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Riken Snow

Touring Winter Winter rated

The Riken Riken Snow is an economy touring winter tire that owners often rate surprisingly highly for everyday winter driving, especially for traction and confidence in snow and ice. Many also praise its value for money and report strong wear for the price. However, independent braking tests paint a much less flattering picture, with the tire regularly trailing the field and showing a clear weakness in wet braking.

The quick answer

Owners say 78% from 9 owner reviews 89% would buy again Read the reviews
Tests say 38th average finish across 4 independent tests Latest: P36 of 55 · 2024 See every test

Built from every independent test result and vetted owner review we hold for this tire - the evidence is all further down the page. Data updated October 2026.

  • 9owner reviews
  • 83,000miles driven
  • 4professional tests
  • 55sizes available
Riken Snow 1 photos

Tire Reviews Score

Riken Snow

7.3/10

Better than 53% of winter tires

  • Limited Confidence
  • 4 tests
  • 9 owner reviews
Scores of the 278 winter tires we have tested

How this score is built

Better than Weight
Independent tests4 tests · 1 publication · 2020-2024 53% 86%
Owner reviews9 owner reviews · rated 78% 53% 14%
Combined 53% 7.3

A fixed curve turns the combined figure into the 0 to 10 score, so roughly the top 10% of a group score 9 or more.

Category by category

How it compares with other winter tires in each area, and how much each area counts. 50 is the middle of the group.

Category Better than Weight Tests
WetBraking, handling and aquaplaning in the wet 41% 33% 4
SnowBraking, traction and handling on snow Not tested, counted as average 26% –
IceBraking, traction and handling on ice Not tested, counted as average 21% –
DryBraking and handling on dry roads Not tested, counted as average 20% –

Weights are shares of the test result. Owner reviews are blended in afterwards.

By discipline

The same results grouped by what the tire was doing. They are not counted a second time.

BrakingEvery braking test, on any surface 35% 4

Confidence

  1. Limited
  2. Medium
  3. High

Its own test results decide 62% of the test figure. The other 38% is the average for its group, and it shrinks as more tests arrive.

High needs at least 3 tests, with its own results deciding 90% or more. Medium needs 2 tests and 70%. Anything less is Limited: expect the number to move as tests arrive.

The tests behind it

  1. 2024 2024 Winter 55 Tire Braking Test Auto Bild · 205/55 R16 P36 / 55
  2. 2023 2023 Winter Tire Test 54 Set Braking Test Auto Bild · 225/45 R18 P40 / 54
  3. 2022 2022 Winter Tire Market Overview Auto Bild · 215/55 R17 P43 / 56
  4. 2020 2020 Winter Tire Market Overview - 52 Tire Braking Test Auto Bild · 245/45 R18 P32 / 51
All Tests
View Test Results

Tested 4 times by independent publications, the Riken Riken Snow averages a finish of 38th.

4 Tests
0 Test Wins
38th Average
32nd Best
43rd Worst
Finishing position in each test1stLast20202024

Finishing position in each test

YearTestResultAward
20242024 Winter 55 Tire Braking TestAuto Bild · 205/55 R16P36 / 55
20232023 Winter Tire Test 54 Set Braking TestAuto Bild · 225/45 R18P40 / 54
20222022 Winter Tire Market OverviewAuto Bild · 215/55 R17P43 / 56
20202020 Winter Tire Market Overview - 52 Tire Braking TestAuto Bild · 245/45 R18P32 / 51

On the full record: Record by disciplineHead-to-head recordEvery published verdict

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Dimensions & Label Scores
View All

Size Range41 sizes available

165-245Width40-65Profile15-18Rim77-103 T-VLoad/Speed Index2016First On Market

EU Label

Noise

70-72dB

3PMSF on every size

Popular sizes225/50 R17235/40 R18215/65 R17235/45 R18205/45 R17215/45 R17
Frequently Asked Questions
How good is the Riken Snow in the wet?
Across the 4 wet-braking tests it has featured in, the Riken Snow stops 12.6% longer than premium rivals, 6.5% longer than mid-range rivals and 1.8% shorter than budget rivals. It has a Tire Reviews wet score of 41/100, and owners rate it 7.6/10 in the wet from 9 reviews.
What do owners say about the Riken Snow?
Across 9 owner ratings the Riken Snow averages 78%. Owners rate Snow Grip highest at 8.4 out of 10 and Ice Grip lowest at 7.1. 2 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles. 100% of owners score it 70% or better.
What is the Riken Snow's EU tire label rating?
Across its range, the Riken Snow most commonly carries EU label ratings of D for fuel efficiency, C for wet grip and 72 dB for noise.
How comfortable and quiet are the Riken Snow?
Owners rate the Riken Snow 7.1 out of 10 for comfort and noise across 7 reviews.
How well do the Riken Snow wear, according to owners?
Owners rate the Riken Snow 8.1 out of 10 for wear across 7 reviews. 2 of those reviews come from owners past 10,000 miles, and the typical review covers 5,000 miles.
More questions about the Riken Snow (2)
Would owners buy the Riken Snow again?
89% of owners say they would buy the Riken Snow again, based on the 9 owner reviews that answered the question. 78% of them gave it the highest possible answer.
What sizes does the Riken Snow come in?
The Riken Snow is available in 55 sizes, ranging from 165-245/40-65 R15-18.
Owner Questions
Ask a question
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Riken Snow Owner Reviews

Review this tire

What owners say summarised from 5 reviews

Drivers rate the Riken Riken Snow very highly overall, with repeated praise for strong traction and confidence in snow, ice and even mud, plus solid dry-road grip for a winter-focused tire. Many also highlight excellent value for money and good-to-outstanding wear, with several stating they would buy again. A minority mention drawbacks like softer/mushier handling and some road noise, and one user reports wet-braking grip can be less reassuring when driven harder.

What owners mention most counted across 6 reviews

Tap one to read only the reviews that mention it.

Owner ratings averaged from 9 ratings

  • Owner score 78%
  • Snow Grip 84%
  • Road Feedback 81%
  • Wear 81%
  • Dry Grip 78%
  • Wet Grip 76%
  • Handling 71%
  • Comfort 71%
  • Ice Grip 71%

Featured reviews

Most helpful 87%

“got these on a corsa van and they are great in the snow and not noisy on the road, good wear properties for the blocky tread pattern. Bought some more for the rears to replace the verdenstiens which are not as good in...”

  • Vauxhall Corsa
  • 4,000 miles
Read full review → 913 found this helpful
Longest term 72%

“I have been very satisfied with these winter tires so far, having driven around 20,000 miles on them. They offer excellent performance in cold weather and are especially good in snow, providing dependable grip and...”

  • Dacia Sandero Stepway Mk3
  • 20,000 miles
Read full review → 2 found this helpful

All 7 Riken Snow reviews

Score spread across 7 written reviews
72%
Fabian
Initial Impressions

I have been very satisfied with these winter tires so far, having driven around 20,000 miles on them.
They offer excellent performance in cold weather and are especially good in snow, providing dependable grip and control. I haven't had the chance to test them on ice yet, so I cannot comment on extreme icy conditions.
The tire compound is noticeably soft, which contributes to a smooth and comfortable ride. They are surprisingly quiet on the road, with very low noise levels compared to standard winter options.
Compared to my previous Hankook winter tires, I find these to be a clear improvement in terms of overall comfort and snow handling. My only slight uncertainty is their long-term durability and tread life, given how soft they are, but they have performed exceptionally well throughout the miles I've put on them so far.

This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 7
  • Wet Grip 7
  • Road Feedback 7
  • Handling 8
  • Wear 6
  • Comfort 8
  • Buy again 8
  • Snow Grip 8
  • Ice Grip 6
Helpful 2
91%
Member
Initial Impressions

Marvellous

This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 9
  • Road Feedback 9
  • Handling 8
  • Wear 9
  • Comfort 9
  • Buy again 10
  • Snow Grip 10
  • Ice Grip 10
Helpful 18
87%
Member
got these on a corsa van and they are great in the snow and not noisy on the road, good wear properties for the blocky tread pattern. Bought some more for the rears to replace the verdenstiens which are not as good in the snow.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 9
  • Wet Grip 10
  • Road Feedback 9
  • Handling 9
  • Wear 10
  • Comfort 4
  • Buy again 10
  • Snow Grip 10
  • Ice Grip 7
Helpful 913

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697 reviews submitted this month Earn your Contributor badge No account needed
73%
VrooomSputututu
I got a set of Riken Snow in January 2024, and drove about 5000 km on them. I didn't drive too much in deep snow or ice, they seemed fine when driving cautiously on snow/ice. As the weather warmed up, and the roads dried up, I've drove them a bit harder on some twisty mountain roads. They hold up pretty nice, the grip is very good on dry roads, but on wet roads the ABS kicked a few times on harder braking when driving a bit more spirited.

I'm driving a Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-jet with about 150 hp. The road feedback feels mushy, and the handling is a bit delayed because of the very soft sidewall, large and soft tread blocks. Their build quality is ok, though I've bought a set of Sailun Atrezzo ZSR 2 for summer, and the Sailuns are a lot better built, the tires look better. I might change the Rikens for some Sailun Atrezzo 4 Seasons for the next winter as in the last years, it's snowing less and less where I live.

My usecase for this tires is not really what they were made up for, and I imagine for mud, gravel or deeper snow would be really good. Also, they are quite noisy (because of the said soft tread blocks). It's not that annoying though. They offer great value for price, and I would buy them again.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 6
  • Road Feedback 7
  • Handling 6
  • Wear 7
  • Comfort 7
  • Buy again 10
  • Snow Grip 8
  • Ice Grip 7
Helpful 972
92%
Member
The Tire is very grippy and I can surely rely on it in any conditions, these are winter tires, I went to a very mountanious place, where SUVs were struggling to go, my car is 2018 camry hybrid XLE, it didn't struggle a bit. Would highly recommend.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 10
  • Wet Grip 8
  • Road Feedback 10
  • Handling 10
  • Wear 8
  • Comfort 9
  • Buy again 10
  • Snow Grip 10
  • Ice Grip 8
Helpful 1,100
88%
Member
I had previous experience with Riken winter tires and I was satisfied with that experience and bought them again. However, those tires are lower class, but for the money you invest, you get the best in that price range. For normal city use, they are quite good.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 8
  • Wet Grip 9
  • Road Feedback 9
  • Handling 7
  • Wear 10
  • Comfort 8
  • Buy again 10
  • Snow Grip 10
  • Ice Grip 8
Helpful 1,065
81%
Member
  • Skoda
  • 225/50 R17 V
  • 18,000 miles
  • A Combination of Roads
  • Average
Hi - I have been using Riken snow tires for about eight years - they are absolutely top class in snow, ice and mud they with the best in a few reviews in these conditions. In the dry they are quite satisfactory as I dont now hang the tail out or burn rubber!! Made by Michelin they are quality items and common in Germany and colder eastern european areas - as v rated they are made to CE standards that would allow consistent 120mph or something like - again not really possible nowadays but this also a guide to the standard og their manufacture. Wear is like the Michelin tires of the eighties and nineties - outstanding. A very under rated tire in my view. Will continue buying them for both my cars and I use them year round.
This owner's scores
  • Dry Grip 6
  • Wet Grip 7
  • Road Feedback 7
  • Handling 7
  • Wear 9
  • Comfort 9
  • Buy again 10
  • Snow Grip 9
  • Ice Grip 9
Helpful 1,057
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