The new Nokian Outpost nAT claims to be an all terrain tire you can use in snow, but how good is it? Nokian invented winter tires, so they're pretty confident, so confident in fact they suggested we test it against the king of winter tires, the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5, along with their much loved all weather tire, the Nokian WRG4 SUV, and their high mileage all season tire, the Nokian One SUV.

Before we start, it's worth noting that three of the tires are 3PMSF marked, which is the 3 peak mountain snowflake symbol, sometimes called "severe snow rating". The Winter, All Weather and All Terrain tires carry the 3PMSF marking, but the all season does not. The test size was 265/65 R17, and we used a Toyota Hilux for the test in RWD only mode.

Nokian Outpost nAT vs Hakkapeliitta R5 vs WRG4 vs One

Test setup & methodology

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

Show full testing methodology

Recorded test conditions

Snow Braking: 24.9 → 3.1 mph · 19–16 °F
Snow Traction: 3.1 → 21.7 mph · 19–16 °F
Snow Handling: 19–16 °F

Score Weighting

Weights express the scoring priorities, not how much each discipline actually changed the finishing order. The size of the performance gaps matters too. Category weights contribute to the overall score. Within each category, discipline weights divide that category’s share. Published finishing positions also need to be read alongside the editorial verdict.

Test	Within category	Share of overall score
Snow · 100%
Snow Braking	40%	40%
Snow Traction	40%	40%
Snow Handling	20%	20%

Our standard methods

The conditions above are recorded for this test. The descriptions below explain our standard procedures; measurement windows and run counts can vary by test.

Snow Braking

For snow braking, I drive the test vehicle at an entry speed of 50 km/h and apply full braking effort to a standstill with ABS active on a groomed, compacted snow surface, measuring 45-5 km/h. I generally use a wide VDA (vehicle dynamic area) and progressively move across the surface between runs so that no tire ever brakes on the same piece of snow twice. My standard programme is twelve runs per tire set, although the sequence can extend further if the data justify it. I analyze the full set of runs and discard statistical outliers before averaging. The surface is regularly groomed throughout the session. To correct for changing snow surface conditions, I run reference tires repeatedly — typically every two candidate test sets.

Snow Traction

For snow traction, I accelerate the vehicle from rest on a groomed snow surface with traction control active and measure speed and time using GPS telemetry. I typically use a 5–35 km/h measurement window to reduce the influence of launch transients and powertrain irregularities. I use a wide VDA (vehicle dynamic area) and progressively move across the surface between runs so that no tire ever accelerates on the same piece of snow twice. The surface is regularly groomed throughout the session. I complete multiple runs per tire set and average the valid results. Reference tires are run typically every two candidate test sets to correct for changing snow surface conditions.

Snow Handling

For snow handling, I drive at the limit of adhesion around a dedicated snow handling circuit with ESC disabled where possible. The circuit is groomed and prepared after every run while tires are being changed, so each set runs on a consistently prepared surface. I usually complete between two and five timed laps per tire set, excluding laps affected by clear driver error or obvious environmental inconsistency. Because snow surfaces degrade more rapidly than asphalt, control runs are carried out more frequently — typically every two candidate test sets.

Read our complete testing methodology →

Snow Data

Snow traction is a difficult test for a tire, especially on an unloaded pickup, so it gave us the largest differences between the tires. The Winter was naturally the best, with the all weather around 18% slower in the acceleration test, the all terrain was 12% behind the all weather, and the all season another 11% behind the all terrain.

Snow Traction
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5	4.92 s	Best
2Nokian WR G4 SUV	5.8 s	+0.88 s
3Nokian Outpost nAT	6.96 s	+2.04 s
4Nokian One	8.44 s	+3.52 s

The difference between best and worst was 71.5% (3.52 s).

Interestingly while the order remained the same for snow braking, the extra weight over the primary axle helped the all terrain finish closer to the all weather, and significantly ahead of the all season.

Snow Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Residual speed
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5	50 ft	Best	0 mph
2Nokian WR G4 SUV	66 ft	+16 ft	39 mph
3Nokian Outpost nAT	68 ft	+18 ft	41 mph
4Nokian One	78 ft	+28 ft	48 mph

The difference between best and worst was 56.1% (28 ft ≈ 1.9 Car Lengths). From 80 mph, the Nokian One would still be travelling at 48 mph when the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 had stopped.

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

While the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 was unsurprisingly the fastest around the lap, the real brilliance of a full winter tire came in the subjective handling - the confidence you felt on the Hakka R5 was unrivaled. The all terrain was close to the all weather in time, but the all weather tire felt more balanced around the lap.

Snow Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5	89.6 s	Best
2Nokian WR G4 SUV	98.3 s	+8.70 s
3Nokian Outpost nAT	98.65 s	+9.05 s
4Nokian One	105 s	+15.40 s

The difference between best and worst was 17.2% (15.4 s).

Results

Nokian Outpost nAT vs Hakkapeliitta R5 vs WRG4 vs OneWatch the full video of this test on YouTube Watch on YouTube

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 is totally joyful tire to drive on snow, and proof that a good winter tire can make anything fun in the snow as it made the test Toyota Hilux exceptional fun! Compared to the other tires it just had more grip everywhere, loads of front end grip on turn in, no understeer at all and loads of traction at the rear and when it was sliding it was controllable. This tire is one of the kings of snow performance, and it shows.

All discipline results (3)

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
Snow BrakingLower is better	1^st / 4	50 ft	Best in this discipline
Snow TractionLower is better	1^st / 4	4.92 s	Best in this discipline
Snow HandlingLower is better	1^st / 4	89.6 s	Best in this discipline

3PMSF: Yes

Admittedly the WRG4 couldn't match the winter tire in the snow, but it's not a winter tire, it's an all weather tire so should be better in the dry and wet, but the grip is offered was predictable and safe.

All discipline results (3)

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
Snow BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 4	66 ft	+16 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	2^nd / 4	5.8 s	+0.88 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	2^nd / 4	98.3 s	+8.70 s

3PMSF: Yes

The Nokian Outpost nAT was way closer to the all weather than the all season tire, which is very impressive. It's worth reminding you that we're testing on very hard packed snow at around -17c / 0f!
Sure, the all terrain tire felt a little more like a blunt instrument, there was less feedback around the limit of grip and even coming out of the garage you could tell that it's a more solid tire, but considering you could do a weekend of winter offroading in the sunshine then drive back home through a where it's snowing and still be better off than everyone on their all season tires - it's a very impressive blend.

All discipline results (3)

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
Snow BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 4	68 ft	+18 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	3^rd / 4	6.96 s	+2.04 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	3^rd / 4	98.65 s	+9.05 s

3PMSF: Yes

A lot of tire retailers are wanting to recategorise all season tires to "three season tires" to acknowledge their limited snow performance, but the Nokian One HT was surprisingly good, for its category. However, it's still nearly 20% slower than the winter tire around the lap and easily 100% less confidence inspiring. Traction as always was the most noticeable thing when comparing all season tires to full winters, , the small inclines on the track were taken much slower with minimal acceleration. Turning was fine at lower speeds but there was no reserves on the all season tire.

All discipline results (3)

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
Snow BrakingLower is better	4^th / 4	78 ft	+28 ft
Snow TractionLower is better	4^th / 4	8.44 s	+3.52 s
Snow HandlingLower is better	4^th / 4	105 s	+15.40 s

Discussion

3 comments

Drew Dec 1, 2023 archived

Wonderful review and comparative analysis! But why not include the Outpost APT as the fifth contender? Or please do a separate review on the Outpost APT. I think many people would LOVE to know how the APT stacks up against (between?) the nAT and the WRG4. I currently run a set of APTs and I believe they are very good in the rain and slush and light snow but I haven't yet had a true winter experience with them and, more importantly, haven't seen any specs on stopping distance etc. like you provide with the other tires. Anyway, love your reviews and hope to hear what you have to say about this interesting tire the Nokian Outpost APT. https://www.nokiantires.com...

#9247
1. TireReviews Drew Dec 2, 2023 archived
  
  If I recall at the time of filming it wasn't possible to get the APT in the test size.
  
  #9250
  1. Drew TireReviews Jan 19, 2024 archived
    
    OK thank you very much for the reply. I really wish they could have included a fifth wheel...
    Do you have any reviews planned for the Nokian Outpost APT?
    I'm certain that all of us who run them would love to see you put them through the wringer, especially on Nokian's winter track.
    
    #9323

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Nokian Outpost nAT vs Hakkapeliitta R5 vs WRG4 vs One

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