Test Charts / Teknikens Varld
2021 Studless and Studded Winter Tire Test
Compare each discipline in the tested size. See the measured result, position and gap to the best tire, then read the verdict for the trade-offs behind the finishing order.
- Tested size
- 205/55 R16
- Tires tested
- 16
- Disciplines
- 10
Read the measurements, not just the rank
Lower is better for braking distances and lap times; higher is better for subjective scores and aquaplaning speed. Bars start at zero. Read the gap alongside the position: adjacent tires can be separated by very different margins.
Positions and gaps always refer to the full test field within each group. Selecting tires does not recalculate rankings or change the best-in-test benchmark.
This test ranks different groups separately. Read the full verdicts for each group; there is no single overall finishing order.
Focus on your tires
Select tires to highlight them throughout the charts.
Positions and gaps always refer to the full test field within each group. Selecting tires does not recalculate rankings or change the best-in-test benchmark.
Dry
1Dry Braking
Dry braking in feet (50 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓Central European Winter Tires
| Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96 ft | — | — |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 103 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 103 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 103 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 104 ft | +1 ft | 5 mph | |
| 104 ft | +1 ft | 8 mph | |
| 104 ft | +1 ft | 8 mph |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 102 ft | +4 ft | 15 mph | |
| 102 ft | +4 ft | 16 mph | |
| 103 ft | +5 ft | 17 mph | |
| 103 ft | +5 ft | 18 mph | |
| 103 ft | +5 ft | 18 mph | |
| 104 ft | +6 ft | 19 mph | |
| 107 ft | +9 ft | 23 mph | |
| 110 ft | +12 ft | 26 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 13.7% (14 ft ≈ 0.9 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Hankook Winter i pike RS2 would still be travelling at 28 mph when the CST Medallion Winter WCP1 had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Wet
2Wet Braking
Wet braking in feet (50 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓Central European Winter Tires
| Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 95 ft | — | — |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 106 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 110 ft | +4 ft | 15 mph | |
| 111 ft | +5 ft | 17 mph | |
| 111 ft | +5 ft | 17 mph | |
| 113 ft | +7 ft | 20 mph | |
| 118 ft | +12 ft | 26 mph |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 111 ft | +1 ft | 4 mph | |
| 112 ft | +2 ft | 9 mph | |
| 115 ft | +5 ft | 15 mph | |
| 116 ft | +6 ft | 18 mph | |
| 118 ft | +8 ft | 20 mph | |
| 118 ft | +8 ft | 21 mph | |
| 122 ft | +12 ft | 25 mph | |
| 122 ft | +12 ft | 25 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 29.1% (27 ft ≈ 1.9 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32 would still be travelling at 38 mph when the CST Medallion Winter WCP1 had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Wet Handling
Wet handling time in seconds
Lower is better ↓Central European Winter Tires
| Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 33.5 s | — |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 35.4 s | Best | |
| 35.5 s | +0.10 s | |
| 35.5 s | +0.10 s | |
| 35.5 s | +0.10 s | |
| 35.6 s | +0.20 s | |
| 35.7 s | +0.30 s |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 35 s | Best | |
| 35.2 s | +0.20 s | |
| 35.2 s | +0.20 s | |
| 35.3 s | +0.30 s | |
| 35.3 s | +0.30 s | |
| 35.7 s | +0.70 s | |
| 35.8 s | +0.80 s | |
| 36.2 s | +1.20 s | |
| 36.5 s | +1.50 s |
The difference between best and worst was 9% (3 s).
Snow
3Snow Braking
Snow braking in feet (50 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓Central European Winter Tires
| Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 179 ft | — | — |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 167 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 168 ft | +1 ft | 4 mph | |
| 169 ft | +2 ft | 8 mph | |
| 171 ft | +4 ft | 12 mph | |
| 172 ft | +5 ft | 13 mph | |
| 172 ft | +5 ft | 13 mph |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 166 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 166 ft | 0 ft | 4 mph | |
| 167 ft | +1 ft | 7 mph | |
| 169 ft | +3 ft | 10 mph | |
| 169 ft | +3 ft | 10 mph | |
| 169 ft | +3 ft | 11 mph | |
| 170 ft | +4 ft | 13 mph | |
| 171 ft | +5 ft | 14 mph | |
| 172 ft | +6 ft | 15 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 7.7% (13 ft ≈ 0.9 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the CST Medallion Winter WCP1 would still be travelling at 21 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.
Snow Traction
Snow acceleration time (3 - 22 mph)
Lower is better ↓Central European Winter Tires
| Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 6.3 s | — |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 5.7 s | Best | |
| 5.8 s | +0.10 s | |
| 5.8 s | +0.10 s | |
| 5.9 s | +0.20 s | |
| 5.9 s | +0.20 s | |
| 5.9 s | +0.20 s |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 5.7 s | Best | |
| 5.7 s | Best | |
| 5.8 s | +0.10 s | |
| 5.8 s | +0.10 s | |
| 5.8 s | +0.10 s | |
| 5.8 s | +0.10 s | |
| 5.9 s | +0.20 s | |
| 5.9 s | +0.20 s | |
| 5.9 s | +0.20 s |
The difference between best and worst was 10.5% (0.6 s).
Snow Handling
Snow handling time in seconds
Lower is better ↓Central European Winter Tires
| Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 55.9 s | — |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 52.7 s | Best | |
| 53.1 s | +0.40 s | |
| 53.2 s | +0.50 s | |
| 53.4 s | +0.70 s | |
| 53.6 s | +0.90 s | |
| 53.6 s | +0.90 s |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 52.3 s | Best | |
| 52.7 s | +0.40 s | |
| 53.1 s | +0.80 s | |
| 53.3 s | +1.00 s | |
| 53.4 s | +1.10 s | |
| 53.4 s | +1.10 s | |
| 53.5 s | +1.20 s | |
| 53.7 s | +1.40 s | |
| 55.3 s | +3.00 s |
The difference between best and worst was 6.9% (3.6 s).
Ice
3Ice Braking
Ice braking in feet (31 - 0 mph)
Lower is better ↓Central European Winter Tires
| Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 188 ft | — | — |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 146 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 151 ft | +5 ft | 15 mph | |
| 153 ft | +7 ft | 17 mph | |
| 160 ft | +14 ft | 24 mph | |
| 162 ft | +16 ft | 26 mph | |
| 170 ft | +24 ft | 30 mph |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best | Residual speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 119 ft | Best | 0 mph | |
| 124 ft | +5 ft | 16 mph | |
| 127 ft | +8 ft | 20 mph | |
| 128 ft | +9 ft | 21 mph | |
| 132 ft | +13 ft | 24 mph | |
| 134 ft | +15 ft | 27 mph | |
| 137 ft | +18 ft | 29 mph | |
| 138 ft | +19 ft | 30 mph | |
| 142 ft | +23 ft | 32 mph |
The difference between best and worst was 57.1% (69 ft ≈ 4.6 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the CST Medallion Winter WCP1 would still be travelling at 48 mph when the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 had stopped.
Residual speed is calculated from the measured braking distances, assuming constant deceleration; it is not a separate measurement.
Ice Traction
Ice acceleration time (3 - 12 mph)
Lower is better ↓Central European Winter Tires
| Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 6.7 s | — |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 5.1 s | Best | |
| 5.2 s | +0.10 s | |
| 5.4 s | +0.30 s | |
| 5.5 s | +0.40 s | |
| 5.6 s | +0.50 s | |
| 6 s | +0.90 s |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6 s | Best | |
| 3.7 s | +0.10 s | |
| 3.8 s | +0.20 s | |
| 3.9 s | +0.30 s | |
| 3.9 s | +0.30 s | |
| 3.9 s | +0.30 s | |
| 4 s | +0.40 s | |
| 4.2 s | +0.60 s | |
| 4.4 s | +0.80 s |
The difference between best and worst was 86.1% (3.1 s).
Ice Handling
Ice handling time in seconds
Lower is better ↓Central European Winter Tires
| Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 74.7 s | — |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 65 s | Best | |
| 65.8 s | +0.80 s | |
| 66.6 s | +1.60 s | |
| 68.6 s | +3.60 s | |
| 70 s | +5.00 s | |
| 70 s | +5.00 s |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 54.1 s | Best | |
| 54.5 s | +0.40 s | |
| 55.1 s | +1.00 s | |
| 55.6 s | +1.50 s | |
| 55.6 s | +1.50 s | |
| 55.8 s | +1.70 s | |
| 57.8 s | +3.70 s | |
| 60.3 s | +6.20 s | |
| 62.7 s | +8.60 s |
The difference between best and worst was 38.1% (20.6 s).
Comfort
1Subj. Noise
Subjective in car noise levels
Higher is better ↑Central European Winter Tires
| Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 8 Points | — |
Nordic Friction Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Points | Best | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 9 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 8 Points | -2.00 Points |
Studded Winter Tires
| Position / Tire | Result | Gap to best |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Points | Best | |
| 7 Points | Best | |
| 7 Points | Best | |
| 7 Points | Best | |
| 7 Points | Best | |
| 6 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 6 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 6 Points | -1.00 Points | |
| 5 Points | -2.00 Points |
The difference between best and worst was 50% (5 Points).
Test setup & methodology
The test setting, the conditions recorded and how the results contribute to the score.
Recorded test conditions
Recorded test conditions
- Dry Braking
- 49.7 → 0.0 mph
- Wet Braking
- 49.7 → 0.0 mph
- Snow Braking
- 49.7 → 0.0 mph
- Snow Traction
- 3.1 → 21.7 mph
- Ice Braking
- 31.1 → 0.0 mph
- Ice Traction
- 3.1 → 12.4 mph