BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 vs Michelin Alpin 6
- TR Score
- 8.3/10
- Owners say
- 89% · 30
- TR Score
- 9.1/10
- Owners say
- 85% · 35
In the 14 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Alpin 6 finished ahead 11 times and the gForce Winter 2 3 times. The gForce Winter 2 resisted straight aquaplaning at a 4.2% higher speed; the Alpin 6 lasted 22.8% longer in the wear tests.
Data updated
Which should you buy?
Pick the Michelin Alpin 6 for the most balanced, safest “wet/cold tarmac” winter performance and the longest service life (best for mixed urban/highway winters and higher annual mileage). Choose the BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 if your priority is strong snow capability and high aquaplaning reserves at a lower upfront price-ideal for snowier regions-while accepting that wet braking is consistently behind the Michelin.
Where the gForce Winter 2 is stronger
- Consistently stronger snow braking/handling focus (snow braking wins 10-0; frequent wins in snow handling/slalom)
- Higher aquaplaning safety reserves in straight-line testing (straight aquaplaning wins 6-0; e.g., 83.4 vs 78.5 km/h in Auto Bild 2024)
- Often strong lateral aquaplaning results (multiple wins; e.g., 3.46 vs 3.16 m/s² in Auto Bild 2024)
Where the Alpin 6 is stronger
- Much stronger wet braking consistency (wet braking wins 10-0; e.g., 36.4 vs 39.5 m in ADAC 2023)
- Better dry braking performance across tests (dry braking wins 6-0) and generally more precise, balanced road handling
- Clearly superior predicted mileage/wear (e.g., 50,500 vs 41,330 km in Auto Bild 2024; 53,300 vs 41,700 km in ADAC 2023)
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.
gForce Winter 2 vs Alpin 6 at a glance
| Category | gForce Winter 2 | Gap | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared tests won14 shared tests | 3 | 11 | |
| Dry11 measurements | 1 | The Alpin 6 stopped 3.4% shorter in the dry (6 tests) | 10 |
| Wet30 measurements | 10 | The Alpin 6 stopped 3.9% shorter in the wet (10 tests) | 19 |
| Snow22 measurements | 20 | The gForce Winter 2 stopped 3.2% shorter on snow (10 tests) | 2 |
| Ice1 measurement | 0 | 1 | |
| Comfort6 measurements | 2 | 4 | |
| Value12 measurements | 1 | The Alpin 6 lasted 22.8% longer in the wear tests (5 tests) | 10 |
| Tire Reviews Scoreevery test and review we hold | 8.3/10 | The Alpin 6 by 0.8 | 9.1/10 |
| Owner rating30 and 35 reviews | 89% | The gForce Winter 2 by 4 points | 85% |
| Would buy againshare of owners | 100% | The gForce Winter 2 by 24 points | 76% |
| Pricein the 5 tests that listed prices | Cheaper | The Alpin 6 was dearer in 5 of 5 | +18.5% |
| Sizes madeEU label registrations | 75 | 29 sizes made in both | 42 |
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 14 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.
| Test | gForce Winter 2 | Field | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P9 of 20 | P5 of 20 | |
| 2024 Winter 55 Tire Braking Test | P13 of 55 | P5 of 55 | |
| 2023 ADAC 16 Inch Tire Test | P8 of 16 | P2 of 16 | |
| 2022 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P9 of 20 | P1 of 20 | |
| 2022 Winter Tire Market Overview | P6 of 56 | P3 of 56 | |
| 2022 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 185/65 R15 | P5 of 15 | P4 of 15 | |
| 2021 Auto Bild Winter Tire Test | P11 of 20 | P2 of 20 | |
| 2021 AMS Winter Tire Test | P4 of 10 | P5 of 10 | |
| 2021 ADAC 15 Inch Winter Tire Test | P5 of 16 | P3 of 16 | |
| 2021 Winter Tire Market Overview | P7 of 50 | P12 of 50 | |
| The Best Winter Tires for 2020 | P4 of 19 | P2 of 19 | |
| 2020 ACE Winter Tire Test | P2 of 9 | P5 of 9 | |
| 2019 Auto Bild Winter 17 inch Tire Test | P7 of 20 | P3 of 20 | |
| 2019 Winter Tire Test Market Overview | P7 of 53 | P3 of 53 |
Performance profile
14 measurements from the 14 shared tests, each tire shown as its share of the better figure in every test.
Where each is furthest ahead
gForce Winter 2
Alpin 6
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 95%: a point further in sits on the hub's edge, hollow. 4 measurements recorded in only one shared test are left off; every measurement is in the table further down.
Where each scores higher
gForce Winter 2
Alpin 6
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
gForce Winter 2
Alpin 6
Point at or tap any spoke for both tires' figures.
Owners rate the gForce Winter 2 89% from 30 reviews and the Alpin 6 85% from 35. 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 | gForce Winter 2 | Gap | Alpin 6 | Wins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 149 | 3.4% | 144 | 0-6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 69.7 | 0.6% | 70.1 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 136 | 3.9% | 131 | 0-10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 135 | 5.1% | 128 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 44.4 | 1.5% | 45.1 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 12.71 | 0.9% | 12.6 | 1-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 50.7 | 4.2% | 48.7 | 6-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 10.2 | 3.9% | 9.8 | 3-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 84 | 3.2% | 86 | 10-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 365 | 0.4% | 368 | 3-2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 37.7 | 2% | 37 | 5-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 11.6 | 3.1% | 11.3 | 2-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 69 | 7.1% | 64 | 0-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 70.95 | 0.4 dB | 71.3 | 2-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 23,843 | 22.8% | 29,339 | 0-5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8.92 | 3.8% | 8.57 | 1-4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5.7 | = | 5.7 | 0-0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 56 | 8.9% | 51 | 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 gForce Winter 2 scores 8.3 and the Alpin 6 9.1 out of 10.
| gForce Winter 2 | Category | Alpin 6 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | Dry | 68 | ||
| 78 | Wet | 88 | ||
| 62 | Comfort | 56 | ||
| 49 | Value | 67 | ||
| 92 | Snow | 59 | ||
| 15 | Ice | 43 | ||
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
| gForce Winter 2 | Category | Alpin 6 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.5 | Dry Grip | 8.9 | ||
| 9 | Wet Grip | 9.1 | ||
| 7.9 | Road Feedback | 8.5 | ||
| 8.5 | Handling | 8.4 | ||
| 8.7 | Wear | 8.7 | ||
| 9.2 | Comfort | 9 | ||
| 9.5 | Snow Grip | 8.1 | ||
| 8.8 | Ice Grip | 7.3 | ||
Owners rate the gForce Winter 2 89% from 30 reviews and the Alpin 6 85% from 35. Reviews are vetted by hand before publication; ownership is not verified.
BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2
- 89%from 30 reviews
- 100%would buy again
- 215,300 milesdriven by reviewers
Drivers generally rate the BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 very highly, with repeated praise for confident traction on snow and ice and strong wet-weather performance with good aquaplaning resistance. Many also highlight excellent value for money, stable behavior in harsh winter conditions, and generally good comfort/quietness for a winter tire. A smaller set of reviews note compromises on dry roads, describing softer handling, reduced steering/on-center response, and occasional higher noise depending on speed and surface.
- Excellent snow traction
- Strong ice grip for a studless winter tire
- Very good wet grip and aquaplaning resistance
- Great price-to-performance/value
- Dry grip/handling is only average (softer feel, more roll than summer tires)
- Reduced steering feedback/on-center response compared with other tires
- Some report increased noise on certain surfaces/speeds (wet roads or above ~90 km/h)
Summarised by AI from 24 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 30 gForce Winter 2 reviewsI'm using on a Dacia Duster. Before, for winter, on this car I had Michelin Latitude Alpin 1 and Kleber Krisalp HP3 (same as Bf Goodrich). The snow grip was very good for 4 winters (same as Kleber), never let me down. The wet grip was also very good. But what surprised me a lot, was the emergency braking, that was very very good, on wet and dry. The only minus, was that I need to make some corrections on the directions compared with a summer touring tire (michelin primacy 3 or hankook), but the care never lost control with those tires, even if I drove too fast for it. In conclusion I will buy again (bf goodrich or kleber, in function of price).
Michelin Alpin 6
- 85%from 35 reviews
- 76%would buy again
- 257,110 milesdriven by reviewers
Across 30 reviews, the Michelin Alpin 6 is most often praised for strong dry and especially wet-road grip, high comfort, and generally low noise, with many drivers highlighting excellent longevity and slow wear over multiple seasons. Most users describe it as a confidence-inspiring winter tire for cold, wet, and highway driving. The main recurring complaint is that snow and ice performance can be only average (and for some, notably weak in braking/traction and lateral stability), making it feel better suited to mild winters than frequent deep-snow conditions.
- Strong wet grip and wet-road stability (including aquaplaning resistance)
- Good dry/cold grip and confident roadholding
- High comfort/ride quality
- Long tread life / excellent wear resistance
- Mixed to weak snow/ice performance for a notable share of drivers (traction/braking/lateral stability), better suited to mild-winter conditions
Summarised by AI from 30 vetted reviews; the reviews themselves are on the tire page.
All 35 Alpin 6 reviewsAfter 6 years and ~37.000km of use, the tire still looks good, has a usable tread left. From the beginning till now it performance excellent in dry and wet conditions. Yesterday I've covert 300km of motorway in a very strong storm and they felt really good on a tarmac that was soaked.
On the other hand, the tire really disappointed on snow covered roads. We live in the mountains and when the roads are covered with snow, the tire loses traction very easily uphill.
So, the tire is really great if you live in areas that don't see a lot of snow.
Sizes, EU label and lineage
From the EU label registrations for each tire: 75 sizes of the gForce Winter 2 and 42 of the Alpin 6, 29 of them made in both.
| Category | gForce Winter 2 | Alpin 6 |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Winter | Winter |
| Sizes made | 75 sizes, 14 to 20 inch | 42 sizes, 15 to 20 inch |
| Made in both | 29 sizes 185/65 R15195/60 R15195/65 R15205/60 R15195/45 R16195/50 R16195/55 R16195/60 R16205/45 R16205/55 R16205/60 R16215/55 R16and 17 more | |
| EU label wet grip | B90%C10% | B100% |
| EU label rolling resistance | D50%C48%B3% | C74%D26% |
| EU label noise | 68-71 dB A80%B20% | 69 dB A90%B10% |
| Severe snow (3PMSF) sizes | 115 of 115 | 72 of 72 |
| On the market since | 2016 | 2018 |
| Replaced | - | Michelin Alpin 5 (2014) |
| Awards | - | Winner: Best Winter Tires (DriverReviews, 2024/25) |
| Price in the shared tests | The Alpin 6 was the dearer tire in 5 of the 5 tests that listed prices, by 18.5% 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.
BFGoodrich's g-Force Winter 2 and Michelin's Alpin 6 sit in the same “premium-touring winter” space for passenger cars, but the shared test data across 14 professional group tests shows they're tuned for different priorities. The BFGoodrich repeatedly behaves like a “snow-first” winter tire that also builds in strong aquaplaning safety reserves, while the Michelin plays the role of the all-round premium option with consistently stronger wet/dry road behavior and standout longevity.
That split is visible in the win counts: Michelin leads most road-surface disciplines (notably wet braking: 10 wins to 0), and dominates wear (5 wins to 0). BFGoodrich, however, consistently tops the winter disciplines-especially snow braking (10 wins to 0) and also leads straight-ahead aquaplaning (6 wins to 0). If your winter is predominantly snow-covered, the BFGoodrich keeps making a compelling case; if your winter is more “cold + wet asphalt,” the Michelin's edge is usually the safer and more refined choice.
Conclusion
Across the shared tests, Michelin Alpin 6 is the more consistently high-performing tire overall, reflected in far stronger average placements (e.g., 1st/22 in Auto Bild 2022 and 2nd/16 in ADAC 2023) and its repeated advantages on the road-safety metrics that matter most in typical European winters: wet braking and wet handling. The gaps are not trivial-ADAC 2023 wet braking is 36.4 m for Alpin 6 vs 39.5 m for g-Force Winter 2 (~7.85% shorter), and Auto Bild 2024 shows a similar direction (56.6 m vs 58.6 m). Add Michelin's clear mileage advantage (e.g., 50,500 km vs 41,330 km in Auto Bild 2024; 53,300 km vs 41,700 km in ADAC 2023) plus generally lower rolling resistance, and it's the better “do-everything” winter tire if you can stomach the higher purchase price.
BFGoodrich g-Force Winter 2 earns its keep by being the more specialized winter tool: it very frequently beats the Michelin on snow metrics (including snow braking across multiple tests) and it repeatedly posts higher aquaplaning thresholds (e.g., Auto Bild 2024 straight aquaplaning 83.4 km/h vs 78.5; ADAC 2023 curved aquaplaning 3.5 vs 3.2 m/s²). The practical takeaway is simple: choose the Alpin 6 if your winter driving is mostly wet/cold tarmac and you want maximum “set-and-forget” security, low running costs, and long life; choose the g-Force Winter 2 if you regularly face deeper snow and want strong snow traction/braking plus very good aquaplaning reserves at a typically lower upfront price-accepting that wet braking is its recurring weakness.
gForce Winter 2 vs Alpin 6: your questions
Is the BFGoodrich gForce Winter 2 or the Michelin Alpin 6 the better tire?
In the 14 independent tests that ran both tires, the Michelin Alpin 6 finished ahead 11 times and the gForce Winter 2 3 times. On the Tire Reviews Score, which weighs every test and review we hold, the gForce Winter 2 scores 8.3 and the Alpin 6 9.1 out of 10.
Which is better in the wet, the gForce Winter 2 or the Alpin 6?
The Alpin 6 led 19 of the 30 wet measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.9% shorter in the wet across 10 tests.
Which is better in the dry?
The Alpin 6 led 10 of the 11 dry measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.4% shorter in the dry across 6 tests.
Which is better in snow?
The gForce Winter 2 led 20 of the 22 snow measurements the shared tests recorded. On average it stopped 3.2% shorter on snow across 10 tests.
Which lasts longer and costs less to run?
The Alpin 6 lasted 22.8% longer in the wear tests (5 tests) and had 3.8% lower rolling resistance (5 tests). Owners rate wear 8.7/10 for the gForce Winter 2 and 8.7/10 for the Alpin 6.
Which is quieter and more comfortable?
Owners rate comfort 9.2/10 for the gForce Winter 2 and 9/10 for the Alpin 6.
What do owners say?
Owners rate the gForce Winter 2 89% from 30 reviews and the Alpin 6 85% from 35. 100% of gForce Winter 2 owners would buy it again, against 76% for the Alpin 6.
Which is more expensive?
In the 5 tests that listed prices, the Alpin 6 was the dearer tire in 5 of them, by 18.5% on average. Prices are the test's own at the time, in its own market.
Are they available in the same sizes?
The gForce Winter 2 is made in 75 sizes (14 to 20 inch) and the Alpin 6 in 42 (15 to 20 inch). 29 sizes are available in both. On the EU label the gForce Winter 2 is graded B for wet grip and D for rolling resistance in most sizes; the Alpin 6 B and C.
Which is the newer tire?
The Alpin 6 is the newer design: it reached the market in 2018, the gForce Winter 2 in 2016. The Alpin 6 replaced the Michelin Alpin 5.
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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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