Test setup & methodology

The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.

Recorded test conditions

Dry Braking: 49.7 → 3.1 mph
Wet Braking: 49.7 → 3.1 mph
Snow Braking: 24.9 → 3.1 mph
Snow Traction: 3.1 → 24.9 mph
Ice Braking: 18.6 → 3.1 mph
Ice Traction: 3.1 → 18.6 mph

We're a little late posting this so there won't be much commentary, but hopefully someone will find it useful in 2022! In 2021, Moottori performed an excellent studded tire test, and included 8 of the best studded winter tires, including the new Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 which goes on to win the test, with the Michelin X-Ice North 4 also performing really well.

If you spend some time analysing the data, you'll see the winner of the test actually might not be the best tire for you. The test winning tires are all the best tires in the snow and ice, the trade off is dry and wet performance, so If you live in a "milder" extreme winter climate, think carefully about what you want from the tire.

As always, tires are a trade off, and extreme winter performance nearly always hurts how a tire grips in the dry, so think about how you use the studded winter tire before picking the right tire for you.

Here's the data. Enjoy!

Dry

Dry Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1BFGoodrich G Force Stud	101 ft	Best	0 mph
2Gislaved Nord Frost 200	103 ft	+2 ft	10 mph
3Sava Eskimo Stud	105 ft	+4 ft	15 mph
4Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10	107 ft	+6 ft	19 mph
5Michelin X Ice North 4	108 ft	+7 ft	20 mph
6Nokian Nordman 8	108 ft	+7 ft	20 mph
7Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	108 ft	+7 ft	20 mph
8Continental IceContact 3	110 ft	+9 ft	23 mph

The difference between best and worst was 9.4% (9 ft ≈ 0.6 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Continental IceContact 3 would still be travelling at 23 mph when the BFGoodrich G Force Stud had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Wet

Wet Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	118 ft	Best	0 mph
2Sava Eskimo Stud	119 ft	+1 ft	9 mph
3BFGoodrich G Force Stud	121 ft	+3 ft	13 mph
4Continental IceContact 3	122 ft	+4 ft	15 mph
5Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10	122 ft	+4 ft	15 mph
6Gislaved Nord Frost 200	124 ft	+6 ft	18 mph
7Michelin X Ice North 4	126 ft	+8 ft	21 mph
8Nokian Nordman 8	127 ft	+9 ft	22 mph

The difference between best and worst was 8.2% (9 ft ≈ 0.7 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Nokian Nordman 8 would still be travelling at 22 mph when the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Wet Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	41.87 s	Best
2Continental IceContact 3	41.89 s	+0.02 s
3Gislaved Nord Frost 200	42.12 s	+0.25 s
4BFGoodrich G Force Stud	42.47 s	+0.60 s
5Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10	42.57 s	+0.70 s
5Nokian Nordman 8	42.57 s	+0.70 s
7Sava Eskimo Stud	42.66 s	+0.79 s
8Michelin X Ice North 4	43.11 s	+1.24 s

All the tires in the Wet Handling test finished less than 3% apart.

Snow

Snow Traction
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10	4.65 s	Best
2Michelin X Ice North 4	4.77 s	+0.12 s
3Nokian Nordman 8	4.8 s	+0.15 s
4Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	4.83 s	+0.18 s
5BFGoodrich G Force Stud	4.88 s	+0.23 s
6Gislaved Nord Frost 200	4.94 s	+0.29 s
7Continental IceContact 3	4.96 s	+0.31 s
8Sava Eskimo Stud	5.08 s	+0.43 s

The difference between best and worst was 9.2% (0.43 s).

Snow Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1BFGoodrich G Force Stud	49 ft	Best	0 mph
2Michelin X Ice North 4	50 ft	+1 ft	10 mph
3Continental IceContact 3	50 ft	+1 ft	10 mph
4Nokian Nordman 8	50 ft	+1 ft	11 mph
5Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	50 ft	+1 ft	12 mph
6Gislaved Nord Frost 200	50 ft	+1 ft	12 mph
6Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10	50 ft	+1 ft	12 mph
8Sava Eskimo Stud	51 ft	+2 ft	18 mph

The difference between best and worst was 5.1% (2 ft). From 80 mph, the Sava Eskimo Stud would still be travelling at 18 mph when the BFGoodrich G Force Stud had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Snow Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10	84.6 s	Best
2Michelin X Ice North 4	84.73 s	+0.13 s
3Continental IceContact 3	85.23 s	+0.63 s
4Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	85.38 s	+0.78 s
5BFGoodrich G Force Stud	85.83 s	+1.23 s
6Nokian Nordman 8	85.86 s	+1.26 s
7Gislaved Nord Frost 200	86.37 s	+1.77 s
8Sava Eskimo Stud	87.36 s	+2.76 s

The difference between best and worst was 3.3% (2.76 s).

Ice

Ice Traction
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10	4.17 s	Best
2Michelin X Ice North 4	4.39 s	+0.22 s
3Nokian Nordman 8	4.78 s	+0.61 s
4Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	5 s	+0.83 s
5Gislaved Nord Frost 200	5.86 s	+1.69 s
6Continental IceContact 3	5.89 s	+1.72 s
7BFGoodrich G Force Stud	7.02 s	+2.85 s
8Sava Eskimo Stud	7.6 s	+3.43 s

The difference between best and worst was 82.3% (3.43 s).

Ice Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	40 ft	Best	0 mph
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10	41 ft	+1 ft	12 mph
3Michelin X Ice North 4	42 ft	+2 ft	17 mph
4Nokian Nordman 8	43 ft	+3 ft	21 mph
5Continental IceContact 3	51 ft	+11 ft	36 mph
6Gislaved Nord Frost 200	54 ft	+14 ft	41 mph
7Sava Eskimo Stud	59 ft	+19 ft	46 mph
8BFGoodrich G Force Stud	60 ft	+20 ft	46 mph

The difference between best and worst was 50.3% (20 ft ≈ 1.4 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the BFGoodrich G Force Stud would still be travelling at 46 mph when the Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 had stopped.

Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.

Ice Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10	61.54 s	Best
2Michelin X Ice North 4	62.7 s	+1.16 s
3Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	63.73 s	+2.19 s
4BFGoodrich G Force Stud	66.54 s	+5.00 s
5Gislaved Nord Frost 200	66.88 s	+5.34 s
6Nokian Nordman 8	67.51 s	+5.97 s
7Continental IceContact 3	68.12 s	+6.58 s
8Sava Eskimo Stud	71.81 s	+10.27 s

The difference between best and worst was 16.7% (10.27 s).

Environment

Noise
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1BFGoodrich G Force Stud	67.5 dB	Best
2Continental IceContact 3	68.6 dB	+1.10 dB
3Gislaved Nord Frost 200	68.7 dB	+1.20 dB
4Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	69.6 dB	+2.10 dB
5Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10	70.1 dB	+2.60 dB
5Sava Eskimo Stud	70.1 dB	+2.60 dB
7Nokian Nordman 8	70.2 dB	+2.70 dB
8Michelin X Ice North 4	70.3 dB	+2.80 dB

The difference between best and worst was 4.1% (2.8 dB).

Results

Overall rating 9.2. Features on ice and snow- Excellent traction and braking grip- Excellent bow grip in curves- Entertaining driving characteristics. Properties on asphalt- Safest in extreme situations- Logical driving behavior

Dry94.5%

Wet97.4%

Snow99.3%

Ice99.2%

Comfort96.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	107 ft	+6 ft
Wet BrakingLower is better	5^th / 8	122 ft	+4 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	5^th / 8	42.57 s	+0.70 s
Snow BrakingLower is better	6^th / 8	50 ft	+1 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	1^st / 8	4.65 s	Best in this discipline
Snow HandlingLower is better	1^st / 8	84.6 s	Best in this discipline
Ice BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 8	41 ft	+1 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	1^st / 8	4.17 s	Best in this discipline
Ice HandlingLower is better	1^st / 8	61.54 s	Best in this discipline
NoiseLower is better	5^th / 8	70.1 dB	+2.60 dB

Overall rating 9.0. Features on ice and snow- Easy manageability in all conditions- Excellent snow and ice grip- Logical driving behavior on snow and ice. Properties on asphalt- Long braking distances in the wet- Poor lateral grip when wet

Dry93.8%

Wet95.1%

Snow98.6%

Ice96.1%

Comfort96%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	108 ft	+7 ft
Wet BrakingLower is better	7^th / 8	126 ft	+8 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	8^th / 8	43.11 s	+1.24 s
Snow BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 8	50 ft	+1 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	2^nd / 8	4.77 s	+0.12 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 8	84.73 s	+0.13 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 8	42 ft	+2 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	2^nd / 8	4.39 s	+0.22 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 8	62.7 s	+1.16 s
NoiseLower is better	8^th / 8	70.3 dB	+2.80 dB

Overall rating 8.9. Features on ice and snow- Best braking on ice- Good snow grip- Variable driving behavior. Properties on asphalt- Excellent lateral grip on wet- Shortest braking distances in the wet- Precise and conscientious

Dry93.5%

Wet100%

Snow97.7%

Ice93.4%

Comfort97%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	108 ft	+7 ft
Wet BrakingLower is better	1^st / 8	118 ft	Best in this discipline
Wet HandlingLower is better	1^st / 8	41.87 s	Best in this discipline
Snow BrakingLower is better	5^th / 8	50 ft	+1 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	4^th / 8	4.83 s	+0.18 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	4^th / 8	85.38 s	+0.78 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	1^st / 8	40 ft	Best in this discipline
Ice TractionLower is better	4^th / 8	5 s	+0.83 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	3^rd / 8	63.73 s	+2.19 s
NoiseLower is better	4^th / 8	69.6 dB	+2.10 dB

Overall rating 8.6. Features on ice and snow- Good longitudinal grip on ice- Good longitudinal grip on snow- Overdrive basic operation. Properties on asphalt- Poor wet grip- Moderate lateral grip on wet- Good lateral dry grip

Dry93.6%

Wet95.4%

Snow97.8%

Ice90.4%

Comfort96.2%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	108 ft	+7 ft
Wet BrakingLower is better	8^th / 8	127 ft	+9 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	5^th / 8	42.57 s	+0.70 s
Snow BrakingLower is better	4^th / 8	50 ft	+1 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	3^rd / 8	4.8 s	+0.15 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	6^th / 8	85.86 s	+1.26 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	4^th / 8	43 ft	+3 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	3^rd / 8	4.78 s	+0.61 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	6^th / 8	67.51 s	+5.97 s
NoiseLower is better	7^th / 8	70.2 dB	+2.70 dB

Overall rating 8.4. Features on ice and snow- Safe driving on snow- Stops effectively on snow- Moderate ice grip. Properties on asphalt- Excellent lateral grip on wet- Weakest dry grip- Weakest extreme behavior

Dry91.4%

Wet98.3%

Snow97.1%

Ice80.1%

Comfort98.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	110 ft	+9 ft
Wet BrakingLower is better	4^th / 8	122 ft	+4 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 8	41.89 s	+0.02 s
Snow BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 8	50 ft	+1 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	7^th / 8	4.96 s	+0.31 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	3^rd / 8	85.23 s	+0.63 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	5^th / 8	51 ft	+11 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	6^th / 8	5.89 s	+1.72 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	7^th / 8	68.12 s	+6.58 s
NoiseLower is better	2^nd / 8	68.6 dB	+1.10 dB

Overall rating 8.3. Features on ice and snow- Good traction and braking on snow- Medium traction and braking on ice- Basic behavior of logical sub-control. Properties on asphalt- Very good lateral wet grip- Poor wet grip- Good longitudinal dry grip

Dry98.3%

Wet97.2%

Snow96.5%

Ice78.9%

Comfort98.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	103 ft	+2 ft
Wet BrakingLower is better	6^th / 8	124 ft	+6 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	3^rd / 8	42.12 s	+0.25 s
Snow BrakingLower is better	6^th / 8	50 ft	+1 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	6^th / 8	4.94 s	+0.29 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	7^th / 8	86.37 s	+1.77 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	6^th / 8	54 ft	+14 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	5^th / 8	5.86 s	+1.69 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	5^th / 8	66.88 s	+5.34 s
NoiseLower is better	3^rd / 8	68.7 dB	+1.20 dB

Overall rating 8.2. Features on ice and snow- Excellent braking performance on snow- Poor longitudinal grip on ice- Good lateral grip on ice. Properties on asphalt- Logical driving behavior in wet conditions- Shortest dry braking

Dry100%

Wet98.1%

Snow97.9%

Ice72.7%

Comfort100%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	101 ft	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 8	121 ft	+3 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	4^th / 8	42.47 s	+0.60 s
Snow BrakingLower is better	1^st / 8	49 ft	Best in this discipline
Snow TractionLower is better	5^th / 8	4.88 s	+0.23 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	5^th / 8	85.83 s	+1.23 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	8^th / 8	60 ft	+20 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	7^th / 8	7.02 s	+2.85 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	4^th / 8	66.54 s	+5.00 s
NoiseLower is better	1^st / 8	67.5 dB	Best in this discipline

Overall rating 7.5. Features on ice and snow- Poor ice grip- Steep grip limit, leaves surprisingly slipping- High understeer behavior. Properties on asphalt- Short braking distances in the wet- Short dry braking distances- Slippery cornering in wet conditions

Dry96.6%

Wet98.5%

Snow94.5%

Ice69.3%

Comfort96.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (10)

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	105 ft	+4 ft
Wet BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 8	119 ft	+1 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	7^th / 8	42.66 s	+0.79 s
Snow BrakingLower is better	8^th / 8	51 ft	+2 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	8^th / 8	5.08 s	+0.43 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	8^th / 8	87.36 s	+2.76 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	7^th / 8	59 ft	+19 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	8^th / 8	7.6 s	+3.43 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	8^th / 8	71.81 s	+10.27 s
NoiseLower is better	5^th / 8	70.1 dB	+2.60 dB

Tire	Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10	Michelin X Ice North 4	Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	Nokian Nordman 8	Continental IceContact 3	Gislaved Nord Frost 200	BFGoodrich G Force Stud	Sava Eskimo Stud
Position	1^st	2^nd	3^rd	4^th	5^th	6^th	7^th	8^th
Category scores (% of best)
Dry	94.5%	93.8%	93.5%	93.6%	91.4%	98.3%	100%	96.6%
Wet	97.4%	95.1%	100%	95.4%	98.3%	97.2%	98.1%	98.5%
Snow	99.3%	98.6%	97.7%	97.8%	97.1%	96.5%	97.9%	94.5%
Ice	99.2%	96.1%	93.4%	90.4%	80.1%	78.9%	72.7%	69.3%
Comfort	96.3%	96%	97%	96.2%	98.4%	98.3%	100%	96.3%
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The evidence behind the verdict

Test setup & methodology

Recorded test conditions

Dry

Wet

Snow

Ice

Environment

Results

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