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Test Charts / TESTIRENKAAT

2023 Studless vs Studded Snow 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
8
Disciplines
9

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.

Dry

1

Dry Braking

Dry braking in feet (50 - 3 mph)

Lower is better ↓
Dry Braking
Position / TireResultGap to bestResidual speed
101 ft Best 0 mph
102 ft +1 ft 8 mph
102 ft +1 ft 10 mph
103 ft +2 ft 11 mph
103 ft +2 ft 12 mph
104 ft +3 ft 15 mph
107 ft +6 ft 19 mph
108 ft +7 ft 22 mph

The difference between best and worst was 7.8% (7 ft ≈ 0.5 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Antares GRIP 60 ice would still be travelling at 22 mph when the Pirelli Ice Zero FR had stopped.

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

Wet

2

Wet Braking

Wet braking in feet (50 - 3 mph)

Lower is better ↓
Wet Braking
Position / TireResultGap to bestResidual speed
107 ft Best 0 mph
110 ft +3 ft 14 mph
119 ft +12 ft 25 mph
126 ft +19 ft 31 mph
134 ft +27 ft 36 mph
135 ft +28 ft 36 mph
138 ft +31 ft 38 mph
142 ft +35 ft 40 mph

The difference between best and worst was 32.7% (35 ft ≈ 2.4 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 would still be travelling at 40 mph when the Sunfull SF W11 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 ↓
Wet Handling
Position / TireResultGap to best
40.4 s Best
40.8 s +0.40 s
40.8 s +0.40 s
41.4 s +1.00 s
42.2 s +1.80 s
42.7 s +2.30 s
42.8 s +2.40 s
44.9 s +4.50 s

The difference between best and worst was 11.1% (4.5 s).

Snow

3

Snow Braking

Snow braking in feet

Lower is better ↓
Snow Braking
Position / TireResultGap to best
37 ft Best
38 ft +1 ft
38 ft +1 ft
38 ft +1 ft
39 ft +2 ft
40 ft +3 ft
40 ft +3 ft
43 ft +6 ft

The difference between best and worst was 14.9% (6 ft ≈ 0.4 Car Lengths).

Snow Traction

Snow acceleration time (3 - 22 mph)

Lower is better ↓
Snow Traction
Position / TireResultGap to best
4.34 s Best
4.39 s +0.05 s
4.45 s +0.11 s
4.47 s +0.13 s
4.91 s +0.57 s
5.16 s +0.82 s
5.41 s +1.07 s
5.44 s +1.10 s

The difference between best and worst was 25.3% (1.1 s).

Snow Handling

Snow handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓
Snow Handling
Position / TireResultGap to best
83.04 s Best
83.28 s +0.24 s
84.04 s +1.00 s
85.19 s +2.15 s
90.82 s +7.78 s
91.69 s +8.65 s
93.33 s +10.29 s
93.73 s +10.69 s

The difference between best and worst was 12.9% (10.69 s).

Ice

3

Ice Braking

Ice braking in feet (16 - 3 mph)

Lower is better ↓
Ice Braking
Position / TireResultGap to bestResidual speed
48 ft Best 0 mph
49 ft +1 ft 11 mph
50 ft +2 ft 14 mph
50 ft +2 ft 15 mph
52 ft +4 ft 22 mph
52 ft +4 ft 22 mph
54 ft +6 ft 26 mph
56 ft +8 ft 29 mph

The difference between best and worst was 14.9% (8 ft ≈ 0.5 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Winrun Winter Max S1 WR60 would still be travelling at 29 mph when the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 3 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 - 16 mph)

Lower is better ↓
Ice Traction
Position / TireResultGap to best
5.95 s Best
6.39 s +0.44 s
6.67 s +0.72 s
6.68 s +0.73 s
6.93 s +0.98 s
6.93 s +0.98 s
7.01 s +1.06 s
7.71 s +1.76 s

The difference between best and worst was 29.6% (1.76 s).

Ice Handling

Ice handling time in seconds

Lower is better ↓
Ice Handling
Position / TireResultGap to best
69.76 s Best
69.9 s +0.14 s
71.21 s +1.45 s
77.09 s +7.33 s
81.25 s +11.49 s
82.21 s +12.45 s
83.04 s +13.28 s
89.39 s +19.63 s

The difference between best and worst was 28.1% (19.63 s).

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 → 3.1 mph
Wet Braking
49.7 → 3.1 mph
Snow Traction
3.1 → 21.7 mph
Ice Braking
15.5 → 3.1 mph
Ice Traction
3.1 → 15.5 mph

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