i had before.
Good durability as well. Dry grip is fine, wet grip not as much and must be kept in mind. Not very noisy for a winter tire either. Would buy again if they are on discount.
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
- 87%from 33 reviews
- 84%would buy again
- 357,850 milesdriven by reviewers
Owners rate the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 highly overall (average 82.7%), with the clearest consensus around strong snow traction and unusually capable dry-road performance for a winter tire. Wet grip also earns plenty of praise, and a smaller group highlights sharp steering feel and secure snow handling. Complaints are more mixed, but around a quarter of owners mention either firmer-than-expected ride comfort or disappointing ice performance, and a smaller minority report noticeable road noise and weak slush behavior.
- Strong snow traction and confidence in winter conditions
- Outstanding dry grip for a winter tire
- Very good wet grip
- Secure, sporty handling on dry roads
- Ice grip can be poor and unpredictable for some
- Firm or bumpy ride comfort for a winter tire
- Noticeable road noise at speed
Summarised by AI from 27 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 33 Pilot Alpin 5 reviewsGreat tire, i replaced my GY Ultragrip performance 3 with this and i can say they are even better on snow than GY. Where Michelin lacks to GY is on wet. I find goodyear a bit better on wet surfaces but both tires are excepional.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 75 sizes of the Krisalp HP3 and 81 of the Pilot Alpin 5, 25 of them made in both.
| Category | Krisalp HP3 | Pilot Alpin 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 75 sizes, 14 to 20 inch | 81 sizes, 16 to 23 inch |
| Made in both | 25 sizes 205/60 R16215/65 R16225/50 R17235/45 R17235/55 R17245/45 R17215/50 R18215/55 R18225/40 R18225/45 R18225/50 R18225/55 R18and 13 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B90%C10% | B58%C40%D2% |
| EU label rolling resistance | D50%C48%B2% | C60%D30%B9% |
| EU label noise | 68-71 dB A81%B19% | 68-75 dB B70%A30% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 112 of 112 | 96 of 96 |
| On the market since | 2016 | 2017 |
| Replaced | Kleber Krisalp HP2 (2013) | Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 (2012) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tire in 5 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 23% 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.
These two winter tires have been compared directly in 10 independent tests, including Auto Bild (2020, 2023, 2025), ADAC (2020, 2025) and several large multi-tire braking tests (2020, 2023, 2025, 2026). Across those shared tests the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finishes ahead overall every time, typically by a clear margin.
The pattern is consistent, Michelin is the more complete winter tire, especially on wet and dry roads, while the Kleber Krisalp HP3 most often makes its case in specific winter disciplines, particularly aquaplaning resistance and, in some tests, braking and traction on snow.
Conclusion
Looking across the shared results, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 is the safer all-rounder. In Auto Bild's 2025 winter tire test it led the Kleber by about 10% in dry braking and about 8% in wet braking, and that wet braking advantage repeats in the braking-only tests too, around 6 to 8% shorter in 2020, 2025 and 2026. ADAC's 2025 test backs the same story, Michelin stops about 6% shorter on dry roads and about 8 to 9% shorter on wet, and is rated as having good wet handling, while Kleber is only satisfactory in the wet with earlier understeer.
The Kleber's best counterpunch is standing water and, depending on the test, some snow metrics. In Auto Bild's 2025 and 2023 tests it is clearly better for aquaplaning, around 2 to 4% higher speed in straight-line aquaplaning and roughly 10 to 13% stronger in the curved aquaplaning measure. On snow, results are more mixed than the overall placings suggest. Kleber beats Michelin for snow braking in Auto Bild 2025 (about 2.5%) and in the 2025 and 2026 braking tests it is essentially level, but Michelin edges it in other snow braking runs, and Michelin's snow traction ranges from narrowly behind (Auto Bild 2025) to massively ahead (Auto Bild Performance 2020, about 31%).
Where the Michelin is most convincing is consistency and longevity. It is repeatedly near the top for handling and braking on clear winter roads, and wear is a strong point, for example ADAC 2025 predicts about 27% more mileage than the Kleber, with similarly large gaps in Auto Bild's 2023 wear figures. Choose the Kleber if your priority is aquaplaning security and you can live with weaker wet and dry braking. Choose the Michelin if you want the most rounded performance profile and the most consistently short stopping distances on wet and dry winter roads.
Krisalp HP3 vs Pilot Alpin 5: your questions
Is the Kleber Krisalp HP3 or the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 the better tire?
In the 11 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 finished ahead 11 times and the Krisalp HP3 not once. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the Krisalp HP3 scores 8.1 and the Pilot Alpin 5 9.5 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the Krisalp HP3 or the Pilot Alpin 5?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 17 of the 26 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 6.2% shorter in the wet across 9 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Pilot Alpin 5 led 9 of the 9 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 6.6% shorter in the dry across 5 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Krisalp HP3 led 11 of the 21 snow measurements the shared tests recorded.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Pilot Alpin 5 lasted 13.9% longer in the wear tests (5 tests). Owners rate wear 8.4/10 for the Krisalp HP3 and 9/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
The Pilot Alpin 5 was 0.5 dB quieter (5 tests). Owners rate comfort 8.8/10 for the Krisalp HP3 and 8.3/10 for the Pilot Alpin 5.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the Krisalp HP3 84% from 36 reviews and the Pilot Alpin 5 87% from 33. 71% of Krisalp HP3 owners would buy it again, against 84% for the Pilot Alpin 5.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the Pilot Alpin 5 was the dearer tire in 5 of them, by 23% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The Krisalp HP3 is made in 75 sizes (14 to 20 inch) and the Pilot Alpin 5 in 81 (16 to 23 inch). 25 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the Krisalp HP3 is graded B for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Pilot Alpin 5 B and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Pilot Alpin 5 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2017, the Krisalp HP3 in 2016. The Krisalp HP3 replaced the Kleber Krisalp HP2. The Pilot Alpin 5 replaced the Michelin Pilot Alpin 4.
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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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