Test source Vi Bilagare

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test

Overall test winnerContinental IceContact 3

While studded tires don't have much use in the UK, for parts of the Nordic countries they are essential for safe mobility.

Data analyzed and reviewed byJonathan Benson

October 24, 2019 6 min read Updated January 8, 2025

Tire shortlist Read the test

Tires tested: 8
Tested size: 225/50 R17
Disciplines: 11

At a glance

Tire shortlist

8 Tires tested

Published finishing positions, with the strengths and considerations from this test. Owner reviews cover other sizes and driving conditions.

1^st

Continental IceContact 3

+High grip on snow and ice, low noise.

−Weak subjective dry handling.

3 owner reviews Test Results

2^nd

Michelin X Ice North 4

+High grip on snow and ice, good handling, low noise.

−Weak aquaplaning resistance.

12 owner reviews Test Results

3^rd

Continental VikingContact 7

+High grip in the snow, good handling on uneven ice, low noise.

−Relatively poor in dry and wet, weak aquaplaning resistance.

25 owner reviews Test Results

4^th

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9

+Good handling and high grip on snow and ice.

−Weak aquaplaning resistance, moderate Noise.

11 owner reviews Test Results

5^th

Hankook Winter i pike RS2

+High resistance to aquaplaning.

−High noise levels, long wet braking.

5 owner reviews Test Results

6^th

Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic

+Good driving performance in the dry, good traction and braking in the snow.

−Weak lateral stability on snow and ice, high rolling resistance.

4 owner reviews Test Results

7^th

Bridgestone Noranza 001

+Low rolling resistance.

−Long dry braking.

Read owner reviews Test Results

8^th

Sailun Ice Blazer WST3

+Non mentioned.

−Very poor grip on snow and ice, poor handling in the dry and wet.

4 owner reviews Test Results

Tire shortlist

Compare selected tires

2019 Studded Winter Tire Test · 225/50 R17

Tire	Continental IceContact 3	Michelin X Ice North 4	Continental VikingContact 7	Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9	Hankook Winter i pike RS2	Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic	Bridgestone Noranza 001	Sailun Ice Blazer WST3
Position	1^st	2^nd	3^rd	4^th	5^th	6^th	7^th	8^th
Category scores (% of best)
Dry	86.3%	93.4%	89.8%	86%	84.9%	90.8%	88%	80.8%
Wet	98.7%	94.9%	93.5%	97.5%	95.7%	97.8%	95.9%	94.9%
Snow	99.6%	95.9%	99.2%	94.8%	94.2%	94.5%	92.7%	88.4%
Ice	99.2%	93.6%	87.2%	93.9%	85%	84.2%	85.4%	70.1%
Keep researching	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results	Read owner reviews Test Results

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The full test

The evidence behind the verdict

While studded tires don't have much use in the UK, for parts of the Nordic countries they are essential for safe mobility.

To find out which of the latest studded winter tires are worth fitting, Swedish magazine Vi Bilagare have tested seven studded winter tires in 225/50 R17, and included a studless nordic friction winter tire as a comparison.

Even if you don't live in an area that needs such an extreme winter tire, the difference in performance between the latest studded and studless winter tires is an interesting demonstration.

The main novelty of the test came from the new Continental IceContact 3, which is the first tire to use rubberised flexstud spikes. These studs claim to offer reduced road wear, while improving traction on ice.

Dry

During dry braking testing, the studless friction Continental VikingContact led the way with a significant gap to the best studded tire, which was also a Continental.

Dry Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental VikingContact 7	141 ft	Best
2Continental IceContact 3	147 ft	+6 ft
3Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic	152 ft	+11 ft
4Michelin X Ice North 4	153 ft	+12 ft
5Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9	155 ft	+14 ft
6Hankook Winter i pike RS2	157 ft	+16 ft
7Bridgestone Noranza 001	157 ft	+16 ft
8Sailun Ice Blazer WST3	158 ft	+17 ft

The difference between best and worst was 12.1% (17 ft ≈ 1.2 Car Lengths).

Subj. Dry Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Michelin X Ice North 4	5 Points	Best
2Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic	4 Points	-1.00 Points
2Bridgestone Noranza 001	4 Points	-1.00 Points
4Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9	3 Points	-2.00 Points
4Hankook Winter i pike RS2	3 Points	-2.00 Points
6Continental VikingContact 7	2 Points	-3.00 Points
6Continental IceContact 3	2 Points	-3.00 Points
6Sailun Ice Blazer WST3	2 Points	-3.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 60% (3 Points).

Wet

Wet braking testing swung the balance back to the studded tires, with the studded Continental tire stopping the test vehicle in the shortest distance. The studless winter tire could only manage a mid-group performance.

Wet Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental IceContact 3	94 ft	Best
2Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic	98 ft	+4 ft
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9	98 ft	+4 ft
4Bridgestone Noranza 001	101 ft	+7 ft
5Continental VikingContact 7	102 ft	+8 ft
5Michelin X Ice North 4	102 ft	+8 ft
7Sailun Ice Blazer WST3	103 ft	+9 ft
8Hankook Winter i pike RS2	103 ft	+9 ft

The difference between best and worst was 9% (9 ft ≈ 0.6 Car Lengths).

Due to the tread design of studless friction tires, the studded tires all had a significant advantage during wet handling and aquaplaning testing.

Wet Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9	43.18 s	Best
2Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic	43.59 s	+0.41 s
3Bridgestone Noranza 001	43.64 s	+0.46 s
4Hankook Winter i pike RS2	43.71 s	+0.53 s
5Sailun Ice Blazer WST3	44 s	+0.82 s
6Continental IceContact 3	44.12 s	+0.94 s
7Michelin X Ice North 4	44.37 s	+1.19 s
8Continental VikingContact 7	45.65 s	+2.47 s

The difference between best and worst was 5.7% (2.47 s).

Straight Aqua
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Hankook Winter i pike RS2	38.6 mph	Best
2Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic	37.8 mph	-0.8 mph
3Continental IceContact 3	37.5 mph	-1.1 mph
4Sailun Ice Blazer WST3	36.4 mph	-2.2 mph
5Bridgestone Noranza 001	36.2 mph	-2.4 mph
6Michelin X Ice North 4	36.1 mph	-2.5 mph
7Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9	35.7 mph	-2.9 mph
8Continental VikingContact 7	35.4 mph	-3.2 mph

The difference between best and worst was 8.4% (3.2 mph).

Snow

Continental dominated all three snow tests, with either their studded tire, or studless tire taking top spot. The budget Sailun Ice Blazer was extremely weak in all three tests.

Snow Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental VikingContact 7	55 ft	Best
2Continental IceContact 3	55 ft	0 ft
3Michelin X Ice North 4	59 ft	+4 ft
4Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9	59 ft	+4 ft
4Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic	59 ft	+4 ft
6Hankook Winter i pike RS2	59 ft	+4 ft
7Bridgestone Noranza 001	60 ft	+5 ft
8Sailun Ice Blazer WST3	63 ft	+8 ft

The difference between best and worst was 15% (8 ft ≈ 0.6 Car Lengths).

Snow Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental IceContact 3	83.75 s	Best
2Continental VikingContact 7	85.59 s	+1.84 s
3Michelin X Ice North 4	86.49 s	+2.74 s
4Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9	87.54 s	+3.79 s
5Hankook Winter i pike RS2	87.93 s	+4.18 s
6Bridgestone Noranza 001	88.07 s	+4.32 s
7Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic	89.15 s	+5.40 s
8Sailun Ice Blazer WST3	93.63 s	+9.88 s

The difference between best and worst was 11.8% (9.88 s).

Snow Traction
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental VikingContact 7	4.05 s	Best
2Continental IceContact 3	4.06 s	+0.01 s
3Michelin X Ice North 4	4.17 s	+0.12 s
4Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic	4.2 s	+0.15 s
5Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9	4.23 s	+0.18 s
6Hankook Winter i pike RS2	4.27 s	+0.22 s
7Bridgestone Noranza 001	4.4 s	+0.35 s
8Sailun Ice Blazer WST3	4.57 s	+0.52 s

The difference between best and worst was 12.8% (0.52 s).

Ice

The new type of spike on the Continental IceContact 3 delivered on its promise of improved ice trip, winning both the ice traction and ice braking tests.

Ice Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental IceContact 3	28 ft	Best
2Michelin X Ice North 4	31 ft	+3 ft
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9	32 ft	+4 ft
4Continental VikingContact 7	35 ft	+7 ft
5Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic	36 ft	+8 ft
6Bridgestone Noranza 001	36 ft	+8 ft
7Hankook Winter i pike RS2	36 ft	+8 ft
8Sailun Ice Blazer WST3	46 ft	+18 ft

The difference between best and worst was 61.1% (18 ft ≈ 1.2 Car Lengths).

Ice Traction
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental IceContact 3	4.14 s	Best
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9	4.27 s	+0.13 s
3Michelin X Ice North 4	4.51 s	+0.37 s
4Bridgestone Noranza 001	4.88 s	+0.74 s
5Hankook Winter i pike RS2	4.94 s	+0.80 s
6Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic	5.03 s	+0.89 s
7Continental VikingContact 7	5.16 s	+1.02 s
8Sailun Ice Blazer WST3	6.58 s	+2.44 s

The difference between best and worst was 58.9% (2.44 s).

Perhaps the most interesting result of the test was the ice handling, as the studless friction tire beat ALL the studded tires! This was due to the types of ice used for testing. For traction and braking testing, smooth ice was used as it replicated ice found at junctions, but for ice handling, uneven ice was used which is closer to the icy surfaces you find on the open roads.

The testers did note one extra important point. When you lose grip on the studless tire, it takes much longer to recover the grip, which means they still recommend studded tires overall, as they will provide higher manoeuvrability and safety reserves in real life useage.

Ice Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Continental VikingContact 7	51.35 s	Best
2Continental IceContact 3	52.64 s	+1.29 s
3Michelin X Ice North 4	52.89 s	+1.54 s
4Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9	53.92 s	+2.57 s
5Hankook Winter i pike RS2	55.52 s	+4.17 s
6Bridgestone Noranza 001	55.94 s	+4.59 s
7Goodyear UltraGrip Ice Arctic	56.63 s	+5.28 s
8Sailun Ice Blazer WST3	60.11 s	+8.76 s

The difference between best and worst was 17.1% (8.76 s).

Results

The new rubberised studs in the IceContact 3 really work. Excellent grip in all conditions.

Dry86.3%

Wet98.7%

Snow99.6%

Ice99.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (11)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 8	147 ft	+6 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	6^th / 8	2 Points	-3.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	1^st / 8	94 ft	Best in this discipline
Wet HandlingLower is better	6^th / 8	44.12 s	+0.94 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	3^rd / 8	37.5 mph	-1.1 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 8	55 ft	0 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	2^nd / 8	4.06 s	+0.01 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	1^st / 8	83.75 s	Best in this discipline
Ice BrakingLower is better	1^st / 8	28 ft	Best in this discipline
Ice TractionLower is better	1^st / 8	4.14 s	Best in this discipline
Ice HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 8	52.64 s	+1.29 s

Quietest studded tires on test, even with 257 spikes, with the lowest signs of wear.

Dry93.4%

Wet94.9%

Snow95.9%

Ice93.6%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (11)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	4^th / 8	153 ft	+12 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	1^st / 8	5 Points	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	5^th / 8	102 ft	+8 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	7^th / 8	44.37 s	+1.19 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	6^th / 8	36.1 mph	-2.5 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 8	59 ft	+4 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	3^rd / 8	4.17 s	+0.12 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	3^rd / 8	86.49 s	+2.74 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 8	31 ft	+3 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	3^rd / 8	4.51 s	+0.37 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	3^rd / 8	52.89 s	+1.54 s

As the only non-studded tire on test, the Viking Contact 7 had an impressive all round ability.

Dry89.8%

Wet93.5%

Snow99.2%

Ice87.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (11)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	1^st / 8	141 ft	Best in this discipline
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	6^th / 8	2 Points	-3.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	5^th / 8	102 ft	+8 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	8^th / 8	45.65 s	+2.47 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	8^th / 8	35.4 mph	-3.2 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	1^st / 8	55 ft	Best in this discipline
Snow TractionLower is better	1^st / 8	4.05 s	Best in this discipline
Snow HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 8	85.59 s	+1.84 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	4^th / 8	35 ft	+7 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	7^th / 8	5.16 s	+1.02 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	1^st / 8	51.35 s	Best in this discipline

One of the most stable tires on test, with great handling.

Dry86%

Wet97.5%

Snow94.8%

Ice93.9%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (11)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	5^th / 8	155 ft	+14 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	4^th / 8	3 Points	-2.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 8	98 ft	+4 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	1^st / 8	43.18 s	Best in this discipline
Straight AquaHigher is better	7^th / 8	35.7 mph	-2.9 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	4^th / 8	59 ft	+4 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	5^th / 8	4.23 s	+0.18 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	4^th / 8	87.54 s	+3.79 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 8	32 ft	+4 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	2^nd / 8	4.27 s	+0.13 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	4^th / 8	53.92 s	+2.57 s

Excellent aquaplaning results, but the smallest spike protrusion hampered its results on ice.

Dry84.9%

Wet95.7%

Snow94.2%

Ice85%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (11)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	6^th / 8	157 ft	+16 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	4^th / 8	3 Points	-2.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	8^th / 8	103 ft	+9 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	4^th / 8	43.71 s	+0.53 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	1^st / 8	38.6 mph	Best in this discipline
Snow BrakingLower is better	6^th / 8	59 ft	+4 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	6^th / 8	4.27 s	+0.22 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	5^th / 8	87.93 s	+4.18 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	7^th / 8	36 ft	+8 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	5^th / 8	4.94 s	+0.80 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	5^th / 8	55.52 s	+4.17 s

Smallest number of spikes on test at 130, which was an issue on ice. Good in the wet and dry.

Dry90.8%

Wet97.8%

Snow94.5%

Ice84.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (11)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 8	152 ft	+11 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	2^nd / 8	4 Points	-1.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 8	98 ft	+4 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 8	43.59 s	+0.41 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	2^nd / 8	37.8 mph	-0.8 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	4^th / 8	59 ft	+4 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	4^th / 8	4.2 s	+0.15 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	7^th / 8	89.15 s	+5.40 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	5^th / 8	36 ft	+8 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	6^th / 8	5.03 s	+0.89 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	7^th / 8	56.63 s	+5.28 s

Acceptable grip on ice, but poor in the snow and long dry braking.

Dry88%

Wet95.9%

Snow92.7%

Ice85.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (11)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	7^th / 8	157 ft	+16 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	2^nd / 8	4 Points	-1.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	4^th / 8	101 ft	+7 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	3^rd / 8	43.64 s	+0.46 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	5^th / 8	36.2 mph	-2.4 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	7^th / 8	60 ft	+5 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	7^th / 8	4.4 s	+0.35 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	6^th / 8	88.07 s	+4.32 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	6^th / 8	36 ft	+8 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	4^th / 8	4.88 s	+0.74 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	6^th / 8	55.94 s	+4.59 s

Not recommended. Not only poor grip, but the tires started to lose spikes in the first 50 miles.

Dry80.8%

Wet94.9%

Snow88.4%

Ice70.1%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (11)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	8^th / 8	158 ft	+17 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	6^th / 8	2 Points	-3.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	7^th / 8	103 ft	+9 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	5^th / 8	44 s	+0.82 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	4^th / 8	36.4 mph	-2.2 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	8^th / 8	63 ft	+8 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	8^th / 8	4.57 s	+0.52 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	8^th / 8	93.63 s	+9.88 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	8^th / 8	46 ft	+18 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	8^th / 8	6.58 s	+2.44 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	8^th / 8	60.11 s	+8.76 s

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Winner there

Michelin X Ice North 4

This test’s winner finished 2^nd there

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Tire shortlist

The evidence behind the verdict

Dry

Wet

Snow

Ice

Results

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