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2022/23 Tire Reviews Studless Winter Tire Test

Jonathan Benson
Tested and written by Jonathan Benson
11 min read Updated
Below are all the data points for the 2022/23 Tire Reviews Studless Winter Tire Test, displaying how each tire performed across all test categories. The spider chart below provides a complete overview of performance, where one hundred percent represents the best performance in each category. The larger the area covered by each tire's plot, the better its overall performance.
How to read these charts: For each test category, data is presented relative to the best performing tire. The direction indicates whether lower or higher values are better - pay close attention to this when interpreting results.

Performance Overview

This radar chart shows relative performance across all test categories, with 100% representing the best performance in each category. Reference tires may have gaps where data is not available.

Continental VikingContact 7
Michelin X Ice Snow
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
Pirelli Ice Zero FR
Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
Cooper Weathermaster S100
Continental WinterContact TS 870
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
Federal Himalaya ICEO

Quick Navigation

Dry Performance Overview

Dry Braking (M)

Dry braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental WinterContact TS 870 with a result of 41.27 M. The difference between best and worst was 16.6%.
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    41.27 M
  2. Continental VikingContact 7
    45.87 M
  3. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    46.66 M
  4. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    46.88 M
  5. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    47.45 M
  6. Michelin X Ice Snow
    47.88 M
  7. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    49.47 M
  8. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    49.49 M

Dry Handling (s)

Dry handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental WinterContact TS 870 with a result of 71.03 s. The difference between best and worst was 3.8%.
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    71.03 s
  2. Continental VikingContact 7
    72.6 s
  3. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    72.88 s
  4. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    72.96 s
  5. Michelin X Ice Snow
    73.01 s
  6. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    73.15 s
  7. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    73.31 s
  8. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    73.8 s

Subj. Dry Handling ( Points)

Subjective Dry Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental WinterContact TS 870 with a result of 110 Points. The difference between best and worst was 27.3%.
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    110 Points
  2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    100 Points
  3. Continental VikingContact 7
    100 Points
  4. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    98 Points
  5. Michelin X Ice Snow
    98 Points
  6. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    95 Points
  7. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    90 Points
  8. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    80 Points

Wet Performance Overview

Wet Braking (M)

Wet braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental WinterContact TS 870 with a result of 25.78 M. The difference between best and worst was 33.4%.
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    25.78 M
  2. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    33.61 M
  3. Continental VikingContact 7
    35.03 M
  4. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    35.21 M
  5. Michelin X Ice Snow
    35.59 M
  6. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    35.94 M
  7. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    37.76 M
  8. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    38.72 M

Wet Handling (s)

Wet handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental WinterContact TS 870 with a result of 74.29 s. The difference between best and worst was 13%.
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    74.29 s
  2. Continental VikingContact 7
    80.8 s
  3. Michelin X Ice Snow
    81.55 s
  4. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    82.65 s
  5. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    83.2 s
  6. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    83.5 s
  7. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    84.16 s
  8. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    85.41 s

Subj. Wet Handling ( Points)

Subjective Wet Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental WinterContact TS 870 with a result of 120 Points. The difference between best and worst was 37.5%.
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    120 Points
  2. Michelin X Ice Snow
    100 Points
  3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    95 Points
  4. Continental VikingContact 7
    95 Points
  5. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    92 Points
  6. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    80 Points
  7. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    80 Points
  8. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    75 Points

Straight Aqua (Km/H)

Float Speed in Km/H (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental WinterContact TS 870 with a result of 99.45 Km/H. The difference between best and worst was 28.1%.
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    99.45 Km/H
  2. Michelin X Ice Snow
    80.11 Km/H
  3. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    79.61 Km/H
  4. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    76.46 Km/H
  5. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    75.99 Km/H
  6. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    75.71 Km/H
  7. Continental VikingContact 7
    75.12 Km/H
  8. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    71.46 Km/H

Curved Aquaplaning (m/sec2)

Remaining lateral acceleration (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental WinterContact TS 870 with a result of 77.4 m/sec2. The difference between best and worst was 27.9%.
  1. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    77.4 m/sec2
  2. Michelin X Ice Snow
    63.8 m/sec2
  3. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    59.8 m/sec2
  4. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    59.4 m/sec2
  5. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    58.7 m/sec2
  6. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    58.7 m/sec2
  7. Continental VikingContact 7
    58.1 m/sec2
  8. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    55.8 m/sec2

Snow Performance Overview

Snow Braking (M)

Snow braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Yokohama iceGUARD iG53 with a result of 15.37 M. The difference between best and worst was 3.9%.
  1. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    15.37 M
  2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
    15.5 M
  3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    15.51 M
  4. Continental VikingContact 7
    15.63 M
  5. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    15.74 M
  6. Michelin X Ice Snow
    15.81 M
  7. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    15.85 M
  8. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    15.9 M
  9. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    16 M

Snow Traction (s)

Snow acceleration time (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 with a result of 5.55 s. The difference between best and worst was 8%.
  1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    5.55 s
  2. Continental VikingContact 7
    5.62 s
  3. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    5.63 s
  4. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
    5.64 s
  5. Michelin X Ice Snow
    5.66 s
  6. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    5.85 s
  7. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    5.92 s
  8. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    5.92 s
  9. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    6.03 s

Snow Handling (s)

Snow handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 with a result of 87.73 s. The difference between best and worst was 4.8%.
  1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
    87.73 s
  2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    87.8 s
  3. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    88 s
  4. Continental VikingContact 7
    88.08 s
  5. Michelin X Ice Snow
    88.56 s
  6. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    89.24 s
  7. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    89.87 s
  8. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    90.99 s
  9. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    92.12 s

Subj. Snow Handling ( Points)

Subjective Snow Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Pirelli Ice Zero FR with a result of 100 Points. The difference between best and worst was 25%.
  1. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    100 Points
  2. Michelin X Ice Snow
    95 Points
  3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    95 Points
  4. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
    95 Points
  5. Continental VikingContact 7
    95 Points
  6. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    80 Points
  7. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    80 Points
  8. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    80 Points
  9. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    75 Points

Snow Circle (S)

Snow Circle Time in Seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 with a result of 28.9 S. The difference between best and worst was 4.8%.
  1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
    28.9 S
  2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    28.98 S
  3. Michelin X Ice Snow
    29.09 S
  4. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    29.21 S
  5. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    29.33 S
  6. Continental VikingContact 7
    29.49 S
  7. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    29.94 S
  8. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    30.15 S
  9. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    30.35 S

Ice Performance Overview

Ice Braking (M)

Ice braking in meters (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 with a result of 7.7 M. The difference between best and worst was 39.4%.
  1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
    7.7 M
  2. Michelin X Ice Snow
    10.14 M
  3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    10.18 M
  4. Continental VikingContact 7
    10.34 M
  5. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    10.68 M
  6. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    10.97 M
  7. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    11.97 M
  8. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    12.66 M
  9. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    12.71 M

Ice Traction (s)

Ice acceleration time (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 with a result of 3.23 s. The difference between best and worst was 64.8%.
  1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
    3.23 s
  2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    6.06 s
  3. Continental VikingContact 7
    6.1 s
  4. Michelin X Ice Snow
    6.12 s
  5. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    6.41 s
  6. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    6.51 s
  7. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    7.92 s
  8. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    9.13 s
  9. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    9.18 s

Ice Handling (s)

Ice handling time in seconds (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Continental VikingContact 7 with a result of 52.17 s. The difference between best and worst was 13%.
  1. Continental VikingContact 7
    52.17 s
  2. Michelin X Ice Snow
    52.92 s
  3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    53.5 s
  4. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    54.18 s
  5. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
    54.33 s
  6. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    54.63 s
  7. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    54.74 s
  8. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    58.28 s
  9. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    59.99 s

Subj. Ice Handling ( Points)

Subjective Ice Handling Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin X Ice Snow with a result of 100 Points. The difference between best and worst was 30%.
  1. Michelin X Ice Snow
    100 Points
  2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    95 Points
  3. Continental VikingContact 7
    95 Points
  4. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    90 Points
  5. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    90 Points
  6. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
    90 Points
  7. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    85 Points
  8. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    80 Points
  9. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    70 Points

Comfort Performance Overview

Subj. Comfort ( Points)

Subjective Comfort Score (Higher is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Yokohama iceGUARD iG53 with a result of 100 Points. The difference between best and worst was 10%.
  1. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    100 Points
  2. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    100 Points
  3. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    100 Points
  4. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    95 Points
  5. Continental VikingContact 7
    95 Points
  6. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    95 Points
  7. Michelin X Ice Snow
    95 Points
  8. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    90 Points

Noise (dB)

Internal noise in dB (Lower is better)

Key Insight: All the tires in the noise test finished less than 3% apart.
  1. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    61.9 dB
  2. Continental VikingContact 7
    61.9 dB
  3. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    62.1 dB
  4. Michelin X Ice Snow
    62.1 dB
  5. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    62.7 dB
  6. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    62.9 dB
  7. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    63.3 dB
  8. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    63.4 dB

Value Performance Overview

Rolling Resistance (kg / t)

Rolling resistance in kg t (Lower is better)

Key Insight: The best performer was Michelin X Ice Snow with a result of 7.25 kg / t. The difference between best and worst was 31.2%.
  1. Michelin X Ice Snow
    7.25 kg / t
  2. Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
    7.34 kg / t
  3. Yokohama iceGUARD iG53
    7.5 kg / t
  4. Continental VikingContact 7
    7.56 kg / t
  5. Continental WinterContact TS 870
    8.02 kg / t
  6. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
    8.29 kg / t
  7. Pirelli Ice Zero FR
    8.38 kg / t
  8. Cooper Weathermaster S100
    8.45 kg / t
  9. Federal Himalaya ICEO
    10.54 kg / t

Overall Findings

Based on the weighted scoring from all tests, here are the overall results:

Position Tire Score
Michelin X Ice Snow 83.5%
2 Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 83.5%
3 Continental VikingContact 7 83.4%
4 Continental WinterContact TS 870 81.1%
5 Pirelli Ice Zero FR 81%
6 Yokohama iceGUARD iG53 80.8%
7 Cooper Weathermaster S100 77.6%
8 Federal Himalaya ICEO 75.7%
9 Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 63.6%

Test Winner

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10

63.6%

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