Best studded winter tires 225/45 R17

The Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32 model was released taking into account the harsh climatic conditions of northern European winters. On store shelves, it can be found with factory studs or in a studded version.

The symmetrical directional tread pattern of the tire shows itself best on snowy and icy winter roads. In the central segment of the tread there is a characteristic arrow-shaped stiffening rib, responsible for maintaining the directional stability of the car when moving at high speeds. Also , such a tread quickly and effectively self-cleans from water and melted snow, thereby preventing the vehicle from breaking into aquaplaning or slushplaning.

Around two hundred Scason anti-skid studs are scattered around the perimeter of the tire's contact patch. Around them are special snowflake-shaped zones for removing crushed ice chips, thereby increasing the reliability of grip on slippery road surfaces. A hard rubber layer tenaciously holds the "steel claws" in the landing holes, preventing the studs from falling out.

The Kumho WinterCraft Ice Wi32 sidewalls have a reinforced outer and outer structure. They also look quite extravagant, giving the car a special charm. The only drawback of the model is perhaps the increased noise, caused by the very presence of studs. However, given the more or less affordable cost, this can hardly be called a critical point.

For the 2020-2021 winter season, Korean tire makers from Nexen have released the studded model Winguard Winspike 3. In fact, this is an economy-class tire “with claws”, but in terms of driving performance, it is ready to compete with more venerable tires from the giants of the tire industry.

The tire uses a classic winter V-shaped tread pattern with a semblance of a central stiffening rib. Expanding drainage grooves diverge from it to the sides, opening outward in the shoulders - the tire can boast of high efficiency in drying the contact patch when conquering water obstacles or driving on snowy roads.

The main characters in the design of the model are, of course, the anti-skid studs in the amount of about 190 pieces. The "claws" are planted in holes using Star Twister technology, aimed at quickly removing ice chips at the points where the studs are attached. This ensures reliable grip on icy road surfaces. The stud placement pattern is aimed at stabilizing the grip properties in the transverse and longitudinal directions. The only "but" is that due to the presence of "steel teeth" the tire demonstrates an extended braking distance on wet asphalt.

The Nexen Winguard Winspike 3 has massive shoulders, which is the key to sensitive responses to steering commands during active maneuvering on winter roads. The disadvantages of the tire include an increased level of acoustic noise when rolling. However, this is a drawback of almost all studded winter tires.

Nordic Hakkapeliitta tires from the Finnish company Nokian consistently take top prizes in terms of driving performance in harsh winter conditions. The 10th edition of this popular tire is no exception to the rule.

The tire uses Double Stud - the "claws" in the central core of the tread literally bite into the icy road surface, and the studs in the shoulder areas of the tire are turned 180° relative to the wheel rotation vector. This increases lateral grip indicators several times. The studding of the model is made according to the Eco Stud 10 concept, which implies softening the impact of the "steel teeth" and reducing the noise level when rolling.

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 tread blocks have two types of sipes: short central and extended side ones. Their work is also aimed at enhancing the grip qualities. A car in such tires accelerates dynamically and brakes quickly on slippery winter roads, and holds tenaciously to the road surface when maneuvering. In addition, the rubber has a well-thought-out water drainage system - the phenomena of aquaplaning and slushplaning are absolutely alien to the tire.

The rubber compound of the tire is made according to the proprietary Cryo Crystal "recipe" with the addition of a package of additives and polymer compounds to maintain elasticity in a wide range of subzero temperatures. In addition , the sidewalls of the model are reinforced with aramid fibers - curbs hidden under the thickness of snow will not harm the tire in any way. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 belongs to the top segment of winter studded tires and meets the needs of the most demanding car owners.

In the winter portfolio of the Continental company, one of the first steps of the podium is rightfully occupied by the studded IceContact 3 model - this is a premium tire for passenger cars of various classes.

The tire has a classic directional tread pattern with a V-shaped design of the central ridge of blocks. In sizes from R17 and larger, the model is equipped with rubberized ContiFlexStud studs. Moreover, in the central core of the tread and shoulder areas, the studs are different: the former are responsible for longitudinal grip properties, the latter - for transverse ones. With sharp "teeth" of studs, the tire reliably clings to slippery and icy surfaces, thereby ensuring high safety of trips in winter.

Innovative studding technology allows the tire to demonstrate truly excellent grip on loose snow and ice, as well as effectively brake in all weather conditions. However, in practice it turned out that the model often loses anti-skid studs. To prevent their premature loss, Continental engineers replaced the "teeth" with standard ones - with an aluminum body and a core based on tungsten carbide alloy. Such studs have been used in model sizes from R14 to R16 since the very beginning of rubber production.

Continental IceContact 3 provides excellent stability of the car in turns due to the compact outer shoulder. Also here is a very developed network of drainage channels for fast and effective cleaning of the contact patch from water, water-ice mixture and melted snow. Finally , the model will please car owners with low noise, which is an important factor when choosing studded tires.

The Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 tyre was released with an eye to safe driving on the roads of Northern and Eastern Europe, as well as the Baltic countries in snowy winter conditions.

The model is designed to replace another "studded" tire from the Goodyear portfolio - UltraGrip Ice Arctic. The second generation of the tire received a more directional tread pattern with wide drainage channels that increase closer to the shoulders. This is done for quick self-cleaning of the tread from snow slush and water. And thanks to the optimized distribution of studs along the tread plane, the noise level of the second edition tire was reduced(by about 9% compared to its predecessor).

The tire is studded with Arctic Eagle Claw Stud "teeth" with a sharp pin shape. Their fastening system allows the anti-skid studs to be securely held in the holes. Side by side with them on slippery surfaces, the Snow Grip technology works, provided by a high density of cutting edges in the central core of the tread. The synergy of these design know-how allows the tire to demonstrate confident traction on snow, a short braking distance on icy roads, and the driver receives sensitive and responsive control of the vehicle.

The rubber compound of the model includes additives that increase wear resistance and frost resistance of the tire. Even in severe frosts, the tire remains elastic and continues to properly perform its functions. In addition, polymer compounds in the rubber compound give the tire additional strength. Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 represents the premium studded rubber segment with high-class driving properties on snow, ice, wet and dry winter surfaces.