Vi Bilagare has published its 2026 studded tire test, an eight-tire comparison in 215/65 R17 measured over 13 separate tests. The ice and snow work was carried out on tracks outside Alvsbyn in northern Sweden in late February using a Volkswagen Tiguan, and the dry and wet asphalt rounds followed at Tampere in Finland in late April with a Tiguan R and a Skoda Kodiaq. A reference tire was run at intervals through every test so the measured results could be corrected for changes in the surface.

Nokian's new Hakkapeliitta 01 wins, but the more interesting reading is underneath the result. Bridgestone was thrown out of the classification entirely for stud protrusion above the legal limit. The cheapest tire in the test, the Nankang, recorded the shortest snow braking distance of the whole field. And the overall winner finished second from last for steering feel on dry asphalt, behind tires it beat comfortably almost everywhere else.

Test setup & methodology

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

Recorded test conditions

Dry Braking: 62.1 → 3.1 mph
Wet Braking: 62.1 → 3.1 mph
Snow Braking: 21.7 → 3.1 mph
Ice Braking: 15.5 → 3.1 mph

There is a regulatory story behind all of this. The Finnish authority Traficom has tightened the road-wear limits for studded tires, replacing the outgoing A classification with a stricter A+ grade that applies across the Nordic region. Since January 2025 a manufacturer has needed approval under the new rules to launch a studded tire at all; from January 2027 every newly manufactured studded tire must meet them, although tires built before that date can still be sold until January 2029. Rather than pushing studded tires off the market, that has accelerated development of new stud designs. Continental launched a new studded tire of its own, the IceContact 8, for the same reason, but it was not available in this size when testing began in February 2026. Prices in the results table are Swedish kronor per tire. This is our summary of the headline findings; for the complete data set and the full methodology, see Vi Bilagare's original test.

Ice

Ice is what a studded tire is bought for and it carries the most weight in the scoring. Bridgestone tops all three ice tests, but that result comes with a caveat covered further down: its studs stood well proud of the legal limit. Among the tires that complied, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01 is clearly the strongest, quickest away from a standstill, shortest to stop and fastest through the corners, and the easiest of the eight to drive at the limit. Michelin is next, with Goodyear a little further back. Kumho is nowhere: it needs around seven seconds longer than the Nokian to reach 25 km/h.

Ice Traction
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3	8.46 s	Best
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01	10.43 s	+1.97 s
3Michelin X Ice North 4	10.55 s	+2.09 s
4Pirelli Ice Zero 2	12.46 s	+4.00 s
5Nordman North 9 SUV	12.52 s	+4.06 s
6Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	12.94 s	+4.48 s
7Nankang Ice Activa Grip 2 SUV	13.61 s	+5.15 s
8Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32	17.31 s	+8.85 s

The difference between best and worst was 104.6% (8.85 s).

Under braking the order is much the same. Nordman, which shares a tread pattern with an older Hakkapeliitta but uses a harder compound, gives up roughly three meters to its Nokian relative from only 25 km/h, and Kumho needs nearly seven meters more than the Nokian to stop.

Ice Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3	27 ft	Best	0 mph
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01	35 ft	+8 ft	39 mph
3Michelin X Ice North 4	37 ft	+10 ft	42 mph
4Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	41 ft	+14 ft	46 mph
5Nordman North 9 SUV	45 ft	+18 ft	51 mph
6Nankang Ice Activa Grip 2 SUV	47 ft	+20 ft	52 mph
7Pirelli Ice Zero 2	50 ft	+23 ft	54 mph
8Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32	58 ft	+31 ft	58 mph

The difference between best and worst was 113% (31 ft ≈ 2.1 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32 would still be travelling at 58 mph when the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3 had stopped.

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

In the corners Nokian has the best grip of the legal tires and is also the most predictable. Nankang is the surprise, staying calm at the limit in a way budget tires usually do not, while Kumho is the hardest to control and Pirelli is a long way off the pace.

Ice Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3	77.82 s	Best
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01	77.95 s	+0.13 s
3Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	78.51 s	+0.69 s
4Michelin X Ice North 4	79.07 s	+1.25 s
5Nankang Ice Activa Grip 2 SUV	80.37 s	+2.55 s
6Nordman North 9 SUV	82.92 s	+5.10 s
7Pirelli Ice Zero 2	84.18 s	+6.36 s
8Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32	86.36 s	+8.54 s

The difference between best and worst was 11% (8.54 s).

Snow

Snow is the great leveller here. Stud protrusion matters far less once the surface is soft, because what counts is packing the tread with snow so it can grip the snow on the road, and every tire in the test does that to a similar standard. Under acceleration the whole field is covered by about a fifth of a second.

Snow Traction
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Michelin X Ice North 4	4.87 s	Best
2Pirelli Ice Zero 2	4.93 s	+0.06 s
3Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32	5 s	+0.13 s
4Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	5.02 s	+0.15 s
5Nordman North 9 SUV	5.03 s	+0.16 s
6Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01	5.05 s	+0.18 s
7Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3	5.08 s	+0.21 s
8Nankang Ice Activa Grip 2 SUV	5.09 s	+0.22 s

The difference between best and worst was 4.5% (0.22 s).

Braking is just as tight, with under three per cent separating the first seven tires despite repeated runs. This is where the Nankang produces the upset of the test, stopping shortest of all eight and ahead of every premium tire here. Bridgestone is the only one to struggle, finishing about five per cent behind.

Snow Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Nankang Ice Activa Grip 2 SUV	46 ft	Best	0 mph
2Michelin X Ice North 4	46 ft	0 ft	2 mph
3Nordman North 9 SUV	46 ft	0 ft	7 mph
4Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01	46 ft	0 ft	10 mph
5Pirelli Ice Zero 2	47 ft	+1 ft	12 mph
6Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	47 ft	+1 ft	12 mph
6Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32	47 ft	+1 ft	12 mph
8Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3	48 ft	+2 ft	17 mph

The difference between best and worst was 5% (2 ft). From 80 mph, the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3 would still be travelling at 17 mph when the Nankang Ice Activa Grip 2 SUV had stopped.

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

Handling spreads the field a little further. Nokian is quickest through the corners, and Nankang again finishes high and is one of the easiest tires to control at the limit. Bridgestone can let go suddenly, and so can Kumho, from an already low grip level.

Snow Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01	69.1 s	Best
2Michelin X Ice North 4	69.49 s	+0.39 s
3Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	69.66 s	+0.56 s
4Nankang Ice Activa Grip 2 SUV	70.77 s	+1.67 s
5Pirelli Ice Zero 2	70.95 s	+1.85 s
6Nordman North 9 SUV	71 s	+1.90 s
7Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3	71.22 s	+2.12 s
8Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32	72.57 s	+3.47 s

The difference between best and worst was 5% (3.47 s).

Wet

Pirelli owns the wet. It stops shortest from 100 km/h, with Goodyear about a meter further on and Nokian two. At the other end, Nankang is still travelling at over 40 km/h at the point where the Pirelli has come to a complete stop, which is a substantial difference in a real incident.

Wet Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Pirelli Ice Zero 2	177 ft	Best	0 mph
2Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	181 ft	+4 ft	11 mph
3Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01	184 ft	+7 ft	15 mph
4Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3	192 ft	+15 ft	22 mph
5Nordman North 9 SUV	197 ft	+20 ft	25 mph
6Michelin X Ice North 4	200 ft	+23 ft	27 mph
7Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32	203 ft	+26 ft	28 mph
8Nankang Ice Activa Grip 2 SUV	208 ft	+31 ft	31 mph

The difference between best and worst was 17.5% (31 ft ≈ 2.1 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Nankang Ice Activa Grip 2 SUV would still be travelling at 31 mph when the Pirelli Ice Zero 2 had stopped.

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

Pirelli is also the quickest and the most satisfying through tight wet corners. Nokian understeers more, Goodyear is well balanced, Bridgestone can slide if the speed is too high, and Kumho simply has low cornering grip throughout.

Wet Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Pirelli Ice Zero 2	40.17 s	Best
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01	40.46 s	+0.29 s
3Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	40.6 s	+0.43 s
4Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3	41.26 s	+1.09 s
5Nankang Ice Activa Grip 2 SUV	41.48 s	+1.31 s
6Michelin X Ice North 4	41.62 s	+1.45 s
7Nordman North 9 SUV	41.67 s	+1.50 s
8Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32	41.99 s	+1.82 s

The difference between best and worst was 4.5% (1.82 s).

Deep standing water tells the same story. Pirelli resists aquaplaning best, Nokian is around six per cent behind it, and Nankang has nowhere near the same resistance, trailing Pirelli by nearly twenty per cent.

Straight Aqua
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Pirelli Ice Zero 2	45.7 mph	Best
2Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01	42.9 mph	-2.8 mph
3Nordman North 9 SUV	42.7 mph	-3.0 mph
4Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	42.5 mph	-3.2 mph
5Michelin X Ice North 4	42.2 mph	-3.5 mph
6Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3	40.6 mph	-5.1 mph
7Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32	39.1 mph	-6.6 mph
8Nankang Ice Activa Grip 2 SUV	37.2 mph	-8.5 mph

The difference between best and worst was 18.6% (8.5 mph).

Dry

Goodyear and Pirelli stop best on dry asphalt. Kumho is far happier here than it is in the wet and brakes well, while Bridgestone has the hardest time of it and comes to rest around a car length after the best.

Dry Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	168 ft	Best	0 mph
2Pirelli Ice Zero 2	168 ft	0 ft	4 mph
3Michelin X Ice North 4	172 ft	+4 ft	12 mph
4Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32	172 ft	+4 ft	13 mph
5Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01	172 ft	+4 ft	13 mph
6Nordman North 9 SUV	176 ft	+8 ft	17 mph
7Nankang Ice Activa Grip 2 SUV	177 ft	+9 ft	18 mph
8Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3	182 ft	+14 ft	22 mph

The difference between best and worst was 8.2% (14 ft ≈ 0.9 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3 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.

Subjective dry handling is where the test winner comes unstuck. No tire likes corners as much as Pirelli, and Michelin impresses with good steering feel and straight-line stability, but the Nokian's steering is vague and it is not easy to place under pressure, leaving it second from last. Nankang slides wide in the avoidance tests and finishes bottom.

Subj. Dry Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Michelin X Ice North 4	10 Points	Best
1Pirelli Ice Zero 2	10 Points	Best
3Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	8 Points	-2.00 Points
3Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32	8 Points	-2.00 Points
5Nordman North 9 SUV	6 Points	-4.00 Points
5Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3	6 Points	-4.00 Points
7Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01	4 Points	-6.00 Points
8Nankang Ice Activa Grip 2 SUV	2 Points	-8.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 80% (8 Points).

Noise

Cabin noise was measured with a decibel meter at the driver's ears, with the subjective assessment carrying the greater weight in the rating. This is where Nokian's new stud technology is at its most convincing: previous Hakkapeliitta studded tires have been noisy, and this one is the quietest tire in the test on both the measurement and the subjective judgement. Nordman, Kumho and above all Bridgestone go the other way, the latter's long stud protrusion producing a pronounced clatter against the road.

Noise
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01	69.5 dB	Best
2Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	70.8 dB	+1.30 dB
3Michelin X Ice North 4	70.9 dB	+1.40 dB
3Pirelli Ice Zero 2	70.9 dB	+1.40 dB
5Nankang Ice Activa Grip 2 SUV	71 dB	+1.50 dB
6Nordman North 9 SUV	71.1 dB	+1.60 dB
7Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32	71.7 dB	+2.20 dB
8Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3	72.4 dB	+2.90 dB

The difference between best and worst was 4.2% (2.9 dB).

Subj. Noise
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01	10 Points	Best
2Pirelli Ice Zero 2	8 Points	-2.00 Points
2Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	8 Points	-2.00 Points
2Nankang Ice Activa Grip 2 SUV	8 Points	-2.00 Points
5Michelin X Ice North 4	6 Points	-4.00 Points
6Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32	4 Points	-6.00 Points
6Nordman North 9 SUV	4 Points	-6.00 Points
8Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3	2 Points	-8.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 80% (8 Points).

Consumption

Energy use was measured at a constant 70 km/h over twenty kilometers of an oval track. Kumho rolls easily and is the most economical tire in the test. Despite the new stud technology, Nokian is one of the thirstier tires here, and Bridgestone needs around six per cent more energy than the Kumho to hold the same steady speed.

Fuel Consumption
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Extra fuel / year
1Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32	6.17 l/100km	Best	$0
2Nordman North 9 SUV	6.24 l/100km	+0.07 l/100km	$13
3Pirelli Ice Zero 2	6.3 l/100km	+0.13 l/100km	$24
4Michelin X Ice North 4	6.43 l/100km	+0.26 l/100km	$48
5Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2	6.45 l/100km	+0.28 l/100km	$51
5Nankang Ice Activa Grip 2 SUV	6.45 l/100km	+0.28 l/100km	$51
7Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01	6.52 l/100km	+0.35 l/100km	$64
8Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3	6.58 l/100km	+0.41 l/100km	$75

The difference between best and worst was 6.6% (0.41 l/100km). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3 uses about 21 gal ($75) more fuel than the Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32.

Adjust the assumptions

Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions.

Gas/Diesel Electric

Annual Mileage

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Fuel Price

$3.60/gal

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Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tire age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.

Why Bridgestone was disqualified

Bridgestone holds type approval for a maximum stud protrusion of 1.2 mm. Vi Bilagare measured more than 1.3 mm on the test tires straight out of the factory, and after 500 km of running in the studs had worked their way out to a full 1.5 mm, close to twice the protrusion of the Goodyear and well beyond every applicable limit. That is a real advantage on ice, and the magazine judged the deviation large enough that the tires would not have passed an independent production inspection, so it removed Bridgestone from the classification. This is the second time in a short period that Vi Bilagare has criticised the stud fitment on tires from the same Bridgestone factory; two years ago the complaint was that studs pointed in different directions and at odd angles, with some coming loose during testing.

Results

Nokian's Hakkapeliitta 01 takes the win because the scoring rewards what a studded tire is actually for, and on ice and snow it is the class of the field. It is not the complete tire though, and buyers who spend most of the winter on clear or wet tarmac will find the Goodyear a more even performer and the Pirelli a far better drive. Michelin sits between the two, strong in a straight line on snow and ice and pleasant on asphalt, but held back by its wet grip. Further down, the Nankang is a genuinely capable snow tire undone by its wet and dry behavior, and the Kumho is simply outclassed in the tests that matter most here. As always with a test in a single size, the ranking may look different in another dimension, so read the individual scores against the conditions you actually drive in.

Vi Bilagare Test Winner Testvinnare

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 01 wins this test on the strength of its winter performance, which is where the scoring puts most of the weight. It is the benchmark for ice grip among the legally compliant tires and backs that up with good wet grip and the quietest cabin in the test. The compromise is on asphalt, where the steering and stability give ground to rivals, so Nokian appear to have traded some road manners to protect the ice results. For drivers who buy studded tires for genuine winter conditions it is the pick of this field; anyone spending most of the winter on clear tarmac should read the asphalt scores first.

Dry87.6%

Wet97.4%

Snow98.3%

Ice85.8%

Comfort100%

Fuel Consumption94.6%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	172 ft	+4 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	7^th / 8	4 Points	-6.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 8	184 ft	+7 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 8	40.458 s	+0.29 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	2^nd / 8	42.9 mph	-2.8 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	4^th / 8	46 ft	0 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	6^th / 8	5.05 s	+0.18 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	1^st / 8	69.097 s	Best in this discipline
Ice BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 8	35 ft	+8 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	2^nd / 8	10.43 s	+1.97 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 8	77.953 s	+0.13 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	1^st / 8	10 Points	Best in this discipline
NoiseLower is better	1^st / 8	69.5 dB	Best in this discipline
Fuel ConsumptionLower is better	7^th / 8	6.519 l/100km	+0.35 l/100km

Origin: Finland
Shore: 54
Stud Count: 242
Weight: 12.8 kgs
Tread: 8.9 mm
Price: 2736.00

The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 takes second place by being consistently good rather than outstanding at any single thing. Goodyear have adapted it to the tighter road-wear rules and it still delivers competitive winter grip while being the strongest tire here under dry braking. If you want a studded tire with no obvious weakness and a real balance between winter and asphalt performance, this is the one to have.

Dry96.6%

Wet97.9%

Snow98%

Ice77%

Comfort89.1%

Fuel Consumption95.7%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	168 ft	Best in this discipline
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	3^rd / 8	8 Points	-2.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 8	181 ft	+4 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	3^rd / 8	40.597 s	+0.43 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	4^th / 8	42.5 mph	-3.2 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	6^th / 8	47 ft	+1 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	4^th / 8	5.02 s	+0.15 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	3^rd / 8	69.664 s	+0.57 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	4^th / 8	41 ft	+14 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	6^th / 8	12.94 s	+4.48 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	3^rd / 8	78.509 s	+0.69 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	2^nd / 8	8 Points	-2.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	2^nd / 8	70.8 dB	+1.30 dB
Fuel ConsumptionLower is better	5^th / 8	6.445 l/100km	+0.28 l/100km

Origin: Poland
Shore: 56
Stud Count: 220
Weight: 13.1 kgs
Tread: 9.8 mm
Price: 2483.00

The Michelin X-Ice North 4 is the oldest design in this comparison and still finishes third. Its strength is balance: strong straight-line grip on snow and ice combined with the kind of asphalt manners that make a studded tire easy to live with through a whole winter. The relatively weak wet performance is what keeps it off the top two. Worth noting that the pattern is approved under the new road-wear rules, but the test tires themselves carry the outgoing classification.

Dry98.2%

Wet92.5%

Snow99.8%

Ice83.7%

Comfort79%

Fuel Consumption95.9%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	172 ft	+4 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	1^st / 8	10 Points	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	6^th / 8	200 ft	+23 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	6^th / 8	41.622 s	+1.45 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	5^th / 8	42.2 mph	-3.5 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 8	46 ft	0 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	1^st / 8	4.87 s	Best in this discipline
Snow HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 8	69.494 s	+0.40 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 8	37 ft	+10 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	3^rd / 8	10.55 s	+2.09 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	4^th / 8	79.069 s	+1.25 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	5^th / 8	6 Points	-4.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	3^rd / 8	70.9 dB	+1.40 dB
Fuel ConsumptionLower is better	4^th / 8	6.432 l/100km	+0.27 l/100km

Origin: Italy
Shore: 57
Stud Count: 282
Weight: 12.2 kgs
Tread: 8.2 mm
Price: 2437.00

The Pirelli Ice Zero 2 is an unusual studded tire in that ice is its weakest test rather than its strongest, a pattern it has repeated across sizes in recent years. What it offers instead is the best wet performance and the best steering feel in the field. Weak ice grip keeps it off the podium, but for a driver whose winter is mostly wet and cold rather than genuinely icy it makes a strong case.

Dry99.8%

Wet100%

Snow98%

Ice71.4%

Comfort89%

Fuel Consumption97.8%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	168 ft	0 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	1^st / 8	10 Points	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	1^st / 8	177 ft	Best in this discipline
Wet HandlingLower is better	1^st / 8	40.172 s	Best in this discipline
Straight AquaHigher is better	1^st / 8	45.7 mph	Best in this discipline
Snow BrakingLower is better	5^th / 8	47 ft	+1 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	2^nd / 8	4.93 s	+0.06 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	5^th / 8	70.95 s	+1.85 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	7^th / 8	50 ft	+23 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	4^th / 8	12.46 s	+4.00 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	7^th / 8	84.181 s	+6.36 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	2^nd / 8	8 Points	-2.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	3^rd / 8	70.9 dB	+1.40 dB
Fuel ConsumptionLower is better	3^rd / 8	6.304 l/100km	+0.14 l/100km

Origin: Romania
Shore: 62
Stud Count: 196
Weight: 11.2 kgs
Tread: 7.8 mm
Price: 2212.00

The Nordman North 9 SUV shares its tread pattern with an earlier Nokian Hakkapeliitta but uses a simpler, harder compound, and it performs exactly as that suggests: safe and predictable in winter conditions without ever threatening the front of the field. It behaves consistently but does not impress in outright grip anywhere, and the limited wet performance and the noise hold it back to a mid-field finish.

Dry89.4%

Wet93.3%

Snow97.7%

Ice73.7%

Comfort68.9%

Fuel Consumption98.9%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	176 ft	+8 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	5^th / 8	6 Points	-4.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	5^th / 8	197 ft	+20 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	7^th / 8	41.669 s	+1.50 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	3^rd / 8	42.7 mph	-3.0 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 8	46 ft	0 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	5^th / 8	5.03 s	+0.16 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	6^th / 8	71.004 s	+1.91 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	5^th / 8	45 ft	+18 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	5^th / 8	12.52 s	+4.06 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	6^th / 8	82.917 s	+5.10 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	6^th / 8	4 Points	-6.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	6^th / 8	71.1 dB	+1.60 dB
Fuel ConsumptionLower is better	2^nd / 8	6.236 l/100km	+0.07 l/100km

Origin: Finland
Shore: 61
Stud Count: 192
Weight: 11.7 kgs
Tread: 10.0 mm
Price: 2352.00

The Nankang Ice Activa Grip 2 SUV is the value pick of this field, and on snow it genuinely competes with tires costing far more. What it lacks is the rest of the package: the wet performance is the weakest here and the asphalt behavior is loose. For a driver who spends the winter on snow-covered roads it works well, but a studded tire also has to cope with wet and clear tarmac, and that is where the low price shows.

Dry82%

Wet89.9%

Snow97.7%

Ice72.3%

Comfort88.9%

Fuel Consumption95.6%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	177 ft	+9 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	8^th / 8	2 Points	-8.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	8^th / 8	208 ft	+31 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	5^th / 8	41.483 s	+1.31 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	8^th / 8	37.2 mph	-8.5 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	1^st / 8	46 ft	Best in this discipline
Snow TractionLower is better	8^th / 8	5.09 s	+0.22 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	4^th / 8	70.766 s	+1.67 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	6^th / 8	47 ft	+20 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	7^th / 8	13.61 s	+5.15 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	5^th / 8	80.372 s	+2.55 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	2^nd / 8	8 Points	-2.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	5^th / 8	71 dB	+1.50 dB
Fuel ConsumptionLower is better	6^th / 8	6.451 l/100km	+0.29 l/100km

Origin: China
Shore: 55
Stud Count: 213
Weight: 12.8 kgs
Tread: 8.8 mm
Price: 1630.00

The Kumho WinterCraft Ice finishes last. The pattern was updated a few years ago but that appears to apply to only a limited number of sizes, and in this test size it combines low stud protrusion with the hardest compound in the field, which is a poor recipe for a studded tire. It is competent on dry asphalt and cheap to run, but a studded tire is bought for ice, and here it cannot deliver.

Dry94.5%

Wet90.9%

Snow96.7%

Ice61.8%

Comfort68.5%

Fuel Consumption100%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	172 ft	+4 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	3^rd / 8	8 Points	-2.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	7^th / 8	203 ft	+26 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	8^th / 8	41.988 s	+1.82 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	7^th / 8	39.1 mph	-6.6 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	6^th / 8	47 ft	+1 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	3^rd / 8	5 s	+0.13 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	8^th / 8	72.572 s	+3.48 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	8^th / 8	58 ft	+31 ft
Ice TractionLower is better	8^th / 8	17.31 s	+8.85 s
Ice HandlingLower is better	8^th / 8	86.362 s	+8.54 s
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	6^th / 8	4 Points	-6.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	7^th / 8	71.7 dB	+2.20 dB
Fuel ConsumptionLower is better	1^st / 8	6.165 l/100km	Best in this discipline

Origin: South Korea
Shore: 62
Stud Count: 200
Weight: 12.0 kgs
Tread: 8.6 mm
Price: 1437.00

The Bridgestone Blizzak Spike 3 was disqualified from this test for stud protrusion above the legal limit, so its ice results do not stand as a fair comparison with the rest. This is the second time in a short period that Vi Bilagare have criticised the stud fitment on Bridgestone tires from the same factory. Setting the studs aside, what remains is a tire that produces mostly average results, is harder to balance at the limit than the best here, and is both noisy and thirsty, which does not match what it costs.

Dry86.9%

Wet94.2%

Snow96.1%

Ice100%

Comfort58%

Fuel Consumption93.8%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (14)

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	182 ft	+14 ft
Subj. Dry HandlingHigher is better	5^th / 8	6 Points	-4.00 Points
Wet BrakingLower is better	4^th / 8	192 ft	+15 ft
Wet HandlingLower is better	4^th / 8	41.255 s	+1.08 s
Straight AquaHigher is better	6^th / 8	40.6 mph	-5.1 mph
Snow BrakingLower is better	8^th / 8	48 ft	+2 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	7^th / 8	5.08 s	+0.21 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	7^th / 8	71.218 s	+2.12 s
Ice BrakingLower is better	1^st / 8	27 ft	Best in this discipline
Ice TractionLower is better	1^st / 8	8.46 s	Best in this discipline
Ice HandlingLower is better	1^st / 8	77.821 s	Best in this discipline
Subj. NoiseHigher is better	8^th / 8	2 Points	-8.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	8^th / 8	72.4 dB	+2.90 dB
Fuel ConsumptionLower is better	8^th / 8	6.575 l/100km	+0.41 l/100km

Origin: Hungary
Shore: 63
Stud Count: 262
Weight: 12.4 kgs
Tread: 9.2 mm
Price: 2463.00

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The evidence behind the verdict

Test setup & methodology

Recorded test conditions

Ice

Snow

Wet

Dry

Noise

Consumption

Why Bridgestone was disqualified

Results

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