Continental WinterContact TS 870 P vs Kleber Krisalp HP3
- TR Score
- 9.3/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 33
- TR Score
- 8.1/10
- Owners say
- 84% · 36
In the 11 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P finished ahead 9 times and the Krisalp HP3 twice. The WinterContact TS 870 P stopped 5.2% shorter in the wet; the Krisalp HP3 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 2.5% higher speed.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Choose the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P if your winter driving is mostly cold wet tarmac with intermittent snow-its across-the-board wet braking dominance and stronger dry dynamics make it the safer, more complete choice. Choose the Kleber Krisalp HP3 if you regularly face sustained snow-covered roads and want strong snow traction/braking at a better value point, but accept that wet braking and on-road sharpness are the main compromises.
Where the WinterContact TS 870 P is stronger
- Class-leading wet safety in this comparison (wet braking wins 10/10; up to ~11.5% shorter wet stops in the 2026 mega-test: 33.9 m vs 38.3 m)
- More confidence and control on clear winter roads (wins dry braking and dry handling across all shared tests; notably stronger subjective dry/wet ratings in sport auto)
- Balanced performance with few true weak chapters; often near the top overall (e.g., 2/50 in 2026 braking mega-test; 1/9 sport auto; multiple top-10 finishes)
Where the Krisalp HP3 is stronger
- Strong snow specialist characteristics: wins snow braking (8 wins) and snow traction (5 wins), often by ~3-4% in common sizes (e.g., 28.0 vs 27.1 m)
- Frequently better straight-line aquaplaning resistance (wins 6 tests, including sport auto 82.7 vs 78.5 km/h)
- Often better value metrics (wins value/cost-per-1000 in the tests where reported; typically cheaper to run/buy)
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.
WinterContact TS 870 P vs Krisalp HP3 at a glance
| Category | WinterContact TS 870 P | Gap | Krisalp HP3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won11 shared tests | 9 | 2 | |
| Dry13 measurements | 13 | The WinterContact TS 870 P stopped 3.9% shorter in the dry (7 tests) | 0 |
| Wet38 measurements | 29 | The WinterContact TS 870 P stopped 5.2% shorter in the wet (11 tests) | 9 |
| Snow29 measurements | 3 | The Krisalp HP3 stopped 2.4% shorter on snow (11 tests) | 23 |
| Ice2 measurements | 1 | Level between the two. | 1 |
| Comfort10 measurements | 8 | 2 | |
| Value15 measurements | 9 | The WinterContact TS 870 P had 6% lower rolling resistance (5 tests) | 4 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 9.3/10 | The WinterContact TS 870 P by 1.2 | 8.1/10 |
| Owner rating33 and 36 reviews | 85% | Too close to call | 84% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 83% | The WinterContact TS 870 P by 12 points | 71% |
| Pricein the 7 tests that listed prices | +29.9% | The WinterContact TS 870 P was dearer in 7 of 7 | Cheaper |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 121 | 39 sizes made in both | 75 |
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, 2022 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 | WinterContact TS 870 P | Field | Krisalp HP3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P1 of 20 | P5 of 20 | |
| 2026 Winter Tire Braking Test - 50 Sets | P2 of 50 | P7 of 50 | |
| 2026 Sport Auto Winter Tire Test | P1 of 9 | P8 of 9 | |
| 2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test | P7 of 20 | P14 of 20 | |
| 2025 Winter Tire Braking Test - 52 Sets! | P13 of 51 | P12 of 51 | |
| 2025 ADAC Winter Tire Test | P6 of 31 | P7 of 31 | |
| 2023 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P3 of 20 | P11 of 20 | |
| 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test | P4 of 16 | P10 of 16 | |
| 2023 Winter Tire Test 54 Set Braking Test | P7 of 54 | P4 of 54 | |
| 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P8 of 20 | P11 of 20 | |
| 2022 Winter Tire Market Overview | P2 of 56 | P16 of 56 |
Performance profile
20 measurements from the 11 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
WinterContact TS 870 P
Krisalp HP3
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 94%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 3 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
WinterContact TS 870 P
Krisalp HP3
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
WinterContact TS 870 P
Krisalp HP3
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 P 85% from 33 reviews and the Krisalp HP3 84% from 36. 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 | WinterContact TS 870 P | Gap | Krisalp HP3 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 142 | 3.9% | 148 | 7-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 72.7 | 2.4% | 71 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 44.8% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 137 | 5.2% | 145 | 11-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 127 | 4.7% | 133 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 49.6 | 3.5% | 47.9 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 50% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.9 | 4.1% | 11.5 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.36 | 2.3% | 12.65 | 4-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 51.2 | 2.5% | 52.5 | 0-7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 9.3 | 2.2% | 9.1 | 5-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 81 | 2.4% | 79 | 0-9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 440 | 2.2% | 449 | 1-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 39.5 | 0.4% | 39.6 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 25% | scored | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.3 | 1.3% | 11.5 | 0-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 63 | 0.2% | 63 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| scored | 22.5% | scored | 3-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70.31 | 0.1 dB | 70.43 | 5-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 26,651 | 2% | 27,152 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7.93 | 6% | 8.45 | 4-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.65 | 0.9% | 5.7 | 1-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 65.5 | 7.4% | 60 | 1-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 WinterContact TS 870 P scores 9.3 and the Krisalp HP3 8.1 out of 10.
| WinterContact TS 870 P | Category | Krisalp HP3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | Dry | 34 | ||
| 92 | Wet | 72 | ||
| 77 | Comfort | 55 | ||
| 76 | Value | 51 | ||
| 73 | Snow | 90 | ||
| 30 | Ice | 20 | ||
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
| WinterContact TS 870 P | Category | Krisalp HP3 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.6 | Dry Grip | 8.5 | ||
| 9 | Wet Grip | 8.5 | ||
| 8.1 | Road Feedback | 8.2 | ||
| 8.7 | Handling | 8.1 | ||
| 8.7 | Wear | 8.4 | ||
| 8.9 | Comfort | 8.8 | ||
| 8.7 | Snow Grip | 8.9 | ||
| 7.8 | Ice Grip | 8 | ||
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 P 85% from 33 reviews and the Krisalp HP3 84% from 36. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
Continental WinterContact TS 870 P
- 85%from 33 reviews
- 83%would buy again
- 294,700 milesdriven by reviewers
Across 26 owner reviews averaging 85.8%, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is most consistently praised for strong, confidence-inspiring grip in both the wet and the dry, often paired with a notably quiet, comfortable ride. Many owners also report good longevity for a winter tire, with several noting healthy tread remaining after substantial mileage. Winter performance is generally rated as capable, but a meaningful minority (around two in five of those mentioning it) found snow traction lacking, and opinions are split on ice grip and steering feel; a small number also note it can feel softer when temperatures rise.
- Strong wet grip and confident wet cornering
- Strong dry grip with secure traction
- Noticeably quiet on the road
- Comfortable, supple ride quality
- Snow traction not as strong as expected for some drivers
- Ice grip is inconsistent depending on conditions
- Steering feel not the sharpest
Summarised by AI from 26 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 33 WinterContact TS 870 P reviewsI've driven the tires in the winter, but on roads devoid of snow and ice so I can't comment on that. They made me feel very secure, however, I have to say that they are far too sporty for my driving style and needs. They carry a lot of responsibility for my decision to buy the car, as they are very comfortable, quiet and make the car feel very surefooted and responsive in the dry and in the wet.
There is one gripe, though, they have absolutely no rim protection, so I blame them for all the scratching on my wheels. I would expect more from a tire of this class from a reputable brand, and, honestly, it is a strong enough reason (albeit the only one) for me not to buy them again. In every other aspect they are brilliant, they even equal summer tires in fuel consumption.
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.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 121 sizes of the WinterContact TS 870 P and 75 of the Krisalp HP3, 39 of them made in both.
| Category | WinterContact TS 870 P | Krisalp HP3 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 121 sizes, 16 to 23 inch | 75 sizes, 14 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 39 sizes 205/60 R16215/60 R16215/65 R16225/55 R16225/60 R16205/45 R17205/50 R17205/55 R17215/50 R17215/55 R17215/60 R17215/65 R17and 27 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B99%C1% | B90%C10% |
| EU label rolling resistance | C62%B37%D1% | D50%C48%B2% |
| EU label noise | 70-75 dB B100% | 68-71 dB A81%B19% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 221 of 221 | 112 of 112 |
| On the market since | - | 2016 |
| Replaced | Continental WinterContact TS 860 S (2017) | Kleber Krisalp HP2 (2013) |
| Replaced by | Continental WinterContact 8 S | - |
| Awards | Highly Recommended: Best Winter SUV Tire (DriverReviews, 2025/26) Winner: Best Winter SUV Tires (DriverReviews, 2024/25) Winner: Winter Tire of the Year (WhatTire, 2024) | - |
| Price in the shared tests | The WinterContact TS 870 P was the dearer tire in 7 of the 7 tests that listed prices, by 29.9% 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 is a classic “premium all-rounder vs snow-specialist value tire” matchup. The Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is positioned as an ultra-high-performance winter tire, aimed at drivers who still want crisp dry/wet behavior and high safety margins when roads are merely cold and wet (the most common winter reality in much of Europe). The Kleber Krisalp HP3, a touring winter tire, repeatedly shows a clear bias toward deep-winter grip and a lower cost-per-kilometer.
Across 10 shared professional tests, the story is remarkably consistent: the Continental dominates wet (especially braking) and is usually ahead on dry handling/braking, while the Kleber repeatedly claws back points on snow traction/braking and often leads in straight-line aquaplaning. The key question for buyers is whether your winter is mostly wet tarmac with occasional snow (where the Continental's balance pays off), or regularly snow-covered/packed roads (where the Kleber's winter bite can be reassuring-if you accept compromises elsewhere).
Conclusion
On the evidence of the shared tests, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P is the more complete and generally safer winter tire for mixed European winter use. It wins 8 of the 10 overall comparisons and sweeps wet braking 10-0, with some genuinely meaningful gaps when it matters: in the 2026 braking mega-test the Continental stopped in 33.9 m vs 38.3 m for the Kleber on wet (+11.5% in Continental's favor), and in sport auto it again led wet braking 32.2 m vs 35.4 m (+9.0%). Add consistently stronger dry behavior (e.g., sport auto dry handling 120.4 vs 116.5 km/h, plus much higher subjective confidence) and better efficiency metrics (rolling resistance wins 4-0; ADAC fuel 5.6 vs 5.7 l/100 km), and the Continental is the better “one set for everything” choice.
The Kleber Krisalp HP3's case is clear too: it is repeatedly one of the best on snow and often wins snow braking (8 wins) and snow traction (5 wins), and it frequently resists straight aquaplaning better (6 wins). In several Auto Bild/ADAC datasets it's the snow/ice-leaning option, sometimes even beating the Continental in pure snow braking by ~3-4% (e.g., 28.0 vs 27.1 m in multiple 225/40 R18 results). The trade-off is that its wet braking and on-road precision can drag its overall score down sharply (sport auto penalised it heavily for wet braking; it placed 8/9 while the Continental won 1/9). Bottom line: if you mostly drive cold wet motorways, cities and B-roads, the Continental's wet-stop advantage is the defining safety takeaway; if you live where roads stay snow-covered and budget/value is central, the Kleber can be justified as a snow-first tool-but it's a more conditional recommendation.
WinterContact TS 870 P vs Krisalp HP3: your questions
Is the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P or the Kleber Krisalp HP3 the better tire?
In the 11 independent tests that ran both tires, the Continental WinterContact TS 870 P finished ahead 9 times and the Krisalp HP3 twice. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the WinterContact TS 870 P scores 9.3 and the Krisalp HP3 8.1 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the WinterContact TS 870 P or the Krisalp HP3?
The WinterContact TS 870 P led 29 of the 38 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 5.2% shorter in the wet across 11 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The WinterContact TS 870 P led 13 of the 13 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.9% shorter in the dry across 7 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The Krisalp HP3 led 23 of the 29 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 2.4% shorter on snow across 11 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The WinterContact TS 870 P lasted 2% longer in the wear tests (6 tests), had 6% lower rolling resistance (5 tests) and used 0.9% less fuel (2 tests). Owners rate wear 8.7/10 for the WinterContact TS 870 P and 8.4/10 for the Krisalp HP3.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 8.9/10 for the WinterContact TS 870 P and 8.8/10 for the Krisalp HP3.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the WinterContact TS 870 P 85% from 33 reviews and the Krisalp HP3 84% from 36. 83% of WinterContact TS 870 P owners would buy it again, against 71% for the Krisalp HP3.
Which is more expensive?
In the 7 tests that listed prices, the WinterContact TS 870 P was the dearer tire in 7 of them, by 29.9% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The WinterContact TS 870 P is made in 121 sizes (16 to 23 inch) and the Krisalp HP3 in 75 (14 to 20 inch). 39 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the WinterContact TS 870 P is graded B for wet grip and C for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Krisalp HP3 B and D.
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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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